ALTHOUGH DEFENDANT WAS IN DEFAULT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, SHE STILL CAN CONTEST THE AMOUNT OWED; THE REFEREE’S REPORT HERE WAS REJECTED BECAUSE IT WAS BASED IN PART ON UNPRODUCED BUSINESS RECORDS AND THE MATTER WAS REMITTED FOR RECALCULATION (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the referee’s report in this foreclosure action should have been rejected because it was based in part on business records which were not produced. Although defendant was in default, she still could contest the amount owed:
The fact that the defendant defaulted in appearing did not mean that she was precluded from contesting the amount owed … . The Supreme Court should not have confirmed the referee’s report because the referee’s recommendation that the plaintiff be awarded tax and hazard insurance disbursements was premised upon unproduced business records … . Consequently, the referee’s findings with respect to the total amount due upon the mortgage were not substantially supported by the record … . Accordingly, we reject the referee’s report and remit the matter to the Supreme Court, Kings County, for a new report computing the amount due to the plaintiff, followed by further proceedings in accordance with CPLR 4403 and the entry of an appropriate amended judgment thereafter. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v Campbell, 2021 NY Slip Op 04574, Second Dept 7-28-21
