Opinion
10 Civ. 3191 (JGK).
May 23, 2011
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
The plaintiff moves for summary judgment against defendants William Lee Freeman Garden Apartments LLC and Melvin E. Wilson, foreclosing a mortgage and enforcing payment under a guaranty. Neither defendant has opposed the motion. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 and Local Rule 56.1, a district court can grant an unopposed motion for summary judgment when the materials supporting the motion for summary judgment show that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Holtz v. Rockefeller Co., 258 F.3d 62, 74 n. 1 (2d Cir. 2001).
A foreclosing plaintiff may establish prima facie entitlement to summary judgment by submitting proof of the mortgage and unpaid note, plaintiff's ownership thereof, and the defendant's default. See, e.g., Votta v. Votta Enters., Inc., 672 N.Y.S. 2d 118, 119 (App. Div. 1998). If this showing is made, the defendant then bears the burden of producing evidence that raises a question of fact regarding any defenses to foreclosure. Id. at 120.
The plaintiff has met its prima facie case. It has proffered a copy of the mortgage, note, and guaranty, which show that the plaintiff holds a note and mortgage made by the William Lee Freeman Garden Apartments and guaranteed by Mr. Wilson. (Deutsch Affirmation Ex. A-C.) It has also submitted an affidavit sworn by the plaintiff's manager attesting to the defendants' default. (Groner Affidavit ¶¶ 4-5.)
Because the defendants have not opposed the plaintiff's motion, they have not met their burden of producing evidence of a question of fact regarding any defenses to foreclosure. To the extent that their answer alleges a defense of oral modification, equitable estoppel, or a breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, no evidence supports these defenses. The mortgage explicitly prohibits oral modification. (Deutsch Affirmation Ex. B ¶ 3.04.) See, e.g., CrossLand Sav., FSB v. Loguidice-Chatwal Real Estate Inv. Co., 567 N.Y.S.2d 39, 40 (App. Div. 1991) (affirming rejection of defense based on alleged oral promises where mortgage documents "specifically precluded any oral modification"). Moreover, the defendants have not alleged detrimental reliance, as required for a defense based on equitable estoppel, see, e.g., First Union Nat. Bank v. Tecklenburg, 769 N.Y.S.2d 573, 574-75 (App. Div. 2003), nor any deprivation of a right to receive the benefits of the agreement, good faith and fair dealing, see, e.g., Aventine Inv. Mgmt., Inc. v. Can. Imperial Bank of Commerce, 697 N.Y.S.2d 128, 130 (App. Div. 1999).
Accordingly, there is no disputed issue of material fact, and the plaintiff's motion is granted. The plaintiff should submit a proposed judgment to the Court by May 30, 2011. The defendants may submit a proposed counter-judgment by June 3, 2011.
The Clerk is directed to close Docket No. 20.