Opinion
Decided July 3, 1986
Appeal from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department, Alfred H. Weiner, J.
Murray Papell, appellant pro se. David W. Silverman and Robert M. Lefland for respondent.
MEMORANDUM.
The order of the Appellate Division should be modified, with costs to plaintiff, and the case remitted to the Appellate Division, Second Department, for further proceedings in accordance with this memorandum, and, as so modified, the order should be affirmed.
Our examination of the record persuades us that the Appellate Division erred in concluding that there was insufficient evidence, as a matter of law, of the existence of a valid contract. The Statute of Frauds was waived by defendant by its failure to assert it in a timely manner (see, CPLR 3211 [e]). Hence, plaintiff's testimony, combined with the document signed by the codefendant, sufficed to sustain the jury's verdict against the claim of insufficiency. Similarly, there was sufficient evidence to support the remaining elements necessary to the compensatory portion of the award (see generally, Guard-Life Corp. v Parker Hardware Mfg. Corp., 50 N.Y.2d 183; PJI 3:56). Accordingly, this part of the case must be remitted to the Appellate Division for that court to exercise its power to review the facts to determine if the verdict was against the weight of the evidence (see, Cohen v Hallmark Cards, 45 N.Y.2d 493).
As to plaintiff's claim for punitive damages, however, we agree with defendant that the award was not supported by sufficient evidence and must be dismissed (see, James v Powell, 19 N.Y.2d 249; Walker v Sheldon, 10 N.Y.2d 401).
Chief Judge WACHTLER and Judges MEYER, SIMONS, KAYE, ALEXANDER, TITONE and HANCOCK, JR., concur in memorandum.
On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 N.Y.CRR 500.4), order modified, etc.