Court Opinion

ID: 5269035
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 19:08:17.563921+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:28:12.123106
License: Public Domain

Merrell, J.:
The facts are identical with those in the case of Lee v. Graubard (205 App. Div. 344), herewith decided, except that there are *348different parties, this controversy relating to the election of alderman in the twentieth aldermanic district, and except that the answer of the defendant, by way of a separate and distinct defense, alleges that acting in pursuance of and in reliance upon the certificate of election issued to the defendant by the board of canvassers of the county of New York declaring the defendant to have been elected to the office as the member of the board of aldermen for the twentieth aldermanic district of the county and city of New York at the general election in November, 1919, that defendant duly qualified, was seated and discharged his duties as such alderman for a certain period, and that the moneys received by the defendant from the city of New York during said period were paid to him for his services rendered as a member of the board of aldermen; that the board of canvassers of the county of New York had jurisdiction and power to issue the certificate of election to the defendant as aforesaid, and that all of the acts done and performed by the defendant of which the plaintiff complains were so done and performed by him in reliance upon the said certificate of election issued to him.
Aside from denials this is the only defense alleged and set forth in said answer. I do not think that thereby it appears that the defendant has a bona fide defense to the action, nor that the alleged defense is “ fairly arguable and of a substantial character.” (Dwan v. Massarene, 199 App. Div. 872.) The plaintiff is entitled to recover of the defendant the salary paid to the latter during the term of his usurpation of the office to which the plaintiff was entitled. (Dolan v. Mayor, 68 N. Y. 274; Nichols v. MacLean, 101 id. 526; City of New York v. Voorhis, 129 N. Y. Supp. 833.)
For the reasons stated in Lee v. Graubard, the order appealed from should be reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements, and plaintiff’s motion granted, with ten dollars costs.
Finch and McAvoy, JJ., concur.