Van Wyck v. Walters , 23 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 209 ( 1878 )

Pratt, J.:

Stout v. Rider (12 Hun, 574), and cases there cited, seem' to be authority that the trust fund will not be damnified by the unauthorized act of one of three trustees, in taking more than seven per cent per annum for the forbearance of money.

The respondent argues that we should not apply that doctrine to the case at bar, for the reason, as he claims, that affirmative proof was not given that the two other trustees were ignorant of the usury charged upon Blunt. But the testimony of Blunt, to the effect that he did accept usury, certainly tends to show that the other trustees did not know of his accepting it, and there is no testimony to show that they did not know of his taking it.

If a presumption of law exists that the act of one trustee is the act of all, it certainly cannot extend to the case of an act that is expressly forbidden by law. It will not be contended that the other trustees could be convicted criminally of taking usui-y, upon proof that their co-trustee had taken it. Why should a different rule be applied in civil cases?

It follows from these views that the fourth finding of fact, to wit, that the moneys were retained by Odell as agent for “ the plaintiff,” is not sustained by the evidence, and the judgment should be reversed upon the facts, and a now trial ordered, with costs to abide the event.

Present — Barnard, P. J., and Pratt, J.

Judgment reversed and new trial granted, costs to abide event.