029.pdf
778 KB
Extraction Summary
4
People
2
Organizations
2
Locations
2
Events
4
Relationships
13
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Legal pleading
File Size:
778 KB
Summary
This document is a legal memorandum filed by Teresa Helm, the Plaintiff, in opposition to the Defendants' (executors of Jeffrey Edward Epstein's estate) motion to dismiss her complaint. It argues against the dismissal of claims as untimely, asserts the applicability of equitable estoppel and tolling, and contends that punitive damages are recoverable under Virgin Islands law, guided by New York's choice-of-law principles.
People (4)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| TERESA HELM | Plaintiff |
Plaintiff in the case 1:19-cv-10476-PGG
|
| DARREN K. INDYKE | Executor |
Executor of the Estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein, Defendant
|
| RICHARD D. KAHN | Executor |
Executor of the Estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein, Defendant
|
| JEFFREY EDWARD EPSTEIN | Deceased |
Subject of the estate being sued
|
Organizations (2)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK |
Court where the case is filed
|
|
| Estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein |
Defendant in the case
|
Locations (2)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Southern District of New York
|
|
|
Mentioned in relation to legal principles and case law
|
Relationships (4)
Plaintiff in the case against the estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein, represented by executors
Plaintiff in the case against the estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein, represented by executors
Executor of the Estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein
Executor of the Estate of Jeffrey Edward Epstein
Key Quotes (13)
"PLAINTIFF’S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT"Source
029.pdf
Quote #1
"Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff’s Claims Are Untimely"Source
029.pdf
Quote #2
"Plaintiff’s Claims Are Timely Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(8)(a)"Source
029.pdf
Quote #3
"The Indictment Was Not Restricted to Minors."Source
029.pdf
Quote #4
"Plaintiff’s Claims Concern the Same Sex-Trafficking Operation that the Indictment Concerned."Source
029.pdf
Quote #5
"Defendants’ Attempts to Narrow the Scope of C.P.L.R. § 215(8)(a) Fail."Source
029.pdf
Quote #6
"Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff Cannot Invoke Equitable Estoppel."Source
029.pdf
Quote #7
"Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff Cannot Invoke Equitable Tolling."Source
029.pdf
Quote #8
"The Court Should Deny the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Punitive Damages."Source
029.pdf
Quote #9
"Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Punitive Damages is Procedurally Improper."Source
029.pdf
Quote #10
"Plaintiff May Recover Punitive Damages in this Case."Source
029.pdf
Quote #11
"The Law of the Virgin Islands for Punitive Damages Governs Under New York’s Choice-of-Law Principles."Source
029.pdf
Quote #12
"Virgin Islands Law Would Allow for Punitive Damages against Defendants in this Case."Source
029.pdf
Quote #13
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (9,902 characters)
Case 1:19-cv-10476-PGG-DCF Document 29 Filed 03/20/20 Page 1 of 31
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
TERESA HELM,
Plaintiff,
v.
DARREN K. INDYKE and RICHARD D. KAHN,
in their capacities as the executors of the
ESTATE OF JEFFREY EDWARD EPSTEIN,
in their capacities as the executors of the
ESTATE OF JEFFREY EDWARD EPSTEIN,
Defendants.
CASE NO: 19-cv-10476-PGG
PLAINTIFF’S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION TO
DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT
DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT
Case 1:19-cv-10476-PGG-DCF Document 29 Filed 03/20/20 Page 2 of 31
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ................................................................................................. 1
STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................................................ 3
ARGUMENT ............................................................................................................................ 6
I. Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff’s Claims Are Untimely ..... 6
A. Plaintiff’s Claims Are Timely Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(8)(a).................................... 7
1. The Indictment Was Not Restricted to Minors. ..................................................... 8
2. Plaintiff’s Claims Concern the Same Sex-Trafficking Operation that the Indictment
Concerned. .......................................................................................................... 9
3. Defendants’ Attempts to Narrow the Scope of C.P.L.R. § 215(8)(a) Fail. ............ 11
B. Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff Cannot Invoke
Equitable Estoppel. ...................................................................................................... 13
C. Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff Cannot Invoke
Equitable Tolling. ........................................................................................................ 16
II. The Court Should Deny the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Punitive Damages. ................... 18
A. Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Punitive Damages is Procedurally Improper. ................ 18
B. Plaintiff May Recover Punitive Damages in this Case. ................................................. 19
1. The Law of the Virgin Islands for Punitive Damages Governs Under New York’s
Choice-of-Law Principles. ................................................................................ 19
2. Virgin Islands Law Would Allow for Punitive Damages against Defendants in this
Case. ................................................................................................................ 21
a. Banks Factor One: Whether Any Virgin Islands Courts Have Adopted a Rule ... 21
b. Banks Factor Two: The Position Taken by a Majority of Courts from Other
Jurisdictions .................................................................................................... 22
c. Banks Factor Three: The Soundest Rule for the Virgin Islands ........................ 24
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................... 25
STATEMENT OF FACTS ........................................................................................................ 3
ARGUMENT ............................................................................................................................ 6
I. Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff’s Claims Are Untimely ..... 6
A. Plaintiff’s Claims Are Timely Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215(8)(a).................................... 7
1. The Indictment Was Not Restricted to Minors. ..................................................... 8
2. Plaintiff’s Claims Concern the Same Sex-Trafficking Operation that the Indictment
Concerned. .......................................................................................................... 9
3. Defendants’ Attempts to Narrow the Scope of C.P.L.R. § 215(8)(a) Fail. ............ 11
B. Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff Cannot Invoke
Equitable Estoppel. ...................................................................................................... 13
C. Defendants Have Not Met Their Burden of Proving that Plaintiff Cannot Invoke
Equitable Tolling. ........................................................................................................ 16
II. The Court Should Deny the Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Punitive Damages. ................... 18
A. Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Punitive Damages is Procedurally Improper. ................ 18
B. Plaintiff May Recover Punitive Damages in this Case. ................................................. 19
1. The Law of the Virgin Islands for Punitive Damages Governs Under New York’s
Choice-of-Law Principles. ................................................................................ 19
2. Virgin Islands Law Would Allow for Punitive Damages against Defendants in this
Case. ................................................................................................................ 21
a. Banks Factor One: Whether Any Virgin Islands Courts Have Adopted a Rule ... 21
b. Banks Factor Two: The Position Taken by a Majority of Courts from Other
Jurisdictions .................................................................................................... 22
c. Banks Factor Three: The Soundest Rule for the Virgin Islands ........................ 24
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................... 25
ii
Case 1:19-cv-10476-PGG-DCF Document 29 Filed 03/20/20 Page 3 of 31
Cases
Amusement Indus., Inc. v. Stern,
693 F. Supp. 2d 301 (S.D.N.Y. 2010)......................................................................... 18
Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
556 U.S. 662 (2009).................................................................................................... 6
Babcock v. Jackson,
191 N.E.2d 279 (N.Y. 1963)..................................................................................... 19
Banks v. Int’l Rental & Leasing Corp.,
55 V.I. 967 (V.I. 2011)........................................................................................... 21, 25
Brown v. Parkchester S. Condos.,
287 F.3d 58 (2d Cir. 2002)......................................................................................... 17
Christodoulou v. Terde man,
262 A.D.2d 595 (N.Y. App. Div. 1999) ..................................................................... 11
CIT Bank N.A. v. Schiffman,
948 F.3d 529, 537 (2d Cir. 2020), certified question accepted, No. 36, 2020 WL 729773
(N.Y. Feb. 13, 2020) ................................................................................................. 25
Clemens v. Nealon,
202 A.D.2d 247 (N.Y. App. Div. 1994) ................................................................... 7, 9
Crabtree ex. Rel. Kemp v. Estate of Crabtree,
837 N.E.2d 135 (Ind. 2005)..................................................................................... 23
Crawford v. Daly,
55 V.I. 66 (V.I. Super. 2010)..................................................................................... 22
Davis v. Jackson,
No. 15-cv-5359, 2016 WL 5720811 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2016) ................................. 16, 17
Ellis v. Zuck,
546 F.2d 643 (5th Cir. 1977)..................................................................................... 23
Estate of Farrell ex rel. Bennett v. Gordon,
770 A.2d 517 (Del. 2001).......................................................................................... 23
Flight Sci., Inc. v. Cathay Pac. Airways Ltd.,
647 F. Supp. 2d 285 (S.D.N.Y. 2009)........................................................................ 16
Amusement Indus., Inc. v. Stern,
693 F. Supp. 2d 301 (S.D.N.Y. 2010)......................................................................... 18
Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
556 U.S. 662 (2009).................................................................................................... 6
Babcock v. Jackson,
191 N.E.2d 279 (N.Y. 1963)..................................................................................... 19
Banks v. Int’l Rental & Leasing Corp.,
55 V.I. 967 (V.I. 2011)........................................................................................... 21, 25
Brown v. Parkchester S. Condos.,
287 F.3d 58 (2d Cir. 2002)......................................................................................... 17
Christodoulou v. Terde man,
262 A.D.2d 595 (N.Y. App. Div. 1999) ..................................................................... 11
CIT Bank N.A. v. Schiffman,
948 F.3d 529, 537 (2d Cir. 2020), certified question accepted, No. 36, 2020 WL 729773
(N.Y. Feb. 13, 2020) ................................................................................................. 25
Clemens v. Nealon,
202 A.D.2d 247 (N.Y. App. Div. 1994) ................................................................... 7, 9
Crabtree ex. Rel. Kemp v. Estate of Crabtree,
837 N.E.2d 135 (Ind. 2005)..................................................................................... 23
Crawford v. Daly,
55 V.I. 66 (V.I. Super. 2010)..................................................................................... 22
Davis v. Jackson,
No. 15-cv-5359, 2016 WL 5720811 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2016) ................................. 16, 17
Ellis v. Zuck,
546 F.2d 643 (5th Cir. 1977)..................................................................................... 23
Estate of Farrell ex rel. Bennett v. Gordon,
770 A.2d 517 (Del. 2001).......................................................................................... 23
Flight Sci., Inc. v. Cathay Pac. Airways Ltd.,
647 F. Supp. 2d 285 (S.D.N.Y. 2009)........................................................................ 16
iii
Case 1:19-cv-10476-PGG-DCF Document 29 Filed 03/20/20 Page 4 of 31
Funk v. Belneftekhim,
No. 18 Civ. 0376, 2019 WL 3035124 (E.D.N.Y. July 11, 2019)................................ 14, 15
Gallina v. Thatcher,
No. 2017-52980, 2018 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 8435 (Sup. Ct. Oct. 23, 2018).................... 11
Gen. Stencils, Inc. v. Chiappa,
219 N.E.2d 169 (N.Y. 1966)..................................................................................... 14
Gotlin v. Lederman,
No. 05-CV-1899 (ILG), 2006 WL 1154817 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 28, 2006)........................ 15
Gov’t of the V.I. v. Connor,
60 V.I. 597 (V.I. 2016).......................................................................................... 21, 22, 24
Guobadia v. Irowa,
103 F. Supp. 3d 325 (E.D.N.Y. 2015)........................................................................ 17
Hamilton v. Dowson Holding Co.,
51 V.I. 619 (V.I. Super. 2009)..................................................................................... 22
Haralson v. Fisher Surveying, Inc.,
31 P.3d 114 (Ariz. 2001)............................................................................................ 22
Harris v. City of New York,
186 F.3d 243 (2d Cir. 1999)........................................................................................ 7
Hirsch v. Rehs Galleries, Inc.,
No. 18-CV-11864 (VSB), 2020 WL 917213 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 26, 2020) ........................ 15
Hofer v. Lavender,
679 S.W.2d 470 (Tex. 1984)....................................................................................... 23
Hunter v. Palisades Acquisition XVI,
No. 16 Civ. 8779 (ER), 2017 WL 573636 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 16, 2017)............................ 18
Kaopuiki v. Kealoha,
87 P.3d 910 (Haw. Ct. App. 2003)............................................................................... 23
Kashef v. BNP Paribas S.A.,
925 F.3d 53 (2d Cir. 2019)........................................................................................ 6, 9, 12
Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Elec. Mfg. Co.,
313 U.S. 487 (1941)................................................................................................. 19
McElligott v. City of New York,
15-cv-7107, 2017 WL 6210840 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 7, 2017)............................................ 12
No. 18 Civ. 0376, 2019 WL 3035124 (E.D.N.Y. July 11, 2019)................................ 14, 15
Gallina v. Thatcher,
No. 2017-52980, 2018 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 8435 (Sup. Ct. Oct. 23, 2018).................... 11
Gen. Stencils, Inc. v. Chiappa,
219 N.E.2d 169 (N.Y. 1966)..................................................................................... 14
Gotlin v. Lederman,
No. 05-CV-1899 (ILG), 2006 WL 1154817 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 28, 2006)........................ 15
Gov’t of the V.I. v. Connor,
60 V.I. 597 (V.I. 2016).......................................................................................... 21, 22, 24
Guobadia v. Irowa,
103 F. Supp. 3d 325 (E.D.N.Y. 2015)........................................................................ 17
Hamilton v. Dowson Holding Co.,
51 V.I. 619 (V.I. Super. 2009)..................................................................................... 22
Haralson v. Fisher Surveying, Inc.,
31 P.3d 114 (Ariz. 2001)............................................................................................ 22
Harris v. City of New York,
186 F.3d 243 (2d Cir. 1999)........................................................................................ 7
Hirsch v. Rehs Galleries, Inc.,
No. 18-CV-11864 (VSB), 2020 WL 917213 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 26, 2020) ........................ 15
Hofer v. Lavender,
679 S.W.2d 470 (Tex. 1984)....................................................................................... 23
Hunter v. Palisades Acquisition XVI,
No. 16 Civ. 8779 (ER), 2017 WL 573636 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 16, 2017)............................ 18
Kaopuiki v. Kealoha,
87 P.3d 910 (Haw. Ct. App. 2003)............................................................................... 23
Kashef v. BNP Paribas S.A.,
925 F.3d 53 (2d Cir. 2019)........................................................................................ 6, 9, 12
Klaxon Co. v. Stentor Elec. Mfg. Co.,
313 U.S. 487 (1941)................................................................................................. 19
McElligott v. City of New York,
15-cv-7107, 2017 WL 6210840 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 7, 2017)............................................ 12
iv
Case 1:19-cv-10476-PGG-DCF Document 29 Filed 03/20/20 Page 5 of 31
Nat’l Jewish Democratic Council v. Adelson,
No. 18 Civ. 8787 (JPO), 2019 WL 4805719 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2019)........................... 20
Okyere v. Palisades Collection, LLC,
961 F. Supp. 2d 522 (S.D.N.Y. 2013)......................................................................... 19
Ortiz v. Cornetta,
867 F.2d 146 (2d Cir. 1989).................................................................................... 6, 15, 17
Padula v. Lilarn Prop. Corp.,
644 N.E.2d 1001 (N.Y. 1994)..................................................................................... 19
Pappas v. Hotel on the Cay Time-Sharing Ass’n, Inc.,
69 V.I. 3 (V.I. Super. 2015)........................................................................................ 22
Perry v. Melton,
299 S.E.2d 8 (W. Va. 1982)........................................................................................ 22
Tillett v. Lippert,
909 F.2d 1158 (Mont. 1996)........................................................................................ 22
Trustees of N.Y.C. Dist. Council of Carpenters Pension Fund v. Halcyon Constr. Corp.,
No. 15 CIV. 1191 (PGG), 2017 WL 5643603 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2017) (Gardephe, J.) ........ 6
Zimmerman v. Poly Prep Country Day Sch.,
888 F. Supp. 2d 317 (E.D.N.Y. 2012) ........................................................................ 15
Statutes
22 U.S.C. § 7102................................................................................................................... 10
Rules
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12.............................................................................................................. 2, 6, 18
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215......................................................................................................... passim
Other Authorities
Brief of Defendants-Appellees, Kashef v. BNP Paribas S.A.,
No. 18-1304 (2d Cir. Aug. 9, 2018), ECF No. 92 ........................................................ 12
Complaint, GVI v. Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein,
No. ST-20-CV-014 (V.I. Sup. Ct. Jan. 15, 2020) .......................................................... 21
Transcript of Premotion Conference, Farmer v. Indyke, et al.,
No. 19-cv-10475 (LGS) (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 5, 2020) ........................................................ 16
No. 18 Civ. 8787 (JPO), 2019 WL 4805719 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2019)........................... 20
Okyere v. Palisades Collection, LLC,
961 F. Supp. 2d 522 (S.D.N.Y. 2013)......................................................................... 19
Ortiz v. Cornetta,
867 F.2d 146 (2d Cir. 1989).................................................................................... 6, 15, 17
Padula v. Lilarn Prop. Corp.,
644 N.E.2d 1001 (N.Y. 1994)..................................................................................... 19
Pappas v. Hotel on the Cay Time-Sharing Ass’n, Inc.,
69 V.I. 3 (V.I. Super. 2015)........................................................................................ 22
Perry v. Melton,
299 S.E.2d 8 (W. Va. 1982)........................................................................................ 22
Tillett v. Lippert,
909 F.2d 1158 (Mont. 1996)........................................................................................ 22
Trustees of N.Y.C. Dist. Council of Carpenters Pension Fund v. Halcyon Constr. Corp.,
No. 15 CIV. 1191 (PGG), 2017 WL 5643603 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2017) (Gardephe, J.) ........ 6
Zimmerman v. Poly Prep Country Day Sch.,
888 F. Supp. 2d 317 (E.D.N.Y. 2012) ........................................................................ 15
Statutes
22 U.S.C. § 7102................................................................................................................... 10
Rules
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12.............................................................................................................. 2, 6, 18
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 215......................................................................................................... passim
Other Authorities
Brief of Defendants-Appellees, Kashef v. BNP Paribas S.A.,
No. 18-1304 (2d Cir. Aug. 9, 2018), ECF No. 92 ........................................................ 12
Complaint, GVI v. Estate of Jeffrey E. Epstein,
No. ST-20-CV-014 (V.I. Sup. Ct. Jan. 15, 2020) .......................................................... 21
Transcript of Premotion Conference, Farmer v. Indyke, et al.,
No. 19-cv-10475 (LGS) (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 5, 2020) ........................................................ 16
v
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