Court Opinion

ID: 9406010
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-29 17:01:17.920757+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:20:26.195152
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                                 JUN 29 2023
                          NOT FOR PUBLICATION
                                                                             SUSAN M. SPRAUL, CLERK
                                                                               U.S. BKCY. APP. PANEL
          UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL                             OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT

                    OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT

 In re:                                             BAP No. NC-22-1065-GBS
 PSG MORTGAGE LENDING CORP., A
 DELAWARE CORPORATION,                              Bk. No. 21-30592
             Debtor.
                                                    Adv. No. 21-03065
 LUKE BRUGNARA,
              Appellant,
 v.                                                 MEMORANDUM*
 PSG MORTGAGE LENDING CORP, A
 DELAWARE CORPORATION; PAUL
 GREENFIELD; DAKOTA NOTE, LLC;
 DAKOTA LP,
              Appellees.

               Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court
                   for the Northern District of California
                Dennis Montali, Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding

Before: GAN, BRAND, and SPRAKER, Bankruptcy Judges.

                                 INTRODUCTION

      Appellant Luke Brugnara appeals the bankruptcy court’s summary

judgment in favor of PSG Capital Partners, Inc., Paul Greenfield, Dakota

Note, LLC (erroneously named Dakota LP) (“Dakota Note”), John DeVito,

      *
        This disposition is not appropriate for publication. Although it may be cited for
whatever persuasive value it may have, see Fed. R. App. P. 32.1, it has no precedential
value, see 9th Cir. BAP Rule 8024-1.
Philip Fusco, and California Home Loans, in an adversary proceeding

originally filed by Brugnara in state court and subsequently removed to the

bankruptcy court by chapter 111 debtor, PSG Mortgage Lending Corp.

(“Debtor”). Brugnara also appeals the court’s denial of his motion for

remand.

      Central to Brugnara’s adversary complaint is real property located on

Sea Cliff Avenue in San Francisco, California (“Sea Cliff”), which has been

the subject of numerous prior bankruptcies and adversary proceedings.

Brugnara Properties VI (“BPVI”) owned Sea Cliff until Debtor’s

predecessor, PSG Capital Partners, Inc., obtained title through a nonjudicial

foreclosure after the bankruptcy court lifted the stay in BPVI’s most recent

bankruptcy case.

      In the present adversary proceeding, Brugnara makes the same

allegations BPVI previously made in BPVI’s bankruptcy case. Because the

prior actions were settled and dismissed with prejudice by the chapter 7

trustee, the bankruptcy court applied claim preclusion and granted

summary judgment against Brugnara.

      On appeal, Brugnara makes no argument relative to the bankruptcy

court’s application of claim preclusion, its grant of summary judgment, or

its decision to deny the motion to remand. Instead, he attempts to argue the

      1
        Unless specified otherwise, all chapter and section references are to the
Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532, and all “Rule” references are to the Federal
Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
                                           2
merits of an order entered in a separate adversary proceeding. That order

is not part of this appeal, and we lack jurisdiction to review it. Brugnara

does not demonstrate error in the orders which are properly before us, and

we discern no error by the bankruptcy court. We AFFIRM.

                                         FACTS 2

A.     BPVI’s prior adversary proceedings

       BPVI filed a chapter 11 case in May 2017. Its principal asset was Sea

Cliff. Brugnara was president of BPVI, but at the time of the petition, he

was incarcerated and his wife, Katherine (“Kay”) Brugnara, was serving as

president of BPVI. Brugnara remained active in the BPVI case.

       BPVI commenced multiple adversary proceedings, including

Brugnara Properties VI v. PSG Capital Partners, Philip Fusco, and John DeVito,

Case No. 17-03048-DM (the “PSG AP”) and Brugnara Properties VI v. Dakota

Note, LLC, Arick D. Amspacker, Paul Greenfield, and California Home Loans,

Case No. 17-03049-DM (the “Dakota Note AP”). In the PSG AP, BPVI

asserted claims for breach of contract and intentional misrepresentation

against secured creditor PSG Capital Partners, Inc. In the Dakota Note AP,

       2 Debtor did not file excerpts of record or transcripts of the relevant hearings as
required by Rules 8009 and 8018. An appellant’s failure to provide a record sufficient to
permit us to conduct an informed review of the bankruptcy court’s decision is grounds
for dismissal or affirmance for inability to demonstrate error. See Kyle v. Dye (In re Kyle),
317 B.R. 390, 393 (9th Cir. BAP 2004), aff’d 170 F. App’x 457 (9th Cir. 2006); Hall v.
Whitley, 935 F.2d 164, 165 (9th Cir. 1991); California v. Yun (In re Yun), 476 B.R. 243, 251
(9th Cir. BAP 2012). However, we exercise our discretion to take judicial notice of
documents electronically filed in the bankruptcy case. See Atwood v. Chase Manhattan
Mortg. Co. (In re Atwood), 293 B.R. 227, 233 n.9 (9th Cir. BAP 2003).
                                              3
BPVI asserted claims for breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation,

unfair business practices, and loss of business opportunity against Dakota

Note, Paul Greenfield, and other secured creditors.

      The bankruptcy court appointed a chapter 11 trustee and ultimately

converted the case to chapter 7 in April 2018. The chapter 7 trustee doubted

the viability of the PSG AP and agreed to accept $20,000 from the

defendants in exchange for dismissing the complaint with prejudice. The

bankruptcy court approved the settlement over the objections of BPVI and

Kay Brugnara. The chapter 7 trustee similarly believed that the Dakota

Note AP offered little probability of success and agreed to dismiss the

complaint with prejudice in exchange for a $25,000 payment and a $25,000

advance. No party objected, and the bankruptcy court approved the

trustee’s settlement.

      After an unsuccessful attempt to sell Sea Cliff, the chapter 7 trustee

stipulated to stay relief, and in August 2020, junior creditor PSG Capital

Partners took title through a nonjudicial foreclosure.

B.    Debtor’s bankruptcy and Brugnara’s removed state court action

      In 2021, PSG Capital Partners transferred Sea Cliff to Debtor. Debtor

filed a chapter 11 petition on August 25, 2021, and scheduled Sea Cliff as its

sole asset. Greenfield held a second position lien against the property and

Dakota Note held a third position lien.

      In December 2021, Debtor filed a notice to remove a pending state

court action filed by Brugnara to the bankruptcy court pursuant to 28
                                      4
U.S.C. § 1452 and Rule 9027. Debtor suggested that removal was warranted

because the state court complaint involved Brugnara’s claim to quiet title to

Sea Cliff which was property of the estate and under the bankruptcy

court’s exclusive jurisdiction.

      In the state court complaint, Brugnara asserted claims in his

individual capacity for fraud, unfair business practices, unconscionable

loans, and usury against “Paul Greenfield, CHL, Dakota LP, PSG Capital,

Fusco, DeVito, Galindo Donati” 3 based on loans made to “[Brugnara’s]

family” and secured by Sea Cliff. Brugnara also sought to quiet title to Sea

Cliff based on his claim that he was the “equitable title owner” of the

property, and he sought to remove all liens based on allegations that the

loans were illegal under California law.

      Brugnara filed a motion to remand the case and argued that the

named defendants were not in bankruptcy, none of the asserted causes of

action involved any prior rulings from the bankruptcy court, and the

complaint involved only issues of state law.

      In opposition, Debtor argued that the claims were related to property

of the estate, and challenges to liens secured by property of the estate were

core proceedings within the bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction. Debtor

maintained the case should not be remanded because it did not involve

      3
       The bankruptcy court determined that “CHL” was “California Home Loans,”
“Dakota LP” was “Dakota Note, LLC,” “Fusco” was “Philip Fusco,” and “DeVito” was
“John DeVito.”
                                        5
difficult or unsettled legal issues, there was no related proceeding in state

court, and no party would be prejudiced.

      Greenfield and Dakota Note joined Debtor’s opposition to Brugnara’s

motion for remand. Greenfield noted that the bankruptcy court had

presided over four bankruptcy cases commenced by the Brugnaras—each

involving Sea Cliff as the debtor’s sole asset—and the court was uniquely

situated to efficiently review the asserted claims.

      Prior to Debtor’s motion to remand, Greenfield filed a motion for

summary judgment. He argued that the defendants were entitled to

judgment as a matter of law because Brugnara’s claims in the state court

complaint were settled by the chapter 7 trustee in the BPVI bankruptcy

case, and Brugnara was barred from relitigating those claims under the

doctrine of claim preclusion.

      Greenfield argued that Brugnara’s “new” claim for illegal foreclosure

was still predicated on allegations that the underlying loans were illegal

and unenforceable, and because enforceability of the liens was decided by

the prior settlements, the illegal foreclosure claim was also barred.

Greenfield further argued that Brugnara lacked standing to assert claims

based on loans to BPVI, secured by BPVI’s property.

      Debtor joined the motion and argued that any interest Brugnara

claimed in Sea Cliff was extinguished under California law by the

nonjudicial foreclosure, and thus, his quiet title claim failed as a matter of

                                       6
law. Debtor agreed that the remaining claims were settled by the chapter 7

trustee and could not be relitigated by Brugnara.

     In response, Brugnara argued that Debtor’s bankruptcy petition was

fraudulent and should be dismissed. He also asserted the court was

required to abstain under 28 U.S.C. § 1334(c)(2).

C.   The bankruptcy court’s ruling

     On February 25, 2022, the bankruptcy court held a hearing on

Brugnara’s motion to remand and Greenfield’s motion for summary

judgment. The court entered an order denying Brugnara’s motion to

remand and granting Greenfield’s motion for summary judgment.

     The bankruptcy court reasoned that it had exclusive jurisdiction to

determine matters concerning property of the estate, and abstaining would

create inefficiencies in the present case, the still-pending BPVI bankruptcy

case, and the state court. The court noted that Brugnara appeared to be

forum shopping by filing the complaint in state court after unfavorable

outcomes in the BPVI adversary proceedings.

     Turning to the motion for summary judgment, the bankruptcy court

applied claim preclusion and ruled that the claims in the complaint, though

poorly articulated, were identical to the claims brought by BPVI in the PSG

AP and the Dakota Note AP. The court held that the stipulated dismissals

with prejudice in the prior adversary proceedings constituted final

judgments on the merits, and there was a sufficient identity of interest

                                      7
between Brugnara and BPVI to bind Brugnara to those dismissals.

Brugnara timely appealed.

D.    Debtor’s adversary complaint against the Brugnaras

      On February 25, 2022, Debtor filed an adversary complaint seeking a

declaratory judgment that the Brugnaras held no title, right, or interest in

Sea Cliff because PSG Capital Partners took title through foreclosure free of

any interest they may have held. Debtor filed a motion for summary

judgment; neither defendant opposed.

      After a hearing on Debtor’s motion, the bankruptcy court entered

summary judgment in favor of Debtor (the “Declaratory Judgment”). The

court held that the undisputed facts showed that the nonjudicial

foreclosure by PSG Capital Partners was lawfully conducted under

California law and neither Luke nor Kay Brugnara ever personally held

title to Sea Cliff. The Brugnaras did not appeal the Declaratory Judgment.

                              JURISDICTION

      The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1334 and

157(b)(2)(A) and (K). Subject to our discussion below, we have jurisdiction

under 28 U.S.C. § 158.

                                   ISSUES

      Did the court err by denying Brugnara’s motion to remand?

      Did the court err by granting summary judgment against Brugnara?

                                      8
                            STANDARDS OF REVIEW

       We review for abuse of discretion a bankruptcy court’s decision to

deny a motion to remand. McCarthy v. Prince (In re McCarthy), 230 B.R. 414,

416 (9th Cir. BAP 1999). A bankruptcy court abuses its discretion if it

applies an incorrect legal standard or its factual findings are illogical,

implausible, or without support in the record. TrafficSchool.com, Inc. v.

Edriver Inc., 653 F.3d 820, 832 (9th Cir. 2011).

       We review de novo the bankruptcy court’s grant or denial of

summary judgment. Fresno Motors, LLC v. Mercedes Benz USA, LLC, 771

F.3d 1119, 1125 (9th Cir. 2014). We also review the bankruptcy court’s

application of claim preclusion de novo. Alonso v. Summerville (In re

Summerville), 361 B.R. 133, 139 (9th Cir. BAP 2007). Under de novo review,

“we consider a matter anew, as if no decision had been made previously.”

Francis v. Wallace (In re Francis), 505 B.R. 914, 917 (9th Cir. 2014).

                                     DISCUSSION

       On appeal, Brugnara makes no argument that the bankruptcy court

erred by denying his motion to remand or by applying claim preclusion to

grant summary judgment. Instead, he argues that the court erred by

entering the Declaratory Judgment, which he attached to his opening brief. 4

       4
         Brugnara argues that the nonjudicial foreclosure by PSG Capital Partners was
illegal and unenforceable because the interest rate on the loan was usurious and PSG
Capital Partners intentionally sent the notice of the trustee’s sale to an incorrect address.
Though neither defendant opposed Debtor’s motion for summary judgment, the
bankruptcy court held that the recorded deed and the recital of compliance with all
                                             9
      Brugnara did not timely file a notice of appeal from the Declaratory

Judgment, and we lack jurisdiction to consider it. Because Brugnara’s

opening brief is focused on the Declaratory Judgment, which he attached, it

could constitute an informal notice of appeal. However, Brugnara did not

file his opening brief within fourteen days of entry of the Declaratory

Judgment as required by Rule 8002(a).5 We lack jurisdiction to consider an

untimely appeal. Wilkins v. Menchaca (In re Wilkins), 587 B.R. 97, 107 (9th

Cir. BAP 2018). Consequently, we have jurisdiction to review only the

orders denying the motion to remand and the order entering summary

judgment in the removed adversary proceeding.

A.    Brugnara has not demonstrated error by the bankruptcy court in
      denying remand.

      Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1452(b), a bankruptcy court may remand a

proceeding removed from state court on “any equitable ground.” The

remand standard “is an unusually broad grant of authority” and “the

question is committed to the sound discretion of the bankruptcy judge.” In

re McCarthy, 230 B.R. at 417. Brugnara makes no argument that the

state law requirements were prima facie evidence, under California law, of a properly
conducted foreclosure. The affidavit of mailing showed notices were sent by certified
mail, and photographic evidence showed that the notice of sale was posted to the door
of Sea Cliff. Because neither defendant filed a notice of appeal from the summary
judgment, it is final and conclusive.
        5 The bankruptcy court entered the Declaratory Judgment on April 25, 2022.

Brugnara filed his opening brief on August 1, 2022.
                                          10
bankruptcy court erred by denying his motion to remand. He has thus

waived the issue. See Smith v. Marsh, 194 F.3d 1045, 1052 (9th Cir. 1999).

       The bankruptcy court considered the equitable grounds for remand

and reasoned that because each of Brugnara’s causes of action was

previously decided in the BPVI case, the bankruptcy court was in the best

position to efficiently adjudicate the proceeding. The court noted that the

complaint was deeply interrelated with both the underlying bankruptcy

case and the BPVI bankruptcy case and held that it would not be feasible to

partially remand the case for determination by a state court which would

necessarily be required to interpret the bankruptcy court’s orders. The

bankruptcy court properly considered the equitable grounds for remand

and did not abuse its discretion by denying the motion to remand. 6

       6
         Notwithstanding the bankruptcy court’s broad discretion to equitably remand
under 28 U.S.C. § 1452(b), we questioned at oral argument whether the notice of
removal filed by Debtor—who was neither named nor served in the state court action—
was sufficient to confer jurisdiction on the bankruptcy court. See 28 U.S.C. § 1452(a) (“A
party may remove any claim or cause of action . . . to the district court . . . if such district
court has jurisdiction of such claim or cause of action under section 1334 of this title.”).
In response to our request for supplemental briefing, Debtor and Dakota Note cited
authorities holding that a successor or real party in interest may remove a state court
action as a “party.” Though we remain skeptical that Debtor had authority to remove
the action, we find no binding precedent to the contrary. Moreover, even if Debtor was
not a “party,” it remains unclear whether such a defect would necessarily deprive the
court of jurisdiction where the action clearly falls within the bankruptcy court’s subject
matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1334. Given the unsettled nature of these
questions, and Debtor’s failure to raise any argument about the bankruptcy court’s
denial of remand—even after our specific request for supplemental briefing—we do not
address the issue. See Pierce v. Multnomah Cnty., 76 F.3d 1032, 1037 n.3 (9th Cir. 1996)
(issues not supported by argument in pro se brief are deemed abandoned); Greenwood v.
FAA, 28 F.3d 971, 977 (9th Cir. 1994) (“We review only issues which are argued
                                              11
B.    The bankruptcy court did not err by granting summary judgment
      based on claim preclusion.

      Brugnara again fails to make any argument relevant to the

bankruptcy court’s application of claim preclusion or its decision to grant

summary judgment, and he has waived these issues as well. See Smith, 194

F.3d at 1052. Again, we perceive no error.

      Summary judgment was appropriate here because claim preclusion

establishes that the defendants were entitled to judgment as a matter of

law. Claim preclusion prohibits relitigation of “any claims that were raised

or could have been raised” in a prior action between the same parties or

their privies. Owens v. Kaiser Found. Health Plan, Inc., 244 F.3d 708, 713 (9th

Cir. 2001). It requires: (1) an identity of claims; (2) a final judgment on the

merits; and (3) the same parties or privity between parties. Id. at 713.

      Brugnara’s claims for fraud, unfair business practices,

unconscionable loans, and usury are identical to claims made by BPVI in

the prior adversary complaints, and all his claims, including to quiet title,

arise from the same transactional nucleus of facts. 7 The court-approved

settlements to dismiss with prejudice the Dakota Note AP and the PSG AP

constitute final judgments on the merits, Headwaters Inc. v. U.S. Forest

specifically and distinctly in a party’s opening brief. We will not manufacture
arguments for an appellant . . . . “(citation omitted)).
       7 Additionally, the Declaratory Judgment conclusively establishes that the

trustee’s sale was proper and neither Luke nor Kay Brugnara hold any right, title, or
interest in Sea Cliff.
                                           12
Service, 399 F.3d 1047, 1052 (9th Cir. 2005), and Brugnara is in privity with

BPVI because he is “so identified in interest with a party to former

litigation that he represents precisely the same right in respect to the

subject matter involved,” United States v. Schimmels (In re Schimmels),127

F.3d 875, 881 (9th Cir. 1997). Brugnara was the former, and possibly

current, president of BPVI, and the bankruptcy court previously held that

BPVI was the alter ego of the Brugnaras for purposes of tax liability.

Brugnara Props. VI v. IRS (In re Brugnara Props. VI), 606 B.R. 371, 383 (Bankr.

N.D. Cal. 2019). All defendants named in the present complaint, except for

Galindo Donati,8 were defendants in either the Dakota Note AP or the PSG

AP.

      Brugnara has not demonstrated any error by the bankruptcy court in

granting summary judgment based on claim preclusion, and we find none.

                                 CONCLUSION

      Based on the foregoing, we AFFIRM the bankruptcy court’s orders

denying Brugnara’s motion to remand and granting summary judgment to

appellees.

      8
        Galindo Donati was not served with the complaint. The bankruptcy court
dismissed the complaint to the extent it was not served on any defendant not named in
the judgment.
                                          13