Court Opinion

ID: 5849115
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-12 23:55:10.100577+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:44:01.714880
License: Public Domain

Cohalan, J.,
dissents in part, insofar as the majority affirms that part of the order denying the branch of the defendant’s motion which was to dismiss the cause of action alleging malicious prosecution and votes to dismiss said cause of action, with the following memorandum: This appeal arises from the criminal prosecution of plaintiff Anthony Scaccia based upon his possession of an eight-cylinder engine which had previously been stolen from the defendant. The defendant had reported the theft to the local police in New Jersey. The New York City Police Department received notification of the theft and eventually succeeded in locating one of the engines, which was admittedly in Scaccia’s possession. He was arrested by the New York City Police Department and detained for approximately six months before the charge against him was dismissed and he was released from custody. He thereupon commenced the instant action against the defendant for damages for false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and negligence. The defendant then moved for an order dismissing the causes of action for legal insufficiency pursuant to CPLR 3211 (subd [a], par 7). Special Term, inter alia, granted the defendant’s motion except as to the cause of action for malicious prosecution. The record reveals that the defendant’s sole factual involvement in Scaccia’s arrest was in reporting to the police that its engines had been stolen. Absent proof that a defendant has commenced or continued a criminal prosecution against a plaintiff without probable cause therefor and with actual malice, a prima facie case of malicious prosecution has not been set forth and the action may not be sustained (Broughton v State of New York, 37 NY2d 451, cert den sub nom. Schanbarger v Kellogg, 423 US 929; Loeb v Teitelbaum, 77 AD2d 92). Insofar as the elements of commencement, probable cause of actual malice have not been proven on the facts herein, the cause of action for malicious prosecution should also have been dismissed, notwithstanding the termination of the criminal action in his favor.