FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`
`�etu �ork i,upreme �ourt
`
`
`�ppellate l\ibision-i,econb l\epartment
`Docket No.
`2024-
`•
`TERRY CHUN,
`
`---
`
`Plaintiff-Appellant,
`
`-against-
`
`
`
`THE CITY OF NEW YORK, ERIC EICHENHOL T
`
`Defendants-Respondents,
`
`
`
`"JOHN DOES" 1-10,
`
`Defendants.
`
`RECORD ON APPEAL
`
`LAW OFFICE OF JIMMY WAGNER
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff-Appellant
`
`2055 Flatbush Avenue
`
`Brooklyn, New York 11234
`(929)477-8889
`jimmy0 13@gmail.com
`
`KATHLEEN MAURA LINNANE
`
`
`Corporation Counsel of the City ofNew York
`
`Attorney for Defendants-Respondents
`
`100 Church Street, Rm 2-125
`New York, New York 10007
`(212)356-2467
`klinnane@law.nyc.gov
`
`
`
`Kings County Clerk's Index Number: 516824/2023
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Comprehensive Appellate Press, Inc. -212.967.7737 -info@appellatepress.com
`
`

`

`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`Statement pursuant to CPLR 5531 .................................................................................... 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Notice of Appeal dated April 9, 2024 ............................................................................... .
`
`2
`
`Decision and Order appealed from the Hon. Gina Abadi dated March 11, 2024 with Notice of
`
`
`
`23
`
`
`
`Entry .................................................................................................................... .
`
`36
`
`Defendant's Notice of Motion to Dismiss dated December 28, 2023 ......................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`38
`
`Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to Dismiss dated December 28, 2023 ......................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`70
`
`Supporting Affirmation of Kathleen Linnane, Esq. dated December 28, 2023 .............................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`72
`
`Exhibit A: Office of the Mayor Press Release .......................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`74
`
`Exhibit B: Board of Health Resolution dated February 9, 2023 ..................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`76
`
`Exhibit C: Terry Chun Amended Complaint ........................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`94
`
`Affirmation in Opposition to Motion ............................................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`112
`
`Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion ................................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`134
`
`Notice of Cross-Motion ............................................................................................ .
`
`
`
`
`
`137
`
`Affirmation in Support of Cross-Motion ......................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`144
`
`Memorandum of Law in Support ofCross-Motion ............................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`150
`
`Exhibit 1: Eric Eichenholtz Spreadsheet ............................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`151
`
`Exhibit 2: Lee E.E. Affirmation ......................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`160
`
`Exhibit 3: Lynch E.E. Affirmation ...................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`169
`
`Exhibit 4: Marstellar E.E. Affrrmation ................................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`178
`
`Exhibit 5: Hogue E.E. Affrrmation ..................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`190
`
`Exhibit 6: Lebowitz E.E. Affrrmation .................................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`201
`
`Exhibit 7: Soto E.E. Affrrmation ........................................................................ .
`
`
`
`
`
`211
`
`Exhibit 8: Cepeda E.E. Affrrmation ..................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`221
`
`Exhibit 9: Epstein E.E. Affrrmation .................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`234
`
`Exhibit 10: Cano E.E. Affirmation ...................................................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`244
`
`Exhibit 11: Schiefer E.E. Affrrmation .................................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`252
`
`Affirmation of Kathleen M Linnane in Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion ................................... .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`262
`
`Affirmation in Reply ............................................................................................... .
`
`270
`
`Exhibit 1: Transcript of Eric Eichenholtz .............................................................. .
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`
`. 674
`Memorandum of Law in Reply .....................................................................................
`
`

`

`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`
`1
`
`
`Statement pursuant to CPLR 5531
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`
`�upreme �ourt of tbe �tate of �etu !)ork
`
`
`
`
`�ppellate �econb Jubicial 110epartment
`110ibi�ion:
`
`TERRY CHUN,
`
`-against-
`
`Plaintiff-Appellant,
`
`THE CITY OF NEW YORK, ERIC
`EICHENHOLT
`
`AD Docket No. 2024-
`
`----
`
`Defendants-Respondents,
`
`"JOHN DOES" 1-10,
`
`Defendants.
`
`STATEMENT PURSUANT TO CPLR § 5531
`
`1. The index number in the lower court is 516824/2023.
`
`
`
`There has been no change.2. The names of the parties are set forth above.
`
`
`
`3. The action was commenced in the Kings County Supreme Court by the filing of a
`
`
`
`
`
`summons and complaint on or about June 8, 2023.
`
`of a religiousfrom the denial damages resulting is to recover 4. The object of the action
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`accommodation to the City's Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
`
`of the Kings County SupremeOrder and Judgment 5. The appeal is from a Decision
`
`
`
`
`
`Court dated March 11, 2024, made by Justice Abadi.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`method.on the full record 6. The appeal is being perfected
`
`

`

`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`
`
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`
`OF NEW YORK .
`STATE
`OF THE
`COURT
`SUPREME
`SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK .
`COUNTY
`OF KINGS
`COUNTY OF KINGS
`- _ - _ - - _ _ - - x
`_ -
`_-_----__-___________________
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.- - - - - - - - - - - - X
`
`CHUN
`TERRY
`TERRY CHUN
`
`Plaintiff,
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`-against-
`
`OF NEW YORK,
`THE
`CITY
`THE CITY OF NEW YORK,
`and
`ERIC
`EICHENHOLTZ,
`ERIC
`EICHENHOLTZ,
`and
`DOES"
`"JOHN
`1-10
`"JOHN DOES" 1-10
`
`516824/2023
`No.
`Index
`Index No. 516824/2023
`
`OF APPEAL
`NOTICE
`NOTICE OF APPEAL
`
`Defendants.
`Defendants.
`- - - - x
`_ - _ _ _ _ -
`_ - _ _ _ _ - _________________---
`- _.
`-----------------------------------------X
`
`TAKE
`TERRY
`NOTICE
`PLEASE
`the CPLR,
`55 of
`to Article
`pursuant
`that
`PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 55 of the CPLR, Plaintiff, TERRY
`Plaintiff,
`
`CHUN ("Plaintiff"),
`the State
`of
`Court
`the Supreme
`of
`Division
`to the Appellate
`appeals
`CHUN ("Plaintiff'), hereby appeals to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State
`hereby
`
`of New York,
`from
`Judicial
`of
`and Order
`the Decision
`Part
`IAS
`this Court,
`Second
`of New York, Second Judicial Department, from the Decision and Order of this Court, IAS Part
`Department,
`
`and with
`of Entry
`a Notice
`Abadi
`dated March
`dated March
`J.S.C
`Gina
`7, Judge
`7, Judge Gina Abadi J.S.C dated March 4, 2024, and with a Notice of Entry dated March 27,
`4, 2024,
`27,
`
`2024.
`2024.
`
`8, 2024
`April
`Dated:
`Dated: April 8, 2024
`NY
`Brooklyn, NY
`Brooklyn,
`
`Linnane
`Kathleen
`To:
`Maura
`To: Kathleen Maura Linnane
`of New York
`Corporation
`Counsel
`of
`the City
`Corporation Counsel of the City of New York
`Room 2-125
`100 Church
`100 Church Street, Room 2-125
`Street,
`NY 10007
`New York,
`New York, NY 10007
`
`By:
`
`, Efq.
`n
`Yinmy
`' q.
`gn
`aw O ce of Jimmy
`ce of Jimmy Wagner
`Wagner
`2055
`F atbush
`Avenue
`2055 Flatbush Avenue
`NY 11234
`Brooklyn, NY 11234
`Brooklyn,
`929-477-8889
`(P) 929-477-8889
`(P)
`
`1 of 21
`
`002
`
`

`

`- - --,- •,-v--- - ---
`
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PMFILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`80
`NO.
`FYSCEF DOC. NO. 80
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`OF NEW YORK
`SUPREME
`COURT
`OF THE STATE
`SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
`COUNTY
`OF KINGS
`COUNTY OF KINGS
`--------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
`--------------------------------------------------------------------Ç
`
`TERRY
`CHUN,
`TERRY CHUN,
`
`Plaintiff,
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`-against-
`
`OF NEW YORK,
`AND
`THE CITY
`ERIC
`THE CITY OF NEW YORK, ERIC EICHENHOLTZ, AND
`EICHENHOLTZ,
`DOES"
`"JOHN
`"JOHN DOES" 1-10
`1-10
`
`Defendants.
`Defendants.
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/27/202
`RECEIVED NYS CEF: 03/ 27 / 2 021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`
`OF ENTRY
`NOTICE
`NOTICE OF ENTRY
`WITH
`ORDER
`DECISION
`WITH DECISION ORDER
`AND JUDGMENT
`AND JUDGMENT
`
`516824/2023
`No.
`Index
`Index No. 516824/2023
`
`--------------------------------------------------..--------------------------Ç
`--------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
`
`TAKE
`PLEASE
`NOTICE
`of
`Judgment
`PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that annexed hereto is a copy of the Decision, Order and Judgment of
`and
`Order
`the Decision,
`of
`is a copy
`annexed
`that
`hereto
`
`the New York
`of
`that was
`the Clerk
`of
`office
`in the
`is a true
`the within
`which the within is a true copy, that was duly entered in the office of the Clerk of the New York
`entered
`which
`copy,
`duly
`
`11*
`State Supreme Court, Kings County, on the 11 th day of March, 2024.
`2024.
`on the
`of March,
`State
`Supreme
`Kings
`Court,
`County,
`day
`
`New York
`New York,
`Dated: New York, New York
`Dated:
`March
`2024
`March 27, 2024
`27,
`
`Corporation
`Hon. Sylvia 0. Hinds-Radix, Corporation Counsel
`Counsel
`O. Hinds-Radix,
`Sylvia
`Hon.
`NEW YORK CITY
`LAW DEPARTMENT
`NEW YORK CITY LAW DEPARTMENT
`Respondents
`Attorneys
`for
`Attorneys for Respondents
`& Employment
`Law Division
`Labor
`Labor & Employment Law Division
`Street
`100 Church
`100 Church Street
`N
`Y rk
`New York,
`New York. N Y . rk 10007
`10007
`..
`(9U7)754 . 15
`(9)7)754
`75
`
`By:
`By:
`
`\
`/ J.,
`! /
`'//
`--
`-----
`
`---
`------------------------
`Ka
`Linnane
`leen
`leen Linnane
`Ka
`Counsel
`Assistant
`Corporation
`Assistant Corporation Counsel
`
`OF HMMY WAGNER
`LAW OFFICE
`TO: LAW OFFICE OF TIMMY WAGNER
`TO:
`for Plaintiff
`Attorney for Plaintiff
`Attorney
`Flatbush
`Avenue
`2025
`2025 Flatbush A venue
`New York
`11234
`Brooklyn, New York 11234
`Brooklyn,
`
`2 of 21
`1 C:
`1
`,-.,. .f:
`
`003
`
`

`

`Dn'
`No
`An
`INYfifuffl: ~iH~ C®ffTY C~~ ~;,,;~;;~;;
`NYSPFF
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`KINGS
`COUNTY
`CLERK
`IFILED:
`03/11/2024)
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`79
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 79
`
`ne,owrtz
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`RECEM
`Y bÇE516 924 A2022302
`RECEitffl:JE:lltJ~OCE516~~f~2
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/21/2024
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/21/2024
`
`At
`an IAS
`the Supreme
`7 of
`Part
`At anIAS Tenn. City Part 7 of the Suprem~
`Terin,
`Gity
`of New York,
`Court
`the State
`of
`held
`in and
`Court of the State of New York, h~ld in and
`the (cid:10)bunty
`for
`at
`of Kings;,
`the Courthouse
`forthe County-:of Kings~ at the Courthous~
`New
`th~reof at 360 Ad~s St .. , Brookiyl.), New
`thereof
`at 360
`Adams
`St., Brooklyn,
`the 48
`Yark on the 4th day of March 2024.
`Y6rk.on
`2024.
`at March
`day
`
`P R E 5 E N Ti
`PRESENT:
`
`GINA
`I:ION. GINA A}3ADI~
`HON.
`ABADI,
`J.S.C.
`J.S.C.
`
`TERRY
`CHUN,
`TERRYCHUN,
`
`Plainti.ft~
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`-aga.inst-
`.
`.
`OF NEW YORK,
`THE CITY
`THE:CITY OF NEW YORK, ERIC EICHENHOL TZ,
`BRIC
`EICHENHOLTZ,
`DOES."
`AND "JOHN
`AND UJQHNDOES" t-10-
`1-10,
`'
`..
`.
`.
`
`•
`
`Defendants.
`Detend~nts.
`
`516824/2023
`No.:
`Index
`lnde>e No.: 516824/2023
`4 & 5
`Motion
`Seq:
`M'otiQn S~q: 4 & 5
`
`ORbER
`DECISION~ ORDER
`DECISION,
`AND J.UDGiWENT
`AND JUDGMENT
`
`by CPLR § 2219[a),
`review
`as requiied
`of
`of
`in the
`the papers
`thia mõtioi1:
`RecitatiQn, as r~uired, :t,y CPL~ §·.22~9(a), Qfthe pap~rs consi4erecl in the review of this' motion:
`considered
`Recitation,
`
`Papers
`Papers
`to Show
`Notice
`ofMotion/Cross
`and
`Cause
`Mption/Order
`Notic~ ofMo~i<:iJi/Cross M·~tion/Ordet to ·show Cause and
`(Akirmations).
`Affidavits
`Annexed...
`Affidavits (A:fffonations). Annexed ... , ...... ,; ............ ,., ........ .
`......3........................
`Affidavits
`(Affirmations).......................................
`Opposing A.ffidavits (Affi~tions)., .......... _ ... , .... •. •« • • • • • • • • •• •• ••
`Opposing
`Affidavits
`(Affibnations).......................................
`~qily A;ffidavits (Affiim.ation~) ..... · ...... '. .......................... .
`Reply
`Othern..............................:......................................
`Otl1er .............................. ·-·.; .... 1
`
`t • • • • • I • • t • !' ••• " I • • , • • • • • • • • •
`
`, · ' . I
`
`NYSCEF
`Numbered
`NYSCEF Numbered
`
`52 - 57, 61 - 74
`52-57,61-74
`59 - 60,
`75
`59-60, 75
`784 76.-
`78; 76-77
`77
`
`of New
`Upon
`dral
`defendant
`after
`papers
`the
`·Upon the fQregoiilg cited papers and after oral.argument? defendant City of New
`and
`cited
`City
`foregothg
`argument3
`
`York (the City), together with (J~fe~cla,nt Erk E1chenholtz. Chief Assistant Corporation
`Assistant
`Chief
`Corporation
`Eric
`defendant
`with
`together
`York
`(the
`Eiehênholtz,
`City),
`
`the New
`the
`of
`Office
`Co.Uil'Sel for Employment Policy and titi$ation within .th~ New York City Oft1ce of the
`Yotk
`within
`Litigation
`and
`Employnient
`for
`Co.unsel
`City
`Policy
`
`for
`-Cor:poration:Counsel (c.ollectively With tf:ieGlty~ de_fendants).,joirttly 1nove, pre-answer, for
`Corporatio1rCounsel
`defendants),
`1ñove,
`pre-ariswer,
`jointly
`(c.ollectively
`withtheCity
`
`to CPER
`amended
`an order, pursuant to CPLR §§: 3211 _(a) (7)', d1smiss.ing th~ ~p.tirety c;,f Jhe am~ded
`of
`.the
`§§.3211
`an
`pursunrit
`thq
`order,
`entirety
`(7).,
`disniissing
`(a)
`
`pr AC),
`Conplaint
`Plaintid
`2023
`Chun
`:complain(, dated November 26 .• 2023 (Ameriqe,4 Complaint ~r AC). Plaintift"Tercy Chun
`November
`dated
`(Amended
`Terry
`28,
`complaint,
`
`tu CPLR
`partial
`for
`(pla.iittiff) cro~s~moves for an order, putsuant to CPLR § 3212 (b), for parti~ ~unimary
`§ 3512
`pursuant
`an
`for
`crógs-moves
`(b),
`summary
`order,
`(plaiittiff)
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`,,,...,
`---------------------------·-·------------------··
`.
`..
`13
`1 of
`1 of 13
`3 of 21
`
`. ..........
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.........
`
`...
`
`..
`
`004
`
`

`

`f
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`ÊÎNPS
`COUNTY
`CLERK
`03/11/
`20241
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`79
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`RECEM
`1t$Yl80EE1682
`RECEI:Dffl:lExNNOCEB160212~~2ill2
`202E
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/21/2024
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/21/2024
`
`judgnient on the issue. of liability on hi$ third cati~e of acrion for declaratory judg~ent. As
`As
`judgnient
`on the
`catise
`on his
`of
`third
`of actidn
`for
`issue
`judgment.
`liability
`declaratory
`
`a general matter~ i,o summary Ju4gment may be sought before issue has. been ,ioip~d by
`no
`a general
`issue
`joined
`be sought
`jn4gment
`before
`been
`has
`matter,
`by
`summary
`may
`
`s~tvfoe .of an answer:, denial .of plaintiff's cross motion is 111anda,tory without further
`.òf
`an
`sehice
`lilaintiff's
`Inotion
`is
`without
`denial
`of
`cross
`further
`anstver,
`rgandatory
`
`Seg CPLR
`analysis•. See CPLR § 3212 (a); City ofRoohester v Chiare1la~ 6.5 NY2d 92'? 101 (1985.);
`analysis.
`§ 3212
`65 NY2<1
`of Xochener
`v Chiarella;
`101
`(1985):
`(a);
`92,
`(cid:10)ity
`
`v CW Highridge
`222 AD3d
`Maurizaca v CW Highridge Plazq, LLC, 222 AD3d 964~ 965 (2d Dept 202~). Thi& leaves
`Maurizaca
`965
`This
`(2d Dept
`2023).
`leaves
`LLC,
`Plazq,
`964,
`
`defendants'
`for the C0utCs considet.ation defendants:? pre-answer motion to dismiss.
`for
`the Courts
`pre-answer
`consideratiòn
`motion
`to dismiss.
`
`Chronology of Events
`of Events
`Chronology
`
`servant,"
`Plaintiff, a self.:.d~scd~e~ Hl.9.yal God .. feating Christian public servant;" worked tor
`a self-described
`"leyal
`Christian
`for
`ptiblic
`Plaintiff,
`worked
`Odd..fearing
`
`2016
`
`through
`
`Felruary
`
`11,
`
`2022.
`
`tl}e City's.D~partinent ofSanitati9n (DSNY)::as a .computer-systems manager from July 28,
`the City's.Department
`of Sanitation
`(DSNY):as
`a.computer-systems
`manager
`from
`28,
`July
`zo 16 through P·ehtua:ty 11 t 2022. AC, Introdu~tion. 11 1, 11. The tail ertd of plaintit'f' s.
`1, 11.
`DSNY
`employmept with DSNY pvetlappe(l with th¢: inception of the COVID- ! 9 pandemjc.
`the COVIO-I9
`employment
`pandemic.
`with
`overlapped
`with
`th¼inception
`of
`
`AC,
`
`Introduction,
`
`¶¶
`
`The
`
`tail
`
`end
`
`bf
`
`plaintiff's
`
`the New York
`On Octob~r io, 2021, the Commissioner: of..ihe New York Cify Dep.arlment of
`On October
`dommissioner
`of
`Department
`the
`of
`20,
`2021,
`City
`
`Health and Mental Hygiene issued an order r~qujrjng City :employees.~ inc:luding those at
`an order
`and Mental
`those
`nealth
`Hygiene
`issued
`at
`e1nployees;
`rÿ
`City
`including
`uir.ing
`
`DSNV, to n~c~fve COVID-19 vacc.itiatiQns on or before October '29, 2021 (the ·•~accine
`COVID-19
`(the
`Naecine
`on
`or before
`vacciniations
`October
`2021
`DSNY,
`to reAelve
`'29,
`
`DõcNo.
`NYSCEF
`mandate~'). NYSCEf Doc-No. 19. The .vaccine mandate, furth~r .PrO.vide~l (in §:3 thet.eot)
`§ 3 thereof)
`vaccine
`further
`provided
`enandate").
`The
`(in
`19.
`mandate
`
`who
`that "[~]ny City: employee wbo has not provided .. , proof [of vaccination] must be
`be
`that
`.
`.
`must
`. pro.of
`emplbyée
`has
`not
`provided
`[of
`vaccination]
`City
`"[a]ny
`
`202A't
`excluded fr.om the premises Jit w,hlch they work begin.nirtg on November 1, 202i ,'1 the
`the
`on November
`work
`premises
`at which
`excluded
`the
`froin
`heginning
`1,
`they
`
`reasonable
`-vaccine. ll.lan4.ate (in ;§. $ thereof) permitted emphiyees fo ;apply .for a re~$orw.ble
`a
`to
`for
`petmitted
`employees
`8
`mand.ate
`(in
`vaccine
`;apply
`thereof)
`§
`
`~ccommodation to be;exentpt .from va~cination ..
`frorn
`tu betxempt
`hecommodation
`vaccination,
`
`DSNY
`On
`On October 27., -202 r, plaintiff applied to DSNY for a religioµs ... bas~d
`October
`to
`for
`a
`pl:íjntiff
`applied
`religions-based
`27,
`202f,
`
`Doc
`¶ 18; NYSCEF
`niandste.
`accqinmodatiiln (i.e.? an exemption) from the vaccine mandate. AC, 1 18; NYS.CEF Doc
`the
`vaccine
`from
`an exemption)
`AG,
`accoinmodatiön
`(i.e.,
`
`2
`2
`
`- - - · - - - - - - - - - - - - - : : : 2 -of.,,.....,1...,.3· -- - - - - ·- ·- - ···-·•··· .. - - - - -- · ----- -
`
`4 of 21
`4
`-
`-r=
`1 C:.
`
`0 5
`
`

`

`SY
`J
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`79
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`RE CE IffiGE~:ffl:c.E .IS ;i 6~j .4 ;22@' 2!) 2
`RECEIlWMMEEls.16M472d2192
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/21/2024
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/21/2024
`
`I
`No. 21. 1 In his. initial r~quest (at page .2 9f NYSCEF Doc No. 21 )1 he e:xplained .that he
`No.
`of NYSCEF
`Doc
`21.
`In
`his
`initial
`(at page.2
`request
`No.
`he
`that
`explained
`he
`21),
`
`considered :•vacdn:e~ as attempts to undermine [his] faith an4 defy God''s 1µol'al
`considered
`"vacclites
`as
`attempts
`to
`undermine
`faith
`moral
`and
`God's
`[his]
`defy
`conunandments."
`co.n\tb.andinents." Specifically:, he stated that ·~acci11,e13 have b¢en docu1nented to use fetal
`he stated
`that
`have
`been
`"vaccines
`fe.tal
`to use
`docurhented
`Specifically,
`
`lines
`cell
`in
`development
`cel1 Jines in. their dev.elopi:n~nt ot ·testing that :are derived from fetal tissue taken fr~1n
`their
`;ate
`that
`derived
`tissue
`fetal
`from
`or
`from
`taken
`tes1ng
`
`procedures."
`abortion pro~ur.es.'' fd: (iht~nal citations 01nitted). He did .not requ¢sl or suggest any
`abodion
`ne
`Id.
`(internal
`citatiorls
`omiDed).
`not
`request
`did
`or
`suggest
`äny
`
`specifrc
`accommodation
`:~pecific_ accomrnod~tioil: fqt' his· religious . :contlict with the COVI_D-19 vaccine but a_sked
`the COVID-19
`his
`for
`with
`conflict
`religious
`but.
`asked
`vaccine
`
`a.blanket
`for
`exemption
`fot a blanket exemption from the vac.-cine m~ndate;
`the
`from
`vaccine
`mandate.
`
`1.8, 202.1, DSNY denied
`OnlýovenÆer
`On,Noyembet 1.8, 2021, DSNY denied plaintift''s initial request .qn the -gro4~ds that
`plaintifrs
`on the
`initial
`that
`grounds
`request
`
`to DSNY
`he l'iad ''i1ot sutlicientiy demonstrated to DSNY that there [wa$] ~ basis for granting [him]
`he had
`"not
`that
`for
`demonstrated
`there
`a basis
`sutiiciently
`[was]
`granting
`[him]
`an exemption."
`an exemption;'' AC, ,r Z6; NYSCBF l),oc No: 2-3. Non:etheless~ DSNY afforded hiin tiln~
`DSNY
`¶ 26; NYSCEF
`
`afforded
`
`him
`
`time
`
`AC,
`
`Roe
`
`No.
`
`23.
`
`Ñónethelessi
`
`.to appeal its initial denial. NYSCEF Doc No .. 23.
`NY8CEF
`Duc No..23.
`.to appeal
`initial
`its
`denial.
`
`to DSEY
`Ôn November
`Request
`On November 23,- 202'.l, .plafntitJ timely submitte.d to. DSNY his "Appeal Request
`"Appeal
`plaintiff
`submitted
`his
`23,
`2021,
`timely
`
`Accommodation."
`DSNY
`for Religious Accommodation."· NYSCEF Doc No. 2'6'. On. J-anuary i 9, 2022., DSNY
`On
`NYSCEF
`No.
`Doc
`26.
`for
`Religious
`19,
`2022,
`January
`
`proof
`"snBmit
`de,ni~d his subseq~ent req:ues(,, with a direcdve· that plaintiff shall -~submit proof of [his]
`of
`shall
`that
`a directive
`with
`plaintiff
`subsequent
`his
`denied
`[his]
`reques4
`
`2022,"
`COVID-i 9 vaccination by no later than .... _January 24, 2022,." and that if he failed to do
`if he failed
`to
`COòID-19
`no
`do
`vaccination
`than
`.
`and
`that
`.... January
`later
`24,
`by
`
`proof
`of
`ditil
`Without
`so, ' 1L11e would] be pla:ced, in [the] Leave Wftho1;1t Pay ~ta~qs µritil [h.e] provide(d] pro.of of
`status
`in [the]
`be
`Leave
`"[he
`placed
`provide[d]
`so,
`[he]
`Pay
`woilld]
`
`vaccination."
`COV0D.-
`NYSCEF
`No:
`[his] COViD,.J,9 vaccinl\ti<m/'NYSCE.I? Doc No: 27.
`Doc
`27.
`F9
`[his]
`
`Plaintiff re.fused to be vaccinated. On F~br.uary 11, '2022, his employment with
`On February
`e1ñployment
`with
`his
`Plainfitt
`vaccinated.
`refused
`to
`be
`11,
`2022,
`iJSNY was:tenninated'. AC, ,r 77:
`D$NY
`AC,
`¶ 77.
`was
`terminated.
`
`"accommodation,"
`' Althougir
`requested
`plaintiff
`what
`tenn
`uses.the
`Complaint
`th(cid:11) Amended
`1 Altliouglrthe· Amended Complaint frequently u~e~ .t1,e tenn ·"accommodation,'' \Vhat plaintiff req_uested
`frequently
`fain
`to continue
`have:4llowed
`would
`that,.
`if granted,
`a vaccine-mandate
`exemption
`wiis. 'in fact, a ·vacci.ne-mand~(e exemption "that" it'granted, would bav.e:,al1ow~d hiht to continue \Vorkiilg
`uorking
`in fact,
`was,
`for DSNY while
`u.nyaecinated.
`tor DSNY whil~,r~.mai~i.ng: u_nyaccinat~d.
`• •
`remaining
`
`3
`
`----------------------------···- •-··--------------
`
`3 of
`13
`3 of 13
`5 of 21
`,._,.;:
`1 c:;:
`
`II
`
`06
`
`

`

`- -
`--,
`--
`. --
`.
`,
`,
`-_,
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`DÎ
`ÅÎNÔ$
`COUNTY
`CLERK
`03/11/20241
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`79
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 79
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`RECEIM
`M@ÇEF16@;84/(cid:20)RU(cid:20)0
`RECEI:rffi:JE:.xN~~~EiIG@U~~
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/21/2024
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/21/2024
`
`of New York
`On February
`On Felm1ary 6, 2()23, with qver 96% of New Y.ork City-employe~s fully v~c.cmated
`with
`over
`96°/o
`specihated
`employees
`6, 2023,
`City
`fully
`
`Adams
`against
`ag~inst COVID-19, Mayor Eric Adams· aimounced "tht} City's d~cision to rescind the
`Mayor
`Eric
`announced
`City's
`decision
`to
`rescind
`the
`COVID-19,
`the
`
`On FebfuaYy
`vaccine mandate for City wotk~rs. On Febtuafy 9, 2023., the c:ity'':s board of health ratified ..
`vaccine
`for City
`matidate
`workers.
`s board
`the City
`of health
`ratified
`9, 2023,
`
`the amendment. As ofF~bruacy 10, 2023~ theCOVID-19 vaccine has betome optional for
`the COVID-19
`the
`amendment.
`has
`of Fqbruary
`become
`optional
`for
`As
`vaccine
`10, 2023,
`
`c.urrent ~nd ptosp~ctive· City empl~yees.
`c.urrent
`and
`prospective
`employees.
`Cit^
`
`On
`On Julie -8., 2023, plaintiff commenced this ~mp_loyment-Qi~criniination action(cid:173)
`June
`plaintiff
`commenced.
`this
`eroploÿment-discrimination
`action
`2013,
`e.,
`
`s.eeking_ damages for (among other thi~gs) intentional infliction .of emotional distres~.
`damages
`for
`other
`initentiönal
`infliction
`of
`emotional
`distress.
`seeking
`(among
`things)
`
`NVSCEF
`Doc No.
`Verified
`Verified. Goµiplai,nt, fifth C~µse of Action.;, 60,..·63; NYSCEF Doc No. 1. Th_ereaft¢r, the
`of Action,
`Fifth
`Cause
`1. Thereafter,
`the
`Complaint,
`¶¶ 60-63;
`
`~ify 1noved; pre-answer, tq .dismiss· the .injtl"aJ complaint, vyhereas plaintiff moved for
`dismiss
`.iniffel
`plaintiff
`moved
`to
`for
`the
`whereas
`inoved,
`pre-answer,
`City
`complaint3
`(among other relief) leave to ~erye: a proposed amended c.omplaint which (as relevani
`
`(among
`
`other
`
`relief)
`
`leave
`
`to
`
`serve
`
`a propbsed
`
`amended
`
`complaint
`
`which
`
`(as
`
`relevant
`
`hereil).) added a caµse of.action for the alleged violation of tht} Equal 'Protecqon Oliiuse of
`added
`a cause
`of.action
`violation
`of
`the Equal
`Protection
`for
`the
`Clause
`of
`alleged
`herein)
`
`of New Tork.
`Amended
`the Constitution of the State of New York, Propo&t":d Amen(led Complaint, Ninth Cause
`the Constitution
`of
`Catsse
`State
`Ninth
`the
`Proposed
`(cid:10)0mplaint,
`
`Doc No.
`of AC.tiot:1, -1183-94; NYSCEF Doc No. 36. By short-form ord~.r, dated Noverrfber-1, 2Q.23,
`dated
`Nov.ember
`of Action,
`83-94tNYSCEF
`36. By
`short-form
`1, 2023,
`order,
`j¶
`
`.the Cc,urt (in relevant part) granted the City)s initial motion to the ~*tent of dismissing
`initial
`motion
`to
`of
`the
`the Court
`(in
`relevarnt
`granted
`the
`e!tent
`City's
`disatissing
`part)
`
`·plaintiff'·s cause of action for· irite~tional infliction of emotional distress (as well as
`well
`of
`action
`(as
`as
`cause
`for
`intentional
`emotional
`distress
`plaintiirs
`infliction
`of
`
`D5NV
`4isnii~Sing DSNY as codefendant), and fu~her granted:plaintiff leave to sen1e the_proposed
`to serve
`the proposed
`grantedplaintiff
`leave
`as codefendant),
`fusher
`and
`dismiäsing
`
`of
`amemfod .compfaint i~ the fotm: a)J.Dexed to his ·cross motion, with th~ excepti(m of the
`the
`the
`exception
`with
`crdss
`to his
`in
`fofan
`ánnexed
`amended
`complaint
`the
`motion,
`c.oncurr~ntly di&missed emotional dis.Jr~ss claim (the ~~November 2023 Order1')
`2023
`"Noventber
`emotional
`(the
`dismissed
`distress
`claim
`Order ')
`concurrently
`
`46 2
`NYStEF
`NYSCEF Do.c :No. 46;2
`Do.c No.
`
`2 Blaiiftiff
`2023-
`Departunent
`(Docket.No.
`.Indicial
`to the Second
`2ó23 Order
`the November
`has appealed
`2 Plaintiff has appealed the November 2023 Qa·d~r tQ the· Second Judicial DepartrMnt _(Docket.No. 20l3-
`the NYC Human
`I I 19.9), Th~ ~tated is§ue on appeal is ,vh~ther ··the lower court r,roperly dfsmiss[ed] the NYC Human
`lower
`court
`issue on appeal
`is thether
`The
`stated
`"the
`I l ·799),
`dismiss[ed]
`properly
`1.). Compare·NYC
`No;2023-1
`1799, Dec.No.
`of Sanitation"(Docket
`the·Department
`etáints
`against
`Rights
`RightJ claims. again:.t the·Departm~nt of Sanitationn (Docket No~ 2'Q23-1 1799, Poe. N,o. l_ ), Compare· NYC
`Charter§ 396 f All a,ttions and proceedings forJhe recovery of penalties fodhe vio.lat~on of any law shall
`of any law shall
`of penalties
`the violation
`for
`the recovery
`aicti.ons and proceedings
`for
`§ 396 ("All
`Chatter
`(fòottfore
`captinued)
`•
`( foatnote cqr&tinu~.1.i}
`
`4
`4
`
`4 of 13
`
`6 of 21
`
`------------------
`
`007
`
`

`

`ee-,re =
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`NdS
`COUNTY
`CLERK
`20 24|
`03/11/
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`NYSCEF
`NO.
`DOC.
`79
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 79
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`EWRECEB16824502ED22
`RECEI14
`RECE :r.tm:!Emlll.'OCE:S 16 82,:1' 22'0'223) 2 ~
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`RECEIVED
`03 /21/2024
`NYSCEF:
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/21/2024
`
`On November
`On Novembe_r 28,, 2023, plaintiff.filed the Amended Complaint_ ,vhich (as note4) is
`is
`(gs
`plaintiff
`which
`Complaint
`the Apiended
`filed
`2023,
`noted)
`28,
`Nos. 4 and
`defendants'
`Doc
`NYSCEF
`the SUQ.fect of'defendants' instant inotion to dismiss. NYSCEF Doc Nos. 49 and 57.: As
`the
`subject
`of
`to
`dismiss.
`instant
`inotion
`57.
`As
`
`def~nd.ants cof:l'ectly. pqint ·out,, the Amended Complaint fails. to comply ·with the November
`defendants
`the Noyember
`with
`to comply
`fails
`point
`the Amended
`Complaint
`out,
`correctly
`
`2023 Order in: two _key .respec.ts; .fits-t, it . includes the previously tii$missed emotional
`Order
`in
`two
`it
`includes
`the
`disfnissed
`2023
`f f raf,
`respects;
`key
`emotiona<
`previously
`
`distress claim (Amendeq Comphiint, Fi.Uh Cause 'of Action, ,i,i 66~69);· and, second, it
`claim
`it
`disti·ess
`Nifth
`(Amended
`Caùse
`of ActioK
`se(cid:11)ond,
`Complaint,
`and,
`66-69);
`¶¶
`
`pleads an additional but previously undisclosed cause of action for ·•Disparate Treatment
`an additionai
`pleads
`but
`undisclosed
`cause
`action
`for
`"Disparate
`Treaknent
`of
`previously
`and Disparate.Impact Under NYCH;RL." Id,., Tenth CaQs~ o(Acti.on, 11 95- l Q 1. Plaintiff$
`of Action,
`NYCHRL."4,
`
`93-101.
`
`j¶
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`and Disparate
`
`Impact
`
`Under
`
`Tenth
`
`Causti
`
`IItipact"
`failure 'to disclose and plea:d the "Displ:ll'ate Tt~atrnen~ and Disparate Impace• cause ·of
`disclose
`plead
`the
`Treatrñent
`and
`cause
`of
`failure
`tó
`änd
`"Disparate
`Disparate
`
`actiQn fo his.: proposed.amended comJ?laint must be strick;en fro.m th~:Amended Complaint.
`the:Amended
`Complaint.
`action
`in his;proposed.amended
`complaint
`from
`be stricken
`must
`
`22, AD2d
`lf¢e lf:18 Ricor Corp. v Mea·ah,i, 2,2 AD2d 898, 899 (24 Dept 1964); Beve.r(y Milk Yonkers
`(2d Dppt
`Milk
`Yövkers
`1as Bicor
`²èë
`899
`v Mearahi,
`Corp.
`1964);
`898,
`Beverly
`
`2021 NY
`Co. v Conrad~ 5 AD2d 682~ 683 (2d Dept 195 7}; A°zi•ak v Car1er Entets., LLC,: i02 l NY
`5 AD2d
`àtrak
`v Carter
`(2d Dept
`Co.
`683
`v Conrad
`Enters.,
`LLC,
`1957);
`682,
`
`SJip Op J2413{UJ, "'11 (Sup Ct, Kings County 202 l); Reiner v J(<,me-, 25 Mis<r2d 4 77, 480
`480
`25 Mise'2d
`v Kane,
`*1 1 (Sup
`Ct, Kings
`Aeiner
`477,
`2021):
`Slip Op.31413(U),
`County
`.
`.
`.
`Ct, NY County
`Judgment
`(Sup Ct, NY County 1.96.0)., Thu~, the ,remainder of this Pei:ision, Or4er, .an4 Judginent
`and
`of
`remainder
`this
`196.0).
`the
`Decision,
`Order,
`Thus,
`(Sup
`
`in:
`addresses the viability of plaintiff.s causes of' action soundin,g in:
`action
`of
`causes
`plaintifEs
`öf
`the
`addresses
`sounding
`viability
`
`religious
`(1) religious
`(1)
`
`Law
`the New York
`Law
`Human
`et
`(Executive
`Rights
`di~~rim,ination gnder the New York $tate Human .Rights Law (E~~cutive Law § 296, et
`State
`§ 296,
`under
`discrimination
`
`Law
`Code
`Human
`(Administrative
`New
`s·eq.) (State HRL) and ·the New York City Human Rights Law (Administrative Code
`Rights
`York
`(State
`ihe
`and
`HRL)
`City
`seq.)
`
`in coop7rative
`engage
`fsilure
`§ 8-107, et:_ seq.) (City HRL) (Fi.rst:C~use of Action); (2) failµr_e to .engage itl coop.erativ.e
`to
`óf Acti0n);
`(First
`Cause
`et
`HRL)
`(2)
`§ 8-107,
`(.City
`seq.)
`
`HRL
`(Third
`juiigment
`dialogue under the City HRL (Second Cause:·of Action); (3):deciaratory judgment(Third
`Cause:of
`(Second
`the City
`under
`dialogue
`Action);
`declaratory
`(3)
`
`of
`Clauses
`Protection
`the Equal
`Cause o:fAcj:ion);· (4}v,iolation of the Free Exerdse, ~od th¢ Equal Protection Cl~n~ses of
`Free
`and
`15xercise,
`the
`violation
`of
`Cause
`oYAction);
`(4)
`
`Causes
`of New
`and Ninth
`(Fourth
`the:Constitutfon of the State ofNew York (State Constittitio.l'l) (Fourth and Ninth -Causes
`(State
`Vork
`State
`the
`of
`the:Constitution
`Constittition)
`
`otherwise
`where
`in that df ány agency,
`except
`and not
`ofHewYork
`in the name:6f
`tie
`be brought in the name :tif the city of New York and ilot in that of any agency. e~cept where otherwi~e
`be brought
`city
`laƒ'
`provided
`.provided by la,v.'"),
`by
`
`5
`5
`
`13
`5 of
`5 of 13
`
`7 of 21
`
`008
`
`

`

`-.-
`__
`-
`.
`-
`.
`. _
`.
`_ _,
`,
`- -L - • r - . . , . - - · ,. --rzn
`-
`-
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/23/2024 03:54 PM
`FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 12:10 PM
`Pyifftilf. it'in&~ COUNTY ctzmc 03111120241
`ÛNÔS
`COUNTY
`CLERK
`b:
`03/11/
`2024|
`
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 83NYSCEF DOC. NO. 87
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`79
`NO.
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 79
`
`
`INDEX NO. 516824/2023INDEX NO. 516824/2023
`RECEWB$EEB16024220'252
`RECE I:mJ5Ex-JW:E516 924' J:Jl(j'lLJ) 2 1
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/23/2024
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/21/2024
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 03/21/2024
`
`the City HRL
`,of:Ac,:ti<;>n, respectively);.( 5) .aiding, a:betting, coinpelUng,._ and coercing-,under the City HRL
`of Action,
`and
`under
`aiding,
`abetting,
`respectively);.(5)
`coingelling
`coerting
`
`.($ixth
`(-Sixth Cau_se of Action)_; (6) breach of contract/wrongful termination -(Seventh. Ca1,1s~ of
`of
`breach
`of Action);
`Cause
`of
`centractAvrongful
`termination(Seventh
`Cause
`(6)
`
`Action).;: and (7) attomey's tees (Eigbth Cause of Action).
`and
`Cause
`of Actiori).
`(Eighth
`attonley's
`fbes
`Action);
`(7)
`
`_Standard of.Review.
`Standat*d
`of Review.
`in c.onsidetilig a.motion tcrdislniss a complaint pursu.ant to CPLR §: 321 i (a) (7), the
`to CPLR
`In considering
`jj 321
`
`I
`
`(a)
`
`(7),
`
`the
`
`a2noti0n
`
`tadismiss
`
`a complaint
`
`pursuant
`
`court must accept the facts as :alleged in the: c.omplaint :as true, accord