The third amended complaint's cause of action for defamation is not time barred since it merely expands upon and relates back to the defamation claims made in the first, timely amended complaint (CPLR 203 [f]; see, Kaplan v. K. Ginsburg, Inc., 8 A.D.2d 726). Moreover, the defamation causes of action were pleaded with sufficient specificity (CPLR 3016 [a]).
We have considered all other issues and find them to be meritless.
Concur — Rosenberger, J.P., Asch, Rubin, Williams and Tom, JJ.