FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`OF THE
`COURT
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`OF GREENE
`_______________________________________________________________Ç
`NEWREZ
`MORTGAGE
`SHELLPOINT
`LLC D/B/A
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK:
`
`SERVICING,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`
`JOHN
`PETERSEL;
`ELECTRTONIC
`ACTING
`SOLELY
`HOME and
`JONE
`
`MORTGAGE
`GIZELA
`PETERSEL;
`REGISTRATION
`INC.
`SYSTEMS,
`AS, NOMINEE
`FOR COUNTRYWIDE
`DOE AND JANE
`DOE #1 through
`
`#7,
`
`Defendant(s).
`_______________________________________________________________Ç
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`EF-2022-1
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`ANSWER,
`AND
`DEFENSES
`COUNTERCLAIM
`
`Defendant,
`
`JOHN
`
`PETERSEL
`
`("Defendant,"
`
`"Mr.
`
`Petersel,"
`
`"Counterclaimant"
`
`or
`
`"Homeowner"),
`
`by
`
`and
`
`through
`
`his
`
`undersigned
`
`counsel,
`
`as and
`
`for
`
`his
`
`Answer,
`
`Affirmative
`
`Defenses
`
`and
`
`Counterclaim
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Complaint
`
`of NEWREZ
`
`LLC
`
`D/B/A
`
`SHELLPOINT
`
`MORTGAGE
`
`SERVICING
`
`("Plaintiff"),
`
`states
`
`as follows:
`
`1.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`1 of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`2.
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`to respond
`
`Deny
`
`which
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`2 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`and
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself.
`
`3.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`3 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself
`
`and
`
`there
`
`is no "Schedule
`
`A"
`
`annexed
`
`to the Note
`
`attached
`
`as an exhibit
`
`to the Complaint.
`
`4.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`4 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself.
`
`-1-
`
`1 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`5.
`
`Deny
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`5 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`and
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable.
`
`6.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`6 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself,
`
`and
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the Note
`
`and
`
`Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable.
`
`7.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`7
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the Note
`
`and
`
`of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself,
`
`and
`
`Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable.
`
`8.
`
`Deny
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`8 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`and
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`Defendants'
`
`default
`
`occurred
`
`no later
`
`than October
`
`1, 2008,
`
`and
`
`the Mortgage
`
`was
`
`accelerated
`
`by
`
`the
`
`filing
`
`of a Summons
`
`and Complaint,
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`1616/2009,
`
`filed
`
`October
`
`8, 2009.
`
`No payment
`
`was
`
`requested
`
`or due
`
`on February
`
`15, 2016.
`
`No payment
`
`was made
`
`any
`
`time
`
`after October
`
`1, 2008.
`
`Notice
`
`Said
`
`action
`
`1616/2009
`
`was
`
`dismissed
`
`by this
`
`court
`
`by Order
`
`dated
`
`August
`
`14, 2017,
`
`with
`
`of
`
`Entry
`
`duly
`
`given
`
`and
`
`filed.
`
`No appeal
`
`was
`
`taken.
`
`On April
`
`21,
`
`2021,
`
`the
`
`holder
`
`of
`
`the Mortgage
`
`moved
`
`this
`
`court
`
`to vacate
`
`the
`
`dismissal,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`denied
`
`by
`
`this
`
`court
`
`by Decision
`
`and Order
`
`dated
`
`July
`
`22, 2021.
`
`Notice
`
`of Entry
`
`was
`
`duly
`
`given
`
`and filed.
`
`No appeal
`
`was
`
`taken.
`
`The Mortgage
`
`was
`
`never
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are well
`
`decelerated
`
`following
`
`the 2009
`
`acceleration,
`
`and,
`
`as such,
`
`beyond
`
`the
`
`applicable
`
`six
`
`(6)
`
`year
`
`statute
`
`of
`
`limitations,
`
`and
`
`unenforceable.
`
`9.
`
`Deny
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`9 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself,
`
`and
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the
`
`Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are
`
`unenforceable,
`
`and
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`2021
`
`notices
`
`were
`
`without
`
`effect.
`
`10.
`
`Deny
`
`the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`10 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state that
`
`-2-
`
`2 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself,
`
`and
`
`state
`
`that
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are
`
`unenforceable,
`
`and
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`2021
`
`notices
`
`were
`
`without
`
`effect.
`
`11.
`
`Deny
`
`the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`1 1 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state that
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable,
`
`and Defendant
`
`owes
`
`no money
`
`to Plaintiff.
`
`12.
`
`Deny
`
`the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`12 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself,
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable,
`
`and Defendant
`
`owes
`
`no
`
`money
`
`to Plaintiff.
`
`13.
`
`Deny
`
`the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`13 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state that
`
`the
`
`document
`
`speaks
`
`for
`
`itself,
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable,
`
`and Defendant
`
`owes
`
`no
`
`and
`
`as Plaintiff
`
`is and was
`
`on notice
`
`and had
`
`actual
`
`knowledge
`
`that
`
`the Note
`
`and
`
`money
`
`to Plaintiff,
`
`Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable,
`
`at
`
`the time
`
`it commenced
`
`this
`
`action,
`
`Defendants
`
`are entitled
`
`to recover
`
`all
`
`costs,
`
`including
`
`reasonable
`
`attorneys'
`
`fees,
`
`disbursements
`
`and
`
`allowances
`
`provided
`
`by
`
`law.
`
`14.
`
`15.
`
`16.
`
`Deny
`
`Deny
`
`Deny
`
`of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`14 of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`15 of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`16
`
`17.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`17
`
`of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`18.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`18
`
`of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`19.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`19
`
`of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`-3-
`
`3 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`20.
`
`Deny
`
`knowledge
`
`with
`
`which
`
`to respond
`
`to the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`20
`
`of
`
`the Complaint.
`
`21.
`
`Deny
`
`the allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`21 ofthe
`
`Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state that
`
`Petersels'
`
`the
`
`property
`
`located
`
`at 307 Drake
`
`Hill
`
`Road,
`
`Freehold,
`
`NY 12431
`
`is comprised
`
`offour
`
`(4)
`
`parcels,
`
`designated
`
`S/B/L
`
`52.00-2-10,
`
`52.00-2-29,
`
`52.00-2-30,
`
`and
`
`52.00-2-31
`
`respectively
`
`(sequentially,
`
`Lots
`
`"10,"
`
`"29,"
`
`"30,"
`
`"31,"
`
`and
`
`respectively),
`
`of which
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`mortgage(s)
`
`only
`
`encumbered
`
`Lot
`
`that
`
`the Note
`
`10, and
`
`to state
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are unenforceable.
`
`22.
`
`Deny
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`contained
`
`in Paragraph
`
`22 of
`
`the Complaint,
`
`except
`
`to state
`
`that
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`1616/2009
`
`was
`
`filed
`
`in this
`
`court
`
`October
`
`8, 2009
`
`to foreclose
`
`on the
`
`subject
`
`Mortgage.
`
`Said
`
`action
`
`1616/2009
`
`was
`
`dismissed
`
`by
`
`this
`
`court
`
`by Order
`
`dated
`
`August
`
`14, 2017,
`
`with
`
`Notice
`
`of Entry
`
`duly
`
`given
`
`and
`
`filed.
`
`No appeal
`
`was
`
`taken.
`
`On April
`
`21,
`
`2021,
`
`the
`
`holder
`
`of
`
`the Mortgage
`
`moved
`
`this
`
`court
`
`denied
`
`this
`
`court
`
`to vacate
`
`the
`
`dismissal,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`by
`
`by
`
`Decision
`
`and Order
`
`dated
`
`July
`
`22,
`
`2021.
`
`Notice
`
`of Entry
`
`was
`
`duly
`
`given
`
`and
`
`filed.
`
`No appeal
`
`was
`
`taken.
`
`The Mortgage
`
`was
`
`never
`
`decelerated
`
`following
`
`the
`
`2009
`
`acceleration,
`
`and,
`
`as such,
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are well
`
`beyond
`
`the
`
`applicable
`
`six
`
`(6)
`
`year
`
`statute
`
`of
`
`limitations,
`
`and
`
`unenforceable.
`
`An action
`
`entitled
`
`Petersel
`
`v. BAC Home
`
`Loans
`
`Servicine,
`
`L.P..
`
`et al.,
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`899/2018
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`quiet
`
`and
`
`declare
`
`to expunge
`
`Mortgage(s),
`
`title,
`
`them unenforceable,
`
`was
`
`filed
`
`in this
`
`court
`
`September
`
`27,
`
`2018.
`
`In June
`
`2019,
`
`defendant
`
`DiTech
`
`moved
`
`to dismiss
`
`the
`
`quiet
`
`title
`
`complaint
`
`as to them,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`denied
`
`with
`
`prejudice
`
`by Order
`
`dated
`
`October
`
`24,
`
`2019.
`
`Thereafter,
`
`the
`
`case was
`
`stayed
`
`by DiTech's
`
`Chapter
`
`11 bankruptcy
`
`proceedings
`
`and the
`
`Covid-19
`
`pandemic.
`
`The
`
`relief
`
`sought
`
`in the
`
`quiet
`
`title
`
`complaint
`
`may
`
`be granted
`
`in this
`
`action,
`
`rendering
`
`the
`
`quiet
`
`title
`
`action
`
`moot.
`
`-4-
`
`4 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`AS AND FOR A FIRST
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`23.
`
`Statute
`
`of Limitations
`
`(NY
`
`Civil
`
`Practice
`
`Law
`
`and Rules
`
`§ 213(4)):
`
`Plaintiff
`
`may
`
`not
`
`sue on all
`
`or part
`
`of
`
`the Mortgage
`
`debt
`
`because
`
`Plaintiff
`
`commenced
`
`this
`
`action
`
`more
`
`than
`
`six
`
`(6)
`
`years
`
`after
`
`the
`
`debt was
`
`accelerated,
`
`which
`
`defense
`
`also
`
`supports
`
`the
`
`separately
`
`pleaded
`
`counterclaim
`
`to cancel
`
`and
`
`discharge
`
`the Mortgage
`
`under NY Real
`
`Property
`
`Actions
`
`and
`
`Proceedings
`
`Law §1501(4).
`
`AS AND FOR A SECOND
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`24.
`
`Prior
`
`Pending
`
`Action
`
`(NY
`
`Real
`
`Property
`
`Actions
`
`and Proceedings
`
`Law § 1301):
`
`Plaintiff
`
`impennissibly
`
`commenced
`
`this
`
`action
`
`because
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`of
`
`the
`
`alleged
`
`default,
`
`there
`
`was
`
`a prior
`
`action
`
`to recover
`
`all
`
`or part
`
`of
`
`the Mortgage
`
`debt,
`
`and
`
`at
`
`the
`
`time
`
`this
`
`action
`
`was
`
`commenced,
`
`there
`
`was
`
`a prior
`
`pending
`
`action
`
`to cancel
`
`and
`
`discharge
`
`the Mortgage
`
`under NY
`
`Real
`
`Property
`
`Actions
`
`and Proceedings
`
`Law §1501(4).
`
`AS AND FOR A THIRD
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`25.
`
`Excessive
`
`Interest
`
`(NY Civil
`
`Practice
`
`Law and Rules
`
`§5001(a)):
`
`Plaintiff
`
`has
`
`unreasonably
`
`delayed
`
`filing
`
`this
`
`action,
`
`or engaged
`
`in other
`
`dilatory
`
`conduct
`
`causing
`
`excessive
`
`interest
`
`to accrue
`
`which
`
`the Court
`
`may
`
`reduce
`
`or
`
`toll,
`
`as a matter
`
`of equity
`
`and
`
`pursuant
`
`to NY
`
`Civil
`
`Practice
`
`Law and Rules
`
`§5001(a).
`
`AS AND FOR A FOURTH
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`26.
`
`Unclean
`
`Hands
`
`and/or
`
`Unconscionability:
`
`This
`
`action
`
`is barred
`
`the
`
`doctrine
`
`of
`
`by
`
`unclean
`
`hands
`
`and/or
`
`unconscionability
`
`for
`
`the
`
`following
`
`reason(s):
`
`Plaintiff
`
`had
`
`actual
`
`knowledge
`
`that
`
`the Mortgage
`
`was
`
`unenforceable
`
`due
`
`to expiration
`
`of
`
`the Statute
`
`of Limitations.
`
`AS AND FOR A FIFTH
`
`AFFIRMATIVE
`
`DEFENSE
`
`-5-
`
`5 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`27.
`
`Implied
`
`Covenant
`
`of Good
`
`Faith
`
`and Fair
`
`Dealing:
`
`Plaintiff
`
`or
`
`its
`
`predecessor-in-interest
`
`violated
`
`the
`
`covenant
`
`of good
`
`faith
`
`and
`
`fair
`
`dealing
`
`implied
`
`in all
`
`contracts
`
`and
`
`is barred
`
`from
`
`recovery
`
`in this
`
`action
`
`for
`
`the
`
`following
`
`reason(s):
`
`Plaintiff
`
`had
`
`actual
`
`knowledge
`
`that
`
`the Mortgage
`
`was
`
`unenforceable
`
`due
`
`to expiration
`
`of
`
`the Statute
`
`of
`
`Limitations.
`
`COUNTERCLAIM
`Title/Cancel
`and Discharge
`
`Quiet
`
`the Mortgage:
`
`for
`
`28.
`
`The
`
`statute
`
`of
`
`limitations
`
`commencement
`
`of
`
`this
`
`foreclosure
`
`action
`
`on the
`
`subject
`
`Mortgage
`
`has
`
`expired
`
`because
`
`Plaintiff
`
`commenced
`
`this
`
`a(cid:11)tion
`
`more
`
`than
`
`six
`
`years
`
`after
`
`it accelerated
`
`the Mortgage
`
`debt.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`is not
`
`in possession
`
`of
`
`the Mortgaged
`
`property
`
`and
`
`Homeowner
`
`is the
`
`owner
`
`of
`
`the
`
`property
`
`and
`
`therefore
`
`entitled
`
`to a judgment
`
`cancelling
`
`and
`
`the Mortgage
`
`and
`
`the
`
`free
`
`encumbrance
`
`such Mortgage
`
`discharging
`
`adjudging
`
`property
`
`of any
`
`by
`
`pursuant
`
`to NY Real
`
`Property
`
`Actions
`
`and Proceedings
`
`Law §1501(4).
`
`29.
`
`On or about
`
`October
`
`21,
`
`2005,
`
`Mr.
`
`Petersel
`
`executed
`
`an adjustable
`
`rate
`
`note
`
`at
`
`7.45%
`
`interest
`
`with
`
`America's
`
`Wholesale
`
`Lender
`
`for
`
`$180,000.00,
`
`and
`
`a corresponding
`
`mortgage
`
`contains
`
`a legal
`
`description
`
`for
`
`Lot
`
`10 only,
`
`recorded
`
`November
`
`23,
`
`2005
`
`in Liber
`
`2169,
`
`Page
`
`the Greene
`
`Clerk
`
`(the
`
`"2005
`
`assigned
`
`to BAC HOME LOANS
`
`135 with
`
`SERVICING,
`
`County
`
`Mortgage"),
`
`L.P.
`
`F/K/A
`
`COUNTRYWIDE
`
`HOME LOANS
`
`SERVICING,
`
`LP ("BAC")
`
`August
`
`14, 2009
`
`in Book
`
`2730,
`
`Page
`
`95 with
`
`the Greene
`
`County
`
`Clerk.
`
`30.
`
`On August
`
`12, 2006,
`
`the Petersels
`
`entered
`
`into
`
`a consolidated
`
`note
`
`at an interest
`
`rate
`
`of 6.625%
`
`with
`
`Countrywide
`
`Home
`
`Loans,
`
`Inc.
`
`("Countrywide")
`
`for
`
`$194,300.00.
`
`Mr.
`
`and
`
`Ms.
`
`Petersel
`
`executed
`
`a mortgage
`
`with
`
`Countrywide
`
`recorded
`
`October
`
`3, 2006
`
`in Liber
`
`2327,
`
`-6-
`
`6 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`Page
`
`72 of
`
`the Greene
`
`County
`
`Clerk
`
`(the
`
`"2006
`
`Mortgage")
`
`and
`
`a consolidation,
`
`extension,
`
`and
`
`modification
`
`agreement
`
`recorded
`
`Liber
`
`2327,
`
`Page
`
`87 (the
`
`"CEMA").
`
`31.
`
`Per
`
`the CEMA,
`
`of
`
`the
`
`$194,300.00,
`
`$15,262.28
`
`was
`
`advanced
`
`either
`
`to the
`
`borrowers
`
`or
`
`to their
`
`account
`
`"immediately
`
`prior
`
`to the
`
`consolidation,"
`
`and
`
`that
`
`the
`
`$180,000
`
`mortgage
`
`with
`
`America's
`
`Wholesale
`
`had
`
`a principal
`
`balance
`
`due
`
`and
`
`owing
`
`in the
`
`amount
`
`of
`
`$179,037.72.
`
`The CEMA contains
`
`a legal
`
`description
`
`for
`
`Lot
`
`10 only.
`
`32.
`
`The
`
`consolidated
`
`2006 Mortgage
`
`was
`
`assigned
`
`from
`
`BANK
`
`OF AMERICA,
`
`N.A.
`
`("BOA")
`
`to Green
`
`Tree
`
`Servicing
`
`LLC by assignment
`
`of Mortgage
`
`recorded
`
`March
`
`14, 2014
`
`in
`
`Liber
`
`3198,
`
`Page
`
`201.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`Green
`
`Tree merged
`
`with
`
`Ditech
`
`Mortgage
`
`Corp.
`
`to form
`
`Ditech
`
`Financial
`
`LLC.
`
`33.
`
`On October
`
`8, 2009,
`
`BAC HOME LOANS
`
`SERVICING,
`
`L.P.
`
`F/K/A
`
`COUNTRYWIDE
`
`HOME LOANS
`
`LP commenced
`
`a foreclosure
`
`action
`
`against
`
`SERVICING,
`
`the Petersels,
`
`by
`
`filing
`
`a summons,
`
`complaint
`
`and
`
`lis pendens
`
`in the Greene
`
`County
`
`Clerk's
`
`Office
`
`with
`
`respect
`
`to the
`
`consolidated
`
`2006 Mortgage
`
`. The
`
`index
`
`number
`
`assigned
`
`to that
`
`action
`
`was
`
`1616/2009
`
`(the
`
`"First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`Action").
`
`The
`
`First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`Action
`
`purports
`
`to
`
`pertain
`
`to Lots
`
`10 and
`
`29,
`
`but
`
`the
`
`legal
`
`description
`
`only
`
`describes
`
`Lot
`
`10.
`
`34.
`
`Paragraph
`
`13 of
`
`the
`
`complaint
`
`for
`
`the First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`recited
`
`that
`
`it
`
`"elect[s]
`
`to declare
`
`the
`
`balance
`
`of
`
`the
`
`principal
`
`indebtedness
`
`immediately
`
`due
`
`and
`
`payable."
`
`Therefore,
`
`no later
`
`than October
`
`8, 2009,
`
`the
`
`2006 Mortgage
`
`was
`
`accelerated.
`
`Action,
`
`35.
`
`Extensive
`
`litigation
`
`followed,
`
`with
`
`numerous
`
`conferences,
`
`motions,
`
`deadlines
`
`and
`
`negotiations,
`
`but
`
`also
`
`involving
`
`several
`
`years
`
`of delay
`
`and
`
`inactivity
`
`on the
`
`part
`
`of
`
`the mortgagee.
`
`At
`
`certain
`
`times,
`
`mortgagee
`
`claimed
`
`their Mortgage
`
`lien
`
`pertained
`
`to all
`
`or part
`
`of
`
`the Property.
`
`-7-
`
`7 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`36.
`
`Ultimately,
`
`the First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`Action
`
`was
`
`dismissed
`
`by
`
`the Court
`
`by Order
`
`of
`
`this
`
`court
`
`dated
`
`August
`
`14, 2017.
`
`Notice
`
`of Entry
`
`of
`
`the August
`
`14, 2017
`
`Order
`
`was
`
`duly
`
`given
`
`and
`
`filed,
`
`and Defendants
`
`failed
`
`to file
`
`a Notice
`
`of Appeal
`
`thereof.
`
`37.
`
`On April
`
`21,
`
`2021,
`
`the
`
`holder
`
`of
`
`the Mortgage
`
`moved
`
`this
`
`court
`
`to vacate
`
`the
`
`which
`
`was
`
`denied
`
`dismissal,
`
`by
`
`this
`
`court
`
`by Decision
`
`and Order
`
`dated
`
`July
`
`22,
`
`2021.
`
`Notice
`
`of
`
`Entry
`
`was
`
`duly
`
`given
`
`and
`
`filed,
`
`and Defendants
`
`failed
`
`to file
`
`a Notice
`
`of Appeal
`
`thereof.
`
`38.
`
`The Mortgage
`
`was
`
`never
`
`decelerated
`
`following
`
`the
`
`2009
`
`acceleration,
`
`and,
`
`as
`
`such,
`
`the Note
`
`and Mortgage
`
`are well
`
`beyond
`
`the
`
`applicable
`
`six
`
`(6)
`
`year
`
`statute
`
`of
`
`limitations,
`
`and
`
`unenforceable.
`
`39.
`
`entitled
`
`An action
`
`Petersel
`
`v. BAC Home
`
`Loans
`
`Servicing.
`
`L.P..
`
`et al.,
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`899/2018
`
`to expunge
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`mortgage(s),
`
`quiet
`
`title,
`
`and
`
`declare
`
`them unenforceable,
`
`was
`
`filed
`
`in this
`
`court
`
`September
`
`27,
`
`2018.
`
`In June
`
`2019,
`
`defendant
`
`DiTech
`
`moved
`
`to dismiss
`
`the
`
`quiet
`
`title
`
`complaint
`
`as to them,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`denied
`
`with
`
`prejudice
`
`by Order
`
`dated
`
`October
`
`24,
`
`2019.
`
`the
`
`case was
`
`stayed
`
`Chapter
`
`and the
`
`Thereafter,
`
`by DiTech's
`
`11 bankruptcy
`
`proceedings
`
`Covid-19
`
`pandemic.
`
`40.
`
`The
`
`relief
`
`sought
`
`in the
`
`quiet
`
`title
`
`complaint
`
`may
`
`be granted
`
`in this
`
`action,
`
`rendering
`
`the
`
`quiet
`
`title
`
`action
`
`moot.
`
`FIRST
`Title
`
`Quiet
`
`OF ACTION
`CAUSE
`(N.Y.R.P.A.P.L.
`§ 1501(4))
`
`41.
`
`Counterclaimant
`
`repeats
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`in paragraphs
`
`1 through
`
`41 as if
`
`fully
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`herein.
`
`42.
`
`Mortgagee
`
`filed
`
`the First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`Action
`
`concerning
`
`the
`
`consolidated
`
`2006
`
`-8-
`
`8 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`Mortgage
`
`on October
`
`8, 2009.
`
`43.
`
`In filing
`
`the First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`Action,
`
`mortgagee
`
`explicitly
`
`elected
`
`to accelerate
`
`and
`
`call
`
`due
`
`the
`
`full
`
`amount
`
`owing
`
`under
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`Note
`
`on that
`
`date.
`
`44.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`under
`
`§213(4)
`
`of
`
`the Civil
`
`Practice
`
`Law and Rules,
`
`the
`
`limitations
`
`period
`
`to enforce
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`Note
`
`and
`
`subject
`
`Mortgage
`
`expired
`
`six
`
`(6)
`
`years
`
`later,
`
`no later
`
`than
`
`October
`
`8, 2015.
`
`45.
`
`46.
`
`The
`
`First
`
`Foreclosure
`
`Action
`
`was
`
`dismissed
`
`on or about
`
`August
`
`14, 2017.
`
`Any
`
`action
`
`to enforce
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`Note
`
`and/or
`
`foreclosure
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`2006
`
`Mortgage
`
`is therefore
`
`time-barred.
`
`47.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`Counterclaimant
`
`is entitled
`
`to relief
`
`in the
`
`form
`
`of an order
`
`subject
`
`and
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`interest
`
`in the
`
`cancelling
`
`and
`
`discharging
`
`the
`
`mortgage(s)
`
`adjusting
`
`Property
`
`at
`
`issue
`
`to be free
`
`therefrom.
`
`R.P.A.P.L
`
`§1501(4).
`
`WHEREFORE,
`
`Counterclaimant
`
`respectfully
`
`requests
`
`that
`
`the Court:
`
`a. Declare
`
`that
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`mortgages
`
`and
`
`underlying
`
`notes
`
`are unenforceable;
`
`b. Enjoin
`
`all
`
`efforts
`
`to enforce
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`mortgages
`
`or
`
`the
`
`underlying
`
`note;
`
`c. Discharge
`
`the
`
`subject
`
`mortgages
`
`and
`
`record
`
`the
`
`satisfaction
`
`of
`
`the
`
`2006
`
`Mortgage,
`
`2006 Mortgage
`
`and
`
`the CEMA;
`
`d. Direct
`
`the Clerk
`
`of
`
`the County
`
`of Greene
`
`to discharge
`
`the
`
`2005 Mortgage,
`
`the
`
`2006
`
`Mortgage,
`
`and
`
`the CEMA from
`
`the
`
`public
`
`record
`
`and
`
`thereby
`
`remove
`
`the
`
`encumbrance
`
`on the
`
`subject
`
`property;
`
`e. Dismiss
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`Complaint
`
`in its entirety;
`
`f. Award
`
`Defendant
`
`damages,
`
`costs,
`
`and
`
`reasonable
`
`attorneys'
`
`fees;
`
`and
`
`-9-
`
`9 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`g. Award
`
`such
`
`other
`
`and
`
`further
`
`relief
`
`as the Court
`
`finds
`
`just
`
`and
`
`proper.
`
`Dated:
`
`New York
`Amsterdam,
`March
`14, 2022
`
`LEGAL
`AID
`NEW YORK
`
`SOCIETY
`
`OF NORTHEASTERN
`
`Stuart
`Attorneys
`JOHN
`6 Market
`
`Amsterdam,
`518-842-9466
`
`Staff
`d%Ïlblum,
`Attorney
`for Defendant/Counterclaimant
`PETERSEL
`Street
`NY 12010
`x230
`
`sthalblum@lasnny.org
`
`-10-
`
`10 of 11
`
`

`

`FILED: GREENE COUNTY CLERK 03/14/2022 03:35 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 14
`
`INDEX NO. EF2022-1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/14/2022
`
`VERIFICATION
`
`ss.:
`
`) )
`
`)
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`COUNTY
`
`OF MONTGOMERY
`
`JOHN
`
`PETERSEL,
`
`being
`
`duly
`
`sworn,
`
`states
`
`that:
`
`1.
`
`I am a Defendant
`
`in the
`
`above-captioned
`
`matter.
`
`As
`
`such,
`
`I am familiar
`
`with
`
`the
`
`facts
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`below.
`
`2.
`
`I have
`
`reviewed
`
`the
`
`foregoing
`
`Answer,
`
`Affirmative
`
`Defenses
`
`and Counterclaim
`
`with
`
`the
`
`allegations
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`therein.
`
`3.
`
`The
`
`denials,
`
`admissions
`
`and
`
`averments
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in the
`
`foregoing
`
`Answer,
`
`Affirmative
`
`Defenses
`
`and Counterclaims
`
`are true
`
`and
`
`accurate
`
`to my own
`
`knowledge,
`
`except
`
`as
`
`to those
`
`matters
`
`therein
`
`stated
`
`to be alleged
`
`on information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`and,
`
`as to those matters,
`
`I
`
`believe
`
`them to be true.
`
`JOHN
`
`PETERSEL
`
`Sworn
`
`me this
`to before
`of March
`202
`
`day
`
`Notary
`
`Public
`
`STUART THALBLUM
`NOTARY PUBUC, STATE OF NEW YORK
`02TH6246804
`Registration No.
`Qualified in Schoharie County
`Commission Expires: Auaust 15.20
`
`My
`
`2
`
`-11-
`
`11 of 11
`
`