Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca8-05-06038/USCOURTS-ca8-05-06038-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Kip M. Kaler
Appellee
PW Enterprises
Appellant
Racing Services
Not Party

Document Text:

United States Bankruptcy Appellate Panel

FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

__________

No. 05-6038ND

__________

In re: Racing Services, Inc., *

 *

Debtor. *

 *

PW Enterprises, Inc., *

 * Appeal from the United States

Objector- Appellant, * Bankruptcy Court for the 

 * District of North Dakota

v. *

 *

Kip M. Kaler, Bankruptcy Trustee *

For Racing Services, Inc., *

 *

Movant - Appellee. *

__________

Submitted: October 11, 2005

Filed: November 9, 2005

__________

Before KRESSEL, Chief Judge, FEDERMAN and MAHONEY, Bankruptcy

Judges.

__________

KRESSEL, Chief Judge.

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 1 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
1

 There was no hearing held in this proceeding. Both parties included in

their memoranda facts which did not appear in the record before the bankruptcy

court. We do not consider these facts. The trustee’s appendix on appeal also

included documents that were not part of the record before the bankruptcy court. 

We do not consider those documents. Huelsman v. Civic Ctr. Corp., 873 F.2d

1171, 1175 (8th Cir. 1989) (Stating “[o]nly those papers and exhibits filed in the

[trial] court can constitute the record on appeal.”) 

-2-

This case has its origins in a forfeiture judgment against the debtor and Susan

Bala, the debtor’s chief executive and sole shareholder, for $99,013,200.00. The

bankruptcy trustee, Kip Kaler entered into a stipulation with the United States, and

made a motion to the bankruptcy court for approval of the stipulation. PW Enterprises

timely objected to the trustee’s motion. The bankruptcy court entered an order

approving the trustee’s motion without holding a hearing. The principle issue in this

appeal is whether the bankruptcy court erred by granting the trustee’s motion without

holding a hearing and taking evidence. We conclude that it did and therefore we

reverse and remand to the bankruptcy court. 

BACKGROUND

According to the trustee’s motion to the bankruptcy court, on December 10,

2003 the debtor and its chief executive and sole shareholder, Susan Bala, were

indicted for conspiracy on twelve counts of money laundering and conducting an

illegal gambling operation.1

 On February 4, 2004 the debtor filed for relief under

Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in Delaware. On February 12, 2004 the Delaware

bankruptcy court issued an order granting the State of North Dakota’s motion to

transfer the case from Delaware to North Dakota. 

On April 23, 2004 the North Dakota bankruptcy court granted a motion by the

United States Trustee for appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee and the United States

Trustee appointed a Chapter 11 trustee. On June 15, 2004 the bankruptcy court

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 2 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
-3-

granted the Chapter 11 trustee’s motion to convert the case to Chapter 7. On the same

day, Kip Kaler was appointed Chapter 7 trustee. 

The debtor and Bala were convicted, and the United States District Court for

the District of North Dakota awarded to the United States a forfeiture judgment

against the debtor and Bala for $99,013,200.00. On May 10, 2005 the trustee entered

into a stipulation agreement with the United States. The motion states in pertinent

part, “In order to avoid litigation regarding entitlement to these assets, these parties

have agreed that the bankruptcy estate shall remain [sic] for distribution to creditors

other than the United States by virtue of the forfeiture judgment, the assets the

bankruptcy estate has been actively pursuing...” The trustee would keep certain

property itemized in an attachment to the stipulation and the United States would get

everything else. The attachment indicates that the trustee has received $482,403.45

of those assets. Nothing in the stipulation indicates the value of the assets the United

States would receive.

On June 1, 2005, the trustee filed a motion in bankruptcy court for approval of

the stipulation. PW, the debtor’s largest unsecured creditor, filed an objection to the

trustee’s motion on June 16, 2005. The trustee filed a response to PW’s objection on

June 24, 2005. At some point between the time the trustee filed the motion and the

date the bankruptcy court issued its order, PW’s attorney spoke with the bankruptcy

court clerk’s office. During that conversation, the clerk indicated that PW should talk

with the trustee and determine a mutually agreeable time to have a hearing and one

would be scheduled. On July 13, 2005 the bankruptcy court approved the settlement

without holding a hearing. The order was brief and said that the bankruptcy court had

“read and considered the arguments against approval and regards them [to be] without

merit.” 

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 3 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
-4-

PW appealed the bankruptcy court’s July 13, 2005 order. The bankruptcy court

denied PW’s motion for a stay pending appeal, but we granted a stay on August 15,

2005.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

 We review the bankruptcy court’s order approving a compromise or settlement

for an abuse of discretion. Van Horn v. Trickey, 840 F.2d 604, 607 (8th Cir. 1988).

An abuse of discretion occurs if the court bases its ruling on an erroneous view of the

law or on a clearly erroneous assessment of the evidence. Cooter & Gell v. Hartmarx

Corp., 496 U.S. 384, 405 (1990). Interpretation of rules presents a question of law

that is subject to de novo review. Indiana Lumbermen’s Mut. Ins. Co. v. Timberland

Pallet and Lumber Co., Inc., 195 F.3d 368, 374 (8th Cir. 1999). 

DISCUSSION

THE RIGHT TO A HEARING

PW argues that it had a right to a hearing because it timely requested one when

it objected to the trustee’s June 1, 2005 motion. The court’s local rules indicate that

a hearing will be scheduled if objections are filed to a motion. See, e.g. Bankr. D.

N.D. 2002-1, 2002-2, 4001-1, 4003-1. The trustee argues that the bankruptcy court’s

General Order of May 14, 2004 regarding scheduling of hearings indicates that a

hearing will be scheduled on a motion only if the opposing party specifically requests

one. The general order states: 

Hearings will be scheduled by the clerk’s office for the following

matters:

1) Confirmation of Chapter 11, 12, or 13 Plan...

2) Objection to Claim(s); and

3) Valuation hearings (Motion to be filed only after appraisals

complete and agreement can not be accomplished)

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 4 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
-5-

Hearings for other matters will be scheduled as needed following the

deadline for objecting or otherwise responding to a motion or request for

relief.” (emphasis added) 

We are not satisfied that the General Order says what the trustee claims.

However, to the extent that it can be read to mean that an objection to a motion is not

sufficient to request a hearing or that this has become the accepted interpretation of

the General Order, it cannot be applied here to prejudice PW’s right to a hearing. Fed.

R. Bankr. P. 9029 allows a judge to regulate practice:

[I]n any manner consistent with federal law, these rules, Official Forms,

and local rules of the district. No sanction or other disadvantage may be

imposed for noncompliance with any requirement not in federal law,

federal rules, Official Forms or the local rules of the district unless the

alleged violator has been furnished in the particular case with actual

notice of the requirement. Fed R. Bankr. P. 9029(b)(emphasis added).

Nothing indicates that PW received notice of the General Order.

Rule 9019 states that “On motion by the trustee and after notice and a hearing,

the court may approve a compromise or settlement.” The term ‘notice and a hearing’

is defined in 11 U.S.C. § 102(1): 

(A) means after such notice as is appropriate in the particular

circumstances, and such opportunity for a hearing as is appropriate in the

particular circumstances; but (B) authorizes an act without an actual

hearing if such notice is given properly and if (I) such a hearing is not

requested timely by a party in interest...

PW argues that it did timely request a hearing when it objected and was led to believe

that a hearing would be scheduled by the bankruptcy court clerk’s office.

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 5 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
-6-

When PW objected to the trustee’s motion to approve the stipulation the matter

became a contested matter under Rule 9014. In a contested matter “relief shall be

requested by motion and reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing shall be

afforded the party against whom relief is sought.” Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9014(a). Once

a contested matter is initiated by the movant, numerous other rules apply to the matter

pursuant to Rule 9014(c). Those rules that apply include 7026, and 7027 which give

the parties the opportunity to engage in discovery. 

Lastly, the initiation of a contested matter triggers Rule 7052 which

incorporates Fed. R. Civ. P. 52. Rule 52 requires the court to make findings of fact

in all matters tried upon the facts without a jury. The rule states in pertinent part “In

all actions tried upon the facts without a jury or with an advisory jury, the court shall

find the facts specially and state separately its conclusions of law thereon...” Fed. R.

Civ. P. 52(a).

The bankruptcy court made no findings of fact or conclusions of law in this

contested matter. One of the purposes of Rule 52 is to facilitate appellate review.

Fogarty v. Piper, 767 F.2d 513 (8th Cir. 1985). Generally a failure to make these

findings necessitates a remand. Id.

APPROVAL OF THE STIPULATION

The trustee entered into a stipulation with the United States. The bankruptcy

court may approve a settlement on a motion by the trustee after notice and a hearing

pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9019(a). 

A decision to approve or disapprove a settlement under Rule 9019 is within the

discretion of the bankruptcy judge. Drexel, Burnham, Lambert, Inc. v. Flight Transp.

Corp. (In re Flight Trans. Corp. Sec. Litig.), 730 F.2d 1128, 1135 (8th Cir. 1984). In

exercising its discretion under Rule 9019, the bankruptcy court must consider four

factors bearing on the settlement’s reasonableness. It must consider:

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 6 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
-7-

(1) the probability of success in the litigation; (2) the difficulties, if any,

to be encountered in the matter of collection; (3) the complexity of the

litigation involved, and the expense, inconvenience and delay necessarily

attending it; (4) the paramount interest of the creditors and a proper

deference to their reasonable views in the premises. 

In re Flight Trans. Corp. Sec. Litig. 730 F.2d at 1135 citing Drexel v.

Loomis, 35 F.2d 800, 806 (8th Cir. 1929). 

When considering reasonableness, there is no best compromise, only a range

of reasonable compromises. So as long as the one before the court falls within that

range, it may be approved. Nangle v. Surratt-States (In re Nangle), 288 B.R. 213, 220

(B.A.P. 8th Cir. 2003). (Stating that compromise is an art, not a science). An abuse

of discretion occurs when a bankruptcy court does not weigh these factors and then

approves or rejects the proposed settlement. ReGen Capital III, Inc. v. Official Comm.

of Unsecured Creditors (In re Trism, Inc.), 282 B.R. 662 at 667 (B.A.P. 8th Cir.

2002).

In its July 13, 2005 order, the bankruptcy court stated that the United States was

able to obtain a forfeiture of all of the assets in the estate despite the bankruptcy case.

The bankruptcy court did not make any findings of fact, nor did it otherwise articulate

a legal basis for its order. The court stated that PW’s argument against approval of

the settlement was without merit and that approval was in the best interests of the

bankruptcy estate. The bankruptcy court did not have any evidence from which it

could determine reasonableness under the four criteria set out in In re Flight

Transportation.

CONCLUSION

 

We conclude that the bankruptcy court abused its discretion when it approved

the stipulation between the trustee and the United States without holding a hearing.

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 7 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
2

21 U.S.C. § 853(p).

3

11 U.S.C. § 726.

-8-

We reverse the bankruptcy court’s order and remand this case for proceedings not

inconsistent with this opinion.

FEDERMAN, Bankruptcy Judge, with whom MAHONEY, Bankruptcy Judge,

joins, Concurring

I agree with the opinion issued here. I write separately only to emphasize the

role that PW Enterprises should play if it wishes to have the trustee litigate, rather than

settle, his dispute with the government. The underlying issue that the trustee is

attempting to settle concerns whether the debtor retains an ownership interest in

property which the government claims was forfeited pre-bankruptcy.2

 PW contends

that notwithstanding any forfeiture, the debtor did hold an interest in such property as

of the date of bankruptcy, so the proceeds of such property should be distributed to

all creditors pursuant to the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.3

 No other creditor

objected to the settlement. To the extent PW’s position is correct, there would be

assets of the estate to distribute pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, including payment

of the trustee’s fees and expenses. But if PW is not correct all such assets could be

deemed forfeited to the government, leaving nothing with which to pay such fees and

expenses. 

The unsettled nature of the law (i.e., the likelihood of success on the merits) is

certainly one factor the Court must take into account in determining whether the

settlement should be approved. In addition, however, the bankruptcy court is obligated

to consider the expense of litigation, and whether there is any assurance of funds to

pay such expense.

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 8 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232
-9-

Section 364(b) of the Bankruptcy Code would allow the court to approve a loan

to the trustee from PW for payment of the expenses incurred by him in continuing to

litigate with the government. Such loan could be structured to be repaid from proceeds

available to the estate if PW’s position turns out to be the correct one. In addition,

Section 327(e) enables the bankruptcy court to authorize the trustee to retain special

counsel, which might be PW’s counsel, to litigate the forfeiture issue with the

government. The litigation which PW, and PW alone among the estate’s creditors,

wants the trustee to undertake is complex, and, given the unsettled nature of the law,

might well not be resolved without extensive appellate review. In determining whether

to approve the settlement, the bankruptcy court should consider the willingness of PW

to finance such litigation, with appropriate provisions to repay PW if its position turns

out to be correct. But if PW turns out to be wrong, it should be PW, and not the trustee

himself, that bears the risk.

 

Appellate Case: 05-6038 Page: 9 Date Filed: 11/09/2005 Entry ID: 1973232