Reisz v. Newcomb Oil Co. (In re Andaco, Inc.)

226 B.R. 578, 1998 Bankr. LEXIS 1377
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Kentucky
DecidedSeptember 8, 1998
DocketBankruptcy No. 97-30170(3)7; Adversary No. 97-3236
StatusPublished

This text of 226 B.R. 578 (Reisz v. Newcomb Oil Co. (In re Andaco, Inc.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Kentucky primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Reisz v. Newcomb Oil Co. (In re Andaco, Inc.), 226 B.R. 578, 1998 Bankr. LEXIS 1377 (Ky. 1998).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM-OPINION

J. WENDELL ROBERTS, Bankruptcy Judge.

This adversary proceeding was filed by the Chapter 7 Trustee, William Stephen Reisz (“Trustee”), for the purpose of recovering an allegedly preferential transfer from Defendant, Newcomb Oil Co. (“Newcomb”). The Debtor, Andaco, Inc. (“Andaco”), which operated a convenience-type store, sold motor fuel to retail customers. The motor fuel was supplied on a consignment basis by New-comb, with Newcomb retaining title at all times until each respective sale to the customer. The month before Andaco filed for bankruptcy, Newcomb removed its motor fuel from its tanks located at the Andaco store, asserting that Andaco had breached its contract with Newcomb. Trustee asserts by his Complaint that this removal constituted a preferential transfer, which should be set aside.

This matter is presently before the Court on Newcomb’s Motion for Summary Judgment. Newcomb argues that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law because: (1) the transfer did not involve property in which the Debtor, Andaco, possessed an interest; and (2) was not for or on account of an antecedent debt. It is a requirement that the Trustee prove both of these elements to recover a transfer as a preference pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 547.

The Court, having fully reviewed the briefs filed by both parties, as well as the entire file, including the main file, finds that there are material facts in dispute. Thus, the case is not at the present time ripe for summary judgment, and Newcomb’s Motion must, accordingly, be overruled for the reasons set forth below.

FACTS

Andaco operated a convenience-type store in Bullitt County, Kentucky. As is typical of many stores of this nature, Andaco sold motor fuel to retail customers. Andaco obtained the motor fuel it sold from Newcomb, which supplied it on a consignment basis. Pursuant to the Motor Fuel Agreement between Andaco and Newcomb, Newcomb placed motor fuel owned by Newcomb into tanks also owned by Newcomb located at Andaco’s store. Newcomb retained ownership of the motor fuel at all times until it was sold to retail customers. There is no dispute that Andaco never owned the motor fuel stored in the tanks located at its store premises. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Newcomb owned, installed and maintained all of the equipment and improvements associated with the motor fuel, including, the tanks, pumps, and canopy.

Since Newcomb was the exclusive supplier of motor fuel to Andaco, it was never co-mingled with motor fuel from other suppliers. It is undisputed that Newcomb held exclusive title to all motor fuel sold at the Andaco store. However, despite Newcomb’s exclusive ownership of the motor fuel and related equipment, it did not post a sign or any other notice that would have advised Andaco’s customers or creditors of that fact.

Under the terms of the Agreement, Anda-co reported to Newcomb each day to account for the amount of fuel sold. Newcomb would then directly draft Andaco’s bank account for the corresponding dollar amount minus An-daco’s commission. In May of 1996, New-comb additionally agreed to accept money orders, cash, or certified checks from Andaco on a daily basis for the previous day’s sale of motor fuel.

On December 27, 1996, Newcomb removed all of its motor fuel then located in its tanks [580]*580at Andaco’s store. Trustee’s Complaint states that the value of the motor fuel removed was approximately $1900.00. At the time Newcomb removed the motor fuel, An-daeo owed Newcomb $948.22 for the motor fuel sold the previous day but at that time yet unpaid. Newcomb states that it removed the motor fuel because Andaco defaulted on the terms of their Agreement. Newcomb has not, however, elaborated on or explained the nature of the default.

The next month, on January 14, 1997, An-daco filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Thereafter, Trustee brought this adversary proceeding on the premise that Newcomb received a preference when it removed its motor fuel. Trustee takes the position that although the motor fuel was sold on a consignment basis, Newcomb did not post a sign or otherwise put the public on notice that it, rather than Andaco, owned the motor fuel. Thus, Trustee alleges, the fuel was an asset of Andaco’s bankruptcy estate, and as a result Newcomb received a preference by removing it.

DISCUSSION OF LAW I. SUMMARY JUDGMENT

In considering a motion for summary judgment, the question presented to this Court is whether there is “no genuine issue as to any material fact and whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). This Court cannot try issues of fact on a Rule 56 motion, but is authorized to determine whether there are issues to be tried. In re Atlas Concrete Pipe, Inc., 668 F.2d 905, 908 (6th Cir.1982). In Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986), the Supreme Court held that “in filing a motion for summary judgment, the judge must view the evidence presented through the prism of the. substantive evidentiary burden; i.e., whether a jury could reasonably find either the plaintiff proved his case by the quality or quantity of evidence required by the law or that he did not”. Id., 477 U.S. at 254, 106 S.Ct. 2505.

When ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the inference to be drawn from the underlying facts contained in the record must be viewed in a light most favorable to the party opposing the motion, in this case the Trustee. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 242, 106 S.Ct. 2505. By granting summary judgment, the Court is concluding that based on the evidence upon which the nonmoving party intends to rely at trial, no reasonable fact finder could return a verdict for the nonmov-ing party. Munson v. Friske, 754 F.2d 683, 690 (7th Cir.1985).

The moving party carries the initial burden of proof by informing the Court of the basis of its motion, and by identifying portions of the record which highlight the absence of genuine factual issues. Once the moving party has produced such evidence, the non-moving party must then direct the Court’s attention to evidence in the record sufficient to establish that there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. In other words, the nonmoving party, in this case the Trustee, must come forward with evidence establishing that it has a viable cause of action. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); First National Bank v. Cities Service Co., 391 U.S. 253, 289-90, 88 S.Ct. 1575, 1592-93, 20 L.Ed.2d 569 (1968).

In this case, there are clearly material facts that are in dispute. Thus, this case is not ripe for summary judgment.

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226 B.R. 578, 1998 Bankr. LEXIS 1377, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/reisz-v-newcomb-oil-co-in-re-andaco-inc-kywb-1998.