The facts underlying Ivcher's proposed cross claims have been known to him since no later than 2004, if not as long ago as late 2001. His delay until August 2007 in requesting leave to amend his answer is inexcusable ( see Chichilnisky v Trustees of Columbia Univ. in City of NY., 49 AD3d 388, 389; Spence v Bear Stearns Co., 264 AD2d 601).
Moreover, allowing the proposed amendment, which concerns events that took place no later than 1999, would significantly alter the status of this litigation by adding multiple new cross claims and a new cross-claim plaintiff, effectively resurrecting two cases that, after many years of litigation, are close to being resolved. In any event, the new cross claims are untimely ( see CPLR 213), and the "relation back" provision of CPLR 203 (f) does not apply because "the original pleading does not give notice of the transactions, occurrences, or series of transactions or occurrences, to be proved pursuant to the amended pleading."
We have considered defendants' remaining arguments and find them unavailing.