conclusions. Plaintiffs have neither rebutted the
collateral estoppel bar to pursuit of this action, nor controverted the
documentary evidence presented, including their statements in open court on the
record.
ARGUMENT IN REPLY
Plaintiffs’ Opposition Fails To Overcome The
Collateral Estoppel Bar To Pursuit Of This Action
The Actual Legal Standard On This Motion
3. At
the outset, it is significant to recognize that plaintiffs rely on the wrong
standard of review for the instant motion by asserting "the sole criteria
on a §321 1(a)(7) motion to dismiss is whether the complaint states a cause of
action." See Plaintiffs’ Joint Affidavits in Opposition at ¶42.
However, where, as here, plaintiffs have submitted evidentiary material for
consideration, including their own affidavits as part of their opposition, the
appropriate inquiry in determining a motion to dismiss is whether plaintiffs, in
fact, have a cause of action not whether they have merely stated one. Steiner
v. Lazzaro & Gregory, P.C., 271 A.D.2d 596, 706, N.Y.S.2d 157 (2d
Dep’t 2000).
4. Moreover, although generally on a
motion to dismiss a complaint for failure to state a cause of action pursuant to
CPLR §321 1(a)(7), the facts pled are presumed to be true and are accorded
every favorable inference, "where, as here, the allegations consist of bare
legal conclusions, as well as factual claims either inherently incredible or
flatly contradicted by documentary evidence, they are not entitled to such
consideration." Beattie v. Brown & Wood, 243 A.D.2d 395, 663
N.Y.S.2d 199 (1st Dep’t 1997). Accordingly, contrary to plaintiffs’
contention (see Plaintiffs’ Joint Affidavit in Opposition, ¶ 41), plaintiffs’
allegations and conclusions do not enjoy a favorable
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