| Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v Gutierrez |
| 2013 NY Slip Op 00302 [102 AD3d 825] |
| January 23, 2013 |
| Appellate Division, Second Department |
| Deutsche Bank National Trust Company,Respondent, v Efrain Gutierrez, Appellant, et al.,Defendants. |
—[*1] Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates, P.C., Plainview, N.Y. (Edward Rugino of counsel),for respondent.
In an action to foreclose a mortgage, the defendant Efrain Gutierrez appeals from anorder of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Ruchelsman, J.), dated November 2, 2011,which denied his motion to vacate his default in appearing or answering and for leave tointerpose an answer.
Ordered that the order is affirmed, with costs.
A defendant seeking to vacate a default in appearing or answering must provide areasonable excuse for the default and demonstrate a potentially meritorious defense to theaction (see CPLR 5015 [a] [1]; Arias v First Presbyt. Church in Jamaica, 100 AD3d 940[2012]; Ramirez v IslandiaExec. Plaza, LLC, 92 AD3d 747, 748 [2012]; Cooney v Cambridge Mgt. &Realty Corp., 35 AD3d 522 [2006]). The determination of what constitutes areasonable excuse lies within the sound discretion of the Supreme Court (see Star Indus., Inc. v InnovativeBeverages, Inc., 55 AD3d 903, 904 [2008]; Antoine v Bee, 26 AD3d 306, 306 [2006]).
Here, the appellant failed to demonstrate a reasonable excuse for his default inappearing or answering, or for his lengthy delay in moving to vacate the default (see Garal Wholesalers, Ltd. vRaven Brands, Inc., 82 AD3d 1041, 1042 [2011]; Bethune v Prioleau, 82 AD3d810, 810-811 [2011]; YaoPing Tang v Grand Estate, LLC, 77 AD3d 822, 823 [2010]). In particular, thedefendant's purported reliance upon alleged loan modification negotiations isunsubstantiated and does not constitute a reasonable excuse (see Jamieson v Roman, 36AD3d 861, 862 [2007]; DeRisi v Santoro, 262 AD2d 270, 271 [1999];Flora Co. v Ingilis, 233 AD2d 418, 419 [1996]). In view of the absence of areasonable excuse, it is unnecessary to consider whether the appellant sufficientlydemonstrated the existence of a potentially meritorious defense to the action (see Assael v 15 Broad St.,LLC, 71 AD3d 802, 803 [2010]; Segovia v Delcon Constr. Corp., 43 AD3d 1143, 1144[2007]; Mjahdi v Maguire,21 AD3d 1067, 1068 [2005]). Accordingly, the Supreme Court properly denied theappellant's motion to vacate his default in appearing or answering and for leave tointerpose an answer. Balkin, J.P., Lott, Austin and Sgroi, JJ., concur.