United States v. Anderson

226 F. Supp. 932, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9894
CourtDistrict Court, D. Colorado
DecidedMarch 3, 1964
DocketCiv. A. No. 7860
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 226 F. Supp. 932 (United States v. Anderson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Anderson, 226 F. Supp. 932, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9894 (D. Colo. 1964).

Opinion

DOYLE, District Judge.

The United States here seeks to recover a deficiency from defendants who were individual guarantors of a loan which was made by the United States Small Business Administration, hereafter called the “S.B.A.” The complaint alleges that on September 26, 1957, the U. S. Durox Corporation of Colorado executed a promissory note to the First National' Bank of Englewood in the amount of $250,000.00 with six per cent, interest; that as part of the security for the note the defendants executed the mentioned guaranties which were unconditional; that the corporation thereafter defaulted; that the Bank assigned the note and collateral security to plaintiff. Claim is for the sum of $113,778.87, this sum allegedly representing principal and interest to the date of filing. An affidavit offered in connection with the present trial demands a total of $121,439.26 as of February 10, 1964.

The facts as revealed by the hundreds of documents submitted are not disputed. The disputes pertain to the inferences and legal conclusions which validly arise from an extensive record made in connection with proceedings under Chapter X of the Bankruptcy Act, Docket No. 22895 (in Bankruptcy) in this Court. There is no dispute concerning the execution of the note and the guaranties nor concerning the default. The dispute pertains to [934]*934whether the defendants can be held for the amounts claimed, the bulk of which results from payment by S.B.A. of the costs and expenses of administering the Chapter X proceedings. Inasmuch as the controversies are thus limited it is deemed unnecessary to render formal findings and conclusions. The significant facts will be here related and this opinion will contain findings insofar as the same are necessary. Rule 52, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

The sum evidenced by the note was paid to U. S. Durox by the First National Bank of Englewood in two installments. The first installment of $218,000.00 was paid on October 4, 1957, and the balance of $32,000.00 was paid on December 26, 1957. There was a participation agreement whereby S.B.A. paid ninety per cent, of each installment.

The note, insofar as here pertinent, contains acceleration provisions together with broad provisions for sale of the collateral to satisfy the principal debt. It declares:

“Upon the nonpayment of the indebtedness, or any part thereof, when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, Payee is empowered to sell, assign, and deliver the whole or any part of the Collateral at public or private sale, without demand, advertisement or notice of the time or place of sale or of any adjournment thereof, which are hereby expressly waived. After deducting all expenses incidental to or arising from such sale or sales, Payee may apply the residue of the proceeds thereof to the payment of the Indebtedness, as it shall deem proper, returning the excess, if any to the undersigned.”

Furthermore, the maker of the note agreed to pay expenses as follows:

“The undersigned agrees to take all necessary steps to administer, supervise, preserve, and protect the Collateral; and regardless of any action by Payee, there shall be no duty upon Payee in this respect. The undersigned shall pay all expenses of any nature, whether incurred in or out of court, and whether incurred before or after this Note shall become due at its maturity date or otherwise, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, which Payee may deem necessary or proper in connection with the satisfaction of the Indebtedness or the administration, supervision, preservation, protection (including, but not limited to, the maintenance of adequate insurance) of or the realization upon the Collateral. Payee is authorized to pay at any time and from time to time any or all of such expenses, add the amount of such payment to the amount of the Indebtedness, and charge interest thereon at the rate specified herein with respect to the principal amount of this Note.”

The term “indebtedness” is defined in the note as “the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, including principal, interest, and expenses, whether contingent, now due or hereafter to become due and whether heretofore or contemporaneously herewith or hereafter contracted.”

The provisions of the guaranties which S.B.A. considers relevant are as follows:

“•» * * the bank undersigned hereby unconditionally guarantees to Bank, its successors and assigns, the due and punctual payment when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, in accordance with the terms thereof, of the principal of and interest on and all other sums payable, or stated to be payable, with respect to the note of the Debtor, made by the Debtor to Bank, dated Sept. 26, 1957, in the principal amount of $250,000.00 — , with interest at the rate of -6- percent per annum.
“ * * * In case the Debtor shall fail to pay all or any part of the Liabilities when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of said note, the undersigned, immediately upon the written demand of Bank, will pay to [935]*935Bank the amount due and unpaid by the Debtor as aforesaid, in like manner as if such amount constituted the direct and primary obligation of the undersigned.”

When Durox subsequently defaulted on its payments under the note, S.B.A. gave notice on February 6,1959 that the entire sum was due and payable under the acceleration clause. At that time the principal amount was $200,595.16. There was in addition $7,355.16 interest. The defendants, who had been directors of Durox, were not then in control of its affairs. Through its then officers, Durox filed a petition seeking reorganization under Chapter X of the Bankruptcy Act, alleging the threatened foreclosure. An order was entered approving the petition and enjoining the initiation or continuation of legal actions. A trustee was appointed, and he in turn appointed an attorney and accountants. Other personnel were authorized. The S.B.A. and also the defendants opposed the Chapter X proceedings. The Securities Exchange Commission entered its appearance and supported the reorganization proceedings, finally approving the plan which was subsequently adopted.

On December 15, 1959 a plan of reorganization was filed. This called for the liquidation and distribution of the assets. On this same date, the defendants filed a recommendation calling for immediate liquidation. Later, on March 24, 1960, an amended plan, which in substance was the same as the original one, was filed. This called for orderly distribution of the assets according to priorities established by the plan. It also provided that the payment of costs and expenses of administration and other allowances “made by the judge in this proceeding shall be paid in cash by the Trustee out of the assets in his hands in an amount and manner as the judge shall direct.”

Briefs were filed by the S.B.A. and by the defendants here opposing the plan, and the question whether the plan was feasible was submitted to the Referee in Bankruptcy. He in turn recommended adoption. Subsequently, on September 13, 1960, the amended plan was approved by the Court, and later, on December 21, 1960, was confirmed. Efforts to negotiate a sale of the assets were not successful, necessitating the holding of a public sale on August 16, 1961. S.B.A.’s bid of $250,000.00 cash was the highest.

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Related

United States v. Ryan
334 F. Supp. 1345 (D. Nebraska, 1972)
United States v. Shirman
41 F.R.D. 368 (N.D. Illinois, 1966)
United States v. Robert P. Anderson
366 F.2d 569 (Tenth Circuit, 1966)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
226 F. Supp. 932, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9894, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-anderson-cod-1964.