MARY M. LISI, Chief Judge.
The United States of America ("Government"), on behalf of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), has filed a six-count complaint against Defendants alleging equity skimming in violation of 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a. The matter is now before the Court on the Government's motion for summary judgment against Defendants Antonio L. Giordano ("Giordano"), John Montecalvo ("Montecalvo"), and Coventry Health Center Associates ("CHCA"), on counts 1 through 4 of the complaint.
Summary judgment is appropriate only "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and
The moving party bears the initial burden of showing the Court that no genuine issue of material fact exists. Id. Once the moving party makes this showing, the nonmoving party must point to specific facts demonstrating a trialworthy issue. Id. The Court views all facts and draws all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Continental Casualty Co. v. Canadian Universal Insurance Co., 924 F.2d 370 (1st Cir.1991).
To aid the Court in identifying genuine issues of material fact, this District has adopted Local Rule Cv 56. "Valid local rules are an important vehicle by which courts operate. Such rules carry the force of law, and they are binding upon the litigants and upon the court itself[.]" Air Line Pilots Association v. Precision Valley Aviation, Inc., 26 F.3d 220, 224 (1st Cir.1994) (citations and footnote omitted). Local Rule Cv 56 provides that in addition to a memorandum of law, the moving party in a motion for summary judgment "shall" also file a separate statement of undisputed facts. D.R.I. LR Cv 56(a)(1). An "objecting party that is contesting the movant's Statement of Undisputed Facts shall file a Statement of Disputed Facts, which shall be numbered correspondingly to the Statement of Undisputed Facts, and which shall identify the evidence establishing the dispute...." Id. at (a)(3). "[A]ny fact alleged in the movant's Statement of Undisputed Facts shall be deemed admitted unless expressly denied or otherwise controverted by a party objecting to the motion." Id. Parties who ignore Local Rule Cv 56 do so at their own peril. Gosselin v. Webb, 242 F.3d 412, 415 n. 2 (1st Cir.2001); see also Pope v. Potter, No. 03-544, 2005 WL 3178179 (D.R.I. November 28, 2005) (attempt to dispute facts by merely incorporating them into a memorandum opposing a motion for summary judgment does not meet the requirements of the local rule; a separate statement must be filed).
The Government filed a 38-page statement of undisputed facts, supported by 44 exhibits, which contained 181 fact statements. Giordano filed a one and a half page "statement of disputed facts" containing 7 "disputed facts." For the most part, Giordano's statement contains immaterial and conclusory statements. As a result, the facts as delineated in the Government's statement of undisputed facts are deemed by this Court to be admitted by Giordano. See D.R.I. LR Cv 56; Indian Harbor Ins. Co. v. Assurance Co. of America, No. CA 08-146 ML, 2010 WL 2365571 (D.R.I. May 21, 2010), report and recommendation adopted, No. CA 08-146 ML, 2010 WL 2346654 (D.R.I. June 9, 2010).
On or about September 27, 1983, Mt. Saint Francis Associates, ("MSFA"), was formed in order to acquire and operate
On or about July 14, 1995, as a condition of HUD's mortgage insurance, MSFA entered into a regulatory agreement with HUD. Giordano signed the regulatory agreement as a general partner of MSFA. The regulatory agreement states that "[o]wners shall not[,] without the prior written approval of [HUD] ... assign, transfer, dispose of, or encumber any personal property of the project, including rents, or pay out any funds except from surplus cash, except for reasonable operating expenses and necessary repairs." Government Statement of Undisputed Facts ("SUF") at ¶ 15; Government Exhibit 8 at ¶ 6(b) (emphasis added). The agreement defines the term "owners" as "[MSFA] and any of its partners, together with their respective successors[,] executors, administrators, heirs and assigns." Id. at ¶ 14; Government Exhibit 8 at ¶ 17 (emphasis added). Generally, the agreement defines the term "surplus cash" as the cash remaining after the payment of
Id. at ¶ 17; Government Exhibit 8 at ¶ 13(f).
On or about April 20, 1993, MSFA and Giordano submitted to HUD a Project Owner's & Management Agent's Certification of Multifamily Housing Projects for Identity-of-Interest or Independent Management Agents. The certification was signed by Giordano. In the certification, MSFA disclosed that it would pay Giordano, as managing general partner, a "special fee" equal to 3 percent of net patient revenue. In exchange for the fee, Giordano agreed to perform various services that were "peculiar to the project's status as a special-purpose and regulated facility[.]" SUF at ¶ 21. A substantial portion of those services, however, were subcontracted to Consultants, Inc., an entity controlled by Giordano. The certification also stated that MSFA and Giordano would comply with the regulatory agreement and HUD handbooks.
On or about January 1, 1995, MSFA entered into a management agreement with Sterling Health Care Management Company, LLC ("Sterling"), and agreed to pay Sterling a management fee equal to 3 percent of net patient revenue. The management agreement provided that Sterling had "complete authority to manage and control all health care and financial aspects
From 1999-2004 Peter Fournier ("Fournier") was the administrator of Mt. St. Francis. Mt. St. Francis hired Montecalvo as the assistant administrator and Giordano set his compensation at $42.70 per hour. In his deposition, however, Fournier testified that Mt. St. Francis did not have an assistant administrator's position and that Montecalvo acted as the administrator only when Fournier was on vacation, which was between two to three weeks per year. Fournier testified that Mt. St. Francis regularly had difficulty meeting its payroll obligations. Giordano testified that he constantly made loans to Mt. St. Francis. Ultimately, Fournier left the employ of Mt. St. Francis because he believed Mt. St. Francis' finances required more attention than they were receiving.
Mt. St. Francis defaulted on its mortgage loans in 2008. The mortgages were assigned to HUD which subsequently sold them for a loss of $7,842,300.
Beginning in 1987, Coventry Health Continuum, Inc., ("Coventry Continuum"), leased and operated Coventry Health Center, ("Coventry Health Center" or "project"), a nursing home in Coventry, Rhode Island. Coventry Health Center Associates, ("CHCA"), was created to own and develop Coventry Health Center. Giordano, Pasquale Confreda ("Confreda"), and John Assalone ("Assalone") were general partners in CHCA. On or about May 24, 1994, CHCA refinanced its mortgage on Coventry Health Center through Suburban Mortgage in the amount of $15,308,700.
The Coventry Health Center mortgage was also insured by HUD under title II of the National Housing Act. On or about May 24, 1994, CHCA entered into a regulatory agreement with HUD. That regulatory agreement contained the same language regarding disposition of project funds: "[o]wners shall not[,] without the prior written approval of [HUD] ... assign, transfer, dispose of, or encumber any personal property of the project, including rents, or pay out any funds except from surplus cash, except for reasonable operating expenses and necessary repairs." SUF at ¶ 39; Government Exhibit 9 at ¶ 6(b) (emphasis added). The agreement defines the term "owners" as "Coventry Health Center Associates, and any of its partners, together with their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs or assigns." Id. at ¶ 38; Government Exhibit 9 at ¶ 17 (emphasis added). Generally, the agreement defines the term "surplus cash" as the cash remaining after the payment of
Id. at ¶ 14; Government Exhibit 9 at ¶ 13(f).
In July 1999 Coventry Health Center hired Carol Mancini ("Mancini") and she became the administrator in 2001. At her deposition, Mancini testified that when she arrived, Coventry Health Center was having financial difficulties, the "books ... were in shambles[,]" and there was a "severe crisis in staffing." SUF at ¶ 47; Government Exhibit 4, Tab (a) at 8, 17. Mancini testified that Montecalvo took his direction from Giordano and "whatever [Giordano] wanted or asked him to do, he did." Id. at ¶ 61; Government Exhibit 4, Tab (b) at 45. Based upon her conversations with Montecalvo and her observations, Mancini believed that Giordano had ultimate authority over Coventry Health Center, including authority over which expenses were paid. In August 1999, CHCA defaulted on the Coventry Health Center mortgage. On or about June 28, 2000, the mortgage was assigned to HUD. On or about September 6, 2002, HUD sold the mortgage for a loss of $6,292,520.
Coventry Continuum was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island. In 2001, Assalone was president of Coventry Continuum and Confreda was vice president, secretary and treasurer. Giordano had an ownership interest as a shareholder in Coventry Continuum and he sat on the board of directors. Montecalvo held executive positions at Coventry Continuum and he reported to the Coventry Continuum board at weekly meetings. During these meetings he communicated with Giordano regarding Coventry Health Center's finances and operations.
Consultants Inc., was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island. Giordano's son, Antonio A. Giordano ("Giordano, Jr."), was president of Consultants Inc.; Giordano's daughter, Mary D. Gentili ("Gentili"); was vice president, and Montecalvo was treasurer. Giordano subcontracted with Consultants, Inc., to provide some of the services he had agreed to perform for Mt. St. Francis. Consultants, Inc. also made loans to Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center and it was repaid from project funds.
Consultants Associates, Inc., was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island.
My Place, Inc., ("My Place") was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island. Gentili was president of My Place, Inc.; and Giordano, Jr. was treasurer. Giordano testified that My Place handled "personnel problems of health facilities as it relates to the inner workings of the labor." SUF at ¶ 69; Government Exhibit 1, Tab (f) at 161-62. The services purportedly provided by My Place to Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center included such things as seminars, raffles, and other activities. Fournier testified that Mt. St. Francis paid My Place $5,500 per month for "about one seminar a month." Id. at 74; Government Exhibit 3, Tab (c) at 66. Fournier believed that the fees paid to My Place were excessive. Coventry Health Center paid My Place $9,554 per month. Mancini testified that My Place did not provide any benefit to Coventry Health Center.
Construction Software, Inc. ("Construction Software"), was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island. Montecalvo was president of Construction Software and Giordano, Jr. was treasurer. Giordano testified that Construction Software worked with computers and created computer printouts of accounting records. Fournier testified that he was not sure what Construction Software did. Mancini testified that she never saw Construction Software employees at Coventry Health Center and that she did not know what Construction Software did. Both Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center made monthly payments to Construction Software.
Hillside Health Center, LLC ("Hillside") was a limited liability company organized under the laws of Rhode Island. Giordano developed Hillside and was an investor in Hillside. Montecalvo was Hillside's manager. Hillside made a loan to Mt. St. Francis and it was repaid from project funds.
Giordano testified that Peter Castriotta ("Castriotta"), an individual Giordano knew for 65 years, was Mt. St. Francis' purchasing director. Mt. St. Francis paid Castriotta $47 per hour. Fournier testified that Castriotta did not spend much time at Mt. St. Francis. Fournier believed that Castriotta was an employee of Sterling.
Management Realty Service, Inc., ("Management Realty") was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island. Gentili was president of Management Realty and Giordano, Jr. was treasurer. Giordano testified that Management Realty was a real estate management company. It is not clear what type of service Management Realty provided to Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center, however, it received payments from both projects.
Gregory Building Company ("GBC") was incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island. Giordano, Jr. was president of GBC; Castriotta was vice president; and Gentili was secretary. Giordano testified that GBC performed landscaping and construction-related services. Coventry Health Center paid GBC a monthly fee for landscaping services. Mancini testified that GBC was "supposed to cut the grass and trim the bushes and cut ... trees but [Coventry Health Center's] maintenance crew did [that]." SUF at ¶ 100; Government Exhibit 4, Tab (d) at 91. Mancini "very rarely" saw GBC performing work at Coventry. Id.; Government Exhibit 4, Tab (d) at 93.
Suburban Mortgage was a mortgage company and was the mortgagee for both Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center. Giordano was the executive vice president and he held a fifty percent ownership interest in Suburban Mortgage. Mt. St. Francis was sometimes late in making mortgage payments to Suburban Mortgage and in those instances Suburban Mortgage charged Mt. St. Francis a late fee.
Adler Pollack & Sheehan ("APS") is a law firm that provided legal services to Mt. St. Francis. APS represented Mt. St. Francis in discussions with the Internal Revenue Service over delinquent payroll taxes and in a zoning appeal. APS also represented Giordano in a transaction involving Edmund Place Associates, another nursing home developed by Giordano.
Chaine des Rotisseurs ("CDR") is a "culinary society" that operates throughout the United States and Europe. SUF at ¶ 126. Giordano invited Mt. St. Francis employees to a CDR event "to try to up their level of enthusiasm...." Government Exhibit 1, Tab (h) at 203. Mt. St. Francis paid for the event which cost in excess of $75 per employee. Fournier testified, however, that the event did not benefit the operation of Mt. St. Francis.
O. Ahlborg & Sons, Inc., ("Ahlborg") is a construction firm that provided services to Mt. St. Francis in connection with a HUD-approved rehabilitation project. The rehabilitation exceeded the HUD-approved mortgage amount, so Mt. St. Francis issued a $200,000 promissory note to Ahlborg which accrued interest at 10% annually. HUD, however, never approved the Ahlborg promissory note.
Last, Lefkowitz, Garfinkel, Champi & DeRienzo, P.C. (LGC & D) is an accounting firm that provided services to Mt. St. Francis.
Montecalvo instructed the administrators at Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center on the order in which expenses should be paid. For Mt. St. Francis, Fournier testified that before any other monthly expenses were paid, Mt. St. Francis had to pay (1) the 3% fee to Giordano, (2) the 3% fee to Sterling, (3) $960 to Construction Software, and (4) $5,500 to My Place. Fournier testified that only after these expenses were paid could Mt. St. Francis pay other monthly expenses, including but not limited to food, payroll, taxes, and supplies. Montecalvo also directed that loans be repaid quickly.
Fournier testified that Mt. St. Francis regularly had difficulty making payroll and he described it as a weekly "tug of war[.]" SUF at ¶ 108; Government Exhibit 3, Tab (c) at 68. Fournier stated that making payroll and being able to pay other vendors would have been much easier if Mt. St. Francis did not have to first pay 6% of its total revenue to Giordano and Sterling. He testified that making the monthly payments to Construction Software and My Place hampered Mt. St. Francis' ability to meet other expenses.
For Coventry Health Center, Mancini testified that before any other monthly expenses could be paid Coventry Health Center had to first pay Sterling, My Place, Construction Software, and GBC. After those expenses were paid, staff at Coventry Health Center would prepare a list of
Montecalvo admitted that identity-of-interest entities were paid first because either he, Giordano, or Giordano's family members were involved with the entities. Montecalvo also testified that the priority payment system was in place before he became Sterling's general manager and that "the owners [of the nursing homes] were aware of the priority payment [system]." SUF at ¶ 117; Government Exhibit 2, Tab (d) at 109.
From September 2003 to March 2004, HUD's Office of Inspector General, ("OIG"), conducted an audit of Mt. St. Francis to determine whether the project assets were used in compliance with the Mt. St. Francis regulatory agreement. OIG's audit covered the period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003 ("audit period"). OIG published its findings in an audit report on March 3, 2006. The report was addressed to the Director of HUD's Boston Multifamily Housing Hub. OIG concluded that Giordano, as the owner, and Sterling, as the management agent, disregarded prudent business practices and exploited weak management controls. OIG also concluded that the identity-of-interest relationships created an environment that made it possible for Giordano and Sterling to divert questionable cash disbursements with little risk of detection. OIG determined that $4,402,305 in project assets were used in violation of the regulatory agreement.
From July 2003 to February 2004, OIG conducted an audit of Coventry Health Center. The audit covered the period from May 5, 1995, to August 22, 2003 ("audit period"). OIG published its findings in an audit report on March 28, 2006. The report was addressed to the Director of HUD's Boston Multifamily Housing Hub. OIG concluded that Giordano, as the owner, and Sterling as the management agent, circumvented policies and procedures to divert project funds to pay for ineligible, unsupported, and unnecessary expenses. OIG determined that $1,858,100 in project assets were used in violation of the regulatory agreement.
As a result of the Mt. St. Francis audit, OIG determined that MSFA used Mt. St. Francis' assets to make the following disbursements, during the audit period, in violation of the Mt. St. Francis regulatory agreement:
As a result of the Coventry Health Center audit, OIG determined that CHCA used Coventry Health Center assets to make the following disbursements, during the audit period, in violation of the regulatory agreement:
On June 8, 2006, the Government filed a one-count Information against Giordano and Montecalvo, charging them with criminal equity skimming. See 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-19. The Information charged that Giordano and Montecalvo, acting as agents, managers, and persons in custody, control and possession of Mt. St. Francis, Coventry Health Center, and Hillside Health Center,
Giordano first argues that the Government filed the complaint outside of the statute of limitations. The Government filed its complaint on September 16, 2009. Giordano, however, argues that the statute of limitations expired just prior to September 2009.
Giordano bears the burden of proving that the statute of limitations has expired. United States v. Flake, 783 F.Supp. 762, 766 (E.D.N.Y.1992); Forrester
In support of his argument, Giordano points to the actions of Lloyd Currie ("Currie"), an employee of OIG and the auditor in charge of the audits at both Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center.
Giordano's argument is not persuasive. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network inquiry Giordano attaches to his memorandum is an unsigned document which has not been authenticated. Thus, it will not be considered by the Court. See generally Feliciano v. Rhode Island, 160 F.3d 780 (1st Cir.1998) (Rule 56 requires that parties submit admissible evidence). However, even if the Court were to consider the document, Currie made the request to determine "what individuals and business entities Giordano was associated with so that [the audit] field work would be as thorough as possible." Currie Supplemental Affidavit at ¶ 4. The limitations period begins to run when "a senior administrator learns of a transfer of HUD funds to another entity and has a duty to share this knowledge with his superior." Flake, 783 F.Supp. at 767 (emphasis added). Even if Currie had a suspicion of equity skimming by Giordano at the time he submitted the Financial Crimes Network Request, Currie was an OIG auditor and not a HUD senior administrator. See id.; see also United States v. Retirement Services Group 302 F.3d 425, 430 (5th Cir.2002) (the statutory scheme requires "something more than to suspect but something less than to confirm with absolute certainty as to all possible material details"); United States v. Envicon Development Corp., 153 F.Supp.2d 114 (D.Conn.2001) (HUD must have actual knowledge, rather than constructive knowledge, of improper payments before limitations period begins to run). Giordano has offered no evidence to suggest that the Secretary discovered that project funds were being used in violation of the regulatory agreement prior to September 16, 2003. Thus, Giordano has failed to create a genuine issue of material fact as to the Government's contention that the action was timely filed.
12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a provides that the Government may bring suit in district court "to recover any assets or income used by any person in violation" of a regulatory agreement covering a HUD insured
A use of assets or income in violation of a regulatory agreement includes "any use for which the documentation in the books and accounts does not establish that the use was made for a reasonable operating expense or necessary repair of the property and has not been maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Secretary and in reasonable condition for proper audit." Id. at § 1715z-4a(a)(1). The Government "may recover double the value of the assets and income of the property that the court determines to have been used in violation of the regulatory agreement ... plus all costs related to the action, including but not limited to reasonable attorney and auditing fees." Id. at § 1715z-4a(c) (emphasis added).
It is undisputed that MSFA owned Mt. St. Francis. It is also undisputed that Giordano was a general partner in MSFA, and as such, he was an owner of Mt. St. Francis. Thus, Giordano is a "person" as defined in the statute. See 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a(a)(2)(C) (any person includes "any ... partner of an entity owning or controlling the property"). It is also undisputed that CHCA owned Coventry Health Center and Giordano was a general partner in CHCA. Again, as such, Giordano is a "person" under the statute. See id. In addition, as noted later in this decision, it is also clear that Giordano is a "person" under the statute because he "controlled" the nursing homes. See 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a(a)(2)(F) (noting that a "person" under the statute is any person who "controls the property regardless of that person['s] ... relationship to the property").
It is also undisputed that CHCA was created to own and develop Coventry Health Center. The regulatory agreement identifies CHCA as the owner of Coventry Health Center. At his deposition Giordano testified that CHCA owned Coventry Health Center. Consequently, CHCA is a "person" under the statute as an "entity that owns or operates the property." 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a(a)(2).
To prevail on its claim, the Government must show that assets or income belonging to the project were used in violation of the regulatory agreement. United States v. Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d 561 (E.D.N.C. 2002); Retirement Services Group, 302 F.3d at 436 (noting that for a person "as defined by the statute, to be liable it must be shown that the person `used' (indeed, that the person misused) the assets or income"). Congress, by enacting 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a, emphasized that regulatory agreements are a "fundamental and essential component of the Federal financing scheme for multifamily housing projects under the National Housing Act." Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 563 n. 2. Under the financing scheme, HUD agrees to exculpate mortgagors from personal liability for repayment of the mortgage in return for the mortgagors' agreement to operate the project in accordance with the regulatory agreement. Id. The terms of the regulatory agreement restrict the owner's use of project funds. Id. The "restrictions on the use of project income [are] part and parcel of the financing for the acquisition of the [nursing homes], particularly in light of the waiver of personal liability." Id. (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Thus, "the importance HUD attaches to the project's ironclad observance of the terms of the [r]egulatory [a]greement cannot be contested." United States
Pursuant to the regulatory agreements, both MSFA and CHCA agreed that, "without the prior written approval" of HUD, they would not "[a]ssign, transfer, dispose of, or encumber any personal property of the project, including rents, or pay out any funds except from surplus cash, except for reasonable operating expenses and necessary repairs." Government Exhibits 8, 9 at ¶ 6(b) (emphasis added). As a result, both Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center were prohibited "from using any [p]roject funds except for surplus cash for any purpose other than reasonable operating expenses and necessary repairs without the prior written approval from HUD." Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 564; see also United States v. West Street Associates Ltd. Partnership, No. Civ. A. 3:96-CV-01864, 1998 WL 34193430 (D.Conn. July 20, 1998) (regulatory agreement prohibited owner from using project funds for anything other than payment of reasonable expenses necessary for proper operation and maintenance of project unless there is surplus cash); In re Beneath the Trees, LLC, 377 B.R. 151 (Bankr.E.D.N.C.2007) (same). It is undisputed that both Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center were in a non-surplus cash position for the applicable audit period. Thus, without the prior written approval from HUD, the projects could only make disbursements for reasonable operating expenses or necessary repairs.
There is no definition of the phrase "reasonable operating expenses" in the regulatory agreement. The First Circuit has stated that interpreting the term "reasonable operating expenses" in a regulatory agreement is challenging. See Cofield, 215 F.3d at 171 (noting that the term "give[s] rise to ... uncertainty in [its] application to particular circumstances").
Thompson v. United States, 408 F.2d 1075, 1080 (8th Cir.1969) (emphasis added); see also Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567 (reasonable operating expenses arise from "everyday operation and maintenance of the project" and are for the benefit of the project and not the benefit of the owner); Independence Hill Ltd. v. Puller Mortgage Associates, Inc., 33 F.3d 1378, 1994 WL 486953 (5th Cir.1994) (unpublished table decision) (expenditures for benefit of project permissible; expenditures for benefit of investor impermissible); United States v. Frank, 587 F.2d 924 (8th Cir.1978) (courts must distinguish between expenses incurred primarily for the benefit of the personal interests of the investors from those expenses related to everyday operation of the project). In essence, an understanding of the phrase "reasonable operating expense" must recognize that the National Housing Act was
Giordano first contends that HUD was aware in every instance of payment of all the expenditures that the Government claims were in violation of the regulatory agreements. Essentially, Giordano argues that the submission of HUD Form 93479 monthly to HUD made HUD aware of the monthly expenditures, and because HUD never objected to the payments, HUD's failure to object is somehow converted to a tacit "approval."
In support of his argument, Giordano submits what purports to be a Form 93479, however, it is not unauthenticated. Because it is not authenticated, it will not be considered by the Court. See generally Feliciano, 160 F.3d 780 (Rule 56 requires that parties submit admissible evidence). However, even accepting that the form is a HUD form that was submitted monthly by both nursing homes, Giordano's argument is a non-starter and in direct contravention of the regulatory agreement. The regulatory agreements provided that the project owner shall not "[a]ssign, transfer, dispose of ... or pay out any funds except from surplus cash, except for reasonable operating expenses and necessary repairs" without the "prior written approval" of HUD. Government Exhibits 8, 9 at ¶ 6(b) (emphasis added). The HUD form that Giordano identifies as HUD Form 93479 is titled "[m]onthly [r]eport for [e]stablishing [n]et [i]ncome." Giordano Memorandum of Law in Support of Objection to Summary Judgment, Exhibit B. The document generally summarizes the project's monthly financial position and includes accounts receivable and payable schedules. The accounts payable "check history listing" lists items by check number, date, vendor, amount, and leaves a small space for "notes," apparently to describe the expense. Id. at 11. The descriptions contained in the "notes" section are, at most, two to three words. The descriptions are wholly general and non specific. Without more information concerning the payee and the context of the payments, the document does not give notice that the expenses were for items or services other than reasonable operating expenses or necessary repairs. Furthermore, the document does not represent HUD's prior written approval for expenditures.
Giordano's next assertion is that Montecalvo also received HUD's permission to take out project loans. Giordano asserts that "[i]n each instance the [loan] transaction was supported by a confirming email or fax between Montecalvo and HUD." Giordano's Memorandum of Law in Support of Objection to Motion for Summary Judgment at 5. In support of his assertion, Giordano generally points to ten pages in Montecalvo's deposition testimony transcript — without identifying any particular testimony.
In his deposition, Montecalvo testified that he did not recall whether he spoke to representatives of HUD each time a loan was made to Mt. St. Francis. He testified that he sought approval for a loan by "call[ing] HUD ... and it would be a telephone thing. Sometimes I'm sure that it was placed in writing." Giordano Memorandum of Law in Support of Objection to Summary Judgment, Exhibit D, Tab 1 at 51. He testified the he remembered an occasion, although he could not recall the exact date, when he sought approval, by "either an e-mail or a letter that went to HUD that explained it, hand delivered, and then letter back saying that it was okay." Id. at 52. When pressed to clarify whether he sought approval by "phone
Id. at 53. Montecalvo stated he followed the same "procedure" when it came to Coventry Health Center. Other than pointing to Montecalvo's confusing and equivocal testimony, however, Giordano has not produced any document which represents HUD's written approval for any of the loan repayments.
Moreover, even if Montecalvo had testified that he always received written approval from HUD to make and repay loans, Giordano's use of that self-serving testimony fails to create a genuine fact dispute. As noted above, because of the projects' non-surplus cash positions, the projects required HUD's prior written approval in order to use project expenses for anything other than reasonable operating expenses. To defeat summary judgment, Giordano must demonstrate "through submissions of evidentiary quality" that a trialworthy issue exists. Rockwood v. SKF USA Inc., 687 F.3d 1, 9 (1st Cir.2012) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). "Doing so, however, requires more than the frenzied brandishing of a cardboard sword." Calvi v. Knox County, 470 F.3d 422, 426 (1st Cir.2006). Giordano has not produced any email, fax, letter or other writing containing HUD's consent for repaying a loan or to use project assets for an item or services unrelated to the projects' reasonable operating expenses or necessary repairs. Unsupported "deposition testimony setting forth ultimate or conclusory facts [is] insufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment." Clark v. America's Favorite Chicken Co. 110 F.3d 295, 297 (5th Cir.1997); see also Saunders v. City of New York, 594 F.Supp.2d 346 (S.D.N.Y.2008) (deposition testimony recounting single incident where plaintiff claimed employer did not pay employee overtime and plaintiff asserted that time sheets would substantiate claim and reveal other occurrences, was not sufficient to defeat summary judgment where plaintiff did not produce any time sheets); Prudential Insurance Co. v. Whitney, 954 F.2d 516, 518 (8th Cir.1992) (assertion that "signed writings ... `do or should exist[,]'" without more, was inadequate to raise genuine issue of material fact).
It is therefore undisputed that project funds were used in the manner listed in the Government's statement of undisputed facts. The Court next proceeds to review those disbursements based on the statutory language and the regulatory agreement.
All of the disbursements discussed below were made by MSFA, on behalf of Mt. St. Francis, and occurred during the audit period at a time when Mt. St. Francis lacked surplus cash:
$61,247 Consultants 224,720 Consultant Associates 104,520 Hillside 95,000 Sterling ________ $485,487
Courts have held that disbursement of project funds to repay owner loans or advances are not reasonable operating expenses. Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567 ("[r]egardless of the purpose for which the advances were made and the manner in
$8,000 Consultants
4,000 My Place
1,200 Construction Software
8,672 Sterling
6,000 Management loan
17,691 Management Realty
250 APS
263,832 LGC & D
1,992 Other
________
$311,637
The regulatory agreements provided that the projects' "books, contracts, records, documents and other papers ... shall at all times be maintained in reasonable condition for proper audit...." Government Exhibit 8, 9 at ¶ 9(c). The agreements also provided that "[o]wners shall keep copies of all written contracts or other instruments which affect the mortgaged property, all of which may be subject to inspection and examination by the Secretary...." Id. The statutory scheme provides that a use of assets or income in violation of the regulatory agreement "shall include any use for which the documentation in the books and accounts does not establish that the use was made for a reasonable operating expense or necessary repair of the property...." 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a(a)(1). Thus, under the statute and regulatory agreements, Defendants have the burden of demonstrating through the project books and records that the project expenses were for reasonable operating expenses. Project owners cannot escape civil liability for improper payment by failing to keep adequate records. See generally Cofield, 215 F.3d at 169. "[U]nexplained expenditures ... [are] not reasonable expenses." West Street Associates, 1998 WL 34193430 at *5. MSFA's unsupported disbursements to the listed entities are not reasonable operating expenses.
The HUD Management Agent handbook provides that management fees "may be
MSFA paid Sterling $1,338,707 in duplicative and unreasonable management fees. As the management agent, Sterling was responsible for operating Mt. St. Francis in conformity with the regulatory agreement and HUD guidelines. Sterling had "complete authority to manage and control all heath care and financial aspects" of Mt. St. Francis. Government Exhibit 12 at ¶ 2. Sterling was to provide all the necessary services for the operation of Mt. St. Francis and was responsible for tasks such as analyzing and solving nursing home problems, recruiting, hiring, and monitoring operations. However, OIG auditors concluded that "all of the management services described in the management agreement were performed by [Mt. St. Francis] staff and/or consultants" and were paid from Mt. St. Francis funds. Currie Affidavit at ¶ 16. Consequently, Sterling did not comply with the management agreement because Sterling did not perform the management services it had agreed to provide to the project. Giordano admitted that project funds should not have been used to pay a vendor which was not performing the services that the vendor had agreed to perform. Because Sterling did nothing to earn the management fee, payment of the fee clearly violated the regulatory agreement. These payments were "unnecessary and unreasonable ... [as Mt. St. Francis] made payments to a company not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
MSFA paid Giordano $1,235,780 which represented his 3% "special fee." According to the certification signed by Giordano, the services he was supposed to provide to Mt. St. Francis were peculiar to Mt. St. Francis' status as a special purpose and regulated facility. However, OIG auditors concluded that the services to be provided by Giordano were identical or similar to the services outlined in Sterling's management agreement. Furthermore, OIG also determined that neither Giordano nor Sterling provided the services described in their agreements. Because Giordano did nothing to earn the "special fee," payment of the fee violated the regulatory agreement. These payments were "unnecessary and unreasonable... [as Mt. St. Francis] made payments to [an individual] not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
MSFA disbursed $268,200 to My Place. My Place was an identity-of-interest entity that received priority payment each month, notwithstanding Mt. St. Francis' negative financial 32 position. Throughout the audit period Mt. St. Francis made monthly payments to My Place for an employee benefit program that purportedly included seminars, crafts, raffles, and other activities. Fournier testified that My Place's fees were excessive. The My Place programs, ostensibly benefitted (if, at all) employees and not the patients living at Mt. St. Francis. See generally Harvey, 68 F.Supp.2d at 1017-18. Additionally, the My Place disbursements did not arise from the "everyday operation and maintenance of the project." Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567. These disbursements
MSFA disbursed $46,080 to Construction Software. Construction Software was an identity-of-interest entity that received priority payment each month, notwithstanding Mt. St. Francis' negative financial position. Fournier testified that he was not sure what Construction Software did. Throughout the audit period Mt. St. Francis made monthly payments to Construction Software for accounting services that Mt. St. Francis staff performed. It is certainly not reasonable to pay an outside vendor for a service that is being performed in-house. These payments "were unnecessary and unreasonable ... [as Mt. St. Francis] made payments to a company not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
MSFA disbursed $22,326 to Suburban Mortgage. Suburban Mortgage was an identity-of-interest entity. Mt. St. Francis paid Suburban Mortgage $ 22,326 in late charges assessed by Suburban Mortgage for overdue mortgage payments. Payment of a late fee is not a reasonable operating expense as any late fee would not have been incurred if Mt. St. Francis had been making its payments on time. The fees did not arise from the "everyday operation and maintenance of the project." Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567.
MSFA disbursed $108,570 to Castriotta. As Mt. St. Francis's purchasing director, Castriotta received $47 per hour based on a twenty-hour work week. Fournier testified, however, that Castriotta did not have an office at Mt. St. Francis and he did not spend much time there. Castriotta's time cards showed that he worked the same hours every week yet OIG never observed him at Mt. St. Francis. Furthermore, OIG concluded that Mt. St. Francis equipment purchases did not justify a position for twenty hours per week and that there was no clear distinction between Castriotta's duties and the duties performed by other Mt. St. Francis's staff. These payments "were unnecessary and unreasonable ... [as Mt. St. Francis] made payments to [an individual] not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
MSFA disbursed $112,254 to Montecalvo. As Mt. St. Francis's assistant administrator Montecalvo was paid $42.70 per hour based on a twenty-hour work week. Fournier testified, however, that Mt. St. Francis did not have an assistant administrator position. Montecalvo's time cards reflected that he worked the same hours every week yet OIG auditors never observed Montecalvo at Mt. St. Francis. Additionally, all tasks assigned to the assistant administrator were also assigned to the business manager and/or the administrator with the exception of assuming the responsibility for the facility when the administrator was away from the facility. Fournier testified that at most he was away from the facility for two to three weeks per year. OIG concluded that the position of assistant administrator was unnecessary. Once again the Court concludes that these payments to Montecalvo were "unnecessary and unreasonable ... [as Mt. St. Francis] made payments to [an individual] not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
Mt. St. Francis paid APS $44,226 for legal services related to discussions with the Internal Revenue Service over delinquent payroll taxes. As noted above however, Mt. St. Francis paid identity-of-interest companies and other related individuals before payroll taxes. Giordano testified that had Mt. St. Francis not been delinquent on its taxes, these expenses
MSFA disbursed $3,525 to CDR for an employee function. Giordano testified that he invited the employees to this event "to try to up their level of enthusiasm...." Government Exhibit 1, Tab (h) at 203. Fournier testified, however, that the event did not benefit the operation of Mt. St. Francis. The event ostensibly benefitted (if, at all) employees and not the patients living at Mt. St. Francis. See Harvey, 68 F.Supp.2d at 1017-18. Additionally, the disbursement did not arise from the "everyday operation and maintenance of the project." Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567. This disbursement was not a reasonable operating expense.
MSFA paid Ahlborg $133,500 related to a promissory note. Mt. St. Francis engaged Ahlborg for construction services associated with a HUD approved rehabilitation of the project. After the renovations, MSFA refinanced its mortgage and the rehabilitation exceeded the HUD approved mortgage amount. As a result, Mt. St. Francis issued Ahlborg a promissory note which accrued interest at 10% annually. HUD, however, never approved the promissory note. Payments made to Ahlborg based on the unapproved promissory note are not reasonable operating expenses.
MSFA also disbursed $102,191 to various other non identity-of-interest vendors. This amount includes disbursements for (1) services that were the responsibility of Sterling, (2) unrelated legal fees, (3) other "benefits" to employees (Christmas parties, luncheons, gifts, and flowers) and, (4) penalties and interest for late tax payments. These expenses did not arise from the "everyday operation and maintenance of the project" and certainly were not reasonable operating expenses of the project. Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567.
The disbursements noted above were all made by MSFA on behalf of Mt. St. Francis. Giordano, however, controlled Mt. St. Francis' operations. It is also clear that Giordano controlled Montecalvo. Montecalvo was the comptroller of every company owned by Giordano and the two men communicated daily. Montecalvo was Sterling's general manager and Giordano set Montecalvo's salary as assistant administrator at Mt. St. Francis. Montecalvo testified that the priority payment system for identity-of-interest vendors was in place before he became manager of Sterling
Loan Repayments $ 485,487
Unsupported Disbursements 311,637
Duplicative Management Fees 2,574,487
Other Unreasonable Expenses 875,182
_________
Total $4,246,793
All of the disbursements discussed below were made by CHCA on behalf of Coventry Health Center and occurred during the audit period at a time when Coventry Health Center lacked surplus cash:
$20,000 Consultants 130,000 Management Realty 15,000 Giordano 15,000 S & W 58,000 Sterling16 ________ $238,000
As noted above, disbursements of project funds to repay owner loans or advances are not reasonable operating expenses. See generally Coleman, 200 F.Supp.2d at 567; Thompson, 408 F.2d at 1080; Schlesinger, 88 F.Supp.2d 431; Harvey, 68 F.Supp.2d at 1018.
$64,400 Consultants
5,510 GBC
7,816 S & W
16,687 Mt. St. Francis
182,500 Giordano, Confreda and CHCA
120,025 Management Realty
367,816 Sterling
428,874 Various other non identity-of-interest entities
________
$1,193,628
As also noted above, unsupported expenditures are not reasonable expenses. West Street Associates, 1998 WL 34193430 at *5.
CHCA disbursed $267,041 to My Place. As noted above, My Place was an identity-of-interest entity that received priority payment each month, notwithstanding Coventry Health Center's negative financial position. Throughout the audit period Coventry Health Center made monthly payments to My Place for an employee benefit program that included seminars, crafts, raffles, and other activities. OIG concluded that My Place's purported services did not benefit the operation of the project. The My Place programs, ostensibly benefitted (if, at all) employees and not the patients living at Coventry Health Center. See Harvey, 68 F.Supp.2d at 1017-18. Additionally, the My Place disbursements did not arise from the "everyday
Coventry Health Center disbursed $53,880 to Construction Software. As also noted above, Construction Software was an identity-of-interest entity that received priority payment each month, notwithstanding Coventry Health Center's negative financial position. Mancini testified that she did not know what Construction Software did and never saw an employee of Construction Software at Coventry Health Center. Throughout the audit period Coventry Health Center made monthly payments to Construction Software for accounting services that the Coventry Health Center staff performed. These payments "were unnecessary and unreasonable ... [as Coventry Health Center] made payments to a company not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
Coventry Health Center disbursed $54,300 to GBC. GBC purportedly performed landscaping services for Coventry Health Center. Mancini testified, however, that Coventry Health Center's maintenance staff regularly cut the lawn and that she very rarely saw GBC performing work at Coventry Health Center. OIG concluded that Coventry Health Center had the necessary staff and equipment to perform the services allegedly performed by GBC. These payments "were unnecessary and unreasonable ... [as Coventry Health Center] made payments to a company not entitled to payments." Independence Hill, Ltd., 1994 WL 486953 at *27.
The disbursements noted above were all made by CHCA on behalf of Coventry Health Center. Consequently, it is clear that CHCA used project assets or income in violation of the regulatory agreement. It is also clear, however, that Giordano controlled Coventry Health Center operations and Montecalvo. As noted, Montecalvo was the comptroller of every company owned by Giordano and the two men communicated daily. Montecalvo was Sterling's general manager and held executive positions at Coventry Continuum. Montecalvo testified that the priority payment system for identity-of-interest vendors was in place before he became manager of Sterling and that the project owners were well aware of the system. Montecalvo directed what expenses to pay and when to pay them. OIG determined that Giordano and Montecalvo controlled the ownership entity, CHCA, the operator (Coventry Continuum), and the management company (Sterling). Furthermore, OIG concluded that the identity-of-interest relationships between Giordano and the operators and managers of Coventry Health Center created an environment where Giordano had direct control of all aspects of Coventry Health Center. "[A]ny separation of these entities' responsibilities was only for the clear circumvention of [HUD] regulations by the owner." Id. In summary, the Court concludes that CHCA, Giordano and Montecalvo used the following funds in violation of the regulatory agreement:
Loan Repayments $238,000
Unsupported Disbursements 1,193,628
Other Unreasonable Expenses 375,221
_________
Total $1,806,84917
Finally, Giordano argues that the Government should be barred from bringing its claims under the doctrine of res judicata.
Claim preclusion under res judicata applies if there is "(1) a final judgment on the merits in an earlier action; (2) an identity of the cause of action in both the earlier and later suits; and (3) an identity of parties or privies in the two suits." Haag v. Shulman, 683 F.3d 26, 30 (1st Cir.2012). In bringing the receivership action, Giordano's sole purpose was the orderly disposition of Mt. St. Francis' assets. The real party in interest in the receivership claim was MSFA and not Giordano personally. The instant action is brought by HUD against Giordano, Montecalvo and Confreda, personally, and CHCA. HUD's participation, rights and interests are fundamentally different in the two proceedings.
Furthermore, the receivership court in its ruling, ordered that MSFA's assets could be sold free and clear of all claims, liens, and encumbrances; Judge Smith also ruled that the "release and discharge shall not affect the liabilities of any other person and/or entities beyond the Buyer, including Antonio L. Giordano." Giordano v. Mt. St. Francis Associates, L.P., C.A. No. 08-48 S, slip op. at ¶¶ 3, 6 (D.R.I. Feb. 9, 2011) (Docket # 137). Res judicata does not apply where the claim is "expressly reserved" in the earlier proceeding. In re Bankvest Capital Corp., 375 F.3d 51, 70 (1st Cir.2004); see also Whitmire v. First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Hendersonville, 23 N.C. App. 39, 208 S.E.2d 248 (1974) (res judicata did not apply as earlier decision expressly left the merits open for future adjudication); see also Envicon Development Corp., 153 F.Supp.2d 114 (earlier bankruptcy proceeding did not bar HUD from brining claim under § 1715z-4a for violation of regulatory agreement in subsequent proceeding). Giordano's res judicata argument is a non-starter.
Under the statute, the Government "may recover double the value of assets and income of the property that the court determines to have been used in violation of the regulatory agreement...." 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-4a(c). The double damages provision was adopted to provide a greater deterrent to violations. Cofield, 215 F.3d at 171. Whether to award double damages is left to the discretion of the Court. Id. Double damages "makes sense" where a defendant is guilty of "substantial or repeated fault." Id. Double damages, however, may not be appropriate
In this instance, the question of whether to award double damages is certainly not a close call. Double damages are warranted against Giordano based on his repeated violations of the regulatory agreement and the sheer magnitude of the illegal disbursements. Between the two audits, OIG uncovered over 1,500 payments made in violation of the regulatory agreements. Furthermore, Giordano was certainly not a neophyte in the area of HUD financed properties. On the contrary, Giordano used his expertise and guile to take advantage of a particularly vulnerable population and the United States' taxpayers. He did this for one reason, to line his pockets, and the pockets of his business associates, friends, and family members with ill-gotten gains. Giordano's pervasive and insidious web of identity-of-interest entities and individuals gave him plenary control of all of the operations of both Mt. St. Francis and Coventry Health Center. Vested with control of the nursing homes, Giordano used identity-of-interest entities and individuals to divert project assets to himself, his family and friends.
For the reasons stated, the Government's motion for summary judgment is granted. The Court finds that Giordano and Montecalvo used $4,246,793 of project funds in violation of the Mt. St. Francis regulatory agreement. The Court also finds that Giordano, Montecalvo and CHCA used $1,806,849 of project funds in violation of the Coventry Health Center regulatory agreement. Finally, the Court finds that double damages against Giordano are warranted in this case.
SO ORDERED.
