Santacruz v. 58 Gerry St LLC
This case involves an appeal from an order denying defendants' motion to amend their answer, vacate the note of issue, and compel additional discovery. Defendants sought to assert an affirmative defense and counterclaim for fraud based on an unrelated federal RICO complaint alleging a conspiracy by plaintiff's former attorneys and medical providers. The Supreme Court denied the motion to amend and to vacate the note of issue. The Appellate Division, First Department, modified the order to grant defendants' motion for additional discovery, specifically ordering plaintiff to appear for further deposition regarding the RICO action, without vacating the note of issue, and otherwise affirmed the Supreme Court's decision. The court reasoned that while the fraud allegations were unproven and insufficient for an affirmative defense, further deposition was warranted.