Court Opinion

ID: 9940943
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-15 18:00:56.940406+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:46:04.211548
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                       UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                            FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                               _________________
                                      No. 23-1294
                                   _________________
                            IN RE: DARYL R. ROTHMUND

                              JENZACK PARTNERS, LLC

                                             v.

                                DARYL R. ROTHMUND,
                                                Appellant
                                  ________________
                     On Appeal from the United States District Court
                         for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
                              (D.C. Civil No. 2-21-cv-04064)
                      District Judge: Honorable Jeffrey L. Schmehl
                                    ________________
                      Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
                                  November 9, 2023

    Before: KRAUSE, FREEMAN, and MONTGOMERY-REEVES, Circuit Judges.

                            (Opinion filed February 15, 2024)

                                     ______________

                                        OPINION *
                                     ______________

*
  This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does not
constitute binding precedent.
MONTGOMERY-REEVES, Circuit Judge.

       In this appeal, Daryl Rothmund challenges the Bankruptcy Court’s order that

granted Jenzack Partners, LLC’s summary judgment motion requesting revocation of

Rothmund’s Chapter 7 discharge. Section 727(d)(1) of the United States Bankruptcy

Code requires that the Bankruptcy Court revoke the discharge of a debtor who obtained

that discharge through fraud, but only if the requesting party proves that it did not know

of the fraud until after the debtor received that discharge. See 11 U.S.C. § 727(d)(1).

The Bankruptcy Court erred, Rothmund argues, by holding that the undisputed facts

showed Jenzack lacked predischarge knowledge of Rothmund’s alleged fraud. Because

Rothmund fails to point to evidence sufficient to create a genuine dispute of material fact

about Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge, we will affirm.

I.     BACKGROUND

       On April 2, 2018, Rothmund filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the United

States Bankruptcy Code. In the years before Rothmund’s bankruptcy filing, Jenzack had

been seeking to execute an assigned judgment against Rothmund and several entities in

which he held an interest, including the following Pennsylvania corporations: Automatic

Empire, LLC (“AE”), International Building Management Group, LLC (“IBMG”), and

International Building Group, LLC (“IBG”).

       On December 9, 2014, in aid of executing Jenzack’s judgment against Rothmund,

the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas entered an order charging Rothmund’s

interest in AE, among other companies (the “First Charging Order”). The First Charging

Order appointed Jenzack’s counsel as the receiver and authorized Jenzack, or its counsel,
                                             2
to make inquiries into the profits, distributions, and money due, or to fall due, to

Rothmund involving AE. On March 23, 2018, the Court of Common Pleas entered a

second charging order, which charged Rothmund’s interest in IBMG and IBG (the

“Second Charging Order”).

       Roughly two weeks after the Court of Common Pleas entered the Second

Charging Order, Rothmund filed for bankruptcy. On June 5, 2018, Jenzack filed a

motion under Federal Bankruptcy Rule 2004 seeking to examine Rothmund under oath

and require that he produce certain financial documents (the “2004 Motion”). 1 Then, on

July 12, 2018, with the 2004 Motion still pending, the Bankruptcy Court granted

Rothmund a discharge.

       On July 25, 2018, the Bankruptcy Court granted the 2004 Motion, and on

September 6, 2018, Jenzack examined Rothmund. On July 10, 2019, Jenzack initiated an

adversary proceeding against Rothmund seeking revocation of his discharge under § 727

of the Bankruptcy Code. Jenzack alleged that Rothmund provided false information to

the Chapter 7 Trustee and Bankruptcy Court, failed to disclose assets, and concealed the

truth about his finances to avoid his obligations to pay creditors. Thereafter, Jenzack

obtained documents that AE produced to a third party in an unrelated litigation. These

1
  Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2004 is “the basic discovery device in
bankruptcy cases. It allows examination of any entity on a motion filed with the court
pursuant to Rule 2004(a).” 9 Collier on Bankruptcy ¶ 2004.01 (16th ed. 2023); see also
Fed. R. Bankr. P. 2004(a).

                                              3
documents revealed an outstanding receivable that AE owed to IBG for $480,306.71 (the

“AE Receivable”).

       On November 27, 2019, Rothmund filed a mechanics’ lien on behalf of IBG for

$1,085,964.89 (the “Mechanics’ Lien”). Attached to the Mechanics’ Lien was a pre-

petition contract between IBG and Quad-Two Partnership for a real estate development

project, known as Fitler Nine. Also attached was a verification signed by Rothmund,

under penalty of perjury, stating that IBG provided supplies to Quad-Two as recently as

June 10, 2019.

       On December 24, 2020, Jenzack moved for summary judgment, arguing that

Rothmund concealed his assets and income to evade execution of Jenzack’s judgment

and his obligation to pay creditors. Rothmund opposed Jenzack’s motion on the ground

that § 727(d)(1) barred Jenzack’s request for revocation because Jenzack knew about the

alleged fraud predischarge. 11 U.S.C. § 727(d)(1).

       The Bankruptcy Court agreed with Jenzack and granted its motion for summary

judgment. In its ruling, the Bankruptcy Court relied on the undisputed fact that

Rothmund failed to disclose two known assets—payments owed to IBG under a pre-

petition contract for services performed as recently as June 2019 and the AE

Receivable—which, together, totaled almost $1.6 million and would have otherwise been

available for distribution to creditors. 2 Furthermore, the Bankruptcy Court held that

2
  Rothmund’s current ownership interests in IBG, IBMG, and AE are unknown, but his
affidavit and schedules indicate that he owns a 100% interest in IBG and IBMG and a
50% interest in AE.

                                             4
Jenzack could not have known of Rothmund’s alleged fraud because the information only

became available to Jenzack post-discharge. Rothmund appealed the Bankruptcy Court’s

order to the District Court.

       The District Court held that Rothmund failed to “create an issue of material fact”

regarding Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge and affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s

summary judgment order. Rothmund then timely filed this appeal.

II.    DISCUSSION 3

       To resolve this appeal, we must determine (1) the issues properly preserved for

appeal and (2) whether Rothmund pointed to sufficient evidence to create a genuine

dispute of material fact about Jenzack’s knowledge of the alleged fraud for purposes of

revocation under § 727(d)(1). We address each question in turn.

       A.     Preservation of Issues

       In his opening brief, Rothmund lists 11 issues presented. Jenzack responds that

Rothmund raised only one issue before the Bankruptcy Court—Jenzack’s predischarge

knowledge. Thus, Jenzack argues that Rothmund cannot raise any other issues for the

first time on appeal. We agree with Jenzack.

       Third Circuit precedent establishes “that arguments raised for the first time on

appeal are not properly preserved for appellate review.” Simko v. U.S. Steel Corp, 992

3
  We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 158(d) and 1291. The District Court had
jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 158(a). The Bankruptcy Court had jurisdiction under 28
U.S.C. § 1334(b). We review the decision to grant summary judgment de novo. See Idea
Boardwalk, LLC v. Revel Ent. Grp. (In re Revel AC Inc.), 909 F.3d 597, 601 (3d Cir.
2018).

                                             5
F.3d 198, 205 (3d Cir. 2021) (collecting cases). Rothmund’s brief in opposition to

summary judgment and oral argument to the Bankruptcy Court show that he only raised

arguments about Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge. For example, Rothmund’s brief has

only one section presenting arguments on why the District Court should deny Jenzack’s

motion for summary judgment. That section is titled, “Debtor’s Discharge Should Not be

Revoked Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 727(d).” App. 2066. And the succinct summation of

that section states, “[T]he Creditor has not met its burden to prove the second required

element[ 4] when granting a § 727(d) revocation . . . . Therefore, it has also not met its

burden to prove there is no dispute of material facts so its motion for summary judgment

in this case should also be rejected.” App. 2070 (emphasis added). Similarly, during oral

argument, Rothmund stated, “Your Honor, the issue in dispute is whether the plaintiff did

know or not know something. That’s the issue in dispute simply put.” App. 2105. Thus,

we will only consider Rothmund’s arguments about Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge. 5

4
  The second required element is that “the requesting party did not know of such fraud
until after the granting of such discharge.” 11 U.S.C. § 727(d)(1).
5
  Jenzack argues that Rothmund’s failure to raise the remaining arguments before the
Bankruptcy Court constitutes a waiver. As explained above, we agree that Rothmund
failed to properly preserve arguments other than those regarding Jenzack’s predischarge
knowledge. We need not decide, however, the proper characterization of Rothmund’s
failure to preserve the remaining arguments because Rothmund does not respond to
Jenzack’s waiver argument at all. Barna v. Bd. of Sch. Dirs. of the Panther Valley Sch.
Dist., 877 F.3d 136, 146–47 n.7 (3d Cir. 2017) (distinguishing “waiver” from “forfeiture”
and explaining that the distinction between the two carries “great significance” because
an appellate court will not reach waived arguments, but we may “resurrect” forfeited
arguments in “narrow exceptional circumstances”).

                                              6
       Having established the proper scope of Rothmund’s appeal, we now turn to

whether Jenzack possessed predischarge knowledge of the alleged fraud such that it may

not obtain revocation under § 727(d)(1).

       B.      Knowledge of the Alleged Fraud

       Section 727(d)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code provides that “[o]n request of the

trustee, a creditor, or the United States trustee, . . . the court shall revoke a discharge” if

(1) “such discharge was obtained through the fraud of the debtor,” and (2) “the requesting

party did not know of such fraud until after the granting of such discharge.” 11 U.S.C.

§ 727(d)(1) (emphasis added). Although neither party directly addresses it, there is a split

among the courts (bankruptcy and appellate) about the meaning of “did not know” under

§ 727(d)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code. On the one hand, most courts have adopted a

constructive knowledge standard. Under this standard, a creditor is deemed to know

about the alleged fraud if the creditor knew facts, predischarge, that put it on notice of

possible fraud, and the burden is on the creditor to investigate suspicions of fraud before

discharge. See, e.g., Mid-Tech Consulting, Inc. v. Swendra, 938 F.2d 885, 887–88 (8th

Cir. 1991). 6 On the other hand, a few courts have held that a creditor must have actual

6
  See also Lancioni v. Faragasso (In re Faragasso), No. 16-34107, 2017 Bankr. LEXIS
2200, at *10 (Bankr. D.N.J. Aug. 4, 2017) (explaining that “the policy in favor of a fresh
start suggests that a creditor should diligently investigate potential fraud once the creditor
learns of facts indicating a fraud”); Anderson v. Vereen (In re Vereen), 219 B.R. 691,
695–97 (Bankr. D.S.C. 1997) (holding that a trustee seeking revocation of a debtor’s
discharge knew of the alleged fraud predischarge because, among other things, the
trustee’s “questions and actions throughout his investigations indicate an advanced state
of knowledge and indicate at the least, that he was very suspicious [predischarge] that the
Debtor had committed fraud”) (relying on Cont’l Builders v. McElmurry (In re
McElmurry), 23 B.R. 533, 536 (W.D. Mo. 1982) (rejecting a creditor’s argument that it
                                                7
knowledge to bar revocation. 7 That is, a creditor must know—predischarge—all the

relevant facts that constitute the alleged fraud. See, e.g., MacDill Air Force Base Fed.

Credit Union v. Schweda (In re Schweda), 19 B.R. 499, 501 (Bankr. M.D. Fla. 1982)

(rejecting the debtor’s argument that a creditor’s knowledge of a transaction later deemed

fraudulent equates to knowledge under § 727(d)(1) because “it was only when all

relevant events became known that the fraudulent scheme became evident”). Regardless

of the applicable knowledge standard, if a court determines that a creditor possessed

knowledge of the alleged fraud, § 727(d)(1) bars revocation. See, e.g., Anderson v. Poole

(In re Poole), 177 B.R. 235, 242 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1995) (explaining “where the

requesting party fails to sustain its burden of proving that it lacked knowledge of the

fraud prior to the granting of the discharge, the cause of action should be denied”

(cleaned up)).

lacked knowledge of the debtor’s alleged fraud because the creditor admitted that it
suspected fraud based on the debtor’s “evasive tactics”)); Staten Island Sav. Bank v.
Scarpinito (In re Scarpinito), 196 B.R. 257, 267 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 1996) (relying on a
creditor’s discovery requests and filing of a state court action to support a possible
finding that the creditor possessed “suspicions or even actual knowledge” about the
debtor’s alleged fraud); Lewis v. Cook (In re Cook), No. 09-25681-JAD, 2012 WL
1073239, at *1, *3–4 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. Mar. 29, 2012); Dobin v. Lawrence (In re
Lawrence), No. 11-1430, 2012 WL 71601, at *1, *5 (Bankr. D.N.J. Jan. 10, 2012)
(same); Sayal v. Faruque (In re Faruque), No. 09-1035, 2009 WL 2211210, at *1, *5–6
(Bankr. E.D. Va. July 20, 2009); Buckeye Ret. Co. v. Heil (In re Heil), 289 B.R. 897,
902–03 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 2003); Govaert v. Topper (In re Topper), 85 B.R. 167, 169
(Bankr. S.D. Fla. 1988).
7
  See, e.g., Ross v. Mitchell (In re Dietz), 914 F.2d 161, 164 (9th Cir. 1990) (affirming
revocation when a trustee possessed facts relevant to the existence of fraud before
discharge, but only learned of the fraud after discharge).

                                             8
      We have not defined “did not know” for purposes of revocation under § 727(d)(1)

of the Bankruptcy Code. And despite the lack of precedential authority, neither party

argues for one knowledge standard over the other. But we need not interpret the meaning

of “did not know” to resolve this appeal because Rothmund has failed, even under the

more lenient standard, to identify evidence that would create a genuine dispute of

material fact about Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge.

      The Bankruptcy Court granted summary judgment for Jenzack because of fraud

relating to (1) the Mechanics’ Lien and (2) the AE Receivable. The Bankruptcy Court

held that Jenzack could not have known about the Mechanics’ Lien or the AE Receivable

predischarge. Rothmund argues that the Bankruptcy Court erred in determining that

Jenzack lacked knowledge as to both instances of fraud. We disagree with Rothmund.

             1. The Mechanics’ Lien

      Rothmund argues that before discharge, Jenzack possessed all the information that

it needed to discover any alleged fraud regarding the Mechanics’ Lien. According to

Rothmund, Jenzack’s years-long collection efforts, the investigative power that the First

Charging Order granted, and the language that Jenzack used in the 2004 Motion prove

that Jenzack knew or could have learned of Rothmund’s alleged fraud predischarge.

      But the First Charging Order did not include IBG—the company on whose behalf

Rothmund filed the Mechanics’ Lien. And during the bankruptcy proceeding, Rothmund

represented that IBG was no longer operating and that all IBG’s bank accounts were

closed. App. 2126. Rothmund also filed the Mechanics’ Lien, on behalf of IBG, over a

year after receiving his discharge. Attachments to the Mechanics’ Lien, which stated that

                                            9
IBG last performed services under the pre-petition contract as recently as June 2019,

included (1) a pre-petition contract and (2) a verification signed by Rothmund, under

penalty of perjury, that he could assert the lien on behalf of IBG. Rothmund does not

argue that he provided this information to Jenzack at any time, and Rothmund does not

provide any reasonable explanation of what would have put Jenzack on notice of the facts

underlying the Mechanics’ Lien or how Jenzack could have learned this information.

       Thus, Rothmund has failed to point to evidence sufficient to create a genuine dispute

of material fact about Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge of the Mechanics’ Lien.

              2. The AE Receivable

       Rothmund also argues that Jenzack’s collection efforts, the investigative power

given under the First Charging Order, and the language used in Jenzack’s 2004 Motion

prove that Jenzack knew or could have learned of Rothmund’s alleged fraud regarding

the AE Receivable.

       Jenzack made multiple requests for AE’s financial documents before and after

discharge, and Rothmund produced documents regarding AE to Jenzack before and after

discharge. Rothmund does not argue that Jenzack failed to request documents likely to

include information regarding the AE receivables. Rothmund does not argue that he

produced or disclosed the AE Receivable to Jenzack, despite Jenzack’s multiple requests

for financial documents from AE. And Rothmund points to no evidence to suggest that

Jenzack discovered the AE Receivable before obtaining the documents through an

unrelated litigation, post-discharge.

                                            10
       Thus, Rothmund has failed to point to evidence sufficient to create a genuine dispute

of material fact about Jenzack’s predischarge knowledge of the AE Receivable.

III.   CONCLUSION

       For these reasons, we will affirm the Bankruptcy Court’s judgment.

                                            11