In re: JOSEPH MICHAEL SUNDE, DBA Nevada Quick Divorce, AKA J. Michael Sunde, AKA Joseph Sunde, AKA Mike Sunde and VIKTORIYA SOKOL SUNDE ( 2017 )


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  •                                                             FILED
    1                         NOT FOR PUBLICATION               MAR 10 2017
    SUSAN M. SPRAUL, CLERK
    2                                                         U.S. BKCY. APP. PANEL
    OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
    3                  UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL
    4                            OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
    5   In re:                        )        BAP No. NV-16-1073-JuKuL
    )
    6   JOSEPH MICHAEL SUNDE, DBA     )        Bk. No. 3:14-bk-50937-BTB
    Nevada Quick Divorce, AKA     )
    7   J. Michael Sunde, AKA Joseph )         Adv. No. 3:14-ap-05044-BTB
    Sunde, AKA Mike Sunde and     )
    8   VIKTORIYA SOKOL SUNDE, AKA    )
    Viktoriya Sokol,              )
    9                                 )
    Debtors.       )
    10   ______________________________)
    JOSEPH MICHAEL SUNDE;         )
    11   VIKTORIYA SOKOL SUNDE,        )
    )
    12                  Appellants,    )
    )
    13   v.                            )        M E M O R A N D U M1
    )
    14   VICTORIA A. CROCKETT,         )
    individually and as Trustee of)
    15   the ERKP Family Trust; ROBERT )
    D. CROCKETT; NEVADA DIVORCE & )
    16   DOCUMENT SERVICES, INC., a    )
    Nevada Corporation,           )
    17                                 )
    Appellees.     )
    18   ______________________________)
    19                 Argued and Submitted on February 24, 2017
    at Las Vegas, Nevada
    20
    Filed - March 10, 2017
    21
    Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
    22                             District of Nevada
    23    Honorable Bruce T. Beesley, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding
    ________________________
    24
    Appearances:     Appellant Joseph Michael Sunde argued pro se;
    25
    26       1
    This disposition is not appropriate for publication.
    27 Although it may be cited for whatever persuasive value it may
    have (see Fed. R. App. P. 32.1), it has no precedential value.
    28 See 9th Cir. BAP Rule 8024-1.
    -1-
    1                     Michael Lehners argued for appellees.
    ___________________________
    2
    Before: JURY, KURTZ, and LAFFERTY, Bankruptcy Judges.
    3
    4           Appellees, Victoria A. Crockett, Robert D. Crockett
    5   (collectively, the Crocketts), and Nevada Divorce and Document
    6   Services, Inc. (NDDSI), filed an adversary complaint against
    7   appellants, Joseph Michael Sunde and Victoriya Sunde
    8   (collectively, the Sundes), seeking to except a state court
    9   judgment debt from discharge under § 523(a)(6).2    The Crocketts
    10   alleged that the Sundes willfully and intentionally
    11   (1) destroyed real property located on Greenwich Way in Reno,
    12   Nevada (Greenwich Property) which the Crocketts owned and leased
    13   to the Sundes; (2) recorded numerous documents that clouded
    14   title on the Greenwich Property; and (3) transmitted false and
    15   defamatory statements of fact to Mr. Crockett’s employer.
    16           After a twelve day trial, the bankruptcy court found that
    17   the Sundes’ removal of improvements and landscaping from the
    18   Greenwich Property fell within the scope of § 523(a)(6).       The
    19   court entered a nondischargeable judgment against the Sundes
    20   consisting of $30,849.00 in damages awarded by a jury and
    21   $69,580.31 for attorney’s fees and costs awarded by the state
    22   court pursuant to an attorney’s fee clause in the underlying
    23   lease between the parties.     The Sundes appealed from this
    24   judgment.
    25
    26       2
    Unless otherwise indicated, all chapter and section
    27 references are to the Bankruptcy Code, 
    11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532
    , and
    “Rule” references are to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy
    28 Procedure.
    -2-
    1            The Sundes filed a motion to alter or amend the judgment,
    2   arguing that the bankruptcy court was required to find the
    3   Sundes’ conduct was tortious under state law to fall within
    4   § 523(a)(6).      After a limited remand from this Panel, the
    5   bankruptcy court denied the motion by order entered July 22,
    6   2016.      The Sundes filed an amended notice of appeal to include
    7   the July 22, 2016 order.
    8            For the reasons set forth below, we VACATE the judgment in
    9   the Crocketts’ favor and REMAND to the bankruptcy court to make
    10   further findings as discussed in this decision.
    11                                  I.   FACTS3
    12   A.       Prepetition Events
    13            On August 23, 1996, Mr. Sunde created NDDSI, a Nevada
    14   corporation.      NDDSI issued 100 shares of stock which were owned
    15   by Mr. Sunde.
    16            Victoria Crockett is the daughter of Mr. Sunde and also the
    17   trustee of the ERKP Family Trust which was created in July 2002.
    18   Mr. Sunde is the sole beneficiary of the trust, and he
    19   contributed his 100 shares in NDDSI to the trust.      Victoria, as
    20   trustee, was to make monthly payments to Mr. Sunde for his
    21   retirement, which were funded from NDDSI.      Since January 20,
    22   2011, Victoria has been the sole director and chief executive
    23   officer of NDDSI.
    24
    25
    26        3
    To the extent necessary, we take judicial notice of
    27 pleadings filed by both parties in the adversary proceeding and
    underlying bankruptcy case. Atwood v. Chase Manhattan Mortg. Co.
    28 (In re Atwood), 
    293 B.R. 227
    , 233 n.9 (9th Cir. BAP 2003).
    -3-
    1        1.     The Greenwich Property
    2        In 2000, the Crocketts purchased the Greenwich Property for
    3   $230,000.    On March 1, 2008, the Crocketts and the Sundes
    4   entered into a twelve month lease agreement for the property
    5   (March 2008 Lease).    Paragraph 9 of the March 2008 Lease states:
    6        Any and all leasehold improvements and fixtures done
    and paid for by Lessee shall revert to Lessor. Lessee
    7        shall have no ownership interest in such leasehold
    improvements or fixtures.
    8
    9        The March 2008 Lease required the Sundes to maintain the
    10   property in good condition and contained an attorney’s fee
    11   clause.
    12        Mr. Sunde provided another lease dated July 15, 2008 (July
    13   2008 Lease) which he maintains is the controlling lease between
    14   the parties.     Paragraph 8 of that lease provided that the lessor
    15   agreed that any improvements and fixtures done and paid for by
    16   the Sundes would be owned by the Sundes and that lessor agreed
    17   to compensate them for the improvements, repairs and fixtures
    18   should they vacate the home for any reason whatsoever.
    19        While living in the property, Mr. Sunde made various
    20   improvements to the property which he paid for.
    21        2.     The Legal Proceedings
    22               a.    J. Michael Sunde & Viktoriya Kokol Sunde v.
    Robert and Victoria Crockett (CV10-01187)
    23
    24        By 2010 the relationship between the parties had soured.
    25   According to Mr. Sunde, this happened because he got remarried
    26   and Victoria did not want his new wife, Viktoriya, to get any of
    27   his assets.
    28        In April 2010, the Sundes filed a complaint against the
    -4-
    1   Crocketts in the Nevada state court, Case No. CV10-01187.      The
    2   Sundes alleged that Victoria breached her fiduciary duties as
    3   trustee of the ERKP Family Trust by stealing Mr. Sunde’s
    4   retirement funds and refusing to pay him.     They also asserted a
    5   claim of elder abuse, contending that Victoria was attempting to
    6   destroy NDDSI and force the Sundes to the streets.     The Sundes
    7   sought to replace Victoria as trustee of the ERKP Family Trust.
    8   In essence, the Sundes sought to regain control of NDDSI and the
    9   family trust.     This case was consolidated with Nevada Divorce &
    10   Document Services, Inc. v. Michael Sunde et. al., Case No. CV10-
    11   0218.     Although the record is sketchy, apparently the Sundes
    12   lost and were not granted the relief requested.4    During the
    13   lawsuit, Mr. Sunde filed a lis pendens against all properties
    14   owned by the Crocketts in the Washoe County Recorder’s Office.
    15                b.   The Eviction Proceedings
    16           The Sundes lived in the Greenwich Property until the
    17   Crocketts served them with a notice of eviction based on unpaid
    18   rent and a no-fault end of lease, letting the Sundes know that
    19   the Crocketts would not continue the lease after February 28,
    20   2011.
    21           On December 20, 2010, the Justice Court of Reno Township
    22   issued an eviction decision and order in favor of the Crocketts.
    23   The Justice Court ordered the Sundes to pay rent of $2100
    24   directly to the Crocketts rather than the mortgage company.       The
    25
    26       4
    In closing argument of the bankruptcy court trial, counsel
    27 for the Crocketts argued that it was reasonable to assume that
    the Sundes were motivated to destroy the Greenwich Property after
    28 losing the lawsuit over the business and the trust.
    -5-
    1   eviction proceeding was dropped after Mr. Sunde paid the rent.
    2           In late January 2011, the Sundes moved from the Greenwich
    3   property.5    Before they moved, they removed and destroyed
    4   improvements made to the property, including cabinets, doors,
    5   and landscaping.
    6                c.   Robert and Victoria Crockett v. Michael Sunde et.
    al. (CV11-00307)
    7
    8           On January 28, 2011, the Crocketts filed a lawsuit against
    9   the Sundes in the Nevada state court, Case No. CV11-00307.    In
    10   the background facts common to all claims for relief, the
    11   Crocketts alleged that in January 2011, the Sundes began to
    12   destroy the Greenwich Property by removing or destroying front
    13   bushes and shrubs, back bushes and shrubs, the air conditioner
    14   unit, and numerous built-in cabinets and casings.     The Crocketts
    15   further alleged that the Sundes returned to the home on
    16   January 27, 2011, and removed, among other things, various
    17   landscaping in the front of the home.     According to the
    18   Crocketts, these actions violated the terms of the March 2008
    19   Lease, as the items removed solely belonged to the Crocketts.
    20   Based on these facts, the Crocketts alleged claims for breach of
    21   contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
    22   dealing, conversion, and unjust enrichment.     They also requested
    23   a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
    24   Attached to the complaint was the March 2008 Lease.
    25
    26       5
    In its findings of facts and conclusions of law, the
    27 bankruptcy court noted that it was unclear whether the Sundes
    were evicted or whether they moved out during the eviction
    28 process.
    -6-
    1        On February 4, 2011, the state court heard the Crocketts’
    2   request for a preliminary injunction.   The initial argument
    3   centered on whether the March 2008 Lease or the July 2008 Lease
    4   was the enforceable lease.   Later in the hearing, the judge
    5   asked Mr. Sunde where the cabinets were.   Mr. Sunde responded
    6   that he had hired some workers and they took them to the dump.
    7   Mr. Sunde stated on the record:
    8        I hired them. I said do you need a truck. They came.
    We loaded stuff up, and yeah, I tore things apart.
    9        They broke. I wasn’t sitting there playing with
    things. I tore them apart quickly because I wasn’t
    10        going to spend careful time on stuff I was going to
    throw in the dump. They put it in the truck. I says,
    11        ‘Go to the dump. Get a receipt from the dump. Dump
    it, come back get some more. . . .
    12
    13        At another point, he said:
    14        Do you think I like throwing out what I put in? You
    think I didn’t cry every God damn day that I went --
    15        excuse me, Your Honor -- that I tore that place apart?
    Think I didn’t cry at night when I went to sleep
    16        because I was tearing my own house apart that I built?
    It wasn’t fun. But I wasn’t about to give it to her
    17        after she already stole from me as much as she did. I
    was fighting for my life when she stole my retirement.
    18        I was almost on the street. Now she wants me to turn
    over $205,000 to her? No. I won’t. She signed that
    19        lease. The [July 15, 2008] lease is valid. I had a
    legal right to do what I did.
    20
    The court:
    21
    Well, is it fair to say, then, that you’re contending
    22        that the cabinetry and other elements of the house
    including the landscaping are things you put into this
    23        property that you didn’t want the Crocketts to get?
    Is that why you removed them?
    24
    Mr. Sunde:   I didn’t want them to get them.
    25
    26        In the end, the state court found that the operative lease
    27   was the March 2008 Lease and, therefore, Mr. Sunde had no right
    28   to remove the fixtures to the house.
    -7-
    1           So there is a big problem, and it’s wrongful to remove
    the fixtures when you are the tenant. So I am going
    2           to grant the preliminary injunction. And I would also
    say that as part of that, that if you have any of
    3           these things that were removed from the house, you are
    required to return them.
    4
    5           On October 10, 2011, the Crocketts moved to amend their
    6   complaint.     The Crocketts maintained that after the original
    7   complaint was filed, the Sundes recorded a lis pendens against
    8   the Greenwich Property on April 20, 2011, and July 18, 2011.6
    9   They further alleged that in August 2011, the Sundes sought a
    10   Writ Of Prohibition And Madamus to prevent the sale of the
    11   Greenwich Property in the Nevada state court.      The Sundes
    12   recorded other documents as well.      On August 30, 2011, they
    13   recorded an Emergency Motion to Appoint a Receiver, Remove
    14   Trustee, for Restraining Order and Injunctive Relief and for an
    15   Accounting (Emergency Motion).     On September 9, 2011, the Sundes
    16   recorded an application for a default judgment.      The Crocketts
    17   alleged that the recording of these documents was not
    18   authorized.
    19           The Crocketts also alleged that in September 2011,
    20   Mr. Sunde sent a document to Mr. Crockett’s supervisor at his
    21   employment that contained false statements that the Crocketts
    22   had stolen money and property from the Sundes in an attempt to
    23   render them homeless.
    24           Finally, the Crocketts alleged that in July 2011, they
    25
    26       6
    On July 26, 2011, the state court entered an order in Case
    27 Nos.  CV10-01187 and CV11-00307 cancelling the lis pendens that
    Mr. Sunde had filed against the Greenwich Property on July 18,
    28 2011.
    -8-
    1   entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell the Greenwich
    2   Property for $239,000.     Due to the Sundes’ recorded documents,
    3   the sale was cancelled.     Afterwards, the Nevada state court
    4   denied Mr. Sunde’s Emergency Motion, but then he filed an
    5   improper application for default judgment with the court.
    6           The amended complaint continued to assert claims for breach
    7   of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair
    8   dealing, conversion, unjust enrichment, and temporary
    9   restraining order and added claims for defamation, slander of
    10   title, temporary and permanent injunction, intentional
    11   interference with contractual relations, and intentional
    12   interference with prospective economic advantage.
    13           At a September 20, 2011 hearing, the state court authorized
    14   the Crocketts to file their amended complaint and issued a
    15   preliminary injunction which prohibited the Sundes from filing
    16   or recording anything in the chain of title of property owned by
    17   the Crocketts and prohibited Mr. Sunde from contacting
    18   Mr. Crockett’s employer.     The state court found that the legal
    19   documents Mr. Sunde filed were an “abuse of process” and “an
    20   inappropriate use of the recording laws in the State of Nevada.”
    21           Eventually, the matter was heard by a jury.   Jury
    22   instructions were given for breach of contract, breach of the
    23   covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and conversion.     After
    24   a five-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the
    25   Crocketts for $30,849.00 plus accrued interest.7      On
    26
    7
    27        The Sundes answered the amended complaint and asserted
    counterclaims alleging, among other things, that the Crocketts
    28                                                    (continued...)
    -9-
    1   December 16, 2013, the state court entered a judgment against
    2   the Sundes for this amount.    There are no findings in the
    3   judgment as to which claim the Crocketts prevailed on nor did
    4   the jury answer special interrogatories pertaining to its
    5   verdict.
    6        The Crocketts then moved for attorney’s fees and costs,
    7   which were authorized by an attorney’s fee clause in the March
    8   2008 Lease.    They sought $64,350 in attorney’s fees, $120 in
    9   paralegal fees and $5,230.31 in costs, totaling $69,580.31.        The
    10   Sundes opposed the motion on reasonableness and other grounds.
    11   In its order granting the motion, the state court noted that the
    12   case “arose from a contract dispute” involving a residential
    13   lease.8    The state court noted that the March 2008 Lease
    14   provided for reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party
    15   and found that the Crocketts were the prevailing party.      The
    16   court also found the fees reasonable and awarded the attorney’s
    17   fees and costs in full as requested.    On January 27, 2014, the
    18   state court entered an order granting the Crocketts their fees
    19   and costs.
    20   B.   Bankruptcy Events
    21        On May 29, 2014, the Sundes filed a chapter 7 case.
    22        1.     The Adversary Complaint
    23        On August 18, 2014, the Crocketts filed an adversary
    24
    25        7
    (...continued)
    26 had converted their property. The Sundes did not prevail on any
    of their claims.
    27
    8
    This language suggests that the jury awarded damages only
    28 for breach of contract.
    -10-
    1   complaint against the Sundes alleging claims under §§ 523(a)(4)
    2   (breach of fiduciary duty)9 and (6) (willful and malicious),
    3   § 727(a)(4) (denial of discharge), and § 524(a)(3) (community
    4   discharge).     Only the § 523(a)(6) claim is at issue in this
    5   appeal.     The § 523(a)(6) claim was based on the Sundes’
    6   destruction of the Greenwich Property, their unlawful recording
    7   of numerous documents that clouded title to the property, and
    8   their false and defamatory statements to Mr. Crockett’s
    9   employer.     Based thereon, the Crocketts sought a declaration
    10   that the state court judgment debt was nondischargeable based on
    11   the Sundes’ willful and malicious conduct.
    12           The bankruptcy court held a trial over twelve days.   The
    13   Sundes appeared pro se.     On January 19, 2016, the bankruptcy
    14   court issued an oral ruling setting forth its findings of fact
    15   and conclusions of law.     The court found that the Sundes had
    16   removed improvements and landscaping from the Greenwich Property
    17   at the time they were being moved out of the home by the
    18   Crocketts.     The court found that Mr. Sunde indicated he did that
    19   was because he was angry, he was being moved out of the home,
    20   which he thought would be his for life, and he didn’t want his
    21   daughter to have the benefit of any of the improvements he had
    22   made.     The court also found that the March 2008 Lease was the
    23   operative lease.     Finally, the court found the Sundes were not
    24   credible and the Crocketts were credible.     The bankruptcy court
    25   concluded that all the damages awarded in the state court jury
    26
    27
    9
    The § 523(a)(4) claim was dismissed by order entered on
    28 February 13, 2015.
    -11-
    1   trial case, including the attorney’s fees, were
    2   nondischargeable.
    3        On February 12, 2016, the bankruptcy court entered written
    4   findings of fact and conclusions of law consistent with its
    5   oral ruling.
    6        On March 9, 2016, the bankruptcy court entered a judgment
    7   in favor of the Crocketts, finding the state court judgment debt
    8   consisting of damages and attorney’s fees and costs
    9   nondischargeable under § 523(a)(6).    The Sundes timely appealed
    10   from that judgment.    The Sundes filed an amended notice of
    11   appeal on March 22, 2016.
    12        2.     The Motion To Alter Or Amend The Judgment
    13        On the same day that they filed the amended notice of
    14   appeal, the Sundes filed a motion to alter or amend the judgment
    15   or motion for new trial.    There, they argued, among other
    16   things, that the Crocketts failed to mention a tort in their
    17   adversary complaint.    They also complained that the bankruptcy
    18   court failed to mention a tort in its findings of fact and
    19   conclusions of law.    According to the Sundes, a finding of
    20   tortious conduct under Nevada law is essential to a § 523(a)(6)
    21   claim.    The Sundes maintained that the “‘gist’ of all claims,
    22   testimony, and evidence prove without doubt that this is only a
    23   contract claim.”
    24        The bankruptcy court heard the motion on June 1, 2016.    On
    25   the same day, the court also heard the Sundes’ motion for a stay
    26   pending appeal.    The court first addressed the Sundes’ motion
    27   for stay pending appeal and considered whether they were likely
    28   to succeed on appeal.    In response to Mr. Sunde’s argument
    -12-
    1   regarding the requirement of a tort, the bankruptcy court
    2   stated:   “Well, destruction of property is a tort.   You don’t
    3   have to say, quote, ‘tort destruction of property.’”
    4        Mr. Sunde:   “Well, you do, Your Honor.   You have to
    5   specifically argue that there’s a tort, and we have the research
    6   to show that if you don’t specifically argue -- name the tort,
    7   specifically argue it, you don’t have a tort.”
    8        In support of his argument, Mr. Sunde relied on Spigot
    9   Resources, Inv. v. Radow (In re Radow), 
    2013 WL 1397342
     (9th
    10   Cir. BAP Apr. 2, 2013); Lockerby v. Sierra, 
    535 F.3d 1038
    , 1040
    11   (9th Cir. 2008), and Buenaventura v. Vinh Chau (In re Vinh
    12   Chau), 
    2014 WL 643726
     (9th Cir. BAP Feb. 19, 2014).
    13        Mr. Sunde further argued that there were no damages because
    14   the Sundes provided evidence that they made $230,000 worth of
    15   improvements and Victoria testified that she spent about $15,000
    16   or $20,000 to remodel after the Sundes left.    According to
    17   Mr. Sunde, the Crocketts still had benefitted by the sum of
    18   about $210,000 from his efforts.   After oral argument, the
    19   bankruptcy court denied the motion to amend the judgment.
    20        On June 13, 2016, the Sundes filed a motion for
    21   reconsideration of the court’s denial of their motion to amend
    22   the judgment.
    23        On June 24, 2016, the Panel entered an order granting a
    24   limited remand so that the bankruptcy court could enter an order
    25   on the Sundes’ motion for reconsideration and to enter any order
    26   regarding the unresolved §§ 727(a)(4) and 524(a)(3) claims in
    27   the adversary.
    28        On July 19, 2016, the bankruptcy court entered an order
    -13-
    1   denying the Sundes’ request for a stay pending appeal.
    2        On July 22, 2016, the bankruptcy court entered an order
    3   denying the Sundes’ motion to alter or amend the judgment and
    4   denying their motion for reconsideration of that ruling.        There,
    5   the court found that it properly identified the tortious conduct
    6   even though it had not mentioned the word “tort” in its findings
    7   and conclusions.     The court dismissed the remaining claims,
    8   thereby rendering its judgment on the § 523(a)(6) claim final
    9   for purposes of this appeal.10
    10        On August 1, 2016, the Sundes filed a third amended notice
    11   of appeal to include the bankruptcy court’s July 22, 2016 order
    12   denying their motion to amend the judgment and their motion for
    13   reconsideration of that decision.
    14                                II.   JURISDICTION
    15        The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction over this proceeding
    16   under 
    28 U.S.C. §§ 1334
     and 157(b)(2)(I).         We have jurisdiction
    17   under 
    28 U.S.C. § 158
    .
    18                                  III.    ISSUES
    19        Did the bankruptcy court err in determining that the state
    20   court judgment was nondischargeable under § 523(a)(6)?
    21        Did the bankruptcy court err in denying the Sundes’ motion
    22   to alter or amend the judgment?
    23                          IV.    STANDARDS OF REVIEW
    24            “Because the bankruptcy court entered its judgment after
    25   trial, we review the bankruptcy court’s findings of fact for
    26
    10
    27        On May 17, 2016, the § 727(a)(4) claim was dismissed. On
    July 22, 2016, the bankruptcy court dismissed the § 524(a)(3)
    28 claim.
    -14-
    1   clear error, and its conclusions of law de novo.”      Thiara v.
    2   Spycher Brothers (In re Thiara), 
    285 B.R. 420
    , 426 (9th Cir. BAP
    3   2002) (citing Carrillo v. Su (In re Su), 
    290 F.3d 1140
    , 1142
    4   (9th Cir. 2002)).    A court’s factual determination is clearly
    5   erroneous if it is illogical, implausible, or without support in
    6   the record.   United States v. Hinkson, 
    585 F.3d 1247
    , 1261-62 &
    7   n.21 (9th Cir. 2009) (en banc).     “The bankruptcy court’s
    8   conclusions of law regarding nondischargeability, as well as its
    9   interpretation of state law, are reviewed de novo.”
    10   In re Thiara, 285 at 426.    We also review de novo the bankruptcy
    11   court’s application of the legal standard in determining whether
    12   a debt resulting from a debtor’s wrongful conduct is
    13   dischargeable as a willful and malicious injury.      
    Id.
    14        We review the bankruptcy court’s denial of a motion to
    15   alter or amend the judgment for abuse of discretion.        Ta Chong
    16   Bank Ltd. v. Hitachi High Techs. Am., Inc., 
    610 F.3d 1063
    , 1066
    17   (9th Cir. 2010).    Under the abuse of discretion standard, we
    18   first “determine de novo whether the [bankruptcy] court
    19   identified the correct legal rule to apply to the relief
    20   requested.”   Hinkson, 
    585 F.3d at 1262
    .      If the bankruptcy court
    21   identified the correct legal rule, we then determine under the
    22   clearly erroneous standard whether its factual findings and its
    23   application of the facts to the relevant law were:
    24   “(1) illogical, (2) implausible, or (3) without support in
    25   inferences that may be drawn from the facts in the record.”        
    Id.
    26                               V.   DISCUSSION
    27   A.   Section 523(a)(6):    Legal Standards
    28        Section 523(a)(6) excepts from discharge any debt “for
    -15-
    1   willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another entity or
    2   to the property of another entity.”    The willful and malicious
    3   requirements are analyzed separately, and both elements must be
    4   met.    In re Su, 
    290 F.3d at
    1146–47; Ormsby v. First Am. Title
    5   Co. of Nev. (In re Ormsby), 
    591 F.3d 1199
    , 1206 (9th Cir. 2010).
    6          Whether a debtor acted willfully is a subjective inquiry:
    7   the “willful injury requirement is met only when the debtor has
    8   a subjective motive to inflict injury or when the debtor
    9   believes that injury is substantially certain to result from his
    10   own conduct.”    In re Ormsby, 
    591 F.3d at 1206
    .    Further, when
    11   determining the debtor’s intent under § 523(a)(6), there is a
    12   presumption that the debtor knows the natural consequences of
    13   his actions.    Id.
    14          “‘A malicious injury involves (1) a wrongful act, (2) done
    15   intentionally, (3) which necessarily causes injury, and (4) is
    16   done without just cause or excuse.’”    In re Su, 
    290 F.3d at
    17   1146-47.    “Malice may be inferred based on the nature of the
    18   wrongful act.”    In re Ormsby, 
    591 F.3d at 1206
    .
    19          When the debt in question arises out of a contract, in
    20   addition to willfulness and maliciousness, a plaintiff must also
    21   show that the injury was caused by intentional tortious conduct.
    22   Lockerby v. Sierra, 
    535 F.3d 1038
    , 1040–42 (9th Cir. 2008)
    23   (citing Petralia v. Jercich (In re Jercich), 
    238 F.3d 1202
    , 1205
    24   (9th Cir. 2001) (“[a]n intentional breach of contract is
    25   excepted from discharge under § 523(a)(6) only when it is
    26   accompanied by malicious and willful tortious conduct.”).
    27   Conduct is tortious if it constitutes a tort under state law.
    28   Lockerby, 
    535 F.3d at 1041
    .    A state court judgment debt based
    -16-
    1   solely on a simple breach of contract is dischargeable as a
    2   matter of law.    Snoke v. Riso (In re Riso), 
    978 F.2d 1151
     (9th
    3   Cir. 1992).
    4   B.   Analysis
    5        Applying these standards, we conclude that the bankruptcy
    6   court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law are inadequate
    7   for our review.   The court summarily concluded that the willful
    8   and malicious elements were met without connecting the Sundes’
    9   conduct or the Crocketts’ damages to any tort recognized by
    10   Nevada law.   In the absence of such findings, we cannot tell
    11   whether the Sundes’ conduct fell within the scope of one or more
    12   of the numerous torts mentioned throughout this proceeding or
    13   whether the Crocketts’ damages arose out of that tort as opposed
    14   to breach of contract.   Indeed, the link between a tort under
    15   Nevada law and the Sundes’ conduct has been a moving target
    16   throughout these proceedings.
    17        In the adversary complaint, the Crocketts alleged
    18   destruction of property, defamation, and wrongful recording of
    19   documents (abuse of process) as the basis of their § 523(a)(6)
    20   claim.   During closing argument, Crocketts’ counsel argued that
    21   the tort of conversion applied to the Sundes’ conduct and cited
    22   the definition for conversion under Nevada law:
    23        [A] distinct act of dominion wrongfully exerted over
    another’s personal property in denial of, or
    24        inconsistent with his title or rights therein or in
    derogation, exclusion, or defiance of such title or
    25        rights. Additionally, conversion is an act of general
    intent, which does not require wrongful intent and is
    26        not excused by care, good faith, or lack of knowledge.
    27   Evans v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 
    5 P.3d 1043
    , 1048 (Nev.
    28   2000).   This definition does not require the subjective intent
    -17-
    1   for willful conduct under § 523(a)(6).   Compare In re Jercich,
    2   283 F.3d at 1207 (“The conversion of another’s property without
    3   his knowledge or consent, done intentionally and without
    4   justification and excuse, to the other’s injury, constitutes a
    5   willful and malicious injury within the meaning of
    6   § 523(a)(6).”).   In any event, nowhere does the bankruptcy court
    7   mention whether the tort of conversion was the basis for its
    8   decision.
    9        Counsel next argued that in addition to damaging the
    10   Greenwich Property, there was evidence that the Sundes slandered
    11   the title11 and committed abuse of process.   Counsel explained
    12   the elements for slander of title and abuse of process, but
    13   nowhere does the bankruptcy court mention whether the Sundes’
    14   recording of the lis pendens or other documents fell within the
    15   scope of those torts under Nevada law or whether any of the
    16   damages awarded by the state court were as a result of these
    17   acts.
    18        Later, at the hearing on the Sundes’ motion to alter or
    19   amend the judgment and motion for a stay pending appeal, the
    20   Sundes argued that the Crocketts failed to mention, much less
    21   prove, that their conduct was tortious under Nevada law, a
    22
    23
    11
    Slander of title is a tort under Nevada law and involves
    24 false and malicious communications that disparage a person’s
    title in land and causes special damages. See Summa Corp. v.
    25 Greenspun, 
    655 P.2d 513
    , 514 (Nev. 1982) and Higgins v. Higgins,
    26 
    744 P.2d 530
    , 531 (Nev. 1987). Slander of title has been found
    to be a basis for a § 523(a)(6) claim. See Gambino v. Koonce,
    27 
    757 F.3d 604
     (7th Cir. 2014) (Illinois judgment for slander of
    title for use of forged deeds and other fraudulent documents to
    28 improperly gain title held non-dischargeable).
    -18-
    1   requirement under Ninth Circuit law.    The requirement of
    2   tortious conduct was therefore squarely before the bankruptcy
    3   court.   During that hearing, the bankruptcy court found that the
    4   tort was the destruction of property, thus implying that the
    5   tort requirement had been met.    However, nowhere did the
    6   Crocketts argue that Nevada recognized a tort for the
    7   destruction of property, and we cannot determine whether such a
    8   tort exists for the first time on appeal.12
    9        Finally, we cannot tell whether the state court awarded
    10   damages or attorney’s fees based on the Sundes’ tortious conduct
    11   or whether those awards were based solely on breach of contract.
    12   Accordingly, the bankruptcy court erred by giving preclusive
    13   effect to the amount of the damages and award of attorney’s fees
    14
    15       12
    The closest we could find to a tort for destruction of
    16 property  in Nevada is embodied in a criminal statute. Nevada
    Revised Statutes 206.310, entitled “Injury to other property,”
    17 provides:
    18       1. Every person who shall willfully or maliciously
    19       destroy or injure any real or personal property of
    another, for the destruction or injury of which no
    20       special punishment is otherwise specially prescribed,
    shall be guilty of a public offense proportionate to
    21       the value of the property affected or the loss
    resulting from such offense.
    22
    23       2. It is not a defense that the person engaging in the
    conduct prohibited by subsection 1 holds a leasehold
    24       interest in the real property that was destroyed or
    injured.
    25
    26 The statute does not expressly recognize a civil cause of action,
    but we need not decide whether there is one for the first time on
    27 appeal. The bankruptcy court should decide whether a civil cause
    of action exists for destruction of property in the first
    28 instance if it allows the Crocketts to pursue this tort theory.
    -19-
    1   without connecting those awards to damages caused by the Sundes’
    2   tortious conduct.
    3        In sum, it is impossible for us to determine whether the
    4   bankruptcy court properly applied the law to the facts in this
    5   case.   Therefore, on remand, the bankruptcy court should address
    6   whether the Sundes’ conduct was tortious under Nevada law based
    7   on the evidence presented at trial and determine whether the
    8   damages awarded by the state court are recoverable based on that
    9   tort.   In light of our decision, it is unnecessary to address
    10   the other issues raised by the Sundes on appeal.
    11                            VI.   CONCLUSION
    12        For the reasons stated, we VACATE the judgment in the
    13   Crocketts’ favor and REMAND to the bankruptcy court to make
    14   further findings as discussed in this decision.
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