Practice point: The Appellate Division affirmed the dismissal of the cause of action alleging conversion of funds, since the plaintiff asserted a mere
right to payment and did not allege that the defendants had unauthorized
possession or control of specifically identifiable funds that allegedly
had been converted.
Also affirmed was the dismissal of the cause of action alleging breach of contract. The plaintiff failed to plead the material terms of the
alleged oral loan agreement by which the defendants agreed to repay or
reimburse him for his payment of expenditures for the property and boat at issue.
Student note: The essential elements of a breach of
contract cause of action are the existence of a contract; the
plaintiff's performance pursuant to the contract; the defendant's breach
of the contractual obligations; and damages resulting from the
breach. The plaintiff's allegation must identify the provisions of the contract that were breached.
Case: Canzona v. Atanasio, NY Slip Op 04458 (2d Dept. 2014)
Here is the decision.
Tomorrow's issue: A motion for sanctions, in the form of dismissal or, in the alternative, disqualification.
