N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 70: Vexatious suits

§ 70. Vexatious suits. If a person vexatiously or maliciously, in the

name of another but without the latter's consent, or in the name of an

unknown person, commences or continues, or causes to be commenced or

continued, an action or special proceeding, in a court, of record or not

of record, or a special proceeding before a judge or a justice of the

peace; or takes, or causes to be taken, any proceeding, in the course of

an action or special proceeding in such a court, or before such an

officer, either before or after judgment or other final determination;

an action to recover damages therefor may be maintained against him by

the adverse party to the action or special proceeding; and a like action

may be maintained by the person, if any, whose name was thus used. He is

also guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding

six months.