Goodfellow v. Citibank, N.A.

33 Misc. 3d 679
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 14, 2011
StatusPublished

This text of 33 Misc. 3d 679 (Goodfellow v. Citibank, N.A.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Goodfellow v. Citibank, N.A., 33 Misc. 3d 679 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 2011).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Joan M. Kenney, J.

Factual Background and Arguments

Plaintiff moves, pursuant to CPLR 3212, for summary judgment as against defendant Citibank, N.A. (Citibank) and third-party defendant Frances Busse (Busse), setting down the amount of judgment at $46,000 plus interest in the amount of $16,000, and to compel Citibank to provide discovery demanded by plaintiff on October 10, 2010. Defendants Citibank, Babs O. Ayodeji (Ayodeji), Kim C. Yip (Yip) and Daniela Luna (Luna) cross-move, pursuant to CPLR 3212, for summary judgment dismissing the complaint, or, in the alternative, should plaintiffs motion be granted, summary judgment as against Busse.

On December 17, 2007, Citibank honored a check executed by Busse in the amount of $40,000, and on March 4, 2008, Citibank honored another check executed by Busse in the amount of $6,000, both from Citibank account number xxx. (Motion, exhibits 1, 2.) These checks were made payable to Busse; however, plaintiff contends that Busse had no signatory or ownership right to the account, nor any authority to collect funds from that account. It is plaintiffs position that Citibank’s failure to verify Busse’s authority with respect to that account deprived him of funds that were rightfully his.

The account against which the checks that are the subject of this litigation were drawn was maintained by Stella F. Zolna (Zolna) during her life, and was held in trust for plaintiff. (Motion, exhibit 5.) Zolna died on November 15, 2007, and plaintiff was appointed as the executor of her estate. (Motion, exhibit 6.) According to plaintiff, he presented his appointment as executor of Zolna’s estate to Citibank on April 11, 2008, at which time he was allegedly informed by Citibank that the funds had been previously withdrawn.

In support of his statement, plaintiff has provided a letter from Citibank, dated April 11, 2008, that states: “This letter is [681]*681to confirm that we are not able to disburse the $47,283.00 due to an unauthorized withdrawal on account [xxx]. We will expedite the handling of this situation and will call you as soon as we have an answer for you.” (Motion, exhibit 3.)

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
33 Misc. 3d 679, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/goodfellow-v-citibank-na-nysupct-2011.