Opinion ID: 794648
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Bankruptcy Proceeding

Text: 6 In February 2002, Ball instituted a Chapter 7 proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York. A.O. Smith filed an adversary proceeding in the bankruptcy court requesting that the sanctions judgment imposed against Ball in the Gautreau proceeding be declared nondischargeable under Bankruptcy Code Section 523(a)(6). The bankruptcy court agreed with A.O. Smith that the debt was for Ball's willful and malicious actions and therefore exempt from discharge. In re Ball, No. 02-60810 (Bankr.N.D.N.Y. Feb. 10, 2004). On Ball's appeal, the District Court for the Northern District of New York determined that his conduct is properly characterized as `willful and malicious' and affirmed the bankruptcy court's holding. Ball now appeals from that decision and also raises an evidentiary issue.