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Apollon Wp. Restoration Corp. v. Bergassi

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Jul 3, 1997
241 A.D.2d 347 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)

Opinion

July 3, 1997

Appeal from Supreme Court, New York County (Jane Solomon, J.).


The motion court properly concluded that, in opposition to Mr. Bergassi's prima facie showing that corporate formalities had been observed, plaintiff failed to submit any documentation or other evidence sufficient to raise a triable issue with respect to whether the corporate veil should be pierced. The deposition testimony of plaintiffs president showed nothing other than that he had dealt with Mr. Bergassi, and not that the latter so dominated or controlled the agency that it should be deemed his alter ego. Nor did plaintiff demonstrate that Mr. Bergassi used the corporate form as an instrument of fraud ( see, Matter of Glenn [Redford], 233 A.D.2d 248), or that Mr. Bergassi purported to bind himself individually by ratifying the corporate action ( see, Westminster Constr. Co. v. Sherman, 160 A.D.2d 867,868).

The claims for unjust enrichment were properly dismissed since, in opposition to the Bergassi defendants' documentary showing that they had returned the subject funds to the underwriter of the performance and payment bonds, and therefore did not retain any benefit unjustly, plaintiff failed to document its bare assertion to the contrary and thereby failed to raise an issue of fact.

There is no allegation or showing that the Bergassi defendants procured any invalid bonds with the intention of interfering with plaintiffs contractual or prospective business relations ( see, NBT Bancorp v. Fleet/Norstar Fin. Group, 87 N.Y.2d 614, 621). Moreover, with respect to all of plaintiff's contractual and tort claims for lost profits, the undocumented claims are too speculative to warrant recovery ( see, Ashland Mgt. v Janien, 82 N.Y.2d 395, 403).

The claims against defendant Scovotti Company with respect to bonds issued more than six years prior to commencement of the action were properly dismissed, inasmuch as such contract claims accrued when the bonds were issued. The doctrine of continuous treatment is inapplicable in this context ( see, National Life Ins. Co. v. Hall Co., 67 N.Y.2d 1021), and the broker was under no continuing duty to advise plaintiff of its needs ( see, Capital Mercury Shirt Corp. v. Arkwright Mut. Ins. Co., 195 A.D.2d 320, 321). Nor does a discovery accrual apply here.

We have considered the parties' other arguments for affirmative relief, including those of Scovotti Company, and find that they do not warrant a different result.

Concur — Milonas, J. P., Rosenberger, Williams and Andrias, JJ.


Summaries of

Apollon Wp. Restoration Corp. v. Bergassi

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Jul 3, 1997
241 A.D.2d 347 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)
Case details for

Apollon Wp. Restoration Corp. v. Bergassi

Case Details

Full title:APOLLON WATERPROOFING RESTORATION CORP., INC., Appellant, v. EDMUND…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department

Date published: Jul 3, 1997

Citations

241 A.D.2d 347 (N.Y. App. Div. 1997)
661 N.Y.S.2d 957

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