FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`
`STATE
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`OF THE
`COURT
`OF WESTCHESTER
`----X
`-_______-----____
`_______-------------..---
`FOOD SERVICE
`OF
`APPLE
`APPLE-METRO,
`INC,
`OF NEW
`NEW YORK,
`SERVICE
`APPLE
`FOOD
`LLC,
`TLC CENTRAL
`TLC WEST
`LLC,
`LLC,
`LLC,
`JERSEY,
`POTOMAC
`DINING
`FAMILY
`GROUP
`TLC EAST
`LLC,
`ROSE CASUAL
`OPERATING
`COMPANY,
`LLC,
`LP, DELAWARE
`VALLEY
`ROSE
`DINING
`LP,
`APPLE WEST,
`SCOTT'S
`SCOTT'S
`APPLE,
`INC.,
`INC.,
`M-6A
`JO1NT
`SCOTT'S
`VENTURE,
`MOTEL,
`SCOTT'S
`APPLE WARREN,
`SCOTT'S
`
`IndeX
`
`No.
`
`Date
`
`Purchased:
`
`INC.,
`
`INC.,
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`SUMMONS
`
`- against
`
`-
`
`LINEAGE
`
`FOODSERVICE
`
`SOLUTIONS,
`
`LLC,
`
`Defendant.
`___________.---------------------------------------------.X
`
`TO THE ABOVE-NAMED
`
`DEFENDANT:
`
`YOU ARE HEREBY
`
`SUMMONED
`
`to
`
`answer
`
`the
`
`complaint
`
`in this
`
`action
`
`and
`
`to
`
`serve
`
`a copy
`
`of
`
`your
`
`answer
`
`on
`
`the
`
`plaintiff's
`
`attorneys
`
`within
`
`twenty
`
`(20)
`
`days
`
`after
`
`the
`
`service
`
`of
`
`this
`
`summons,
`
`exclusive
`
`of
`
`the
`
`day
`
`of
`
`service
`
`(or within
`
`30
`
`days
`
`after
`
`the
`
`service
`
`is
`
`complete
`
`if
`
`this
`
`summons
`
`is not
`
`personally
`
`delivered
`
`to you within
`
`the State
`
`of New York);
`
`and
`
`in case
`
`of
`
`your
`
`failure
`
`to appear
`
`or answer,
`
`judgment
`
`will
`
`be taken
`
`against
`
`you
`
`by
`
`default
`
`for
`
`the
`
`relief
`
`demanded
`
`in the
`
`complaint.
`
`756991
`
`1 of 9
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`designate
`
`Westchester
`
`County
`
`as the
`
`place
`
`of
`
`trial.
`
`Venue
`
`is based
`
`on
`
`the
`
`residence
`
`of plaintiff
`
`Apple-Metro,
`
`Inc.
`
`Dated:
`
`New York,
`September
`
`New York
`16, 2020
`
`DAVIDOFF
`
`HUTCHER
`
`& CITRON
`
`LLP
`
`By:_
`
`bwas
`
`H
`
`Hutcher
`Larry
`Avenue
`605
`Third
`New York
`New York,
`557-7200
`(212)
`for
`Attorneys
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`10158
`
`SOLUTIONS,
`
`LLC
`
`Company
`
`12207-2543
`
`Defendant's
`
`address:
`
`FOODSERVICE
`Service
`
`LINEAGE
`c/o Corporation
`Street
`80 State
`New York
`
`Albany,
`
`756991
`
`2
`
`2 of 9
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`OF WESTCHESTER
`---------------------------...----------------------------------X
`SERVICE
`APPLE
`OF
`FOOD
`APPLE-METRO,
`INC,
`OF NEW
`NEW YORK,
`APPLE
`FOOD
`SERVICE
`LLC,
`TLC WEST LLC,
`TLC CENTRAL
`JERSEY,
`LLC,
`LLC,
`POTOMAC
`TLC EAST
`FAMILY
`DINING
`GROUP
`LLC,
`ROSE CASUAL
`OPERATING
`COMPANY,
`LLC,
`LP, DELAWARE
`VALLEY
`ROSE
`DINING
`LP,
`APPLE WEST,
`SCOTT'S
`SCOTT'S
`INC.,
`APPLE,
`INC.,
`M-6A
`SCOTT'S
`JOINT
`SCOTT'S
`VENTURE,
`MOTEL,
`APPLE WARREN,
`SCOTT'S
`
`INC.,
`
`INC.,
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`- against
`
`-
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`LINEAGE
`
`FOODSERVICE
`
`SOLUTIONS,
`
`LLC,
`
`-------.----......----_-...----------__---
`
`Defendant.
`-------------------------X
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`Apple-Metro,
`
`Inc.,
`
`Apple
`
`Food
`
`Service
`
`ofNew
`
`York,
`
`LLC,
`
`Apple
`
`Food
`
`Service
`
`ofNew
`
`Jersey,
`
`LLC,
`
`TLC West
`
`LLC,
`
`TLC Central
`
`LLC,
`
`TLC East
`
`LLC,
`
`Potomac
`
`Family
`
`Dining
`
`Group
`
`Operating
`
`Company,
`
`LLC,
`
`Rose
`
`Casual
`
`Dining
`
`LP, Delaware
`
`Valley
`
`Rose
`
`LP,
`
`Scott's
`
`Apple
`
`West,
`
`Inc.,
`
`Scott's
`
`Apple,
`
`Inc.,
`
`Scott's
`
`M-6A
`
`Joint
`
`Venture,
`
`Scott's
`
`Motel,
`
`Inc.
`
`and Scott's
`
`Apple
`
`Inc.
`
`(collectively,
`
`their
`
`Davidoff
`
`Warren,
`
`"Plaintiffs"),
`
`by
`
`attorneys,
`
`Hutcher
`
`& Citron
`
`LLP,
`
`as and
`
`for
`
`their
`
`complaint
`
`against
`
`defendant
`
`Lineage
`
`Foodservice
`
`Solutions,
`
`LLC ("Defendant"
`
`or
`
`"Lineage"),
`
`allege
`
`and
`
`state
`
`as follows:
`
`PRELIMINARY
`
`STATEMENT
`
`1.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`are franchisees
`
`operating
`
`restaurants
`
`under
`
`the
`
`trademark
`
`Applebee's
`
`Neighborhood
`
`Grill
`
`& Bar
`
`("Applebee's").
`
`This
`
`action
`
`seeks
`
`declaratory
`
`relief
`
`arising
`
`out
`
`of
`
`Lineage's
`
`wrongful
`
`demand
`
`for
`
`payment
`
`of monies
`
`allegedly
`
`owed
`
`by Plaintiffs
`
`to Maines
`
`Paper
`
`& Food
`
`Services,
`
`Inc.
`
`("Maines").
`
`As
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`below,
`
`prior
`
`to filing
`
`for
`
`bankruptcy
`
`and
`
`having
`
`746951
`
`3 of 9
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`Lineage
`
`acquire
`
`substantially
`
`all
`
`of
`
`its assets,
`
`Maines
`
`expressly
`
`released
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`of any
`
`and
`
`all
`
`claims.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`are entitled
`
`to a declaratory
`
`judgment
`
`declaring
`
`and
`
`adjudging
`
`that
`
`the
`
`release
`
`bars
`
`Lineage
`
`from
`
`recovering
`
`monies
`
`allegedly
`
`owed
`
`by Plaintiffs
`
`to Maines.
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`2.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`Apple-Metro,
`
`Inc.
`
`is a New York
`
`corporation
`
`which
`
`owns
`
`and
`
`operates
`
`Applebee's
`
`restaurants
`
`in New York.
`
`3.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`Apple
`
`Food
`
`Service
`
`of New York,
`
`LLC and Apple
`
`Food
`
`Service
`
`of New
`
`Jersey,
`
`LLC are,
`
`respectively,
`
`New York
`
`and New Jersey
`
`limited
`
`liability
`
`companies
`
`which
`
`own
`
`and
`
`operate
`
`Applebee's
`
`restaurants
`
`in New York
`
`and New Jersey.
`
`4.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`TLC West
`
`LLC,
`
`TLC Central
`
`LLC,
`
`TLC East
`
`LLC are Virginia
`
`limited
`
`companies
`
`which
`
`own
`
`and
`
`operate
`
`Applebee's
`
`in New York
`
`liability
`
`Connecticut.
`
`restaurants
`
`and
`
`5.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`Potomac
`
`Family
`
`Dining
`
`Group
`
`Operating
`
`Company,
`
`LLC is a Delaware
`
`limited
`
`liability
`
`company
`
`which
`
`owns
`
`and
`
`operates
`
`Applebee's
`
`restaurants
`
`in Maryland
`
`and
`
`Virginia.
`
`6.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`Rose
`
`Casual
`
`Dining
`
`LP and Delaware
`
`Valley
`
`Rose
`
`LP are Pennsylvania
`
`limited
`
`partnerships
`
`which
`
`own
`
`and
`
`operate
`
`Applebee's
`
`restaurants
`
`in Pennsylvania,
`
`Maryland,
`
`Delaware
`
`and New Jersey.
`
`7.
`
`Scott's
`
`Apple
`
`West,
`
`Inc.,
`
`Scott's
`
`Apple,
`
`Inc.,
`
`Scott's
`
`M-6A
`
`Joint
`
`Venture,
`
`Scott's
`
`Motel,
`
`Inc.
`
`and Scott's
`
`Apple
`
`Warren,
`
`Inc.
`
`are Pennsylvania
`
`corporations
`
`which
`
`own
`
`and
`
`operate
`
`Applebee's
`
`restaurants
`
`in Pennsylvania.
`
`8.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`Defendant
`
`is a Delaware
`
`limited
`
`liability
`
`company
`
`which
`
`transacts
`
`business
`
`in the State
`
`of New York.
`
`746951
`
`2
`
`4 of 9
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`FACTS
`
`9.
`
`Centralized
`
`Supply
`
`Chain
`
`Services,
`
`LLC ("CSCS")
`
`is the
`
`exclusive
`
`purchasing
`
`agent
`
`for Applebee's
`
`franchisees
`
`who
`
`are its beneficial
`
`owners.
`
`CSCS's
`
`primary
`
`mission
`
`is to
`
`insure
`
`that
`
`its member
`
`franchisees
`
`receive
`
`the
`
`benefit
`
`of
`
`continuously
`
`available
`
`goods
`
`and
`
`distribution
`
`services
`
`in adequate
`
`quantities
`
`at
`
`the
`
`lowest
`
`sustainable
`
`delivered
`
`prices.
`
`10.
`
`Maines
`
`is a 101-year-old
`
`family
`
`owned
`
`business.
`
`Prior
`
`to its bankruptcy
`
`filing,
`
`largest
`
`nation.
`
`Maines
`
`was
`
`one
`
`of
`
`the
`
`independent
`
`foodservice
`
`distributors
`
`in the
`
`11.
`
`Pursuant
`
`to a Distribution
`
`Services
`
`Agreement
`
`between
`
`CSCS and Maines,
`
`effective
`
`as of December
`
`21,
`
`2010
`
`(the
`
`"DSA"),
`
`Maines
`
`agreed
`
`to provide
`
`distribution
`
`services
`
`to Applebee's
`
`franchisees
`
`in the Northeast
`
`distribution
`
`territory
`
`including
`
`Plaintiffs.
`
`Pursuant
`
`to
`
`Market
`
`Distribution
`
`Agreements
`
`("MDAs")
`
`between
`
`Maines
`
`and Plaintiffs,
`
`Maines
`
`agreed
`
`to act
`
`of approved
`
`food
`
`and
`
`related
`
`products
`
`to Plaintiffs.
`
`The MDAs
`
`that
`
`in
`
`as a distributor
`
`provide
`
`the
`
`event
`
`the DSA
`
`is terminated,
`
`the MDAs
`
`also
`
`terminate
`
`as of
`
`the DSA's
`
`effective
`
`termination
`
`date.
`
`12.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`in or about
`
`2018,
`
`Maines
`
`began
`
`to experience
`
`serious
`
`financial
`
`difficulties
`
`due
`
`to truck
`
`driver
`
`and warehouse
`
`labor
`
`shortages.
`
`Thereafter,
`
`the
`
`quality
`
`of
`
`Maines'
`
`distribution
`
`services
`
`significantly
`
`declined
`
`causing
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`serious
`
`economic
`
`harm
`
`and
`
`prejudice.
`
`Maines
`
`was
`
`late
`
`products
`
`and
`
`often
`
`consistently
`
`in delivering
`
`failed
`
`to pay
`
`its
`
`suppliers
`
`who
`
`then
`
`stopped
`
`shipments
`
`to Plaintiffs.
`
`To
`
`cover
`
`the
`
`resulting
`
`supply
`
`gaps,
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`were
`
`forced,
`
`among
`
`other
`
`things,
`
`to purchase
`
`private
`
`label
`
`products
`
`at
`
`higher
`
`costs
`
`and
`
`spend
`
`considerable
`
`time
`
`and
`
`resources
`
`attempting
`
`to resolve
`
`ongoing
`
`logistical
`
`problems
`
`getting
`
`products
`
`to the
`
`restaurants.
`
`Indeed,
`
`Plaintiffs'
`
`own
`
`employees
`
`acted
`
`as de facto
`
`746951
`
`3
`
`5 of 9
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`"logistics
`
`managers"
`
`due
`
`to
`
`Maines'
`
`inability
`
`to satisfactorily
`
`perform
`
`its duties
`
`and
`
`comply
`
`with
`
`contractually
`
`mandated
`
`minimum
`
`service
`
`standards.
`
`13.
`
`During
`
`this
`
`period,
`
`Maines
`
`announced
`
`that
`
`it
`
`intended
`
`to sell
`
`its business.
`
`By
`
`December,
`
`2019,
`
`however,
`
`Maines
`
`faced
`
`a liquidity
`
`crisis
`
`and
`
`requested
`
`that CSCS prefund
`
`a
`
`$725,000
`
`"case
`
`mark-up"
`
`pending
`
`a sale.
`
`In order
`
`to insure
`
`continuity
`
`of
`
`supply
`
`so Plaintiffs
`
`could
`
`remain
`
`CSCS agreed
`
`to Maine's
`
`request.
`
`to fund
`
`this
`
`in business,
`
`Thereafter,
`
`request,
`
`CSCS borrowed
`
`$725,000
`
`from
`
`Applebee's
`
`franchisor
`
`which
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`are obligated
`
`to repay.
`
`14.
`
`In March
`
`2020,
`
`the COVID-19
`
`pandemic
`
`and
`
`related
`
`government
`
`shutdown
`
`orders
`
`wreaked
`
`havoc
`
`on the
`
`restaurant
`
`and
`
`foodservice
`
`distribution
`
`industry.
`
`Thereafter,
`
`Maines'
`
`service
`
`further
`
`deteriorated,
`
`its proposed
`
`sale
`
`fell
`
`through
`
`and
`
`it
`
`requested
`
`that CSCS
`
`find
`
`a new
`
`distributor.
`
`Needless
`
`to say,
`
`the
`
`need
`
`to immediately
`
`locate
`
`and
`
`hire
`
`a new
`
`distributor
`
`and
`
`execute
`
`transition.
`
`left CSCS with
`
`no time
`
`to properly
`
`plan
`
`an orderly
`
`Instead,
`
`CSCS was
`
`forced
`
`to engage
`
`in a "fire
`
`drill"
`
`to insure
`
`Plaintiffs'
`
`continuity
`
`of
`
`supply.
`
`This
`
`resulted
`
`in
`
`substantial
`
`additional
`
`cost
`
`and
`
`expense
`
`to Plaintiffs
`
`including,
`
`but
`
`not
`
`limited
`
`to,
`
`inbound
`
`freight
`
`charges
`
`to transport
`
`products
`
`to new
`
`distribution
`
`centers
`
`in the
`
`amount
`
`of approximately
`
`$5,600,000
`
`and
`
`transition
`
`costs
`
`to get
`
`the
`
`new
`
`distributor
`
`up to speed
`
`of approximately
`
`$313,000.
`
`Maines'
`
`on
`
`abject
`
`failure
`
`with
`
`its
`
`contractual
`
`15.
`
`Based
`
`to comply
`
`obligations,
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`refused
`
`to pay
`
`Maines'
`
`remaining
`
`outstanding
`
`invoices
`
`(the
`
`"Outstanding
`
`Amounts").
`
`Although
`
`both CSCS and Plaintiffs
`
`seriously
`
`considered
`
`suing
`
`Maines
`
`for
`
`significant
`
`damages,
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`ultimately
`
`agreed
`
`on a global
`
`settlement,
`
`terminated
`
`their
`
`business
`
`relationship
`
`and
`
`exchanged
`
`mutual
`
`general
`
`releases.
`
`16.
`
`Pursuant
`
`to a Termiñation,
`
`Settlement
`
`And Mutual
`
`Release
`
`Agreement
`
`between
`
`CSCS and Maines,
`
`dated
`
`as of April
`
`13, 2020
`
`(the
`
`"Settlement
`
`Agreement"),
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`agreed
`
`746951
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`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`to "resolve,
`
`fully
`
`and
`
`fmally,
`
`all potential
`
`or actual
`
`claims
`
`and
`
`issues
`
`that
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`may
`
`have
`
`against
`
`each
`
`other
`
`related
`
`in any way
`
`to the DSA,
`
`the
`
`failure
`
`to provide
`
`distribution
`
`services
`
`in
`
`accordance
`
`with
`
`the DSA,
`
`the
`
`business
`
`relationship
`
`between
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`and/or
`
`any
`
`breaches
`
`thereof,
`
`or otherwise,
`
`including,
`
`but
`
`not
`
`limited
`
`to:
`
`(i)
`
`any
`
`purported
`
`failure
`
`to achieve
`
`the
`
`applicable
`
`contractually
`
`required
`
`minimum
`
`service
`
`standards...".
`
`Settlement
`
`Agreement
`
`provided
`
`that
`
`the MDAs
`
`17.
`
`The
`
`"shall
`
`coterminously
`
`with
`
`the
`
`DSA be terminated
`
`and
`
`of no further
`
`effect";
`
`that CSCS would
`
`waive
`
`reimbursement
`
`by Maines
`
`of
`
`the
`
`$725,000
`
`"case mark-up";
`
`and
`
`that
`
`the
`
`new
`
`distribution
`
`vendor
`
`would
`
`purchase
`
`all
`
`of
`
`Maines'
`
`remaining
`
`inventory
`
`pursuant
`
`to a formula
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in the Settlement
`
`Agreement
`
`(the
`
`"Inventory
`
`Settlement
`
`Amount").
`
`18.
`
`Paragraph
`
`9 of
`
`the Settlement
`
`Agreement
`
`entitled
`
`"Mutual
`
`Settlement
`
`and
`
`Release"
`
`(the
`
`"Mutual
`
`provided
`
`that
`
`it was
`
`"in
`
`full
`
`settlement
`
`of all
`
`or
`
`losses
`
`of
`
`Release"),
`
`claims
`
`whatsoever
`
`kind
`
`or character
`
`that
`
`[the
`
`parties]
`
`have,
`
`or may
`
`ever
`
`have
`
`had,
`
`against
`
`the
`
`other
`
`party
`
`related
`
`to or arising
`
`from
`
`the
`
`[parties'
`
`disputes]
`
`or any matter
`
`arising
`
`from
`
`or
`
`related
`
`to
`
`Maines".
`
`Accordingly,
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`released
`
`"each
`
`other,
`
`their
`
`respective
`
`subsidiary
`
`companies,
`
`and
`
`each
`
`and
`
`all
`
`of
`
`their
`
`respective
`
`current
`
`and
`
`former
`
`directors,
`
`officers,
`
`principals,
`
`shareholders,
`
`members,
`
`managers,
`
`advisors,
`
`attorneys,
`
`accountants
`
`bankers".
`
`Although
`
`that
`
`benefit
`
`of
`
`paragraph
`
`11 of
`
`the Settlement
`
`Agreement
`
`provided
`
`it was
`
`solely
`
`for
`
`the
`
`the
`
`parties
`
`and
`
`no other
`
`person
`
`would
`
`be a third-party
`
`beneficiary,
`
`it specifically
`
`provided
`
`that
`
`"any
`
`person
`
`or entity
`
`benefitting
`
`from
`
`the Mutual
`
`Release
`
`shall
`
`be entitled
`
`to enforce
`
`the Mutual
`
`Release
`
`in accordance
`
`with
`
`its
`
`terms".
`
`19.
`
`The Mutual
`
`Release
`
`was
`
`clearly
`
`intended
`
`to,
`
`and
`
`did,
`
`benefit
`
`Plaintiffs.
`
`Indeed,
`
`the
`
`only
`
`potential
`
`claims
`
`which
`
`Maines
`
`had were
`
`against
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`not CSCS.
`
`Maines
`
`received
`
`746951
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`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`significant
`
`consideration
`
`in exchâüge
`
`for
`
`the
`
`release
`
`including,
`
`but
`
`not
`
`limited
`
`to, waiver
`
`of
`
`repayment
`
`of
`
`the
`
`$725,000
`
`"case mark-up";
`
`the
`
`Inventory
`
`Settlement
`
`Amount;
`
`and
`
`release
`
`by
`
`CSCS and Plaintiffs
`
`of
`
`their
`
`substantial
`
`claims
`
`against
`
`Maines.
`
`20.
`
`Two months
`
`later,
`
`on June
`
`11, 2020,
`
`Maines
`
`filed
`
`for
`
`bankruptcy.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`as part
`
`of a prepetition
`
`foreclosure
`
`process,
`
`Lineage
`
`acquired
`
`substantially
`
`Maines'
`
`all
`
`of
`
`assets.
`
`Thereafter,
`
`Lineage
`
`served
`
`demand
`
`letters
`
`upon
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`requesting
`
`payment
`
`of
`
`the Outstanding
`
`Amounts
`
`allegedly
`
`owed
`
`to Maines.
`
`However,
`
`pursuant
`
`to the Mutual
`
`Release,
`
`Maines
`
`expressly
`
`released
`
`any
`
`and
`
`all
`
`claims
`
`against
`
`Plaintiffs.
`
`Lineage
`
`entitled
`
`to payment
`
`of
`
`Amounts.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`is not
`
`the Outstanding
`
`AS AND FOR A CAUSE
`FOR A DECLARATORY
`
`OF ACTION
`JUDGMENT
`
`21.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`repeat
`
`and
`
`reallege
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`contained
`
`in paragraphs
`
`"1"
`
`through
`
`"20"
`
`hereof
`
`as if
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`in full
`
`herein.
`
`22.
`
`A justiciable
`
`controversy
`
`presently
`
`exists
`
`between
`
`the parties
`
`as to whether
`
`the
`
`Mutual
`
`Release
`
`bars
`
`Lineage
`
`from
`
`recovering
`
`the Outstanding
`
`Amounts
`
`allegedly
`
`owed
`
`by
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`to Maines.
`
`23.
`
`A judicial
`
`declaration
`
`and
`
`determination
`
`is necessary
`
`and
`
`desirable
`
`to resolve
`
`this
`
`controversy.
`
`24.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`are entitled
`
`to a declaratory
`
`judgment
`
`decreeing
`
`and
`
`adjudging
`
`that
`
`the
`
`Mutual
`
`Release
`
`bars
`
`Lineage
`
`from
`
`recovering
`
`the Outstanding
`
`Amounts
`
`allegedly
`
`owed
`
`to
`
`Maines.
`
`746951
`
`25.
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`have
`
`no adequate
`
`remedy
`
`at
`
`law.
`
`6
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`8 of 9
`
`

`

`FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 09/16/2020 03:15 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/16/2020
`
`INDEX NO. 60150/2020
`
`WHEREFORE,
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`demand
`
`judgment
`
`declaring
`
`and
`
`adjudging
`
`that
`
`the Mutual
`
`Release
`
`bars
`
`Lineage
`
`from
`
`recovering
`
`the Outstanding
`
`Amounts
`
`allegedly
`
`owed
`
`by Plaintiffs
`
`to
`
`Maines,
`
`and
`
`awarding
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`the
`
`costs
`
`and
`
`disbursements
`
`of
`
`this
`
`action,
`
`including
`
`reasonable
`
`attorneys'
`
`fees,
`
`and
`
`for
`
`such
`
`other
`
`and
`
`further
`
`relief
`
`as the Court
`
`may
`
`deem just
`
`and
`
`proper.
`
`Dated:
`
`New York,
`September
`
`New York
`16, 2020
`
`DAVIDOFF
`
`HUTCHER
`
`& CITRON
`
`LLP
`
`By:
`
`_N4
`
`Hutcher
`Larry
`Peter M. Ripin
`Third
`605
`Avenue
`New York
`New York,
`557-7200
`(212)
`
`Attorneys
`
`for
`
`Plaintiffs
`
`10158
`
`746951
`
`7
`
`9 of 9
`
`