Harrison v. Mitchell (In re Clayton Grain Elevator, Inc.)

46 B.R. 502, 1984 Bankr. LEXIS 5239
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Louisiana
DecidedAugust 8, 1984
DocketBankruptcy No. 582-00119-A; Adv. No. 582-0225
StatusPublished

This text of 46 B.R. 502 (Harrison v. Mitchell (In re Clayton Grain Elevator, Inc.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Louisiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Harrison v. Mitchell (In re Clayton Grain Elevator, Inc.), 46 B.R. 502, 1984 Bankr. LEXIS 5239 (W.D. La. 1984).

Opinion

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

LeROY SMALLENBERGER, Bankruptcy Judge.

This adversary proceeding was filed on October 19, 1982, by the Trustee, as a complaint seeking declaratory relief combined with an application to sell movable property at private sale. The Trustee was in possession of certain items, including a mobile home, the possession of which had been abandoned. The property had been left on real estate belonging to the bankruptcy estate at the time this Chapter 11 was commenced in February, 1982, a period of eight months. The complaint denied all adverse claims of ownership and sought authority to sell the property free and clear of such claims.

The defendants are William Gary Mitchell, the former manager of the debtor corporation grain facility; Elaine Mitchell, his wife; and Mr. Mitchell’s father, Reverend William Mitchell. The name of William Mitchell appears on the title to the mobile home, which is one of the subjects of this litigation.

The three defendants answered the complaint asserting ownership and denying generally the Trustee’s allegations.

The Trustee amended his complaint at that time to amplify the original complaint, asserting that the Defendants appropriated funds of the corporation to their own use totalling $25,647.24 and, in addition, that the defendants have misappropriated some 135,357.33 bushels of soybeans with a market value of $812,143.98.

These beans had been delivered to the elevator over a period of time. When the bankruptcy was commenced, these beans were not available for distribution or liquidation. Additionally, the Trustee demanded of the three defendants an accounting for all corporate funds received. In default of an explanation or an accounting satisfactory to the Court, the Trustee asked for further judgment in like amount.

The plaintiff moved for discovery and production of documentary evidence. The defendant moved for a stay of the Chapter 11 proceeding “until full disposition of all criminal matters presently pending” involving the defendants were disposed.

This Court denied the Motion for Stay, and, at that point, the defendant sued the Trustee in Federal District Court, in civil action number 83-0520. In that suit, the defendant sought damages of $100,000.00 against the Trustee for embarrassment, mental anguish, etc. The Trustee moved for dismissal on the grounds that the Bankruptcy Court had jurisdiction of any claim against the Trustee, and Judge Scott agreed in a ruling filed September 9, 1983. Mr. Mitchell also sought to proceed in for-ma pauperis, but he abandoned that motion, and that relief was denied also.

[504]*504FINDINGS OF FACT

The Trustee introduced into evidence the depositions of Mr. William Gary Mitchell and his wife. In their depositions the Mitchells invoked various privileges, including that against self-incrimination, husband-wife confidentiality, and the secrecy required of witnesses who have testified before a grand jury. There is little, if any, substance actually contained in the deposition transcripts, and the attorney for the Trustee stated to the Court that the depositions were introduced into evidence to show the uselessness of calling the Mitchells to testify on cross-examination.

Mr. Harrison, the Trustee, testified that the debtor corporation was incorporated in 1975 and is located in Clayton, Louisiana, on approximately five acres of land. The corporation has an elevator facility, a hardware and seed store, and a residence. Behind the residence is a mobile home.

The debtor corporation was in the business of buying, selling, and storing grain— primarily wheat and soybeans. The shareholders of the corporation employed William Gary Mitchell as the general manager at a salary of $1,200.00 a month, plus 10% of the net profits as a bonus. In addition, Mr. Mitchell was provided the residence. There was no record or testimony that Mr. Mitchell had corporate authorization to place the mobile home on the corporate property for the use of Mr. Mitchell’s mother. Absent proof of corporate authorization, the Court finds that Mr. Mitchell did not have corporate authorization to place the mobile home on corporate property for the use of his mother.

In January, 1982, a shortage of funds and beans was discovered at the elevator. The house was abandoned, and it became obvious that someone “left in a hurry.” At the time that the Trustee was appointed, the District Attorney for the parish had seized all the records of the corporation found on the premises, and the District Attorney still had the records at the time of trial.

The Trustee examined the bulk of the corporate records, grain storage tickets, and summaries prepared by corporate personnel. This examination was made pursuant to an order by this Court directed to the District Attorney allowing the Trustee to examine the records under the District Attorney’s custody.

The Court finds that the Trustee inventoried the contents of the house and trailer shortly after he was appointed, and that he released all items for which proof of ownership was obtained.

The Court finds that the following corporate bank accounts were available to Mr. William Gary Mitchell in his capacity as manager for use in the corporate business.

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46 B.R. 502, 1984 Bankr. LEXIS 5239, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/harrison-v-mitchell-in-re-clayton-grain-elevator-inc-lawd-1984.