Opinion ID: 3029857
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: issues

Text: There are three issues before us. Appellants argue that the bankruptcy court committed reversible error by granting Mr. Sendecky a discharge despite Appellant’s allegations that he failed to keep adequate records, and that he failed to satisfactorily explain a deficiency of assets. They also appeal the bankruptcy court’s denial of sanctions for the inadequacy of Mr. Sendecky’s pre-trial brief. Finally, Appellants ask for sanctions based upon counsel for Mr. Sendecky’s alleged “malicious and libelous falsehood” contained in his appellate brief. We conclude that the bankruptcy court did not commit reversible error when it found that Appellants failed to sustain their burden of proof as to the 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(2) and (4) Counts. We also conclude that the bankruptcy court did not commit reversible error when it found that Mr. Sendecky’s failure to keep adequate books and records was justified under the circumstances. We further conclude that the bankruptcy court did not commit reversible error when it found that Mr. Sendecky adequately explained any deficiency of assets alleged by Appellants. We conclude that the bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion when it failed to award sanctions for the alleged inadequacy of Mr. Sendecky’s pre-trial brief. We also conclude, however, that Mr. Sendecky’s appellate brief did contain a statement that is unbecoming to a member of the bar. As such, we grant Appellants’ post-trial motion for sanctions. 2