Windward Bora LLC v. Brown

CourtDistrict Court, E.D. New York
DecidedMarch 24, 2022
Docket1:21-cv-03147
StatusUnknown

This text of Windward Bora LLC v. Brown (Windward Bora LLC v. Brown) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Windward Bora LLC v. Brown, (E.D.N.Y. 2022).

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK -------------------------------------X WINDWARD BORA, LLC,

Plaintiff, Memorandum and Order

v. 21-CV-03147(KAM)(RER)

TANIKI A. BROWN,

Defendant. -------------------------------------X KIYO A. MATSUMOTO, United States District Judge: Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Windward Bora LLC’s (“Plaintiff”) motion for default judgment of foreclosure and sale. (ECF No. 11.) To date, despite being properly served with process and notice of the motion for default judgment, Defendant Taniki A. Brown (“Defendant”) has not defended or otherwise appeared in the instant action, which seeks foreclosure of Ms. Brown’s premises and mortgage encumbering a property at 190 East 91st Street, Brooklyn, New York 11212 (“Subject Property”). For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiff’s motion for entry of a default judgment is GRANTED. Background I. Factual Background

The following facts are taken from Plaintiffs’ complaint, supporting affidavits, declarations, and exhibits, and are undisputed.1 In considering a motion for default judgment, the Court accepts as true all well-pleaded factual allegations in the complaint, except those relating to damages. See Nero v. Law Office of Sam Streeter, P.L.L.C., 655 F. Supp. 2d 200, 204 (E.D.N.Y. 2009) (“[W]hen the court determines that defendant is in default, the factual allegations of the complaint, except those relating to the amount of damages, will be taken as true.” (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)). On August 8, 2005, a mortgage (“the Mortgage”) was executed by Defendant Taniki A. Brown, a resident and citizen of New York, to First Franklin, a Division of National City Bank of Indiana (“First Franklin”) in order to secure the sum of

$88,580.00 and interest for the Subject Property. (Compl. ¶¶ 2, 7.) On that date, Defendant executed and delivered a Promissory Note to First Franklin in the amount of $88,580.00. (Id. at ¶ 8; ECF No. 1-1, Ex. C (Exhibit “C” includes a copy of the Note

1 (See ECF No. 1, Compl.; ECF No. 1-1—1-2; ECF No. 11, Mot.; ECF No. 11-1, Declaration of Regularity in Support of Default Judgement by Alan H. Weinreb, Esq. (“Weinreb Decl.”); ECF Nos. 11-1, 11-4—11-5, 11-7; ECF No. 11-6, Ex. C, Affidavit of Amounts Due.) with endorsements, security agreement, Allonge, and the Affidavit of Note Possession, evidencing Plaintiff’s possession of the Note and Mortgage.).) The Mortgage was recorded in the Kings County Clerk’s Office on August 31, 2005, and covers the Subject Property at 190 East 91st Street, Brooklyn, New York

11212. (Compl. ¶ 7; ECF No. 1-1, Ex. B, Mortgage.) Plaintiff is the owner and holder of the Note, and came into possession of the original Note “on or about December 9, 2019.” (Compl. ¶ 10; ECF No. 1-1, Ex. C, Affidavit of Note Possession, p. 31, ¶¶ 7- 8.) Plaintiff is a single member Delaware LLC whose sole member is a citizen of the Kingdom of Morocco and a resident of Florida. (Compl. ¶ 2.) Accordingly, the Court has diversity subject matter jurisdiction. As alleged in the complaint, Defendant has failed to comply with the terms and provisions of the Mortgage by failing to make the monthly payments due on January 1, 2017 and thereafter. (Id. ¶ 11.) Defendant’s default on payments

continues to date. (Id.) Plaintiff further alleges that Plaintiff has complied with the Mortgage’s contractual provisions, including by sending Defendant all required notices. (Id. at ¶ 12.) The required Notice of Default was issued on February 26, 2021, to Defendant. (See ECF No. 1-1, Ex. D, pp. 34-37 (Notice of Default and proof of mailing).) The Notice of Default advised Defendant of possible acceleration of the loan, and further advised that continued default and failure to cure arrears would allow Plaintiff to declare immediately payable the outstanding principal balance due under the Note and all accrued interest. (Id.) Plaintiff further alleges compliance with the “90-day notice” (the “90 Day Notice”) provided by New York Real

Property Actions and Proceedings Law (“RPAPL”) Section 1304(1), and under RPAPL Section 1306(1). (Compl. ¶ 12.) The 90 Day Notice was issued on February 26, 2021, to Defendant. (See ECF No. 1-1, Ex. D, pp. 38-44 (copies of the 90 Day Notice with proof of mailing and registration).) Plaintiff alleges that it has also complied with the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020, (S.9114/A.1181). (See Compl. ¶ 13; ECF No. 1-1, Ex. E pp. 45-53.) Plaintiff also alleges that it has complied with all applicable provisions of New York Banking Law Sections Nine-X, 595a, and 6-1; and, RPAPL Sections 1302 and 1304. (Compl. ¶¶ 14-15.) As of the date of the filing of the complaint,

Defendant had failed to respond to the Default Notice and the 90 Day Notice. (Compl. ¶ 16.) Accordingly, as alleged in the complaint, Defendant is indebted to Plaintiff pursuant to the terms of the Note and Mortgage for: (1) the unpaid principal amount due under the Note and all accrued and unpaid interest and late charges; (2) attorney’s fees and other costs and disbursements, payable to Windward Bora LLC under the terms of the Note, which will accrue until the amount due and payable under the Note is paid in full;2 and, (3) any and all additional fees that are due or may become due and payable as provided under the terms and conditions of the Note and Mortgage. (Compl. ¶¶ 17-17(c).) II. Procedural Background

On June 3, 2021, Plaintiff commenced this mortgage foreclosure action. (See ECF No. 1, Compl.) Additionally on June 3, 2021, a summons was issued to Defendant Taniki A. Brown, who was served with process on July 7, 2021, as indicated by the executed return, filed on July 21, 2021. (ECF No. 5; ECF No. 8.) Defendant’s answer was due on July 28, 2021. (See Jul. 21, 2021, Dkt. Entry.) On July 29, 2021, Plaintiff requested a certificate of default. (ECF No. 9.) On August 4, 2021, the Clerk of Court entered a Certificate of Default against all Defendants. (ECF No. 10.) Plaintiff filed the instant motion for default

judgment of foreclosure and sale on August 17, 2021. (ECF No. 11.) Plaintiff also filed an Affidavit of Service confirming that a copy of its default judgment motion, along with the supporting papers and exhibits, had been served on Defendant via

2 Though Plaintiff’s complaint states that Defendant is indebted for attorney’s fees, Plaintiff’s Declaration of Regularity in Support of Default Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale states that “Plaintiff does not request to recover attorneys’ fees associated with the pursuit of this action.” (Weinreb Declaration, ¶ 7.) First Class Mail on August 17, 2021.3 (ECF No. 11-7, Affidavit of Service.) To date, Defendants have not appeared, filed an answer to the complaint, or filed a response to Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment of foreclosure and sale. Legal Standard

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55 (“Rule 55”) governs the applicable procedure for default judgments in civil litigation. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55; see also City of New York v. Mickalis Pawn Shop, LLC, 645 F.3d 114, 128 (2d Cir. 2011). Rule 55 provides “a ‘two-step process’ for the entry of judgment against a party who fails to defend.” Id.; see also GuideOne Specialty Mut. Ins. Co. v. Rock Cmty. Church, Inc., 696 F. Supp. 2d 203, 208 (E.D.N.Y. 2010).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Taizhou Zhongneng Import & Export Co. v. Koutsobinas
509 F. App'x 54 (Second Circuit, 2013)
Nero v. Law Office of Sam Streeter, P.L.L.C.
655 F. Supp. 2d 200 (E.D. New York, 2009)
In Re Escobar
457 B.R. 229 (E.D. New York, 2011)
City of New York v. Mickalis Pawn Shop, LLC
645 F.3d 114 (Second Circuit, 2011)
Steginsky v. Xcelera Inc.
741 F.3d 365 (Second Circuit, 2014)
Weaver Hardware Co. v. . Solomovitz
139 N.E. 353 (New York Court of Appeals, 1923)
Smith v. Wagner
106 Misc. 170 (New York Supreme Court, 1919)
Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. v. Pietranico
33 Misc. 3d 528 (New York Supreme Court, 2011)
Enron Oil Corp. v. Diakuhara
10 F.3d 90 (Second Circuit, 1993)
Gustavia Home, LLC v. Bent
321 F. Supp. 3d 409 (E.D. New York, 2018)
Danser v. Bagir International
571 F. App'x 54 (Second Circuit, 2014)
Finkel v. Universal Electric Corp.
970 F. Supp. 2d 108 (E.D. New York, 2013)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
Windward Bora LLC v. Brown, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/windward-bora-llc-v-brown-nyed-2022.