Morton v. Arlington Heights Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n

836 F. Supp. 477, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18854, 1993 WL 453146
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Illinois
DecidedJune 22, 1993
Docket90 C 6683
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 836 F. Supp. 477 (Morton v. Arlington Heights Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Morton v. Arlington Heights Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n, 836 F. Supp. 477, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18854, 1993 WL 453146 (N.D. Ill. 1993).

Opinion

RULING ON CROSS-MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

WEISBERG, United States Magistrate Judge.

This is a dispute between the receiver for a failed savings and loan association and the retired president of the association, who asks the court to enforce an agreement requiring the association to pay him $1,100 per month for the rest of his life. The receiver contends that the agreement was properly repudiated. This court has jurisdiction under 12 U.S.C. § 1821(d)(6)(A) and 28 U.S.C. § 1331. The parties have consented to proceed before the undersigned pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), and both parties have moved- for summary judgment. For the reasons that follow, we grant the receiver’s motion.

The following facts are undisputed. Plaintiff Donald F. Morton was the president and chairman of the board of Arlington Heights Federal Savings and Loan Association (Arlington). Morton retired on January 31, 1988. 1 Upon his retirement he received a lump sum payment of approximately $740,-000 from his pension plan at Arlington and an automobile valued at approximately $14,-000. A few months prior to his retirement, he and Arlington had entered into the “Donald F. Morton Retirement Agreement” dated October 26, 1987, Pl.Mo.Exh. C (the Agreement), which provided, among other things, that Morton was to receive $1,100 per month for the rest of his life. In return, he was to refrain from competing with Arlington and was to attend meetings of Arlington’s board of directors and be available for consultation.

Almost two years after Morton retired, on December 7,1989, the Office of Thrift Supervision declared Arlington insolvent and the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) became Arlington’s receiver. (Although Arlington is no longer in business and its assets have been transferred, we refer to the defendant as “Arlington” although the RTC is the real party in interest.) On December 27, David E. Albertson, RTC’s managing agent in charge of Arlington, notified Morton that all of Arlington’s employment agreements had been terminated and that the Agreement was terminated as well. Pl.Mo.Exh. E. Morton had received all payments due under the Agreement up to that date. Plaintiffs Statement of Material Facts ¶ 13.

On March 15, 1990, Morton wrote RTC asserting a claim for damages for the repudiation of the Agreement, noting that he had not received proper notification of the repudiation. Id. Exh. F. 2 After receiving the *480 letter, Albertson told Morton that he believed that the original notice had been insufficient and told him he would receive an additional check covering January — March 1990. The check was prepared, Pl.Mo.Exh. H, but was not given to Morton. Although Albertson had told Morton he could pick up his check, he called Morton again and told him he would have to employ the RTC claims procedure. On March 27, 1990, the receiver responded with another notice of the repudiation of the Agreement, and informed Morton how to file a claim. Id. Exh. G. On June 23, 1990, Morton filed a claim for $221,-760 based on his then life expectancy of 16.8 years times the $13,200 per year he would receive under the Agreement. Id. Exh. I. His claim was denied on September 20, 1990, id. Exh. J, and Morton filed this suit November 16, 1990.

Statutory Provisions

Before considering the contentions of the parties we briefly review the applicable statute. The recent savings and loan crisis prompted Congress to enact the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”). FIRREA contains broad revisions in federal banking law to enhance certain powers of the FDIC and to eliminate impediments to the efficient disposition of failed financial institutions. Under FIRREA, the FDIC is authorized to act as receiver of insured federal depository institutions such as Arlington. 12 U.S.C. § 1821(c)(2). In its capacity as receiver, the FDIC may resolve claims against the failed institution. 12 U.S.C. § 1821(d)(3). The receiver may prescribe regulations regarding the allowance, disallowance and determination of claims. 12 U.S.C. § 1821(d)(4).

When the RTC as receiver takes over a failed institution, 12 U.S.C. § 1821(e)(1) permits the receiver to repudiate contracts that the receiver deems burdensome to the institution:

(1) Authority to repudiate contracts
In addition to any other rights a conservator or receiver may have, the conservator or receiver for any insured depository institution may disaffirm or repudiate any contract or lease—
(A) to which such institution is a party;
(B) the performance of which the conservator or receiver, in the conservator’s or receiver’s discretion, determines to be burdensome; and
(C) the disaffirmance or repudiation of which the conservator or receiver determines, in the conservator’s or receiver’s discretion, will promote the orderly administration of the institution’s affairs.
(2) Timing of repudiation The conservator or receiver ... shall determine whether or not to exercise the rights of repudiation under this subsection within a reasonable period following such appointment.

A party to a repudiated contract or lease is entitled to claim “actual direct compensatory damages,” but may not recover punitive or exemplary damages, damages for lost profits or opportunity or damages for pain and suffering. 12 U.S.C. § 1821(e)(3). The damage claim for repudiation of a service contract is deemed to have arisen as of the date the receiver was appointed and the contracting party is treated as a general creditor of the institution, except that services rendered after the receiver was appointed and before the contract is repudiated are to be paid according to the contract as administrative expenses. 12 U.S.C. § 1821(e)(7). There are no published regulations governing the repudiation of contracts by the RTC acting as receiver. 3 RTC did have internal guidelines for receivers exercising the power of repudiation, of which more later.

A person having a claim against a failed institution must first file a claim with the receiver under 12 U.S.C. § 1821(d)(5)(D).

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Pens. Plan Guide P 23914i John T. Hennessy Michael B. High William A. Bracken Larry Gibson Martha C. Hitchcock Laurence A. Liss Ken Mancini George S. Rapp Roberta Griffin Torian Frank J. Soriero v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as Receiver for Meritor Savings Bank. Thomas Callahan v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as Receiver for Meritor Savings Bank. Appeal of John T. Hennessy, Roberta Griffin Torian, Michael B. High, William Bracken, Laurence Liss, Marty Hitchcock, George S. Rapp, Kenneth R. Mancini, Lawrence J. Gibson, Frank J. Soriero and Thomas Callahan, David A. Campbell, Jr. Robert F. Hanna Leslie Voth Helen T. Demarco, Individually, and Robert F. Hanna Helen T. Demarco, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated (Separation Plan Class), and David A. Campbell, Jr., on Behalf of Himself and All Others Similarly Situated (Retiree Health Class), and David A. Campbell, Jr. Robert F. Hanna, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated (Life Insurance Class) v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as Receiver for Meritor Savings Bank. Appeal of David A. Campbell, Jr., Robert F. Hanna, Helen T. Demarco and Leslie Voth, Joseph A. Adolf, Laurence J. Arnold, Christian F. Aurig, George W. Barber, Linda C. Barch, Richard F. Bate, Owen J. Behen, Lauren Bethea, Elizabeth L. Blankenhorn, Anne Marie Boback, Susan M. Brown, John J. Buczek, George S. Bunting, Mary Ann C. Burch, Edith Burkeitt, Thomas P. Callahan, David A. Campbell, Jr., Karla J. Carney, John M. Casamento, Jr., William J. Cathcart, Lisa Cavalli, Nancy L. Ceffaratti, Joseph D. Cellucci, Esther Cerbo, Carole A. Circucci, Anthony R. Coogan, Larry A. Cook, Samuel J. Cook, Wallace P. Cooney, Paul L. Coppola, Lorene C. Coquillette, Betty R. Corley, Harriet S. Corley, Joan T. Corson, David E. Coverdale, Mary C. Craige, Loius T. Cullen, John F. Culp, Edward D. Custer, Michael Czincila, Joan E. Debes, Irene v. Delizzio, Gail L. Delviscio, Harold L. Dempsey, Harold C. Dengel, Debra Anne Denight, Beatrice L. Desher, Joseph H. Devore, Jr., Anna S. Difelice, Mario Difelice, Mary Ann Digregorio, Leonid A. Dobrinin, Sarah S. Doody, Joseph M. Duffy, Leonard T. Ebert, John A. Fatula, Charles J. Ferrie, George W. Fetters, Jr., Lore L. Fisher, John P. Fogarty, Cynthia M. Ford, Doris Gagliardi, Barbara A. Gibson, Frances J. Gillen, William R. Goettle, Charles W. Gray, Iii, Eugene A. Heiwig, William H. Hilliard, William H.H. Hsu, Stanley E. Hunt, Charles C. Jones, Thomas C. Keiser, Kathleen F. Kelly, Lynn M. Kelly, Ethel S. Keowen, John Andrew Kinnerman, Philip W. Klinger, C. Andrew Krepps, Jr., John David Lambert, Michael G. Lewis, Patricia Leuthy, Salvatore Lizzio, Aldo S. Lombardi, Elisabeth W. Lord, Kathleen Lynch, E. David MacNally William C. MacNeill Jr., Frank Joseph Marullo, Edward M. Mason, Jr., Thomas G. Marvel, Ruth A. McAllister Joseph F. McCole Christine D. McCormick Philip J. McCormick Janet B. McCourt David C. Melnicoff, Freda I. Millar, Anthony M. Mingarino, Joseph J. Moffa, Linda Lee Montana, Barbara L. Morgan, Marion D. Morgan, Leonard v. Morris, David D. Morrison, Mary T. Murphy, Anthony J. Nocella, William A. Norris, Iii, Martha K. Nylund, Mary E. Orr, John T. Osmian, Charles E. Padgett, Patricia Pawling, Howard F. Pearce, Catherine P. Piccone, Peter P. Pryzbylkowski, Darlene E. Purugganan, Elizabeth L. Rafetto, Edward W. Rapp, Luba K. Reilly, Louise M. Reitano, Antoinette D. Rendino, Ms. Jamie Rindock, Jean Davis Robinson, Richard Rogers, Diane S. Rohr, Herbert A. Roth, Anthony J. Santilli, Jr., Kathleen M. Sawchynsky, Ruth C. Schmidt, Michael F. Scutti, Martin Selgrath, John W. Semple, Joseph F. Slane, Robert A. Smalley, Elizabeth K. Sonneborn, Fred B. Staas, Walter R. Staples, Robert C. Steinman, Arthur W. Stettler, Jean J. Stubbs, Anthony Tabasco, Robert B. Taylor, Annita L. Tedesco, Kenneth C. Thomas, Patricia E. Thompson, Dianne T. Tindall, James M. Toolan, Morris Varano, Stanley J. Verbeek, Donna Volz, Leslie C. Voth, Theresa M. Webb, Cynthia West, Robert B. Whitelaw, Alton T. Winner, Jr., Anne M. Wise, Verdella Wright, Anthony J. Zongaro and Lina G. Zanoni v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as Receiver for Meritor Savings Bank
58 F.3d 908 (Third Circuit, 1995)
Hennessy v. Federal Deposit Insurance
58 F.3d 908 (Third Circuit, 1995)
Gibson v. Resolution Trust Corp.
51 F.3d 1016 (Eleventh Circuit, 1995)
Franklin Financial v. Resolution Trust Corp.
53 F.3d 268 (Ninth Circuit, 1995)
Hennessy v. Federal Deposit Insurance
858 F. Supp. 483 (E.D. Pennsylvania, 1994)
Employees' Retirement System v. Resolution Trust Corp.
840 F. Supp. 972 (S.D. New York, 1993)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
836 F. Supp. 477, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18854, 1993 WL 453146, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/morton-v-arlington-heights-federal-savings-loan-assn-ilnd-1993.