Newton v. Uniwest Financial Corp.

802 F. Supp. 356, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20105, 1990 WL 420835
CourtDistrict Court, D. Nevada
DecidedJuly 11, 1990
DocketNo. CV-S-87-706 HDM
StatusPublished

This text of 802 F. Supp. 356 (Newton v. Uniwest Financial Corp.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Nevada primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Newton v. Uniwest Financial Corp., 802 F. Supp. 356, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20105, 1990 WL 420835 (D. Nev. 1990).

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACTS CONCLUSION OF LAW AND ORDER

McKIBBEN, District Judge.

The Court having considered the memo-randa of points and authorities of all of the parties regarding the motion for summary judgment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as receiver for Buena Vista Bank & Trust Co. (the “FDIC”), heard oral argument on this motion on March 22, 1990, and being fully advised in the premises makes the following findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Buena Vista Bank & Trust Co. (“Bue-na Vista”) was a bank chartered under the laws of Colorado.

2. On August 28, 1986, the Colorado State Banking Commission declared Buena Vista to be insolvent, and took possession of the properties and affairs of Buena Vista.

3. On August 28, 1986, the FDIC accepted the appointment as the receiver of Buena Vista, and the FDIC in its receivership capacity now holds the assets of Bue-na Vista.

4. In late 1984, plaintiff Carson Wayne Newton (“Newton”) took part in an investment that involved the purchase of 5,000 shares of preferred stock of defendant Uni-west Financial Corporation (“Uniwest Financial”).

5. It is undisputed that Newton learned of this investment opportunity through the advice of his lawyers from the law firm of Mortimer, Sourwine, Mousel, Sloane & Knobel in Reno, Nevada.

[358]*3586. It is also undisputed that lawyers from the firm of Mortimer, Sourwine, Mousel, Sloane & Knobel represented Newton throughout the negotiations relating to this investment.

7. Newton received a loan in the amount of $200,000 from Buena Vista as evidenced by promissory note no. 1248 4508 00 dated December 27, 1984 (the “Note”).

8. The FDIC is the holder of the Note.

9. It is undisputed that Newton received the funds evidenced by the Note, and used those funds to finance in part his purchase of the Uniwest Financial stock.

10. Newton’s lawyers advised him to enter into the Note as part of the investment transaction.

11. There is no dispute that Newton both executed the Note and participated in the investment scheme involving the purchase of stock in Uniwest Financial on the advice of counsel.

12. In fact, it is uncontroverted that Newton had absolutely no contact with any of the parties to this action during the relevant time period, and acted at all times through his counsel.

13. Newton’s lawyers, Frank Fahren-kopf, David L. Mousel, Julien G. Sourwine, Wayne L. Mortimer, and Douglas A. Sloane all joined Newton in this investment, and each of these gentlemen received a loan from Buena Vista, like Newton.

14. It is uncontroverted that Buena Vista neither conditioned its loans to Newton and his lawyers on the purchase of Uniwest Financial stock, nor gave any information to Newton or his lawyers about the Uni-west Financial stock offering.

15. Mr. Fahrenkopf, Mr. Mousel, Mr. Sourwine, Mr. Mortimer, and Mr. Sloane have repaid their loans from Buena Vista.

16. Buena Vista had an ongoing correspondent banking relationship with defendants Uniwest Financial and United Savings Bank of Wyoming (“United Sayings”).

17. The undisputed evidence is that Buena Vista became involved in making loans to Newton and his lawyers, because the president of Buena Vista, Roy Bowen, happened to be in the offices of Uniwest Financial on other business.

18. In this action, Newton has alleged that there were material misrepresentations in the 1983 annual report of Uniwest Financial, the 10-K of Uniwest Financial for 1983, and the 10-Q of Uniwest Financial dated September 30, 1984.

19. Buena Vista did not participate in any way in the preparation or dissemination of the annual report, 10-K and 10-Q of Uniwest Financial.

20. There is no evidence that any representative of Buena Vista even had knowledge of the contents of the financial reports of Uniwest Financial.

21. The FDIC has asserted a counterclaim against Newton to recover the indebtedness due under the Note.

22. The FDIC is entitled to recover the principal of the Note, plus accrued and accruing interest.

23. The FDIC has submitted an Affidavit, which establishes that the unpaid principal and interest due under the Note as of October 31, 1989, was $277,386.26.

24. The Affidavit of the FDIC also establishes that interest accrues on the unpaid principal and interest under the terms of the Note at the rate of $63.0136 per day after October 31, 1989.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

25. This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to § 27 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. § 78aa; 18 U.S.C. § 1964(a); 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and the doctrine of pendant jurisdiction.

26. The entry of summary judgment is appropriate when “the pleadings and affidavits, together with any other extraneous materials, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Hershman v. Sierra Pacific Power Co., 434 F.Supp. 46, 48 (D.Nev. 1977); see also Celotex v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). NLRB v. International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers Local 433, 549 F.2d [359]*359634, 639 (9th Cir.1977); Thomas v. Bible, 694 F.Supp. 750, 756 (D.Nev.1988).

27. In addition to the memoranda and arguments of counsel, the Court has considered extensive submissions of documents, excerpts of deposition transcripts, and affidavits, and the Court finds that this case is ripe for disposition of summary judgment.

28. Newton has alleged that the FDIC is liable through the actions of Buena Vista for aiding and abetting the other defendants' alleged violation of Section 10(b) of Securities Exchange Act and Rule lOb-5.

29. The elements of a cause of action for aider and abetter liability under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act are:

(a) the existence of an independent primary wrong;
(b) actual knowledge by the alleged aider and abetter of the wrong and of his role in furthering it; and
(c) substantial assistance by the aider and abetter in the wrong.

Harmsen v. Smith, 693 F.2d 932, 943 (9th Cir., 1982); see also Orloff v. Allman, 819 F.2d 904, 907 (9th Cir., 1987).

30. The Court has dealt with the question of whether Newton has proved the existence of an independent primary wrong on the part of the other defendants of this action in connection with the Motions to Dismiss and For Summary Judgment of those defendants.

31.

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Bluebook (online)
802 F. Supp. 356, 1990 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20105, 1990 WL 420835, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/newton-v-uniwest-financial-corp-nvd-1990.