G.B.G., Inc. v. Kolinsky (In re Kolinsky)

145 B.R. 170, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 1519
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in G.B.G., Inc. v. Kolinsky (In re Kolinsky). Read the opinion of the Court — 138 B.R. 773
District Court, S.D. New York·Decided September 18, 1992·No. Bankruptcy No. 86 B 20217; No. 92-5020A·Published

Opinion

DECISION ON MOTION FOR SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OF CONJO CONTRACT

HOWARD SCHWARTZBERG, Bankruptcy Judge.

G.B.G., Inc. (“G.B.G.”) and Jay Russ (“Russ”), the plaintiffs in this adversary proceeding, are suing the debtor, Joseph Kolinsky (“Kolinsky”), and his wholly-owned, nondebtor corporation, Conjo Realty Corp. (“Conjo”), for specific performance of a contract for the sale and purchase of real property. G.B.G. is the prospective purchaser and Russ is the broker that arranged the transaction. G.B.G. and Russ argue that they are entitled to specific performance because they have made a valid demand for a closing and have indicated that they are ready, willing, and able to fully comply with their obligations under the contract. G.B.G. asserts that the demand is consistent with the terms of the contract which gives them the absolute right to demand a closing upon thirty days notice.

Conjo and Kolinsky argue that specific performance is not warranted in this case for several reasons. Initially, they assert that G.B.G. did not tender performance because it substantially reduced the amount due and owing under the contract. They contend that G.B.G. improperly reduced the contract price by amounts that G.B.G. alleges were paid as advances and by the interest accruing on development expenses that G.B.G. claims to have incurred. Conjo and Kolinsky further argue that G.B.G.’s attempt to reduce the purchase price was fraudulent and that this fraud constitutes unclean hands, a defense to specific performance. In addition, the defendants allege that the contract is voidable because Russ engaged in self-dealing and professional misconduct in connection with the transaction. Finally, Conjo and Kolinsky argue that G.B.G. materially breached a joint venture agreement which they entered into with Kolinsky. The breach of this related agreement constitutes a breach of the real property contract.

Kolinsky has filed a counterclaim in which he demands that the defendants turnover to him a 30% interest in G.B.G. which he alleges that he is entitled to pursuant to a joint venture agreement that he entered into with the principals of G.B.G. G.B.G. resists Kolinsky’s claim and explains that under the agreement Kolinsky is only entitled to a portion of the profits of the joint venture and not an ownership interest.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. On May 8, 1986, the defendant, Ko-linsky, filed with this court a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and continued to operate his business as a debtor in possession in accordance with 11 U.S.C. §§ 1107 and 1108.

2. Defendant, Conjo, is a New York corporation. The debtor, Kolinsky, is its sole shareholder. Conjo’s primary asset is a parcel of approximately three and a half acres of real estate with buildings and improvements located on waterfront property on City Island, New York.

3. The plaintiff G.B.G. is a New York corporation whose sole shareholders are Joseph P. Gagliano (“Gagliano”), Alexander M. Goren, and James Goren (collectively, the “Gorens”). The plaintiff Russ has played several roles with respect to this adversary proceeding. He served at various times as attorney for Conjo, as attorney for G.B.G., and as the real estate broker who arranged the transaction which is the subject of the adversary proceeding.

4. Transportation Services, Inc. (“TSI”) is a New York corporation which is in the business of repairing and rebuilding gasoline and diesel engines. TSI was a tenant on the Conjo property. Kolinsky is the sole shareholder of TSI. TSI filed with this [173]*173court a petition for reorganizational relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on April 30, 1986. This court confirmed TSI’s plan of reorganization on April 18, 1988. The plaintiff in this case, G.B.G., funded TSI’s plan with $500,-000.00. G.B.G. furnished the money to TSI as part of the down payment required under the contract in question.

5. On April 7, 1987, Kolinsky, on behalf of Conjo, entered into a contract with Gag-liano and the Gorens (collectively, “Purchasers”), for the sale and purchase of Conjo’s real property. The Purchasers thereafter assigned their rights in the contract to G.B.G. The contract contains the following provisions relevant to this proceeding:

A. The purchase price was $1.7 million. Upon the signing of the contract, the Purchasers were required to deposit $200,000.00 and $100,000.00 in two escrow accounts held by Conjo’s attorney, Russ & Weyl, P.C. The contract provided that the sale would be consummated at two closings, an initial closing to occur within 14 days after Conjo sends to the Purchasers an order from this court approving the sale (“First Closing”) and a final closing (“Second Closing”). At the Second Closing, the Purchasers were required to execute a purchase money mortgage (“Purchase Money Mortgage”) in favor of the seller in the amount of $1,400,000.00. However, the amount of the Purchase Money Mortgage could be reduced by certain payments made by the Purchasers in connection with the property. The Purchasers have the absolute right to close title at any time upon giving 30 days notice to the Seller.
B. Purchasers would pay $500,000.00 to fund a plan to pay the creditors in the TSI bankruptcy case in full. The interest accruing on this advance would be credited to the Purchase Money Mortgages at the Second Closing.
C. The sale was subject to the rezoning of the property to allow for condominium and waterfront development. Purchasers would have the responsibility for obtaining a rezoning to allow for the erection of 72 condominium units and 72 boat slips.
D. Purchasers would have five years from the contract date to exert their best efforts to obtain the necessary rezoning. If the rezoning was not obtained, either party could cancel the contract.
E. In the event that the rezoning application was denied, or approved for fewer than 72 units and slips, or not acted upon by the expiration of the five-year period, purchasers at their sole option could elect to close title for the full contract price or cancel the contract.
F. The Purchasers agreed to pay all real estate taxes due and accruing on the Conjo property for the period from July 1, 1987 to the Second Closing. The amount paid by the Purchasers and the interest thereon would be treated as an advance of the Purchase Money Mortgage which was to be executed at the Second Closing.
G. At the First Closing, Conjo was required to execute a mortgage and note in favor of the Purchasers for $750,000.00. This mortgage was in consideration for the Purchasers’ advances to Kolinsky and TSI is a first lien on the Conjo property. Interest on this mortgage was set at a rate of 2% above the interest rate announced by Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (MHT) as its reference rate. Conjo was required to pay mortgage taxes, recording fees and insurance fees relating to this mortgage at the First Closing. The mortgage provided that it would be satisfied at the Second Closing.
H. At the Second Closing, the money the Purchasers had advanced for taxes and the $100,000.00 down payment together with interest on both would be credited towards the Purchase Money Mortgage.

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G.B.G., Inc. v. Kolinsky (In re Kolinsky), 145 B.R. 170, 1992 Bankr. LEXIS 1519 (S.D.N.Y. 1992).

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