O'LEARY v. NOUTSIS

ORDERED that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, with costs.

A defendant seeking to vacate a default in appearing or answering must demonstrate a justifiable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense (see CPLR 5015[a][1]; Gray v. B.R. Trucking Co., 59 N.Y.2d 649, 650; Cilindrello v. Rayabin, 297 A.D.2d 699; cf. Fidelity Deposit Co. of Md. v. Arthur Andersen Co., 60 N.Y.2d 693, 695). The appellant failed to demonstrate either a reasonable excuse for his default or a meritorious defense (see State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. v. Bongiorno, 237 A.D.2d 31, 35; Moore v. Claudio, 224 A.D.2d 502, 503; Passalacqua v. Banat, 103 A.D.2d 769). Thus, the Supreme Court providently exercised its discretion in denying the relief requested by the appellant.

SANTUCCI, J.P., KRAUSMAN, McGINITY, SCHMIDT and CRANE, JJ., concur.