Summary
noting that a claim may be disallowed temporarily simply upon the allegation of an avoidable transfer
Summary of this case from Harrison v. Konfino (In re A.N. Frieda Diamonds, Inc.)Opinion
Case No. 12–13810 MG Jointly Administered
2015-11-13
In re: Vivaro Corporation, et al., Debtors.
COZEN O'CONNOR, Attorneys for Debtors and Debtors–in–Possession, 277 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10172, By: Frederick E. Schmidt, Esq. LAW OFFICE OF GABRIEL DEL VIRGINIA, Attorney for Debtors and Debtors–in–Possession, 30 Wall Street, 12th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005, By: Gabriel Del Virginia, Esq. ARENT FOX LLP, Attorney for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, 1675 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019, By: George Angelich, Esq.
COZEN O'CONNOR, Attorneys for Debtors and Debtors–in–Possession, 277 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10172, By: Frederick E. Schmidt, Esq.
LAW OFFICE OF GABRIEL DEL VIRGINIA, Attorney for Debtors and Debtors–in–Possession, 30 Wall Street, 12th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005, By: Gabriel Del Virginia, Esq.
ARENT FOX LLP, Attorney for the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, 1675 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019, By: George Angelich, Esq.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER SUSTAINING DEBTORS' OBJECTIONS TO THE CLAIMS OF BREEZECOM FZC, CALL MY WAY NY S.A., SMARTBOX EQUIPMENT, SAMITEL LIMITED, TELECAM/IP NETWORK OF THE AMERICAS INC., AMERICATEL PERU, S.A., WORLDWIDE TELECOM XCHANGE CARRIER FZ LLC, AND MAXCOM TELECOMUNICACIONES S.A.B. DE C.V.
MARTIN GLENN, UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE
Pending before the Court are objections to claims (each a “Claim,” and collectively the “Claims”) filed by Vivaro Corporation, STi Prepaid, LLC, Kare Distribution INc., STi Telecom, Inc., TNW Corporation, STi CC I, LLC, and STi CC II, LLC (collectively the “Debtors”). The Debtors filed objections to the Claims (each an “Objection” and collectively the “Objections”) of Breezecom FZC (“Breezecom,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Breezecom Objection”)(ECF Doc. # 736), Call My Way N.Y. S.A. (“Call My Way,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Call My Way Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 737), Smartbox Equipment (“Smartbox,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Smartbox Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 738), Samitel Limited (“Samitel,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Samitel Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 739), Telecam/IP Network of the Americas Inc. (“Telecam/IP,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Telecam/IP Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 740), Americatel Peru, S.A. (“Americatel Peru,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Americatel Peru Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 741), Worldwide Telecom Xchange Carrier FZ LLC (“Worldwide Telecom,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Worldwide Telecom Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 742), and Maxcom Telecomunicaciones S.A.B. De C.V (“Maxcom,” and when referencing the Objection, the “Maxcom Objection”) (ECF Doc. # 745) (each a “Claimant” and collectively the “Claimants,” and together with the Debtors, the “Parties”). Each of the Claimants is alleged to be a foreign entity without a business address within the United States. The Debtors' Objections are unopposed and are supported by the Declaration of the Philip Gund, the Chief Restructuring Officer of Vivaro Corporation in Support of the Debtors' Objections to Claims based on 11 U.S.C. § 502(d) (the “Gund Declaration,” ECF Doc. # 758).
The Debtors seek to have the Claims disallowed and expunged under section 502(d) of the “Bankruptcy Code” because each Claimant received a preference payment avoidable under section 547 and has not returned the amount for which the Claimant is liable under section 550. For the reasons explained below, the Objections are SUSTAINEDand the Claims are DISALLOWEDand EXPUNGED.
I. BACKGROUND
Section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Codeprevents an entity in possession of property of a bankruptcy estate, or that received an avoidable transfer from a debtor, from receiving any further distribution from the estate on a claim filed in such a bankruptcy case, unless the entity first turns over the property or repays the avoidable transfer. A request for disallowance under section 502(d)may be joined as a cause of action by the estate or its representative in an adversary proceeding to recover the property or the avoidable transfer.Alternatively, if the estate or its representative seeks no affirmative recovery, section 502(d)may be asserted as a claim objection seeking to disallow or expunge the entity's claim.
Because the pending claim objections involve only claims filed by alleged recipients of avoidable preferential transfers, this Opinion focuses on section 502(d)objections to claims of recipients of preference payments.
Before the 2007 amendment to Rule 3007, some courts permitted the debtor to seek to recover preference payments in a claim objection, concluding that the prayer for damages converted the claim objection into an adversary proceeding. See In re Metiom, Inc.,301 B.R. 634 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.2003). The rule was amended to add what is now Rule 3007(b): “A party in interest shall not include a demand for relief of a kind specified in Rule 7001 in an objection to the allowance of a claim, but may include the objection in an adversary proceeding.” Fed. R. Bankr. P.3007(b). See also In re MF Global Inc., 531 B.R. 424, 430 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.2015).
If a section 502(d)cause of action is included in an adversary complaint, the case proceeds in the normal manner for any adversary proceeding. Service of the summons and complaint must be made under Rule 7004 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure(the “Bankruptcy Rules”). For defendants domiciled in the United States, Rule 7004usually permits service of the summons and complaint by U.S. Mail, an easy and inexpensive process. In an adversary proceeding against a foreign defendant, unless the defendant waives service of process, the summons and complaint must be served under Rule 4(f) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure(the “FRCP”); this process may require service under the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents, or under another international agreement such as the Inter–American Service Convention and Additional Protocol. Service of process on foreign defendants can be time-consuming and expensive, requiring translation of the summons and complaint into the foreign language of the country in which service is to be effected.
A decision by the estate or the estate representative to file a claim objection rather than an adversary proceeding to recover an avoidable transfer may be a rational economic decision. Litigating a claim objection may be less expensive. The time required and the cost of prosecuting an adversary proceeding could easily exceed the amount of any judgment obtained. And judgments against foreign defendants that do not have property in the United States may be difficult to enforce. Procedures applicable to claims objections are often more streamlined, and disallowing and expunging a claim against the estate may provide greater net value to the estate than obtaining an unenforceable or uncollectable judgment. Subject to the applicable statute of limitations, prosecuting a claim objection under section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Codealso does not bar the estate or its representative from later filing an adversary proceeding to obtain a judgment in the amount of an avoidable transfer.
A decision by a creditor not to respond to a claim objection may also be a rational economic decision. Here, the claim objections were filed against foreign entities, each of which would be required to retain an attorney if it decides to oppose the objection. This may be expensive. Where the likely dividend to unsecured creditors is small, the cost of defending a claim objection could easily exceed the amount the entity could ultimately recover on its claim. If the entity repaid the avoidable transfer, it would be entitled to receive an allowed claim “the same as if such claim had arisen before the date of the filing of the petition.” 11 U.S.C. § 502(h). But, again, if the percentage of the likely dividend is small, this allowed claim would be of little comfort to the entity that had received the preferential transfer, particularly if the estate has not filed (and is not likely to do so) an adversary proceeding to recover the preferential transfer.
Two issues are raised by the claim objections pending before the Court. First, may a claim objection against a foreign entity that allegedly received an avoidable transfer be served by U.S. Mail under Bankruptcy Rule 3007, as was done here, or must it be served in the same manner required for service of a summons and complaint under Rule 4(f) of the FRCP? Second, when a claim objection is based on section 502(d), what must the estate or estate representative establish about the receipt of an avoidable transfer before the court will disallow and expunge the claim?
While case law is not uniform whether a claim objection may be served by U.S. Mail, the Court concludes, consistent with the weight of authority, that Bankruptcy Rule 3007applies to claim objections and permits service by U.S. Mail—including service by mail on foreign entities as was done in this case.
When a claim objection is filed to disallow and expunge a claim based on section 502(d), it is not enough for the estate or estate representative to simply allege the entity received an avoidable transfer. A judicial determination that the entity received an avoidable transfer is required to disallow and expunge the claim. When that determination is made, the entity must be given a reasonable opportunity to repay the avoidable transfer. Here, the Claimants were given reasonable notice of the Objections and of the hearing, and failed to respond or appear at the hearing. Section 502(j) of the Bankruptcy Codeallows a claim that has been disallowed to be reconsidered for cause. Therefore, the Court will disallow and expunge the claims, recognizing that the Claimants may seek reconsideration under section 502(j)within a reasonable time.
Should the estate or estate representative later decide to refile an adversary proceeding against a Claimant whose claim has been disallowed under section 502(d), seeking to recover the alleged preference payment, the Court would certainly entertain a motion to reconsider the Order disallowing the claim.
If the entity disputes receiving an avoidable transfer, or disputes the amount of the avoidable transfer, the Court will be required to resolve those issues. This does not necessarily require the same determination that would be made before a damages judgment for an amount certain can be entered under section 550 of the Bankruptcy Codesince no affirmative recovery can be awarded on a claim objection. The Court may only need to determine that the entity received a preference in some amount that has not been repaid to the estate; section 502(d)requires that the entire claim be disallowed unless the full amount of the avoidable transfer has repaid. If there are disputed issues raised by a claim objection and response, the matter proceeds as a contested matter under Bankruptcy Rule 9014. The procedures applicable to contested matters are more flexible than litigating an adversary proceeding.
None of the Claimants filed a response to the Objections. Before sustaining the objections and disallowing and expunging the claims based on section 502(d), the Court must be satisfied that the estate or estate representative has established a prima facie basis that the Claimants received and have not repaid avoidable transfers. This standard is satisfied here.
A. Chapter 11 Cases
On September 5, 2012 (the “Petition Date”), the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) (ECF Doc. # 1). The Chapter 11 cases are being jointly administered pursuant to Bankruptcy Rule 1015(b). On October 3, 2012, the Office of the United States Trustee (the “US Trustee”) appointed an official committee of unsecured creditors (the “Committee”). By order dated January 21, 2013 (the “Sale Order,” ECF Doc. # 288), the Court approved the sale of substantially all of the Debtors' assets to Next Angel, LLC (the “Purchaser”). On February 8, 2012, the sale transaction closed. On August 25, 2014, the Court approved a stipulation authorizing the Committee to pursue preference claims. The Debtors are currently liquidating assets that were not sold to the Purchaser, including collection actions and fraudulent conveyance and preference claims.
B. Schedules and Proofs of Claim
The Debtors filed their schedules on November 30, 2012, pursuant to section 521 of the Bankruptcy Code(ECF Docs. # 150 and 153). These schedules were amended on December 13, 2012 (ECF Docs. # 169 and 170). The Court entered an order on December 28, 2012 (ECF Doc. # 197), establishing the last date for filing proofs of claim (each a “Proof of Claim”) for general claims as February 1, 2013, and for governmental units as March 4, 2013. On April 25, 2013, the Court entered an order (ECF Doc. # 390) establishing June 10, 2013, as the bar date for postpetition administrative expense claims incurred from the Petition Date through February 7, 2013. Approximately 607 Proofs of Claim for prepetition claims and 164 Proofs of Claim for administrative expenses were filed. Combined with scheduled claims, more than 1,150 claims are pending against the Debtors. On January 15, 2014, the Court entered an order approving claims objection procedures and schedule amendment procedures, authorizing the Debtors to file omnibus objections of up to 125 claims at a time on certain enumerated grounds other than those set forth in Bankruptcy Rule 3007(ECF Doc. # 476).
C. Notice of Objection and Adversary Proceedings
Each Claim addressed in the Objections was timely filed. Adversary proceedings were brought against the Claimants to clawback preferential transfers made by the Debtors during the 90–day period preceding the Petition Date (the “Preference Period”). The Complaints were not served as required under Rule 7004. After granting Debtors several extensions of time to serve the Complaints, the Court entered an order on May 6, 2015 in each of the adversary proceedings granting the Debtors one last 60–day extension of time to serve the Complaints, and providing that the Court would sua spontedismiss the Complaints if service was not completed by July 6, 2015.The Debtors did not serve the Complaints. While orders were not entered dismissing the Complaints after July 6, 2015, such orders are being entered today based on the failure to serve the Complaints.
The May 6, 2015 Order was entered in each of these adversary proceedings: SeeBreezecom (Adv. Case No. 14–02175, ECF Doc. # 8); Call My Way (Adv. Case No. 14–02210, ECF Doc. # 8); Smart Box (Adv. Case No. 14–02193, ECF Doc. # 7); Samitel (Adv. Case No. 14–02166, ECF Doc. # 7); Telecam IP (Adv. Case No. 14–02135, ECF Doc. 8); Worldwide Telecom (Adv. Case No. 14–02149, ECF Doc. # 8); and Maxcom (Adv. Case No. 14–02157, ECF Doc. # 7).
The Objections to the Claims were served by first class mail on each of the Claimants on June 3, 2015 at the address set forth in the Debtors' schedules or listed on each Claimant's Proof of Claim.SeeAffidavit of Service (the “Affidavit,” ECF Doc. # 747). The Notice of Objection served on each Claimant attached a copy of the Debtors' Complaint. The Complaints and the Gund Declaration informed each Claimant that they were in receipt of an avoidable Preference Transfer (as defined herein) and, among other things, provided the standard for a preference payment under section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code(“Preference Transfer”) and provided the Claimant with the Debtors' evidence—in the form of an itemized list of payments made by the Debtors during the Preference Period.
1. Claim of Breezecom FZC
Breezecom FZC filed a proof of claim for $73,039.96 (Claim # 116). On September 2, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Breeze Com FZC (sic) seeking a recovery of $41,824.82 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Affidavit lists Claimant Breezecom as having an address in Karachi, Pakistan. (Aff. Ex. B.)
2. Claim of Call My Way
Call My Way NY S.A. had a scheduled claim for $20,234.83 (Call My Way Obj. Ex. A). On September 4, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Call My Way N.Y. S.A (sic) seeking a recovery of $6,766.62 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Call My Way Objection states in relevant part that the “Claimant is a foreign entity with a last known address in San Jose, Costa Rica.” (Call My Way Obj. at 7.)
3. Claim of Smartbox
Smartbox Equipment filed a proof of claim for $9,189.33 (Claim # 37). On September 3, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Smart Box Equipment (sic) seeking a recovery of $20,025.64 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Smartbox Objection states in relevant part that,
The Claimant is a Canadian entity which designated on its proof of claim a former Vivaro Corporation address in Houston, Texas, as the address where notices should be sent. The Claimant designated an address in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, as the address where payments should be sent and the Debtors have provided notice ... to the address designated as the payment address.
(Smartbox Obj. at 7.)
4. Claim of Samitel
Samitel Limited had a scheduled claim for $159,355.84 (Samitel Obj. Ex. A). On September 1, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Samitel Ltd. (sic) seeking a recovery of $66,224.63 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Samitel Objection states in relevant part, “Claimant is a foreign entity with a last known address in London, United Kingdom.” (Samitel Obj. at 7.)
5. Claim of Telecam/IP
Telecam/IP Network of the Americas Inc. had a schedule claim for $151,716.48. A Proof of Claim was also filed in the amount of $151,593.62 (Telecam/IP Obj. Ex. A). On August 31, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Telecam seeking a recovery of $519,593.62 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Telecam/IP Objection states in relevant part that, “Claimant is a foreign entity which designated on its proof of claim an address in San Salvador, El Salvador as the address where notices should be sent.” (Telecam/IP Obj. at 7.)
6. Claim of Americatel Peru
Americatel Peru, S.A. had a scheduled claim for $132,902 (Americatel Peru Obj. Ex. A). On September 2, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against American Peru seeking a recovery of $45,349 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Americatel Peru Objection states in relevant part “Claimant is a foreign entity with a last known address in Lima, Peru.” (Americatel Peru Obj. at 7.)
7. Claim of Worldwide Telecom
Worldwide Telecom Xchange Carrier FZ LLC had a schedule claim for $355,550.85 (Obj. Ex. A). On September 1, 2014, the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Worldwide Telecom Exchange Carrier seeking a recovery of $171,097.43 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Worldwide Telecom Objection states in relevant part “Claimant is a foreign entity with a last known address in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.” (Worldwide Telecom Obj. at 7.)
8. Claim of Maxcom
Maxcom Telecomunicaciones SA, a/k/a Maxcom Telecomunicaciones S.A.B. de C.V., had a schedule claim for $626,882.56. A Proof of Claim was also filed in the amount of $43,483.37 (Maxcom Obj. Ex. A, Claim 757). On September 1, 2014 the Debtors filed an adversary proceeding against Maxcom Telecomunicaciones seeking a recovery of $125,000 for payments made during the Preference Period. The Maxcom Objection states in relevant part that “Claimant is a foreign entity which filed an administrative proof of claim upon which it designated an address in Santa Fe, Mexico as the address where notices should be sent.” (Maxcom Obj. at 7.)
II. DISCUSSION
A. Service of the Objection on Foreign Claimants by U.S. Mail Was Proper
Generally, notice must be “reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties of the pendency of the action and afford them an opportunity to present their objections.” Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Tr, Co., 339 U.S. 306, 314, 70 S.Ct. 652, 94 L.Ed. 865 (1950). Notice of claims objections, including objections to claims by foreign claimants, are governed by Rule 3007, which provides that “[a] copy of the objection with notice of the hearing thereon shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to the claimant, the debtor or debtor in possession, and the trustee at least 30 days prior to the hearing.” Fed. R. Bankr. P.3007(a). On the other hand, under Rule 7004, the standard for service of a summons and complaint upon an individual in a foreign country is governed by FRCP Rule 4(f)(1), made applicable to adversary proceedings by Rule 7004(a). Fed. R. Bankr. P.7004(a). Unless the defendant waives service of process, service must be “by any internationally agreed means reasonably calculated to give notice, such as those means authorized by the Hague Convention....” Fed. R. Civ. P.4(f)(1).
The Second Circuit has not addressed whether Rule 7004or Rule 3007applies to service of claims objections. Lower courts in other circuits have split on this issue, although more recent and persuasive authority has applied Rule 3007authorizing service of claim objections by mail. Courts applying Rule 7004start their analysis by examining Rule 9014, the rule governing contested matters. Rule 9014(a) provides that “[i]n a contested matter not otherwise governed by these rules, relief shall be requested by a motion....” Fed. R. Bankr. P.9014(a). Rule 9014(b)provides that the motion “shall be served in the manner provided for the service of a summons and complaint by Rule 7004....” Fed. R. Bankr.P.9014(b). A claim objection initiates a contested matter, but the question then becomes, whether a claim objection is “a contested matter not otherwise governed by these rules ...?” Put differently, is service of the claim objection “otherwise governed by these rules?” Rule 3007(a)specifically applies to claim objections and provides that “[a] copy of the objection shall be mailedor otherwise delivered to the claimant, the debtor or debtor in possession, and the trustee at least 30 days prior to the hearing.”Fed. R. Bankr. P.3007(a)(emphasis added). Courts that have concluded that service of claim objections by mail is sufficient focus on the quoted language of Rule 3007. See Summit City Limits, LLC v. AMF Bowling Worldwide, Inc. (In re AMF Bowling Worldwide, Inc.), No. 12–36495, 2013 WL 5575470 at *4 (Bankr.E.D. Va. Oct. 9, 2013)(“Rule 3007 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedureis the rule that pertains to claims objections, and it is this rule that applies as far as service of an objection to a proof of claim is concerned.”); In re Wilkinson, 457 B.R. 530, 548 (Bankr.W.D.Tex.2011)(“This court is inclined to agree with those cases that have found that service of a claim objection is ‘otherwise governed by these rules'—in other words, because service is governed by Rule 3007, Rule 9014(and thus Rule 7004) does not apply.”); In re Franchi, 451 B.R. 604, 607 (Bankr.S.D.Fla.2011)(“The specific language of Rule 9014exempts an objection to claim from the requirement of service in accordance with Rule 7004.”); In re Anderson, 330 B.R. 180 (Bankr.S.D.Tex.2005)(“[T]his Court holds that the better analysis leads to the conclusion that mailing as required by Rule 3007constitutes sufficient and proper service, and that service under Rule 7004is not required.”); In re Pamela Hawthorne, 326 B.R. 1, 2 (Bankr.D.D.C.2005)(concluding that “[m]ailing as required by Rule 3007... constitute[s] proper service”); see also9 Collier on Bankruptcy¶ 502.05[1] (Alan N. Resnick & Henry J. Sommer eds., 16th ed. 2014) (“Since Rule 3007is the specific rule concerning objections to claims, it controls service of such an objection rather than the more general Rule 9014(b).”).
Other courts have held that Rules 9014and 7004govern the method of service required for claims objections. United States v. Levoy (In re Levoy), 182 B.R. 827, 834 (9th Cir. BAP 1995)(holding that Rule 9014applies to objections to claims). In Levoy,the court determined that Rule 3007does not provide the manner for service of the objection to a proof of claim because such a claim involves a “contested matter” that is governed by Rule 9014, which in turn makes applicable the provisions of Rule 7004. Id.; see also In re Lomas Fin. Corp., 212 B.R. 46, 52–53 (Bankr.D.Del.1997)(citing In re Levoy, 182 B.R. at 834) (“[A]s a bankruptcy appellate panel has recently noted, Rule 3007does not provide the manner for service of the objection to a proof of claim.”).
Most telling, however, in 2005, the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel that decided Levoyin 1995, rejected that court's earlier conclusion that Rule 7004applies to service of claims objections. See Jorgenson v. State Line Hotel, Inc. (In re State Line Hotel, Inc.), 323 B.R. 703, 713 (9th Cir. BAP 2005). Distinguishing Levoy,the court in Jorgensonconcluded that “Rule 9014defers to Rule 3007on the subject of claims objections: [Rule 3007] calls for an objection, not a motion, and authorizes notice, rather than requiring service.” Id.According to the court in Jorgenson,that court's previous analysis in Levoywas not based on a thorough analysis of the structure of Rules 3007and 9014. Id. Levoyfailed to consider the “not otherwise governed” provision in Rule 9014(a)(then Rule 9014). Therefore, the court in Jorgensonconcluded that it was not bound by stare decisisto follow Levoy—the statement in Levoyregarding Rules 3007, 7004, and 9014was “made casually and without analysis.” Id.at 713–14(citing United States v. Johnson, 256 F.3d 895, 915–16 (9th Cir.2001)). Jorgensontherefore held that Rule 9014does not dictate that claims objections conform to the service requirements of Rule 7004. Id.Under Rule 3007, mailing or otherwise delivering a copy of the objection with a notice of hearing to the domestic or foreign claimant is sufficient. Id.at 711.
The Court agrees with Jorgensonand the other cases that have held that Rule 3007governs service of claims objections and that service by mail is sufficient. While none of the earlier cases dealt with claims filed by foreign entities, there is no reason for requiring a different rule for service of claims objections on foreign entities so long as the estate or estate representative establishes that service by mail was made on the creditor. It would be anomalous if a foreign creditor could file a proof of claim by mail, obtain the benefit of a presumption of validity and amount of a properly prepared proof of claim, but then ham-string the estate or estate representative when it serves its claim objection by mail to the address the creditor supplied in its proof of claim (or the last known address of the claimant if the debtor scheduled the claim).
In these cases, the Debtors' established that the Objections were properly served by mail on each of the Claimants. Therefore, the Court proceeds to examine whether the Debtors have made the necessary showing that each of the Claimants received an avoidable preference that has not been repaid so that the claims should be disallowed and expunged under section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code.
B. Disallowance of Claims
1. Preference Payments under Sections 547and 550 of the Bankruptcy Code
Debtors brought adversary proceedings pursuant to section 547 of the Bankruptcy Codeseeking to avoid preferential transfers. Each Complaint identifies each transfer and sets forth the necessary requirements to avoid a transfer under section 547(b) of the Bankruptcy Code: the transfers were “(i) to or for the benefit of a creditor; (ii) for or on account of an antecedent debt owed by the debtor before such transfer was made; (iii) made while the debtor was insolvent; (iv) made (A) on or within 90 days before the date of the filing of the petition; ... and (v) that enable[d] such creditor to receive more than such creditor would receive if (A) the case were a case under chapter 7 of this title; (B) the transfer had not been made; and (C) such creditor received payment of such debt to the extent provided by the provisions of this title.” 11 U.S.C. § 547(b). While the Complaints were not served under Rule 7004, copies of the Complaints and the Gund Declaration were included with the Objections and provided the Claimants with notice and evidence of the avoidable transfers.
The Court is satisfied that the Complaints and the Gund Declaration, copies of which were provided to the Claimants with the Objections, set forth the necessary and sufficient evidence to make a prima facie showing that the Preference Transfers are avoidable preferences under section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code. The service of the Debtors Objections shifted the burden to the Claimants to rebut the evidence that they received an avoidable preference, or, absent that, to provide notice that the value of the Preference Transfer will be returned to the Debtors estate. None of the Claimants filed a response to the Objections, none of the Claimants returned the amount of the Preference Transfer back to the estate.For those reasons, the Court finds that the Debtors met their burden under section 547, and have demonstrated that each of the Claimants received an avoidable transfer and failed to repay the amount of the transfers to the estate.
The elements of a preferential transfer claim are straight-forward and it usually is not difficult for the estate to establish a prima facie basis for the claim. Factual and legal disputes more frequently arise from the affirmative defenses in section 547(c). Since no responses to the Objections were filed, no issues under section 547(c)need to be addressed.
2. Claims Objection under Section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code
Since the Court has concluded that the Claimants have an outstanding obligation to Debtors' estate in the amount of the Preference Transfers, the Court now turns to whether their claims can be disallowed under section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code.
Correctly filed proofs of claim “constitute [ ] prima facie evidence of the validity [and amount] of the claim. To overcome this prima facie evidence, the objecting party must come forth with evidence which, if believed, would refute at least one of the allegations essential to the claim.” Sherman v. Novak (In re Reilly), 245 B.R. 768, 773 (2d Cir. BAP 2000)(internal citations omitted). By producing “evidence equal in force to the prima facie case,” an objector can negate a claim's presumptive legal validity, thereby shifting the burden back to the claimant to “prove by a preponderance of the evidence that under applicable law the claim should be allowed.” Creamer v. Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Tr. (In re Motors Liquidation Co.), No. 12 Civ. 6074(RJS), 2013 WL 5549643, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 26, 2013)(internal quotation marks omitted). If the objector does not “introduce [ ] evidence as to the invalidity of the claim or the excessiveness of its amount, the claimant need offer no further proof of the merits of the claim.” 4 Collier on Bankruptcy¶ 502.02.
Section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Codeprovides in relevant part:
[T]he court shall disallow any claim of any entity from which property is recoverable under section [550] of this title, unless such entity ... has ... paid the amount ... for which such entity ... is liable....
Section 502(d)also applies to claims held by transferees of avoidable transfers. See4 COLLIER ON BANKRUPTCY ¶ 502.02.
The purpose of section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Codeis to prevent entities, which hold property subject to turnover or avoidance, from receiving a distribution of estate assets until such property is first returned to the estate. See In re Mid Atl. Fund, Inc., 60 B.R. 604, 609 (Bankr.S.D.N.Y.1986). This statute is a claims avoidance provision that requires bankruptcy courts to disallow claims to the extent that a creditor violates provisions of the Bankruptcy Code regarding voidable preferences and turnover actions. Chapman v. Charles Schwab & Co. (In re Chapman), 269 B.R. 201, 207 (Bankr.N.D.Ill.2001)(citing section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Code); accord Seta Corp. of Boca, Inc. v. Atl. Comput. Sys. (In re Atl. Comput. Sys.), 173 B.R. 858, 861 (S.D.N.Y.1994); see also4 Collier on Bankruptcy¶ 502.05[1] (“Section 502(d)is operative: (1) when the trustee has secured an order to the claimant for a turnover of property under sections 542 and 543; (2) when the trustee, having successfully avoided transfers under the sections dealing with the trustee's avoidance powers, may proceed under section 550; (3) when a set-off has been found avoidable and the amount of the property thus set-off is recoverable to the estate.”).
Section 502(d)serves the policy goal of ensuring compliance with judicial orders. 4 Collier on Bankruptcy¶ 502.05[1] (citing Campbell v. United States (In re Davis), 889 F.2d 658, 661 (5th Cir.1989)); accord Enron Corp. v. Springfield Assocs., LLC. (In re Enron Corp.), 379 B.R. 425, 435 (S.D.N.Y.2007). However, section 502(d)is not intended to have a punitive effect. In re Davis, 889 F.2d at 661–63(holding that section 502(d)is “designed to be triggered after a creditor has been afforded a reasonable time in which to turn over amounts adjudicated to belong to the bankruptcy estate,” and that section 502(d)does not seek to penalize a claimant by voiding a claim before the expiration of a reasonable time after final determination of liability).
As touched upon in the policy discussion in In re Davis,a claim should not be disallowed pursuant to section 502(d)without first determining whether the claimant is liable to the estate. See In re Davis, 889 F.2d at 662; In re Atl. Comput. Sys., 173 B.R. at 862 (finding that section 502(d)requires “some sort of determination of the claimant's liability before its claims are disallowed”); see also In re S. Air Transp., Inc., 294 B.R. 293, 297 (Bankr.S.D.Ohio 2003)(“When raising an objection to a claim based upon the ground that claimant has failed to surrender the alleged voidable transfer, the claim can neither be allowed nor disallowed until the preference matter is adjudicated.” (citations and internal quotation marks omitted)). If the debtor alleges a voidable transfer, the claim may be immediately or temporarily disallowed pursuant to section 502(d); however, to prevent abuse of section 502(d)'s disallowance mechanism, such initial disallowance should be made by judicial determination and should be subject to judicial reconsideration. See4 Collier on Bankruptcy¶ 502.05[2][a] (“Another concern is whether a claim may be disallowed under section 502(d)simply upon the assertion of the trustee as to the avoidability of a transfer to the holder of the claim or whether the trustee must have an actual ‘avoidance’ judgment against the holder. To assure the effectuation of the purpose of this section, the claim may be disallowed at least temporarily and for certain purposes, subject to reconsideration, simply upon the allegation of an avoidable transfer. But to prevent abuse of this section this initial disallowance should be made by judicial determination, whether it be obtained in a claim objection or by some form of a declaratory judgment action.”).
Once a claimant's liability has been determined, the claimant must be provided with a reasonable opportunity to turn over the property to the debtor's estate in compliance with section 502(d)before the claims may be disallowed. In re Atl. Comput. Sys., 173 B.R. at 862; see also In re Davis, 889 F.2d at 662(holding that “the creditor is still entitled to a reasonable time after the final determination [of the creditor's liability] until [the claims voidance provisions of] Section 502(d)[are] kicked into effect”). In Davis,the court did not define what a “reasonable opportunity” to comply would be; the court did, however, indicate that a court that orders a turnover in one instant and in the same instant disallows a creditor's claim for failing to comply with that order has not offered the creditor a reasonable opportunity to comply before dismissing its claims. In re Davis, 889 F.2d at 662.
But if the creditor is liable to the estate for having received an avoidable transfer in any amount,the creditor's entire pending claim must be disallowed in full. See4 Collier on Bankruptcy, ¶ 502.05[1] (“Section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Coderequires disallowance of a claim of a transferee of a voidable transfer in totoif the transferee has not paid the amount of turned over the property received as required under the sections under which the transferee's liability arises.”).
Here, the Debtors have shown that the Claimants owe the estate funds equal to the amount of their respective Preference Transfers. The Claimants have had ample opportunity to return the value of the Preference Transfers to the Debtors and have failed to do so. None of the Claimants has complied with its obligation under sections 547and 550 of the Bankruptcy Code. While the pending Claims are disallowed and expunged, the Claimants may seek reconsideration of this Order pursuant to section 502(j)within a reasonable time.
III. CONCLUSION
For all of the foregoing reasons, each of the Objections are SUSTAINEDand the Claims are DISALLOWEDand EXPUNGEDpursuant to section 502(d) of the Bankruptcy Codesubject to reconsideration under section 502(j).