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  • James Mccullagh v. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of New York, St. Paul'S Church, St. Anthony Parish, Daniel Calabrese Torts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • James Mccullagh v. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of New York, St. Paul'S Church, St. Anthony Parish, Daniel Calabrese Torts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • James Mccullagh v. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of New York, St. Paul'S Church, St. Anthony Parish, Daniel Calabrese Torts - Child Victims Act document preview
  • James Mccullagh v. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of New York, St. Paul'S Church, St. Anthony Parish, Daniel Calabrese Torts - Child Victims Act document preview
						
                                

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FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK -------------------------------------------------------------------x JAMES McCULLAGH, Index No. 950259/2019 Plaintiff, VERIFIED ANSWER -against- THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK. ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, ST. ANTHONY PARISH, and DANIEL CALABRESE, Defendants. -------------------------------------------------------------------x Defendant, The Parish of St. Paul-St. Ann, s/h/a St. Paul’s Church, (“Church”), for its answer to the verified complaint herein, alleges the following upon information and belief: 1. Upon information and belief, the Archdiocese is incorporated pursuant to the New York State Religious Corporations Law. 2. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “2” of the verified complaint 3. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “3” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 4. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “4” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 5. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph “5” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 1 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 6. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph “6” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 7. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph “7” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 8. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “8” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 9. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “9” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 10. The Church is a religious corporation located at 82 Lake Road, Congers, New York. 11. Admit the allegations set forth in paragraph “11” of the verified complaint. 12. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “12” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 13. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “13” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 14. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “14” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 2 2 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 15. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “15” of the verified complaint. 16. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “16” of the verified complaint. 17. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph “17” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 18. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations contained in paragraph “18” of the verified complaint and refer all questions of law to the Court. 19. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “19” of the verified complaint. 20. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “20” of the verified complaint. 21. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “21” of the verified complaint. 22. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “22” of the verified complaint. 23. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “23” of the verified complaint. 24. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “24” of the verified complaint. 25. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “25” of the verified complaint. 3 3 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 26. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “26” of the verified complaint. 27. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “27” of the verified complaint. 28. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “28” of the verified complaint. 29. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “29” of the verified complaint. 30. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “30” of the verified complaint. 31. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “31” of the verified complaint. 32. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “32” of the verified complaint. 33. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “33” of the verified complaint. 34. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “34” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 35. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “35” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 4 4 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 36. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “36” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 37. Denies each and every allegation set forth in in paragraph “37” of the verified complaint. 38. Denies each and every allegation set forth in in paragraph “38” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the court. 39. Denies each and every allegation set forth in in paragraph “39” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 40. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph 40 of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 41. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “41” of the verified complaint. 42. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “42” of the verified complaint. 43. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “43” of the verified complaint. 44. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “44” of the verified complaint. 45. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “45” of the verified complaint. 46. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “46” of the verified complaint. 5 5 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 47. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “47” of the verified complaint. 48. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “48” of the verified complaint. 49. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “49” of the verified complaint. 50. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “50” of the verified complaint. 51. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “51” of the verified complaint. 52. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “52” of the verified complaint. 53. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “53” of the verified complaint. 54. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in in paragraph “54” of the verified complaint. 55. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “55” of the verified complaint. 56. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph 56 of the verified complaint. 57. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “57” of the verified complaint. 58. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “58” of the verified complaint. 6 6 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 59. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “59” of the verified complaint. 60. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “60” of the verified complaint. 61. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “61” of the verified complaint. 62. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “62” of the verified complaint. 63. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “63” of the verified complaint. 64. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “64” of the verified complaint. 65. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “65” of the verified complaint. 66. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “66” of the verified complaint. 67. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “67” of the verified complaint. 68. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “68” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 69. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “69” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 7 7 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 70. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “70” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 71. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “70” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 72. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “72” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 73. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “73” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 74. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “74” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 75. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “75” of the verified complaint. 76. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “76” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 77. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “77” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 8 8 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 78. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “78” of the verified complaint. 79. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “79” of the verified complaint. 80. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “80” of the verified complaint. 81. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “71” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 82. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “82” of the verified complaint t. 83. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “83” of the verified complaint. 84. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “84” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 85. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “85” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 86. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “86” of the verified complaint. 87. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “87” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. 88. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “88” of the verified complaint. 9 9 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 89. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “89” of the verified complaint. 90. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “90” of the verified complaint directed at the Church, refers all questions of law to the Court and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 91. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “91” of the verified complaint directed at the Church and denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the remaining allegations set forth in that paragraph. 92. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “92” of the verified complaint. 93. Denies each and every allegation set forth in paragraph “93” of the verified complaint. 94. Denies knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations set forth in paragraph “94” of the verified complaint and refers all questions of law to the Court. AFFIRMATIVE AND OTHER DEFENSES In further response to plaintiff’s verified complaint, the Church hereby asserts the following affirmative and other defenses, without conceding that it bears the burden of persuasion as to any of them except those deemed affirmative defenses by law, regardless of how such defenses are denominated herein. Nor does the Church admit that plaintiff is relieved of the burden to prove each and every element of their claims and the damages, if any, to which they claim to be entitled. As for its defenses, the Church reasserts and reincorporates as if fully set forth herein their responses, above, to the verified complaint. 10 10 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 AS AND FOR A FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 95. In the event that a settlement occurs, all of the provisions of General Obligations Law 15-108 are applicable. AS AND FOR A SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 96. The Church pleads and reserves the right to claim the limitations of liability pursuant to Article 16 of the CPLR, for any recovery herein by Plaintiff for any non-economic loss. AS AND FOR A THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 97. Upon information and belief, some or all of plaintiff’s damages are barred and/or subject to CPLR 4545. AS AND FOR A FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 98. The Church is entitled to a reduction in damages for any amount plaintiff has received as collateral source payment as defined and applied by the Civil Practice Law and Rules. AS AND FOR A FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 99. The verified complaint herein, and each cause of action thereof, fails to set forth facts sufficient to state a claim upon which relief may be granted against the Church and further fails to state facts sufficient to entitle plaintiff to the relief sought, or to any other relief whatsoever from the Church. AS AND FOR A SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 100. The verified complaint herein, and each cause of action thereof, fails to set forth facts sufficiently detailed as to “give the court and parties notice of the transactions, occurrences, or series of transactions or occurrences, intended to be proved and the material elements of each cause of action or defense” as required by CPLR §3013. 11 11 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 AS AND FOR A SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 101. Upon information and belief, the occurrence alleged in the verified complaint herein, if proven true, was unfortunate, unforeseeable, and could not have been prevented by The Church. AS AND FOR AN EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 102. The servants, agents and/or employees of the Church did not take part in or direct the acts at issue in the verified complaint. AS AND FOR A NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 103. If the plaintiff was abused in the manner alleged, such abuse was not caused or due to the acts or omissions of the Church, its agent, servants and/or employees. AS AND FOR A TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 104. It is alleged in the verified complaint that the damages sustained by the plaintiff were the result of the acts of the defendants. the Church denies such acts occurred but in the event it is determined that such acts did occur and were undertaken by an employee of the Church, then The Church alleges that such acts were outside the scope of the authority and employment with The Church and performed for a purpose foreign to any employment with the Church and were not ratified or consented to by the Church. AS AND FOR AN ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 105. It is alleged in the verified complaint that the damages sustained by the plaintiff were the result of the acts of the defendants. The Church denies such acts occurred but in the event it is determined that such acts did occur and were undertaken by an employee of the Church, then the Church alleges that it did not have any notice or awareness of any propensity on the part of any employee to commit such acts as alleged in the verified complaint. 12 12 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 AS AND FOR A TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 106. The verified complaint, to the extent that it seeks exemplary or punitive damages, violates the Church’s right to procedural due process under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, and the Constitution of the State of New York, and therefore fails to state a cause of action upon which either punitive or exemplary damages can be awarded. AS AND FOR A THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 107. The verified complaint, to the extent that it seeks punitive or exemplary damages, violates The Church’s right to protection from “excessive fines” as provided in the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New York and violates The Church’s right to substantive due process as provided in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution of the State of New York, and therefore fails to state a cause of action supporting the punitive or exemplary damages claimed. AS AND FOR A FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 108. The Church is informed and believes and on that basis alleges that the verified complaint, and each cause of action therein, is barred by reason of Article VI of the United States Constitution. AS AND FOR A FIFTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 109. In the event that a court determines that the passage and enactment of CPLR § 214-g violates the Church’s Due Process rights, pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, § 6 of the New York State Constitution and/or freedom of religion protections pursuant to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the Church will seek dismissal of this action. 13 13 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 AS AND FOR A SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 110. The Church’s adoption of and compliance with the religious and canonical customs, norms, and usages of the Roman Catholic Church and its compliance with and its determinations made under Canon Law are protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, §§ 3 and 11 of the New York State Constitution. AS AND FOR A SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 111. In the event the Church is liable, and plaintiff has provable damages, plaintiff failed to mitigate such damages when plaintiff had an opportunity to do so. AS AND FOR AN EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 112. The Church reserves the right to amend and supplement its affirmative and other defenses to include additional defenses at such time and to such extent as warranted by discovery and the factual developments in this case. WHEREFORE, defendants demand judgment dismissing plaintiff’s verified complaint, together with the costs, expenses, disbursements and attorneys’ fees of this action and for such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper. Dated: Hawthorne, New York August 12, 2020 TRAUB LIEBERMAN STRAUS & SHREWSBERRY LLP Attorneys for Defendant The Parish of St. Paul-St. Ann, s/h/a St. Paul’s Church By: Jonathan R. Harwood Jonathan R. Harwood, Esq. Mid-Westchester Executive Park Seven Skyline Drive Hawthorne, New York 10532 (914) 347-2600 14 14 of 15 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 08/12/2020 02:07 PM INDEX NO. 950259/2019 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 8 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 08/12/2020 ATTORNEY VERIFICATION STATE OF NEW YORK ) ) ss.: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER ) Jonathan R. Harwood, deposes and says: The Parish of St. Paul-St. Ann, s/h/a St. Paul’s Church is a defendant in this action. I am a partner of TRAUB LIEBERMAN STRAUS & SHREWSBERRY LLP, which has been retained to represent St. Ann in the action herein; I have read the annexed VERIFIED ANSWER and know the contents thereof, and the same is true to my knowledge, except to those matters therein which are stated to be alleged upon information and belief, and as to those matters I believe them to be true. My belief, as to those matters therein not stated upon my knowledge, is based upon information contained in our file. I affirm that the foregoing statements are true under penalties of perjury. This Verification is made by me and not by the Defendant because its offices are located outside the county in which my office is located. Dated: Hawthorne, New York August 12, 2020 Jonathan R. Harwood JONATHAN R. HARWOOD 15 15 of 15