Ordered that the order is reversed, on the law, with costs, the defendant's motion is granted, and the complaint is dismissed.
The plaintiff failed to comply with General Municipal Law § 50-h. Therefore, he was precluded from commencing this action ( see, Arcila v Incorporated Vil. of Freeport, 231 AD2d 660; Schrader v Town of Orangetown, 226 AD2d 620; Hill v New York City Tr. Auth., 206 AD2d 969; General Municipal Law § 50-h).
Even if the plaintiff had complied with General Municipal Law § 50-h, the defendant established its entitlement to dismissal of the complaint on an alternative ground. Truth is an absolute defense to an action based on defamation ( see, Rinaldi v Holt, Rinehart Winston, 42 NY2d 369, cert denied 434 US 969; Schiffer v Tarrytown Boat Club, 219 AD2d 704, appeal dismissed 87 NY2d 916, cert denied "US", 117 S Ct 172; Smith v United Church Ministry, 212 AD2d 1038), and the defendant presented documentary evidence establishing the truth of the alleged defamatory statements.