FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05312018 04:30 PM
`NYSC 3F DOC. NO.
`91
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`
`IND
`EX NO.
`100930/2015
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`
` VYSC
`
` flIV flD
` 3F:
`
`05/23/2018
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`
`Exhibit 14
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`: 27
`12
`dLERit™Ò3f2472017
`1FIEED:""RTC1tROND"COUNTT
`Ply
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`NYSCEF
`52
`DOC.
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`100930/2015
`NO.
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`RECEIVED
`03/24/2017
`NYSCEF:
`c5
`
`.
`
`OF THE
`COURT
`SUPREME
`OF RICHMOND
`COUNTY
`-------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`ADRIA
`
`INFRASTRUCTURE,
`
`LLC,
`
`Plaintif
`
`-against-
`
`JACOB'S
`INC.,
`FACILITIES,
`INC.,
`HENICK-LANE,
`OF NEW YORK,
`AUTHORITY
`DORMITORY
`STATE
`CASUALTY
`TRAVELERS
`ELECTRICAL
`LEVEST
`CORP.,
`OF AMERICA
`COMPANY
`AND SURETY
`DOES 1-10,
`JOHN
`
`and
`
`Defendants,
`-------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
`ELECTRICAL
`
`CORPORATION,
`
`LEVEST
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`-against-
`
`OF NEW YORK,
`- STATE
`AUTHORITY
`INC.,
`HENICK-LANE,
`INC.,
`CONTROLS,
`INSURANCE
`MUTUAL
`and any other
`COMPANY,
`DOES
`and JOHN
`1-10,
`Lienholders,
`-------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
`numbered
`1 to 12 were
`papers
`The
`
`DORMITORY
`JOHNSON
`LIBERTY
`
`following
`
`fully
`
`submitted
`
`DCM Part 4
`
`Present:
`Kim Dollard
`Hon.
`
`DECISION
`
`AND ORDER
`
`Action
`Index
`Motion
`
`I
`
`No.
`No.
`Nos.
`
`100930/15
`2566-002
`2592-003
`2800-004
`3877-005
`
`Action
`Index
`
`No.
`No.
`
`2
`
`150364/16
`
`on the
`
`30th
`
`day
`
`of September,
`
`2016:
`
`Pages
`Numbered
`
`of Motion
`Notice
`by Defendant
`Henick-Lane,
`of Law
`and Memorandum
`13, 2016).........................................................................................1
`(dated
`June
`
`to Compel
`
`Disclosure
`Inc, with
`
`Supporting
`
`Papers,
`
`Exhibits
`
`of Cross
`Notice
`by Defendant
`(dated
`June
`
`Motion
`
`to Consolidate
`and Exhibits
`Papers
`Inc, with
`Henick-Lane,
`Supporting
`17, 2016).........................................................................................2
`
`for Partial
`
`of Cross Motion
`Notice
`by Defendant
`with
`Supporting
`(dated
`June
`29,
`
`Judgment
`Summary
`- State
`of New York,
`Authority
`Dormitory
`of Law
`and Memorandum
`Exhibits
`Papers,
`2016).........................................................................................3
`
`1 of
`
`10
`
`c
`
`c>
`
`D
`
`D
`C3
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`1FEED:""RTCHNONU"COUNTT
`: 27
`12
`dLERit™Ò3f2472017
`Ply
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`NYSCEF
`52
`DOC.
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`100930/2015
`NO.
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`03/24/2017
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`
`of Damjan
`
`Stanivukovic
`
`to Cross Motion
`Affidavit
`and Exhibits
`Papers
`with
`for Partial
`Judgment,
`Supporting
`Summary
`4, 2016).......................................................................................4
`August
`(dated
`
`in Opposition
`
`.
`
`in Opposition
`Affirmation
`Adria
`by Plaintiff
`and Memorandum
`August
`(dated
`
`to Cross Motion
`with
`
`LLC,
`
`for Partial
`
`Supporting
`
`Summary
`Papers,
`
`Judgment
`Exhibits
`
`Infrastructure,
`of Law
`8, 2016).......................................................................................5
`
`Affirmation
`(dated
`August
`
`of
`
`Esq.
`John M. Rondello,
`8, 2016).......................................................................................6
`
`Memorandum
`
`Reply
`for Partial
`Summary
`of New York
`State
`September
`(dated
`
`of Law
`Judgment
`
`Support
`in Further
`by Defendant
`
`of Cross Motion
`
`Dormitory
`
`Authority
`
`-
`
`6, 2016)..................................................................................7
`
`.6
`
`.7
`
`.8
`
`of Cross Motion
`Notice
`Adria
`by Plaintiff
`and Memorandum
`September
`(dated
`
`to Amend
`
`of Lien
`
`Notice
`with
`
`LLC,
`
`Supporting
`
`Papers,
`
`Exhibits
`
`Infrastructure,
`of Law
`19, 2016)................................................................................8
`
`Affirmation
`by Defendants
`September
`(dated
`
`to Consolidate
`to Motion
`in Opposition
`Insurance
`Mutual
`and
`Inc
`Johnson
`Controls,
`Liberty
`22, 2016).................................................................................9
`
`Company
`
`to Motion
`in Opposition
`Affirmation
`Corporation
`Levest
`Electric
`by Plaintiff
`23, 2016).................................................................................10
`September
`(dated
`
`to Consolidate
`
`in Opposition
`
`to Motion
`Affirmation
`Inc
`by Defendant
`Henick-Lane,
`27, 2016).................................................................................11
`September
`(dated
`
`to Amend
`
`Notice
`
`of Lien
`
`in Reply
`Affirmation
`Inc
`by Defendant
`Henick-Lane,
`2016).................................................................................12
`September
`(dated
`28,
`
`Upon
`
`the foregoing
`
`papers,
`
`the motion
`
`(No.
`
`2566-002)
`
`and cross motion
`
`(No.
`
`2592-003)
`
`of
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`Inc
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"Henick-Lane"
`"Henick-Lane")
`
`for
`
`(1)
`
`consolidation
`
`and
`
`(2)
`
`to compel
`
`discovery
`
`are denied;
`
`the cross motion
`
`(No.
`
`2800-004)
`
`by defendant
`
`Dormitory
`
`Authority
`
`- State
`
`of
`
`2
`
`2
`
`of
`
`10
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`dLERK"03
`IFIIith:^™RTCHRONIFCOUNTT
`: 27
`12
`2017
`247
`PM)
`NYSCEF
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`DOC.
`NO.
`52
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`NO.
`100930/2015
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/24/2017
`
`New York
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"DASNY")
`
`for partial
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`is granted;
`
`as is the cross motion
`
`(No.
`
`3877-005)
`
`by plaintiff
`
`Adria
`
`Infrastructure,
`
`LLC
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"Adria")
`
`for
`
`leave
`
`to amend
`
`its
`
`notice
`
`ol'
`of
`
`lien.
`
`To the extent
`
`relevant,
`
`these
`
`actions
`
`arise
`
`from "work
`
`on a public
`
`improvement
`
`project
`
`for
`
`the reconstruction
`
`of a portion
`
`of
`
`[the]
`
`Staten
`
`Island
`
`Courthouse"
`
`(see Verified
`
`Complaint
`
`[Adria
`
`8).
`
`Insofar
`
`defendant
`
`as owner
`
`ofthe
`
`above
`
`project,
`
`entered
`
`into
`
`action],
`
`para
`
`as it appears,
`
`DASNY,
`
`an agreement
`
`on September
`
`17, 2009,
`
`hiring
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`to serve
`
`as general
`
`contractor
`
`in connection
`
`with
`
`the
`
`reconstruction
`
`(id.
`
`at 33-36;
`
`see also
`
`Defendant
`
`DASNY's
`
`Exhibit
`
`"A").
`
`Defendant
`
`Jacob's
`
`Facilities,
`
`Inc
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"JFI")
`
`was
`
`subsequently
`
`hired
`
`by DASNY
`
`to serve
`
`as
`
`construction
`
`manager
`
`(id.
`
`at 33-36).
`
`The
`
`complaint
`
`alleges
`
`that
`
`in pursuance
`
`ofits
`
`contract
`
`with DASNY,
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`purchase
`
`with
`
`plaintiff/subcontractor
`
`on or about
`
`placed
`
`two
`
`separate
`
`orders
`
`Adria
`
`January
`
`29, 2010,
`
`for materials
`
`and services
`
`required
`
`to complete
`
`the reconstruction.
`
`It
`
`is undisputed
`
`that
`
`one of
`
`these
`
`purchase
`
`orders
`
`obligated
`
`Adria
`
`to "furnish
`
`and
`
`install
`
`pipe
`
`fittings"
`
`(id.
`
`at 9, 12), while
`
`the other
`
`obligated
`
`Adria
`
`to "provide...
`
`steamfitt[ers]"
`frtt[ers]"
`steam
`
`(id.
`
`at 39, 42).
`
`It
`
`is further
`
`alleged
`
`that
`
`the total
`
`amount
`
`due and owing
`
`under
`
`the first
`
`of
`
`these
`
`orders
`
`was
`
`the sum of $742,
`
`651.12
`
`(id.
`
`at 9, 12), with
`
`regard
`
`filed
`
`Under
`
`to which
`
`Adria
`
`a statutory
`
`"Notice
`
`Mechanics
`
`Lien
`
`Law[§l
`
`2]
`
`for Account
`
`of Public
`
`Improvements"
`
`on December
`
`6, 2013
`
`(id.
`
`at 14; see also Defendant
`
`DASNY's
`
`Exhibit
`
`"E").
`
`A like
`
`lien
`
`in the
`
`sum of $4,180,706.72
`
`referable
`
`to
`
`the
`
`second
`
`purchase
`
`order
`
`was
`
`filed
`
`on March
`
`31,
`
`2015
`
`(id.
`
`at 39, 42,
`
`44;
`
`see also Defendant
`
`DASNY's
`
`Exhibit
`
`"G").'
`
`' PursuanttoLien
`owned
`property
`file
`a notice
`of
`
`real
`
`may
`
`Law
`a subcontractor
`§12,
`or a public
`by the state
`corporation,
`lien with
`the head
`of
`the department
`
`which
`
`furnishes
`a "public
`or bureau
`
`3
`
`3
`
`of
`
`10
`
`or materials
`labor
`improvement"
`(Lien
`of such
`
`in improving
`Law §2[7]),
`
`having
`
`charge
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`: 27
`12
`dLERit™Ò3fŽ472017
`1FIEED:""RTCHNOND"COUN'1T
`Ply
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`NYSCEF
`52
`DOC.
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`100930/2015
`NO.
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`03/24/2017
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`
`Plaintiff
`
`Adria
`
`subsequently
`
`commenced
`
`this
`
`action
`
`to foreclose
`
`upon
`
`both
`
`liens
`
`by the filing
`
`-
`
`of a Summons
`
`and Verified
`
`Complaint
`
`on or about
`
`July
`
`23, 2015
`
`(see Defendant
`
`DASNY's
`
`Exhibit
`
`"B").
`
`On
`
`or
`
`about
`
`September
`
`9, 2015,
`
`plaintiff
`
`filed
`
`an Amended
`
`Complaint
`
`adding
`
`Levest
`
`Electrical
`
`Corp
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"Levest")
`
`as a party
`
`which
`
`had also
`
`filed
`
`a lien
`
`against
`
`the project
`
`(see
`
`Defendant
`
`DASNY's
`
`Exhibit
`
`"C")
`
`as provided
`
`in Lien
`
`Law
`
`§44.
`
`In addition
`
`to foreclosure,
`
`the
`
`amended
`
`complaint
`
`asserted
`
`additional
`
`causes
`
`of actions
`
`against
`
`Henick-Lane,
`
`DASNY
`
`and JFI
`
`for
`
`(1) unjust
`
`enrichment
`
`and
`
`(2)
`
`in quantum
`
`meruit
`
`(id.).
`
`On
`
`or about
`
`March
`
`25,
`
`2016,
`
`defendant
`
`Levest
`
`filed
`
`a separate
`
`action
`
`to foreclose
`
`on
`
`its
`
`mechanics'
`mechanics'
`
`due
`
`of
`
`at
`
`least
`
`$167,970.93
`
`(see Defendant
`
`Henick-Lane's
`
`lien,
`
`alleging
`
`a balance
`
`Exhibit
`
`"B").
`
`To the extent
`
`relevant,
`
`Levest
`
`claimed
`
`to have
`
`performed
`
`work
`
`on the subject
`
`project
`
`pursuant
`
`to a subcontract
`
`entered
`
`into
`
`in February
`
`of 2012
`
`with
`
`defendant
`
`Johnson
`
`Controls,
`
`Inc
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"
`
`JCI"),
`
`another
`
`subcontractor
`
`hired
`
`by
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`(see
`
`Defendant
`
`DASNY's
`
`Exhibit
`
`"H").
`
`Among
`
`the motions
`
`presently
`
`before
`
`the Court
`
`is a motion
`
`to consolidate
`
`the Adria
`
`action
`
`with
`
`the
`
`Levest
`
`action
`
`against
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane,
`
`et al.
`
`of
`
`2002]).
`shall
`
`the Legislature
`
`requirements,
`improvements.
`
`It
`
`for
`
`public
`
`officer
`
`for
`
`the
`created
`
`validity
`two
`
`of a
`separate
`
`of private
`
`of note
`
`that
`
`the
`to restrict
`the rights
`that City-owned
`
`of
`
`creditors
`
`of City-owned
`
`property
`
`is inalienable
`
`properties,
`(id.).
`
`consistent
`
`with
`
`4
`
`4
`
`of
`
`10
`
`or demolition
`or other
`
`construction
`public
`corporation,
`funds
`or corporate
`of New
`v. City
`York,
`"substantial
`compliance
`Law
`§23).
`As
`
`(Lien
`categories
`
`property,
`subdivision
`
`of
`
`and
`
`of
`
`and withthecomptroller
`charged
`officer
`or person
`under
`to the contract
`applicable
`174 [1" Dept
`294 AD2d
`173,
`provision
`its several
`with
`is applicable
`herein,
`two
`separate
`notice
`with
`liens,
`as here,
`the other,
`mechanics'
`mechanics'
`liens
`
`in this manner
`
`was
`
`the
`of
`the financial
`or with
`the state
`the state
`with
`the custody
`of
`and disbursement
`(see EMC Iron Works
`which
`is made
`the claim
`further
`Lien
`Law
`provides
`that
`The
`lien"
`be sufficient
`has explicitly
`one
`for
`the improvement
`is worthy
`intended
`
`apparently
`the
`unique
`
`circumstance
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`i'ILED:^™RTCHNONU"COUNTT
`2017
`: 27
`12
`CLERK"037
`247
`PN|
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`52
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`NO.
`100930/2015
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/24/2017
`
`A motion
`
`to consolidate
`
`two
`
`or more
`
`actions
`
`rests within
`
`the
`
`sound
`
`discretion
`
`of
`
`the court
`
`.
`
`(see CPLR 602;
`
`American
`
`Home
`
`Mtge
`
`Servicing,
`.Servicing,
`
`Inc
`
`v. Sharrocks,
`
`92 AD3d
`
`620,
`
`622
`
`[2"d Dept
`
`2012]).
`
`Nevertheless,
`
`where
`
`common
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law or
`
`fact
`
`exist,
`
`consolidation
`
`is warranted
`
`unless
`
`the
`
`opposing
`
`party
`
`demonstrates
`
`prejudice
`
`to a substantial
`
`right
`
`(id.).
`
`Here,
`
`both
`
`actions
`
`involve
`
`claims
`
`by
`
`lienors
`
`for
`
`labor
`
`and materials
`
`furnished
`
`to the
`
`same
`
`project.
`
`However,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`to
`
`the
`
`undisputed
`
`that
`
`the
`
`purchase
`
`agreements
`
`between
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`and
`
`Adria
`
`are
`
`unrelated
`
`contract
`
`between
`
`the
`
`former
`
`and
`
`JCI which,
`
`in turn,
`
`entered
`
`into
`
`the
`
`subcontract
`
`with
`
`Levest.
`
`Moreover,
`
`while
`
`Adria
`
`is asserting
`
`various
`
`claims
`
`against
`
`multiple
`
`defendants,
`
`Levest
`
`is only
`
`seeking
`
`to foreclose
`
`upon
`
`the surety
`
`bond
`
`posted
`
`by defendant
`
`Henick-Lane.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`the two
`
`actions
`
`do not
`
`concern
`
`the same
`
`parties
`
`or
`
`involve
`
`common
`
`questions
`
`of
`
`law and
`
`fact
`
`[2nd Dept
`
`2013]).
`
`the motion
`
`(cf
`
`Sconov.
`
`denied.2
`
`Kodsi,
`
`102 AD3d
`
`947,
`
`948
`
`Hence,
`
`to
`
`consolidate
`
`is
`
`Turning
`
`to its
`
`cross motion
`
`for
`
`partial
`
`summary
`
`judgment,
`
`defendant
`
`DASNY
`
`seeks
`
`to
`
`dismiss
`
`the
`
`third,
`
`fourth
`
`and
`
`fifth
`
`causes
`
`of action
`
`in plaintiff's
`
`Amended
`
`Verified
`
`Complaint.
`
`support,
`
`DASNY
`
`contends,
`
`inter
`
`alia,
`
`that
`
`it
`
`is no
`
`longer
`
`a proper
`
`party
`
`to
`
`the
`
`foreclosure
`
`In
`
`of
`
`plaintiff's
`
`December
`
`2013
`
`lien,
`
`as sought
`
`in its fifth
`
`cause
`
`of action.
`
`In this
`
`regard,
`
`it
`
`is undisputed
`
`that
`
`the
`
`lien
`
`filed
`
`plaintiff
`
`by
`
`on December
`
`12,
`
`2013
`
`in the
`
`amount
`
`of
`
`$742,651.12
`
`has
`
`been
`
`discharged
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the
`
`posting
`
`of a undertaking
`
`in the amount
`
`of $816,916.23
`
`by defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`on January
`
`21, 2014
`
`(see Affirmation
`
`of John M. Rondello,
`
`Jr., Esq.
`
`dated
`
`September
`
`19, 2016,
`
`paras
`
`9-10;
`
`annexed
`
`Exhibit
`
`"C"
`
`"Discharge
`
`of Lien";
`
`see also
`
`Affirmation
`
`of Carol
`
`A.
`
`Sigmond,
`
`Esq.,
`
`para
`
`3). Pursuant
`
`to Lien
`
`Law §21(5),
`
`a lien against
`
`the amount
`
`due or
`
`to become
`
`due
`
`to compel
`
`2The
`
`exchange
`subsequent
`academic.
`
`discovery
`
`of discovery
`
`materials
`
`has rendered
`
`Henick-Lane's
`
`cross motion
`
`5
`
`5
`
`of
`
`10
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`ML1th:^™kTCIBibNtrt0UNTT
`2017
`: 27
`12
`CLERk"03jiit7
`Ply
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`52
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`NO.
`100930/2015
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/24/2017
`
`a contractor
`
`from the
`
`state
`
`or a public
`
`corporation
`
`for
`
`the
`
`construction
`
`or demolition
`
`of
`
`a public
`
`.
`
`improvement
`
`may
`
`be discharged
`
`either
`
`before
`
`or after
`
`the beginning
`
`of an action
`
`by a contractor
`
`or
`
`subcontractor
`
`executing
`
`a bond
`
`or undertaking
`
`in an amount
`
`equal
`
`to one hundred
`
`and ten percent
`
`of
`
`such
`
`lien conditioned
`
`for
`
`the payment
`
`of any judgment
`
`which
`
`may
`
`be recovered
`
`in an action
`
`to enforce
`
`the lien
`
`(cf
`
`Lien
`
`Law
`
`§37[7]);
`
`see Norden
`
`Elec
`
`v.
`
`Ideal
`
`Elec
`
`Supply
`
`Corp,
`
`154 AD2d
`
`580,
`
`581).
`
`...
`
`The
`
`law
`
`is well
`
`settled
`
`that
`
`"[u]pon
`
`the
`
`filing
`
`of
`
`a discharge
`
`bond[,]
`
`the
`
`public
`
`improvement
`
`lien
`
`previously
`
`filed
`
`attaches
`
`to the bond,
`
`which
`
`is substituted
`
`for
`
`the liened
`
`
`
`property"property"
`
`(Tri-City
`
`Electric
`
`Co
`
`v. People,
`
`63 NY2d
`
`969,
`
`971).
`
`IIowever,
`
`since
`
`city-owned
`
`properties
`
`are
`
`inalienable
`
`under
`
`New
`
`York
`
`City
`
`Charter
`
`§383,
`
`the
`
`"property"
`
`to which
`
`a public
`
`improvement
`
`lien
`
`attaches,
`
`and which
`
`secures
`
`the creditor's
`
`interest
`
`payment,
`
`is not
`
`the City's
`
`real
`
`initially
`
`in obtaining
`
`property,
`
`as it
`
`is in the case of privately
`
`owned
`
`realty;
`
`rather,
`
`it
`
`is the moneys
`
`of
`
`the state
`
`or of such
`
`public
`
`corporation
`
`responsible
`
`for
`
`the construction
`
`or demolition
`
`of such
`
`improvements
`
`(EMC Iron
`
`Works
`
`v. City
`
`of New
`
`York,
`
`294 AD2d
`
`173,
`
`174;
`
`see Lien
`
`Law
`
`§5).3
`
`Remedial
`
`in nature,
`
`New York's
`
`lien
`
`law entitled
`
`to a liberal
`
`construction
`
`designed
`
`to carry
`
`out
`
`the
`
`purpose
`
`of
`
`its enactment
`
`(see Riverhead
`
`Transit
`
`Mix
`
`Corp
`
`v. Walsh
`
`Constr.
`
`Co
`
`[In
`
`re
`
`1995
`
`Bankr.
`
`LEXIS
`
`2166).
`
`Riverhead
`
`Transit
`
`Mix Corp]),
`
`Nevertheless,
`
`even
`
`the most
`
`liberal
`
`of
`
`constructions
`
`is not without
`
`limit,
`
`and
`
`does
`
`authorize
`
`subsequent
`
`judicial
`
`expansion
`
`to include
`
`Authorities
`corporate
`(Pub
`Auth
`re Riverhead
`
`Authority
`benefit
`
`the State
`of
`corporation"
`
`Transit
`
`LEXIS
`
`Mix Corp
`2166
`at
`*20
`
`Bankr.
`
`of New
`with
`the
`v.
`
`(Bankr.
`
`the Dormitory
`Law defines
`a public
`and politic
`constituting
`Law §§l 677,
`see Riverhead
`1678;
`Mix Corp)),
`Transit
`1995
`"is
`a corporation
`the state,
`(Gen
`
`3NewYork'sPublic
`as "a body
`(DASNY)
`sued"
`"to
`sue and be
`Constr.
`Co [In
`A public
`improvement
`or other
`
`York
`power
`Walsh
`SDNY
`public
`
`of
`
`this
`
`1995).
`
`states,
`v. Walsh
`Constr.
`SDNY
`
`benefit
`corporation
`or partly
`wholly
`or
`to the people
`
`within
`thereof'
`
`organized
`the profits
`
`from which
`
`Constr
`
`Law
`
`§66[4];
`1995
`
`to construct
`
`or operate
`inure
`to the benefit
`see Riverhead
`Transit
`Bankr.
`LEXIS
`
`a
`
`at
`
`2166
`
`Mix
`
`*l9
`
`Corp
`(Bankr.
`
`1995).
`
`Corp]),
`
`Co [In
`
`re Riverhead
`
`Transit
`
`Mix
`
`6
`
`6
`
`of
`
`10
`
`

`

`°
`
`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`: 27
`12
`'Z017
`fKWiBFFEl
`)äHiifBaiiMWii0iHi3ï•RiiK•F•IúI3ñK•Wf3i
`Ply
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`NYSCEF
`52
`DOC.
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`100930/2015
`NO.
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`03/24/2017
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`
`matters
`
`beyond
`
`those
`
`expressly
`
`stated
`
`by the
`
`legislature.
`
`.
`
`Lien
`
`Law
`
`§44
`
`provides,
`
`in pertinent
`
`part,
`
`that
`
`in an action
`
`to enforce
`
`a lien
`
`against
`
`real
`
`property
`
`or a public
`
`improvement
`
`(whichever
`
`is warranted),
`
`all persons
`
`appearing
`
`to be the owners
`
`thereof
`
`must
`
`be joined
`
`as defendants,
`
`except
`
`where
`
`a bond
`
`has been
`
`filed
`
`discharging
`
`the lien
`
`(Lien
`
`Law
`
`§§21[5];
`
`37[7]).
`
`Under
`
`such
`
`circumstances,
`
`the
`
`owners
`
`cease
`
`to be necessary
`
`parties,
`
`as the
`
`fisc
`
`for
`
`be attached
`
`and
`
`bond
`
`has replaced
`
`the real
`
`property
`
`or public
`
`as security
`
`the debt,
`
`and may
`
`attacked
`
`(see
`
`Lien
`
`Law
`
`§5 ; Bryant
`
`Equip
`
`Corp
`
`v. A-1 Moore
`
`Contr
`
`Corp,
`
`51 AD2d
`
`792 ; see also
`
`Riverhead
`
`Transit
`
`Mix Corp
`
`v. Walsh
`
`Constr.
`
`Co [In
`
`re Riverhead
`
`Transit
`
`Mix Corp]),
`
`1995 Bankr.
`
`LEXIS
`
`2166
`
`at *19
`
`(Bankr.
`
`SDNY
`
`1995;
`
`ef Martirano
`
`Constr
`
`Corp
`
`v. Briar
`
`Contr
`
`Corp,
`
`104 AD2d
`
`1028).
`
`Here,
`
`it
`
`is undisputed
`
`that
`
`the lien
`
`filed
`
`by plaintiff
`
`in December
`
`of
`
`2013
`
`has been
`
`discharged
`
`posted
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`of 2014.
`
`as a result
`
`of
`
`the undertaking
`
`by defendant
`
`in January
`
`Accordingly,
`
`since
`
`this matter
`
`involves
`
`sums
`
`alleged
`
`to be due for
`
`labor
`
`and materials
`
`on a public
`
`improvement,
`
`the
`
`action
`
`to foreclose
`
`plaintiff's
`
`lien
`
`(its
`
`fifth
`
`cause
`
`of action)
`
`is entitled
`
`to dismissal
`
`as against
`
`DASNY.
`
`In support
`
`of
`
`the
`
`balance
`
`of
`
`its motion,
`
`is.,
`
`for
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`dismissing
`
`plaintiff's
`
`third
`
`and
`
`fourth
`
`causes
`
`of action,
`
`DASNY
`
`maintains
`
`that
`
`it contracted
`
`solely
`
`with
`
`its co-defendant,
`
`and
`
`that
`
`in
`
`the
`
`absence
`
`of
`
`a
`
`Henick-Lane,
`
`rather
`
`than
`
`the
`
`plaintiff/subcontractor,
`
`privity,
`
`subcontractor
`
`cannot
`
`assert
`
`a claim
`
`for
`
`unjust
`
`enrichment
`
`or
`
`in quantum
`
`meruit
`
`against
`
`it.
`
`It
`
`is well
`
`settled
`
`that
`
`a property
`
`owner
`
`who
`
`hires
`
`a general
`
`contractor
`
`to perform
`
`certain
`
`work
`
`does
`
`not
`
`become
`
`liable
`
`to a
`
`subcontractor
`
`engaged
`
`by
`
`the
`
`latter
`
`on the
`
`theory
`
`of quasi
`
`contract,
`
`unless
`
`it expressly
`
`consents
`
`to pay
`
`for
`
`the subcontractor's
`
`performance
`
`(see Sears
`
`Ready Mix,
`
`Ltd
`
`7
`
`7
`
`of
`
`10
`
`

`

`."Wh"COUNTT
`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`CLERK
`2477017
`: 27
`12
`"037
`PM)
`NYSCEF
`DOC.
`NO.
`52
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`NO.
`100930/2015
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`03/24/2017
`
`v. Lighthouse
`
`Mar,
`
`Inc,
`
`127 AD3d
`
`845,
`
`846
`
`[2nd Dept
`
`2015]).
`
`Moreover,
`
`"[t]he
`
`mere
`
`fact
`
`that
`
`the
`
`.
`
`[owner
`
`has]
`
`consented
`
`to the
`
`improvements
`
`and
`
`received
`
`some
`
`benefit
`
`from the
`
`[subcontractor's]
`
`activities
`
`is insufficient
`
`to recover
`
`on such
`
`a theory;
`
`the
`
`[subcontractor]
`
`must
`
`also
`
`show
`
`that
`
`it was
`
`working
`
`for
`
`the
`
`[owner]
`
`when
`
`it performed
`
`its work,
`
`resulting
`
`in unjust
`
`enrichment"
`enrichment"
`
`(id.
`
`at 846
`
`[internal
`
`quotation
`
`marks
`
`omitted]).
`
`Accordingly,
`
`"a subcontractor
`
`not
`
`assert
`
`a
`
`[generally]
`
`may
`
`cause
`
`of action
`
`to recover
`
`damages
`
`for
`
`breach
`
`of
`
`contract
`
`against
`
`a party
`
`with
`
`whom it
`
`is not
`
`in
`
`privity"
`
`(see Vertical
`
`Progression,
`
`Inc
`
`v. Canyon
`
`Johnson
`
`Urban
`
`Funds,
`
`126 AD3d
`
`784,
`
`786).
`
`4
`
`In opposition
`
`to DASNY's
`
`motion
`
`for summary
`
`judgment,
`
`Damjan
`
`Stanivukovie,
`
`a member
`
`of Adria,
`
`attests
`
`that
`
`"the
`
`Project
`
`was
`
`substantially
`
`delayed
`
`through
`
`[DASNY's]
`
`mismanagement
`
`and owner
`
`directed
`
`delay
`
`and
`
`extensions"
`
`(see Affidavit
`
`of Damjan
`
`Stanivukovic,
`
`paras
`
`3, 5). More
`
`and
`
`communicate
`
`between
`
`specifically,
`
`it
`
`is claimed
`
`that
`
`"DASNY
`
`failed
`
`to properly
`
`coordinate
`
`itself,
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`and
`
`[JFI],
`
`which
`
`resulted
`
`in [a]
`
`failure
`
`to act and respond
`
`[in a timely
`
`manner]
`
`to myriad...
`
`issue[sJ
`
`thus
`
`causing
`
`further
`
`delays
`
`in the
`
`Project"
`
`(id.
`
`at 5).
`
`In the opinion
`
`of
`
`this Court,
`
`Adria's
`
`opposition
`
`is unresponsive
`
`and,
`
`therefore,
`
`insufficient
`
`to raise
`
`a triable
`
`issue
`
`as to DASNY's
`
`liability
`
`to plaintiff.
`
`As a result,
`
`the Court
`
`finds
`
`that Adria
`
`has failed
`
`to demonstrate
`
`that
`
`the moving
`
`defendant
`
`took
`
`any action
`
`to induce
`
`plaintiffto
`
`believe
`
`that
`
`services.
`
`it would
`
`pay
`
`for plaintiff's
`
`To the contrary,
`
`all of DASNY's
`
`business
`
`transactions
`
`cited
`
`by
`
`plaintiff
`
`appear
`
`to have
`
`involved
`
`just
`
`the movant
`
`and Henick-Lane.
`
`It
`
`is well
`
`established
`
`that
`
`there
`
`can be no claim
`
`of unjust
`
`enrichment
`
`in the absence
`
`of any evidence
`
`of a relationship
`
`the parties
`
`that
`
`4Nevertheless.
`
`a subcontractor
`
`can sometimes
`
`prevail
`
`on a cause
`
`against
`
`an
`
`g.,
`
`owner
`
`for,
`subcontractor
`them"
`between
`
`786).
`
`unjust
`
`enrichment,
`
`but
`
`only
`an obligation
`
`imposing
`justify
`(see Vertical
`
`Progression,
`
`"where
`
`direct
`
`dealings
`
`upon
`the owner
`v. Canyon
`
`despite
`Johnson
`
`Inc
`
`8
`
`8
`
`of
`
`10
`
`of action
`between
`the owner
`and the
`lack
`of privity
`126 AD3d
`
`the initial
`Urban
`
`Funds,
`
`at
`
`

`

`.
`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`"COUNTT
`: 27
`12
`2'017
`dLERK"037
`247
`Ply
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`NYSCEF
`52
`NO.
`DOC.
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`NO.
`100930/2015
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`RECEIVED
`03/24/2017
`NYSCEF:
`
`causes
`
`plaintiff's
`
`reliance
`
`or
`
`inducement
`
`to believe
`
`that
`
`a defendant
`
`would
`
`pay
`
`for
`
`its services
`
`(see
`
`JP Plumbing
`
`Corp
`
`v. Born
`
`to Build
`
`Constr
`
`Corp,
`
`137 AD3d
`
`976,
`
`977).
`
`Clearly,
`
`none
`
`is present
`
`here.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`that
`
`branch
`
`of DASNY's
`
`motion
`
`which
`
`is
`
`for
`
`partial
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`dismissing
`
`plaintiff's
`
`third
`
`(unjust
`
`enrichment)
`
`and fourth
`
`(quantum
`
`meruit)
`
`causes
`
`ofaction
`
`against
`
`it
`
`is granted,
`
`as well.
`
`its notice
`
`of
`
`lien
`
`nunc
`
`pro
`
`tune
`
`in
`
`As
`
`for
`
`plaintiff
`
`Adria's
`
`cross motion
`
`for
`
`leave
`
`to amend
`
`order
`
`to reduce
`
`the amount
`
`thereof
`
`from
`
`$4,180,706.72
`
`to $2,962,489.37,
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`contends
`
`that while
`
`the amendment
`
`may
`
`be allowed,
`
`the question
`
`of plaintiff's
`
`willful
`
`exaggeration
`
`of
`
`its lien
`
`survives
`
`any
`
`such
`
`amendment.
`
`According
`
`to Lien
`
`Law
`
`§12-a(2),
`
`"[i]n
`
`a proper
`
`case,
`
`the court may,
`
`upon
`
`five
`
`days'
`
`notice
`
`to existing
`
`lienors,
`
`mortgagees
`
`and
`
`owner,
`
`make
`
`an order
`
`amending
`
`a notice
`
`of
`
`lien
`
`upon
`
`a public
`
`provides
`
`that
`
`"a lienor
`
`or private
`
`improvement,
`
`nunc
`
`pro
`
`tunc".
`
`Lien
`
`Law
`
`§12-a(1)
`
`further
`
`may
`
`amend
`
`his
`
`lien
`
`upon
`
`twenty
`
`days
`
`notice
`
`to existing
`
`lienors,
`
`mortgagees
`
`and the owner,
`
`provided
`
`that
`
`no action
`
`or proceeding
`
`to enforce
`
`or cancel
`
`the
`
`mechanics'
`
`lien
`
`has been
`
`brought
`
`in the
`
`interim,
`
`where
`
`the purpose
`
`of
`
`the amendment
`
`is to reduce
`
`the amount
`
`of
`
`the lien...
`
`[However,]
`
`the question
`
`of wilful
`
`exaggeration
`
`shall
`
`survive
`
`such
`
`amendment"
`
`(see also Wellbilt
`
`Equip
`
`Corp
`
`v Fireman,
`
`275
`
`AD2d
`
`167-168).
`
`plaintiff's
`
`cross motion
`
`for
`
`162,
`
`Accordingly,
`
`leave
`
`to amend
`
`its notice
`
`of
`
`lien
`
`filed
`
`on March
`
`31,
`
`2015
`
`to reduce
`
`the
`
`amount
`
`thereof
`
`from
`
`$4,180,706.72
`
`to $2,962,489.37
`
`is
`
`granted,
`
`with
`
`the issue
`
`of any wilful
`
`exaggeration
`
`of
`
`the lien
`
`to be resolved
`
`at
`
`trial
`
`(see Exec
`
`Towers
`
`at Lido
`
`v. Metro
`
`Constr
`
`Servs,
`
`303 AD2d
`
`545).
`
`Finally,
`
`the
`
`cross
`
`motion
`
`to
`
`compel
`
`discovery
`
`by
`
`defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`is denied
`
`as
`
`academic
`
`in view ofplaintiff's
`
`response
`
`to its interrogatories
`
`and notice
`
`for discovery
`
`and inspection.
`
`9
`
`9
`
`of
`
`10
`
`

`

`FILED: RICHMOND COUNTY CLERK 05/23/2018 04:30 PM
`: 27
`12
`1FIriED:^™RTCHNONU"COUNTY"'CLER10d3f24f2017
`PNG
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 91
`NYSCEF
`52
`DOC.
`NO.
`
`INDEX NO. 100930/2015
`INDEX
`100930/2015
`NO.
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/23/2018
`03/24/2017
`RECEIVED
`NYSCEF:
`
`I
`
`Accordingly,
`
`it
`
`is
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`the motion
`
`for
`
`consolidation
`
`by defendant
`
`Henick-Lane
`
`Inc
`
`is denied;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`said
`
`defendant's
`
`cross motion
`
`to compel
`
`discovery
`
`against
`
`plaintiff
`
`Adria
`
`Infrastructure,
`
`LLC
`
`is denied
`
`as academic;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`the
`
`cross motion
`
`for
`
`partial
`
`summary
`
`judgment
`
`by defendant
`
`Dormitory
`
`Authority
`
`- State
`
`of New York
`
`dismissing
`
`plaintiff
`
`s third,
`
`fourth
`
`and
`
`fifth
`
`causes
`
`of action
`
`against
`
`it
`
`is granted;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`said
`
`causes
`
`of action
`
`be severed
`
`as against
`
`this
`
`defendant;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`the cross motion
`
`by plaintiff
`
`Adria
`
`Infrastructure,
`
`LLC
`
`for
`
`leave
`
`to amend
`
`its notice
`
`of
`
`lien
`
`filed
`
`on March
`
`31, 2015,
`
`nunc
`
`pro tune,
`
`to reduce
`
`the amount
`
`claimed
`
`to be due and
`
`owing
`
`is granted;
`
`and
`
`it
`
`is further
`
`ORDERED
`
`that
`
`the Clerk
`
`enter
`
`judgment
`
`in accordance
`
`herewith.
`
`Dated:
`
`December
`
`1, 2016
`
`ENTER,
`
`c~
`KIM DOLLARD,
`
`A.J.S.C.
`
`GRANTED
`
`DEC
`
`21
`
`2016
`
`STEPHEN
`
`J. FIALA
`
`10
`
`10
`
`of
`
`10
`
`