U.S. Bank N.A. v Johnsen

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U.S. Bank N.A. v Johnsen 2017 NY Slip Op 32363(U) May 30, 2017 Supreme Court, Suffolk County Docket Number: 37996/2012 Judge: Howard H. Heckman Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various state and local government websites. These include the New York State Unified Court System's E-Courts Service, and the Bronx County Clerk's office. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [* 1] Shon form Order SUPREME COURT - STATE OF NEW YORK IAS PART 18 - SUFFOLK COUNTY PR ES ENT: HON. HOWARD H. HECKMAN JR., J.S.C. ---------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO.: 37996/ 20 12 MOTION DATE: 10/23/2017 MOTION SEQ. NO. : 001 MG 002 MD U.S. BANK N.A., Plaintiffs. -against- TIMOTHY 0. JOI lNS EN, BARBAR.A R. JOHNSEN, Defendants. ----------------------------------------------------------------X PLAINTlFFS' ATTORNEY: PARKER fBRAHIM & BERGER LLC 5 PENN PLAZA, STE. 2371 NEW YORK. NY 10001 DEFENDANTS' ATTORi~EYS: LAW OFFICES OF ELLIOT S. SCHLISSEL 4 79 MERRICK ROAD LYNBROOK, NY 11563 Upon lhe following papc!rs numbered I to 50 read on this motion : Notice: of Motion/ Ordc!r to Show Cause and supporting papers 1-38 : Notice of Cross Morion aod supporting papers 39-46 : Answering Affidavits and supporting papers 47-50 _: Replying Affidavits and supporting papers _ : Other_ : (and after hearing counsel in support and opposed to the motion) it is. ORDERED that this motion by plaintiff U.S. Bank, N. A. seeking an order: 1) granting summary judgment striking the answer and counterclaims asserted by defendants Timotby 0. Johnsen and Barbara R. Johnsen; 2) discontinuing the action against defendants designated as "John Doe # 1-5" and "Jane Doe # 1-5""; 3) deeming aJJ appearing and non-appearing defendants in default; 4) amending the caption; and 5) appointing a referee to compute the sums due and owing to the plaintiff in this mortgage foreclosure action is granted; and it is further ORDERED that the cross motion by defendants Timothy 0 . Johnsen and Barbara Johnsen seeking an order pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a)(3) & RP APL 1304 dismissing plajntifrs complaint and awarding counsel fees is denied; and it is further ORDERED that plaintiff is directed to serve a copy of this order amending the caption upon the Calendar Clerk of the Court; and it is further ORDERED that plaintiff is directed to serve a copy of this order with notice of entry upo11 all parties who have appeared and not waived further notice pursuant to CPLR 2 103(b)( J ).(2) or (3) wi thi n thirty days of the date of this order and to promptly file the uffidavits of service with the Clerk of the Court. Plaintiffs action seeks to foreclose a mortgage in the orig inal sum of $330.000.00 executed by defendants Timothy 0 . Johnsen and Barbara R. Johnsen on July 18, 2006 in favor of Argent Mortgage Company, LLC. On the same date both defendants executed a promissory note promising to re-pay the entire amount of the indebtedness to the mortgage lender. The mortgage loan was assigned to the plaintiff by assignment dated May 23, 2012. Plaintiff claims that the [* 2] it111rl!.!<1'.!or 'di.:Ji..:nd;1111s dl'I ~• illl..'d umkr tlw 11..'rm-; 01' thc nmrtu.tt:.L' und not\.! b' foili11u to 111a~c.: ti1111.:h .. ._ .... . ..... . 1nn11thly monga_:!l: p.1:-. lllL'llLS hL'ginning J;rnu:ir~ I. 20 IO and wntinui11g to date. l'laimiff commcncl.'d l his :ll'LilHI h: Ii Ii 11g a noliu.· 0 r J'h.!lllkllc:. SUl1lll1011S and Cl'l1l j)lai Ill \\ i th the Suffnl~ ( lllllll) Ckrk. 'i Olticl..' on lkcc.:mbt:r 20. 21112. I Ill' Johnsen dckndants scnl..'d thdr ans\vl'r 011.l,111uar: 22. :: 11. w J>laimifr.., mntioll "1..'L'k" ·111 ordc.:r gnming '\llllllllar: 1udg.n11.·nt -;triking lll'!i..:1:dant ('h:r~! \fa11n.'1-' .., .1n.--.. ..:r 1\ ith "'oum.:i...l .. im-.. .in,J liir th'- .1pp11i11ln11..:nt 111' ,L rcll:n:1.. ~ 0 111 nppo"iti(ln tk:IL·ntl:111ls submit a cro::,s n101io11 asserting d1..:lc11sl..'s ch1iming that plaintin standing lo prosel'ulc tlli s ac.:11 ,111 and thut p lainllll has t:iikd lo pn1"c ll has L"otnplicd with Rl',\l'L IJO-l r..:quirl..'1111..:llt~. f),:fi:nd;m1:: ~ 1ppos ition sccb u11 ordi.:r dismissing plai11ti!'rs complaint < awarding altnrm:ys kl..''>. llld l~ti.:b prima !m;ii.: shim i11g or c.:ntillcmc.:1ll to jw.lgmi.:nt as ;1 mallcr lll' kt\V, tc.:ndcring sulfo..:i\.!nl cvidr.:nce 10 climinulr.: any material question or fact from the c:.isc. The grant of summary jullgment is appropriate only wh1.:n it is c.:kar th:1t no m:!ti.:rial :mll tri:tbk issuc.:s of fact ha\'...: bel.!n prr.:scntcd c.<.;i//man "- /'!! e11th•t/J C'mtw:l'--Fox Fi/111 ( '01;>.. >N Y2d >95 (I 95 7)). ·111c moving part) bears the initial hurdcn of prm. ing cnti1km1.:nt to summar~ ju<lg.ml'lll ( ll'ine,f!.1'<1d 1· .\'H i ,\fc!dic:a! < C!Jlfer. (14 NY2d 85 I ( 1985)). Once such prool' h:is het!ll prnf"l(•n·d . lhc bun.kn o.;hili.; lO the ~'PP(lSing pHrty who. Ill dcl'cal the motion. must orler c.:\·idcnci: in admissibk form. and must set fo rth fot:ts su!fo.:icn1 to require a trial of any i:;suc of' fact (('J>LR 1212(h): /.uc:kerman 1•. ( 'i1_1 · <?(J\'ell' fork. 49 Y2c.J 5'-7 ( 1980)). Sum1m1 judgment shall ry only he granted when there are no issues of material foct and the l'\'iJcm:c n.:quirl'S the court to direct .i .i udg111c11l i11 l~1\ \It \ lf lhl' tllll\ ant as a mallet urla ,\ (/· i·iem/., o(. i 11i111a/s 1·.. b.\Oc:it.1frd Fur .\lc1111!foc111rer.\, -lb N Y.2J 10()5 t I 979 J). f'lic proponcnl ol a su11111wry jud!.H1ll.'lll mot inn must make: ;1 0 Entith.:1 m:111 tn :;ummur) judgment in favor ~)r the forcdosing pla intiff is cswhlishcd. priina focil' b~ lhc plaintiff::. prndudinn nrthc mortgage nnd thl' unpaid noll'. and evidence or Jcfaull in payment (.\<.'e /l'e/ls t-'t.1rgo Hank .V..-1. v. L~rohoho. I 27 /\DJd 1176. 9 NYS3d JI 2 (2"J lkpL 2015 ): ll'el/s Fargo /Ju11k. ,\'.. I. r . Iii. 122 \D3d TJ..(). C)t)) NYS2d n5 (2"J Dcpl.. 2014 )). Where the pluintirrs swnding is phH.:t:d in issue by the ckl'c11d~1111·s answer. thl: plaimilTmusl als11 establish its standing as pan of its prim,1 focic sho\\'ing (.·l11rorn l."011 Sun·i"<'-" r. 'l'c1.1·/or. 25 NY3d ]55. 12 NYS:)d 61~ (20 15): /.ot111can r Fin/ting. 130 /\ D3d 787. 1-l- NYSJJ 410 (2'"1 Dcpt.. 2015): n:;m. .. /Junk l !.\'.·/. X .. I. 1•. Ht1111i.\'h. I ~8 /\ ())d 77 I() NY Sid:'.)') (2m' Dept.. 20 I')) ). In a ti m.~t.:losurl' acti(lll. <1 plnintiffhas sl:imling if it is L'ithcr the holder or. or thl' assignee 01: the u1H.krlying.1101c.: al the lime that tlk· action is L"Olllllll'lln'd (.luroro I ow1.\en'h-c•.\ 1·. 'f <~rfor. \'ll/Jr<1.: 1:"111igrt111/ Ha11A 1· l.mL::o. I 21J Al )3d '>-!-. I_\ NY~3d I 2tJ e'"'! lkpt.. ~O I))). Eillh.'r a \.Hitll·n assign111c111 ur1hc note or lJ11.' ph~si1;:l1 ll'a!lsl;.:r or tile llOIL' to the pli1intiff prior tn L'l)l111lll' llCl'll1~' lll 111.thc ac.: ti1\ll j~ sunicicnl IO lr:11 1skr t lw 11hl i~at ion and !11 prm idc standing ( 11 ·,,1/s Fur.~o !Junk. ,\ . I. r. /'orkl'r. I 2S 1\ ()~d 8-rn. ) !'.. YS3d l iO (2".i lkpt.. :21ll5l: I'S IJ,mk r. (1111 · 125 .\l>.>d X-15.) Y'-iJd I IC1 !2·1.i lkpt.. 2015)). 1\ plaintiff-; a1tal'l11111.'11l tlf a d11l: i11d11rst:d llllll' 10 its n1mpi:iin1or1n lhl' n:rtifi<.:all.: 11l 111L·ri1 rl'quired purs11~111 1 lo ( Pl R .~11 1.~Cbl. t.:11upktl \\ 1t11 .in alfalm 11 111 "l11d1 11 allq!..:s that it had ·1usscssio11 ol lhl· 1 101l: prin1 1(1 fhl' lPntllll'lln'lll\.'111 ortlll' ,1dio11. has hc.:~·ll hdd to t.:1111..,lilllll' dui.: pr11P1° 11f'thl' pbinlilr '\ -.la nding f(1 prosl..'t:tlk ih d1in 1 ~ Jm li'l\~l' l oslll'1: ,llld "<lk 1.I/' \/ur.t!Jlll < '/1(1\'{' 8(111k. ,\ I r 11',•m/l('n.:t'I'. I..+:'. \l))d(1. l ~.3/l\.Y:-;3d2g61'"' 1 lh:pt..'..:Olc1J:/'\.\/l1 l'o/..i1pl1/ ll.!11t.. l'"1 I \l>~d"O<). 1"' :--.. 'i S ~d 2.~<1 t 2'''1I kpl.. 20 I < l>e111 \('fte /Jc111/.. \ '<1111111,t/ '/i-1/.\t <'o 1· !.dpJ1. 117 \I> h] X~ l. 28 •> :-... YS ;d X<1I2 I kpt.. 20I111. \ct1i1111stur \/nrt~ag< ' I I< 1·. < <1li~""t' 127 \ , >.ld Ii 51. 1 .1~YS1d 1 I" 1 (.~' I kpl.. 20 I '"'I). [* 3] i'n>p..:r :-.1.•rvic1..· o rl~P.\PI I i03 & 130-J. nnticcs on horrq\,er(sJ arc Lnm.li t ion~ prccc<lcnl tu Lhc . c11m1111..·nccmcnl ofa forcdosu rc ~tclion. and the pl<tinliffhas the burden orestahlishin!! (()IJ1pliurn..:i..: \Yitli this n1rnliti o11 (./11roru l.om1 .\aric..:s. LU ' r. lreishium. 85 /\Dld 95. t)D NYS:::!d ()()<) (2"'1 lkpl.. ~Ol l ): First .\utio11ul Bonk<~/ C/Jirngo r. Sifra. 73 ;\l)3d I (12 . 899 NYS2d 2sr1 (2"'1 Dept.. 201 IJ)). RJ>/\1'1. Uin rL·quircs that notice he dclivcrl'd with the summons ~ind c~)mpluint to Cll !l'lll1t: :i::e the l( ) rcc! o~;un.' •1<.:t: nn. rhc nolitX must he in bokL f'mtrtl'l.'.11-po inl typl' ;uid <;ball he pri nted on cnlored 1x1pcr that i:-; oth-.'r tkm thl..! color 0J' th1..' ~u11111wrns and complain!. and !he titk nr t!1e n1}l!CL' s hal t l)e 111 ho ld. menty-pntnl typl..' <ind tile nntkc ~hall be on its own p~1g.e. RJ>/\l'J, i .>d412J pw ' i<.ks tit<!l 1wtk\.:' be sent hy ri..:gisw red ()r ..:eniiied maii and b) ti rst-ciuss maii to the la.st kno\\'n addn:ss t11'lh<: borrmver(s). JJKI il'dif"lcr'-°'.nt. to the rcsid-:nci.; that is the sul~jl..'c:l ul'thc nwngagc:. !'Ii<.: not1<.:1: is considl'n..:d gi\ en as nr the datc it is maikd and must be scnt in~\ sc:paratc Cll\\.:l1)l1L' frrnn an: otlicr lllailing or notke and the: 1oticc must bl..' in 14-point type. 1 The plaintitrs proorin suppt)rl or its motion consists or: I) a cop) ol'thC:' ··n.:ducc.:d payment 11xcd rate:" promissory note dated July 18, 200() signed by both J(1hnscn dcl(:mlants indorsc:d in blank :ind siencd hy ilw pri:-:idcnt and th..: CY.() <Yf th~ original mtirtg.age kndcr, .1\rgen1 Mortgage Company. LLC: 2) a copy or the recorded mortgage dated July 18. 2006 signed by both .Johnsen dekndants: 3) a copy of the Pol) Iin~ and St..:rvicing. /\grccmcnt dated Nnvl.!mbc:r I, 200(> tog.ether \\ ith n copy or the m(1rtgagc assignment to plaintiff dated May :D, 20 I2: 4) three separate affidavits from mortµagc servicer 1.ll'Morgan Cbase Bank. N.A/\) testifying about the contents ol'thc.: loan (business) r<:c.:ords maintained by the mortgage lender: 5) four copi·c s of the RP;\ Pl . 90 day notices dated February 29. 2012 for llrst dass and certilicd mailing separately addressed lo Timothy 0 . .!ohns\.'n and Bmbma R . .lohns~n 10 the mo11gagcd premises. togl'ihcr with Uni ted Postal Records idcntificJ as a ··(\:rtilical\.:' of Bulk i'vlaiiing.·· conlirming mailing und payment or foes for mailing k:llcrs on February 29. 2012 and identified as .. US PS lra\:k & Conlirm" n.:vca ling dclail!:l nfthc mai Iing. and Chase interna l business records identi lied as: ··chase Mortgage Banking First Class Proo!' 01· Mailing Rt!port .. identifying separate mailing ol' four letters to the .Johnsen dclcndants at the mortgaged premises on February 29. '20 I'.? nnd as: "Chase Mortgag.c Banking Certi lic.:d Regulatory !Vlail Rcg.isld. indicating. two lettl.!rs v.:ith indiv idt1:1I article numbers addressed lo the .Johnsen dcll·ndants to the mortgngl·d premises on February 29. 20 I 2: and (i) ;.1 uopy or two RPJ\PL 1306 l'rnor of Filing Statements from lhL' New York Stat..: lkpartmc11l or Financial Services contirrning maili ng. or the 1)0-day notices lo Timothy 0. fohnst:n and rsarbura R. Johnsen . is w hether dL'll.'llSL' LO\lllsel "s hn:acJi o f a writkn Stipulation l"Cljlliring tlJe receipt Of opposil i1m p;1pl'rs 10 be made on a d:11e ccrtuin. and eounsd ·s subs1..·quen1 Sl1 h111ission or cross motion papers more than 2-1- days alh:r the stipulated servicl.' rect:ipt date. 1nunda1c:; the cou rt 's n;jccti1111 such npposition so that plaintitrs mntion is consid~·1ul 11noppo~;cd and. ir:-:n. \\'hdhcr the L'\ idcrn.:1.: submiued b~· the pl:1intiffis sufficient to ..:stablish iLs right tt1 rurcc lnsc. Or. irthe rnun <.·onsidcrs .;11d1 opposition. whc.:tlwr is:-:ucs pf t~td c.\ist s utfo.:ienl to dckal plaintilrs sumirHn-y j 11dgm..:111 motion or to n:quirc that. the c.:0111plai111 be dismissed. /\t iSS llL' or \\' itJi respec t tu the issu1:.· orplai1lli!r-; rcjecti11n nft111ti111cl: Ji led tlp pnSition ('\.: ross lllOliPll .. ) p:qK·r.., the..' n.:1.'tlrd is l.' k;ir lhal c1it111 o.;el 11.>r both paniest:xccutcd a \Hillen s1i pnl:tlio11 rcquirin~ lhal ddi.·11 <.1.' cou11scl ">en 1: 1>ppo.;i1iun p;tpcr:-- ;n1d tli:ll such paplT" hi.' t\.' t.:l.'I' t!d by pl<1i11 titr:-. counsel h\ :-.1.·p1t:111b1.·r 27. 20 I (1. I klrnsc n>unscl hrcac:hcd tlw :1grcemrnl h; alll"mpting lo serve l:1te t..:n1ss 111otiu11 p;1per:-. (mid 11ut l>ppositio11 paper'> ns slipul;1!ed to by counsel) on (klt\hl'r 211. 20f f,. 1 \hs1.·nt a r1.·;1snnahk 1.'~planation !(>r dc1;.·11s1..· L"(Jll1lscl"s f~1ilure lo ahidt.· the written agrL·1.·111rnl. 1111:--. court ,,j lJ ', _ [* 4] nnt 1..·1,nsidl..'r d1.·l~11u:1111·"1:rnss mo inn pupi..:r" in oppnsiti on h• pluintirr:-. mulitir :-111\:<.: t!ti..: "rit11.·11 ..,tipul<lliu11 is hm<li11g upo l hnth p;1r1ies tn thi..: ugn.!1:111<.:nl. just "" a !-.igrn:d 111ortgag1.· llr pnimiss11ry no\\.' is a binding agn:cm1..·nf r<.:1..1uiring rc-paytnL'lll ol thl..' anHHllll 01'111oni..:) hornl\\t:d O\'l'r an aµri.:L:d upnn 111.·riml of 1im1.: (sc't' lurko \. !>t!m \ · Inc.. 111/\DJJ615. 97.f \ IYS2d 12<1 (2"'1 lkpt.. :201 ~)J. lbs..:d upt>n dd~n"<.: couns<.:I'.., hn.:m:h. the nppt>s111g papers ar..: iuris<lidionall) dd\.:cti' l' as ..th1: foilurl' 1 pr11\ !t•c rr<'rer S1..'I'\ it·1.· o:· mntion paper'- t.kprives lhl' C•Hlrl ofjmisdiclitlll \Cl <.:lllt:rtain the .11 cont<.:ntsol su<.:h paper~.. (/.et' 1·. /-She11g 1.1 129 1 \Dkl 923. JO l\ YS1d .f:'I (2 1o1)),:pl.. 21115). ( 'm1111 ii ·ull'lprno/i11.'.!.. i11c. '" Twh·u < '011s11·11crio11 ( '11rf1 t)() .t\ l),:;d %-L ~>:'.1 1~ YS2<l ~5..f (~" I )i.:pt.. 20 I~ i/. l ;11d..:r l111..· d1'1..\1llbl,l11Cl.'S th1. uppl.lsitiun pap1.•rs ~1ri.: J.:l..'mi.:J unlimi...'I~ and a ilttllil'.'. ir: \'iC\\' of 1.k•knSI..' counsel s 1ailt11\: lo strict!> compiy with the punies agri..:cmcnt. "i i11.: ('(1un "iii 1H•11:u11-,itk1 dd~11du11t'" ··l.rll'>s motiun·· a:. ~1 timely -;ubmillcd crns:' 11w1i\ l1. hut\\ ill Jctcnninc its merits hascd upon the ddcnd<ml·s dcfoult in opposing plaintirr~ original mutinn um.I the implitil <.:(1n"cqu1..·nct·s of' tldl.·rn.hmt•;° foilun: to timely oppose that motion. 1 With n:splxl tt) plaintiffs u1 wppnscd motion for summary judgment. the anidavits suh1nittcd by the mortgage k11<.k1.-S \ice president. togclhcr \vi th the allornc~"c; arfirm;Hion ;.llH.i '\Ubmission nf' copies or th<.: <luly in<lorsc<l promi:-sory note and mongugc. provide the c\'ickntim") fi.nmJation for cstablishinµ thl' mnngage kmkr" s right to li.1n:dosc. This C\ iJencc shows prima .-at:ic that tht: defendants li1ikd lO comp I) With the terms of th<.: promiSSlll") ll<lh.: und lllOl'lgage by their LkfauJt in making timely monthly mortgugt• :')aymcnts since January I, 20 I 0. The bank. hnvmg prown enlillcnH.:nt to st11nmary judgment. it is incumbent upon the dcli.:mlants to submit rckvant. L'ViJcntiary proof sunici1.·11tly substantive to raise genuine issues nr fat:t wm:crni11g why the kmkr is not cnlitlcd to foreclose the mmlg::igc. Dc!i.:ndtml!' have \Vhnlly foilc<l to do so hy foiling to ..;uhmi1 tt1y timely nppnsition to the pl~1i11tiff s motion. Accordingly the plaintiffs motion must be grantt.:d in its entirety. I·,vcn \\'CIT the Court ln t:onsidcr Lk lens<.: <.:otlnsc rs ··cross motion .. paper'\ in upposition to plaintirrs mnti<m. the rck\'ant. admissible c\'idcnce in this rcwrd proves the plaintit"f"'s entitlement to foredo.-;c the nwrtgage. \Vith respect lo the issue (Ir :-.landing. plaintiff has :-.uhmill<.:d suffi<.:icnt e\·idenc<.: in the form o[" thc alli<lavit rwm the mongagc knd..:1" s mortgagL' sen it:er'-; \'ke prc-;idcnt (" hi<.:h satisfies the business n:cords exception to the hc~lrsay ruk· (CPLR 4518 )) und plc.1intilrs co1111scl's :il'lirmation Lo prov(,,; the plaintiff h:1s standing. as the holdt:r ol'thc indorscd in hlunk original prnmissnry noti.: sig11cd by the udi.!ndant ~ \\ hich hm; h1.·1:n in plainlilrs possession prior to mid on I hl' datt the m:I i(ll1 was commcnt:cd nn Ikcemhcr 20. ~U 12 (. I11roru l .ow1 \ 'en•ires 1·. Tc~i ·lm-. '11/J/'tl .. Jl'e/f., Fargo /Junk ,\ .I 1· l'arker. .'illf'nt.. l · S. /Junk. \ .. f. r Fhn l!fi..'/d. 1-4-1 1 \DJd 8'» . ..J.I N YS3d 261J ( 2" 1 Dept.. 201 (l ): < i ,\ I. I ( . .I lortgu,V.t'. I U. r. Sicll'err1 ·. 1-P i\ I >.:1tl 8<13 . •H) I\ YS 3d 781 1 I I " 1 I kpl.. 1111 (l) ). \\ i1h n:spt'rl tn th1..· i'\..;t11.· ol' service of'1h1: pn:-l(11-cclosm1.· l{P,i\PI. 130-1<JO-day111ltic~s. till..' or prn or required lo shim strict l'tH11plta11<.:e \\ i Ii lht.' slalllll' IS: I) \llhmission nl ,111 a fo.i<l\·it s~n ll'C 1 (Ir lh\.' 11otic1..·~ ( ( '11 i.\/111'/,'.!.<l,~l'. flll \' l'appu.\. 1-17 \ j) 1d l>f Hl. -I 7 ~ Y"3d -P.:; e ·~ I kpt.. 2017 ): n,111k '!I \c·11 )orA .\ld/11111· 1111111111. I ii AD3d 118<). ' (1 "t\iY<.\1d 770 t2 .i Dept.. '201)) 1: t11 ~ l h:-pl.1i 111 i rr s 'illh111 issiun ll r '\llnil'icn1 pn )() Ill <.:stab!ish pmu r lll<l i Ii ng by ! IIL· pnsl 1l'lii.:1..· \\'hir h Gi ll h1..· pr11\ ('JI h~ admissihk •.:\·itk11re pnwitlcd hy till' husincs-; r1.·l..'1lrds L< tcplinn lo lit<.: lil.'.:1rs;1: rnk (//,\'/JI ' "' 1 12 . ..!ll l 1 ~) ~i1p Up lJ Nctllk i '. \.I. \ .. I r U::rn11 . ...'.O I / \\ I -!(>) 1') L ( . .'. · IJL'pl.. Ill I h . l 7 I. ( 11i.\furf.'.!.1f.!.!<' \". /'1tppos. \ ll/11'<1. na11A n/ $II ) o,·k \/el/rm I' l>ons 56 ;\·fi!'<.: ~"1 ~'J7. 51) I\ YS1tl :::-~ r ( \11!1 ~ ( ·,, 'up C . 2017 )) ·1 I or >nn: 1..·ither method is 1..·-\t;1hlislwd a pr1.·sump•ion !ll't\:c..:ipt ·iris1..·... I '<'1' -4- [* 5] I friww l-."tie11111· \/edh'ol ('ore. / 1.< · r < '0111111:r-Tridc /;1s111w1n· <·mn1>mzt'. 25 NY)d 498. 14 '\JY'i~d . :?83 (201~1: Nllgs1ttr Hu11A r. \k11do::a. l~CJ $))d 898. Y2 NYS.id ~78 r2"'1 lkpl..201<11: Rc,ich·11t111/ I In/ding ( '(J/p. 1·. • \'rn11sd11!c ln.rnrct11L·r! Co1111w11.1·. 2X6 i\1)3d 67<>. T2 1J NYS2d 7(>(> C".i I kpt.. 200 I }l. Pluinllff IKL<.; submitll'U -.;ulfo.:ie1111.:,·itkn..:L' 10 c~tab l i . . h 1hat thL' !30-l 111Hi..:L'" \\1,:n.: serH'd in \\llh statulnr:- rL·quin.:mi..:ms. Pl.tintiffs pniori.:.insi~b llft\.'stim1)1,ial and \l\1t.:uml'lllar~ '-'' ide11cl' from tlw mong.a!:?I.' scrTiccr ( Ch.:hl') th.it pcrl'imm:<I the mai Ii ng atH.I from l 'nill'd State:-. Postal Serrn.:c l\:t:ords. I hi..: prnol suhm1tti..:d spcci licall:- im:lmh:s: I) thi..: les!inwn~ ul"Ll1c rnnrtgagL· :-.i.:n ic-:r' :-. \ Clw:-.t.: ·!>) ··MB Ik l~nl.l Ups :-\pee.: Ir" who con ii rms in his ··affida \it nr' nwi Ii11g'· that 1he required ma1l111gs \\ere :-.en cd on l'i..:bruar) 29. 2012: 2 l c(Jph:s or the FL'hruilr) 29. 2012 not ici..::-. maikd w both <lcll:ndanls al the mongugcd premises: 3) l nited Stales Pdstal rct.:ords co1Tol"mrat ing the lir~l d.1ss <.ml CCl1 i llL'd mai Iings SL'll( lll th...: .Johnsen ddcnda nts: anti -t.) c.:opil'~ cl r inll:rnal bu~i lll'!>S rl'cmds maintainl'<l hy ( 'h<lSL' rur~ hi..:r corroborating. the mailing .. !"he s11hmissio11 ol' lhi<., lcstimoni<li and dm:uml'ntar) evid1:11t:1.: l's ta bl ishcs strict <.:ompl i~mcc with RI;/\ PI . 1304 inai Iing. rcq uircml'nl s (see //.\'/)( · /Jc111k l!S..J. :V.. l. '" O:n111. s11prn.: ( 'it i,\ /or1gage. Inc. , .. l'appus. supra.)). /\ hsent lhc "\llhlllis,ion or :111y 1.'.\ idl'll(l' in ''PJ1(1sil i ~111 W rJaintif'rs mnlion. plaintiff has suhmitlcd c.:u!fo:ienl uncontro,·erlL•d proof to establish its right lo foreclose tht:: mortgagl:. ~:ecnrdarn.:l' Hascd upon the lciregoin!:;.. and in view of ddc11d:.u11· s failure 10 submit timdy opposition lo plaintitrs mnlion. the only issue remaining is to address thl' npplicution submillcd by the ddcndams. which although chnn1derized as ~t ··cross 111otio11·· is c.:onsiden.:c.I as an independent motion seeking t<' dismiss plaintit'l~s complaint. lkfondant·s application prm ides l1<l reasonable c:xrnsc l(>r counsel's ddi.1ult in scr\'ing. ti1m:I) opposition to the m1.>tin11 and therdt)rl' based upun their default thl: <m.ird 11f judgml'llt in plainti'rs lttHH ha~ become.:: thi.: hm of the case. Ddcndant's mution pn>\ides nu c\ idcm.:c w disturh With rcspe<.:t Lo dcfi:ndnnt's remaining contentions concerning the right to conduct discovery nnd w rc1nand this action for another mandatory selllcmcnt i.:onl~n:ncc, court records indit.:atc.:: that this act inn ''as sd1edu lcd l'or i.:oun scukmcnt 1.:onforencc.::s on M<ty 7. ~o I:" and .1 ul) 7. 20 I:\ Records slHlW that based upon thL· Maurer ddc11dants failure: In <ippcar for the .Ju l)· 7111 rnn!CrencL'. th1..• action was marked ··no! sdtlcd .. and rcll:rrcd tn :111 lt\S rnurt pui1. It is then:l(>re eonl'using to understand dd'cnsc counsd·s assertion in his opposi tion papcrs plncing blame on plaintiffs counse l for ddi:ndants' d('foult (presumably in appearing at the .Jul:- 7111 c.:onfcrcm:l.!). Defense cmmsl'I daims that plai111iff(wu11sd) had .. no ri.;ht 10 lilc an R.11 prior to the l.!.\pint1io11 of lhc 1i111c lo ha\c the i-;suc joinL'd .. (daiming the R.11 requesting. a scllkmcnt <:nnli.:rcnce \\'HS likJ ten day" hdi.irc dd'<..·11da111-;' ~lllS\\L'r \\as S\.Th'tl. <.,p llwt defense cm111scl 11cwr rcc.:cin.:d formal notice l>rthe scukmc.::nt conl\:r1..·nt.:L' dak). \Vhik such t.:laim Illig.ht h:t\ e been dl'l'l:nsihk h:td on ly one -..; uch wnli:n..·nn.• htcn hdd. lltL' n.:rnnl indicates 1hat ckkndrntl(s) :1 ppcarcd for the May 7'11 cc\t1kn.:11ce and thcrcl'nre had ncry 1>ppl>rlunil) lo IHI! i (~ l."(llll1SL'i ol' the ~CC lltlll Cflll ll l'l'lll.:l' d:tll'. yet l ~ti h.:d to appl':tr. \!o leg: ii h~t'\i-.; C".ists ll' l'\.'lllllltd lhi-; ill'.tio11 J'or a third n111L•1\:11i.:1.· or Jo rurth..:1 t:Ullducl dist.:O\\.'I) Firrnll~ ;ind in' lL'\'. ol'dckndani•;° lailun.· 111 -..uhmit tii11L'1) oppo'>ition. tit-: dt.:kndant Ii.rs litikd LO r:llSL' : Il l! l'\ 1di..·11c.:c.: (0 add rc S~ '111~ oJ"llL•r (1> rl) l)J1L' ;ini rlllil{i\L" dc(\_·11SL'S i11 t1ppnsilinn (I> l'l:1i11tilrs 11mti1111. 1h""" .llfo·rn:ttih· dl'knsl'" 11111!-tl he decm1.•d :1 hand0111:d and <lt'L' lil'1\:hy di-;111is~l'd \ .<'<' /\r"111ck r / .. /' Tli«1·1111/1 c ·o Inc. 70 , \l)~d Cl-l-8. 8CJ21'-. YS2d 8'i (211' lkpL 20111): ('i1ihc111!i ' .\ .. I 1· 1·,111 lln1111 /'nif'<'rtin. /IC ''5 \J)'d 115};. 9~:" 0:Y:-)2d '1012"'1 lk·pt. 2111~>: /111g,.\tt11 Hcmk I' /kllt1/iore. l)..j \J)3d 10-l-L 9-l~ NYS2d '51 (~ " lkpt.. 2Ul2). /re//, l·argo llu11J.:. \/in11t'\llft1 -5 - [* 6] 1\t:con.tinµ l;- the pl:1i111ifrs motion Sl..'1.•king an ot'tk·r grun ting. sun111wry judgnwnt ~mJ for the appoi111111c1ll l1f'a rdcH~l· is g.rantcd. l'h<! 1xop(1scd or<lcr for the appoimmcnt lira rcfrrcc has bc~n signed -..imuh:.m1..·ousl:• \\ith thl..' l..''\1..t:utinn nfthis <'rtkr. ~ IION . MOWJ\l(;; iJ. llECi~,\l.\~~ . JR. .l.~.l . Hon. Howard H. Heckman Jr,. (>-

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