LOTZ v. CARTER (2019)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

Appeal from an order of the County Court of Broome County (Cawley Jr., J.), entered January 8, 2018, which affirmed an order of Binghamton City Court in favor of defendant.

Plaintiff and defendant were in a long-term relationship.  In 2012, plaintiff purchased a 2012 Ford Focus that was used primarily by defendant.  The purchase was financed and titled in both parties' names but registered only in defendant's name.  The parties separated in the spring of 2014, when plaintiff left their shared household.  Defendant retained use of the vehicle.  In December 2014, plaintiff sent defendant an eviction notice and also demanded a return of the vehicle.  Plaintiff somehow secured a new title in his name only and thereafter commenced this conversion action seeking to recover the vehicle.  In her answer, defendant maintained that the vehicle had been a gift and that she was the sole owner.  Following a trial, Binghamton City Court dismissed the claim, crediting defendant's testimony that the vehicle had in fact been gifted to her.  The court also directed plaintiff to transfer title back to defendant.  Upon appeal, County Court affirmed.  Plaintiff appeals.

We affirm.  Giving due deference to the trial court's assessment of witness credibility, the record amply supports City Court's determination that plaintiff purchased the vehicle as a gift for defendant.  As such, the conversion claim was properly dismissed.  Having raised the issue of ownership, City Court retained jurisdiction to direct plaintiff to correct the vehicle title, notwithstanding the dismissal of the complaint (see UCCA 202, 212).

ORDERED that the order is affirmed, with costs.

Lynch, J.

Egan Jr., J.P., Devine, Aarons and Rumsey, JJ., concur.