In re Motors Liquidation Co.

576 B.R. 761

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING ROGER DEAN GILLISPIE’S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST GENERAL MOTORS LLC, AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO FILE A POST-BAR-DATE PROOF OF CLAIM IN THE MOTORS LIQUIDATION COMPANY BANKRUPTCY

MARTIN GLENN UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE

Pending before the Court is the Motion for Leave to Pursue Claims Against General Motors LLC, and, Alternatively, to File a Post-Bar-Date Proof of Claim in the Motors Liquidation Company Bankruptcy (the “Motion,” ECF Doc. # 12727), on behalf of Roger Dean Gillispie (the “Movant,” or “Gillispie”). The Motion is supported by several exhibits (ECF Doc. ## 12727-1-6), including the Order (I) Authorizing Sale of Assets Pursuant to Amended and Restated Master Sale and Purchase Agreement with NGMCO, Inc., A U.S. Treasury-Sponsored Purchaser; (II) Authorizing Assumption and Assignment of Certain Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases in Connection with the Sale; and (III) Granting Related Relief, dated July 5, 2009 (the “Sale Order,” ECF Doc. # 2968), approving the 363 sale (the “Sale”) of substantially all of General Motors Corporation’s (“Old GM”) assets. An objection to the Motion (the “New GM Objection,” ECF Doc. # 12863) was filed on behalf of General Motors LLC (“New GM”). A response to the Motion (the “GUC Trust Response,” ECF Doc. # 12864) was filed on behalf of Wilmington Trust Company (“Wilmington Trust”), as trustee for and administrator of the Motors Liquidation Company General Unsecured Creditors Trust (the “GUC Trust”) in the Old GM bankruptcy proceeding.

On August 7, 2017, this Court entered an Order Requesting Status Letters (ECF Doc. # 14028), ordering that the parties each file written status reports to “address whether any intervening changes in the law or factual circumstances regarding [the Motion] have occurred since November 2014, such that supplemental briefing would be helpful to this Court in deciding the Motion.” Status reports were filed on behalf of Gillispie (ECF Doc. # 14052), Wilmington Trust (ECF Doc. # 14049), and New GM (ECF Doc. # 14050).

For the reasons explained below, the Motion is DENIED. Gillispie may not pursue any claims against New GM, and he may not file a late claim in the Old GM bankruptcy case.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Case Background

In February 1991, Gillispie was convicted on nine counts of rape, three counts of kidnapping, one count of aggravated robbery, and three counts of gross sexual imposition. See State v. Gillispie, 2012 WL 1264496, at *3 (Ohio Ct. App. Apr. 13, 2012). He was subsequently re-tried and convicted again in June 1991. Id. Between 1991 and 2008, Ohio state courts affirmed Gillispie’s conviction on eight different occasions.¹ As described further below, following post-conviction proceedings in federal and Ohio state, courts, Gillispie’s conviction was vacated, and his motion to dismiss the indictment was granted. By his current Motion, Gillispie seeks to prosecute civil claims against New GM or Old GM, essentially alleging complicity, in the case of Old GM, or, successor liability, in the case of New GM, for his wrongful conviction.

On June 1, 2009 (the “Petition Date”), Old GM and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed Chapter 11 petitions in this Court (the “Chapter 11 Cases”). On the same day, the Debtors sought approval to sell substantially all of their assets, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, to an entity that eventually became New GM. In re GM Corp., 407 B.R. 463, 479-80 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2009). On June 2, 2009, this Court entered an order approving procedures for the Sale, including giving notice of a hearing of the Sale to “all known creditors” by mail, as well as notice by publication in a number of global, national, and local newspapers.² (ECF Doc. # 274.) On June 5, 2009, Old GM’s notice and claims agent, Garden City Group (“GCG”), mailed to Gillispie, at his last-known address, the notice of the bankruptcy proceedings and the hearing on the proposed sale of substantially all of Old GM’s assets. (ECF Doc. # 973, Ex. C, part 17 at 351.) In a declaration dated August 19, 2014, the Vice President of Bankruptcy Operations for GCG declared that the notice that was sent to Gillispie was not returned as undeliverable, (“Ferrante Declaration,” GUC Trust Response, Ex. A, Declaration of Angela Ferrante, dated August 19, 2014, § 2.) On July 5, 2009, this Court entered its Sale Order.

On September 16,2009, the Court issued an order (the “Bar Date Order,” ECF Doc. # 4079) setting November 30, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) as the deadline (the “Bar Date”) for proofs of claim relating to prepetition claims against Old GM or any of its affiliated debtors. The Bar Date Order stated:

[A]ny holder of a Claim against the Debtors that is required but fails to file a Proof of Claim in accordance with this Bar Date Order ,.. shall be forever barred, estopped and enjoined from asserting such Claim against each of the Debtors and their respective estates (or filing a Proof of Claim with respect thereto), and each of the Debtors and their respective chapter 11 estates, successors, and property shall be forever discharged from any and all indebtedness or liability with respect to such Claim ....

(Bar Date Order at 5.) The Bar Date Order also required Old GM to publish notice of the Bar Date in a number of global, national, and local newspapers.³ (Id. at 7.) On September 25, 2009, GCG served the Gillispie by mail, at his last-known address, with a notice establishing the Bar Date (the “Notice of Bar Date”) and a proof of claim form. (ECF Doc. #4238, Ex. B, part 27 at 583.) In her declaration, Angela Ferrante declared that the Notice of Bar Date was not returned as undeliverable, and that the Gillispie did not file a proof of claim prior to the Bar Date. (Fer-rante Declaration.) But since Gillispie had been in jail since his conviction in 1991, it doesn’t appear that he received either of the mailed notices sent to his last known address shown in GM’s records (since he was Old GM’s former employee). As explained below, however, Gillispie was an “unknown creditor” to Old GM for whom notice by publication was sufficient to satisfy due process requirements.

Following a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed by Gillispie on December 15, 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio conditionally granted Gillispie’s petition and ordered the State of Ohio to either release him or retry him. Gillispie v. Timmerman-Cooper, 835 F.Supp.2d 482, 508-09 (S.D. Ohio 2011). On April 13, 2012, the Ohio Court of Appeals vacated Gillispie’s conviction and remanded the case for a new trial. Gillispie, 2012 WL 1264496. The court reversed the trial’s court 2009 finding that certain newly discovered evidence would be inadmissible and in any event insufficient to warrant a new trial. Id. at *11-12. Gillispie’s motion to dismiss the indictment was eventually granted, and affirmed on appeal. State v. Gillispie, 65 N.E.3d 791 (2d App. Dist. 2016). The Ohio Supreme Court declined review, and the decision became final. (Gil-lispie’s Status Report, ECF Doc. # 14052.)

In December 2013, Gillispie filed a civil suit (the “Civil Action”) for violations of 42 U.S.C, § 1983 and Ohio common law, namely, malicious prosecution, infliction of emotional distress, and spoliation of evidence, by General Motors personnel, among others, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (the “First Amended Complaint,” ECF Doc. # 12727-1), alleging that his conviction was “the result of violations of his constitutional rights and the result of a conspiracy among police officers and individuals working at GM to maliciously prosecute him.” (Mot. at 2.) The First Amended Complaint names both New GM and Old GM as defendants (“GM”), and alleges that New GM is “the successor in interest and owner of substantially all of [Old GM’s] assets and bears liability for any judgement entered against [Old GM] as a result of this lawsuit.” (First Am. Compl. at 4.) The First Amended Complaint alleges that GM itself is possibly liable for the actions of its employees under the doctrine of responde-at superior, and that GM acted under col- or of law and is liable under section 1983 because the violation of Gillispie’s rights was caused by GM’s “policies, practices, customs, and/or decisions of the policymakers.” ⁴ (First Am. Compl. at 19.)

B. The Motion

In the Motion, Gillispie claims he should be granted leave to pursue his Civil Action against New GM. (Mot. at 5-7.) Gillispie argues that his Civil Action could not have been brought as a matter of state law before Gillispie’s conviction was called into question in 2011 and 2012, so his civil causes of action are post-petition claims, or “future claims.” (Id. at 8.) According to Gillispie, due process would demand that this Court’s Sale Order does not bar Gillis-pie from asserting his claim against New GM, which allegedly admitted to being the same entity as Old GM and which should thus bear Old GM’s liabilities. (Id. at 14.)

Alternatively, Gillispie claims that “should the Court ... hold that New GM cannot be a defendant” in Gillispie’s Civil Action, Gillispie “must, at a minimum, be entitled to pursue relief from Old GM’s estate.” (Id. at 16.) Gillispie argues that he never had a prior opportunity to assert his claims, and that should he be barred from asserting them against New GM, due process requires he be provided with the opportunity to do so against Old GM. (Id.) The Motion further contends that, in addition to due process, the Court should grant leave to Gillispie based on Rule 9006(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. (Id. at 17.) Gillispie’s incarceration during the sale and confirmation of the Debtors’ Chapter 11 Cases allegedly demonstrates Gillispie’s “excusable neglect” in failing to comply with the Bar Date and entitling him to fíle a post-bar-date proof of claim against Old GM. (Id. at 17-19.)

C. The Oppositions

1. New GM Objection

New GM objects to Gillispie’s Motion with regards to its liability for Gillispie’s civil claims. New GM first argues that the scope and limitations of New GM’s responsibilities and liabilities defined in the Sale Order bar Gillispie’s Civil Action against New GM. (New GM Objection at 14.) The New GM Objection contends that New GM never admitted that it was the same company as Old GM, regardless of Old GM’s having retained some liabilities and not compensating others. (Id. at 22-29.) New GM claims that “[ejvery cause of action Movant asserts in his civil action is based on the conduct of Old GM employees that occurred almost two decades before New GM came into existence.” (Id. at 14.) Since the Sale Order provided that New GM ought not to be liable for Old GM’s conduct, except with respect to the Retained Liabilities expressly retained by New GM, which do not comprise Gillispie’s civil claims, Gillispie’s successor liability allegations violate the Sale Order and his Motion should be rejected as' against New GM. (Id. at 14-16.) New GM further argues that Gillispie’s Civil Action relates to pre-petition claims, regardless of when they accrued for nonbankruptcy law purposes. (Id. at 16.) As holder of a contingent claim against Old GM, Gillispie was an “unknown creditor” only entitled to constructive notice of the Sale. (Id. at 21-22.) Since Gillis-pie did not file a timely proof of claim despite receiving adequate constructive notice, he is bound by the Sale Order and is barred from asserting his claims against either Old GM or New GM. (Id.)

2. GUC Trust Response

The GUC Trust argues that Gillispie did not have a cognizable “claim” under the Bankruptcy Code until years after entry of the Sale Order. (GUC Trust Response at 15.) The GUC Trust contends that . Gillis-pie’s civil causes of action did not arise before his criminal conviction was vacated in 2012, and that accordingly, Gillispie’s Civil Action against New GM could not be barred by the Sale Order without violating his due process rights. (Id. at 15-24.) The GUC Trust further argues that if Gillispie were deemed to have had a cognizable claim under the Bankruptcy Code prior to the entry of the Sale Order in July 2009, New GM would be the only possible defendant for Gillispie’s Civil Action. (Id. at 24.) The GUC Trust contends that Gillispie was provided with adequate notice. Accordingly, Gillispie’s failure to file a proof of claim bars his claims against both New GM and Old GM’s estate alike. (Id. at 24-25.) The GUC Trust also argues that Gil-lispie’s conduct does not satisfy the “excusable neglect” standard since, inter alia, “the doctrine of excusable neglect has no application if the decision of a party with a pre-sale claim to stay out of bankruptcy proceeding was based on a legal error.” (Id. at 25-29.) According to the GUC Trust, if Gillispie had a pre-sale claim, but was not provided with adequate notice, due process requires that Gillispie be allowed to pursue his claims against New GM regardless of the provisions of the Sale Order. (Id. at 29-30.)

II. LEGAL STANDARD

A. The Scope and Effect of the Sale Order with Regards to Successor Liability

Section 363(f) of the Bankruptcy Code authorizes the debtor in certain circumstances to sell the estate’s interest in property “free and clear of any interest in such property of an entity other than the estate.” 11 U.S.C. § 363(f). “The Bankruptcy Code does not define ‘any interest,’ and in the course of applying section 363(f) to a wide variety of rights and obligations related to estate property, courts have been unable to formulate a precise definition.” Precision Indus., Inc. v. Qualitech Steel SBQ, LLC, 327 F.3d 537, 545 (7th Cir. 2003) (citing Folger Adam Security, Inc. v. DeMatteis/MacGregor JV, 209 F.3d 252, 258 (3d Cir.2000)).

“Interests in property,” as used in section 363(f), include “claims” that arise from the assets being sold. In re Chrysler LLC, 576 F.3d 108, 126 (2d Cir. 2009) (citing In re Trans World Airlines, Inc., 322 F.3d 283, 290 (3d Cir. 2003)), granting cert. & vacating judgment, Indiana State Police Pension Trust v. Chrysler LLC, 558 U.S. 1087, 130 S.Ct. 1015, 175 L.Ed.2d 614 (2009). Although § 363(f) is not limited to in rem interests in property, it affords only in rem relief similar to 11 U.S.C. § 1141(c). See Chrysler LLC, 576 F.3d at 125-26. “By its terms, § 363(f) cleanses the transferred assets of any attendant liabilities, and allows the buyer to acquire them without fear that an estate creditor can enforce its claim against those assets.” Morgan Olson Indus., LLC v. Frederico (In re Grumman Olson Industries, Inc.), 445 B.R. 243, 249 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2011).

In addition, § 363(f) has been interpreted to authorize the bankruptcy court to grant in personam relief, similar to the discharge under Bankruptcy Code § 1141(d), that exonerates the buyer from successor liability, including liability for tort claims. Campbell v. Motors Liquidation Co. (In re Motors Liquidation Co.), 428 B.R. 43, 57-59 (S.D.N.Y. 2010).

The Sale Order in this case expressly provides that, with the exception of certain limited liabilities expressly assumed by New GM (the “Assumed Liabilities”) under the Amended and Restated Master Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “Sale Agreement,” ECF Doc. # 2968-2), the assets acquired by New GM were .transferred “free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, and other interests of any kind or nature whatsoever ... including rights or claims based on any successor liability ...(Sale Order § 7.) Similarly, the Sale Order provides the following:

[A]ll persons and entities ... holding liens, claims and encumbrances, and other interests of any kind or nature whatsoever, including rights or claims based on any successor or transferee liability, against or in [Old GM] or the Purchased Assets (whether legal or equitable, secured or unsecured, matured or unma-tured, contingent or noncontingent, senior or subordinated), arising under or out of, in connection with, or in any way relating to [Old GM], the Purchased Assets, the operation of the Purchased Assets prior to the Closing ... are forever barred, estopped, and permanently enjoined ... from asserting against [New GM] ... such persons’ or entities’ liens, claims, encumbrances, and other interests, including rights or claims based on any successor or transferee liability.

CId. § 8.)

Further, the Sale Order states that “[t]his Order (a) shall be effective as a determination that, as of the Closing, (i) no claims other than Assumed Liabilities, will be assertable against [New GM] ... (ii) the Purchased Assets shall have been transferred to [New GM] free and clear of all claims (other than Permitted Encumbrances) .... ” (Id, § 9.) The Sale Order also provides:

Except for the Assumed Liabilities expressly set forth in the [Sale Agreement] .,. [New GM] .,. shall have [no] liability for any claim that arose prior to the Closing Date ... or otherwise is assertable against the Debtors or is related to the Purchased Assets prior to the Closing Date. [New GM] shall not be deemed ... to: (i) be a legal successor, or otherwise be deemed a successor to the Debtors (other than with respect to any obligations arising under the Purchased Assets from and after the Closing); (ii) have, de facto or otherwise, merged with or into the Debtors; or (iii) be a mere continuation or substantial continuation of the Debtors or the enterprise of the Debtors. Without limiting the foregoing, [New GM] shall not have any successor, transferee, derivative, or vicarious liabilities of any kind or character for any claims, including, but not limited to, under any theory of successor or transferee liability, de facto merger or continuity ... whether known or unknown as of the Closing, now existing or hereafter arising, asserted, or unassert-ed, fixed or contingent, liquidated or un-liquidated.

(Id, § 46.)

“Effective upon the Closing ... all persons and entities are forever prohibited and enjoined from commencing or continuing in any manner any action ... against [New GM] ... with respect to any (i) claim against [Old GM] other than the Assumed Liabilities.” (Id, § 47.) The Sale Order further provides that New GM did not assume any liabilities “arising in any way in connection with any agreements, acts, or failure to act, of any of [Old GM] or any of [Old GM’s] predecessors or affiliates, whether known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, whether arising prior to or subsequent to the commencement of these chapter 11 cases ... including but not limited to, claims otherwise arising under doctrines of successor or transferee liability.” (Id. § AA.)

The Sale Agreement expressly defines the liabilities retained by Old GM (the “Retained Liabilities”) and those assumed by New GM. Assumed Liabilities of New GM do not include any category of liabilities applicable to this case. (Sale Agreement § 2.3(a).) On the other hand, Retained Liabilities expressly include “all Liabilities of third parties for Claims based upon Contract, tort, or any other basis.” (Sale Agreement § 2.3(b)(xi).)

B. Contingent and Future Claims Within the Meaning of the Bankruptcy Code

Under section 101(5)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code, a claim is defined as a “right to payment, whether or not such right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured.” 11 U.S.C. § 101(6)(A). Congress selected the broadest possible definition to ensure that “all legal obligations of the debtor, no matter how remote or contingent, will be able to be dealt with in the bankruptcy case.” United States v. LTV Corp. (In re Chateaugay Corp.), 944 F.2d 997, 1003 (2d Cir. 1991) (quoting H.R.Rep. No. 95-595 at 309 (1978), 1978 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5963, 6266).

The Second Circuit has adopted the “fair contemplation” test to- determine whether a potential future claim is a claim within the meaning of section 101(5). Grumman Olson, 445 B.R. at 252 (quoting Chateaugay, 944 F.2d at 1004). Under the test, a contingent obligation is a “claim” if the occurrence of the contingency or future event that would trigger liability was “within the actual or presumed contemplation of the parties at the time the original relationship between the parties was created.” Chateaugay, 944 F.2d at 1004 (quoting In re All Media Props., Inc., 5 B.R. 126, 133 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. 1980), aff'd mem., 646 F.2d 193 (5th Cir. 1981)) (explaining that if the right to payment is contingent on future events, the claim must “result from pre-petition conduct fairly giving rise to that contingent claim”). In Grumman, the District Court, in affirming the decision of the Bankruptcy Court, ruled that the Second Circuit’s “fair contemplation” test was consistent with the well-known “Piper test,” as articulated by the Eleventh Circuit in Epstein v. Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (In re Piper Aircraft Corp.), 58 F.3d 1573 (11th Cir. 1995). In re Grumman Olson Industries, Inc., 467 B.R. 694, 705 (S.D.N.Y. 2012). The court in Piper Aircraft explained:

[A]n individual has a § 101(5) claim against a debtor manufacturer if (i) events occurring before confirmation create a relationship, such as contact, exposure, impact, or privity, between the claimant and the debtor’s product; and (ii) the basis for liability is the debtor’s prepetition conduct in designing, manufacturing and selling the allegedly defective or dangerous product. The debtor’s prepetition conduct gives rise to a claim to be administered in a case only if there is a relationship established before confirmation between an identifiable claimant or group of claimants and that pre-petition conduct.

Piper Aircraft, 58 F.3d at 1577.

In this case, although Gillispie’s claims are not product liability claims as was true in Piper Aircraft or Grumman, his claims squarely fall within Chateaugay’s “fair contemplation” test or PipePs prepetition “relationship” test. Gillispie was employed by Old GM when the conduct giving rise to his claims occurred in 1991; and he seeks to blame Old GM for the conduct of its other employees based on respondeat superior.

In the Motion, Gillispie asserts that his causes of action did not accrue until after the Sale, and that accordingly, such action was not a “claim” within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code, (Mot. at 10-14.) The Motion implicitly relies on the “accrued state law claim theory,” as notably adopted by the Third Circuit in Frenville, which states that there is no claim for bankruptcy purposes until a claim has accrued under state law. Avellino & Bienes v. M. Frenville Co. (In re M. Frenville Co.), 744 F.2d 332, 337 (3d Cir. 1984). This test announced in Frenville has since been rejected by a majority of courts, including in Piper Aircraft, as imposing too narrow an interpretation on the term “claim.” Piper, 58 F.3d at 1576 n.2. In In re Johns-Manville Corp., 57 B.R. 680, 690 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1986), this Court previously refused to follow the “accrued state law claim theory,” explaining that it did so “because it ignores the congressional intent to defíne ‘claim’ broadly.” The Second Circuit also articulated reservations about following Frenville’s rationale. See In re Baldwin-United Corp. Litigation, 765 F.2d 343, 348 n. 4 (2d Cir. 1985) (noting that “[w]e are not as certain as the District Court that, if we reached the issue, we would follow Frenville”). Indeed, the Third Circuit later repudiated the much-criticized Frenville accrued state law claim theory in Jeld-Wen, Inc., v. Van Brunt (In re Grossman’s Inc.), 607 F.3d 114 (3d Cir. 2010).

• The New GM Objection points to the Stone case, in which factual background is comparable to the facts in this case. (New GM Objection at 18.) There, the plaintiff was arrested and charged with theft from Kmart prior to the commencement of Kmart’s chapter 11 case. Stone v. Kmart Corp., 2007 WL 1034959 (M.D. Ala. Mar. 30, 2007). After the bar date for asserting claims, “the [theft] charge against plaintiff was nolle prosequi, and [the plaintiff] subsequently filed [an] action in state court ... claiming the proceedings instituted by Kmart were done maliciously and without probable cause.” Id. at *1. The court in Stone followed the Eleventh Circuit precedent and rejected the “accrued state law claim test.” The court explained:

The accrual time for Plaintiffs malicious prosecution claim under Alabama law does not control this action. The relevant inquiry is whether a claim has accrued under bankruptcy law based upon the statutory definition of a claim. The court finds that Plaintiffs claim accrued for purposes of bankruptcy law prior to the Bar Date. Applying the broad definition of claim to the facts of this case, Plaintiff, at the time of her arrest, had an arguably remote claim for malicious prosecution against Kmart. The scope of the term claim, as determined through the legislative history of the Bankruptcy Code, is more than broad enough to accommodate a malicious prosecution action, although the action has not accrued for purposes of state law.... The claim is contingent upon termination of the criminal case in favor of Plaintiff, which at least arguably would happen at some point during her criminal investigation or trial. That makes the claim at least “contingent” or “unmatured” in the context of the Code.

Id. at *3.

C. Adequacy of Notice

It is long-held that known creditors must be afforded notice “reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances to apprise” them of the pendency of the Bar Date. Mullane v. Cent. Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 314, 70 S.Ct. 652, 94 L.Ed. 865 (1950). If a debtor that files for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection does not give “reasonable notice” to a creditor of the bankruptcy proceeding and of the applicable bar date, the creditor’s proof of claim cannot be constitutionally discharged. In re U.S.H. Corp. of N.Y., 223 B.R. 654, 658 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1998). For known creditors, adequate notice requires actual written notice of the bankruptcy filing and of the bar date. See In re Drexel Burnham Lambert Grp., Inc., 151 B.R. 674, 680 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1993). Notice of the debtor’s bankruptcy proceeding is not enough to put creditors on notice of the claim bar date. City of New York v. N.Y., N.H. & H.R. Co., 344 U.S. 293, 297, 73 S.Ct. 299, 97 L.Ed. 333 (1953) (“Nor can the bar order against [the creditor] be sustained because of the [creditor’s] knowledge that reorganization of the [debtor] was taking place in the court.... [E]ven creditors who have knowledge of a reorganization have a right to assume that the statutory ‘reasonable notice’ will be given them before their claims are forever barred.”).

What type of notice is reasonable or adequate, however, depends on whether the creditor is “known” or “unknown” to the debtor. U.S.H. Corp. of N.Y., 223 B.R. at 658. If a creditor is “known” to a debtor, actual notice of a debtor’s bankruptcy filing and bar date must be given to the creditor in order to achieve a legally effective discharge of the creditor’s claim. See Chemetron Corp. v. Jones, 72 F.3d 341, 346 (3d Cir. 1995) (citing City of New York, 344 U.S. at 296, 73 S.Ct. 299). If the creditor is “unknown” to the debtor, however, constructive notice is generally sufficient. Id. (citing In re Thomson McKinnon Sec., Inc., 130 B.R. 717, 719-720 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1991)). Constructive notice can be satisfied through publication notice since “in the case of persons missing or unknown, employment of an indirect and even a probably futile means of notification is all that the situation permits and creates no constitutional bar to a final decree foreclosing their rights.” Mullane, 339 U.S. at 317, 70 S.Ct. 652.

The Supreme Court has explained that a “known” creditor includes both a claimant whose identity is actually known to the debtor or a claimant whose identity is “reasonably ascertainable” by the debtor. Chemetron, 72 F.3d at 346 (explaining that claimants must be reasonably ascertainable, not reasonably foreseeable). The Second Circuit recently emphasized the notice requirement where the asserted claims were contingent. Elliott v. General Motors LLC (In re Motors Liquidation Co.), 829 F.3d 135, 160 (2d Cir. 2016) (“But contingent claims are still claims ... and claimants are entitled to adequate notice if the debtor knows of the claims.”). An “unknown” creditor is a creditor whose identity or claim is not “reasonably ascertainable” or is merely “conceivable, conjectural or speculative.” Thomson, 130 B.R. at 720 (citing Charter Crude Oil Co. v. Petroleos Mexicanos (In re the Charter Co.), 125 B.R. 650, 655 (M.D. Fla. 1991); see Mullane, 339 U.S. at 317, 70 S.Ct. 652 (noting that it was reasonable to dispense with more certain notice to claimants “whose interests are either conjectural or future or, although they could be discovered upon investigation, do not in due course of business come to the knowledge [of the debtor in possession]”).

A creditor is “reasonably ascertainable” if the debtor can uncover the identity of that creditor through “reasonably diligent efforts.” Mennonite Bd. of Missions v. Adams, 462 U.S. 791, 798 n.4, 103 S.Ct. 2706, 77 L.Ed.2d 180 (1983). Reasonable diligence does not require “impracticable and extended searches ... in the name of due process,” Mullane, 339 U.S. at 317-318, 70 S.Ct. 652. A debtor does not have a “duty to search out each conceivable or possible creditor and urge that person or entity to make a claim against it.” In re Brooks Fashion Stores, Inc., 124 B.R. 436, 445 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1991) (quoting Charter Crude Oil Co., 125 B.R. at 654). “[W]hat is required is not a vast, open-ended investigation.” Chemetron, 72 F.3d at 346. Instead, “[t]he requisite search ... focuses on the debtor’s own books and records. Efforts beyond a careful examination of these documents are generally not required. Only those claimants who are identifiable through a diligent search are ‘reasonably ascertainable’ and hence ‘known’ creditors.” Id, at 347; see also In re Best Prods. Co., 140 B.R. 353, 358 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1992) (citing In re Waterman Steamship Corp., 59 B.R. 724, 727 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1986)) (“Whereas a debtor must review its own books and records to ascertain the identity of creditors, a debtor is not required to search elsewhere for those who might have been injured.”). This Court, in Drexel, further explained as follows:

Reasonable diligence in ferreting out known creditors will, of course, vary in different contexts and may depend on the nature of the property interest held by the debtor. Applying Mullane’s “reasonable under the circumstances” standard, due process requires a reasonable search for contingent or unmatured claims so that ascertainable creditors can receive adequate notice of the bar date. What is reasonable depends on the particular facts of each case. A debtor need not be omnipotent or clairvoyant. A debtor is obligated, however, to undertake more than a cursory review of its records and files to ascertain its known creditors.

Known creditors are defined as creditors that a debtor knew of, or should have known of, when serving notice of the bar date. Among known creditors may be parties who have made a demand for payment against a debtor in one form or another before the compilation of a debtor’s schedules. Typically, a known creditor may have engaged in some communication with a debtor concerning the existence of the creditor’s claim. This communication by itself does not necessarily make the creditor known. Direct knowledge based on a demand for payment is not, however, required for a claim to be considered “known.” A known claim arises from facts that would alert the reasonable debtor to the possibility that a claim might reasonably be filed against it.

Drexel, 151 B.R. at 680-81.

Similarly, in In re XO Commc’n, Inc., 301 B.R. 782, 794-95 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2003), this Court found that a number of claimants were “unknown" creditors to whom the debtor was only required to give constructive notice of the claims bar date where such claims were too remote or conjectural. Id. (“[T]he prior relationship does not by itself make [creditor] a ‘known’ creditor or [creditor’s] Preference Claim ‘reasonably ascertainable’ by the Debtor .... [A] preference claim is the type of liability that is created by the Bankruptcy Code and not the type an entity ‘generally’ tracks on its books and records, Such a claim is merely “conceivable, conjectural or speculative,” that is, the claim is ‘dependent’ on whether a claimant will ‘opt’ to pursue the claim.”); see also In re Enron Corp., 2006 WL 898031 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Mar. 29, 2006) (ruling that the claim, stemming from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “FERC”) proceedings, was “conceivable, conjectural or speculative” at the time the Debtors sent the bar date notice to creditors, making the claimant an unknown creditor, since at that time “the FERC was simply investigating the alleged price manipulation in the western market, [and] FERC did not release any documents that indicated [the claimant] was a potential claimant in the Debtor’s bankruptcy .... In addition, there is nothing in the record showing that an investigation by the Debtors of their business records would have demonstrated [the claimant] held a claim. Although the FERC investigation ... indicated that [the claimant] may hold a potential claim, it does not establish that the Debtors could readily ascertain the existence of the claim at the time they sent the bar date notice”); In re Union Hosp. Ass’n of Bronx, 226 B.R. 134, 139 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1998) (holding that claimants seeking indemnity and contribution from chapter 11 debtor, whose claims were dependent upon the outcome of the suit by the plaintiffs, were not “known creditors,” as their claims “were, at best, conjectural or future”); U.S.H. Corp. of New York, 223 B.R. at 656 (finding that purchasers of townhomes that chapter 11 debtors had constructed in alleged nonconformance with advisory guidelines were not “known creditors” of debtors).

D. Failure to File Proof of Claim and Excusable Neglect

In cases where creditors have failed to file claims before the bar date despite having adequate notice, “Bankruptcy Rule 9006(b)(1) gives the court the discretion to enlarge the time to file claims ‘where the failure to act was the result of excusable neglect.’ ” In re Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc., 433 B.R. 113, 119 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2010) (quoting FED. R. BANKR. P. 9006(b)(1)). “The Supreme Court has interpreted ‘excusable neglect’ to be a flexible standard—one that can include ‘inadvertence, mistake, or carelessness, as well as by intervening circumstances beyond the party’s control.’ ” Id. (quoting Pioneer Inv. Services Co. v. Brunswick Associates Ltd, 507 U.S. 380, 395, 113 S.Ct. 1489, 123 L.Ed.2d 74 (1993)). “However, ‘the determination is at bottom an equitable one’ that must take ‘account of all relevant circumstances surrounding the party’s omission,’ ” Id, The Pioneer Court established four factors to assist bankruptcy courts in evaluating excusable neglect: (1) the danger of prejudice to the debtor; (2) the length of the delay and its potential impact on judicial proceedings; (8) the reason for the delay, including whether it was within the reasonable control of the movant; and (4) whether the movant acted in good faith, Pioneer, 507 U.S. at 395, 113 S.Ct. 1489, “The Second Circuit strictly observes bar dates and has adopted what has been characterized as a ‘hard line’ in applying the Pioneer test,” meaning that this Court should focus its analysis “primarily on the reason for the delay, and specifically whether the delay was in the reasonable control of the movant,” In re Lehman Bros., 433 B.R. at 119-20.

Courts have held that a claimant’s neglect was not excusable where its failure to comply with the rule was the result of a mistake of law. Canfield v. Van Atta Buick/GMC Tmck Inc., 127 F.3d 248, 251 (2d Cir, 1997) (citing Kyle v. Campbell Soup Co., 28 F.3d 928, 931-932 (9th Cir. 1994) (“[T]he general rule [is] that a mistake of law does not constitute excusable neglect,”); see also In re DPH Holdings Corp,, 434 B.R, 77, 83 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (“Pioneer states that ‘[ajlthough inadvertence, ignorance of the rules, or mistakes construing the rules do not usually constitute excusable neglect, it is clear that excusable neglect ... is a somewhat elastic concept.’ However, the Second Circuit has taken a hard line in finding excusable neglect. Where a court rule is entirely clear, ... a party claiming excusable neglect will, in the ordinary course, lose under the Pioneer test.”) (internal footnotes omitted).

Ill, DISCUSSION

Gillispie may not assert his claims against New GM as his claims were not assumed liabilities and successor liability is barred by the Sale Order. Leave to file late claims against Old GM is denied, as Gillispie has not established excusable neglect.

A. Gillispie Does Not Have Claims Against New GM

Gillispie’s Motion with respect to his request to be granted leave to pursue the Civil Action against New GM is denied. The Movant’s allegations that “New GM has admitted to being the same corporation as [Old GM]” does not persuade the Court and do not bear on the analysis, wherein the Sale Order and the Sale Agreement shield New GM from claims related to Old GM’s prepetition conduct. Gillispie’s Civil Action in the Southern District of Ohio is based on violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and on Ohio common law, namely, malicious prosecution, infliction of emotional distress, and spoliation of evidence, in connection to Gillispie’s conviction in 1991. A cause of action based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983 “creates ‘a species of tort liability.”’ Memphis Community School Dist. v. Stachura, 477 U.S. 299, 305, 106 S.Ct. 2537, 91 L.Ed.2d 249 (1986). It is undisputed that malicious prosecution (see, e.g., Restatement (Second) of Torts § 653 (1979)), the infliction of emotional distress (see, e.g., Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46 (1979)), and the spoliation of evidence charges (see, e.g., Restatement (Second) of Torts § 870 (1979)) are claims asserted under tort law. Under the Sale Agreement, which defines the scope of the in person-am relief granted to New GM in relation to the Sale, Retained Liabilities of Old GM include “all Liabilities of third parties for Claims based upon Contract, tort, or any other bases.” (Sale Agreement § 2.3(b)(xi)). Gillispie’s tort causes of action in the Ohio state court must therefore fall within the scope of Retained Liabilities. Further, the Sale Order expressly and clearly shields New GM from “any action ... with respect to any (i) claim against [Old GM] other than the Assumed Liabilities,” and all the more so against Retained Liabilities, expressly retained by Old GM (Sale Order § 47) (see also Sale Order §§ 8, 9, 46, AA). It must follow that Gillispie’s tort Civil Action cannot be pursued against New GM.

Gillispie argues that due process should not bar him from asserting his claim against New GM. However, there is nothing in the record to support a contention that Gillispie was a known creditor of Old GM (or that Old GM concealed a known or reasonably expected liability). In June 2009, when Old GM filed for bankruptcy protection, Old GM had no basis to suspect that Gillispie had any claim against Old GM relating to his February. 1991 Ohio criminal conviction, Gillispie filed his civil action asserting claims against Old GM and New GM based on wrongful conviction in December 2013. As an unknown creditor, notice by publication was constitutionally sufficient, and Old GM did publish notice of the hearing of the Sale and of the Claim Bar Date in a number of global, national, and local newspapers. Gillispie thus has no basis to argue that as a result of a due process violation because of inadequate notice, he is not bound by the free and clear provisions of the Sale Order.

B. Gillispie Does Not Show Sufficient Cause to be Granted Leave to File a Post-Bar-Date, Late Proof of Claim in the Old GM Bankruptcy

Gillispie’s Motion with respect to his request to be granted leave to file a post-bar-date proof of claim in the Old GM bankruptcy is also denied.

1, Gillispie’s Civil Claims Are Contingent Claims Within the Meaning of § 101(5) (A) of the . Bankruptcy Code

Gillispie’s Civil Action is based on violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and of Ohio common law arising out of the alleged misconduct of Old GM employees. All of the events that formed the basis for his Civil Action occurred during or before calendar year 1991, and were related to testimony given by Old GM employees in connection with Gillispie’s arrest and conviction. The fact that Gillispie was not able as a matter of nonbankruptcy law to commence an action against Old GM and others before his conviction was vacated is irrelevant to the analysis. As discussed, the “accrued state law claim theory” does not apply to the determination whether a creditor has a “claim” under section 101(5)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code. Rather, for Gillispie’s cause of action to be a claim under the Bankruptcy Code, this Court need only find that Gillispie’s civil claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Ohio common law result from Old GM’s prepetition conduct “fairly giving rise” to Gillispie’s claim. See Chateaugay, 944 F.2d at 1005. The occurrence of the contingency event that would trigger Old GM’s potential liability, namely the vacation of the conviction,⁵ was within the actual or presumed contemplation of Gillispie at the time he was convicted allegedly as a result of the conduct of GM employees. Gillispie surely knew (and believed) that his conviction was not warranted based on Old GM’s employees’ testimony, and as a result; Gillispie “has steadfastly maintained his innocence and labored tirelessly for over 20 years to clear his name.” (Mot. at 2.) Gillispie initiated proceedings to vacate or reverse his conviction as soon as he was convicted. For example, as soon as February 26, 1991—two weeks after his conviction—Gillispie filed a motion in state court seeking a new trial. See Gillispie v. Timmerman-Cooper, 835 F.Supp.2d at 487.

As previously mentioned, the court’s reasoning in Stone v. Kmart Corp., 2007 WL 1034959, is instructive. In that ease, the malicious prosecution event that gave rise to the plaintiff’s civil case occurred pre-petition, but the theft charge against the plaintiff was declared nolle prosequi only after the bar date for asserting claims. The court held that plaintiffs malicious prosecution claim was “contingent upon termination of the criminal case in favor of Plaintiff, which at least arguably would happen at some point during her criminal investigation or trial. That makes the claim at least ‘contingent’ or ‘unma-tured’ in the context of the Code.” Id. at *3. Similarly, in this case, the alleged false testimony by Old GM’s employees occurred pre-petition and Gillispie’s conviction was vacated after the bar date for asserting claims. Gillispie’s claims were contingent upon the successful challenge of his conviction, as well as disputed and unliquidated.

It follows that Gillispie’s civil claims are contingent claims within the meaning of section 101(5)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code. To preserve the claims in this bankruptcy case, Gillispie had to file a proof of claim before the Bar Date.

2. Gillispie was an Unknown Creditor of Old GM and He Received Adequate Notice of the Bankruptcy Filing and the Claim Bar Date

Gillispie’s Civil Action relies on facts that occurred at the earliest eighteen years before the start of Old GM’s bankruptcy proceeding. Gillispie’s first effort to assert a claim against Old GM occurred in December 2013, when he filed his action in the Ohio federal district court, more than fourteen years after the Claim Bar Date. Nowhere in his Motion does Gillispie claim that the Old GM was aware of his attempt to vacate his conviction in state or federal courts at any time before he filed his § 1983 Civil Action in December 2013. Nor has Gillispie offered any evidence that Old GM knew that Gillispie contended that Old GM was liable as a result of any wrongful conviction. For Old GM to “uncover the identity” of Gillispie’s potential claims, which arose eighteen years earlier, would therefore have required more than “reasonably diligent efforts.” See Mennonite, 462 U.S. at 804, 103 S.Ct. 2706. Old GM’s search needed only focus on its own books and records, Chemetron, 72 F.3d at 347, and Old GM’s schedules of assets and liabilities filed on September 15, 2009, and amended on October 4, 2009. Those schedules did not list a claim by Gillispie, (ECF Doc. ##4061-4077, 4161). Gillispie has provided no evidence that a reasonable search of Old GM’s books and records would have brought his claim to Old GM’s attention. A contingent section 1983 claim based on alleged misconduct by other employees eighteen years before is not “the type ... an entity ‘generally’ tracks on its books and records.” See XO Communications, 301 B.R. at 794-95. More generally, the remoteness of Gillispie’s prepetition contingent claim is the type of claim this Court has held to be unknown. See Union Hosp, 226 B.R. at 134 (holding that indemnity and contribution claims against debtor were contingent to medical malpractice lawsuit and the plaintiffs were therefore unknown); Enron, 2006 WL 898031 (ruling that a creditor whose claim was contingent on the FERC’s successful investigations against the debtor was unknown).

The Court concludes that Gillispie was an unknown creditor. It follows that Old GM was only required to provide Gillispie with constructive notice of the bankruptcy filing and Claim Bar Date though publication. See Mullane, 339 at 317, 70 S.Ct. 652. Pursuant to this Court’s order dated June 2, 2009, “all unknown creditors and parties ... [were provided] with proper notice of the proposed sale of the Purchased Assets, the Sale Procedures, the 363 Transaction, and the Sale Hearing” through publication in a number of global, national, and local newspapers. (See ECF Doc. # 274 § 9(e).) Old GM also provided constructive notice to Gillispie of the Claim Bar Order and the Claim Bar Date through publication in global, national, and local newspapers. (See Bar Date Order at 7.) Gillispie therefore received adequate notice of Old GM’s bankruptcy proceeding and of the Claim Bar Date, regardless whether he had actual notice thereof.

It follows that Gillispie’s relief against Old GM can only be achieved through a showing that his “excusable neglect” justified his failure to file a timely proof of claim.

3. Gillispie’s Failure to File a Proof of Claim is Not Due to Excusable Neglect

Gillispie’s failure to file a timely proof of claim despite having received adequate notice can only be excused under Bankruptcy Rule 9006(b)(1) if Gillispie’s failure to act is the result of “excusable neglect,” as interpreted by the Pioneer Court. The Motion argues that “[f]irst, and most paramount is the fact that Mr. Gillis-pie ... could not have brought his civil rights case” before the Claim Bar Date because his state law claims had not accrued. (Mot. at 17). Gillispie argues that he did not file a proof of claim in the bankruptcy court because he could not file a lawsuit as' a matter of nanbankmptcy Urn before his conviction was called into question in 2011 and 2012. In arguing that his failure to file a proof of claim was the result of excusable neglect, Gillispie relies on a mistake of la%v. Gillispie’s reasoning is based on the “accrued state law claim test,” rejected not only by courts in this Circuit and elsewhere, but even in the Third Circuit that initially adopted that test in the now-discredited Frenville opinion. However, “the general rule [is] that a mistake of law does not constitute excusable neglect.” See Canfield, 127 F.3d at 251. Therefore, Gillispie’s failure to file a timely proof of claim cannot be excused under Bankruptcy Rule 9006(b)(1). It follows that Gillispie is barred from asserting any of his civil claims against Old GM.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons discussed above, the Motion is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

1 . See State v. Gillispie, 1993 WL 10927 (Ohio Ct. App. Jan. 21, 1993) (rejecting direct appeal), leave to appeal denied, 67 Ohio St.3d 1421, 616 N.E.2d 504 (1993); State v. Gillispie, 1995 WL 41334 (Ohio Ct. App. Feb. 1, 1995) (affirming trial court’s dismissal of first post-conviction challenge), appeal not allowed, 72 Ohio St.3d 1538, 650 N.E.2d 479 (1995); State v. Gillispie, No. 1990 CR 02667 (Ohio Ct. C.P. Sept. 17, 1999), aff'd, 2002 WL 471866 (Ohio Ct. App. Mar. 29, 2002), appeal not allowed, 96 Ohio St.3d 1441, 770 N.E.2d 1050 (2002); State v. Gillispie, No. 1990 CR 02667 (Ohio Ct. C.P. July 9, 2008) (denying second motion for new trial based on due process violations and newly discovered evidence of an alternative suspect).

2 . The order provided that "[o]n the Mailing Deadline, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Debtors shall cause the Publication Notice to be published (i) once in (a) the global edition of The Wall Street Journal, (b) the national edition of The New York Times, (c) the global edition of The Financial Times, (d) the national edition of USA Today, (e) Detroit Free Press/Detroit News, (f) Le Journal de Montreal, (g) Montreal Gazette, (h) The Globe and Mail, and (i) The National Post, and (ii) on the website of the Debtors’ proposed claims and noticing agent, The Garden City Group, Inc., at http:/www,gmcourtdocs,com.” (ECF Doc. # 274 § 9(e).)

3 . The Bar Date Order provided that “the Debtors shall publish the Bar Date Notice, with any necessary modifications for ease of publication, once in each of Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal (Global Edition— North America, Europe, and Asia), The New York Times (National), USA Today (Monday through Thursday, National), Detroit Free Press/Detroit News, Le Journal de Montreal (French), Montreal Gazette (English), The Globe and Mail (National), and The National Post at least thirty days prior to the General Bar Date, which publication is hereby approved and shall be deemed good, adequate, and sufficient publication notice of the Bar Date and the procedures for filing Proofs of Claim in these cases .,., ”

4 . This decision, preventing Gillispie from pursuing claims against Old GM or New GM, has no effect on Gillispie’s causes of action against the remaining defendants in his lawsuit pending in the Ohio District Court.

5 . To bring a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 action alleging that the plaintiffs conviction is unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the plaintiffs conviction must have been called into question or otherwise undermined. See Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 486-87, 114 S.Ct. 2364, 129 L.Ed.2d 383 (1994) ("[I]n order to recover damages for allegedly unconstitutional conviction or imprisonment, or for other harm caused by actions whose unlawfulness would render a conviction or sentence invalid, a § 1983 plaintiff must prove that the conviction or sentence has been reversed on direct appeal, expunged by executive order, declared invalid by a state tribunal authorized to make such determination, or called into question by a federal court’s issuance of a writ of habeas corpus ....”) (footnote and citation omitted).