Rund v. Kirkland (In re EPD Inv. Co.)

587 B.R. 711
CourtDistrict Court, C.D. California
DecidedJune 25, 2018
DocketCase No.: 18–1413 DSF; Bankruptcy No.: 12–02424 ER
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 587 B.R. 711 (Rund v. Kirkland (In re EPD Inv. Co.)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, C.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Rund v. Kirkland (In re EPD Inv. Co.), 587 B.R. 711 (C.D. Cal. 2018).

Opinion

Dale S. Fischer, United States District Judge

On February 17, 2018, the United States Bankruptcy Court filed a Report and Recommendation (R & R) and proposed findings recommending that this Court grant Chapter 7 Trustee-Plaintiff Jason Rund's motion for summary adjudication on his claim that Defendants made fraudulent transfers with actual intent. Defendants John Kirkland and Poshow Ann Kirkland (as trustee of the Bright Conscience Trust) object to the R & R, and submit additional evidence.

Pursuant to Rule 9033(d) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the Court has reviewed the additional evidence and the portions of the Bankruptcy Court's findings of fact to which written objections have been filed. For the reasons stated below, the Court rejects the recommendation and findings of the Bankruptcy Court and denies the motion for summary adjudication.

I. Facts and Procedural Background

This is one of several bankruptcy proceedings involving EPD Investment Co., LLC (EPD). See Dkt. 4. In December 2010, creditors commenced the involuntary petition at issue here. Appendix Record (REC), Dkts. 15-17, at 11982.

Pressman is the sole proprietor of EPD. Id. Plaintiff alleges EPD has not been profitable since before 2003. Id. Between 2003 and 2009, EPD allegedly lost money every year. See id. Plaintiff also alleges that EPD has operated as a Ponzi scheme since 2003, specifically alleging that EPD used investments it received to pay existing creditors. Id. By 2009, EPD had allegedly stopped making payments to its creditors because it lacked cash infusions from new investors. Id.

John Kirkland served as Pressman's lawyer for his various ventures and allegedly invested money in EPD. Id. The Trustee's basic allegation is that John Kirkland took various steps to hide EPD's financial condition. Therefore, the Trustee filed this suit against John Kirkland and Bright Conscience Trust, which is operated by Poshow Kirkland, seeking relief on claims for subordination and avoidance of fraudulent transfers. See id. The Trustee moved for summary adjudication on the issue of whether Defendants made fraudulent transfers with actual intent. Id. at 11996.

*716Finding no dispute of material fact, the Bankruptcy Court concluded that EPD operated as a Ponzi scheme. Id. at 11991-92. In reaching this decision, the Bankruptcy Court excluded the Declaration of Jerrold Pressman and the declaration and report of Defendant's expert, J. Michael Issa (Issa Report). Id. at 11985-92. Because it deemed EPD a Ponzi scheme, the Bankruptcy Court applied the "Ponzi presumption" that Defendants are liable for fraudulent transfers. Id. at 11992-93. The Bankruptcy Court also concluded that Defendants engaged in fraudulent conduct based on the "badges of fraud" test. Id. at 11993. Defendants timely objected to the R & R, arguing that the Bankruptcy Court improperly excluded the Pressman Declaration and the Issa Report-which, if admitted, would have raised a genuine dispute of material fact precluding summary adjudication.

II. Standard of Review

Defendants contend that this Court reviews the Bankruptcy Court's findings of fact and conclusions of law de novo, citing Rule 9033(d). Written Objections at 1, Dkt. 9-1. Plaintiff concedes de novo review is appropriate for the findings of fact and conclusions of law as they relate to John Kirkland. Response to Written Objections at 6, Dkt. 7. But Plaintiff contends the Court reviews both findings of fact and conclusions of law for clear error as they relate to Poshow Kirkland, as trustee to Bright Conscience Trust, because Ms. Kirkland previously consented to the Bankruptcy Court's jurisdiction to hear and determine claims relating to her. Id. at 6-7 (citing 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(1) ; In re EPD Inv. Co., LLC, 821 F.3d 1146, 1151 n.2 (9th Cir. 2016) ).

The Court disagrees. First, In re EPD Inv. Co. does not support Plaintiff's contention that Ms. Kirkland consented to the Bankruptcy Court's jurisdiction. The footnote citation that Plaintiff relies on is ambiguous and does not show that Ms. Kirkland consented to the Bankruptcy Court's jurisdiction. In re EPD Inv., 821 F.3d at 1151 n.2. Second, Plaintiff has not pointed to any evidence that Ms. Kirkland filed multiple proofs of claim in the debtors' bankruptcy case. See Response to Written Objection (Response) at 6, Dkt. 7. Nor could the Court find any evidence in the record supporting this argument. Plaintiff cites to the R & R to support its contention, id. at 7 n.24; but that portion of the R & R merely summarizes Plaintiff's allegations in his complaint. REC at 11982-84. Those allegations are not evidence that Ms. Kirkland consented to the Bankruptcy Court's jurisdiction. The Court will review this entire matter de novo.

III. Analysis

"A party may move for summary judgment, identifying each claim or defense-or the part of each claim or defense-on which summary judgment is sought. The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a).1 "This burden is not a light one." In re Oracle Corp. Sec. Litig., 627 F.3d 376, 387 (9th Cir. 2010). But the moving party need not disprove the opposing party's case. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Rather, if the moving party satisfies this burden, the party opposing the motion must set forth specific facts, through affidavits or admissible discovery materials, showing that there exists a genuine issue *717for trial.

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Bluebook (online)
587 B.R. 711, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/rund-v-kirkland-in-re-epd-inv-co-cacd-2018.