GIUFFRE v. OH (2024)

Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Arthur F. Engoron, J.), entered October 3, 2023, which granted plaintiff's motion to dismiss defendant's counterclaims pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7), unanimously reversed, on the law, without costs, and the motion denied.

CPLR 214–j, known as the Adult Victims Act, applies solely in the civil context, and thus, the civil liability permitted thereunder is not coextensive with or dependent upon the corresponding criminal liability (see Doe v. Wilhelmina Models, Inc., 229 A.D.3d 128, 140–142, 212 N.Y.S.3d 613 [1st Dept. 2024]).  That plaintiff might fall under the protections of CPL 440.10(1)(i) and (6) (the START Act), which would entitle her to seek vacatur of any criminal conviction where her participation in the offense was a result of having been a victim of sex trafficking, does not bar revival of a civil claim against her pursuant to CPLR 214–j (see Schearer v. Fitzgerald, 217 A.D.3d 980, 982, 192 N.Y.S.3d 207 [2d Dept. 2023]).  Nor does the START Act otherwise insulate her from civil liability, even where the claims arise from intentional acts.  Nothing in the language of the Act or its legislative history indicates that the legislature intended it to apply to civil actions.