WILLIAM H. STEELE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE.
This fraudulent transfer action comes before the Court on plaintiff's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (doc. 98) and defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (doc. 99). Both of these overlapping Rule 56 Motions have been briefed, with considerable duplication of argument along the way, and are now ripe for disposition.
This case is one of a number of fraudulent transfer actions that SE Property Holdings, LLC ("SEPH"), is pursuing in this District Court against guarantors of multimillion dollar loans made by SEPH's predecessor for the development and financing of certain real estate projects in Orange Beach, Alabama, known as Bama Bayou and Marine Park. When the projects failed and the loans went into default, the guarantors declined to pay, thereby embroiling SEPH and the guarantors in many years of litigation spanning numerous cases and courts, including this District Court and the Mobile County Circuit Court, as well as probate and bankruptcy courts.
In this particular action, SEPH filed its First Amended Complaint (doc. 22) against defendants, George S. Braswell and Vennie T. Braswell, alleging that George Braswell ("Braswell") executed guaranties exceeding $1.1 million on loans made by SEPH's predecessor for the Bama Bayou/Marine Park project. After the borrowers defaulted on those loans, Braswell transferred certain real property to his wife, Vennie Braswell ("Mrs. Braswell"), on or about May 19, 2009. In particular, the Complaint alleges that Braswell conveyed to Mrs. Braswell the couple's primary residence in Baldwin County (purportedly valued at between $1 million and $2.5 million, with a mortgage balance of $600,000) and a Baldwin County condominium unit (purportedly valued at $500,000, with no outstanding mortgage balance). SEPH maintains that both transfers violate the Alabama Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Ala. Code §§ 8-9A-1 et seq. (the "AUFTA"), in multiple respects.
The First Amended Complaint alleges three distinct AUFTA causes of action against the Braswells. In Count One, SEPH brings a claim of actual fraudulent transfer, in violation of Alabama Code § 8-9A-4(a), based on allegations that Braswell made the subject transfers with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding SEPH's predecessor. In Count Two, SEPH asserts a claim of constructive fraudulent transfer, in violation of Alabama Code § 8-9A-4(c), based on allegations that Braswell's remaining assets after the transfers were unreasonably small and he believed or should have believed
Between 2005 and 2007, SEPH's predecessor (Vision Bank) entered into a series of four commercial loan agreements whereby it loaned $21 million to entities called Bama Bayou, LLC (formerly known as Riverwalk, LLC) and Marine Park, LLC. (Corbitt Aff. (doc. 101, Exh. A), ¶ 5.) Those loans were fully funded by Vision Bank and its participant banks. (Id., ¶ 7.)
In connection with each of those loans, George Braswell executed a limited continuing guaranty in favor of Vision Bank. (Corbitt Aff., ¶ 6.) First, on or about March 10, 2005, he executed a guaranty with respect to Vision Bank's $6 million loan to Riverwalk, LLC in March 2005. (Id., ¶ 6 & Exh. A-2.) In that guaranty, Braswell agreed to be liable for up to $315,000 in principal of the note, as well as 100% of all interest on the loan accruing at any time, and 100% of collection costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees. (Id., Exh. A-2 at ¶ 14.) Second, on or about May 20, 2006, Braswell executed a guaranty with respect to Vision Bank's $5 million loan to Riverwalk LLC in June 2006. (Corbitt Aff., ¶ 6 & Exh. A-3.) In that guaranty, he agreed to be liable for up to $280,000 in principal of the note, as well as 100% of all interest on the loan accruing at any time, and 100% of collection costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees. (Id., Exh. A-3 at ¶ 14.) Third, on or about September 25, 2007, Braswell executed a guaranty with respect to Vision Bank's $5 million loan to Bama Bayou, LLC in September 2007. (Corbitt Aff., ¶ 6 & Exh. A-4.) In that guaranty, he agreed to be liable for up to $280,000 in principal of the note, as well as 100% of all interest on the loan accruing at any time, and 100% of collection costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees. (Id., Exh. A-4 at ¶ 14.) And fourth, on or about December 17, 2007, Braswell executed a guaranty with respect to Vision Bank's $5 million loan to Marine Park, LLC in March 2007. (Corbitt Aff., ¶ 6 & Exh. A-5.)
Plaintiff's evidence is that, even though the loans had been fully funded, Bama Bayou, LLC and Marine Park, LLC defaulted under the loans and notes sometime prior to January 2009. (Corbitt Aff., ¶¶ 7-8.) Vision Bank subsequently demanded payment from the borrowers and guarantors, including Braswell. (Id., ¶ 8.) When payment was not forthcoming, Vision Bank sued Bama Bayou, Marine Park, Braswell, and others in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama, on January 16, 2009 (the "Bama Bayou Action"). (Id.) The Bama Bayou Action remains pending today. To date, it has not gone to trial; indeed, the Court's understanding is that no trial setting is in place at this time.
On March 20, 2009, as part of its collection activities, Vision Bank foreclosed on multiple parcels of real property that secured its loans to Bama Bayou and Marine Park, purchasing such property via credit bids. (Id., ¶ 9.) In the wake of those foreclosure sales, large deficiencies remained on the Bama Bayou and Marine Park loans. Indeed, plaintiff's calculations are that, as of February 21, 2017, Braswell owes SEPH the sum of $875,000 in principal on the Bama Bayou/Riverwalk guaranties, as well as $9,294,012.19 in interest on those loans (exclusive of attorney's fees and costs of collection). (Id., ¶ 16.)
As noted, SEPH's claims herein focus on a pair of real property transfers made by Braswell to his wife, Mrs. Braswell, who is not a signatory on the subject guaranties and is not directly indebted to SEPH on the Bama Bayou/Riverwalk loans. Both of the challenged transfers occurred on May 19, 2009, some four months after Vision Bank commenced the Bama Bayou Action against Braswell to collect on the underlying debt.
The first transfer from Braswell to Mrs. Braswell was of real estate described as "Unit 1001, The Sands at Romar Beach, a condominium, located in Baldwin County, Alabama." (Doc. 101, Exh. G, at 1.) The Warranty Deed executed by Braswell conveyed and transferred to Mrs. Braswell his entire ownership interest in that condo unit, in exchange for a listed consideration of $10.00 cash. (Id.) Braswell confirms that his wife paid him no other consideration for that conveyance. (Braswell Dep. (doc. 101, Exh. H), at 28.) Braswell listed the value of that beach condo during the relevant time period as being $500,000. (Doc. 101, Exh. K at Exh. 2; doc. 105, Exh. B.)
The second transfer from Braswell to Mrs. Braswell was of real estate described as "Lot 73, of Sandy Creek Farms, Phase I." (Doc. 101, Exh. F, at 1.) This property was the couple's primary residence. (Braswell Dep., at 143.) As with the Romar Beach condo, the only consideration furnished by Mrs. Braswell to her husband in exchange for this conveyance was $10.00 cash. (Id.) Braswell listed the value of the Sandy Creek Farms residence during the relevant time period as being $1 million,
George Braswell executed deeds conveying both of these properties to Vennie Braswell on May 19, 2009. (Doc. 24, ¶¶ 6, 8, 14.) Whether coincidentally or otherwise, this was precisely one day before Vision Bank foreclosed on the mortgaged real property securing its loans to Bama Bayou.
Defendants' evidence is that these transfers were made in the ordinary course of estate planning activities with their attorney, Mort Swaim. In particular, defendants show that Braswell first met with Swaim for estate-planning purposes in February 2008. (Doc. 10, Exh. 23.) When Braswell consulted with Swaim again in May 2009, he did so for the stated purpose that he "wanted to update his estate plan." (Swaim Dep. (doc. 100-1, Exh. 5), at 68.) Defendants' evidence is that the transfers of Braswell's interest in the Sandy Creek Farms residence and the Romar Beach condo to Mrs. Braswell were made pursuant to Swaim's advice that they "balance their assets for estate-planning purposes." (Id. at 179.) According to Swaim, "the moment [Braswell] went above one million,... he had a tax problem. So I wanted to hit the ... two main assets that I was aware of, which was this house and this condo." (Id. at 28-29.) In his deposition, Braswell testified that the goal of these transfers was to "[r]educe taxes." (Braswell Dep. (doc. 100-1, Exh. 6), at 157.)
Notably, as of May 19, 2009, Braswell's liabilities were far beyond the $875,000 in principal he owed on the Bama Bayou/Riverwalk guaranties, the $280,000 in principal he owed on the Marine Park guaranty, and the accrued interest and costs of collection on all of those loans.
Given the importance of the relative magnitudes of Braswell's assets and liabilities at the time of the subject transfers to the legal issues joined in these proceedings, it is no surprise that each side has retained a Certified Public Accountant to serve as an expert witness herein. As defendants correctly point out, "[t]he two expert CPAs agreed on the value of many assets and liabilities; but they disagreed on the value of a few, resulting in a difference of opinion as to Braswell's solvency before and after the transfers." (Doc. 100, at 7.) On the asset side of the ledger, there are only two significant differences between the experts' competing valuations. Both witnesses agree that Braswell's assets immediately after the May 19, 2009
On the liability side, both experts agree that as of May 19, 2009, Braswell had at least $6.1 million in liabilities, including the Gulf World promissory notes (in the amounts of $3.1 million and $2.5 million, as discussed supra) as well as more than $500,000 in a HELOC through Regions Bank. (Doc. 101, Exh. J at Supp. Exh. 3a; doc. 101, Exh. K at Exh. 2.) However, Cummings (SEPH's expert) also lists among Braswell's liabilities some $1.155 million in principal for the Riverwalk/Bama Bayou/Marine Park guaranties, as well as $830,000 in interest on those associated loans, $900,000 for the Sundance guaranty, and $21,621 in interest on the Sundance loan. By contrast, Pawlowksi (the Braswells' expert) lists
Summary judgment should be granted only "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." Rule 56(a), Fed.R.Civ.P. The party seeking summary judgment bears "the initial burden to show the district court, by reference to materials on file, that there are no genuine issues of material fact that should be decided at trial." Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991). Once the moving party has satisfied its responsibility, the burden shifts to the non-movant to show the existence of a genuine issue of material fact. Id. "If the nonmoving party fails to make `a sufficient showing on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden of proof,' the moving party is entitled to summary judgment." Id. (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)) (footnote omitted). "In reviewing whether the nonmoving party has met its burden, the court must stop short of weighing the evidence and making credibility determinations of the truth of the matter. Instead, the evidence of the non-movant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor." Tipton v. Bergrohr GMBH-Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 999 (11th Cir. 1992) (internal citations and quotations omitted). "Summary judgment is justified only for those cases devoid of any need for factual determinations." Offshore Aviation v. Transcon Lines, Inc., 831 F.2d 1013, 1016 (11th Cir. 1987) (citation omitted).
Here, both sides have moved for summary judgment on certain AUFTA causes of action. It is well-settled that "[t]he applicable Rule 56 standard is not affected
As noted, SEPH has brought three fraudulent transfer claims against the Braswells pursuant to the AUFTA, as well as a fourth claim for civil conspiracy. The Braswells move for summary judgment on all claims, whereas SEPH seeks summary judgment solely on the two constructive fraudulent transfer causes of action found in Counts Two and Three. The contours of each statutory cause of action differ; however, they also share certain common elements. In particular, each AUFTA claim requires that there be a creditor/debtor relationship between SEPH and Braswell at the time of the subject transfers. See Ala. Code §§ 8-9A-4(a), 8-9A-4(c), 8-9A-5(a) (each defining circumstances in which a "transfer made by a debtor is fraudulent as to a creditor"). Likewise, each constructive fraudulent transfer claim (i.e., Counts Two and Three) requires proof that "the debtor made the transfer without receiving a reasonably equivalent value." See Ala. Code §§ 8-9A-4(c), 8-9A-5(a). Accordingly, the Court will begin by addressing these common elements, then move on to a claim-by-claim analysis.
As indicated, the AUFTA only classifies as fraudulent certain transfers "made by a debtor ... as to a creditor." Ala. Code. §§ 8-9A-4(a), 8-9A-4(c), 8-9A-5(a). The statute defines "creditor" as "[a] person who has a claim." Ala. Code § 8-9A-1(4). The term "debtor" is defined as "[a] person
Plaintiff's evidence on this element is both straightforward and undisputed. Indeed, SEPH has made an uncontroverted showing of each of the following facts: (i) SEPH's predecessor loaned $16 million to Bama Bayou, LLC (including loans to that entity under its former name of Riverwalk, LLC) between March 2005 and September 2007; (ii) Braswell executed limited continuing guaranties on those loans in the total principal amount of $875,000, plus 100% of all interest and collection costs that accrue; (iii) Bama Bayou defaulted under all three loans and notes; (iv) SEPH's predecessor demanded payment from borrowers and guarantors; (v) despite their promises in the notes and guaranties, neither Braswell nor any other borrower or guarantor paid those principal amounts, interest and collection costs; and (vi) after the default, SEPH's predecessor filed suit against debtors and guarantors (including Braswell) in state court in January 2009. These record facts constitute an affirmative showing that Braswell executed binding, enforceable guaranties in SEPH's favor, then failed or refused to pay upon demand when the borrowers defaulted. Such facts would establish that, as of May 19, 2009, Braswell was a "debtor" and SEPH's predecessor was a "creditor" for AUFTA purposes.
In response, defendants argue that a two-page order entered in the Bama Bayou Action on October 16, 2016 "established there is no debt." (Doc. 104, at 11.) The October 16 Order set aside the March 2009 foreclosure sales on the grounds that Vision Bank's credit bids upon foreclosure were "so grossly inadequate as to shock the judicial conscience." (Doc. 100-2, at Exh. 1.) On the basis of that finding, the October 16 Order concluded as follows:
(Id.) Nowhere in the October 16 Order did Judge Stewart declare the underlying debt to be wiped away, the underlying notes and guaranties to be void or otherwise unenforceable, or Bama Bayou, Braswell or any other guarantor not to be liable on SEPH's claims. Rather, the October 16 Order simply set aside the foreclosure sales. On its face, that Order said nothing that would alter SEPH's status as a "creditor" for AUFTA purposes and Braswell's status as a "debtor" for AUFTA purposes, as of the May 2009 transfers at issue here.
Notwithstanding the facially narrow ruling in the October 16 Order, defendants posit that its effect is to "eliminate[e] all alleged debt." (Doc. 104, at 11.) According to defendants, the October 16 Order must mean that Judge Stewart found Thomas Bealle's appraised values of the foreclosed parcels to be accurate and correct. That being the case, defendants reason, Bealle's valuations are such that Bama Bayou's assets exceed its liabilities; in other words, defendants' position is that the value of SEPH's collateral (the parcels of real estate on which it has the right to foreclose) exceed the value of the debt, so there is no debt. (Id. at 11-13.) The argument suffers from multiple flaws. First, the October 16 Order lacks findings of fact that assign specific valuations to the subject parcels. Second, the October 16 Order is devoid of
Third, and more broadly, defendants' argument presupposes that SEPH was obligated to pursue foreclosure of the mortgages as a necessary prerequisite to accrual of liability for Braswell. This notion is incorrect, as a matter of law. Under Alabama law, a mortgagee such as SEPH is not legally obligated to foreclose on the property before it may sue a guarantor for the debt. See, e.g., Triple J Cattle, Inc. v. Chambers, 551 So.2d 280, 282 (Ala. 1989) ("Upon a default by the mortgagor, the mortgagee has three remedies, and he may pursue any one or all of them until the debt is satisfied. ... He is not required to foreclose the mortgage first, but may bring his action on the note alone.").
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that there are no genuine issues of material fact as to the existence of
Another common element of certain AUFTA claims asserted herein is the "reasonably equivalent value" requirement. In each of the constructive fraudulent transfer claims set forth at Counts Two and Three, the plaintiff must show that "the debtor made the transfer without receiving a reasonably equivalent value in exchange." Ala. Code. §§ 8-9A-4(c), 8-9A-5(a). The AUFTA provides that "[v]alue is given for a transfer if, in exchange for the transfer, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied, but value does not include an unperformed promise to furnish support to the debtor." Ala. Code § 8-9A-3(a). Notably, in the AUFTA constructive-fraud context, Alabama courts distinguish between "valuable consideration" (which does not give rise to a constructive fraudulent transfer) and merely "good consideration" (which can). See, e.g., McPherson Oil Co. v. Massey, 643 So.2d 595, 596 (Ala. 1994) ("[T]he law infers constructive fraud when it appears that an indebted grantor has conveyed property to a family member without receiving valuable consideration."); Reese v. Smoker, 475 So.2d 506, 508 (Ala. 1985) ("The term `constructive fraud' is generally used in referring to those instances where a grantor, indebted at the time, conveys property on a good as distinguished from a valuable consideration.").
In evaluating whether valuable — as opposed to simply good — consideration has been given, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act ("UFTA") as adopted in Alabama and other jurisdictions contemplates that courts must examine the nature and adequacy of the consideration from the standpoint of the creditor, not that of the debtor or the transferee of the subject property. In that regard, Comments to the UFTA clarify that "[v]alue is to be determined in light of the purpose of the Act to protect a debtor's estate from being depleted to the prejudice of the debtor's unsecured creditors.
In lieu of anything that might qualify as valuable consideration for AUFTA purposes, defendants assert that "[i]n exchange for the transfers, Mr. Braswell received the value of large tax savings — money that does not have to be paid to the IRS." (Doc. 104, at 24.) The trouble with this argument is that it does not comport with the AUFTA's definition of "value." The above-cited authorities unambiguously establish that (i) "reasonably equivalent value" or lack thereof is examined from the standpoint of the debtor's creditors, given the statutory objective of protecting creditors; and (ii) consideration having no utility from a creditor's viewpoint does not satisfy the statutory definition of "value." Braswell's May 2009 transfers of real property to his wife depleted his assets to a considerable degree, with no countervailing benefit or utility to his creditors. Rather than helping these creditors, Braswell's transfers actually harmed them by vastly reducing the hard assets available to satisfy his burgeoning liabilities pursuant to the Bama Bayou, Marine Park, and Sundance guaranties.
Defendants' rejoinder is twofold. First, the Braswells contend that "tax savings" constitute reasonably equivalent value pursuant to In re Northlake Foods, Inc., 715 F.3d 1251 (11th Cir. 2013) and In re McFarland, 619 Fed.Appx. 962 (11th Cir. Oct. 16, 2015). In doing so, defendants selectively quote snippets from those decisions
Examining those quotations in context, however, leads to a different conclusion. In Northlake Foods, the Eleventh Circuit recognized that "[t]he purpose of voiding transfers unsupported by reasonably equivalent value is to protect creditors against the depletion of a bankrupt's estate," but also acknowledged that a transfer should not be voided where "the debtor's net worth has been preserved, and the interests of the creditors will not have been injured by the transfer." 715 F.3d at 1255-56 (citations omitted). Notwithstanding defendants' arguments about tax savings and estate planning, the summary judgment record unambiguously establishes that Braswell's hard assets and net worth fell precipitously as a result of the contested transfers. Far from his net worth being "preserved" by the tax savings, the calculations of defendants' own expert show that it was greatly depleted. Moreover, such depletion of Braswell's net worth harmed his creditors because the value of his assets available for them to collect was well below the value of Braswell's liabilities. Defendants have not identified a single decisional authority under which "estate planning" has been deemed reasonably equivalent value for purposes of a fraudulent transfer analysis. On its face, "tax savings" would not appear to fall within the AUFTA's definition of value. See Ala. Code § 8-9A-3 ("[v]alue is given for a transfer if, in exchange for the transfer,
For all of these reasons, the Court concludes on this record as a matter of law that Braswell did not receive a reasonably equivalent value for AUFTA purposes when he transferred the Romar Beach condo and Sandy Creek Farms residence to Mrs. Braswell in May 2009. His net worth was not preserved and creditors' interests were badly impaired by the transfers. Therefore, this element of Counts Two and Three is satisfied.
Having addressed the common elements, the Court now evaluates the summary judgment motions on a claim-by-claim basis. Defendants (but not plaintiff) have moved for summary judgment on Count One of the First Amended Complaint, which is a cause of action under the AUFTA for actual fraudulent transfer, pursuant to Alabama Code § 8-9A-4(a). That section provides that "[a] transfer made by a debtor is fraudulent as to a creditor, whether the creditor's claim arose before or after the transfer was made, if the debtor made the transfer with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any creditor." Ala. Code. § 8-9A-4(a). Thus, to prevail on Count One, SEPH must prove "[t]hat the plaintiff is a creditor of the debtor;" and "[t]hat the debtor transferred an asset or an interest in an asset with the actual intent to injure, delay or defraud the plaintiff or any other creditor of the debtor." 1 Ala. Pattern Jury Instr. Civ. § 18.22 (3d ed.). The Court has already found that the record affirmatively establishes SEPH's status as a creditor of Braswell; therefore, that element is satisfied as a matter of law.
With regard to the second element, the law is clear that the debtor must have made the subject transfers with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors. See, e.g., In re Earle, 307 B.R. 276, 296 (Bankr. S.D. Ala. 2002) ("when the `actual fraud' fraudulent transfer statutes are at issue, proof of an actual intent to delay or defraud without any legitimate supervening purpose is necessary before a court may conclude that a transfer is a fraudulent one"). Actual intent is a multifactor query. See, e.g., Aliant Bank v. Davis, 198 So.3d 508, 512 (Ala.Civ.App. 2015) ("The trial court considers several factors in determining whether the debtor possessed the requisite intent, including to whom the transfer was made, the amount of assets transferred, and the financial condition of the debtor before and after the transfer.") (citation omitted). Indeed, the AUFTA recites a non-exhaustive list of 11 factors that may be considered in determining actual intent for purposes of a § 8-9A-4(a) claim.
In their summary judgment filings, the Braswells assert that the intent element should be decided in their favor as a matter of law because "only three factors favor SEPH's assertion of" actual fraud and "there is `significantly clear' evidence of a `legitimate supervening purpose' (estate planning) to find no intent to defraud." (Doc. 100, at 27-28.) The Court disagrees. The record reasonably supports two competing narratives, to-wit: (i) Braswell transferred the house and condo to his wife as a valid estate planning device to reduce estate taxes; or (ii) Braswell transferred the house and condo to his wife for the purpose of rendering those assets inaccessible to Vision Bank and other creditors to which he was then indebted to the tune of millions of dollars. Construing the record in the light most favorable to SEPH (the nonmovant), facts supporting a reasonable inference of actual fraudulent intent by Braswell include that the transfers were made to an insider (Mrs. Braswell); that Braswell retained custody and control of the real estate even after the transfers occurred; that Vision Bank had sued Braswell shortly before the transfers were made; that Braswell failed to disclose the transfers to Vision Bank even though he had promised to do so; that Braswell received only $10 from Mrs. Braswell as consideration for each transfer; that Braswell may have been or may have become insolvent as a result of those transfers; and that the timing of Braswell's follow-up meeting with his estate planning attorney to effectuate the transfers is particularly suspect given its temporal proximity to the filing of the Bama Bayou Action against him and the bank's foreclosure sales in that action.
Given these record facts, the well-settled legal directive on summary judgment review that all evidence and factual inferences must be construed in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, and the highly fact-specific nature of the actual intent inquiry, the Court declines defendants' invitation to find an absence of intent to defraud as a matter of law at this stage of the proceedings. Genuine issues of material fact abound as to whether Braswell carried out the May 2009 transfers to Mrs. Braswell with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud Vision Bank or other creditors. As such, defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment is properly
In Count Two, SEPH brings an AUFTA claim against the Braswells for constructive fraudulent transfer, in violation of Alabama Code § 8-9A-4(c).
Ala. Code § 8-9A-4(c)(1). The three elements of a constructive fraudulent transfer claim under § 8-9A-4(c) as pursued by SEPH on summary judgment are that "[p]laintiff is a creditor of the debtor," "the debtor transferred an asset ... without receiving a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer," and "[t]he debtor was engaged or was about to engage in a business transaction for which the remaining assets of the debtor were unreasonably small in relationship to the business or transaction." 1 Ala. Pattern Jury Instr. Civ. § 18.21 (3d ed.).
The Court has already determined, supra, that both the creditor/debtor and reasonably equivalent value elements are satisfied with respect to Braswell's May 2009 transfers. Therefore, the only remaining question for the cross-motions as they relate to Count Two is whether the third element (i.e., whether Braswell's remaining assets were unreasonably small) is satisfied here. For fraudulent transfer purposes, the "unreasonably small assets" test "denotes a financial condition short of insolvency," where the challenged transfers "leave the transferor technically solvent but doomed to fail." In re Fidelity Bond and Mortg. Co., 340 B.R. 266, 295 (Bankr. E.D. Penn. 2006) (citations omitted).
To show that Braswell's remaining assets were inadequate in relationship to his business transactions, SEPH enumerates his pending business transactions as of May 19, 2009. In particular, SEPH cites record evidence that, as of that date, Braswell owed $1,985,376 to Vision Bank on his Bama Bayou/Marine Park guaranties (Corbitt Aff., ¶ 14); $921,621 to Vision Bank on his Sundance guaranty (Id., ¶ 15); and $5.6 million on the two Gulf World promissory notes (doc. 101, Exhs. D & E).
In support of this blanket assertion about the adequacy of Braswell's assets, defendants propound four arguments. First, they posit that Braswell "participated in paying the Sundance Settlement Note and even paid more than his share." (Doc. 104, at 26; doc. 110, at 13.) By defendants' own admission, however, the "Sundance Settlement Note" was "negotiated in February 2012" (id. at 16), nearly three years
Fourth, defendants say the "repurchase of the Gulf World Marine Park proved its value exceeded the amount owed under the Notes." (Doc. 104, at 26; doc. 110, at 13-14.) Defendants' oblique reference to a "repurchase" is, apparently, that in April 2010 the creditors of the $5.6 million in promissory notes that Braswell and others had signed in 2003 and 2004 to buy stock in Gulf World, Inc. repurchased the assets of that entity. (Hardy Dep. (doc. 100, Exh. 4), at 23-24.) Pursuant to the April 2010 repurchase, those creditors released Braswell and the other debtors from the $5.6 million in defaulted promissory notes (as to which Braswell and the other signatories had paid, essentially, zero principal in the intervening six or seven years). (Id. at 31, 34.)
The broader point is this: As discussed supra, on May 19, 2009, Braswell was engaged in ongoing business transactions for
Construing record evidence in the light most favorable to defendants, the Court answers this question in the negative. As of May 19, 2009, Braswell had committed himself to business ventures whereby he had personally guarantied or otherwise promised to pay more than $8.5 million for which he could reasonably be expected to be held individually accountable at any time. Neither he nor his joint venturers had ever paid any meaningful principal on the $5.6 million Gulf World notes. He had already been sued for the nearly $2 million he owed on the Bama Bayou/Marine Mark guaranties. And he was on the hook for nearly $1 million in unpaid principal and interest on the Sundance guaranty. Even under the most generous possible reading of the summary judgment record, Braswell's assets immediately after the transfers topped out at $7.3 million, more than $5.1 million of which was tied up in a speculative, conjectural "right of contribution" as to which Braswell's ability to collect anything from his co-venturers (who, like him, had paid negligible principal on the Gulf World notes in the previous six years despite a balloon payment deadline of January 2007) was suspect, at best.
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that SEPH is entitled to entry of judgment in its favor as a matter of law on Count Two, its constructive fraudulent transfer claim pursuant to Alabama Code § 8-9A-4(c). The record unambiguously reflects that a creditor/debtor
Count Three of SEPH's First Amended Complaint asserts an AUFTA claim against the Braswells for constructive fraudulent discharge, in violation of Alabama Code § 8-9A-5(a). That subsection provides as follows: "A transfer made by a debtor is fraudulent as to a creditor whose claim arose before the transfer was made if the debtor made the transfer without receiving a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer and the debtor was insolvent at the time or the debtor became insolvent as a result of the transfer." Ala. Code § 8-9A-5(a). To prevail on Count Three, SEPH must establish the following elements: (i) that SEPH is a creditor of Braswell; (ii) that SEPH's claim against Braswell arose before the May 19, 2009 transfers occurred; (iii) that Braswell made those transfers without receiving a reasonably equivalent value in exchange; and (iv) that Braswell was insolvent at the time or became insolvent as a result of the transfers. 1 Ala. Pattern Jury Instr. Civ. § 18.20 (3d ed.).
The first and third elements have already been examined in detail in §§ IV.A. and IV.B., supra. Pursuant to that analysis, the Court has determined that SEPH was a creditor of Braswell as of May 19, 2009, and that Braswell did not receive a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for those real property transfers to his wife. Thus, those elements are satisfied for summary judgment purposes. As for the second element, there can be no reasonable dispute that SEPH's claim against Braswell arose before the May 2009 transfers. After all, uncontroverted record evidence establishes that Braswell executed guaranties in favor of Vision Bank in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The borrower (Riverwalk/Bama Bayou) defaulted. Vision Bank demanded payment from Braswell and others. When no such payment was forthcoming, Vision Bank filed suit against Braswell in state court in January 2009. Braswell transferred his ownership interest in the Romar Beach condo and the Sandy Creek Farms house to Mrs. Braswell approximately four months later. Given this unrebutted factual showing, no reasonable finder of fact could conclude that SEPH's claim did not arise before the
The fourth and final element of Count Three is that the plaintiff must establish that "the debtor was insolvent at the time or the debtor became insolvent as a result of the transfer." Ala. Code § 8-9A-5(a). The AUFTA provides that "[a] debtor is insolvent if the sum of the debtor's debts is greater than all of the debtor's assets at a fair valuation." Ala. Code § 8-9A-2(a). And the statute defines an "asset" as "[p]roperty of a debtor." Ala. Code § 8-9A-1(2). In applying these concepts to Braswell's balance sheet as of May 19, 2009, the parties have sparred at length about many particular valuations and entries contained in their dueling accountants' expert reports. However, SEPH's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment streamlines the analysis by focusing on a single, potentially dispositive line item. In particular, SEPH correctly observes that the Braswells' expert witness, Mark A. Pawlowski, CPA/ABV, CVA, has valued Braswell's assets at $7,346,975 immediately after the May 19, 2009 transfers, and his liabilities at $6,130,756. (Doc. 101, Exh. K at Exh. 2.) If we accept all of Pawlowski's (and hence, defendants') calculations at face value, then upon completing the transfers Braswell's assets exceeded his liabilities by the sum of $1,216,219, or $7,346,975 minus $6,130,756. What that means is that, if the summary judgment record does not reasonably support Pawlowski's inclusion of $1,216,220 in assets, or his exclusion of $1,216,220 in liabilities, or some combination of the two that equals or exceeds that amount, then Braswell was insolvent within the plain meaning of the AUFTA definition on May 19, 2009.
The entry on the Pawlowski balance sheet which SEPH highlights for scrutiny in its Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is his listing of an asset for Braswell labeled "Gulf World, Inc. right of indemnification (contribution)" and valued at $5,169,230. (Doc. 101, Exh. K at Exh. 2.) This entry relates to Braswell's $5.6 million liability on the Gulf World promissory notes he and others made in 2003 and 2004. (Doc. 101, Exh. D & E.) As discussed supra, uncontroverted record evidence confirms that neither Braswell nor the other signatories paid any substantial principal on those notes between 2003 and May 2009, and that they missed a number of interest payments and the January 2007 balloon payment. (Hardy Dep. (doc. 101, Exh. C), at 13-23.) There is no dispute that the creditors (Hardy and Miller) had the contractual right to sue any one of the makers of those notes for the entire $5.6
Defendants' position is that this right of contribution belongs on Braswell's balance sheet as an asset valued at $5,169,230 as of May 19, 2009. In his report, defendants' accountant Pawlowski explains the reasoning for doing so as follows:
(Doc. 101, Exh. K, at 3.)
SEPH persuasively argues that inclusion of that "right of contribution" asset is improper for AUFTA insolvency purposes. The pertinent analysis necessarily focuses on a debtor's assets and liabilities at the time of the challenged transfers, that is, as of May 19, 2009. See Ala. Code § 8-9A-5(a) (reciting element of constructive fraudulent transfer that "the debtor was insolvent
For the foregoing reasons, the Court agrees with plaintiff that the "right of contribution" was not an asset held by Braswell as of May 19, 2009, and that it therefore does not count in the AUFTA insolvency analysis.
In short, the Court finds no genuine issues of material fact as to Count Three. The summary judgment record conclusively establishes that SEPH has met all elements of an AUFTA cause of action for constructive fraudulent transfer pursuant to Alabama Code § 8-9A-5(a), inasmuch as SEPH was a creditor of Braswell as of May 19, 2009, SEPH's claim against Braswell
Finally, Count Four of the First Amended Complaint asserts a common-law claim for civil conspiracy, alleging that "Vennie Braswell conspired with George Braswell in effecting said fraudulent transfers by planning and actively participating in said transfers." (Doc. 22, ¶ 51.) Defendants move for summary judgment on this cause of action for the stated reasons that (i) "SEPH has failed to produce evidence to support either actual fraud or constructive fraud claims," and (ii) "there is no evidence that [Mrs. Braswell] planned with Mr. Braswell to transfer assets." (Doc. 100, at 34.) Neither argument is meritorious on Rule 56 scrutiny. First, as addressed extensively supra, SEPH has indeed produced considerable evidence to support its claims of actual and constructive fraudulent transfer against the Braswells; therefore, Count Four is not legally infirm for want of evidence of an underlying tort.
Second, defendants' contention that no evidence links Mrs. Braswell to any fraudulent transfer scheme is incorrect. Braswell transferred more than $1 million in assets to his wife after he had been sued, without receiving reasonable value, and in a manner that left him with insufficient assets to pay for his ongoing business transactions and debts. Perhaps a reasonable finder of fact could conclude at trial that Mrs. Braswell was unaware of these machinations. But, on this record, the evidence does not compel such a finding. After all, "[t]he existence of the conspiracy must often be inferentially and circumstantially derived from the character of the acts done, the relation of the parties, and other facts and circumstances suggestive of concerted action." Turner v. Peoples Bank of Pell City, 378 So.2d 706, 708 (Ala. 1979); see also Eidson v. Olin Corp., 527 So.2d 1283, 1285 (Ala. 1988) ("By its very nature, the existence of a conspiracy must often be inferred from circumstantial evidence and the relationship of the parties, as opposed to direct evidence."). Notwithstanding Mrs. Braswell's denial of knowledge of her husband's investments, obligations and liabilities, and the paucity of direct evidence of a conspiracy, the circumstantial evidence and relationship of the Braswells are suggestive of concerted action; therefore, a triable issue of fact remains, and summary judgment is inappropriate. Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment is
For all of the foregoing reasons, it is
DONE and ORDERED this 7th day of June, 2017.