Court Opinion

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Opinions of the United
2003 Decisions                                                                                                             States Court of Appeals
                                                                                                                              for the Third Circuit

9-12-2003

Plastipak Pkg Inc v. DePasquale
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential

Docket No. 02-2670

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                                                                          NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                          UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                               FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                  _________________

                               Nos. 02-2670, 02-2935 & 02-3262
                                     _________________

                               PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.,

                                                 Appellant in Docket Nos. 02-2935 & 02-3262

                                                v.

                  FRED PETER DEPASQUALE, MARK J. DEPASQUALE;
                   CARL B. DEPASQUALE; MARIO C. DEPASQUALE

                                   FRED P. DEPASQUALE,

                                                     Appellant in Docket No. 02-2670

                                 _________________________

            ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
                   THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
                           (District Court No. 99-cv-00245)
                     District Court Judge: Hon. Robert J. Cindrich

                                __________________________

                          Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                                       July 22, 2003

                 Before: Alito, Fuentes, Circuit Judges, Surrick*, District Judge

                                 (Filed September 12, 2003)

                                    ____________________

                                  OPINION OF THE COURT
                                   _____________________

____________________________________

      * The Honorable R. Barclay Surrick, District Judge for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania sitting by designation.

                                                1
PER CURIAM:

       Plastipak Packaging Inc. (“Plastipak”) is a manufacturer of plastic containers. Mac-Jam,

Inc. d/b/a Regent Bottling Co. (“Mac-Jam”) is a soft drink bottler. From the early 1980s until

sometime in 1995, Mac-Jam and Plastipak had an ongoing business relationship in which

Plastipak supplied Mac-Jam with plastic bottles. In December of 1995, Plastipak filed a lawsuit

against Mac-Jam alleging breach of contract. In February of 1999, Plastipak obtained a verdict

and judgment against Mac-Jam in the amount of six hundred thirteen thousand seven hundred

thirty-two dollars and twenty-six cents ($613,732.26). Shortly thereafter Mac-Jam filed a

voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

       In an effort to collect on the judgment Plastipak filed the instant lawsuit against Mac-

Jam’s sole shareholder, Fred P. DePasquale (“DePasquale”), alleging, inter alia, that DePasqaule

was the alter ego of Mac-Jam, and that DePasquale had engaged in the fraudulent transfer of

property under the Pennsylvania Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act (“UFTA”)1 to hinder Plastipak

in its collection efforts. On December 7, 2001, a jury found that Mac-Jam was the alter ego of

DePasquale and judgment was entered against him in the amount of seven hundred sixty-seven

thousand three hundred ninety-three dollars and sixty-two cents ($767,393.62). The jury found

in favor of DePasquale on the count alleging fraudulent transfer. DePasquale has filed an appeal

from the District Court’s denial of his Motion for Judgment As A Matter of Law And, In The

Alternative, For A New Trial, contesting the finding of alter ego liability. Plastipak has filed a

cross appeal alleging that the District Court erred in excluding testimony at trial and requesting a

new trial on the fraudulent conveyance claim. Plastipak also challenges an injunction entered by

the District Court preventing Plastipak from executing on DePasquale’s life insurance policy.

       1
           42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5101, et seq.

                                                 2
We have jurisdiction over these appeals pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291.

I.     DePasquale’s Appeal: Jury’s Alter Ego Finding and Court’s Charge

       A.      Judgment as a Matter of Law

       The District Court denied DePasquale’s post-trial motion for judgment as a matter of law,

which argued that the jury’s decision to impose alter-ego liability was not supported by the

evidence. “We review the District Court’s decision denying a motion for judgment as a matter of

law de novo, and apply the same standard that the District Court did, namely whether, viewing

the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant and giving it the advantage of every

fair and reasonable inference, there is insufficient evidence from which a jury reasonably could

find liability.” W.V. Realty Inc. v. Northern Ins. Co. of New York, 334 F.3d 306, 311 (3d Cir.

2003) (citing Lightning Lube, Inc. v. Witco Corp., 4 F.3d 1153, 1166 (3d Cir. 1993)).

       Under Pennsylvania law, courts apply a totality of the circumstances test when

determining whether to pierce the corporate veil and impose alter ego liability. “[T]here is no

definitive test for piercing the corporate veil.” First Realvest, Inc. v. Avery Builders, Inc., 600

A.2d 601, 604 (Pa. Super. 1991). Pennsylvania generally recognizes that the corporate veil may

be pierced “whenever necessary to avoid injustice.” Rinck v. Rinck, 526 A.2d 1221, 1223 (Pa.

Super. 1987). We have stated that “[f]actors considered under Pennsylvania law, for example,

with respect to the alter ego theory include, but are not limited to, the following: ‘[T]he failure to

observe corporate formalities; non-payment of dividends; insolvency of debtor corporation;

siphoning the funds from corporation by dominant shareholders; non-functioning of other

officers and directors; absence of corporate records; whether the corporation is a mere facade for

the operations of a common shareholder or shareholders; and gross undercapitalization.’”

Eastern Minerals & Chemicals Co. v. Mahan, 225 F.3d 330, 333 n.7 (3d Cir. 2000) (quoting

Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. v. Intersteel, Inc., 758 F. Supp. 1054, 1059 (W.D. Pa. 1990)).

                                                  3
       At trial, Plastipak produced significant evidence of Mac-Jam’s failure to observe

corporate formalities and maintain corporate records. Specifically, evidence was presented that

Mac-Jam did not have a corporate stock or minute book, did not have written evidence of any

loan agreements that it had allegedly entered into with DePasquale, did not have a written lease

for the use of DePasquale’s plant for the first ten years of its use, and did not have a written lease

for the equipment it used, most of which was held in DePasquale’s name. (R. at 285a-291a,

307a-320a, 348a-350a, 373a-378a, 503a, 794a-796a, 817a-818a, 856a-867a, 867a-872a.)

Evidence was also presented that Mac-Jam never adopted bylaws, elected directors, or held

formal meetings. (R. at 591a-593a, 600a, 742a.) Moreover, Plastipak presented evidence

demonstrating the non-functioning of other officers and directors and a general confusion at

Mac-Jam with respect to business titles and responsibilities. (R. at 46a, 58a, 266a-272a, 277a-

278a, 515a-516a, 591a-595a, 760a-764a, 790a-791a.) Evidence was presented indicating the

gross undercapitalization of Mac-Jam, potentially dating back to its incorporation and continuing

uninterrupted to its bankruptcy. (R. at 239a-240a, 245a-248a, 501a-502a, 513a-515a, 784a-785a,

793a-797a, 881a-883a.) Testimony was also offered describing the intermingling of

DePasquale’s and Mac-Jam’s finances. For example, evidence was presented that DePasquale

paid Mac-Jam debts using his personal checks, used Mac-Jam funds to secure insurance for other

properties held in his name, used Mac-Jam funds to secure automobile insurance for his

daughters who were not employed by Mac-Jam, and transferred money between personal and

business checking accounts such that both were used for business purposes. (R. at 329a-332a,

334a-338a, 391a-399a, 425a-427a, 439a-440a.) Evidence was also presented that Mac-Jam

provided unaudited and inaccurately overstated financial statements to Plastipak when Plastipak

was evaluating Mac-Jam’s credit-worthiness. (R. at 137a-138a, 140a-165a, 291a-300a.) We are

satisfied that the evidence submitted to this jury was more than sufficient to support a finding,

                                                  4
based upon the totality of the circumstances, that the corporate veil should be pierced. We

therefore affirm the District Court’s denial of DePasquale’s motion for judgment as a matter of

law.

       B.      Motion for a New Trial

       The District Court denied DePasquale’s motion for a new trial, which argued both that

the verdict imposing alter ego liability was against the weight of the evidence and that the jury

had been improperly instructed on the burden of proof regarding the imposition of alter ego

liability. When it is argued that the verdict of the jury is against the weight of the evidence, we

review the District Court’s denial of a motion for a new trial for abuse of discretion. Smith v.

Holtz, 210 F.3d 186, 200 (3d Cir. 2000). “[T]he district court ought to grant a new trial on the

basis that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence only where a miscarriage of justice

would result if the verdict were to stand.” Klein v. Hollings, 992 F.2d 1285, 1290 (3d Cir. 1993).

       As discussed above, Plastipak produced a wealth of evidence in support of alter ego

liability. At trial, DePasquale generally contested the relevance of Plastipak’s evidence (R. at

1206a-1209a), and specifically argued that his sons meaningfully participated in Mac-Jam’s

operations. (R. at 986-990.) DePasquale also maintained that piercing the corporate veil was

unwarranted where there was no siphoning of funds from the corporation. (R. at 1207a-1208a.)

       The totality of the circumstances must be reviewed when deciding whether the evidence

presented is sufficient to justify piercing the corporate veil. Given the significant, if not

overwhelming, evidence in this record and considering the nature of the alter ego liability

inquiry, we are satisfied that no miscarriage of justice occurred here. The District Court did not

abuse its discretion in denying DePasquale’s Motion For New Trial based upon the weight of the

                                                   5
evidence.2

       When the District Court denies a motion for a new trial alleging an error of law, our

review is plenary. Holtz, 210 F.3d at 200. The “standard of review as to the district court’s

interpretation of the substantive law of the state in which it sits is also plenary.” Waldorf v.

Shuta, 896 F.2d 723, 728 (3d Cir. 1990) (citing Compagnie des Bauxites v. Insurance Co. of N.

Am., 724 F.2d 369, 371 (3d Cir. 1983)). Thus, the standard of review over the District Court’s

denial of DePasquale’s motion for a new trial on the question of the appropriate burden of proof

for an alter ego determination under Pennsylvania law is plenary.

       DePasquale contends that a new trial is required because the District Court improperly

charged on the burden of proof. DePasquale asserts that alter ego liability must be demonstrated

by clear and convincing evidence, rather than a preponderance of the evidence. DePasquale is

simply incorrect in this assertion. See Zubik v. Zubik, 384 F.2d 267, 271 n.2 (3d Cir. 1967),

(stating that, when applying Pennsylvania law, an alter ego claim must be demonstrated by a

preponderance of the evidence); Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. v. Intersteel, Inc., 758 F. Supp.

1054, 1058 (W.D. Pa. 1990) (applying the preponderance of the evidence standard to an alter ego

determination under Pennsylvania law); MCI Telecomms. Corp. v. Lingle, Civ. A. Nos. 87-5675,

89-1287, 1989 WL 153721, *3 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. Dec. 15, 1989) (applying the same standard

under Pennsylvania law). Accordingly, we affirm the District Court’s denial of DePasquale’s

motion for a new trial on the question of the applicable burden of proof.

       2
         When, as in the instant case, the credibility of the most relevant witness, DePasquale, is
at issue, a district court should be reluctant to overrule the decisions of the jury. This reluctance
is required “to ensure that a district court does not substitute its ‘judgment of the facts and the
credibility of the witnesses for that of the jury’ .... ‘Such an action effects a denigration of the
jury system and to the extent that new trials are granted the judge takes over, if he does not usurp,
the prime function of the jury as the trier of facts.’” Fineman v. Armstrong World Indus., Inc.,
980 F.2d 171, 211 (3d Cir. 1992) (quoting Lind v. Schenley Indus. Inc., 278 F.2d 79, 90 (3d Cir.
1960) (en banc), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 921, 113 S.Ct. 1285, 122 L.Ed.2d 677 (1993)).

                                                  6
II.    Plastipak’s Appeal

       A.      Exclusion of Testimony

       The District Court excluded certain parts of the deposition testimony of Steven Gerson, a

certified public accountant who prepared income tax returns for Mac-Jam and DePasquale. The

Court concluded that those portions of the testimony constituted impermissible hearsay. We will

affirm the decision to exclude this testimony, albeit for reasons different than those stated by the

District Court.3

       Plastipak read deposition testimony of Gerson at trial. This deposition included

statements allegedly made to Gerson by Joanne Burke, Mac-Jam’s bookkeeper after the 1999

verdict against Mac-Jam. Burke allegedly told Gerson that she knew that DePasquale was

attempting to frustrate Plastipak’s ability to recover the Mac-Jam debt by conveying his property

to his sons for less than market value and then backdating documents in order to give the

appearance that the conveyance was made before the judgment had been entered against Mac-

Jam.4 Burke died before the instant trial in 2001. Gerson was also unavailable to testify at that

       3
        “We may affirm the District Court on any basis which has support in the record.” Brown
v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 318 F.3d 473, 475 n.1 (3d Cir. 2003) (citing Bernitsky v.
United States, 620 F.2d 948, 950 (3d Cir. 1980)).
       4
       According to Plastipak’s Brief In Opposition to Motion for Protective Order and Motion
to Quash Subpoena, Burke spoke to Gerson after the 1999 jury verdict and said that:

               (1)     Although Fred DePasquale was originally disappointed
                       with the outcome of the trial, he met with his counsel and
                       was upbeat at his prospects for avoiding Plastipak’s
                       collection efforts.
               (2)     Fred DePasquale transferred to his sons a valuable property
                       in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh at a price well below
                       its market value.
               (3)     Fred DePasquale and his sons backdated the documents
                       underlying that transfer to give the appearance the decision
                       to transfer the Oakland property was made before the

                                                  7
trial. Plastipak wanted to have Gerson’s deposition testimony including Burke’s alleged

statements read to the jury.5 (R. at 805a.)

       Plastipak argued at trial that Burke’s statements about the fraudulent conveyance were not

hearsay because they constituted vicarious admissions, which are statements by an agent or

servant of a party-opponent regarding issues within the scope of the agency that are against the

interests of the party-opponent. Pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 801(d)(2)(D), vicarious admissions are

not hearsay.6 The District Court rejected Plastipak’s argument and excluded the portion of

Gerson’s deposition relating Burke’s statements.

       Federal Rule of Evidence 403 provides:

                        verdict; and
                 (4)    Fred and Carl DePasquale traveled to Denver, Colorado, to
                        execute backdated documents relating to an agreement
                        between “Regent Bottling Co.” and Vancol Industries, Inc.,
                        which would give the appearance that monies Vancol
                        contributed to “Regent Bottling Co.” were actually a
                        secured debt.

(R. at 75a-76a, 721a-722a.)
       5
        At a videotaped deposition taken subsequent to this alleged conversation, Burke denied
ever having such a conversation with Gerson and stated that she had no knowledge about the
parking lot conveyance. (R. at 722a-723a.) Plastipak countered that Gerson had testified at his
deposition that Burke spoke to him again after her videotape deposition and advised him that she
had lied during her videotape deposition and asked him to do the same. (R. at 738a.)
       6
           Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, Rule 801(d)(2)(D) provides:

                 A statement is not hearsay if–
                 (2) The statement is offered against a party and is
                 ...
                 (D) a statement by the party’s agent or servant concerning a matter
                 within the scope of the agency or employment, made during the
                 existence of the relationship.

                                                  8
               Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value
               is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice,
               confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations
               of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of
               cumulative evidence.

Fed. R. Evid. 403. Rule 403 is a general admissibility rule that potentially bars the admissibility

of otherwise relevant, non-hearsay evidence. See, e.g., Holbrook v. Lykes Bros. Steamship Co.,

Inc., 80 F.3d 777, 786 (3d Cir. 1996).

       Courts presumptively prohibit the use of out-of-court statements that are offered for the

truth of the matter asserted because such statements lack the reliability of testimony that is

personally proffered at trial, under oath, and subject to cross-examination. The Federal Rules of

Evidence provide exceptions to this presumptive prohibition when the statements are made in

such a context that they appear more trustworthy or reliable. Notwithstanding these exceptions,

however, with each increased level of hearsay there is a decrease in reliability.

       In Boren v. Sable, 887 F.2d 1032 (10th Cir. 1989), the Tenth Circuit discussed its

concerns about multiple layers of hearsay, as follows:

                               “Theoretically, there would be no objection to the
                       number provided each conformed to an exception.
                       Actually, however, as a comment pointed out with every
                       increased level of hearsay there is a corresponding decrease
                       in reliability. Every level of hearsay provides another
                       possibility that the facts were inaccurately reported by the
                       declarant either intentionally or unintentionally, or
                       misunderstood by the person to whom the statement was
                       made.
                               Certainly the trial judge has discretion under Rule
                       403 to exclude a statement of multiple hearsay, even if each
                       included portion meets the requirements of an exception,
                       when he finds a statement so unreliable that its probative
                       value is substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice
                       and confusion.”

                                                  9
Boren, 887 F.2d at 1036-37 (quoting 4 Weinstein & Berger, Weinstein’s Evidence ¶ 805 [01]).

       As above indicated, Plastipak offered to read to the jury the transcript of Gerson’s

deposition in which he related what he was told by Burke about what she had been told by

DePasquale. Notwithstanding Rule 801 and any exceptions, this is triple hearsay under the

traditional definition of hearsay. Moreover, the circumstances surrounding this testimony create

grave concern as to its trustworthiness and reliability.

       Gerson was a former employee of Mac-Jam and DePasquale, and at some point his

relationship with DePasquale deteriorated. (R. at 806a, 808a.) Evidently Mac-Jam owed Gerson

money for work that he had performed. Gerson believed that he would be more likely to recover

his money from the bankrupt corporation if Plastipak won its lawsuit against DePasquale. (R. at

728a-729a.) Gerson contacted Plastipak’s counsel and offered his cooperation in the lawsuit

against DePasquale. At some point, DePasquale threatened Gerson with physical violence if

Gerson did not cooperate with DePasquale in the Plastipak lawsuit. (R. at 494a.)

       With regard to the statements that Gerson attributes to Burke these statements go to the

very heart of the fraudulent conveyance claim. However, the record is unclear as to the specific

statements which Burke allegedly made and how Burke acquired the information that is being

attributed to her. Under oath at her deposition, Burke denied ever having such a conversation

with Gerson, and denied having any knowledge of DePasquale’s allegedly fraudulent

conveyance. Burke’s statement to Gerson in which she allegedly admitted perjury at her

deposition was made out of court with no witnesses present.

       Although Burke’s alleged statements to Gerson about the fraudulent conveyance may not

                                                 10
technically constitute hearsay under Rule 801,7 they are statements made out of court that are

being offered for the truth of the matter asserted therein. Moreover, Gerson is not in court and

there is no way for the jury to assess his credibility. See United States v. Raddatz, 447 U.S. 667,

679 (1980) (explaining that the cold record does not provide the “‘look or manner of the witness:

his hesitation, his doubts, his variations of language, his confidence or precipitancy, his calmness

or consideration’”) (citations omitted). Considering the relationship between Gerson and

DePasquale, the uncertainty as to the basis for the statements, the fact that Burke denied ever

making these statements, the multiple layers of hearsay involved and the inability of the jury to

assess Gerson’s credibility, we conclude that this evidence is “so unreliable that its probative

value is substantially outweighed by the danger of prejudice and confusion.” Accordingly, the

District Court decision to exclude this evidence was proper.

       B.      Post-Trial Injunction

       The District Court granted an injunction preventing Plastipak from taking “steps to

execute on or garnish the life insurance policy purchased by DePasquale from the Penn Mutual

Life Insurance Company without first seeking leave of this Court.” We read this injunction to

protect from execution those funds that are being held in the Penn Mutual life insurance policy

       7
         The Third Circuit has stated that an employee working for a corporation can be
considered the agent of her supervisor, who is another employee of the corporation, when there is
a civil suit against the supervisor personally and not against the corporation. See Lippay v.
Christos, 996 F.2d 1490, 1497-98 (3d Cir.1993) (stating that courts apply the federal, common
law interpretation of “agency” to the “admission of extra judicial statements by corporate
employees for use in civil suits against their supervisors, as distinguished from the corporation
themselves”). Such an agency relationship is established when the supervisor, here DePasquale,
“personally ‘directed [the declarant’s] work on a continuing basis.’” Id. at 1498 (quoting Boren
v. Sable, 887 F.2d 1032, 1041 (10th Cir 1989) (emphasis added in Lippay)).

                                                 11
for the benefit of the named beneficiary, DePasquale’s wife. In reviewing the District Court’s

injunction we are called upon to interpret the meaning of the Pennsylvania exemption statute, 42

Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124. See BA Properties, Inc. v. Gov’t of the United States Virgin Islands, 299

F.3d 207, 209 (3d Cir. 2002). The standard of review is therefore plenary. Applying this

standard, we agree with the District Court that the clear language of the Pennsylvania exemption

statute, 42 Pa.C.S. § 8124, supports this injunction, regardless of the subjective intent of

DePasquale when he took out the insurance policy.8

       The parties have raised the question of whether Plastipak retains the right to execute on

any funds that are potentially removed from the life insurance policy in the form of “loans.” We

agree with Plastipak that once funds have been removed from the life insurance policy by the

insured, those funds are no longer exempt pursuant to 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124 because they are

no longer being held in the life insurance policy for the benefit of DePasquale’s wife.

       Funds that are removed from a life insurance policy in the form of “loans” reduce the “net

amount payable” under the policy to the beneficiary. See United States v. Sullivan, 333 F.2d

100, 112-13 (3d Cir. 1964) (stating that “loans” taken from a life insurance policy do not serve to

       8
           42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 8124(c) provides that:

                 (c) Insurance proceeds.--The following property or other rights of
                 the judgment debtor shall be exempt from attachment or execution
                 on a judgment:
                 ...
                 (6) The net amount payable under any annuity contract or policy of
                 life insurance made for the benefit of or assigned to the spouse,
                 children or dependent relative of the insured, whether or not the
                 right to change the named beneficiary is reserved by or permitted to
                 the insured. The preceding sentence shall not be applicable to the
                 extent the judgment debtor is such spouse, child or other relative.

                                                  12
create a creditor-debtor relationship and instead constitute an advance payment on the policy that

discharges part of the insurer’s ultimate policy obligation to the beneficiary). As the

Pennsylvania Supreme Court has explained, an insured has a right under most life insurance

policies to demand an advance payment of any sum of money up to the reserve value of the

policy, and the enforcement of that contractual right does not create a personal liability in the

insured to repay the insurance policy. See In re Schwartz’ Estate, 87 A.2d 270, 273 (Pa. 1952);

See also 31 A.L.R. 2d 979 §2. This means that if the insured dies with an outstanding loan

against his life insurance policy, the estate of the decedent is not obligated to pay back the loan to

the life insurance policy. Instead, the life insurance policy merely deducts the “loan” from the

net proceeds of the policy that are paid to the beneficiary. Id. Because the exemption statute

only exempts the “net amount payable” to the beneficiary under the policy, the removed money is

not exempt. Plastipak is, therefore, entitled to execute on those funds removed as “loans.” We

do not interpret the District Court’s injunction to hinder Plastipak’s ability to execute on such

“loans,” and, therefore, we affirm the District Court’s granting of the injunction.9

III.   Conclusion

       For the foregoing reasons, the judgements of the District Court are affirmed.

       9
         We reject Plastipak’s argument that judicial estoppel should prevent DePasquale from
arguing that the funds within his life insurance policy are exempt from execution. Judicial
estoppel is an inappropriate sanction under these circumstances because it would punish the
interests of an innocent third party, DePasquale’s wife. Montrose Med. Group Participating
Savings Plan v. Bulger, 243 F.3d 773, 777 (3d Cir. 2001).

                                                 13