Opinion ID: 773258
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: False Statement in Bankruptcy Court

Text: 21 Most courts also agree that the enhancement is appropriate where a defendant makes a false statement or misrepresentation during bankruptcy proceedings with respect to the existence or nature of the debtor's assets, to shield the assets from creditors. Kennedy, 233 F.3d at 160. As explained above, the rationale in these cases is that the defendant works a fraud on the bankruptcy process by seeking the court's protection to discharge his outstanding liabilities, and then evade collection by misrepresenting the debtor's assets which the creditor is entitled to reach. Id. at 162; Kubick, 205 F.3d at 1123-24. Plainly, that sort of bankruptcy fraud evidences the aggravated criminal intent justifying the enhancement. Kennedy, 233 F.3d at 163; Kubick, 205 F.2d at 1124.