CECILIA M. ALTONAGA, District Judge.
Following World War I ("WWI") and in need of capital, Germany issued various bearer bonds. See World Holdings, LLC v. Fed. Rep. of Ger., 794 F.Supp.2d 1305, 1308-09, No. 08-20198-CIV, 2011 WL 2217495, at *1 (S.D.Fla. June 5, 2011). In 1924, Germany "offered for subscription in the United States $110 million worth of bearer bonds known as Dawes Bonds. . . ." Id. Six years later, in 1930, "Germany offered for subscription in the United States $98.25 million of a second bearer bond, the Young Bonds. . . ." Id.
World Holdings "owns or controls"
The Court presumes the parties' familiarity with the remaining facts, which are addressed in the earlier summary judgment order. See World Holdings, 794 F.Supp.2d at 1308-12, 2011 WL 2217495, at *1-4.
Summary judgment shall be rendered "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." FED.R.CIV.P. 56(c). In making this assessment, the Court "must view all the evidence and all factual inferences reasonably drawn from the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party," Stewart v. Happy Herman's Cheshire Bridge, Inc., 117 F.3d 1278, 1285 (11th Cir.1997), and "must resolve all reasonable doubts about the facts in favor of the non-movant." United of Omaha Life Ins. Co. v. Sun Life Ins. Co. of Am., 894 F.2d 1555, 1558 (11th Cir.1990).
"The general rule in New York[
While normally the statute of limitations on a suit for payment on a bond will begin
Germany contends the statute of limitations began to run in this case on the later date of either when the Bonds matured or when the Bonds were validated. (See Mot. 8). World Holdings's Dawes Bonds were validated after maturity (which occurred on October 15, 1949), by July 15, 1964. (See id.; 2d Jaeger Decl. ¶ 2 [ECF No. 208-3]; SMF ¶¶ 13-14). Germany thus asserts the statute of limitations for the Dawes Bonds began to run on July 15, 1964. (See Mot. 8). With World Holdings's Young Bonds, these bonds were validated by June 14, 1960, before their maturity date of June 1, 1965. (See SMF ¶¶ 16-17). Germany thus contends that the Young Bonds' statute of limitations began to run on June 1, 1965. (See Mot. 8). According to Germany, then, claims for Dawes Bonds expired on July 15, 1970, and claims for Young Bonds expired on June 1,1971.
Despite these dates, World Holdings asserts that the LDA, by law, delayed payment on non-assenters' bonds. (See Mot. Opp'n 5 [ECF No. 215]). It asserts the LDA thus delayed the time whereby the non-assenting bonds "matured," and the right to sue did not accrue until the last assenting bond under the LDA was paid. (See id.). According to World Holdings, this occurred on October 3, 2010.
The starting point is, of course, the text of the LDA itself. All of the materials cited by World Holdings either explicitly or implicitly refer to LDA Article 10.
LDA Art. 10, at 450-51. The last line of Article 10, that "[t]his provision does not apply to debts arising from marketable securities payable in a creditor country," prevents application of Article 10 to creditors such as World Holdings—which owns Dawes and Young Bonds (marketable securities) payable in the United States (a creditor country). Therefore, LDA Article 10 cannot be World Holdings's basis of authority for extending the payments' due date.
World Holdings also highlights a New York Times article from 1958 which, in discussing the LDA, stated that
(Paul Heffernan, N.Y. TIMES, Old German Bonds Offer Financial Dilemma, Oct. 27, 1958, at 41, Mot. Opp'n Ex. D [ECF No. 215-3]); (see also Mot. Opp'n 5-6). Contrary to Mr. Heffernan's remarks, there is no such legislation that applies to World Holdings's bonds.
In addition, World Holdings cites Meeting Minutes of the Agreement on German Foreign Debts dated February 27, 1953. (See Informelle Bespruchengen zum Abkommen über deutsche Auslandsschulden vom 27. Februar 1953 (hereinafter "Meeting Minutes I"), Notice of Supp. Auth. Ex. B [ECF No. 190-2]).
Next, World Holdings submits the memoir of Dr. Hermann J. Abs, a German signatory of the LDA. (See Hermann J. Abs, Entscheidungen: 1949-1953; Die Entstehung des Londoner Schuldenabkommens, (v. Hase & Koehler 1991), Mot. Opp'n Ex. F [ECF No. 215-14]). Dr. Abs stated
(Id. at 219). The problem with this statement is it is factually incorrect. As finalized, the LDA did not stipulate that claims by non-assenters would not be satisfied until all LDA assenters had been paid. See LDA Art. 10, at 450-51. Explicitly, LDA Article 10 does not apply to World Holdings. See id.
Additionally, World Holdings points to the Court's earlier summary judgment order in this case, where the Court stated that "[o]nce validated, a bondholder [] had two options: (1) accept the LDA and less money, but be guaranteed payment; or (2) seek full payment but wait in line behind all LDA assenters with no guarantee of payment." World Holdings, 794 F.Supp.2d at 1331, 2011 WL 2217495, at *23. As the Court explains below, this statement, while true, does not support World Holdings's position.
In the end, what World Holdings has not—and could not—present is any statute, law, or treaty that tolled the statute of limitations or delayed the payment dates on these Bonds. It is not LDA Article 10; the Bonds are marketable securities which are payable in the United States—a creditor country. (Id.). And World Holdings points to no other provision of the LDA, or the myriad of other treaties signed in the same relative period of time, to support its contention that its bonds were subordinated by law.
What World Holdings is left with is Germany's decision not to pay on certain bonds in favor of others. As Germany noted at oral argument, this was simply a policy decision. (See Summ. J. Hr'g 28:2-11, 37:1-13). It was true, as the Court noted in the earlier Order, that "[o]nce validated, a bondholder [] had two options: (1) accept the LDA and less money, but be guaranteed payment; or (2) seek full payment but wait in line behind all LDA assenters with no guarantee of payment." World Holdings, 794 F.Supp.2d at 1331, 2011 WL 2217495, at *23; (see also Mot. Dismiss Hr'g 45:23-46:3 Apr. 6, 2008, Mot. Opp'n Ex. G [ECF No. 215-15]) (noting that LDA assenters were paid first). That choice, however, was not predicated on any law; it was Germany's decision based upon the limited pool of resources it possessed following its defeat in WWII. In essence, Germany said "in order to pay off those bondholders who accepted the LDA, I will breach my obligations to non-assenting bondholders." That determination, to favor and pay one creditor to the detriment of another, does not extend the statute-of-limitations period; it was a breach of Germany's legal obligations that required some legal action by the spurned bondholder.
Because there is no basis of authority—be it a statute, a treaty, or otherwise—for Germany to delay its payment obligations on the bonds, there is no basis to determine that the limitations period was tolled or extended to 2010, as World Holdings posits. The period for World Holdings (or its predecessors in interest) to seek payment on the bonds began running on the later of two dates—the dates the bonds matured or the dates the bonds were validated. For World Holdings's
World Holdings asserts that New York's 20-year statute of limitations should apply to this case.
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 211(a) (McKINNEY 2011). World Holdings maintains this section applies because Germany is a "person," and the bonds are secured only by the full faith and credit of Germany (the issuer). (Mot. Opp'n 10-19). The Court is not so convinced.
The CPLR does not define a person. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 105 (MCKINNEY 2011) (the CPLR's definitions section, not including a definition of "person"). Recently, the Southern District of New York had an opportunity to consider this statute, section 211(a), with respect to China. See Morris v. People's Rep. of China, 478 F.Supp.2d 561, 571 n. 15 (S.D.N.Y.2007). After determining it did not have subject-matter jurisdiction, the court noted that even if it had jurisdiction, section 21 1(a) would not apply to China. See id. The court interpreted the term "person" to mean "a natural person." Id. Finding China was "not the state of New York, a natural person, or an association or corporation," it determined section 211(a) was inapplicable. Id.
Instead of following Morris, World Holdings advocates that the Court adopt the definition of "person" found in New York's General Construction Law.
Although not an "absolute" rule, statutes should be interpreted in a manner that avoids rendering language superfluous and "give[s] effect, where possible, to every word of a statute." Duncan v. Walker, 533 U.S. 167, 167, 121 S.Ct. 2120, 150 L.Ed.2d 251 (2001) (citing Montclair v. Ramsdell, 107 U.S. 147, 2 S.Ct. 391, 27 L.Ed. 431 (1883)); see also Lamie v. U.S. Tr., 540 U.S. 526, 536, 124 S.Ct. 1023, 157 L.Ed.2d 1024 (2004). Where the choice is between (1) a clear reading of a statute where "the text is plain," albeit with some surplusage, or (2) an ambiguous reading without surplusage, courts "prefer" the plain meaning. Lamie, 540 U.S. at 536, 124 S.Ct. 1023. Additionally, "the general preference against surplusage is constrained by the requirement that a construction avoiding surplusage must be a reasonable one." Alliance for Open Soc'y Int'l, Inc. v. U.S. Agency for Int'l Dev., 430 F.Supp.2d 222, 247 (S.D.N.Y.2006) (citing Jarecki v. G.D. Searle & Co., 367 U.S. 303, 307-08, 81 S.Ct. 1579, 6 L.Ed.2d 859 (1961)).
Here, there are two ways to read CPLR section 211(a). One is "person"
Additionally, the section-37 person definition does not apply here, as the term "person" in that section only applies to other governments or countries when their "property may be the subject of any offense.. . ." N.Y. GEN. CONSTR. LAW § 37 (McKINNEY 2011). Here, it is not Germany's property that is the subject of the action or offense (breach of contract); it is World Holdings's property.
This reading of section 37 is confirmed by the New York Court of Appeals' interpretation of the General Construction Law's predecessor—the Statutory Construction Law. Like section 37, section 5 of the Statutory Construction law "(Laws 1892, p. 1487, c. 677) provide[d] that ... `[w]hen used to designate a party whose property may be the subject of any offense, the term person also includes the state, or any other state, government or country which may lawfully own property in this state.'" Saranac Land & Timber Co. v. Roberts, 195 N.Y. 303, 88 N.E. 753, 760 (1909). The Court of Appeals asserted it was "clear, therefore, that the state could only be included as a `person' when the statute relates to any of its property which may be the subject of an offense.. . ." Id. (emphasis added); Saranac Land & Timber Co. v. Roberts, 125 A.D. 333, 109 N.Y.S. 547 (3d Dep't 1908) ("The word `person,' as above defined in section 5 of the statutory construction law, does not include the Forest Commission. Nor does it include the state, except when its property is the subject of an offense . . . ."); cf. Le Roux v. New York, 307 N.Y. 397, 121 N.E.2d 386, 390 (1954) (finding New York was a person under section 1904-a of the Penal Law by virtue of section 37 of the General Construction Law where New
The Court's interpretation—that the definition of a "person" in CPLR section 211(a) is narrow and does not include Germany—is further buttressed by the statute's legislative history.
In the mid to late 1940s, "[c]onsiderable amounts of bonded indebtedness of the State had become due. . . ." Id. at 201. Due to many reasons—including WWII— bondholders were not able to timely present their bonds for payment. See id. Consequently, New York declined paying on many bonds. See id.
In 1950, at the time Document 65H was written and when New York was considering whether or not to extend the limitations period on certain bonds back to 20 years, New York was "contemplat[ing] the sale of over eight hundred millions of dollars in bonds...." Id. Given the short length of New York's limitations period, New York's then-recent refusal to honor debts, and the comparatively longer limitations periods of neighboring states, there was concern about the market for New York bonds. See id. at 201-02. New York therefore determined it would be optimal to extend the limitations period on bonds, "with respect to obligations of the State and its municipalities" back to 20 years. Id. at 202.
New York, however, ran into issues with the New York Constitution. Under Article 3, Section 19 of the New York Constitution (as it existed in 1950
Understanding New York's concerns at the time it re-extended certain limitations periods to 20 years compels the conclusion that New York desired this 20-year period to apply to very few "non-public" obligations in addition to New York's and its municipalities' obligations. Looking at CPLR section 211(a) through this prism, the Court cannot accept World Holdings's argument that this section should be broadly read. (See Summ. J. Hr'g 20:5-7). It is clear that New York did not want this exception to swallow the rule.
The New York 20-year statute of limitations applies where the bonds are "secured only by a pledge of the faith and credit of the issuer...." N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 211(a) (McKINNEY 2011). World Holdings asserts this is the case with the Dawes and Young Bonds. (See Mot. Opp'n 15-23). Germany disagrees. (See Mot. 6-7; Reply 8-10).
The Dawes Bond states it is "collateral[ly] secur[ed]" by certain customs and taxes:
(Dawes Bond ¶ 5) (all-capitals omitted). Similarly, the Young Bond states it is "collateral[ly] guarantee[d]" by a tax on the German Railway Company:
(Young Bond ¶¶ (a), XI). Despite using terms such as "collateral security," "collateral guarantee," and "secured," World Holdings maintains the above-quoted clauses refer to moneys deposited into a sinking fund and are a mere description of how Germany's faith and credit was "ensured." (Mot. Opp'n 16-17).
A pledge of faith and credit is "is both a commitment to pay and a commitment
Looking first at the Dawes Bond, the Court finds that it is secured by more than a pledge of Germany's faith and credit. The text of the Dawes Bond compels this result. Paragraph 4 of the Dawes Bond outlines Germany's pledge of its full faith and credit. (See Dawes Bond ¶ 4). Although not using those precise terms, this reading is confirmed by the parenthetical in the first sentence of Paragraph 5. The Dawes Bond then goes on, in Paragraph 5, to state that "in addition to" the obligations contained in Paragraph 4 (Germany's faith and credit), the Dawes Bonds are secured by specific taxes on beer, sugar, and spirits. (Id. ¶ 5). The use of the modifier "in addition to" indicates that the Bonds are secured by Germany's faith and credit, as well as the tax revenues. The use of the "in addition to" language strongly indicates that the tax revenue is not merely describing how that faith and credit is ensured.
Nevertheless, World Holdings contends these paragraphs simply discuss the moneys placed into the sinking fund and how Germany's faith and credit was ensured. (See Mot. Opp'n 16-17). And World Holdings points out that CPLR section 211(a) permits sinking funds to exist while still falling within the 20-year statute of limitations. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 211(a) (McKINNEY 2011) ("regardless of whether a sinking fund is or may be established for its redemption. . . .").
A sinking fund is "[a] fund consisting of regular deposits that are accumulated with interest to pay off a long-term corporate or public debt." BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY (9th ed. 2009). As described by World Holdings's expert, "[w]ith a sinking fund provision, the borrower is required to provide funds to the issue's [sic] trustee to retire a specific portion of the bond issue each year." (Andrea Heuson Decl. 4, Mot. Opp'n Ex. H [ECF No. 215-16]). Notably, Dawes-Bond Paragraph 5 does not require Germany to deposit funds anywhere. (See Dawes Bond ¶ 5).
Dawes-Bond Paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 do, however, discuss those funds Germany paid to the trustee. Paragraph 7 states that Germany had to set aside and pay to the trustee, 15 days prior to a payment's due date, a sum "payable in accordance
Like the Dawes Bonds, the Young Bonds were secured by more than just Germany's faith and credit. They were also secured by a special Railway Tax. (See Young Bond ¶¶ (a), XI). World Holdings again seeks to persuade the Court that these tax moneys were used to endow the sinking fund. (See Mot. Opp'n 18). Its arguments, however, miss the [Reisch]mark.
Paragraph XI explicitly labels the German Railway tax a "collateral guarantee" that guarantees the payments from Paragraph IX(a). (Young Bond ¶ XI). The payments in Paragraph IX(a) are "part of the unconditional annuities which are the direct and unconditional obligation of the German Government. . . ." (Id. ¶ IX(a)). These Paragraph 9 payments are "[f]or the purpose of providing the amounts required for paying or providing for interest and redemption and all other monies payable by the German Government under these presents and the Bonds of the Loan. . . ." (Id. ¶ IX). For this purpose, Paragraph IX requires Germany to pay to the bank amounts "equal[ing] two-thirds of the amounts required for the service monies . . . , and the said payments forming part of the unconditional annuities shall operate to discharge the German Government" to the extent of equivalent Reischmark amounts. (Id. ¶ IX(a)). Nowhere in Paragraphs IX or XI do the Young Bonds state the tax moneys were to be used to directly endow the sinking fund. Rather, the tax, as a "collateral guarantee," simply secured the payments from Paragraph IX(a), in addition to Germany's faith and credit. (Id. ¶ XI). Because the Young Bonds are also secured by the railway tax, the bonds were secured by more than Germany's faith and credit. See Flushing Nat'l Bank, 390 N.Y.S.2d 22, 358 N.E.2d at 851; Sacramento Mun. Util. Dist., 303 P.2d at 54; City of Lakeland, 16 So.2d at 924-26; Citrus Cnty., 157 So. at 11. As a result, even if Germany were a "person," CPLR section 211(a) and its 20-year statute of limitations does not apply to the Young Bonds.
Not assenting to the LDA was risky, and the risk was well known. The LDA drafters acknowledged this risk. (See Meeting Minutes I, at 18). The New York Times acknowledged this risk. See Paul Heffernan, N.Y. TIMES, Old German Bonds Offer Financial Dilemma, Oct. 27, 1958, at 41 ("The non-assenting bondholder must therefore decide . . . whether the bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."). And as the Court noted in its earlier summary judgment order, "World Holdings purchased the Bonds `with full knowledge of these treaty obligations and the resulting risk [it] was undertaking.'" World Holdings, 794 F.Supp.2d at 1335, 2011 WL 2217495, at *26 (quoting Teplin v. Fed. Rep. of Ger., No. 81-1874, 690 F.2d 1060, 1982 U.S.App. LEXIS 12629, at *3 (D.C.Cir. Aug. 18, 1982)). The Court also stated that "[n]on-assenters risked that payment might not come for many years, if at all. . . ." Id. at 1331, at *23 (emphasis added). For World Holdings, as a non-assenter, it appears payment will not come at all.
For the above-cited reasons, World Holdings's claims on the 136 validated bonds are time-barred. Finding no disputed issues of material fact, it is
World Holdings asserts there is a dispute as to the meaning of LDA Article 10. (See Summ. J. Hr'g 14:11-15:7). The actual language of Article 10, as ratified, is clear. Because there is no dispute as to the meaning of Article 10, the Court need not resort to the Meeting Minutes to determine the framers' intentions.