C. RAY MULLINS, Bankruptcy Judge.
Jill Elisa Chambers (the "Debtor") is the former representative to the Georgia General Assembly for District 81. When
During the chapter 13 case, the Court entered an order finding that the campaign funds held by the Debtor were part of her bankruptcy estate. Chambers, 451 B.R. 621. The Court considered the scope of section 541(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and found that the Debtor had a property interest in the campaign funds; therefore, per section 541(a), the campaign funds constituted property of the estate. The Court further found that "[a]lthough Georgia law restricts the use of the campaign funds, the anti-alienation provision [in section 541(c)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code] prevents state law from excluding the funds from becoming property of the estate." Id. at 624. The spendthrift trust exception to the anti-alienation provision does not apply because there is no evidence of a writing creating an express trust, let alone an express trust containing a valid spendthrift provision. Id. at 625. The Court concluded that while the Georgia campaign finance law restricts use, it does not determine ownership. Id. at 626. The opinion did "not reach the issue of whether certain creditors (e.g. campaign creditors) have priority claims with respect to campaign funds." Id. at 624. The Debtor thereafter converted her case to chapter 7. Neil Gordon was appointed as the Chapter 7 Trustee and Rosetta Stone filed a proof of claim (claim no. 7), asserting an unsecured claim for $44,707.84.
Rosetta Stone filed this adversary proceeding, seeking a determination that the campaign funds held by the Chapter 7 Trustee (the "trustee") can only be distributed to campaign creditors. The trustee filed the Motion,
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b), made applicable to this proceeding by Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 7012(b), governs motions to dismiss. Pursuant to rule 12(b)(6), a defendant may move to dismiss a complaint for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b); Fed. R. Bankr.P. 7012. The party moving for dismissal
"To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007); see also Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009). A complaint is plausible on its face when the plaintiff pleads factual content necessary for the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556, 127 S.Ct. 1955. The plausibility standard "asks for more than a sheer possibility that a defendant has acted unlawfully." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937. While legal conclusions can provide the framework of a complaint, they must be supported by factual allegations. Id. at 679, 129 S.Ct. 1937. The court must accept the plaintiff's factual allegations as true but conclusory allegations or legal conclusions are not entitled to the assumption of truth. Id.
The Court has already determined that the campaign funds are property of the estate. Rosetta Stone has a general nonpriority unsecured claim — it does not have a security interest in the campaign funds. Further, Rosetta Stone has not alleged facts that warrant the finding of a constructive trust. The Court does not have the power to grant Rosetta Stone the relief it seeks.
Commencement of a bankruptcy case creates an "estate." The estate becomes the temporary legal owner of all the debtor's property. It consists of all property in which the debtor has any interest as of the commencement of the case. 11 U.S.C. § 541(a); United States v. Whiting Pools, Inc., 462 U.S. 198, 103 S.Ct. 2309, 76 L.Ed.2d 515 (1983). Once the property is swept into the estate, it is subject to distribution according to the terms of section 726 of the Bankruptcy Code. See Vanston Bondholders Protective Comm. v. Green, 329 U.S. 156, 161, 67 S.Ct. 237, 91 L.Ed. 162 (1946) ("In determining what claims are allowable and how a debtor's assets shall be distributed, a bankruptcy court does not apply the law of the state where it sits.").
Section 726 details the distribution scheme for chapter 7 liquidation cases. The statutory language is plain and unambiguous. See Barnhart v. Sigmon Coal Co., 534 U.S. 438, 450, 122 S.Ct. 941, 151 L.Ed.2d 908 (2002) (citing Robinson v. Shell Oil Co., 519 U.S. 337, 340, 117 S.Ct. 843, 136 L.Ed.2d 808 (1997)); Connecticut Nat'l Bank v. Germain, 503 U.S. 249, 253-54, 112 S.Ct. 1146, 117 L.Ed.2d 391 (1992). Pursuant to section 726(a), there are six classes of claims; each class must be paid in full before the next lower class is paid anything. Section 726(a) provides for ordered distribution in the following manner: 1) priority claims; 2) unsecured claims that were either timely filed or tardily filed where creditor did not have proper notice of bankruptcy but was able to file in time to permit payment; 3) tardily filed unsecured claims where creditor did have proper notice but failed to file in time to permit payment; 4) claims for fines, penalties, and forfeitures relating to punitive damages; 5) claims for appropriate interest; and 6) any remaining assets to debtor. 11 U.S.C. § 726(a). Section 726(b) contains distribution rules when there is more than one claim within a particular class and provides that unsecured non-priority creditors filing timely claims generally have
The statutory priority scheme is mandatory; Congress did not authorize the courts to exercise discretion and bankruptcy courts may not create priorities within classes. "Bankruptcy courts are not free to rearrange Congress' priorities for the treatment of creditors based on equitable grounds[.]" In re Chewning & Frey Sec., 328 B.R. 899, 917 (Bankr. N.D.Ga.2005). Had Congress wanted the bankruptcy courts to fashion their own priorities for distribution of assets, it might have omitted sections 507 and 726 from the Bankruptcy Code. Instead, the Bankruptcy Code and its prior iterations contain an elaborate scheme of priorities. By clearly and specifically articulating priorities, Congress provided a mandate for proper distribution of estate funds, thereby preventing the exercise of discretion. See Varsity Carpet Servs. v. Richardson (In re Colortex Indus.), 19 F.3d 1371, 1383 (11th Cir.1994) (citing Nathanson v. NLRB, 344 U.S. 25, 29, 73 S.Ct. 80, 97 L.Ed. 23 (1952) (explaining that courts cannot prefer one creditor over another unless specifically directed to do so; "if one claimant is to be preferred over others, the purpose should be clear from the statute.")). Thus, "[t]he priority scheme set forth in the Bankruptcy Code must be applied regardless of the fault of the professionals or the equities of the situation." In re Wilson-Seafresh, Inc., 263 B.R. 624, 632 (Bankr.N.D.Fla.2001).
Notwithstanding this clearly articulated distribution scheme, Rosetta Stone argues that the trustee should administer property of the estate according to a different distribution scheme. Rosetta Stone fails to provide any persuasive authority for this position. The campaign funds, as property of the estate, are subject to distribution pursuant to section 726. This Court is not free to rearrange Congress' priorities for the treatment of creditors based on equitable grounds. Moreover, requiring the trustee to administer a different distribution scheme would be difficult and time consuming. The Court will nevertheless consider whether Rosetta Stone has a security interest in the campaign funds, is entitled to priority status, or has alleged facts that if taken as true would support the finding of a constructive trust with respect to the campaign funds.
To determine whether a creditor holds a lien on property of the bankruptcy estate, and therefore the nature of the legal or equitable interest of the debtor, the bankruptcy court must look to nonbankruptcy law. In re Chewning & Frey Sec., 328 B.R. 899, 921 (Bankr.N.D.Ga. 2005). In some cases, a "statutory lien" may arise pursuant to a statute on specified circumstances or conditions. 11 U.S.C. § 101(53). For example, Georgia law provides for the creation, priority, and enforcement of the attorney's lien under O.C.G.A. § 15-19-14. The attorney charging lien is an equitable interest in money or property awarded or recovered through the attorney's services. See O.C.G.A. § 15-19-14. Georgia law provides no such protection for campaign creditors.
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-5-1, et seq. (the "Ethics Act"), elected officials in Georgia must comply with the state's laws governing campaign finances. O.C.G.A. § 21-5-33 restricts a candidate's use of campaign funds and provides:
O.C.G.A. § 21-5-33(a).
Section 726 compels the trustee to distribute property of the estate according to the priorities of section 507. Section 507(a) of the Bankruptcy Code sets forth, in descending order, ten categories of expenses and claims that are entitled to priority payment in a bankruptcy case. 11 U.S.C. § 507(a). This priority schedule is designed to assure payment to certain classes of claims by requiring that they be paid before other claims are satisfied. See In re Olga Coal Co., 194 B.R. 741, 745 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.1996). However, the presumption in bankruptcy cases is that the debtor's limited resources will be equally distributed among the creditors in the prescribed order of priority as Congress has legislated. See Joint Indus. Bd. of Elec. Indus. v. United States, 391 U.S. 224, 228, 88 S.Ct. 1491, 20 L.Ed.2d 546 (1968). Thus, provisions granting priority in bankruptcy are narrowly construed. See Varsity Carpet Servs. v. Richardson (In re Colortex Indus.), 19 F.3d 1371, 1377 (11th Cir.1994) (citing Otte v. United States, 419 U.S. 43, 53, 95 S.Ct. 247, 42 L.Ed.2d 212 (1974)). Courts may not use equitable
Rosetta Stone's proof of claim asserts a general unsecured claim for $44,707.84. At the hearing, counsel admitted that Rosetta Stone has a general unsecured claim. The Bankruptcy Code does not give any special consideration to creditors who provide campaign services. In the absence of an existing priority, the Court cannot use equitable principles to create an additional priority. Further, a state statute cannot reset bankruptcy priorities. Thus, even if Georgia law purports to establish the priority of Rosetta Stone's claim over others, that statute is preempted by the Bankruptcy Code.
The party alleging that property is held in trust has the burden of proving the trust relationship. Vacuum Corp., 215 B.R. at 281. Generally, the existence of a trust relationship turns on applicable nonbankruptcy law.
Claimants may seek the imposition of a constructive trust on assets of the bankruptcy estate so as to exclude those assets from the estate and require a turnover to the claimant.
While the remedy of constructive trust is carefully circumscribed in bankruptcy
Similarly, courts may recognize a constructive trust where a state statute declares property to be held in trust for particular purposes, such as builders trust funds created by statute to remedy specific problems in the construction industry. See Omegas Grp., 16 F.3d at 1449 n. 6 (stating that the many states recognize such a right with regard to construction funds paid to contractors); see also Selby v. Ford Motor Co., 590 F.2d 642, 648 (6th Cir.1979) (builders trust funds were subject to a constructive trust); Official Comm. of Unsecured Creditors of the IT Grp., Inc. v. Anderson Equip. Co. (In re IT Grp., Inc.), 332 B.R. 673 (Bankr.D.Del. 2005) (payments received by a subcontractor were subject to a statutory trust under New York law).
Use restrictions generally will not warrant the imposition of a constructive trust. For example, in Bierbower v. McCarthy, 334 B.R. 478 (D.D.C.2005), appeal dismissed 2006 WL 3086921, 2006 U.S.App. LEXIS 32525 (D.C.Cir. Oct. 17, 2006), a donor approved a $60,000 grant to the debtor with a letter that stated that the funds had to be used for certain charitable purposes. Id. at 479. When the debtor filed chapter 7, the donor requested the return of funds for distribution to another charitable organization. Id. at 480. The bankruptcy court determined that the donor did not retain an ownership interest in the funds; they were an asset of the bankruptcy estate and had to be utilized for the payment of debts. Id. The court also declined to impose a constructive trust. Id. The court found that while the restrictive language in the grant limited the funds to charitable use, there was no express provision for their return in the
Some courts have found that a constructive trust is appropriate when there are serious allegations of fraud. For example, in N.S. Garrott & Sons v. Union Planters Nat'l Bank of Memphis (In re N.S. Garrott & Sons), 772 F.2d 462 (8th Cir.1985), the debtor fraudulently acquired a bank loan by falsifying title documents.
Other courts, however, have held that constructive trusts are not appropriate in bankruptcy even where the debtor commits fraud. For example, in Day Care-Sam Furr, LLC v. Ross (In re Ross), 478 B.R. 715, 731 (Bankr.W.D.N.C.2012), the debtor encouraged plaintiffs to obtain a line of credit and then drew down the line of credit and used $220,000 of the proceeds to pay a personal debt. Id. at 725. The bankruptcy court found that by misappropriating and retaining plaintiffs' funds, the debtor unjustly enriched himself to plaintiffs' detriment and committed both actual and constructive fraud. Id. at 730. Nevertheless, the court did not impress a constructive trust on the property the debtor acquired using plaintiffs' money. Id. at 731. The court explained that the remedy of a constructive trust is generally untenable in bankruptcy, especially where the debtor is in a no asset chapter 7 bankruptcy case and owes a considerable number of creditors. Id.
Finally, Rosetta Stone urges the Court to use its equitable powers under section 105 to rule that the campaign funds may only be distributed to certain creditors. Section 105(a) provides that the Court "may issue any order, process, or judgment that is necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this title." 11 U.S.C. § 105(a). The equitable power granted to the bankruptcy courts under section 105 is not unlimited. Shapiro v. Saybrook Mfg. Co. (In re Saybrook Mfg. Co.), 963 F.2d 1490, 1494 (11th Cir.1992). Section 105 "may not be exercised in a manner that is inconsistent with the other, more specific provisions of the Code." Landsing Diversified Props.-II v. First Nat'l Bank & Trust Co. of Tulsa (In re W. Real Estate Fund, Inc.), 922 F.2d 592, 601 (10th Cir.1990). Section 105 "does not authorize the bankruptcy courts to create substantive rights that are otherwise unavailable under applicable law[.]" Howell v. Bank of Newnan (In re Summit Fin. Servs.), 240 B.R. 105, 122 (Bankr.N.D.Ga. 1999); see also Norwest Bank of Worthington v. Ahlers, 485 U.S. 197, 206, 108 S.Ct. 963, 99 L.Ed.2d 169 (1988) (equitable powers of the bankruptcy court "must and can only be exercised within the confines of the Bankruptcy Code."). Simply put, section 105 does not constitute a roving commission to do equity. Howell, 240 B.R. at 122 (citations omitted); see also Jamo v. Katahdin Fed. Credit Union (In re Jamo), 283 F.3d 392, 403 (1st Cir.2002) ("section 105(a) does not provide bankruptcy courts with a roving writ, much less a free hand."); cf. United States v. Noland, 517 U.S. 535, 540-41, 116 S.Ct. 1524, 134 L.Ed.2d 748 (1996) (decisions "about the treatment of categories of claims in bankruptcy proceedings ... are not dictated or illuminated by principles of equity and do not fall within the judicial power of equitable subordination....") (citations omitted).
Rosetta Stone contends that distributing the campaign funds to creditors in accordance with section 726 thwarts Georgia state policies.
Further, the Court finds that giving Rosetta Stone's claim special treatment would be inequitable since Rosetta Stone waited a year and a half after filing its general unsecured proof of claim, and nearly two and a half years after Debtor filed bankruptcy, to file its complaint. Section 501 of the Bankruptcy Code provides that a "creditor ... may file a proof of claim." 11 U.S.C. § 501. "Claim" is defined as a "right to payment, whether or not such right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured...." 11 U.S.C. § 101(5). Pursuant to section 502(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, "a claim or interest, proof of which is filed under section 501 ..., is deemed allowed, unless a party in interest ... objects." 11 U.S.C. § 502(a). Section 704(a)(5) requires that the trustee shall, "if a purpose would be served, examine proofs of claims and object to the allowance of any claim that is improper[.]" 11 U.S.C. § 704(a)(5). The trustee should not object to a claim unless there is a reasonable basis for the court to disallow the claim.
Rosetta Stone filed its proof of claim on September 1, 2011. The trustee has a duty to review all proofs of claim to determine if there is a reasonable basis to move to disallow a particular claim. The trustee did not object to Rosetta Stone's claim and, therefore, the claim is deemed allowed pursuant to section 502(a). On November 20, 2012, the trustee filed a report of assets, stating that there were funds available for distribution to creditors and requesting the Clerk to set a claims bar date. The Clerk entered a notice directing creditors to file non-government proof of claims by February 24, 2013. Once Rosetta Stone learned that there were funds available for distribution to creditors, it filed this complaint.
While Rosetta Stone admits that it has an unsecured claim, it nevertheless asks the Court to give its claim special treatment. An attempt to change the nature of a claim from unsecured to a different status, such as a priority status, is really the assertion of a new claim. See Highlands Ins. Co. v. Alliance Operating Corp. (In re Alliance Operating Corp.), 60 F.3d 1174, 1175 (5th Cir.1995). That is because the nature of a priority claim is much different from that of a general unsecured claim and reclassifying a claim impacts the distributions to other creditors. See id. Rosetta Stone does not suggest that any event occurred that would cause it to reclassify its claim. If Rosetta Stone's claim deserved special treatment, it deserved it at the time the proof of claim was filed. Rosetta Stone has had ample opportunity to litigate the status of its claim but is now attempting to test the status of its claim in a different procedural guise.
After careful consideration of this matter, the Court concludes that the complaint should be dismissed. The subject funds are property of the estate and the trustee is required to distribute assets pursuant to section 726. The Bankruptcy Code promotes equality of distribution and the Court cannot prefer one creditor over another unless specifically directed to do so. The Court finds nothing in the Bankruptcy Code or Georgia law to warrant treating Rosetta Stone differently than other similarly situated creditors. Accordingly,
O.C.G.A. § 21-5-3(18). It seems that if the Debtor, an unincorporated individual, used her personal AT & T service to conduct campaign business, the service fee might constitute an office cost. Similarly, if a candidate conducted campaign business out of his or her home office, it seems that the candidate's home mortgage payments might theoretically constitute an "ordinary and necessary expense."
O.C.G.A. § 53-12-132 (2010).