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[[COURTLISTENER_SUBOPINION {"id":"11166775","type":"100trialcourt","part":"other","author":null,"source_field":"html_with_citations"}]]
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 10/9/2Â Â 025
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK U.S. DISTRICT COURTÂ
--------------------------------------------------------------------X EASTERNÂ DISTRICTÂ OFÂ NEWÂ YORKÂ
CAROL McGUIRE, LONGÂ ISLANDÂ OFFICEÂ
Plaintiff,
MEMORANDUM
AND ORDER
20-CV-02117 (JMW)
-against-
VILLAGE OF HEMPSTEAD, et al.,
Defendants.
--------------------------------------------------------------------X
REGINA PRUITTE,
Plaintiff,
22-CV-03671 (JMW)
-against-
VILLAGE OF HEMPSTEAD, et al.,
Defendants.
--------------------------------------------------------------------X
A P P E A R A N C E S:
Pablo A. Fernandez
Horn Wright, LLP
400 Garden City Plaza, Suite 500
Garden City, NY 11530
Attorney for Plaintiffs
William J. Garry
Harris Beach PLLC
333 Earle Ovington Blvd., Ste. 901
Uniondale, NY 11553
Attorney for Defendants Village of Hempstead, Village of Hempstead Police Department,
Village of Hempstead Police Chief Paul Johnson, Village of Hempstead Police Officer
John Does #1-5
Anthony M. LaPinta
Reynolds, Caronia, Gianelli & La Pinta P.C.
200 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Ste C-17
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Attorneys for Jack Guevrekian
WICKS, Magistrate Judge:
Plaintiffs Carol McGuire and Regina Pruitte (collectively âPlaintiffsâ) each commenced
actions against Defendants Village of Hempstead (âHempsteadâ), Village of Hempstead Police
Department (âHPDâ), and Village of Hempstead Police Chief Paul Johnson (âChief Johnsonâ)
(collectively the âVillage Defendantsâ), and Defendant Jack Guevrekian (âGuevrekianâ). Before
the Court are a series of motions in limine seeking preclusion of evidence, identically filed in
both cases by each of the parties. See 20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 106-08) and 22-cv-3671 (ECF
Nos. 64-66). Oppositions were filed (see 20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 114-18); 22-CV-3671 (ECF
Nos. 72-76)), as well as replies (see 20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 121-23); 22-CV-3671 (ECF Nos.
79-81).) In addition to the motions in limine, the Court is likewise tasked with Guevrekianâs
application to exclude certain witnesses from testifying at trial. See 20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 105)
and 22-cv-3671 (ECF Nos. 63). The Village Defendants and Plaintiffs were directed to file their
positions as to these witnesses, which they did. (See 20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 112-13); 22-CV-
3671 (ECF Nos. 70-71).)
For the reasons that follow, (i) the Motions in Limine (20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 106-08);
22-CV-3671 (ECF No. 64-66)) are GRANTED in part and DENIED in part, and (ii)
Guevrekianâs application (20-CV-2117 (ECF No. 105); 22-CV-3671 (ECF No. 63)) is
GRANTED in part and DENIED in part, as set forth below.1
1 For ease of reference, citations will be made throughout this Order to Pruitte v. Village of Hempstead, et
al., Case No. 22-CV-3671, unless otherwise noted.
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
A motion in limine refers to âany motion, whether made before or during trial, to exclude
anticipated prejudicial evidence before the evidence is actually offered.â Sohnen v. Charter
Commc'ns, Inc.,
761 F. Supp. 3d 556
, 564 (E.D.N.Y. 2025) (quoting Luce v. United States,
469
U.S. 38
, 40 n.2 (1984)).
Courts may preclude evidence âonly when the evidence is clearly inadmissible on all
potential grounds.â Russo v. Nat'l Grid, USA, No. 23-CV-03954 (NCM) (TAM),
2025 WL
2711522
, at *1 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 23, 2025) (quoting Picard v. Sage Realty, Nos. 20-cv-10109, 20-
cv-10057,
2021 WL 5826295
, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 8, 2021)). However, parties are cautioned
that as the trial continues, rulings may change because âthe district court's ruling âconstitutes a
preliminary determination in preparation for trial.ââ
Id.
(quoting Busher v. Barry, No. 14-CV-
04322,
2019 WL 6895281
, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 18, 2019)); Quinton v. Am. Express Co., No.
19-CV-566 (NGG) (JRC),
2025 WL 1994848
, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. July 17, 2025) (same). Courts
determine admissibility and exclusion of evidence pursuant to the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Fed. R. Evid. 402 informs the Court that non-relevant evidence is inadmissible. To be
relevant, the proffered evidence should have âany tendency to make a fact more or less probable
than it would be without the evidence; and the fact is of consequence in determining the action.â
Fed. R. Evid 401; see also N. Am. Soccer League, LLC v. United States Soccer Fed'n, Inc.,
754
F. Supp. 3d 373
, 378 (E.D.N.Y. 2024) (same). This relevancy rule has a âlow threshold,â one
that is âeasily satisfied.â Rosas v. Miri Gen. Contracting Inc.,
782 F. Supp. 3d 15
, 18 (E.D.N.Y.
2025) (citing United States v. Garnes,
102 F.4th 628
, 638 (2d Cir. 2024)). However, the
admissibility of relevant evidence may be challenged. Courts use the balancing test set forth in
Fed. R. Evid. 403 to determine preclusion â that is, relevant evidence may be precluded âif its
probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: unfair
prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly
presenting cumulative evidence.â Fed. R. Evid. 403.
DISCUSSION
The parties seek exclusion of exhibits, testimony, as well as other relief. The Court
analyzes each in turn.
A. Motions to Exclude Exhibits or Other Non-Testimonial Evidence
a. Village Defendantsâ Motion (ECF No. 64)
Village Defendants seek to exclude four trial exhibits that Plaintiffs proposed,
specifically (i) a 2004 report from non-party Nassau County Crime Stoppers (Plaintiffsâ Exhibit
19); (ii) a December 6, 2004 report by the Institute of Rational Counseling (Plaintiffsâ Exhibit
21); (iii) handwritten notes recorded by investigators from the Nassau County District Attorneyâs
Office (âNCDAOâ) (Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 23); and (iv) a New York City Civilian Complaint
Review Board âNYPD Officer Historyâ report for Defendant Guevrekian (Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 28),
on grounds of inadmissible hearsay and Fed. R. Evid. 403. (ECF No. 64 at 1.) Defendant
Guevrekian joins this request. (ECF No. 66 at 2.)
Plaintiffsâ position is that for Exhibits 19 and 21, these documents are offered not for the
truth of the matters asserted therein but rather to show these documents were received by Village
Defendants and to show the effect it had on them as well as to prove notice of Guevrekianâs
misconduct. (ECF No. 74 at 2-3.) As for Exhibit 23, Plaintiffs write that the police report may be
offered under the business record exception or, if the witnesses are to testify, then to refresh their
recollection. (Id. at 3.) Lastly, for Exhibit 28, Plaintiffs contend the document is more probative
than prejudicial. (Id.)
i. Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 19
Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 19 is a Nassau County Crime Stoppers report that contains allegations
of Guevrekianâs misconduct. (See ECF No. 64-1.)
Hearsay is an âout-of-court statement[ ] offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted.â
United States v. Kandic,
134 F.4th 92
, 103 (2d Cir. 2025) (quoting Smith v. Arizona,
602 U.S.
779, 785
(2024)). However, evidence is not considered hearsay, and is therefore not excludable
as such, when offered for a reason other than proving a matter is true, such as demonstrating
notice or the effects the statement had on the listener. See e.g., United States v. Dupree,
706
F.3d 131, 137
(2d Cir. 2013) (â[A] statement is not hearsay where [ ] it is offered, not for its
truth, but to show that a listener was put on noticeâ); DeNigris v. New York City Health & Hosps.
Corp.,
552 F. App'x 3, 6
(2d Cir. 2013) (âWhere statements are offered to show their effect on a
listener's state of mind, they are not hearsayâ); McDonald's Corp. v. Vanderbilt Atl. Holdings
LLC, No. 19-CV-6471 (DLI) (ST),
2025 WL 1826346
, at *3 (E.D.N.Y. July 1, 2025) (quoting
United States v. Watson, No. 23-CR-00082 (EK),
2024 WL 4455773
, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. May 31,
2024) (â[E]vidence introduced to prove the listener's knowledge, or to show that a listener was
put on notice, is not hearsayâ)).
A review of the proposed exhibit and the motion papers reveals that Exhibit 19 is not
sought for the truth therein. Rather, Exhibit 19 is offered to prove that Village Defendants were
on notice of Guevrekianâs alleged misconduct. (ECF No. 74 at 2.) Indeed, the contents of Exhibit
19 are not a narrative of the factual allegations in the instant matters but rather refer to a
complaint that occurred in 2004. (See ECF No. 64-1.) Because Plaintiffs bring claims for
negligent hiring and supervision against the Village Defendants, notice and/or knowledge is an
element required to be proven. See Concepcion v. United States, No. 23-CV-9219 (NGG)
(TAM),
2025 WL 2638469
, at *13 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 12, 2025) (collecting New York cases)
(discussing elements of negligent training or supervision which include notice or knowledge); In
re Roman Cath. Diocese of Rockville Ctr., New York,
651 B.R. 146
, 161 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2023)
(same). Thus, relevancy is met. Defendantsâ remaining argument for exclusion of this Exhibit is
based on hearsay, and the purpose provided by Plaintiffs removes it from the hearsay bucket.
Since Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 19 is non-hearsay it is admissible and may be used at trial for purposes
of notice only.
ii. Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 21
Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 21 is a letter dated December 6, 2004, and signed by Joseph A. Stassi,
Executive Director the Institute of Rational Counseling in connection with an evaluation
performed on Guevrekian following a misconduct complaint. (See ECF No. 64-2.) Although
Plaintiffs aver that this exhibit is to prove notice and the effect on Village Defendants upon
receipt, the Court is not so convinced. (ECF No. 74 at 2.) First, Plaintiffs have not established
what this document provides as to notice. The blanket statement that this Exhibit âis relevant to
the issue of whether or not Village Defendants had notice of Defendant Guevrekianâs alleged
misconduct,â is insufficient. (Id.) Second, this document is considered hearsay because to
determine if it provides ânoticeâ, the jury will necessarily have to consider the truth of the matter
asserted thereinâthat there was a complaint filed, which required a referral to the institute.
Third, even assuming it gets passed a hearsay exception such as a business record, which is
unlikely, a Rule 403 analysis would exclude the exhibit. The Court finds little to no probative
value of this document as (i) the full details of the alleged misconduct were not provided to the
evaluator, (ii) the evaluation was not conducted under regular protocols, and (iii) the relevance
here is unclear. (See ECF No. 64-2.) Therefore, Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 21 is excluded.
iii. Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 23
Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 23 is listed as âNassau County District Attorneyâs Investigation Notesâ
on the proposed Joint Pretrial Order (âJPTOâ) and characterized as handwritten notes by
Defendants. (See ECF Nos. 58 at 13; 64 at 3; 64-3.) Plaintiffs offer this exhibit as a business
record (Fed. R. Evid 803(6)2) or alternatively, as a public record (803(8)3).
However, upon review of the proposed exhibit, the Court is uncertain as to who the
author is as there are different names on certain pages, the notes appear to be taken on various
2 Fed. R. Evid. 803(6) states:
A record of an act, event, condition, opinion, or diagnosis if:
(A) the record was made at or near the time by--or from information transmitted by--
someone with knowledge;
(B) the record was kept in the course of a regularly conducted activity of a business,
organization, occupation, or calling, whether or not for profit;
(C) making the record was a regular practice of that activity;
(D) all these conditions are shown by the testimony of the custodian or another qualified
witness, or by a certification that complies with Rule 902(11) or (12) or with a statute
permitting certification; and
(E) the opponent does not show that the source of information or the method or
circumstances of preparation indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Fed. R. Evid. 803(6).
To that end, Fed. R. Evid. 902(11) regarding authenticity provides that certified domestic records
must meet the requirements of 803(6)(A)-(C) by certification of the custodian or another qualified
witness, and the proponent must give notice of the intent to offer such a record as well as make the record
available for inspection prior to trial or a hearing. See Fed. R. Evid. 902(11).
3 Fed. R. Evid. 803(8) states:
A record or statement of a public office if:
(A) it sets out:
(i) the office's activities;
(ii) a matter observed while under a legal duty to report, but not including, in a criminal
case, a matter observed by law-enforcement personnel; or
(iii) in a civil case or against the government in a criminal case, factual findings from a
legally authorized investigation; and
(B) the opponent does not show that the source of information or other circumstances
indicate a lack of trustworthiness.
Fed. R. Evid. 803(8).
dates, and its authenticity as required either under Rule 803(8) or 902(11) is not met. See United
States v. Conde,
134 F.4th 82
, 88 (2d Cir. 2025) (discussing when a court may admit a record).
In addition, Plaintiffs have not demonstrated that such an investigative file is a document
that is a regular practice. Likewise, Plaintiffs fail to address an issue of double-hearsay â the
report itself and the contents therein. âIt is well established that entries in a police report which
result from the officer's own observations and knowledge may be admitted but that statements
made by third persons under no business duty to report may not.â Parsons v. Honeywell, Inc.,
929 F.2d 901
, 907 (2d Cir. 1991) (quoting United States v. Pazsint,
703 F.2d 420, 424
(9th Cir.
1983) (emphasis in original)); see also Rodriguez v. Mod. Handling Equip. of NJ, Inc.,
604 F.
Supp. 2d 612, 622
(S.D.N.Y. 2009) (internal citations omitted) (âNugent's report relies on
statements from non-parties, ⌠gathered by Nugent in his investigation, which also constitute
hearsay within hearsay. Fed. R. Evid. 805. ⌠The statements must fall into one of the
enumerated exceptions to the hearsay rule under Rule 803 if they are to come in.â).
Accordingly, Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 23 is excluded.
iv. Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 28
Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 28 is a New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board âNYPD
Officer Historyâ report for Guevrekian, also known as a âCCRBâ. (See ECF No. 64-4.) When
CCRBs are requested to be admitted, there is a distinction between whether the document is
substantiated or unsubstantiated. However, the âfact that CCRB complaints are unsubstantiated
does not make them irrelevant and undiscoverable, but if the allegations before the CCRB are
wholly unrelated to the actions alleged in the complaint, their relevance is too tenuous to allow
discovery.â Gibbs v. City of N.Y.,
243 F.R.D. 95, 96
(S.D.N.Y. 2007) (collecting cases); Reyes ex
rel. Reyes v. City of New York, No. 00-CV-2300 (SHS),
2000 WL 1528239
, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Oct.
16, 2000) (same); see also Daniels v. City of New York, No. 13-CV-6286 (PKC),
2014 WL
325934
, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 27, 2014) (discussing that unsubstantiated reports are reviewed on
âcase-specific factorsâ). Moreover, the Second Circuit prompts a 403 analysis here. See Hardy v.
Town of Greenwich,
629 F. Supp. 2d 192, 197
(D. Conn. 2009) (citing Berkovich v. Hicks,
922
F.2d 1018, 1023
(2d Cir. 1991) (âThe Second Circuit has held that evidence of civilian
complaints is properly excluded on Rule 403 grounds where those complaints have been
properly investigated and have been found to be unsubstantiated.â)).
Here, the document itself contains limited information as to a complaint from an incident
that allegedly occurred on August 28, 2002. (ECF No. 64-4.) According to this CCRB, it is
unsubstantiated, and the disposition of the allegations is left blank, which leaves the Court and
later, the jury to speculate. (Id.) Indeed, the CCRB is over twenty years old, has nothing to do
with HPD and is not offered for a non-hearsay reason. The arguments made for its inclusion
merely discuss that the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect (see ECF No. 74 at 3),
and vice-versa for its exclusion (see ECF No. 64 at 4). Given the above, the Court does not find
the probative value of allowing this Exhibit and is concerned that it would mislead the jury rather
than aid their analysis.4 To that end, all Defendants would be harmed if the jury is left to
speculate. (See ECF No. 64 at 4.) Therefore, the prejudicial impact outweighs any probative
value leading to the conclusion that this Exhibit will not be permitted.
Accordingly, only Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 19 is admissible, and Exhibits 21, 23, and 28 are
excluded.
4 Plaintiffs attempt to allude to admitting this evidence pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 405, which allows for
introducing evidence of a personâs character or trait when it is an essential element. See Fed. R. Evid.
405(b). As negligent supervision or retention requires notice, Plaintiffs aver that this exhibit shows that
the prior complaint from 2002 put Village Defendants on notice. (ECF No. 74 at 3.) However, as
established, the probative value does not outweigh the prejudicial effect. See Fed. R. Evid. 403.
b. Plaintiffsâ Motion (ECF No. 65)
i. Village Defendantsâ Exhibits A and B
Plaintiffs seek to preclude Defendantsâ Exhibit A and B as inadmissible hearsay. (ECF
No. 65 at 2.) Exhibit A is an Interview Memorandum of Carol McGuire prepared on June 6,
2019, by Robert A. McHugh (âMcHughâ). (ECF No. 58 at 13.) Exhibit B is an Interview
Memorandum of Regina Pruitte prepared on May 26, 2020, by McHugh. (Id.) However,
Defendant Guevrekian has withdrawn these exhibits (see ECF No. 66 at 7); Village Defendants
have not (see ECF No. 72 at 1). Village Defendants assert that these interviews fall under the
exceptions for hearsay and in addition to that, will be used for impeachment purposes only, as
Plaintiffs have changed their stories. (Id. at 2-3.)
Exhibits A and B contain out-of-court statements provided by Plaintiffs to McHugh.
These documents contain double hearsay. First, the memorandums themselves are notes taken by
McHugh constituting one level of hearsay. Second, the third-party statements provided by
Plaintiffs to McHugh add yet another level of hearsay. In order to be admitted, both must fit into
a hearsay exception or exclusion. See Little v. Cnty. of Nassau,
708 F. Supp. 3d 252
, 264â65
(E.D.N.Y. 2023) (citations omitted) (âPolice reports contain double hearsayâi.e., the first level
being the report itself, and the second level the hearsay in the document. Double hearsay is
admissible if each level of hearsay satisfies a hearsay exception.â); see also Sec. & Exch.
Comm'n v. AT&T, Inc.,
626 F. Supp. 3d 703
, 735 (S.D.N.Y. 2022) (citing Fed. R. Evid. 805)
(âHearsay within hearsay is not excluded by the rule against hearsay if each part of the combined
statements conforms with an exception to the rule.â)
Village Defendants contend that these exhibits meet the business record exception
(803(6)) and the statements themselves by Plaintiffs are opposing party statements (801(d)(2)).
(ECF No. 72 at 1-3.) The Court agrees that Plaintiffsâ statements within the exhibits are
considered opposing party statements. See Spiegel v. Schulmann,
604 F.3d 72, 82
(2d Cir. 2010)
(âFederal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(2) specifically provides that a statement is not hearsay if it is
offered against a party and is either (A) the party's own statement, in either an individual or a
representative capacity or ... (D) a statement by the party's agent or servant concerning a matter
within the scope of the agency or employment, made during the existence of the relationship.â)
The Second Circuit âfavors the admission of evidence rather than its exclusion if it has
any probative value at all,â in connection with business records. United States v. Kaiser,
609
F.3d 556, 574
(2d Cir. 2010) (internal citations omitted). However, at the outset, the Court notes
that these proposed exhibits were not provided to the Court. Furthermore, Defendants have
offered no declaration or affidavit supporting that these documents were made at or near the time
of the events, that they were made and kept in the regular course of business, that making these
records was a regular practice, and that an affidavit or declaration from a custodian or other
qualified witness, or by a certification that complies with Rule 902(11) or (12) or with a statute
permitting certification. See Fed. R. Evid. 803(6). Furthermore, Plaintiffs and McHugh are
expected to take the stand and may be questioned as to the facts and circumstances surrounding
the interviews. Although the notes may be used to refresh recollection of witnesses on the stand,
Exhibits A and B are not admissible.
ii. Defendantsâ Exhibit C
Next, Plaintiff McGuire withdraws her objection to Defendantsâ Exhibit C, and all
Defendants have withdrawn this Exhibit. (See ECF Nos. 65 at 2; 66 at 7; 72 at 1.) Exhibit C is a
Memorandum of the Office of the NCDAO titled âPC 19-55 â HPD Sex Assault Investigationâ
from Nadeau-Balducci to Christine Maloney, Bureau Chief, and Rob Cavallo, Deputy Bureau
Chief dated November 21, 2019. (Id. at 13-14.) Therefore, this is now moot and Exhibit C will
not be admitted at trial.
iii. Exhibit E
Plaintiffs seek to preclude Defendantsâ Exhibits E because it is âunduly prejudicial.â
(ECF No. 65 at 2-3.) Guevrekian has withdrawn Exhibit E, but Village Defendants have not.
(See ECF Nos. 76 at 1; 72 at 3.) Village Defendants assert that they should be able to use a report
that contains Plaintiff McGuireâs records of convictions to at least show truthfulness. (ECF No.
72 at 3.) In particular Village Defendants state that Plaintiff McGuireâs prior petit larceny
convictions should be permitted. (Id.) The Court again has not been provided with this exhibit.
Fed. R. Evid. 609 in relevant part states that âfor any crime regardless of the punishment,
the evidence must be admitted if the court can readily determine that establishing the elements of
the crime required proving â or the witnessâs admitting â a dishonest act or false statement.â
Fed. R. Evid. 609(a)(2). It follows, therefore, â[c]rimes that come under Rule 609(a)(2) are
âautomatically admissibleâ for impeachment purposes as they bear on a witness's propensity to
testify truthfully.â Monroe v. Town of Haverstraw,
639 F. Supp. 3d 459
, 464 (S.D.N.Y. 2022).
Village Defendants attempt to introduce crimes of petit larceny. However, the Second Circuit
when evaluating Rule 609, does not recognize such prior convictions when it comes to
truthfulness. See United States v. Hayes,
553 F.2d 824, 827
(2d Cir. 1977) (internal citations
omitted) (âThe use of the second prong of Rule 609(a) is thus restricted to convictions that bear
directly on the likelihood that the defendant will testify truthfully (and not merely on whether he
has a propensity to commit crimes). It follows that crimes of force, such as armed robbery or
assault, or crimes of stealth, such as burglary, or petit larceny, do not come within this clause.â);
Rahman v. Lee, No. 23-CV-5665 (LAP),
2024 WL 4043697
, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 4, 2024)
(collecting cases) (ââ[C]rimes of force, such as armed robbery or assault,â as well as âcrimes of
stealth, such as burglary,â do not require proving an element of a dishonest act or false statement
and thus do not come within the ambit of Rule 609(a)(2).â); Dougherty v. Cnty. of Suffolk, No.
CV 13-6493 (AKT),
2018 WL 1902336
, at *3 (E.D.N.Y. Apr. 20, 2018) (âConvictions for âŚ
petit larceny have been deemed to fall outside the ambit of this ruleâ). Thus, Rule 609(a)(2) does
not apply, and Village Defendants have not proffered any other theory of admissibility.
Accordingly, Exhibit E is excluded.
iv. Exhibit F and G
Plaintiffs likewise sought to preclude Defendantsâ Exhibits F and G because these
documents are âunduly prejudicial.â (ECF No. 65 at 2-3.) At this stage, all Defendants withdrew
these exhibits. (ECF Nos. 72 at 3; 76 at 1.) Therefore, this part of the motion is now moot and
Exhibits F and G will not be admitted at trial.
c. Defendant Guevrekianâs Motion (ECF No. 66)
Defendant Guevrekian also seeks preclusion of (i) any testimony or evidence of prior or
subsequent allegations regarding misconduct or disciplinary history of Guevrekian, (ii)
referencing the related actions that have been dismissed, and (iii) any ask of a specific dollar
amount from the jury by Plaintiffs. (ECF No. 66 at 3-6.) Moreover, Guevrekian asserts that any
emotional damages claim should be limited to the âgarden-varietyâ type. (Id. at 6.) The Village
Defendants join in these requests. (ECF No. 73 at 1-2.)
i. Prior or Subsequent Allegations and Related Actions
Plaintiffs state that any evidence that includes Guevrekianâs prior acts should be included
for non-hearsay purposes such as notice or effect on the listener. (ECF No. 75 at 3.) Guevrekian
cites to Plaintiffsâ Exhibit 28, which this Court has already concluded supra is inadmissible.
Without any other specific exhibits to analyze, this request is simply not ripe for decision.
However, the Court notes that as for any related actions or references to other alleged
victims, Fed. R. Evid. 415 is instructive. Rule 415 states that in civil cases where ârelief based on
a party's alleged sexual assault or child molestation, the court may admit evidence that the party
committed any other sexual assault or child molestation. The evidence may be considered as
provided in Rules 413 and 414.â Fed. R. Evid. 415. Indeed, Rule 415 is broad and allows
evidence that otherwise and usually would not be admitted. See Carroll v. Trump,
124 F.4th 140
,
154 (2d Cir. 2024) (citations omitted) (emphasis in original) (âRules 413 and 415 permit a jury
to consider evidence of a different sexual assault âprecisely to show that a defendant has a
pattern or propensity for committing sexual assault,â ⌠Rule 413 permits the jury to consider the
evidence âon any matter to which it is relevant.ââ) âThat is, like its companions, Rules 413 and
414, Rule 415 âreflects an exception in [cases involving] sex crimes to the common law practice
of excluding propensity evidence.ââ Boyce v. Weber, No. 19-CV-3825 (JMF),
2021 WL
2821154
, at *8 (S.D.N.Y. July 7, 2021) (quoting United States v. Spoor,
904 F.3d 141, 154
(2d
Cir. 2018)). Fed. R. Evid. 403 still applies if the otherwise admissible evidence is found more
prejudicial than probative. See Carroll v. Trump,
141 F.4th 366
, 391 (2d Cir. 2025).
Here, the crux of this case is the alleged sexual assaults by Guevrekian. (See generally,
ECF No. 33.) Thus, relevancy is satisfied and such evidence would likely be admissible under
Rule 415. (See ECF No. 66 at 5.) Even applying the Rule 403 analysis, evidence of other victims
or the now-closed related actions is highly probative to Plaintiffsâ cases. See Doe v. Gooding,
No. 20-CV-06569 (PAC),
2023 WL 3805836
, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. June 2, 2023) (âNor does Rule
403 warrant exclusion or any of the women's testimony. The prior acts are sufficiently similar to
Plaintiff's allegations because all involve sudden sexual assaults or attempted sexual assaults
connected with the DefendantâŚ.â)
Guevrekianâs argument that any probative value is outweighed by the prejudice
Defendant would suffer is unavailing. Guevrekian does not outline what prejudice he would
suffer and Rule 415âs broad definitions found in Rule 413 inform the Court otherwise. In any
event, the jury could have a limiting instruction as to what to consider, if the parties move for
such, which at this juncture no party has. See Fed. R. Evid. 105; see also United States v. Fox,
No. 23-CR-227 (NGG),
2025 WL 2076664
, at *20 (E.D.N.Y. July 23, 2025) (âThe court will
provide a limiting instruction if so requested.â); see also Lewis v. City of Albany Police Dep't,
547 F. Supp. 2d 191, 200
(N.D.N.Y. 2008), aff'd,
332 F. App'x 641
(2d Cir. 2009) (finding the
probative value of prior complaints coupled with a limiting instruction, outweighed any
prejudice).
Accordingly, Plaintiffs are permitted to introduce evidence of prior sexual allegations
or related actions in accordance with Fed. R. Evid. 415.
ii. Specific Dollar Amount Request
Guevrekian next requests that no specific dollar amount should be mentioned to the jury
when determining damages. (ECF No. 66 at 6.) Plaintiffs oppose. (ECF No. 75 at 3.)
The Second Circuit has yet to adopt a âper se rule about the propriety of suggested
monetary awards for pain and suffering.â White v. CSX Transportation, Inc., No. 19-CV-500
(SR),
2024 WL 3522493
, at *1 (W.D.N.Y. July 24, 2024) (citing Consorti v. Armstrong World
Indus., Inc.,
72 F.3d 1003, 1016
(2d Cir. 1995), vacated on other grounds,
518 U.S. 1031
(1996)). That is because jurors might be misled to believing that the number provided is a result
of legal authority. Id. Some Courts have followed a more âflexible approachâ that is, a
discretionary basis to allow specific dollar amounts so long as the jury is cautioned not to be
unduly influenced by such a figure. See Lightfoot v. Union Carbide Corp.,
110 F.3d 898
, 912 (2d
Cir. 1997) (âIt is best left to the discretion of the trial judge, who may either prohibit counsel
from mentioning specific figures or impose reasonable limitations, including cautionary jury
instructions.â); see also Jean-Laurent v. Hennessy,
840 F. Supp. 2d 529, 558
(E.D.N.Y. 2011)
(âConsequently, the court will not permit plaintiff to submit to the jury a specific dollar amount
regarding his damages for pain and suffering. The court will, however, allow plaintiff to submit
to the jury a specific dollar amount regarding other compensable damages he allegedly suffered
if he presents admissible evidence to support a finding of such damages during his case in
chief.â).
As such, Plaintiffs may not request a specific dollar amount for any pain or suffering
damages that they seek. See Kalyna v. City of New York, No. 16-CV-00273 (CLP),
2018 WL
11361019
, at *9 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 11, 2018) (precluding counsel from recommending numbers for
pain and suffering to the jury). However, as to past economic and compensable losses, if any â
not pain and suffering â Plaintiffs would be permitted to request specific sums that are
established by sufficient evidence for the jury to consider, which the Court will consider at the
close of evidence prior to summations. See Milien v. City of New York - Dep't of Educ., No. 20-
CV-480 (MKB),
2024 WL 4333657
, at *9 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2024) (âAs to other compensable
damages, the Court reserves decision until trial.â) And, out of an abundance of caution, the
Court, if necessary, âwill instruct the jury, as it always does, that statements by lawyers are not
evidence or the law that they are to follow when they begin their deliberations.â Edwards v. City
of New York, No. 08-CV-2199 (TLM),
2011 WL 2748665
, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. July 13, 2011).
Therefore, specific dollar amounts for pain and suffering are not permitted.
iii. Garden Variety Emotional Damages
Next, Guevrekian contends that any emotional damages claim should be limited to the
âgarden-varietyâ type. (ECF No. 66 at 6.) Plaintiffs do not dispute this nor do Plaintiffs seek
other damages apart from the garden variety5. (ECF No. 75 at 4.) Therefore, this portion of the
motion is moot now and if there are verdicts for Plaintiffs on emotional damages, that may be
addressed in post-trial motions.
B. Motions to Exclude Witnesses and Testimony
a. Defendant Guevrekianâs Motion (ECF No. 66)
Guevrekian asks that certain witnesses be precluded from testifying at trial. (ECF No. 66
at 3.) Village Defendants join in for the same reasons. (ECF No. 73.)
For clarity, in Guevrekian's opposition to a recently decided motion to compel (see ECF
Nos. 60, 69), he requested that the Court exclude witnesses McHugh, Detective Investigator for
NCDAO; Edward Maley (âMaleyâ), Detective Investigator for NCDAO; Sarah Nadeau-Balducci
(âNadeau-Balducciâ), former Assistant District Attorney for Nassau County; Daniel J. Schmidt
5 The Second Circuit awards emotional damages one of three ways: garden-variety, significant or
egregious. See Olsen v. Cnty. of Nassau,
615 F. Supp. 2d 35, 46
(E.D.N.Y. 2009).
In garden-variety claims, the evidence of emotional harm is limited to the plaintiff's
testimony, which describes his of her injuries in vague or conclusory terms, and fails to
relate the severity or consequences of the injury. These claims typically lack extraordinary
circumstances and are not supported by medical testimony. Significant emotional distress
claims are based on more substantial harm or offensive conduct and may be supported by
medical testimony, evidence of treatment by a healthcare professional, and testimony from
other witnesses. Egregious emotional distress claims yield the highest awards and are
warranted only where the employer's conduct was outrageous and shockingâŚ.
DeCurtis v. Upward Bound Int'l, Inc., No. 09-CV-5378 (RJS),
2011 WL 4549412
, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. Sept.
27, 2011) (internal citations omitted). The general range for such awards are $30,000 to $125,000. See
e.g., Nnebe v. Daus, No. 06-CV-4991 (RJS),
2024 WL 4182600
, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 13, 2024);
Fresh Air for Eastside, Inc. v. Waste Mgmt. of New York, L.L.C., No. 18-CV-6588 (FPG),
2023 WL
6121169
, at *9 (W.D.N.Y. Sept. 19, 2023); Wonzer v. Hernandez, No. 20-CV-10836 (JLR) (JW),
2023
WL 4841899
, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. July 28, 2023).
(âSchmidtâ), FBI Agent; and Samantha Alessi (âAlessiâ), Assistant U.S. Attorney. (ECF No. 63
at 2.) Guevrekian argues that McHugh, Maley and Nedeau-Balducci were never identified by the
Village Defendants until the JPTO was submitted and the subsequent supplemental Rule 26
disclosure statement. (Id.) The Village Defendants do not object to this request and now
withdraw these witnesses from their witness trial list. (ECF No. 70.)
Plaintiffs, on the other hand, argue that in an email exchange between the parties on
September 11, 2025, Guevrekian stated he did not object to calling witnesses McHugh, Maley
and Nedeau-Balducci, but now seeks to challenge the inclusion of such witnesses. (ECF No. 71
at 1.) Moreover, these three witnesses appeared in a file provided to Defendants in June of 2022
from the NCDAO relating to Plaintiff McGuireâs complaint against Guevrekian. (Id.)
Nonetheless, Plaintiffs contend that testimony from these witnesses is âextremely probativeâ
because they can testify to the complaints provided that gave rise to this action. (Id. at 2.)
Plaintiffs rely on certain exhibits that Defendant listed on the JPTO (Exhibits A, B and C6) that
include records authored by these witnesses. (Id.) However, a review of the subsequent motion in
limine filed by Guevrekian illustrates that these exhibits are now withdrawn. (See ECF No. 66 at
7.) Likewise, Village Defendants have now withdrawn Exhibit C, but not Exhibits A and B as
previously discussed. (See ECF No. 72 at 2-3.)
Guevrekian also contends that Schmidt and Alessi â who were identified in Plaintiffsâ
JPTO witness list â should likewise be excluded. (See ECF Nos. 63 at 2; 66 at 3.) Though no
explanation or reason was provided in the instant motion, Guevrekian elaborated on his
6 For reference, Exhibit A is an Interview Memorandum of Carol McGuire prepared on June 6, 2019, by
McHugh. (ECF No. 58 at 13.) Exhibit B is an Interview Memorandum of Regina Pruitte prepared on May
26, 2020, by McHugh. (Id.) Exhibit C is a Memorandum of the Office of the NCDA titled âPC 19-55 â
HPD Sex Assault Investigationâ from Nadeau-Balducci to Christine Maloney, Bureau Chief, and Rob
Cavallo, Deputy Bureau Chief dated November 21, 2019. (Id. at 13-14.) However, the admissibility of
these exhibits has been addressed above or withdrawn.
reasoning in his subsequent motion in limine. (See ECF No. 66 at 3.) In that motion, he argues
that because Schmidt and Alessi were not disclosed until the âeve of trialâ then pursuant to Fed.
R. Civ. P. 26 and 37, they should be precluded. (Id.) The Village Defendants join Guevrekianâs
request to exclude Schmidt and Alessi for the same reasons. (ECF No. 70.)
Plaintiffs aver that Guevrekian has been aware of Schmidt and Alessi since March of
2024 due to the previous on-going investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorneyâs Office. (ECF
No. 71 at 2; see also ECF Nos. 39, 43.) Thus, Plaintiffs see no valid reason to preclude these
witnesses. (ECF No. 71 at 2.)
Lastly, Guevrekian and Village Defendants argue that Michael Nolan (âNolanâ), Crissana
Loraine Goldfarb (âGoldfarbâ), and Victoria Birnbaum (âBirnbaumâ) should be excluded for
similar reasons. (ECF No. 66 at 3; 73 at 1.) By contrast, Plaintiffs argue that these witnesses to
be included as disclosure was provided in discovery. (ECF No. 75 at 2.)
In sum, Defendants argue that under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26 and 37, the above witnesses
should be precluded. (See ECF Nos. 63 at 2; 66 at 3; 70; 73 at 1.) â[A] party must, without
awaiting a discovery request, provide to the other parties the name and, if known, the address
and telephone number of each individual likely to have discoverable information--along with the
subjects of that information--that the disclosing party may use to support its claims or
defensesâŚ.â Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(1)(A)(i). These so-called âinitial disclosuresâ do not cease
once made. Rather, this obligation continues throughout litigation, namely, to supplement.
A party who has made a disclosure under Rule 26(a)--or who has responded to an
interrogatory, request for production, or request for admission--must supplement or
correct its disclosure or response: in a timely manner if the party learns that in some
material respect the disclosure or response is incomplete or incorrect, and if the
additional or corrective information has not otherwise been made known to the
other parties during the discovery process or in writing; or as ordered by the court.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(e).
The Federal Rules make clear that when âa party fails to provide information or identify a
witness as required by Rule 26(a) or (e), the party is not allowed to use that information or
witness to supply evidence on a motion, at a hearing, or at a trial, unless the failure was
substantially justified or is harmless.â Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(1) (emphasis added).
In order to determine whether testimony should be permitted after a partyâs failure to
disclose as required by Rule 26, courts undertake an analysis applying the following factors:
(1) the party's explanation for the failure to comply with the discovery [obligation];
(2) the importance of the testimony of the precluded witness;
(3) the prejudice suffered by the opposing party as a result of having to prepare to
meet the new testimony; and
(4) the possibility of a continuance.
Bovell v. City of Mount Vernon, New York, No. 21-CV-1621 (AEK),
2023 WL 3559544
, at *10
(S.D.N.Y. May 18, 2023) (citing Chamberlain v. City of White Plains,
960 F.3d 100
, 117 (2d
Cir. 2020)).
Wide discretion lies with the District Court when determining preclusion. See
McDonald's Corp. v. Vanderbilt Atl. Holdings LLC, No. 19-CV-6471 (DLI) (ST),
2024 WL
4349476
, at *5 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2024); Design Strategy. Inc. v. Davis,
469 F.3d 284
, 297 (2d
Cir. 2006).
Each is now considered in turn.
i. Witnesses McHugh, Maley and Nedeau-Balducci
A review of the filings demonstrates that Maley and Nedeau-Balducci were only listed
on Defendantsâ potential witness list. (See ECF No. 58 at 8-11.) Now that all Defendants have
withdrawn these witnesses, and Plaintiffs never included these names on their own list, these
witnesses are precluded. As per the undersignedâs Individual Practice Rules regarding JPTOs,
â[o]nly listed witnesses will be permitted to testify except for good cause shown.â (See Rule
6(A)(8).) Likewise, Exhibit C that includes Nedeau-Balducci is withdrawn and there are no listed
exhibits that include Maley. Therefore, Maley and Nedeau-Balducci are precluded from
testifying. See Marshak v. Green,
89 F.R.D. 637, 638
(S.D.N.Y. 1981) (âHe was not listed as a
witness in the pretrial order; if pretrial orders are to have any force, they must be adhered to at
trial. There was no adequate explanation for failure to include him as a proposed witness.â)
Next as for McHugh, Plaintiffs did include this witness on their pretrial list. (ECF No. 58
at 9.) In addition, Exhibits A and B were authored by McHugh. Although Guevrekian has
withdrawn Exhibits A and B, Village Defendants have not. Village Defendantsâ reasoning to
keep Exhibits A-B for trial and their admissibility has been addressed above.7 (See ECF No. 72
at 1-2.) Given that McHughâs identity was provided back in June of 2022 (see ECF No. 71 at 1),
the fact that McHugh was on Defendantsâ original witness lists (see ECF No. 58), and the
Village Defendants insistence on keeping Exhibits A and B in evidence (see ECF No 72 at 1-2),
Defendants cannot argue this was an âeve of trialâ disclosure.
Moreover, the Court finds the probative value of McHughâs testimony outweighs any
prejudice to Defendants. McHughâs testimony is relevant as he was the investigator interviewing
Plaintiffs as to Guevrekianâs alleged conduct. See N. Am. Soccer League, LLC, 754 F. Supp. 3d
at 378 (discussing relevancy standards). Using Rule 403âs balancing test, McHughâs testimony is
likely to shed light as to the âcontemporaneous complaints about the conduct giving rise to this
action.â (ECF No. 71 at 2.) Notably, Defendants fail to argue that there is any prejudice by
allowing his testimony but rather focus on Rules 26 and 37 for preclusion. Therefore, Plaintiffs
may call McHugh as a witness at trial in connection with the interviews.
7 The reason for this statement is to further illustrate that McHughâs identity is not uncommon or a
surprise to Defendants.
ii. Witnesses Nolan, Goldfarb and Birnbaum
Plaintiffs contend that Nolan, Plaintiffâs McGuireâs prior attorney was present during the
time period when she made her criminal complaints and at a 50-H hearing back in October of
2019. (ECF No. 75 at 2.) The transcript from the 50-H hearing was allegedly provided within
Plaintiff McGuireâs document production. (Id.) However, the reason or the contents to what
Nolan would testify to are absent. Nolan was not offered or portrayed as a key witness, and
Plaintiff McGuire may testify to her complaints and the 50-H proceedings. Reviewing the factors
for preclusion, (i) it appears that Plaintiffs did comply with producing Nolanâs identity, (ii) the
testimony that would be heard by Nolan is unclear as to relevancy and thereby likely not
important, (iii) Defendants would be prejudiced by having to either depose or further prepare
with less than two weeks left before trial begins and (iv) there will be no continuance. See
Chamberlain, 960 F.3d at 117. Nolan, therefore, is precluded from testifying.
Next, Goldfarb and Birnbaum are other alleged victims of Guevrekianâs conduct. (ECF
No. 75 at 2.) According to Plaintiffs, Goldfarb was disclosed back in August of 2023 when
Plaintiff Regina Pruitte served second amended responses to Village Defendantsâ first set of
interrogatories. (Id.) Likewise, Birnbaum was disclosed by the Village Defendants in their
document production. (Id.) (citing HPD-000022-23.) Given that these disclosures were made and
relevancy is clear here, prior alleged victims to a case that is based on similar allegations, their
testimony would be pertinent. Although prejudice to Defendants is the time to depose these
witnesses, the importance and probative value of these witnesses will outweigh that. See
Chamberlain, 960 F.3d at 117; see also Fed. R. Evid. 403.8
8 Fed. R. Evid. 415 is also relevant here. See Fed. R. Evid. 415 (âIn a civil case involving a claim for
relief based on a partyâs alleged sexual assault or child molestation, the court may admit evidence that the
party committed any other sexual assault or child molestation.â)
Accordingly, Goldfarb and Birnbaum are permitted to testify at trial. It follows,
therefore, that Defendants are permitted to depose both Goldfarb and Birnbaum.
iii. Witnesses Schmidt and Alessi
As for witnesses Schmidt and Alessi, Defendants argue that it was not until the JPTO that
Schmidt and Alessi were disclosed by Plaintiffs as potential witnesses. âThe purpose of the [Rule
26] is to prevent the practice of âsandbaggingâ an opposing party with new evidence.â Haas v.
Delaware & Hudson Ry. Co.,
282 F. App'x 84, 86
(2d Cir. 2008) (quoting Ebewo v. Martinez,
309 F.Supp.2d 600, 607
(S.D.N.Y.2004)). To ensure Rule 26 is satisfied, âparties must make an
unequivocal statement that they may rely upon an individual on a motion or at trial.â Badolato v.
Long Island Rail Rd. Co., No. 14-CV-1528 (AKT),
2016 WL 6236311
, at *4 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 25,
2016) (quoting Lujan v. Cabana Mgmt., Inc.,
284 F.R.D. 50, 73
(E.D.N.Y. 2012)).
An analysis of the factors for preclusion leads to a determination that preclusion of these
witnesses is warranted under the circumstances presented. See Chamberlain, 960 F.3d at 117.
First, although the identities of these witnesses are not new to Defendant Guevrekian as he was
aware of the ongoing investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorneyâs Office, (see ECF Nos. 71 at
2, 39, 43), there is no evidence that throughout discovery these witnesses were disclosed by
Plaintiffs. Second, there has been no proffer to the Court of the nature or scope of anticipated
testimony from these witnesses, so relevance is unclear and questionable. Third, assuming that
these witnesses would testify to Guevrekianâs alleged conduct or the contents of the
investigation, the prejudicial impact would outweigh any marginal probative value. See Fed. R.
Evid. 403. Allowing these witnesses to proceed to trial could also cause confusion or mislead the
jury from focusing on the issues to be tried. See Bermudez v. City of New York, No. 15-CV-3240
(KAM) (RLM),
2019 WL 136633
, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 8, 2019) (citations omitted) (âIn making
a Rule 403 determination, courts should ask whether the evidence's proper value âis more than
matched by [the possibility] ... that it will divert the jury from the facts which should control
their verdict.ââ); see also Est. of Jaquez v. Flores, No. 10-CV-2881 (KBF),
2016 WL 1060841
, at
*1 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 17, 2016) (stating that under Fed. R. Evid. 403, â[d]istrict courts have broad
discretion to balance probative value against possible prejudiceâ). As for the last factor,
possibility of continuance, that is impracticable given the proximity to the trial date nor has any
party requested so. See Wolak v. Spucci,
217 F.3d 157, 161
(2d Cir. 2000) (âA delay of the trial
might have cured that prejudice, but ⌠there was no request for an adjournment.â). The trial
will proceed as scheduled. Accordingly, Schmidt and Alessi are not permitted to testify.
b. Plaintiffsâ Motion (ECF No. 65)
Plaintiffs seek an order precluding Guevrekian from testifying at trial following his
pattern of asserting the Fifth Amendment right to remain silent at depositions. (ECF No. 65 at 2.)
Recently, Guevrekian has withdrawn himself as a witness. (ECF No. 76 at 1.) The Village
Defendants took no position as to this portion of Plaintiffsâ motion. (ECF No. 72 at 1.)
Accordingly, this matter is now moot.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Motions to Limine in 20-CV-2117 (ECF Nos. 106-08) and
22-cv-3671 (ECF No. 64-66) are GRANTED in part and DENIED in part, and Guevrekianâs
application (20-CV-2117 (ECF No. 105); 22-CV-3671 (ECF No. 63)) is GRANTED in part and
DENIED in part.
Dated: Central Islip, New York
October 9, 2025
S O O R D E R E D:
James M. Wicks
/S/_
JAMES M. WICKS
United States Magistrate JudgeCase Information
- Court
- E.D.N.Y
- Decision Date
- October 9, 2025
- Status
- Precedential