ORDER

BRIAN J. DAVIS, District Judge.

THIS CAUSE is before the Court on appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Appellant, PaeTec Communications, Inc. ("PaeTec"), seeks review of the Bankruptcy Court's Order (1) sustaining the Appellee/Debtors' Objection to Claim 19 of Pae-Tec Communications, Inc., and disallowing Claim No. 19, and (2) denying PaeTec's Motion to Substantively Consolidate Debtor David Bull's Wholly Owned Company Into This Estate (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order),1 entered on May 6, 2014. (See Doc. 1-1; Notice of Appeal). On September 1, 2014, PaeTec filed its initial brief, (Doc. 9; PaeTec Initial Brief). Appellees/Debtors David H. Bull and Mary A. Bull (collectively "Appellees/Debtors" or "the Bulls") filed an answer brief on December 15, 2014 (Doc. 17; Answer Brief), and PaeTec filed a reply brief on January 16, 2015. (Doc. 18; PaeTec Reply Brief). The appeal is ripe for review.2

I. Background

On March 8, 2012, Debtors/Appellees David Bull and Mary Bull filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 3); (Docs. 1-6 and 1-7). Among the assets that belong to the Bulls' bankruptcy estate is David Bull's 100% ownership interest in Bull Communications, Inc., ("BCI"), a closely held corporation. (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 2); (Doc. 1-10 at 6; Summary of Schedules). David Bull is also president of BCI, and Mary Bull, David Bull's wife, is an officer of BCI, but not an owner. Bankruptcy Court Order at 2; (Doc. 1-72 at 4; Amended Disclosure Statement). Though the Bulls listed shares of BCI as an asset on their statement of personal property, they listed the value of the asset is "unknown." Bankruptcy Court Order at 3 (citing Doc. 1-10; Summary of Schedules).

BCI and PaeTec have a business relationship.

Bankruptcy Court Order at 2. "PaeTec terminated the Agreement with BCI in November of 2008." Bankruptcy Court Order at 2 (citing Doc. 1-117; Evidentiary Hearing Transcript Volume I at 71 ("Transcript, Vol. I")).

In 2010, BCI filed a state-court action against PaeTec in New York, styled Bull Communications, Inc. v. PaeTec Communications, Inc., which is currently pending in the state court in Monroe County, New York ("the New York Litigation"). Bankruptcy Court Order at 2; (Doc. 1-72 at 4; Amended Disclosure Statement). In the New York Litigation, BCI alleges that PaeTec "improperly reduced the commissions that were payable to BCI under the Agreement." Bankruptcy Court Order at 2 (citing Doc. 1-44; Disclosure Statement at 4) and (Doc. 1-61; Case Management Order at 2). PaeTec has filed a counterclaim against BCI in the New York Litigation, alleging that BCI had been unjustly enriched by $1 million. Bankruptcy Court Order at 1, 3; (See Doc. 1-23 at 11; PaeTec Counterclaim). The Bulls are not parties to the New York Litigation, and have not identified that lawsuit as an asset of the bankruptcy estate. (See Doc. 1-10 at 4-7; Summary of Schedules). Nor did Bulls list PaeTec as a creditor holding an unsecured claim. Id. at 12-16.3

Following briefing and two evidentiary hearings, conducted on August 26, 2013, and continued on January 10, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court sustained Appellees'/Debtors' Objection to PaeTec's Claim No. 19 and disallowed the claim in this Chapter 11 case, and denied PaeTec's Motion to Substantively Consolidate Debtor David Bull's Wholly Owned Company Bull Communications, Inc. into this Estate. (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 12). PaeTec appeals the Bankruptcy Court's Order.

II. Jurisdiction

This Court has jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a final judgment, order, or decree entered by the United States Bankruptcy Court. 28 U.S.C. § 158(a).

A. Standing

While conceding that the Court has jurisdiction to consider PaeTec's appeal from the Bankruptcy Court's Order sustaining the Appellees'/Debtors' Objection to Claim No. 19 of PaeTec, and disallowing the claim, Appellees/Debtors contend that the Court lacks jurisdiction to consider that portion of the Bankruptcy Court's Order denying PaeTec's Motion for Substantive Consolidation. (Doc. 17; Answer Brief at 7-8). Appellees/Debtors argue that PaeTec has not established its standing to pursue the appeal because it is not a creditor of the Bulls' estate. They argue that substantive consolidation can only be pursued by a trustee or creditor. Id. at 8-10. PaeTec responds that it has standing to pursue the appeal because "`creditors have standing to pursue substantive consolidation.'" (Doc. 18; PaeTec Reply Brief at 1 (quoting First Owners Ass'n of Forty Six Hundred Condo. Inc. v. Gordon Prop., LLC (In re Gordon Prop., LLC), 478 B.R. 750, 756 (E.D.Va.2012))).

Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and therefore have an obligation to inquire into their subject matter jurisdiction. See Kirkland v. Midland Mortg. Co., 243 F.3d 1277, 1279-1280 (11th Cir.2001); see also Burns v. Windsor Ins. Co., 31 F.3d 1092, 1095 (11th Cir.1994). Standing is a "`threshold jurisdictional question'" that must be addressed and satisfied at each stage of the litigation. See Florida Family Policy Council v. Freeman, 561 F.3d 1246, 1253 (11th Cir. 2009) (quoting Elend v. Basham, 471 F.3d 1199, 1204 (11th Cir.2006)).4

Both parties agree that creditors have standing to pursue substantive consolidation of a bankruptcy estate. At this juncture of the appeal, PaeTec arguendo is a creditor of the Bulls' bankruptcy estate by virtue of its pending counterclaim brought against BCI, and its position in this bankruptcy case that it can assert that claim on the Bulls' estate by piercing BCI's corporate veil. See generally Smith v. Atl. S. Bank (In re Smith), 522 Fed. Appx. 760, 765 (11th Cir.2013)5 (creditor had standing at the time it filed its motion for stay relief, based upon the allegations in its motion that it was a secured creditor).6 In this posture, PaeTec as a "creditor," meets the Eleventh Circuit's standard for standing to appeal an order of the Bankruptcy Court as a "person aggrieved" by the Bankruptcy Court's Order. See Atkinson v. Ernie Haire Ford, Inc. (In re Ernie Haire Ford, Inc.), 764 F.3d 1321, 1325-26 (11th Cir.2014). "The person aggrieved doctrine limits the right to appeal a bankruptcy court order to `those parties having a direct and substantial interest in the question being appealed.'" Id. at 1325. "Aggrieved persons" are those who are "`directly, adversely, and pecuniarily affect[ed]' by a bankruptcy court's order," which occurs "`if that order diminishes their property, increases their burdens, or impairs their rights.'" Id. (quoting Westwood Cmty. Two Ass'n, Inc. v. Barbee (In re Westwood Cmty. Two Ass'n, Inc.), 293 F.3d 1332, 1337-38 (11th Cir.2002)); see also Little Rest Twelve, Inc. v. Solby + Westbrae Partners (In re Fisher Island Inv., Inc.), 778 F.3d 1172, 1195-96 (11th Cir.2015).

B. Final Order

Appellees/Debtors also question whether the portion of the Bankruptcy Court's Order denying PaeTec's Motion for Substantive Consolidation is a final appealable order under 28 U.S.C. § 158(a) (1), properly before this Court on appeal. (Doc. 17; Answer Brief at 10). They argue that finality only attaches to orders granting substantive consolidation. Id. (citing Huntington Nat'l Bank v. Richardson (In re Cyberco Holdings, Inc.), 734 F.3d 432, 440 (6th Cir.2013)). PaeTec responds that there is a split of authority on the question of finality, and that courts in other circuits have determined that substantive consolidation orders both granting and denying relief are final and appealable under § 158(a). (Doc. 18; PaeTec Reply Brief at 2-3) (citing Alexander v. Compton (In re Bonham), 229 F.3d 750, 762 (9th Cir.2000) (finding a substantive consolidation order appealable because it "seriously affects the substantive rights of the involved parties"); In re Owens Corning, 419 F.3d 195, 203-05 (3d Cir.2005); In re 599 Consumer Elec., Inc., 195 B.R. 244, 247 (S.D.N.Y.1996) (district court had 28 U.S.C. § 158(a) jurisdiction to review bankruptcy court's denial of a motion for substantive consolidation)). PaeTec argues that though the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has not decided the question, this case is one in which the Bankruptcy Court's denial of PaeTec's Motion for Substantive Consolidation represents a final order because "[t]here is nothing left to adjudicate with respect to PaeTec." PaeTec Reply Brief at 3.

In In re Cyberco Holdings, cited by Appellees/Debtors, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the bankruptcy court's orders denying motions to substantively consolidate bankruptcy estates were not final appealable orders within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 158(a)(1). 734 F.3d at 440. The court differentiated between orders granting the relief and denying the relief, and reasoned that an order denying the relief was not an appealable final order because the impact of the ruling "is relatively minor," in that "the parties will proceed to the administration of the separate bankruptcy estates according to traditional rules." Id. On the other hand, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in In re Owens Corning, applied a "broader concept of finality" when considering a bankruptcy appeal and concluded that relevant factors counseled the exercise of jurisdiction over an appeal of an order granting substantive consolidation. 419 F.3d at 203-04.

"Finality is given a more flexible interpretation in the bankruptcy context... because bankruptcy is an aggregation of controversies and suits," involving multiple parties, and is protracted in nature. Barben v. Donovan (In re Donovan), 532 F.3d 1134, 1136-37 (11th Cir.2008); see also Martin Bros. Toolmakers, Inc. v. Indus. Dev. Bd. of Huntsville (In re Martin Bros. Toolmakers, Inc.), 796 F.2d 1435, 1437 (11th Cir.1986) (stating that "finality of bankruptcy orders cannot be limited to the last order concluding the bankruptcy case as a whole," and recognizing an "accommodative approach"); In re Sanders, No. 13-11065-JKO, 2015 WL $77499, at *3 (Bankr.S.D.Fla. Feb. 26, 2015) ("[T]he `unique nature of bankruptcy procedure dictates that [appellate courts] take a pragmatic approach to finality.'" (quoting Bonner Mall P'ship v. U.S. Bancorp Mortg. Co. (In re Bonner Mall P'ship), 2 F.3d 899, 903 (9th Cir.1993))). However, "to be final, a bankruptcy court order must `completely resolve all of the issues pertaining to a discrete claim, including all issues as to the proper relief.'" In re Donovan, 532 F.3d at 1136-37 (citation omitted); see also Commodore Holdings, Inc. v. Exxon Mobil Corp., 331 F.3d 1257, 1259 (11th Cir.2003) ("`In bankruptcy proceedings, it is generally the particular adversary proceeding or controversy that must have been finally resolved rather than the entire bankruptcy litigation.'" (quoting The Charter Co. v. Prudential Ins. Co. (In re Charter Co.), 778 F.2d 617, 621 (11th Cir.1985))). "`[T]he same concepts of finality apply in bankruptcy as in any other case, but they are applied to the discrete controversies within the administration of the estate.'" Steffen v. Menchise (In re Steffen), 500 Fed.Appx. 877, 879 (11th Cir.2012) (quoting In re Donovan, 532 F.3d at 1137). The concept of finality excludes decisions that are subject to revision. Id. The Eleventh Circuit has considered appeals from Bankruptcy Court orders granting substantive consolidation, which were first appealed to the district court, and affirmed. See Reider v. Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp. (In re Reider), 31 F.3d 1102, 1104 (11th Cir.1994): Eastgroup Props. v. S. Motel Ass'n, Ltd., 935 F.2d 245, 248 (11th Cir.1991). It has not addressed whether a bankruptcy court's denial of a motion for substantive consolidation is a final appealable order, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 158(a). Other district courts have recognized their jurisdiction to hear an appeal from a bankruptcy court's denial of substantive consolidation, declining to differentiate between orders granting and denying substantive consolidation. See In re Gordon Prop., LLC, 478 B.R. at 755-56 (reversing denial of substantive consolidation and remanding to bankruptcy court); In re 599 Consumer Elec., 195 B.R. at 247 (vacating denial of substantive consolidation and remanding to the bankruptcy court to make specific findings of fact).

The rationale of the Ninth Circuit in In re Cyberco Holdings, Inc., that a denial of a motion for substantive consolidation is a "relatively minor" blip in the progression of a bankruptcy case because the parties can "proceed to the administration of the separate bankruptcy estates according to traditional rules," 734 F.3d at 440, does not apply neatly to this case. This is because PaeTec seeks to substantively consolidate the estate of the Appellees/Debtors with the assets of a non-debtor third-party entity, in order to benefit creditors of the Appellees'/Debtors' estate, including, it asserts, PaeTec. A denial of PaeTec's motion, then, closes the door with finality to any creditor reaching assets of BCI through the Bulls' bankruptcy proceeding, inasmuch as there is no BCI bankruptcy estate to pursue.

The Court applies the Eleventh Circuit's "flexible interpretation" of finality in the bankruptcy context. E.g. In re Donovan, 532 F.3d at 1136-37. Here, the Bankruptcy Court Order disallowed PaeTec's claim to proceeds of the Bulls' bankruptcy estate and declined to substantively consolidate the assets of BCI with those of the estate in the same Order, considering the same body of evidence. Both holdings were based essentially upon the determination that PaeTec's claim against BCI cannot be visited upon the Bulls, and that the BCI corporate form would be honored. It makes pragmatic sense that both holdings would be considered in this appeal. Moreover, disallowing PaeTec's claim and denying substantive consolidation together effectively ends PaeTec's interest in the Bulls' estate, concluding the discrete controversy between the Bulls and PaeTec, without the possibility of revision. See In re Steffen, 500 Fed.Appx. at 879. In these circumstances, the Bankruptcy Court's Order denying PaeTec's motion for substantive consolidation is a final appealable order. 28 U.S.C. § 158(a).

III. Standard of Review

In this appellate capacity, the Court reviews the bankruptcy court's findings of fact for clear error and its legal conclusions de novo. Piazza v. Nueterra Healthcare Physical Therapy, LLC (In re Piazza), 719 F.3d 1253, 1260 (11th Cir. 2013); Rush v. JLJ Inc. (In re JLJ Inc.), 988 F.2d 1112, 1116 (11th Cir.1993). "A finding [of fact] is `clearly erroneous' when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed." United States v. U.S. Gypsum Co., 333 U.S. 364, 395, 68 S.Ct. 525, 92 L.Ed. 746 (1948): see also Piazza, 719 F.3d at 1273. However, "`[w]here there are two permissible views of the evidence, the factfinder's choice between them cannot be clearly erroneous.'" Chira v. Salkin (In re Chira), 378 B.R. 698, 708 (S.D.Fla.2007) (quoting Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, N.C., 470 U.S. 564, 574, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985)). A district court, in its appellate capacity, is not authorized to make independent factual findings. Equitable Life Assurance Soc'y v. Sublett (In re Sublett), 895 F.2d 1381, 1384 (11th Cir. 1990). "`If the bankruptcy court's factual findings are silent or ambiguous as to an outcome determinative factual question, the district court ... must remand the case to the bankruptcy court for the necessary factual determination.'" Id. (citation omitted).

A bankruptcy court's decision to allow or disallow a claim is reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard. Nat'l Capital Mgmt., LLC v. Herman, No. 6:11-cv-9-0r1-28, 2011 WL 4531736, at *1 (M.D.Fla. Sept. 29, 2011) (quoting (In re Chira), 378 B.R. at 708). Additionally, a bankruptcy court's equitable decision regarding substantive consolidation is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. In re Reider, 31 F.3d at 1104-05. "An abuse of discretion occurs if the judge fails to apply the proper legal standard or to follow proper procedures in making the determination, or bases an award upon findings of fact that are clearly erroneous." Hatcher v. Miller (In re Red Carpet Corp. of Panama City Beach), 902 F.2d 883, 890 (11th Cir.1990).

IV. Discussion

A. Waiver

In its Designation of Record, Statement of Issues, and Statement Regarding Transcripts, PaeTec listed the following two issues for consideration in this appeal:

(Doc. 1-4 at 3). In its Initial Brief filed in this appeal, PaeTec listed the issues for appeal as being:

(Doc. 9; PaeTec Initial Brief at 1-2). Appellees/Debtors contend that PaeTec's initial statement of issues was directed to the "substance" of the Bankruptcy Court's Order as being erroneous on both issues, while PaeTec's brief "attacks the form of the Bankruptcy Court's Order as lacking sufficient detail." (Doc. 17; Answer Brief at 18). Appellees/Debtors note that in its Initial Brief, PaeTec requests that this case be remanded to the Bankruptcy Court "`with instructions for more detailed findings on both the alter ego findings, and the substantive consolidation findings.'" Answer Brief at 19 (quoting PaeTec Initial Brief at 29). Appellees/Debtors contend that "PaeTec's designation of one set of issues, followed by its briefing of an entirely different set of issues, operate as reciprocal waivers of both sets of issues, rendering this entire appeal dead on arrival." Id. at 18. PaeTec responds that its initial Statement of Issues represents a broader pronouncement of the issues briefed, and that the issues briefed are "clearly inferable" from the initial Statement of Issues. (Doc. 18; PaeTec Reply Brief at 6-10). PaeTec also argues that the issues presented in this appeal were argued before the Bankruptcy Court, and do not constitute a surprise to Appellees/Debtors. Id. at 10-13.

Former Rule 8006, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (Bankruptcy Rule(s)), provided, in pertinent part, that

Fed. R. Bankr.P. 8006 (2014).7 In construing Rule 8006, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals stated that "[a]n issue that is not listed pursuant to this rule and is not inferable from the issues that are listed is deemed waived and will not be considered on appeal." Snap-On Tools, Inc. v. Freeman (In re Freeman), 956 F.2d 252, 255 (11th Cir.1992). "`[T]o infer means to derive by reasoning or implication, to conclude from facts or from factual reasoning, or to reason from one thing to another.'" State of Fla. Dep't of Revenue v. Davis (In re Davis), No. 8:08-cv-2216-T-33, 2011 WL 997270, at *2 (M.D.Fla. March 18, 2011) (quoting Hydratech Util., Inc. v. Keathley (In re Hydratech Util., Inc.), No. 2:08-cv-331-FtM-UA, 2009 WL 482275, at *2 (M.D.Fla. Feb. 25, 2009)). "[A]s long as an issue is inferable, then Rule 8006 `is not intended to bind either party to the appeal as to the issues that are to be presented.'" Bracewell v. Kelley (In re Bracewell), 322 B.R. 698, 701-702 (M.D.Ga.2005) (quoting In re Cohoes Indus. Terminal, Inc., 90 B.R. 67, 70 (S.D.N.Y.1988)).

While there are facial differences between the two statements of the issues on appeal, the Court determines that the two issues set forth in PaeTec's Initial Brief attacking the Bankruptcy Court's factual findings, are reasonably inferable from PaeTec's Rule 8006 Statement that the Bankruptcy Court "erred" in denying PaeTec's Motion for Substantive Consolidation and in sustaining the Debtors' Objection to PaeTec's Claim No. 19. The fact that the briefed issues are more detailed, pinpointing the specific aspects of the Bankruptcy Court's Order which PaeTec contends were erroneous as to the two issues decided, does not mean that the issues cannot be "inferred" from the initial Statement of the Issues. See In re Davis, 2011 WL 997270, at *2 ("Appellant has appropriately narrowed and refined its contentions, which [were] initially raised in its Rule 8006 Statement, albeit by logical inference."); In re Hydratech Util., Inc., 2009 WL 482275, at *2 (striking briefed arguments that "do[] not follow a chain of reasoning to get from the one Rule 8006 Statement issue to the other two Initial Brief issues"). This is not a matter that requires the Court or Appellees/Debtors to infer from a narrow issue two completely "distinct and separate" issues. In re Hydratech Util., Inc., 2009 WL 482275, at *2. Moreover, the issues listed and briefed in PaeTec's Initial Brief were presented to the Bankruptcy Court, (see Doc. 1-127 at 8, 11-14, 17-21 and Doc. 1-129 at 4-6 (PaeTec briefs submitted to the Bankruptcy Court arguing why the record supports a finding of "improper purpose" and resultant damage to PaeTec of the corporate veil analysis, and substantive consolidation))8; do not require the Court to make independent factual findings; and, in light of the arguments below, do not present a surprise issue to Appellees/Debtors. See In re Bracewell, 322 B.R. at 702; see also Iberiabank v. Geisen (In re FFS Data, Inc.), 776 F.3d 1299, 1306 n. 7 (11th Cir. 2015) ("While Iberiabank uses the term res judicata for the first time in its briefing in this Court, the substance of the issues is clearly inferable from Iberiabank's arguments below, which rely on the same cases." (construing Bankruptcy Rule 8006)). The issues on appeal are inferable from the filings.

B. Disallowance of PaeTec's Claim

1. Bankruptcy Court Order

On July 23, 2012, PaeTec filed a general unsecured claim in the Debtors/Appellees Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding, which was assigned Claim No. 19. (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 3); (Doc. 1-23; PaeTec Claim). In Claim No. 19, PaeTec seeks an amount "Unliquidated, in excess of $1,000,000.00," for "Breach of Contract... and related torts," based upon its counterclaim in the New York Litigation. (Doc. 1-23; PaeTec Claim at 1); see also Bankruptcy Court Order at 1, 3. On September 13, 2012, Debtors/Appellees filed an Amended Objection to Claim No. 19 Filed by PaeTec Communications, seeking to have Claim No. 19 disallowed, contending that PaeTec's counterclaim is against BCI, and not against the individual Debtors/Appellees. Bankruptcy Court Order at 3; (Doc. 1-22; Objection to Claim). On October 12, 2012, PaeTec filed a response in opposition to the Debtors/Appellees' Objection. (See Doc. 17; Answer Brief at 12). As framed by the Bankruptcy Court, the issue is as follows:

Bankruptcy Court Order at 3. The Bankruptcy Court analyzed PaeTec's Claim and Appellees'/Debtors' Objection under both New York and Florida law, and concluded that "[t]he evidence does not establish that BCI's corporate form should be disregarded." Id.

To pierce the corporate veil under either New York or Florida law, the evidence must show that the individuals used the corporation improperly to commit a wrong that injured the moving party.9 A showing that a shareholder controlled the corporation, without more, is insufficient to justify relief.

Shafferman v. The Queens Borough Public Library (In re JMK Constr. Grp., Ltd.), 502 B.R. 396, 405-06 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.2013) (quoting Morris v. N.Y. State Dep't of Taxation & Fin., 82 N.Y.2d 135, 603 N.Y.S.2d 807, 623 N.E.2d 1157, 1161 (1993)) (emphasis in original). In other words, to prevail under a veil-piercing theory in New York, the evidence must show that the individual used his control over the corporation to commit "a wrongful or unjust act specifically directed" to the moving party. In re JMK Constr. Grp., Ltd., 502 B.R. at 406.

Similarly, "Florida's high regard for corporate ownership requires a showing that the corporation was specifically organized or used to mislead creditors or to perpetrate fraud before a party can pierce a corporation's veil." Thermo Credit, LLC v. Cordia Commc'n Corp. (In re Cordia Commc'n Corp.), No. 6:11-bk-06493-KSJ, 2012 WL 379776, at *4 (Bankr. M.D.Fla. Feb. 2, 2012) (citing Dania Jai-Alai Palace, Inc. v. Sykes, 450 So.2d 1114, 1120 (Fla.1984)). Under Florida's veil piercing law, a creditor may pursue a corporation's shareholder only where:

In re Checiek, 492 B.R. 918, 920 (Bankr. M.D.Fla.2013) (citing to inter alia Dania Jai-Alai Palace, 450 So.2d at 1120); see also Molinos Valle Del Cibao, C por A v. Lama, 633 F.3d 1330, 1349 (11th Cir.2011) (citing Florida law). "Under Florida law, courts are permitted to disregard the corporate form (and pierce the corporate veil) only in the most extraordinary cases. Simply stated, veil piercing is an equitable remedy and used to prevent the fraudulent or improper use of the corporate form from injuring the party seeking to pierce the corporate veil." Id. As noted by Eleventh Circuit,

Molinos, 633 F.3d at 1349; see also Dania Jai-Alai Palace, 450 So.2d at 1118 ("`[S]o long as proper use is made of the fiction that a corporation is an entity apart from its stockholders, the fiction will not be ignored.'" (citation omitted)).

In reaching its conclusion, the Bankruptcy Court determined that the evidence did not support a finding that the Appellees/Debtors formed BCI "to commit any wrongful or improper act that injured PaeTec," the second and third requirements for piercing the corporate veil. (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 5).10 First, the Bankruptcy Court found that BCI was formed in 1989 and operated for a legitimate business purpose of marketing telecommunications services, directed primarily to health care providers and hospitals in New York and Massachusetts. Id. (citing Doc. 1-34 at 12; Mary Bull Affidavit ¶¶ 2-8). BCI entered into a Sales Agent Agreement with PaeTec on October 26, 1998 to procure health care and hospital customers in the northeast United States for PaeTec's telecommunications products and services. Id. (citing Doc. 1-34 at 12; Mary Bull Affidavit ¶¶ 11-12). After a successful business relationship for a number of years, PaeTec terminated its contract with BCI in November 2008. Id. at 5-6 (citing Transcript, Vol. I at 71); (Doc. 1-123; Evidentiary Hearing Transcript Volume II at 120 ("Transcript, Vol. II")). The Bankruptcy Court concluded that there is no evidence that BCI's corporate form "was used as `a mere device or sham to accomplish some ulterior purpose,' such as to defraud PaeTec or commit an illegal act." Id. at 6 (citing Bookworld Trade, Inc. v. Daughters of St. Paul, Inc., 532 F.Supp.2d 1350, 1361 (M.D.Fla.2007)).

As to the third prong of the alter ego inquiry, the Bankruptcy Court found that "there is no evidence in this case that the Debtors' use of BCI's corporate form caused any injury to PaeTec." Bankruptcy Court Order at 6. In reaching this determination, the Bankruptcy Court cited to the testimony of PaeTec's corporate representative, to find that

Id. (citing Transcript, Vol. I at 33-34, 44). Additionally, the Bankruptcy Court found that PaeTec "engaged in an `extensive course of performance' with BCI under the Agreement, and that BCI's marketing efforts on behalf of PaeTec resulted in sales that generated `substantial commissions.'" Id. (citing Doc. 1-23 at 11; PaeTec's First Amended Answer and Counterclaims filed in New York Litigation (Fourth Affirmative Defense and First Counterclaim) (attached to PaeTec's Proof of Claim No. 19)). Based upon the evidence in the record, the Bankruptcy Court concluded that "the evidence does not establish that the Debtors used BCI's corporate form fraudulently or for an improper purpose, or that the Debtors' use of the corporate form caused any injury to PaeTec." Bankruptcy Court Order at 6. The Bankruptcy Court held that "BCI's corporate veil should not be pierced, and PaeTec's claim in the Debtors' individual Chapter 11 case should be disallowed." id.

2. Analysis

PaeTec contends that the Bankruptcy Court erred in finding that "no evidence" supported a finding that the Appellees/Debtors used the BCI corporate form fraudulently or for an improper purpose, and that fraudulent or improper use of the BCI corporation caused injury to PaeTec, the second and third prongs of the alter ego test. (Doc. 9; PaeTec Initial Brief at 1). PaeTec contends that the Bankruptcy Court failed to "mention[] the substantial—and undisputed—evidence adduced during the two evidentiary hearings reflecting the presence of both prongs." Id.11

a. Improper Purpose

PaeTec argues that the Bankruptcy Court's finding that there was no evidence to support PaeTec's assertion that the Bulls used BCI for an "improper purpose," is clearly erroneous. PaeTec contends that the evidence establishes: (1) that BCI has conducted no business since 2008 except to receive monthly commissions from PaeTec, which were paid immediately to the Bulls through a "three-party account," leaving no money in the account for BCI; (2) that since 2008, BCI has not paid withholding taxes to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on behalf of the Bulls, and that the Bulls did not make "necessary payments at the end of the tax year on this income from PaeTec;" (3) that the Bulls "owed hundreds of thousands to the IRS by early 2012," and (4) that "[t]he IRS laid out the impropriety of the Bulls' actions at their creditor meeting." (Doc. 9; PaeTec Initial Brief at 13 (citing to the Evidentiary Hearing Transcript and Exhibits)). Thus, according to PaeTec, the "Bulls' use of BCI permitted them to evade" the statutory obligation to make quarterly estimated income tax payments, in compliance with federal law. PaeTec contends that the Bulls passed the commissions through BCI instead of receiving the commissions directly from PaeTec to avoid PaeTec "being required to withhold taxes from these transfers." Id. at 14. PaeTec argues that the Bulls used "the corporate form to evade a statutory obligation," and to "live tax-free and evade federal income tax statutes," which is "an improper use under the alter ego test." Id. (citing Aztec Motel, Inc. v. State ex rel. Faircloth, 251 So.2d 849, 852 (Fla.1971)); see also id. at 12 (arguing that improper purpose can be established by evidence that the "corporation was simply used to evade some statute or affect an illegal purpose at some date after formation." (citing Aztec Motel, 251 So.2d at 852) (emphasis in original)).

In Aztec Motel, the Florida Supreme Court examined a state statute pertaining to whether the state could dissolve a corporation based upon the conduct of the corporation's shareholders. The court noted the general rule that if all stockholders or members of a corporation, acting as individuals instead of by formal corporate action, do illegal acts as individuals which, if done by formal corporate action, would be grounds for forfeiting the corporate charter and dissolving the corporation, the fiction of the corporate entity apart from the members will be disregarded and such action of the stockholders or members will be treated as action of the corporation in a proceeding by the state to forfeit the corporation's charter. 251 So.2d at 853. The court stated that

Id. at 852. The decision in Aztec Motel is directed to defining when the state may dissolve a corporation found to exist for the purpose of evading a statute, accomplishing fraud, or operating with illegal purpose for purposes. The court was silent as to whether a creditor is entitled to pierce the corporate form based solely on a corporation's purpose being to evade a statute. Aztec Motel does not apply to or counsel a result in this case. As such, it was not necessary as outcome determinative for the Bankruptcy Court to make any factual findings with respect to the Bulls' income taxes because the Bulls' tax status is not relevant to whether PaeTec is entitled to pierce the BCI corporate veil. Additionally, pursuant to the Sales Agent Agreement between PaeTec and BCI, Pae-Tec was required to pay commissions to BCI, not to the Bulls, and BCI, in turn, was responsible for paying all taxes and estimated taxes payable with respect to the commissions, as well as for withholding taxes on behalf of any salesmen or subagents. (Doc. 1-23 at 16; Sales Agent Agreement 118).12 The Aztec Motel decision, as well as the evidence in this record, do not establish that the Bulls' alleged income tax deficiencies entitle PaeTec to an order piercing the corporate form of BCI to enable PaeTec to assert a claim as creditor to BCI, against the individual Debtors/Appellees in this Chapter 11 case.

Additionally, PaeTec argues (1) that it is entitled to assume that BCI is "adequately capitalized, with at least some intent or ability to be able to meet its obligations (such as refund overpayments from PaeTec prior commissions, which is the basis for the counterclaim and Claim No. 19);" (2) that "[i]mproper conduct does not require any active fraud on the creditor in question, or acts of misrepresentation to that creditor," and (3) that "doing business with a third party through a corporation—as the Bulls did here with PaeTec through BCI—and then depleting the corporation of any assets resulting in the third party having no remedies relating to the transactions constitutes using a corporate form for an improper purpose." PaeTec Initial Brief at 12-15 (citing USP Real Estate Inv. Trust v. Discount Auto Parts, Inc., 570 So.2d 386, 393 (Fla. 1st DCA 1990) and 17315 Collins Ave., LLC v. Fortune Dev. Sales Corp., 34 So.3d 166, 169 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010)).

In USP Real Estate, the court pieced the corporate veil of a shell subsidiary corporation to reach the parent corporation for money owed on a shopping center lease. There, the shell corporation was assigned a lease as lessee, and the parent corporation, Discount, actually operated a business on the premises, in violation of the lease which required that the lessee actually occupy the premises and operate the business. The president of Discount, who was also president of the shell subsidiary, admitted that the purpose of making the shell corporation the lessee was to insulate Discount from liability to the landlord when Discount decided to close the store. The shell corporation never had a bank account, reported any income, maintained an inventory, had any receipts or expenditures, and made no rental payments. UPS Real Estate Inv. Trust, 570 So.2d at 389-90, 392. Citing Dania Jai-Alai Palace, supra, as providing the standard for piercing the corporate veil, the court determined that the parent corporation engaged in improper conduct by organizing and using the shell subsidiary corporation for the sole purpose of assigning a lease to avoid any liabilities for rent, and by violating the terms of the lease, misleading the lessor. 570 So.2d at 392. The court noted that the lessor was entitled to rely upon the terms of the lease and assume that the tenant would comply with its provisions, and be the operating arm of the retail business holding and owning the assets of the retail business, and capable of making payments for the duration of the lease. Id. at 393.

Likewise, in Fortune Development, the court determined that a parent company used a subsidiary for an improper purpose as required to pierce the corporate veil, where the parent company placed funds in the subsidiary's operating account so that a judgment creditor, with a judgment against the parent, could not reach the funds. 34 So.3d at 168-69. There, the Plaintiff Fortune obtained a $1.5 million final judgment against the parent company, Wavestone Properties, LLC, based upon Wavestone's termination and breach of an exclusive real estate listing agreement between Fortune, as broker, and Wavestone, pursuant to which Fortune was to market and sell condominium units, owned, developed and operated by subsidiary 17315 Collins Avenue, LLC. In proceedings supplementary on the judgment, the trial court pierced the corporate veil of the subsidiary 17315, and allowed the judgment against Wavestone to operate as a lien against the real estate owned by 17315. Id. at 167-68. Though Wavestone owned a membership interest and was the managing member of 17315, it did not conduct any operations, have any employees, or have any bank accounts. Id. at 168-69. The court determined that the two companies, Wavestone and 17315 operated as alter egos. The Court found improper purpose based upon the fact that Wavestone placed $250,000 in funds specifically intended to indemnify Fortune for its losses, into 17315's operating accounts for use in the development of the condominium project. The court held that Wavestone used the corporate entities "for an improper purpose when it depleted the $250,000 amount." Id. at 169.

Neither case cited by PaeTec held that a creditor is entitled to pierce the veil of the corporation just because the corporation is not "adequately capitalized," as PaeTec suggests. Rather both cited cases turned on the specific facts presented. Here, PaeTec cites to no evidence that the Sales Agent Agreement between PaeTec and BCI (see Doc. 1-23 at 15) required BCI to retain assets or earmark funds to pay PaeTec, or that in the course of dealing, BCI was obligated to retain assets for the purpose of reimbursing PaeTec. Indeed, under the Sales Agent Agreement, as noted by the Bankruptcy Court, PaeTec was obligated to pay BCI commissions for its services; BCI had no obligation to pay PaeTec. BCI was not created solely to circumvent some contractual obligation to pay PaeTec. Additionally, PaeTec fails to cite to any evidence that BCI misrepresented or lulled PaeTec into believing that BCI retained assets for purposes of paying or reimbursing PaeTec, or that BCI re-directed funds to the Bulls that were specifically intended for PaeTec, as was the case in Fortune Development. See Fortune Dev., 34 So.3d at 169. Moreover, in light of the three-way account, PaeTec cites to no evidence that it did not know that the commission payments flowed through the BCI account into the Bulls' account.

b. Injury to PaeTec

PaeTec contends that the Bulls' "improper use" of BCI injured PaeTec because "PaeTec has no way to satisfy any judgment it may obtain on its counterclaim against BCI in the New York Action," the third prong of the alter ego inquiry. PaeTec Initial Brief at 16. As support, PaeTec argues that (1) "BCI has no assets but its income stream from the PaeTec contract, which is spent in full each month by the Bulls;" (2) "[t]he $305,026.86 IRS proof of claim was filed as secured based on tax liens;"13 (3) the Bulls' sworn amended disclosure statement "confirms that the IRS has a blanket lien on all of the Bulls' assets. . . which lien extends to all of BCI's assets such as the New York lawsuit;"14 and (4) the IRS lien "will prevent PaeTec from setting off the sums due and owing on any counterclaim damages." Id. (citing Evidentiary Hearing Transcript and Exhibits).

PaeTec's contention that it has been injured by the Bulls' "improper use" of BCI necessarily fails because, as determined by the Bankruptcy Court, and affirmed in the Court's foregoing discussion, PaeTec has failed to establish that the Bulls established or operated BCI improperly with regard to its Sales Agent Agreement with PaeTec. The purpose of the corporate fiction, which recognizes a corporation as a legal entity capable of entering contracts and doing business in its own right, is to promote commerce by "limit[ing] the liability of the corporation's owners, whether they be individuals or other corporations." Molinos, 633 F.3d at 1349. The fact that BCI may not retain sufficient assets to satisfy an inchoate claim that PaeTec may have does not in and of itself give rise to a basis for disregarding the corporate form and piercing the veil to reach the corporation's individual shareholders. Likewise, an IRS lien on the Bulls' interest in BCI does not mean that the IRS lien extends to all of BCI's assets, or that BCI's assets were improperly depleted so as to injure PaeTec.

PaeTec also takes issue with the Bankruptcy Court's reliance on the testimony of PaeTec's corporate representative Daniel Miller to support its finding that the manner in which the Bulls operated BCI or used its corporate structure caused no injury to PaeTec. (See Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 6). PaeTec contends that the questions and answers read at the Evidentiary Hearing and cited by the Bankruptcy Court were "parsed," and were objected to by PaeTec as being outside of the scope of the Rule 30(b)(6) notice of deposition and improper because the corporate representative was not permitted to refer to documents. PaeTec Initial Brief at 17-18. PaeTec cites to corporate representative Miller's deposition testimony that he believed that the Bulls and BCI were "one and the same," even though they kept separate bank accounts. Id. at 19 (citing e.g. Evidentiary Hearing, Debtor Ex. 2; Miller Dep. at 55).

The Bankruptcy Court's reliance upon the corporate representative's testimony in support of its determination that PaeTec has not been injured by the Bulls' operation of BCI is not clearly erroneous. The Bankruptcy Court cited to the Evidentiary Hearing Transcript in which the following testimony from the Rule 30(b)(6) corporate representative deposition of PaeTec's Daniel Miller was read:

Bankruptcy Court Order at 6 (citing Transcript, Vol. I at 33-34 (quoting Miller Dep. at 42-43)). The Bankruptcy Court also cited to the Evidentiary Hearing Transcript in which the following deposition testimony of corporate representative Miller was read:

Bankruptcy Court Order at 6 (citing Transcript Vol. I at 44 (quoting Miller Dep. at 77)). PaeTec's citation to other portions of the Miller Deposition in which the corporate representative was asked to answer questions without looking at PaeTec's filings in the bankruptcy case, does not negate or undermine his responses to the specific questions cited above. The Bankruptcy Court stated that it would review the entire Miller deposition, See Transcript, Vol. I at 45, and PaeTec points to nothing in this record to establish that the Bankruptcy Court did not consider the entirety of Mr. Miller's testimony in reaching its conclusion. The Bankruptcy Court was required only to make brief, definite, pertinent findings and conclusions upon the contested matters. See Wachovia Bank N.A. v. Tien, No. 13-11971, 598 Fed. Appx. 613, 617-18, 2014 WL 7399064, at *4 (11th Cir. Dec. 31, 2014). It was not required to make a finding on every contention raised by PaeTec, nor was it required to discuss all of the evidence presented. See Wachovia Bank, 598 Fed.Appx. at 617-18, 2014 WL 7399064, at *4; Feazell v. Tropicana Prods., Inc., 819 F.2d 1036, 1042 (11th Cir.1987). The Bankruptcy Court found that the corporate representative did not identify any use of corporate structure that harmed PaeTec during the course of its contractual relationship with BCI, which is a sufficient, pertinent, and unambiguous finding. The Bankruptcy Court's reliance upon the cited corporate representative testimony in support of its conclusion that the Bulls' relationship with BCI was not improper or cause injury to PaeTec, is not clearly erroneous.

For the foregoing reasons, the Bankruptcy Court's Order, sustaining the Appellee'/Debtors' Objection to PaeTec's Claim Number 19, and disallowance of Claim Number 19, is due to be affirmed.

C. Denial of Substantive Consolidation

On October 15, 2012, PaeTec filed a Motion to Substantively Consolidate Debtor David Bull's Wholly Owned Company Bull Communications, Inc. Into This Estate, seeking to substantively consolidate BCI, a non-debtor entity, into the Bulls' bankruptcy estate. (Doc. 1-36). The Debtors/Appellees responded with an objection to the Motion for Substantive Consolidation, (Doc. 1-54), and a supplemental objection to PaeTec's claim, Answer Brief at 13, on November 19, 2012 and May 23, 2013, respectively.

The Court's authority to award substantive consolidation rests with its general equitable powers. Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248; In re McTeer Oil Co., Inc., No. 13-60660-EJC, 2014 WL 2022052, at *5 (Bankr.S.D.Ga. May 14, 2014) (citing Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248). Substantive consolidation "`involves the pooling of the assets and liabilities of two or more related entities; the liabilities of the entities involved are then satisfied from the common pool of assets created by consolidation.'" Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248. Consolidation tends to redistribute the amount and likelihood of recovery among creditors of the consolidated entities. Id. (trustee of two debtors sought consolidation of the two bankruptcy cases); see also Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. v. Colonial Realty, 966 F.2d 57, 61 (2nd Cir.1992) (consolidation of entities with different debt-to-asset ratios results in redistribution of wealth among creditors of the entities).

Colonial Realty, 966 F.2d at 61 (citations omitted). "Substantive consolidation should be invoked `sparingly' where any creditor or debtor objects to its use." In re Reider, 31 F.3d at 1109 (citation omitted).

The Eleventh Circuit requires that "the proponent of substantive consolidation must show that (1) there is substantial identity between the entities to be consolidated; and (2) consolidation is necessary to avoid some harm or to realize some benefit." Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248 (citations omitted). In order for substantive consolidation to pass the second prong of the court's inquiry, "the demonstrated economic benefits to creditors of consolidation [must] outweigh the harm that consolidation will cause to creditors." In re McTeer Oil Co., 2014 WL 2022052, at *8. "When this showing is made, a presumption arises that creditors have not relied solely on the credit of one of the entities involved." Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248 (internal quotations and citations omitted). "Once the proponent has made this prima facie case for consolidation, the burden shifts to an objecting creditor to show that (1) it has relied on the separate credit of one of the entities to be consolidated; and (2) it will be prejudiced by substantive consolidation." Id. "Finally, if an objecting creditor has made this showing, the court may order consolidation only if it determines that the demonstrated benefits of consolidation heavily outweigh the harm." Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted). Substantive consolidation can be pursued by the Trustee, see, e.g., Sampsell v. Imperial Paper & Color Corp., 313 U.S. 215, 216, 61 S.Ct. 904, 85 L.Ed. 1293 (1941); Eastgroup Properties, 935 F.2d at 248; Gordon v. Harman (In re Harman), 512 B.R. 321, 345 (Bankr.N.D.Ga.2014), or a creditor, see In re Gordon Properties, LLC, 478 B.R. at 756 (creditor had standing to pursue substantive consolidation); In re Alico Mining, Inc., 278 B.R. 586, 587 (Bankr.M.D.Fla.2002) (on motion by creditor, court had jurisdiction to substantively consolidate estate of debtor with estate of non-debtor).

The Eleventh Circuit has listed a plethora of factors to be considered in determining whether substantive consolidation is appropriate, likening the bankruptcy court's power to substantively consolidate "to the ability to pierce the corporate veil of separate corporations to reach assets for the satisfaction of a related corporation's debt." Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248 n. 9. These factors are:

Eastqroup, 935 F.2d at 249-50.

While "[t]raditional substantive consolidation cases involve bankruptcy cases already pending before the bankruptcy court," Fishell v. U.S. Trustee (In re Fishell), No. 95-1637, 111 F.3d 131, 1997 WL 188458, at *3 (6th Cir.1997) (unpublished opinion), the Supreme Court has tacitly recognized substantive consolidation of a non-debtor entity. In Sampsell, 313 U.S. at 218, 61 S.Ct. 904, the Court held that when a bankruptcy court ordered that property of a non-debtor family corporation was consolidated with the property of the bankruptcy estate, an unsecured creditor of the non-debtor corporation was entitled only to "pari passu" participation with debtor's individual creditors. Sampsell, 313 U.S. at 218, 221, 61 S.Ct. 904; see also In re Reider, 31 F.3d at 1105, 1106 & n. 4 (noting that in Sampsell, "the Supreme Court gave its tacit approval to this equitable power to substantively consolidate two estates" when it "upheld the bankruptcy referee's consolidation of the estate of the individual debtor with the assets of the debtor's corporation which was wholly owned by the debtor and his family"); In re Bonham, 229 F.3d at 766-67 (approving substantive consolidation of Chapter 7 debtor's estate with the non-debtor estates of her closely held corporations where corporations had been used to further debtor's Ponzi scheme and were but instrumentalities of the debtor with no separate existence of their own, and where all creditors would benefit by the resultant avoidance of fraudulent transfers); In re Harman, 512 B.R. at 345 (allegations in Trustee's complaint stated plausible claim for substantive consolidation of debtor and various non-debtor entities); Kapila v. S & G Fin. Servs., LLC (In re S & G Fin. Servs. of South Fla., Inc.), 451 B.R. 573, 579-82 (Bankr.S.D.Fla.2011) (it is within bankruptcy court's equitable powers to allow substantive consolidation of entities under appropriate circumstances, whether or not all of those entities are debtors in bankruptcy). But see First Fed. Bank v. Footman (In re Big Foot Props., Inc.), No. 3:11-bk-6868-JAF, 2012 WL 6892645, at *3 (Bankr.M.D.Fla. May 25, 2012) (The language of Sampsell "is dicta and does not provide a sound precedent for non-debtor substantive consolidation."); In re Cordia Commc'ns Corp., 2012 WL 379776, at *3-4 (recognizing a split of authority as to whether the bankruptcy court has the authority to substantively consolidate a non-debtor's assets and liabilities into a bankruptcy debtor's estate (citing cases), and concluding that any request to substantively consolidate non-debtors must fail under 11 U.S.C. § 105(a) of the Bankruptcy Code "because it is not an act that is `necessary or appropriate' to carry out any legitimate bankruptcy purpose."); In re Pearlman, 462 B.R. 849, 854-56 (Bankr. M.D.Fla.2012) (bankruptcy court lacks authority to order substantive consolidation of non-debtors). The Bankruptcy Court recognized this split of authority in its Order, (see Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 7), and proceeded to consider PaeTec's motion for substantive consolation on its merits.15

1. Standing

The Court questions whether it has subject matter jurisdiction to consider PaeTec's appeal from the Bankruptcy Court's Order denying PaeTec's motion for substantive consolidation of the Bulls' estate with BCI. This is because, while at the outset of this appeal, PaeTec had standing to pursue the appeal of both issues, the Court has determined that the Bankruptcy Court's disallowance of PaeTec's claim is due to be affirmed and as such, PaeTec is not a creditor of the Bulls' estate. The parties have not specifically addressed whether PaeTec as a non-creditor has standing in this bankruptcy action to pursue substantive consolidation of BCI with the Bull's estate. (See Doc. 18; PaeTec Reply Brief at 1 ("creditors have standing to pursue substantive consolidation")); (Doc. 17 Answer Brief at 9-10 (trustees and creditors have standing to pursue substantive consolidation; PaeTec as a non-creditor does not have standing)). Neither party cited to any authority, and the Court could not locate any, which recognizes that a creditor of a third-party non-debtor entity not in bankruptcy had standing to assert substantive consolidation in the bankruptcy proceeding of an estate in which it had no interest. See generally Eastgroup Props., 935 F.2d at 248 (The purpose of substantive consolidation is "`to insure the equitable treatment of all creditors.'" (citation omitted)). Moreover, PaeTec would cease to be a "person aggrieved" with standing to appeal the Bankruptcy Court's Order with regard to substantive consolidation, because its interest as a third-party non-creditor of the Bulls' estate in bankruptcy is not protected or regulated by the Bankruptcy Code. See In re Ernie Haire Ford, Inc., 764 F.3d at 1327. To the extent the Bankruptcy Court's Order is affirmed with regard to disallowing PaeTec's Claim No. 19, PaeTec appears to lose standing to pursue an appeal of the substantive consolidation portion of the Bankruptcy Court's Order because it is not a creditor of the Bulls' estate in bankruptcy. Thus, the portion of PaeTec's appeal directed to substantive consolidation, is due to be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

2. The Bankruptcy Court's Order Denying Substantive Consolidation

In the event the Court retains jurisdiction to entertain this portion of the appeal, the Court starts with a review of the Bankruptcy Court's Order. Recognizing that the law in the Eleventh Circuit is "unsettled" with regard to whether a bankruptcy court has the authority to substantively consolidate a non-debtor's assets and liabilities into a bankrupt debtor's estate, (Doc. 1-3; Bankruptcy Court Order at 7 (citing In re Cordia Commc'ns Corp., 2012 WL 379776, at *3)), the Bankruptcy Court declined to resolve the question as unnecessary because "the evidence does not establish that substantive consolidation would be appropriate under any standard." Id. at 8. The Bankruptcy Court set forth the legal standard and factors used for determining substantive consolidation, id. at 8, which has not been objected to here on appeal and which, upon de novo review, was correctly considered. The Bankruptcy Court first determined that the evidence did not establish that "there is substantial identity" between the Bulls and BCI, stating that "[although the Debtor, David Bull, is its sole shareholder and controls its decisions, BCI has maintained its separate corporate identity since its inception." Id. at 9. The Bankruptcy Court cited to the testimony of David Bull that establishes that BCI currently is a Florida corporation that files annual reports with the State of Florida; BCI retains a certified accountant that advises the corporation regarding tax issues; BCI retained an attorney to assist when converting from a New York to a Florida corporation; BCI maintains bank accounts that are separate from those of the Bulls; during its operation, BCI incurred debts to third parties that are not the debts of the Bulls; "BCI receives a monthly payment from PaeTec in its bank account, pays its expenses from the deposit, and then pays the Debtors;" BCI files corporate tax returns; BCI retained a subcontractor and lobbying group in connection with its operations; and "BCI has not transferred any property to the Debtors, other than the monthly payments for their expenses." Id. at 9 (citing Transcript, Vol. I at 52-58; Transcript Vol. II at 108-109). The Bankruptcy Court also noted that BCI, and not the Bulls, entered into the Sales Agent Agreement with PaeTec, and that "BCI is the sole plaintiff in the action pending against PaeTec in New York." Id.

Second, the Bankruptcy Court found substantive consolidation is "not necessary to avoid some harm or to realize some benefit." Bankruptcy Court Order at 11. It determined that substantive consolidation is not required to sort out the financial transactions of BCI and the Bulls, and that the two are not so intertwined that their respective assets and liabilities are not separate and distinct. Id. at 10-11. The Bankruptcy Court observed that "David Bull testified that BCI did not transfer any property to the Debtors, other than payment for their sales efforts, and PaeTec's representative testified that he was not aware of any improper transfers between BCI and the Debtors." Id. at 11 (citing Transcript, Vol. I at 37, 39, 58). Additionally, the Bankruptcy Court determined that "the evidence does not show that the creditors of the individual Debtors looked to BCI for payment of their claims, or that the Debtors' creditors are also the creditors of BCI." Id. at 11. For these reasons, the Bankruptcy Court held that substantive consolidating was not appropriate in this case.

PaeTec argues that the Bankruptcy Court's factual findings suffer from clear error and an abuse of discretion, because the Bankruptcy Court failed to consider much of the same evidence PaeTec asserts in connection with its corporate veil argument. (Doc. 9; PaeTec Initial Brief at 21). Specifically, PaeTec argues that the Bankruptcy Court's factual findings are clearly erroneous because (1) "[t]he Bulls do not pay themselves based on their individual work, as the Bankruptcy Court found," but rather the Bulls pay themselves from BCI based upon their individual bill-paying needs at the time; and (2) the Bankruptcy Court's finding that the evidence does not show that the Bulls' creditors look to BCI for payments of their claims is clearly erroneous, citing to "[t]he IRS lien encumbering BCI and all of its assets based on the Bulls' failure to pay income tax." Id. at 22-23 (citing Evidentiary Hearing Transcript and Exhibits). For the reasons that follow, the Court concludes that the Bankruptcy Court's findings of fact are not clearly erroneous, and do not require remand for further consideration.

The evidence cited by PaeTec in support of its argument that the Bulls were not being compensated for work done, is testimony regarding the Bulls' monthly withdrawals from the BCI account, after the monthly payment was deposited by PaeTec into the BCI account. What PaeTec neglects to acknowledge is that PaeTec did indeed deposit the monthly payment into BCI's account, pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agent Agreement between BCI and PaeTec, for commissions relating to ongoing customers of PaeTec procured by BCI, and as payment to BCI to refrain from competing for certain customers.16 PaeTec would not be gratuitously depositing funds monthly into BCI's account for no reason, but rather to honor its obligations for work done, pursuant to the Agreement between PaeTec and BCI. How the Bulls withdrew the earned funds from BCI's account does not contradict the Bankruptcy Court's finding of fact, or undermine its holding that substantive consolidation is not appropriate here.

Moreover, nothing in the evidence cited by PaeTec establishes that the IRS is looking to BCI for payment of any tax obligations the Bulls, as individuals, may have to the IRS. Rather, the Bulls' interest in BCI, at a value "unknown," is listed as an asset in the Bulls' Bankruptcy Estate, on which the IRS has placed a 100% lien. PaeTec misstates that the IRS has "filed a lien encumbering BCI and all of its assets." The IRS lien is on the Bulls' interest in BCI; the IRS is not "looking to BCI to satisfy its claim against the Bulls." PaeTec Initial Brief at 23.

Indeed, in light of PaeTec's argument that BCI has no assets, it's contention that the IRS is looking to BCI for payment of the Bulls' debts is internally inconsistent. There is no evidence that any creditor of the Bulls is looking to BCI for purposes of payment, and PaeTec appears to be the only BCI creditor seeking to consolidate with the Bulls' estate. More importantly, as recognized by the Bankruptcy Court, the Bulls and BCI maintain separate accounts, and assets. The Bulls' creditors are able to seek remuneration based upon the Bulls' assets, while BCI's creditors, including PaeTec, may seek recovery from BCI's assets, which include BCI's interest in the pending New York Litigation. PaeTec has not demonstrated that the economic benefits to creditors of consolidation outweighs the harm that consolidation will cause to creditors, particularly to those creditors of the Bulls, which would be required to pool the Bulls' assets with those of BCI, and share them with PaeTec, if substantive consolidation were permitted.

The Court rejects PaeTec's argument that the Bankruptcy Court failed to consider "germane factors" in reaching its conclusion that substantive consolidation is not appropriate here. PaeTec Initial Brief at 24. While recognizing that Appellee/Debtor David Bull is the sole shareholder of BCI and controls its decisions, the Bankruptcy Court made ten (10) specific factual findings supporting its conclusion that BCI has maintained a separate corporate identity, and that the affairs of the Bulls and BCI are not intermingled. Bankruptcy Court Order at 9. The Bankruptcy Court underscored that BCI and PaeTec entered into the Sales Agent Agreement, not the Bulls, and that BCI and PaeTec are the parties in the New York Litigation. Id. Additionally, the Bankruptcy Court concluded that "[t]he affairs of the Debtors and the affairs of BCI are not so intertwined that it is difficult to segregate the assets and liabilities of the individuals from the assets and liabilities of the corporation," id. at 10, touching a number of other factors which PaeTec asserts were not considered. The evidence cited by PaeTec does not support its assertion that the transfers of funds from BCI to the Bulls were "without formal observance of corporate formalities," and that the Bulls and BCI were "[c]ommingling. . . assets and operations." PaeTec Initial Brief at 25-26. As noted by the Bankruptcy Court, BCI and the Bulls maintained separate bank accounts; BCI receives a monthly payment from PaeTec, from which it pays its expenses and pays the Bulls; BCI and the Bulls file separate tax returns; and BCI has not transferred any property to the Debtors, other than monthly payment for their expenses. Bankruptcy Court Order at 9. Loans and depreciation of Mary Bull's vehicle by BCI as reflected in BCI's tax return do not signal a "commingling" of assets that would warrant a substantive consolidation of non-party BCI with the Bulls' bankruptcy estate. Nor, as discussed above, was BCI "grossly undercapitized" as PaeTec contends, PaeTec Initial Brief at 26, for the work it was doing, such that it could not meet its required obligations. Nothing in this record supports a finding that the Bankruptcy Court did not consider all of the evidence before it. The Court holds that the Bankruptcy Court Order provides a sufficient basis upon which to evaluate the Bankruptcy Court's conclusion such that remand is not required for further factual findings, and that the factual findings of the Bankruptcy Court, with respect to substantive consolidation, are not clearly erroneous.

Conclusion

Having closely reviewed the Bankruptcy Court's Order, and having considered the briefs of the parties, the pertinent portions of the record on appeal, and the applicable law, the Court finds that the Bankruptcy Court's Order is proper and correct as a matter of law, is based on sufficient factual findings which are not clearly erroneous, and is not an abuse of discretion.

Accordingly, it is hereby

ORDERED:

1. Appellees' Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 15) is DENIED.

2. The Bankruptcy Court's Order on (1) Objection to Claim 19 of PaeTec Communications, Inc., and (2) Motion to Substantively Consolidate Debtor David Bull's Wholly Owned Company Into This Estate, dated May 6, 2014 (Doc. 1-3), is AFFIRMED.17

3. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to transmit a certified copy of this Order to the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court.

4. The Clerk of the Court is FURTHER DIRECTED to enter judgment consistent with this Order, terminate any pending motions, and close the file.