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Sheriff Entitled to Poundage Even If No Money Collected—Execution by Sheriff Triggered Settlement

The Fourth Department determined the sheriff was entitled to poundage even though no money was actually collected by the sheriff (the execution by the sheriff triggered a settlement):

The Sheriff …. moved for an order awarding the payment of poundage pursuant to CPLR 8012.  We conclude that the court erred in denying that motion.  “ ‘Poundage is a fee awarded to the Sheriff in the nature of a percentage commission upon moneys recovered pursuant to a levy or [an] execution of attachment’ . . . The Sheriff’s right to receive poundage fees is wholly statutory . . . , and the statute must be strictly construed . . . Under the statute, the Sheriff is entitled to poundage fees ‘for collecting money by virtue of an execution’ (CPLR 8012 [b] [1])” … .  Although it is undisputed that the Sheriff did not actually collect any money, an award of poundage may still be made where, inter alia, “a settlement is made after a levy by virtue of an execution” (…see CPLR 8012 [b] [2]; …). …[W]here, as here, “payment by the debtor is made directly to the creditor after a sheriff levies, the payment constitutes a settlement, and the sheriff will be entitled to poundage” … .  Pursuant to the unambiguous language of the statute, the Sheriff is entitled to $24,500 in poundage based on the settlement amount of $650,000 (see CPLR 8012 [b] [1], [2]). Foley v West-Herr Ford Inc…, 1040, 4th Dept 11-8-13

 

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Note and Mortgage Void as Usurious

The Second Department determined a loan transaction and the associated note and mortgage were void because the loan was usurious:

Under the civil usury statute, the maximum interest rate on a loan is 16% per annum (see General Obligations Law § 5-501[1]; Banking Law § 14-a[1]). General Obligations Law § 5-501(6)(a) provides that the 16% maximum interest rate is not applicable “to any loan or forbearance in the amount of [$250,000] or more, other than a loan or a forbearance secured primarily by an interest in real property improved by a one or two family residence.” * * *

To determine whether the interest charged exceeded the usury limit, we must apply the traditional method for calculating the effective interest rate as set forth in Band Realty Co. v North Brewster (37 NY2d 460, 462). Viewing the loan as a one-year loan, the total annual interest is $43,175 ($33,000 in annual interest at 12% on $275,000, plus $10,175 in retained interest fees). The net loan funds advanced, i.e., the loan principal ($275,000) minus the retained interest ($10,175), equals $264,825. Expressed as a percentage of the net loan funds advanced, the $43,175 in total annual interest equals 16.3% of $264,825. The effective interest rate of 16.3% exceeds the civil usury limit, and the loan was therefore usurious.  Oliveto Holdings Inc v Rattenni, 2013 NY Slip Op 06844, 2nd Dept 10-23-13

 

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Concept of an Equitable Mortgage Explained, Affirmative Defenses Left Out of Original Answer (Waived) Can Be Included in Amended Answer

The Second Department explained the concept of an “equitable mortgage” and noted that affirmative defenses waived pursuant to CPLR 3211(e) can be included in an answer amended by leave of court:

New York law allows the imposition of an equitable lien if there is an express or implied agreement that there shall be a lien on specific property … . “While [a] court will impose an equitable mortgage where the facts surrounding a transaction evidence that the parties intended that a specific piece of property is to be held or transferred to secure an obligation, it is necessary that an intention to create such a charge clearly appear from the language and the attendant circumstances” … .
Here, the defendant initially did not raise in his answer a defense based upon lack of personal jurisdiction, lack of standing or a capacity to sue, or the statute of limitations. Hence, those affirmative defenses were waived at that point (see CPLR 3211[e]). However, defenses waived under CPLR 3211(e) can nevertheless be interposed in an answer amended by leave of court pursuant to CPLR 3025(b) so long as the amendment does not cause the other party prejudice or surprise resulting directly from the delay and is not palpably insufficient or patently devoid of merit (see CPLR 3025[b]…). ” Mere lateness is not a barrier to the amendment. It must be lateness coupled with significant prejudice to the other side, the very elements of the laches doctrine'”… .  Deutsche Bank Trust Co Ams v Cox, 2013 NY slip Op 06543, 2nd Dept 10-9-13

 

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Affirmative Defense of Recoupment Not Extinguished by Bankruptcy Sale

In affirming Supreme Court’s denial of a motion to dismiss a recoupment affirmative defense, the First Department noted the defense is not extinguished by a bankruptcy sale:

The affirmative defense of recoupment is not an “interest” that is extinguishable by a “free and clear” sale under the Bankruptcy Code … . Further * * * [d]efendant’s recoupment defense arises out of the same transaction (i.e., the same contract) that forms the basis for plaintiff’s action against defendant… . Hispanic Ind Tel Sales LLC v Unaa Vez Mas LP, 2013 NY Slip Op 06518, 1st Dept 10-8-13

 

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Evidence Supported Finding Certificate of Acknowledgment Attached to Deed Was Forged

In affirming the trial court’s determination a power of attorney (a certificate of acknowledgment) had been forged, thereby rendering a deed and five mortgages void, the Second Department wrote:

“A certificate of acknowledgment attached to an instrument such as a deed raises a presumption of due execution” … . “[A] certificate of acknowledgment should not be overthrown upon evidence of a doubtful character, such as the unsupported testimony of interested witnesses, nor upon a bare preponderance of evidence, but only on proof so clear and convincing so as to amount to a moral certainty” … . …

…[W]e find on this record that there nonetheless existed clear and convincing evidence that the power of attorney was in fact forged, particularly in light of the undisputed evidence showing that the plaintiff, as the former owner of the subject property, received no consideration from the sale of the property or from the subject mortgage loans. Neuman v Neuman, 2013 NY Slip Op 05885, 2nd Dept 9-18-13

 

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Criteria for Seizure of Equipment Explained

In reversing Supreme Court, the Second Department determined the plaintiff, in a replevin action, was not required to demonstrate irreparable harm in an action for seizure pursuant to CPLR 7102.  The defendant had defaulted on an equipment lease.  The court wrote:

Pursuant to CPLR 7102(c) and (d), on a motion for an order of seizure, a plaintiff must demonstrate a likelihood of success on its cause of action for replevin and the absence of a valid defense to its claim … . Here, the plaintiff made such a showing … . Contrary to the court’s determination, the plaintiff was not required to demonstrate that it would suffer irreparable injury in order to obtain an order of seizure pursuant to CPLR 7102.  TCF Equip Fin Inc v Interdimensional Interiors, Inc, 2013 NY Slip 05893, 2nd Dept 9-18-13

 

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Consolidation and Assignment of Mortgages Does Not Affect Validity of Original Mortgages

The Second Department explained that the consolidation and assignment of mortgages did not affect the validity of the original mortgages:

In the instant matter, the plaintiff increased the outstanding balance of the first mortgage by borrowing the second mortgage loan and executing the CEMA [Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement].  Although the CEMA  created a single mortgage lien, “[a] consolidation of outstanding loans is a device intended for the convenience of only the contracting parties” and “cannot impair liens in favor of parties that are not the contracting parties, which retain their independent force and effect” … . Where, as here, balances of first mortgage loans are increased with second mortgage loans and CEMAs are executed to consolidate the mortgages into single liens, the first notes and mortgages still exist and may be assigned to other lenders … . Further, an assignment of a loan obligation means that the obligation has been transferred, not paid in full and, thus, contrary to the plaintiff’s allegation, does not render the obligation satisfied and discharged.  Benson v Deutsche Bank Natl Trust Inc, 2013 NY Slip Op 05606, 2nd Dept 8-14-13

 

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Question of Fact About Whether Private Entity Managing Public Funds Can Recoup Payments Which Were Above Minimum Fees Required by the Medicare Fee Schedule

Plaintiffs, emergency and ambulance service-providers, brought an action in response to defendant’s reduction in Medicare payments made to recoup alleged overpayments in prior years.  In finding plaintiffs had raised a question of fact about whether defendant was entitled to recoup the alleged overpayments, the Fourth Department wrote:

We agree with plaintiffs that the applicable Medicare fee schedule set a minimum payment, but not a maximum payment, for the services that plaintiffs provided (see 42 USC § 1395w-22 [a] [2] [A]).  On the one hand, if defendant had paid plaintiffs the minimum fees required by the applicable Medicare fee schedule, then plaintiffs would not be entitled to object to those payments as being insufficient (see 42 CFR 422.214 [a] [1]).  On the other hand, however, while defendant paid plaintiffs more than the minimum amount required by the fee schedule for a period of time, defendants have failed to establish that defendant is entitled as a matter of law to recoup any or all of those funds from plaintiffs.  Although the common law right of a governmental agency to recoup erroneously distributed public funds is well established … , that right does not necessarily extend to defendant, a private entity managing public funds… . Canandaigua Emergency Squad, Inc. … v Rochester Area Health Maintenance Organization, Inc…, 632, 4th Dept 7-19-13

 

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Action Properly Brought by Third Party Beneficiary of Indemnity Agreement

The Second Department affirmed Supreme Court’s denial of a motion to dismiss brought by a defendant who had entered an indemnity agreement with a judgment debtor.  The Second Department explained that plaintiff had stated a cause of action based upon plaintiff’s being a third-party beneficiary of the indemnity agreement:

Pursuant to CPLR 5227, a special proceeding may be commenced by a judgment creditor “against any person who it is shown is or will become indebted to the judgment debtor.” Such a proceeding is properly asserted against one who agreed to indemnify the judgment debtor in the underlying proceeding. The judgment creditor stands in the judgment debtor’s shoes, and may enforce the obligations owed to the judgment debtor by the indemnifying party… * * *.

Here …the judgment debtor … was not a party to the indemnification agreement. However, the Supreme Court properly determined that [the judgment debtor] was an intended third-party beneficiary of the indemnification agreement. Parties asserting third-party beneficiary rights under a contract must establish: (1) the existence of a valid and binding contract between other parties; (2) that the contract was intended for their benefit; and (3) that the benefit to them is sufficiently immediate, rather than incidental, to indicate the assumption by the contracting parties of a duty to compensate them if the benefit is lost…. Where performance is rendered directly to a third party, it is presumed that the third party is an intended beneficiary of the contract….

Indemnity contracts are to be strictly construed to avoid reading into them duties which the parties did not intend to be assumed…. Here, however, the intent … to benefit [the judgment debtor] is apparent from the face of the indemnification agreement… . Matter of White Plains Plaza Realty LLC, 2013 NY Slip Op 05220, 2nd Dept 7-10-13

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Criteria for Fraudulent Conveyance

In reversing Supreme Court, the Second Department determined the plaintiff was entitled to summary judgment in a fraudulent conveyance action.  The court explained the relevant legal principles as follows:

Pursuant to Debtor and Creditor Law § 276, [e]very conveyance made and every obligation incurred with actual intent, as distinguished from intent presumed in law, to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors, is fraudulent as to both present and future creditors'” …. “Direct evidence of fraudulent intent is often elusive. Therefore, courts will consider badges of fraud,’ which are circumstances that accompany fraudulent transfers so commonly that their presence gives rise to an inference of intent”…. A plaintiff that successfully establishes actual intent to defraud is entitled to a reasonable attorney’s fee under Debtor and Creditor Law § 276-a …. * * *

The plaintiff presented evidence of badges of fraud, including, inter alia, a close relationship between the parties to the transaction, inadequate consideration for the transaction, and the retention of the benefit of the property by Elyahou, who continued to reside in the premises following the transfer… .  5706 Fifth Ave LLC v Louzieh, 2013 NY Slip Op 05187, 2nd Dept, 7-10-13

 

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