In Re CVC, Inc.

120 B.R. 874, 1990 Bankr. LEXIS 2412, 1990 WL 178093
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Ohio
DecidedOctober 24, 1990
Docket19-10261
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 120 B.R. 874 (In Re CVC, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Ohio primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re CVC, Inc., 120 B.R. 874, 1990 Bankr. LEXIS 2412, 1990 WL 178093 (Ohio 1990).

Opinion

*875 MEMORANDUM OF OPINION AND ORDER

RANDOLPH BAXTER, Bankruptcy Judge.

I.

The matter before the Court is the motion of Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. (Ciuni) for application of interim compensation for services rendered by them as accountants for the Debtor, CVC, Inc. (CVC), pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 328.

II.

Ciuni began working for CVC, pursuant to an appointment granted by this Court on July 24, 1989 and is presently continuing this employment. On January 16, 1990 Ci-uni was hired by William Gardner (Gardner), a party interested in purchasing CVC’s assets, to perform accounting services for him. At the time of this hiring, Gardner was in negotiations with CVC to purchase all of its assets and retained Ciuni to perform services relating to his purchase of CVC. The negotiations ultimately led to Mr. Gardner purchasing the assets of CVC. This purchase was approved by the Court, and an order was entered May 7, 1990.

Ciuni filed an initial interim application for allowance of interim fees and expenses on February 27, 1990. This application was for the period from July 24, 1989 through October 31, 1989 for fees totaling $6,591.10 and expenses totaling $118.54. On August 1, 1990 Ciuni filed a second interim application for allowance of interim fees and expenses for the period from November 1, 1989, through June 30, 1990, seeking fees totaling $16,995.40 and expenses totaling $211.68.

The Official Creditors’ Committee (Committee) filed an objection to the second interim application. Specifically, the Committee objected to a total of $13,626.30 in fees that Ciuni billed the estate in its second interim application, asserting that the services billed were of no benefit to the estate and were only beneficial to the new owner, Gardner. Those services included, inter alia, “tax research on the limitations on net operating loss carryforwards and unused business credit carryforwards as a result of ownership changes, analysis of accounts receivable receipts, time spent on price testing on inventory material and labor costs, and finally, time billed the estate for Bradford S. Eldridge (Eldridge), a Ciuni associate.” The Committee contended that Gardner stated that Eldridge was his accountant at the subject sale negotiation meetings and further asserted that El-dridge supported Gardner’s statements at the negotiating meetings as he explained his role in working with lending institutions from which Gardner sought financing. Notwithstanding those contentions, the Committee informed the Court at the fee application hearing that it was withdrawing its objection in exchange for Ciuni reducing the second interim application for allowance of compensation in the amount of $6,230.00.

III.

The principle dispositive issue is whether an application for compensation and expenses sought by a professional for services performed should be awarded where the professional was simultaneously working for a third party whose interest was adverse to that of the debtor's estate.

*876 IV.

Professional persons may be hired by the trustee of an estate to represent the interest of the estate during bankruptcy proceedings in accordance with 11 U.S.C. § 327(a) which states:

a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the trustee, with the court’s approval, may employ one or more attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auctioneers, or other professional persons, that do not hold or represent an interest adverse to the state, and that are disinterested persons, to represent or assist, the trustee in carrying out the trustee’s duties under this title.

“Disinterested person” is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101(13). In pertinent part:

E) A person that does not have an interest materially adverse to the interest of the estate or of any class of creditors or equity holders, by reason of any direct or indirect relationship to, connection with or interest in the debtor or an investment banker ... or for any other reason. 11 U.S.C. § 101(13)(E).

Should a professional person become an interested person at any time while in the employ of the estate, the Court, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 328(c), may deny allowance of compensation for services and reimbursement of expenses to that person. 1

Appropriately, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Woods v. City National Bank & Trust, 312 U.S. 262, 269; 61 S.Ct. 493, 497, 85 L.Ed. 820 (1941), held:

The incidence of a particular conflict of interest can seldom be measured with any degree of certainty. The bankruptcy court need not speculate as to whether the result of the conflict was to delay action where speed was essential, to close the record of past transactions where publicity and investigation were needed, to compromise claims by inattention where vigilant assertion was necessary, or otherwise to dilute the undivided loyalty owed to those whom the claimant purported to represent. Where an actual conflict of interest exists, no more need be shown in this type of case to support a denial of compensation.

See also, In re Georgetown of Kettering, Ltd., 750 F.2d 536 (6th Cir.1984): “Because an actual conflict of interest existed.... application for compensation should have been denied.” Id., at 540 In re Consolidated Bancshares, Inc., 785 F.2d 1249, 1256 (5th Cir.1986).

Ciuni began working for the Debtor’s estate as a professional on July 24, 1989. Once it began providing services to Gardner that were directly related to Gardner’s purchase of the assets of CVC, Inc., its disinterestedness was lacking. The dual employment began on January 16, 1990 when Ciuni first performed services for Gardner. Ciuni was well aware that Gardner was negotiating to purchase the assets of CVC, Inc. It is well established that “those who seek appointment as professional persons in bankruptcy cases owe the duty of complete disclosure of all facts bearing upon their eligibility for such appointment.” In re Jensen-Farley Pictures, Inc., 47 B.R. 557, 579 (Bankr.D.Utah 1985). Ciuni’s dual representation in this matter, without Court authorization, was made in derogation of this duty.

Had the Creditors Committee not objected to Ciuni’s second fee application, it is questionable whether this matter would have ever been brought to the attention of this Court.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
120 B.R. 874, 1990 Bankr. LEXIS 2412, 1990 WL 178093, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-cvc-inc-ohnb-1990.