Cornwell Quality Tools v. Rodgers (In re Rodgers)

115 B.R. 678, 24 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 33, 1990 Bankr. LEXIS 1400
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, C.D. California
DecidedJune 27, 1990
DocketBankruptcy No. SA 89-02060 JR; Adv. No. SA 89-0670 JR
StatusPublished

This text of 115 B.R. 678 (Cornwell Quality Tools v. Rodgers (In re Rodgers)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, C.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cornwell Quality Tools v. Rodgers (In re Rodgers), 115 B.R. 678, 24 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 33, 1990 Bankr. LEXIS 1400 (Cal. 1990).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

JOHN E. RYAN, Bankruptcy Judge.

Plaintiff Cornwell Quality Tools (“Corn-well”) filed a complaint objecting to dis-chargeability of debts under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A) and (B) (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges that debtor, Joseph L. Rodgers (“Rodgers” or “debtor”), used a false financial statement in order to become a dealer for Cornwell. The Complaint further alleges that Rodgers committed “actual fraud” by ordering tools within a six-week period with no intention of paying. I heard this adversary proceeding on March 27, 1990 and took the matter under submission.

JURISDICTION

This court has jurisdiction over this adversary proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1334(a) (the district courts shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases under Title 11), 28 U.S.C. § 157(a) (authorizing the district courts to refer all Title 11 cases and proceedings to the bankruptcy judges for the district) and General Order No. 266, dated October 9, 1984 (referring all Title 11 eases and proceedings to the bankruptcy judges for the Central District of California). This matter is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(I).

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Cornwell is a supplier of small hand tools which it distributes through a nationwide network of dealers. Once a dealer is approved, he can purchase tools on credit.

[680]*680In 1981, Rodgers, who had been operating as an independent tool dealer under the name Tools on Wheels, Inc., learned that his wife would inherit $100,000. The inheritance was received in March 1982.

On April 6, 1982, Rodgers signed and submitted to Cornwell a document entitled “Personal and Credit Information” (the “Credit Application”). Cornwell required each applicant to submit a Credit Application. In the Credit Application, Rodgers disclosed the value of his personal assets at less than $5,000 and the inheritance.

Rodgers also indicated that he had never “been through bankruptcy”. This statement was not true because Rodgers had received a discharge in bankruptcy in 1969. Rodgers further disclosed that he was a renter and not a homeowner.

On April 19, 1982, Cornwell entered into a “Dealer Agreement” (the “Agreement”) with Rodgers. Under the Agreement, Rodgers could order tools on credit without limit. The terms of the Agreement, however, required payment in full within 15 days of the billing. Later, in 1984, Rodgers was allowed to defer for ten weeks payment on a maximum limit of $3,000 (the “Deferred Account”).

From April, 1982 to October, 1987, Corn-well and Rodgers enjoyed a mutually beneficial business relationship. During this period, Rodgers ordered and paid for tools amounting to approximately $500,000. Beginning in 1987, however, problems arose in the relationship. Rodgers, who was experiencing financial difficulties, reduced his weekly orders from approximately $1,400 to $650.

Cornwell knew Rodgers was having financial problems. According to the branch operations manager with supervisory responsibilities over the Los Angeles territory, it was necessary for a dealer to sell between $100,000 and $150,000 in order to make a “decent living”. In response, Corn-well reduced the limit on the Deferred Account from $3,000 to $2,000.

Although Rodgers was not required to purchase a minimum amount of tools, Corn-well nevertheless pressed Rodgers to buy more. In fact, around August or September 1987, Rodgers was told by a Cornwell representative that he would be terminated as a dealer if he failed to increase his purchases. Up until this point, Rodgers had been current in his billings.

In response to Cornwell’s threat and desiring to stockpile tools in case of termination, Rodgers increased his purchases dramatically during the ensuing six weeks. Following October 2, 1987, Rodgers purchased tools valued at $26,240.86 while making only $2,955.10 in payments.

The following accounting shows the sudden change in Rodgers’ pattern of purchases during a 12-week period:

Amounts Purchases Payments Due Week Ending
8-28-87 - 142.11 547.87 1,669.95
9-4-87 136.35 529.96 1,810.87
9-11-87 1,809.64 0 2,638.80
9-18-87 163.70 541.73 2,790.73
9-25-87 105.32 1,057.34 2,324.31
10-2-87 0 0 2,856.77
10-9-87 3,311.08 823.80 2,351.60
10-16-87 3,087.92 690.39 5,438.50
10-23-87 3,565.94 589.82 9,024.27
10-30-87 4,336.52 532.46 13,353.69
11-6-87 8,128.02 318.63 20,434.68
11-13-87 3,811.38 0 24,744.16

Rodgers admits that he knew he could not pay according to the terms of the Agreement when he increased his orders. For 1987, Rodgers had a net income of $1,893. Moreover, for the same period, Rodgers had no alternate source of income.

When Rodgers was confronted about paying, he offered to pay $700 per week and make further purchases on a C.O.D. basis. Cornwell rejected this offer demanding payment in full or the return of all tools sent to Rodgers. On February 1, 1988, Cornwell terminated Rodgers as a dealer. Rodgers sold tools for another six months. He did not make any further payments to Cornwell on the outstanding indebtedness.

DISCUSSION

A. Nondischargeability Based on False Credit Application.

Cornwell contends that Rodgers’ debt is nondischargeable under § 523(a)(2)(B) because the Credit Application was materially [681]*681false and submitted by Rodgers so he could become a dealer for Cornwell.

Section 523(a)(2)(B) exempts from discharge any debt:

(2) [F]or money, property, services, or an extension, renewal or refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained by—
(B) use of a statement in writing—
(i) that is materially false;
(ii) respecting the debtor’s ... financial condition;
(iii) on which the creditor to whom the debtor is liable for such money, property, services or credit reasonably relied; and
(iv) that the debtor caused to be made or published with intent to deceive ....

Pursuant to this section, Cornwell must establish that:

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Bluebook (online)
115 B.R. 678, 24 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 33, 1990 Bankr. LEXIS 1400, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cornwell-quality-tools-v-rodgers-in-re-rodgers-cacb-1990.