Anonymous WC v Diocese of Brooklyn 2024 NY Slip Op 31213(U) April 8, 2024 Supreme Court, Kings County Docket Number: Index No. 502043/2020 Judge: Alexander M. Tisch Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK KINGS COUNTY PRESENT: HON. ALEXANDER M. TISCH PART 18/CVA Justice ---------------------------X INDEX NO. 502043/2020
ANONYMOUS WC, MOTION DATE 3/20/2024 Plaintiff,
MOTION SEQ. NO. 002 DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN AND ST. CECILIA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH D/B/A ST. CECILIA CHURCH - DIVINE MERCY PARISH, DECISION + ORDER ON Defendants. MOTION
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The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 002) were read on this motion to/for VACATE - DECISION/ORDER/JUDGMENT
BACKGROUND
On January 27, 2020, the Plaintiff commenced this action pursuant to the New York Child
Victims Act ("CV A"), CPLR 214-g, by filing a Summons and Complaint naming defendants the
Diocese of Brooklyn and St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church d/b/a St. Cecilia Church - Divine
Mercy Parish asserting causes of action for Negligent Hiring, Retention and Supervision, and
Respondeat SuperiorNicarious Liability Outrage and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.
Plaintiff alleges that in approximately 1982 to 1985, when Plaintiff was approximately 10 to 14
years old and a parishioner at St. Cecilia's, he was sexually abused by non-party Patrick Sexton
("Fr. Sexton") and non-party Francis Capellupo ("Fr. Capellupo ), who were then priests at St.
Cecilia's. As a result of the alleged sexual abuse, Plaintiff alleged that he sustained physical and
psychological injuries.
502043/2020 ANONYMOUS WC V DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ET AL MOTION NO.002 Page 1 of 5
[* 1] 1 of 5 - [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On or about October 17, 2022 at a Compliance Conference regarding the cases proceeding
against Fr. Patrick Sexton, this Court ordered counsel for St. Cecilia's to provide responses to
Plaintiffs Standard Automatic Disclosures and Combined Demands on or before April 3, 2023.
On or about September 21, 2023, St. Cecilia's produced its responses to Plaintiffs
Standard Automatic Disclosures and Plaintiffs Standard Combined Demands. The only
documents produced was St. Cecilia's certificate of incorporation and Plaintiffs sacramental
records - twelve pages in total plus some insurance information that may or may not be relevant.
Plaintiff received no other documents or communication from St. Cecilia's in response to
this Court's Order. None of the documents identify the Plaintiff, the alleged perpetrator, any of
the Plaintiffs family, or any employees or volunteers of St. Cecilia's during the relevant time
period. None of the documents are sacramental records, school records or other records from the
relevant time period.
At a January 4, 2024 Compliance Conference, the Court ordered St. Cecilia's to produce a
Jackson affidavit in the event it claims no records exist responsive to any discovery request. The
Court also ordered St. Cecilia's to produce a witness for deposition on or before April 26, 2024.
THE PENDING MOTION
St. Cecilia's now moves for an order vacating that part of this Court's prior order directing
them to produce a Jackson type affidavit, substantiating their claim that they have no further
responsive documents to produce other than the twelve pages of paper discovery already provided.
For the reasons set forth below, the motion is denied.
502043/2020 ANONYMOUS WC V DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ET AL MOTION NO.002 Page 2 of 5
[* 2] 2 of 5 [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
DISCUSSION
Plaintiff argues that the motion does not lie pursuant to CPLR 5015(a). However, as the
order was made at a conference and without notice, St. Cecilia's is entitled to move to vacate the
order, so that it will have a vehicle for appellate review Velasquez v. CF T, Inc., 267 A.D.2d
229, 230 (1999). Additionally, this Court specifically allowed for such motion in the order to
ensure St. Cecilia's rights to appellate review would be preserved. As such, the Court will
address the merits of the motion.
St. Cecilia's argues that it should not be required to provide a Jackson type affidavit
because it is not required to by the CPLR. Alternatively, St. Cecilia's argues that the Court order
was vague because it did not specify what is expected to be included in the Jackson type
affidavit. Finally, St. Cecilia's asserts that four years into this litigation it is premature for the
Court to require such an affidavit.
The Court finds these arguments unpersuasive.
Jackson v. City ofNew York, 586 N.Y.S.2d 952 (1st Dep't 1992) has been interpreted to
require an affidavit from a record searcher to confirm that documents requested as a part of
discovery have been completely searched for and not found.
New York courts have required Jackson affidavits in a wide array of cases, and contrary
to movant's argument these holdings in no way require that the facts of the case must align with
those in Jackson v. City of New York, 586 N.Y.S.2d 952 (1st Dep't 1992). Rather the affidavits
are generally used when a party asserts that it has no documents in response to a discovery
demand. See eg Bankers Conseco L[fe Ins. Co. v. KPMG LLP, 185 N.Y.S.3d 651 (Sup. Ct. N.Y.
Cnty. 2023); Agius v. Gray Line Corp., 169 N.Y.S.3d 800 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. 2022); Frank v.
Morgans Hotel Grp. Mgmt. LLC, 139 N.Y.S.3d 521 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. 2021); Mesropian v
502043/2020 ANONYMOUS WC V DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ET AL MOTION NO.002 Page 3 of 5
[* 3] 3 of 5 [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
Providence Care, Inc. 67 Misc.3d 1235Z(A)(Sup. Ct. Kings Cnty. 2020); WMC Mortg. Corp. v.
Vandermulen 32 Misc.3d 1206(A)(Sup. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. 2011); Lynx Capital Partners of NJ,
LLC v Nayes Capital LLC 217 AD3d 571(2 nd Dept 2023); Anuchina v Marine Transport
Logistics, Inc. 216 AD3d 1126 (2 nd Dept 2023); Hassn v. Armouth International, Inc. 74 Misc.3d
1204(a) (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. 2022); Matityahu v Miller 75 Misc3d 1233(A) (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty.
2022).
To the extent St. Cecilia's argues the order requiring a Jackson affidavit is vague and it is
certain what is required to comply, the Court finds said argument is not raised in good faith. As
noted, the order was issued after a conference with the parties. At the conference the affidavit
and what it was to include were specifically addressed and discussed at length. Additionally, the
case law in the moving papers cited by St. Cecilia's is replete with explanations as to what
constitutes a Jackson affidavit. But to be clear the Court will now underscore in writing what it
expects such an affidavit to contain:
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Anonymous WC v Diocese of Brooklyn 2024 NY Slip Op 31213(U) April 8, 2024 Supreme Court, Kings County Docket Number: Index No. 502043/2020 Judge: Alexander M. Tisch Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK KINGS COUNTY PRESENT: HON. ALEXANDER M. TISCH PART 18/CVA Justice ---------------------------X INDEX NO. 502043/2020
ANONYMOUS WC, MOTION DATE 3/20/2024 Plaintiff,
MOTION SEQ. NO. 002 DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN AND ST. CECILIA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH D/B/A ST. CECILIA CHURCH - DIVINE MERCY PARISH, DECISION + ORDER ON Defendants. MOTION
-------- ------- ------X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 002) were read on this motion to/for VACATE - DECISION/ORDER/JUDGMENT
BACKGROUND
On January 27, 2020, the Plaintiff commenced this action pursuant to the New York Child
Victims Act ("CV A"), CPLR 214-g, by filing a Summons and Complaint naming defendants the
Diocese of Brooklyn and St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church d/b/a St. Cecilia Church - Divine
Mercy Parish asserting causes of action for Negligent Hiring, Retention and Supervision, and
Respondeat SuperiorNicarious Liability Outrage and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.
Plaintiff alleges that in approximately 1982 to 1985, when Plaintiff was approximately 10 to 14
years old and a parishioner at St. Cecilia's, he was sexually abused by non-party Patrick Sexton
("Fr. Sexton") and non-party Francis Capellupo ("Fr. Capellupo ), who were then priests at St.
Cecilia's. As a result of the alleged sexual abuse, Plaintiff alleged that he sustained physical and
psychological injuries.
502043/2020 ANONYMOUS WC V DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ET AL MOTION NO.002 Page 1 of 5
[* 1] 1 of 5 - [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On or about October 17, 2022 at a Compliance Conference regarding the cases proceeding
against Fr. Patrick Sexton, this Court ordered counsel for St. Cecilia's to provide responses to
Plaintiffs Standard Automatic Disclosures and Combined Demands on or before April 3, 2023.
On or about September 21, 2023, St. Cecilia's produced its responses to Plaintiffs
Standard Automatic Disclosures and Plaintiffs Standard Combined Demands. The only
documents produced was St. Cecilia's certificate of incorporation and Plaintiffs sacramental
records - twelve pages in total plus some insurance information that may or may not be relevant.
Plaintiff received no other documents or communication from St. Cecilia's in response to
this Court's Order. None of the documents identify the Plaintiff, the alleged perpetrator, any of
the Plaintiffs family, or any employees or volunteers of St. Cecilia's during the relevant time
period. None of the documents are sacramental records, school records or other records from the
relevant time period.
At a January 4, 2024 Compliance Conference, the Court ordered St. Cecilia's to produce a
Jackson affidavit in the event it claims no records exist responsive to any discovery request. The
Court also ordered St. Cecilia's to produce a witness for deposition on or before April 26, 2024.
THE PENDING MOTION
St. Cecilia's now moves for an order vacating that part of this Court's prior order directing
them to produce a Jackson type affidavit, substantiating their claim that they have no further
responsive documents to produce other than the twelve pages of paper discovery already provided.
For the reasons set forth below, the motion is denied.
502043/2020 ANONYMOUS WC V DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ET AL MOTION NO.002 Page 2 of 5
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DISCUSSION
Plaintiff argues that the motion does not lie pursuant to CPLR 5015(a). However, as the
order was made at a conference and without notice, St. Cecilia's is entitled to move to vacate the
order, so that it will have a vehicle for appellate review Velasquez v. CF T, Inc., 267 A.D.2d
229, 230 (1999). Additionally, this Court specifically allowed for such motion in the order to
ensure St. Cecilia's rights to appellate review would be preserved. As such, the Court will
address the merits of the motion.
St. Cecilia's argues that it should not be required to provide a Jackson type affidavit
because it is not required to by the CPLR. Alternatively, St. Cecilia's argues that the Court order
was vague because it did not specify what is expected to be included in the Jackson type
affidavit. Finally, St. Cecilia's asserts that four years into this litigation it is premature for the
Court to require such an affidavit.
The Court finds these arguments unpersuasive.
Jackson v. City ofNew York, 586 N.Y.S.2d 952 (1st Dep't 1992) has been interpreted to
require an affidavit from a record searcher to confirm that documents requested as a part of
discovery have been completely searched for and not found.
New York courts have required Jackson affidavits in a wide array of cases, and contrary
to movant's argument these holdings in no way require that the facts of the case must align with
those in Jackson v. City of New York, 586 N.Y.S.2d 952 (1st Dep't 1992). Rather the affidavits
are generally used when a party asserts that it has no documents in response to a discovery
demand. See eg Bankers Conseco L[fe Ins. Co. v. KPMG LLP, 185 N.Y.S.3d 651 (Sup. Ct. N.Y.
Cnty. 2023); Agius v. Gray Line Corp., 169 N.Y.S.3d 800 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. 2022); Frank v.
Morgans Hotel Grp. Mgmt. LLC, 139 N.Y.S.3d 521 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. 2021); Mesropian v
502043/2020 ANONYMOUS WC V DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN ET AL MOTION NO.002 Page 3 of 5
[* 3] 3 of 5 [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/09/2024 03:59 P~ INDEX NO. 502043/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 54 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/09/2024
Providence Care, Inc. 67 Misc.3d 1235Z(A)(Sup. Ct. Kings Cnty. 2020); WMC Mortg. Corp. v.
Vandermulen 32 Misc.3d 1206(A)(Sup. Ct. Suffolk Cnty. 2011); Lynx Capital Partners of NJ,
LLC v Nayes Capital LLC 217 AD3d 571(2 nd Dept 2023); Anuchina v Marine Transport
Logistics, Inc. 216 AD3d 1126 (2 nd Dept 2023); Hassn v. Armouth International, Inc. 74 Misc.3d
1204(a) (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty. 2022); Matityahu v Miller 75 Misc3d 1233(A) (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cnty.
2022).
To the extent St. Cecilia's argues the order requiring a Jackson affidavit is vague and it is
certain what is required to comply, the Court finds said argument is not raised in good faith. As
noted, the order was issued after a conference with the parties. At the conference the affidavit
and what it was to include were specifically addressed and discussed at length. Additionally, the
case law in the moving papers cited by St. Cecilia's is replete with explanations as to what
constitutes a Jackson affidavit. But to be clear the Court will now underscore in writing what it
expects such an affidavit to contain:
When the response to a discovery request is, in effect, that there are no responsive documents within the party's custody, possession, or control, that party must provide a detailed statement, under oath, by someone with direct knowledge of the facts setting forth the past and present status of the relevant documents; where they were kept; what efforts, if any, were made to preserve them; the circumstances surrounding their disappearance or destruction; and the means and methods used to conduct a search for them (Jackson v. City ofNew York. 185 A.D.2d 768, 770; Dziegielewsky v. Advanced Integrative Wellness. LLC, Sup Ct, Nassau County, March 9, 2010, Murphy, J., at 2 [2010 WL 1515585]; Tower Ins. Co. of New Yorkv. Headley, Sup Ct, New York County, August 11, 2009, Stallman, J., at 4 [2009 WL 2578547]; Lazzaro v. MJM Industries, Inc., Sup Ct, New York, April 7, 2003, Jones, J., at 3 [2003 WL 25573908] ). In short, the affidavit submitted must provide the court with a basis to find that the search conducted was a thorough one or that it was conducted in a good faith effort to provide the necessary records to the plaintiff (Jackson v. City of New York. supra at 770).
WMC Mortg. Corp. v. Vandermulen, 32 Misc. 3d 1206(A)(Sup. Ct. 2011).
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In the instant case, the documents requested by Plaintiff are part of Court-Ordered
Demands contained in the Case Management Orders and are central to the issued raised in this
action. St. Cecilia's has asserted it has no documents in response to the majority of Plaintiffs
discovery demands. Despite multiple requests, St. Cecilia's has refused to supplement its
responses or provide Plaintiffs with a detailed account of its efforts to preserve, collect, and
search for potentially responsive information.
Nor does the Court find that the requirement is premature. We are now four years into
this litigation, almost no paper discovery has been produced and Defendant's witness has yet to
be deposed.
Based on the foregoing, the motion to vacate that part of this Court's prior order requiring
Defendant to provide a Jackson type affidavit is denied.
4/8/24 DATE HON. ALEXANDER M. TISCH, J.S.C.
~ CHECK ONE: CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
GRANTED 0 DENIED GRANTED IN PART □ OTHER APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT □ REFERENCE
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