BETH A. BUCHANAN, Bankruptcy Judge.
This matter is before this Court on plaintiff DeWayne M. Jennings' ("Jennings") Third Amended Complaint for Exception to Discharge of Dwayne A. Bodrick Under 11 U.S.C. § 523 [Docket Number 56] (the "Complaint"), defendant Dwayne A. Bodrick's (the "Debtor") Answer [Docket Number 75] and the parties' trial briefs [Docket Numbers 90, 95]. On May 20, 2013, this adversary proceeding was reassigned to this Court by the Honorable
At issue before this Court is the nondischargeability of a debt under 11 U.S.C. §§ 523(a)(2)(A), 523(a)(2)(B), 523(a)(4) and 523(a)(6).
At the outset, this Court notes that the circumstances surrounding this case made it rather difficult to ferret out the actual events that resulted in the present controversy. The relevant facts in this case occurred roughly fourteen years ago, and the story involves one, if not several, Nigerian investment fraud schemes. Neither Jennings' nor the Debtor's version of the facts rang true, however, overall this Court found Jennings to be more credible than the Debtor. In addition, the litigation strategies employed throughout this case and continuing through the trial — including late disclosure of last minute witnesses,
No testimony was offered as to the specific age or educational background of either Jennings or the Debtor, however, the testimony suggested that the Debtor is older than Jennings. The Debtor and Jennings grew up in the same neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio. Many years later, they ran into each other at a grocery store in Columbus, Ohio and exchanged pleasantries and business cards. Jennings testified that the Debtor held himself out to be a "financial planner" who could offer "investment opportunities" to Jennings. The Debtor testified that at that time he worked in "financial services," specifically that he was licensed to sell accident, life, and health insurance, and that he was "working with a Mr. Pressley."
Discussed repeatedly at the trial was a March 23, 2001 fax from a Patrick C. Nduka at Union Bank in Nigeria to Jennings [Plaintiff's Exhibit 9, Debtor's Exhibit H] (the "$9M Nduka Fax"). The $9M Nduka Fax bears the header of "Union Bank (Nig.) PLC." along with a logo showing a horse standing on its rear legs. Because it is not possible to paraphrase its contents, the body of the $9M Nduka Fax reads — verbatim — as follows:
Jennings testified that the $9M Nduka Fax was given to him by the Debtor. The Debtor denied giving it to Jennings, alleging instead that Jennings acquired it directly from Mr. Pressley. On this particular point, this Court finds Jennings' testimony to be more credible, especially because the $9M Nduka Fax makes an express reference to the Debtor. Regardless of how Jennings came to acquire the $9M Nduka Fax, Jennings had it before he made his investment.
On March 30, 2001, Jennings and the Debtor went to a Bank One Corporation branch office where Jennings transferred $26,000 from his account to an account at "HSBC-Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Corp." in Taiwan [Plaintiff's Exhibit 11] (the "$26,000 Wire"). The $26,000 Wire is evidenced by a Bank One Corporation wire transfer outgoing request (the "Wire Request"). The Wire Request shows the beneficiary of the $26,000 Wire to be "Chen Hsaing Ohg." Jennings testified that the Debtor gave the specific wire instructions to the banker assisting them. The Debtor denied giving the wire instructions to Jennings, instead testifying that Jennings obtained the wire instructions directly from Mr. Pressley and that he accompanied Jennings to the bank only to offer moral support. On this particular point, this Court finds Jennings's testimony
Also while at the bank, Jennings provided the Debtor an "Official Check" in the amount of $2,500 payable to National Liberty Corp. [Plaintiff's Exhibit 10] (the "$2,500 Check"). Jennings testified that this was the Debtor's fee for the investment. The Debtor testified that this money was to cover additional wire costs and that the Debtor forwarded this money to Mr. Pressley. The Debtor further testified that Jennings wanted to give him cash and that the Debtor didn't want that responsibility and so he agreed — as a one-time exception — to take a check payable to his company that he would then forward to Mr. Pressley. On this point, this Court finds the Debtor's testimony to be completely implausible. Regardless of the reason behind the $2,500 Check or into whose pocket it eventually went, this Court notes that the sum of the $2,500 Check and the $26,000 Wire is $28,500, the amount of Jennings' investment referenced in the $9M Nduka Fax.
Jennings testified that he believed that this investment was to "raise money to pay taxes to release funds from an account." He further testified that he thought it involved an "irrevocable trust." He testified that he believed he would be receiving part of the $9 million referenced in the $9M Nduka Fax. Jennings was unable to describe any independent research he did prior to the investment,
The investment return date of April 15, 2001 as stated in the $9M Nduka Fax came and went without any money materializing from Union Bank in Nigeria, or from any other source. Both Jennings and the Debtor testified that Jennings constantly asked the Debtor for "updates" and "documentation" — anything to show "where did the money go?"
In response to Jennings' requests, the Debtor admitted supplying to Jennings a copy of a letter to the Debtor from Ezeh Ugochukwu at Union Bank Nigeria Plc which reads in its entirety — verbatim — as follows [Plaintiff's Exhibit 4, Debtor's Exhibit B] (the "$16.3M Ugochukwu Letter"):
Jennings described the $16.3M Ugochukwu Letter as an "example" of the Debtor's "guarantee" to him. The Debtor testified that Dr. Walter was a business partner of Mr. Pressley. Both Jennings and the Debtor acknowledged that this $16.3 million "deal" was different than the $9 million "deal."
Also, the Debtor admitted sending an email dated December 12, 2001 [Plaintiff's Exhibit 12] to Jennings, the body of which reads in its entirety — verbatim — as follows:
Also, the Debtor admitted sending a fax dated January 29, 2002 [Plaintiff's Exhibit 13] (the "January 29, 2002 Fax") to Jennings which reads in its entirety — verbatim — as follows:
Jennings contends that he received four other documents from the Debtor in response to his various requests for information. First, a fax dated August 29, 2000 from J. Omoruyi at Union Bank in Nigeria to the Debtor (the "$16.3M Omoruyi Fax"). The $16.3M Omoruyi Fax is very similar in appearance to $9M Nduka Fax. It bears the same header of "Union Bank (Nig.) PLC" along with the same logo showing a horse standing on its rear legs. The body of the $16.3M Omoruyi Fax reads in its entirety — verbatim — as follows:
Second, the first page of a multiple page document, which appears to have been previously copied or faxed, titled "Federal Government of Nigeria Payment Voucher" [Plaintiff's Exhibit 1, Debtor's Exhibit A] (the "$26.6M Pipeline Payment Voucher"). The document is not completely legible, nor is it apparent how this document supports the underlying investment that Jennings believed he was investing in. It has an invoice date of December 7, 1992 and a reference to a "contract" for the "design and construction of oil pipeline installation of [illegible] axle 110 BPSD computer, turbines, and instrumentation control test at Warri Refinery" at a rate of US $26,600,000.00. The document appears to be a screen shot or printout from the following website: http://www.superhighway.is/iis/doc14.html, with an indicated printing date of 11/16/00.
Third, the second page of a multiple page document with a header of "CHI PROPERTIES CONSULTANCY LTD" [Plaintiff's Exhibit 2] (the "Chi Properties Sub-Lease"). It starts with the verbiage "4. Sub-Lease" and at the bottom identifies "Mr T Walters" as a sub-lessor. It is dated "30th/9/95." It does not identify the sub-lessee or the property being sub-leased.
Fourth, the first page of a multiple page document, which appears to have been previously copied or faxed, titled "Approval notice" from the "FUND RELEASE/BUDGET OFFICE, Office of the Presidency, Central Bank of Nigeria, Tinubu Square, Lagos, Foreign Exchange Release Order Approval Notice" [Plaintiff's Exhibit 3] (the "$31.6M Pipeline Approval Notice"). The document is not completely legible; however, a reference to a "construction/computerization of pipeline" and a reference to "THIRTY-ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND U.S. DOLLAR" are barely readable. It has a date of June 17, 1996 and bears several seals and stamps one of which says "Classified Document." The document also appears to be a screen shot from a website similar to the one referenced above: http://www.superhighway.is.iis/approval_notice.html, with an indicated printing date of 11/16/00.
The Debtor denied providing these four documents to Jennings, testifying that, like the wire instructions, Jennings must have received these documents directly from Mr. Pressley. Regardless, who supplied these additional documents to the Debtor is not determinative in this Court's decision.
Several months later, with the Debtor still attempting to "raise the money to pay the taxes," Jennings asserts that he invested an additional $10,000, also by wire transfer. However, Jennings was unable to provide any proof beyond his testimony of this additional investment.
At some point, although it is not entirely clear to this Court exactly when, Jennings, along with other investors, became suspicious and went to the legal authorities. Sometime in 2003, the Debtor admits to receiving a cease and desist order (the "2003 Cease and Desist Order") to stop whatever involvement he had with Mr. Pressley and Jennings and other investors.
On November 8, 2004, the Debtor and his wife filed a petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Case Number 04-67790 (the "2004 Bankruptcy"). The Debtor and his wife were issued a discharge in the 2004 Bankruptcy on March 1, 2005.
On March 17, 2009, Jennings filed a complaint against the Debtor in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Case Number 09-CV-208 (the "District Court Action"). The complaint included one count under section 10(b) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), one count under Ohio Revised Code §§ 1701.01 to 1707.45, one count of fraud, and one count for breach of contract.
On April 5, 2010, the Debtor and his wife filed a petition for relief under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Case Number 10-53984 (the "2010 Bankruptcy"), effectively staying the District Court Action. On July 12, 2010, Jennings, acting pro se, filed an adversary proceeding against the Debtor, Adversary Number 10-2319, with counts under 11 U.S.C. §§ 523 and 727. The 2010 Bankruptcy was dismissed on October 12, 2010 and the District Court Action was subsequently reactivated. In light of the dismissal of the main case and the reinstatement of the District Court Action, the related adversary proceeding was also dismissed. A trial date of January 11, 2011 was set in the District Court Action. The Debtor and his wife filed the instant Chapter 13 petition on January 6, 2011 and this adversary proceeding was filed on April 11, 2011.
At the close of Jennings' case in chief, the Debtor made an oral motion to dismiss the complaint under Rule 50 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (the "Oral Motion") on the grounds that any debt owed to Jennings was discharged in the Debtor's 2004 Bankruptcy.
Procedurally, it is not appropriate to raise a new legal theory at the time of trial. Cf. Salyers v. City of Portsmouth, 534 Fed.Appx. 454, 461 (6th Cir.2013)("[A] party prejudices his opponent by missing the trial court's scheduled deadlines and waiting until after summary judgment motions are filed before introducing entirely new legal theories.")(citing Priddy v. Edelman, 883 F.2d 438, 446-47 (6th Cir.1989)). This Court's September 24, 2013 amended scheduling order required the Debtor to file a trial brief by November 25, 2013. At the very latest, this new legal argument should have been raised at that time. Regardless, the Oral Motion fails on the merits.
Jennings, as well as the other "investors" that the Debtor sought out, were clearly known to the Debtor as was the nature of their potential claims against the Debtor. The Debtor knew before soliciting additional investors that the promised return on his own investment in this same or similar "deal" had not been fulfilled.
Accordingly, the Oral Motion is DENIED.
Under § 523(a)(2)(A), there is an exception to discharge of a debt "for money... to the extent obtained by ... false pretenses, a false representation, or actual fraud...." 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(A). To except a debt from discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A), a creditor must prove the following elements: (1) the debtor obtained money through a material misrepresentation that, at the time, the debtor knew was false or made with gross recklessness
Whether characterized as a false representation, false pretenses, or actual fraud, this Court concludes that the Debtor intended to defraud Jennings.
Importantly in this regard, this Court notes that Jennings' expected profit of $14,250 — a 50% return on his initial investment of $28,500 — in only 16 days computes to an annualized simple interest rate of return of 1140.625%.
Further, the documentation that Jennings allegedly relied on in making the investment is nothing short of nonsensical. Among those, the $9M Nduka Fax, which promised a distribution of $9 million to all investors, is the only document which Jennings was shown to have received prior to making his investment. As to the remainder of the documents discussed — the $16.3M Ugochukwu Letter, the $16.3M Omoruyi Fax, the $26.6M Pipeline Payment Voucher, the Chi Properties Sub-Lease and the $31.6M Pipeline Approval Notice — it is unclear to this Court when Jennings actually received them.
Under § 523(a)(2)(B), there is an exception to discharge of a debt "for money... to the extent obtained by ... use of a statement in writing — (i) that is materially false; (ii) respecting the debtor's ... financial condition; (iii) on which the creditor to whom the debtor is liable for such money ... reasonably relied; and (iv) that the debtor caused to be made or published with intent to deceive...." 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(2)(B). The creditor bears the burden of proving each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence. Grogan, 498 U.S. at 291, 111 S.Ct. 654.
The phrase "respecting the debtor's ... financial condition" has been narrowly interpreted in this circuit to mean "statements that are made regarding a debtor's overall net worth, assets and liabilities." Prim Capital Corp. v. May (In re May), 2007 Bankr.LEXIS 2335, at *20, 2007 WL 2052185, at *7 (6th Cir. BAP July 19, 2007).
Id. (citing BancBoston Mortg. Corp. v. Ledford (In re Ledford), 970 F.2d 1556, 1560 (6th Cir.1992)).
While Jennings was obviously impressed by the Debtor, Jennings did not share a close personal relationship or even a friendship with the Debtor. Jennings had no previous business dealings with the Debtor. The documents upon which Jennings relied were nothing but red flags. Even a minimal amount of investigation by Jennings surely would have revealed some degree of inaccuracy of the Debtor's representations. In sum, no reasonable person would have relied on the Debtor's representations or the documentations provided to support them.
Accordingly, this Court finds that Jennings has failed to prove reasonable reliance by a preponderance of the evidence and, therefore, this Court finds that the
Under § 523(a)(4), there is an exception to discharge of a debt "for fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity, embezzlement, or larceny."
The Sixth Circuit has adopted a narrow interpretation of a fiduciary in the context of § 523(a)(4). In re Patel, 565 F.3d at 968. "[S]ection 523(a)(4) covers only `express' or `technical trusts' and not trusts arising out of the very act of wrongdoing.... `[C]onstructive trusts,' which arise ex maleficio (at the time the wrong is done), do not satisfy the `fiduciary capacity' requirement because the debtor was not a trustee before the wrong." Id. (citing Davis v. Aetna Acceptance Co., 293 U.S. 328, 333, 55 S.Ct. 151, 79 L.Ed. 393 (1934) (internal quotation marks omitted)). Proving an express trust relationship requires the creditor to show: "(1) an intent to create a trust; (2) a trustee; (3) a trust res; and (4) a definite beneficiary." Id. (citing Commonwealth Land Title Co. v. Blaszak (In re Blaszak), 397 F.3d 386, 391 (6th Cir.2005)); see also Ulmer v. Fulton, 129 Ohio St. 323, 195 N.E. 557, 564 (1935). A technical trust is a type of trust arising out of a specific statute or common law. Ronk v. Maresh (In re Maresh), 277 B.R. 339, 348 (Bankr.N.D.Ohio 2001).
While Jennings may have approached the Debtor because he believed him to be trustworthy and successful, Jennings has failed to allege, much less prove, the existence of an express or technical trust. Jennings' sole argument as relates to the existence of a fiduciary relationship is that the Debtor held himself out to be a financial advisor/planner. In this regard, Jennings testified that he thought the Debtor was "a" financial planner; however, he also testified that he did not think the Debtor was "his" financial planner. Accordingly, Jennings' own testimony contradicts a finding of a fiduciary relationship because Jennings himself did not believe such a relationship existed.
Accordingly, this Court finds that Jennings has failed to satisfy his burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence and, therefore, that the debt is not excepted from discharge under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(4).
Under § 523(a)(6), there is an exception to discharge of a debt "for willful and malicious injury ..." 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(6). The "superdischarge" in a Chapter 13 case, however, allows a debtor to discharge debts that may have been nondischargeable under § 523(a)(6) in a
Accordingly, this Court finds that Jennings has failed to state a claim under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(6). See EZ Loans of Shawnee, Inc. v. Hodges (In re Hodges), 407 B.R. 415, 418-19 (Bankr.D.Kan.2009) ("Section 523(a)(6) is not incorporated into § 1328(a)(2); thus, [a creditor] fails to state a claim for relief by citing § 523(a)(6)."); see also Direct Capital Group, LLC v. Hadley (In re Hadley), 2011 Bankr.LEXIS 3193, at *33-42, 2011 WL 3664609, at *16-17 (Bankr.E.D.Va. Aug. 19, 2011) (dismissing § 523(a)(6) claim without prejudice as not ripe for determination).
The Debtor seeks reimbursement of his costs and reasonable attorney's fees spent defending against Jennings' §§ 523(a)(2)(A) and (a)(2)(B) causes of actions pursuant to § 523(d) on the basis that Jennings' was not substantially justified in pursuing these claims against the Debtor. Pursuant to § 523(d):
11 U.S.C. § 523(d).
Despite the fact that Jennings has not prevailed under either his § 523(a)(2)(A) claim or his § 523(a)(2)(B) claim, an award of costs and attorney's fees is not warranted in this case because the debt at issue is not a consumer debt.
Furthermore, § 523(d) was enacted "to prevent the abusive practices of consumer finance companies, who often filed bad faith dischargeability actions" with the hope that the debtor will just settle the claim rather than bear the expense of defending the case. Swartz v. Strausbaugh (In re Strausbaugh), 376 B.R. 631, 637 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 2007) (citation omitted). Jennings is not a consumer finance company against whose bad practices § 523(d) was enacted to prevent, nor has the Debtor alleged the presence here of the type of creditor misconduct envisioned in the enactment of § 523(d).
Accordingly, this Court finds that an award of costs and attorney's fees under 11 U.S.C. § 523(d) is not warranted.
For the reasons stated above, this Court hereby finds in favor of the Debtor. The debt that is the subject of this adversary proceeding is dischargeable and the Complaint is hereby DISMISSED.
The Debtor's primary defense to Jennings' claim of fraud is that the he, too, invested $35,000 involving Union Bank in Nigeria — albeit years earlier in February 1996 — and that he, too, never received any money from his investment. The Debtor had no documentary proof of his $35,000 investment nor any rational explanation why — five years later — he still believed that any investment involving Union Bank in Nigeria could possibly be a sound investment at all, much less a "guaranteed" investment with a good return.
Because this Court finds that Jennings has failed to prove justifiable reliance, see infra, it is not necessary for this Court to perform an extensive analysis of either Jennings' fraud claim or the Debtor's defense to the fraud claim.