From the KBM note if the loan is paid off early th
Post# of 15187
"In addition, the late charge provision of the letter agreement, which awarded a 120% per annum penalty, "while not technically interest, is unreasonable and confiscatory in nature and therefore unenforceable when examined in the light of the public policy expressed in Penal Law § 190.40, which makes an interest charge of more than 25% per annum a criminal offense" (Sandra's Jewel Box v 401 Hotel, 273 AD2d 1, 3 [2000]; see also BDO Seidman v Hirshberg, 93 [*5]NY2d 382 [1999]; Quaker Oats Co. v Reilly, 274 AD2d 565 [2000]). "The showing, as here, that the [letter agreement] reserves to the lender an illegal rate of interest satisfies [defendant's] burden of proving a usurious loan" (Matter of Dane, 55 AD2d 224, 226 [1976]; see also Hammond v Marrano, 88 AD2d 758 [1982]). This evidence shifts the burden to plaintiff, requiring it to produce evidence negating the application of the usury defense."