Entertainment Specialties, Inc. v. Thompson (In re Entertainment Specialties, Inc.)

69 B.R. 556, 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 89
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, C.D. California
DecidedJanuary 28, 1987
DocketBankruptcy No. SA 86-05280 JR; Adv. No. SA 86-0817 JR
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 69 B.R. 556 (Entertainment Specialties, Inc. v. Thompson (In re Entertainment Specialties, Inc.)) 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
Entertainment Specialties, Inc. v. Thompson (In re Entertainment Specialties, Inc.), 69 B.R. 556, 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 89 (Cal. 1987).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

JOHN E. RYAN, Bankruptcy Judge.

On November 25, 1986, a hearing was held on debtor’s motion for summary judgment (the “Motion”). Previously, debtor had filed a complaint to compel turnover of property specifying that the net proceeds from a motocross event held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum were property of the estate and recoverable under Section 542 of the Bankruptcy Code. Mickey Thompson and Thompson Entertainment Corp. (collectively “Thompson”) served a writ of execution on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission (the “Commission”) on May 19,1986 and June 24,1986 to levy on the net proceeds. In its complaint debtor contends that the June 24 levy is voidable as a preferential transfer under Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code. At the hearing on the Motion, I requested further briefing on (1) the appropriate method for levying and (2) the possibility of a 100% distribution to creditors which would defeat the preference allegation. Subsequent to the hearing, debtor’s counsel stipulated that a 100% distribution to creditors was probable. Accordingly, debt- or withdrew its preference argument and in lieu thereof argued that the levies were invalid because Thompson failed to comply with appropriate California law.

The issues before me are: (1) does debtor have to amend its complaint to raise a new legal theory to invalidate the levies; and (2) were the levies made in accordance with [558]*558California law so that Thompson has a valid security interest in the net proceeds.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The revelant, material facts are not in dispute. On May 7, 1986, Thompson obtained a judgment against debtor and its President, Michael F. Goodwin, (“Goodwin”) for approximately $600,000. On May 19, 1986, Thompson served a writ of execution, notice of levy, and memorandum of garnishee on the Commission. Previously, Debtor and the Commission had entered into a License and Operating Agreement (the “License Agreement”) to permit debt- or to hold the Coors Superbowl of Motocross on June 7, 1986 at the Los Angeles Coliseum (the “Event”). Under the terms of the License Agreement, the Commission was to collect and deposit the gate proceeds into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission Licensee Trust Account (the “Trust Account”), retain from the gate proceeds its license fee and costs and payments to third parties and remit the net proceeds to debtor.

The event occurred as scheduled on June 7, 1986. On July 14, 1986, the Commission interpleaded net proceeds of approximately $456,000 with the Los Angeles County Superior Court. On June 24, 1986, Thompson again levied on the Commission for the net proceeds from the Event. On September 19, 1986, debtor filed its bankruptcy petition under Chapter 11. Shortly thereafter, debtor filed this adversary proceeding seeking a turnover of the net proceeds.

DISCUSSION

Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is applicable to this adversary proceeding through Bankruptcy Rule 7056. Summary judgment shall be rendered if there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The moving party has the burden of persuasion. Aronsen v. Zellerbach, 662 F.2d 584, 591 (9th Cir.1981); Jablon v. Dean Witter & Co., 614 F.2d 677, 682 (9th Cir.1980); In re Acorn Investments, 8 B.R. 506, 508 (Bankr.S.D.Ca.1981). All facts and inferences are to be construed most favorably for the party against whom judgment is sought. Marks v. United States, 578 F.2d 261, 262 (9th Cir.1978); Mutual Fund Investors v. Putnam Management Co., 553 F.2d 620, 624 (9th Cir.1977); In re Zupancic, 38 B.R. 754, 757 (9th Cir. BAP 1984).

The purpose of the summary judgment procedure is to “pierce allegations of fact” in the pleadings and grant relief by summary judgment if there are no genuine issues of fact to be tried. Engl v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 139 F.2d 469, 472 (2nd Cir.1943). This is an important tool which, if properly used, can eliminate unnecessary trials and reduce litigation expenses. Mintz v. Mathers Fund, Inc., 463 F.2d 495, 498 (7th Cir.1972).

I will first address the adequacy of the complaint. Although Thompson did not object to the sufficiency of the complaint, he did contend that debtor waived its right to assert § 708.750 of the California Code of Civil Procedure because debtor did not raise the issue in debtor’s pleadings, motion for summary judgment, reply brief or oral argument.

To address this issue, it is important to review the history of this proceeding. In its complaint, debtor (1) requested a turnover of the net proceeds, (2) contended that the net proceeds were property of the estate under § 541(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and that it had a right to use the net proceeds pursuant to § 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, and (3) asserted that the June 24 levy was a preferential transfer under § 547 of the Bankruptcy Code. In its motion for summary judgment, debtor stressed the preferential nature of the June 24 levy. Thompson in its opposition brief to debtor’s motion for summary judgment claimed that the May 19 levy was valid and established its security interest before any preference period. Thompson further indicated that the June 24 levy was filed for “insurance” purposes only.

In its reply brief, debtor stated that the May 19 levy was invalid because Thompson failed to comply with applicable California [559]*559law. Thompson followed the procedure for levying on an account receivable (§ 700.-170, California Code of Civil Procedure). Debtor argued that the obligation of the Commission under the License Agreement was not an account receiveable. It viewed the arrangement as a deposit account for the benefit of debtor which requires a different procedure under § 700.160 of the California Code of Civil Procedure. In addition, debtor claimed that Thompson failed to comply with § 708.750 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, which governs any levy on a public entity. Accordingly, the June 24 levy was an attempt to correct a defect in the May 19 levy.

At the hearing on the Motion, the issue of § 708.750 was not raised. I requested additional briefing as previously indicated. Thompson filed its supplemental memorandum contending that the May 19 levy was valid since if the obligation was not an account receivable, it was certainly a general intangible and the same levying procedure applies. Debtor filed its supplemental memorandum (1) withdrawing its preference argument, (2) reaffirming its position that the trust account was a deposit account requiring compliance with § 700.160, and (3) forcefully contending that Thompson’s failure to comply with § 708.750 rendered the levies invalid regardless of whether the net proceeds are construed as an account receivable or deposit account.

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Bluebook (online)
69 B.R. 556, 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 89, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/entertainment-specialties-inc-v-thompson-in-re-entertainment-cacb-1987.