State Bank of Parsons v. Pappas (In Re Pappas)

23 B.R. 715, 1982 Bankr. LEXIS 3112
CourtUnited States Bankruptcy Court, D. Kansas
DecidedOctober 15, 1982
Docket19-40206
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 23 B.R. 715 (State Bank of Parsons v. Pappas (In Re Pappas)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Bankruptcy Court, D. Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State Bank of Parsons v. Pappas (In Re Pappas), 23 B.R. 715, 1982 Bankr. LEXIS 3112 (Kan. 1982).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

BENJAMIN E. FRANKLIN, Bankruptcy Judge.

This matter came on for trial on October 26, 1981, upon a Complaint to Determine Dischargeability of Debt. Plaintiff, State Bank of Parsons (Bank) appeared by its attorney of record, Donald E. Bucher of McDowell, Rice & Smith, Chartered. Debt- or-defendant, Louis T. Pappas (Pappas) appeared by his attorneys of record, George H. Barr of Sheridan, Sanders & Simpson; and local counsel, Robert H. Foerschler, of McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips, P.A.

Bank contends that its claims for $47,-856.25 and $22,566.67 are nondischargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A) and § 523(a)(2)(B). Specifically, Bank contends that Pappas obtained renewals of loans on December 7, 1978, by offering a materially false financial statement upon which Bank reasonably, yet detrimentally relied. Bank also contends that Pappas made false representations with respect thereof.

Bank also moves for costs, based on alleged unjustifiable delays in trial settings caused by Pappas.

At the close of trial, the Court directed the parties to file Suggested Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law within three weeks of their receipt of the transcript. The transcript was filed on February 2, 1982; and the Court reminded the parties on March 26, 1982, that they were to file Suggested Findings and Conclusions. To *717 date, neither party has so complied, although almost a year has passed since the trial. Pappas died on November 13, 1981. This pending adversary obstructs the closing of the estate. Accordingly, the Court proceeds to determine this matter.

FINDINGS OF FACT

Having reviewed the transcript, exhibits, pleadings and the file herein, the Court finds as follows:

1. That this Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter; and that venue is proper.

2. That Pappas filed for Chapter 7 relief herein on May 22,1980, and was discharged on December 18, 1980.

3. That Pappas began banking with Bank in 1965. Initially, he obtained small loans but through the years his line of credit grew. By late 1978 he had outstanding loans of about $74,000.00. Pappas used the loans to run his vending and amusement machine business. Since Pappas made large daily deposits from his business into his checking account, Bank frequently paid loan installments by setoff. Nevertheless, Pappas had a history of slow payment. In spite of this, Bank considered Pappas a good customer and repeatedly renewed his loans.

4. On December 7, 1978, Pappas had three outstanding loans with Bank. Bank renewed two delinquent installment notes and combined them into one $54,000.00 note. Bank also renewed a $20,000.00 demand note although it was not yet due. No new money was loaned. With respect to the $54,000.00 note, Bank had Pappas execute a security agreement encumbering inventory as additional security. Bank never perfected this security interest. The $20,-000.00 note was at all times unsecured. Count 1 of Bank’s complaint concerns the $54,000.00 note and Count 2 concerns the $20,000.00 note.

5. Bank asked Pappas for a financial statement on December 7,1978. There was conflicting testimony regarding whether Bank required the financial statement as a condition precedent to renewing the loans. In any case, Pappas sat down with Bank officer Mullinax, and Mullinax filled out a financial statement by asking Pappas questions.

6. That the December 7, 1978 financial statement showed Pappas had a net worth of $554,000.00. Pappas valued his Leawood home at $250,000.00; his Parsons real estate at $60,000.00; and his business machinery and equipment at $300,000.00. Bank had an August 9, 1979 financial statement admitted into evidence, for comparison. It showed Pappas’ net worth at $665,000.00. Pappas again valued his Leawood and Parsons real estate at $250,000.00 and $60,-000.00 respectively. He valued his “vending machine business” at $400,000.00. On his bankruptcy schedules Pappas valued the Leawood home at $90,000.00 and he later sold it for $110,000.00. He testified that the house had depreciated considerably since the 1978 financial statement because of his inability to do maintenance and repairs. Pappas valued his Parsons property at $18,000.00 on his bankruptcy schedules. He also valued in his schedules, his inventory at $57,000.00. He testified, however, that he had $57,000.00 in equipment at the time of the bankruptcy petition, and no inventory, because it had all been sold or repossessed.

7. That Mullinax accepted Pappas’ valuations unquestionably, although Mullinax knew said valuations were unstudied and not certified by Pappas’ C.P.A. Mullinax approved the renewals before reviewing the financial statement or comparing it with previous statements.

8. That Mullinax violated Bank policy by approving the loan renewals without first referring the application to Bank’s discount committee. Since the $74,000.00 in renewals exceeded ten percent of Pappas’ net worth, Mullinax should have referred the application to the discount committee, which would then have either rejected the application or required additional security.

9. That there was conflicting testimony regarding whether Pappas represented that he owned adjoining lots in Parsons or *718 whether he represented that he owned just one. Pappas did not recall telling Mullinax that he owned two lots at a total value of $60,000.00. He testified that the Bank knew that his mother owned one of the lots, where she had lived for years. Mullinax testified in his deposition that Pappas said he owned both lots. At trial, Mullinax would not testify that Pappas made an express misrepresentation; but he testified that Pappas knew that Bank believed he owned both lots and that by failing to correct Mullinax’s $60,000.00 valuation, Pappas misrepresented such by omission.

10. That although Bank contended that it had taken annual financial statements from Pappas in accordance with Bank policy, it could only produce one financial statement prior to the 1978 statement, and that was a 1972 statement. Bank contended that the other statements had been misplaced.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

I.

Bank contends that the debts are nondis-chargeable pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A). That section states:

“§ 523. Exceptions to discharge.
(a) A discharge under section 727,1141, or 1328(b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt—
* * * * * *
(2)for obtaining money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or refinance of credit, by—
(A) False pretenses, a false representation, or actual fraud, other than a statement respecting the debtor's or an insider’s financial condition;

Under Bankruptcy Rule 407, which continues in effect under the Code, the creditor objecting to a discharge has the burden of proving the facts essential to the objection.

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23 B.R. 715, 1982 Bankr. LEXIS 3112, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-bank-of-parsons-v-pappas-in-re-pappas-ksb-1982.