Opinion
December 23, 1938.
Appeal from Supreme Court, New York County.
Present — Martin, P.J., Glennon, Dore, Cohn and Callahan, JJ.
The action in conversion was brought against the defendants for the value of various fixtures which were physically in certain premises of which plaintiff's assignor was co-owner. The said owner is alleged to have given possession and control of said premises and fixtures to the defendants. After trial the complaint was dismissed as to the defendant Toder. Judgment was directed in favor of the plaintiff against the appellant for a fixed sum.
There was no proof here that appellant has exercised dominion over the property of plaintiff's assignor in defiance of his rights. Nor was there any satisfactory evidence to establish that appellant ever had exclusive possession, custody or control of the property. "Conversion, however we define it, involves * * * the element of an unauthorized assumption of dominion over the property of another." ( Mutual Trust Co. v. Merchants Nat. Bank, 236 N.Y. 478, 486. See, also, Industrial General Trust v. Tod, 170 id. 233, 245; Salt Springs National Bank v. Wheeler, 48 id. 492, 495; White v. Bronson, 120 Misc. 73, 74 [LEHMAN, J.].) A judgment for plaintiff in the circumstances of this case was improper. The judgment, in so far as it is against the defendant Max L. Kane, should be reversed, with costs, and the complaint, as to said defendant, dismissed, with costs to the appellant.
Judgment, in so far as it is against the defendant Max L. Kane, unanimously reversed, with costs to the appellant, and the complaint dismissed as to said defendant, with costs.