Jackson Mika, App. v. Jbc Entertainment Holdings, Resps. ( 2016 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
JACKSON J. MIKA,
No. 73305-2-1
Appellant,
DIVISION ONE
JBC ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC.,
a corporation doing business in the State of
Washington; JBC OF SEATTLE, WA., INC.,
a Washington business, a subsidiary of JBC UNPUBLISHED OPINION
ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC., an entity
o d>ci-
GEMINI III LP, owner of JBC ENTERTAIN a-.
MENT HOLDINGS, INC.,GAMEWORKS 33»
P"
ENTERTAINMENT, LLC, a corporation doing C3
business in the State of Washington;
MARQUIS HOLMES, an individual, dba 33.
--' "T.'m
t2rn,-
BOSS LIFE ENTERTAINMENT, JANE DOE,
and wife, and their community; TONY V? £T;'-' -
GO
HUMPHREYS, an individual, husband CD ——
and wife and their community,
Respondents. FILED: August 29. 2016
Spearman, J. — Jackson Mika appeals the trial court's orders granting
summary judgment in favor of Gemini Investors III, LP (Gemini), GameWorks
Entertainment, LLC (GameWorks), and Tony Humphreys. Mika contends that
issues of material fact exist as to whether Gemini fraudulently transferred assets
to GameWorks to avoid liability on his personal injury claim, and whether
No. 73305-2-1/2
Humphreys should be held personally liable for his injuries. We conclude the trial
court did not err and affirm.
FACTS
On March 20, 2010, Jackson Mika was at Jillian's Billiard Club (Jillian's), a
nightclub in Seattle's south Lake Union neighborhood, which was hosting a
promotional event featuring hip-hop artist, Lloyd. Mika was standing at the bar
when he heard gunshots. As he ran out of the club, Mika was struck by a bullet
that entered his right buttock and exited from his groin area. He sustained a
number of internal injuries and required extensive surgeries and rehabilitative
care.
In March 2010, Jillian's was owned by JBC of Seattle, WA, Inc. (JBC of
Seattle), which in turn was owned by JBC Entertainment. Respondent JBC
Holdings was the sole shareholder of JBC Entertainment. The shareholders of
JBC Holdings were Gemini, Greg Stevens, and Alpha.
Tony Humphreys was a regional manager for JBC Entertainment,
overseeing the operations of six different restaurants in various states, including
the Jillian's in Seattle. In early March 2010, he met with Jillian's management
team, including Michael Knudsen, the assistant unit manager. At that meeting,
Humphreys specifically instructed that no promotions were to be held at the club
during Humphreys' upcoming vacation. Humphreys' duties typically did not
include day-to-day management and operation of the restaurants, but at that time,
he was taking a more "hands on" approach with the Seattle Jillian's because the
No. 73305-2-1/3
general manager was out and the assistant general manager, Chris Young, was
in charge.
During Humphreys' vacation, Knudsen was approached by Marquis
Holmes about holding a promotional party at Jillian's. Despite Humphreys'
instructions, Knudsen agreed to hold the event at Jillian's on March 20, 2010. He
did not contact Humphreys for approval. Humphreys learned about the event on
March 17, 2010 from Katie Benjamin, the event sales manager, when she called
him to discuss the promotion.1 Humphreys told her that the promotion was not to
proceed and directed her to advise Knudsen. When Humphreys learned that the
promotion had taken place in spite of his instructions, he terminated Knudsen and
Benjamin for insubordination.
On the night of the shooting, Jillian's employed door hosts to greet guests
and screen for age requirements. But it did not have employees dedicated to
providing security for the club. According to JBC Entertainment's chief operating
officer, Tyler Warfield, the on-site management, would have been the "first line"
for patron safety at the Seattle location. Greg Stevens, JBC Entertainment's, chief
executive and chief financial officer (CEO/CFO), agreed that the general manager
and his team were primarily responsible for the overall safety and security of both
the employees and guests. On the day of the shooting, the on-site management
team included Knudsen and Young. It appears undisputed that Knudsen had not
1It is unclear from the record whether Benjamin was at the meeting when Humphreys initially
forbid any promotions while he was on vacation.
No. 73305-2-1/4
received training on what measures to take if a violent situation, such as a
shooting, were to occur in the club. However, Knudsen testified that he had
arranged for some additional security guards to be on staff the evening of the
promotion.2
In addition, Humphreys testified that JBC Entertainment had an employee
at its Louisville office who was responsible for compliance with all local
ordinances, including those such as Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 10.11. That
ordinance required nightclubs to develop and file a safety plan with the city. It is
undisputed that Jillian's was not in compliance with the ordinance on the evening
that Mika was shot.
The Sale of JBC Holdings
In 2004, Gemini and other investors purchased certain "Jillian's Billiards
Clubs" assets out of bankruptcy through the entity JBC Holdings. Initially there
were twenty Jillian's Billiard Clubs in several states, operated by the wholly owned
entity JBC Entertainment. But by 2011, only seven remained in operation. Some
of clubs were sold, but others were closed due to financial difficulties. During the
first two years of being acquired, various clubs underperformed, requiring JBC
Entertainment to seek additional capital to keep them running. JBC Entertainment
obtained short-term loans from third parties, secured by liens on the Jillian's
businesses and by cash collateral provided by investors.
2At his deposition, Knudsen testified that on March 20, 2010 another employee, Brock
Robinson, was ultimately responsible for security.
No. 73305-2-1/5
The effort to sustain operations was unsuccessful and the establishments
continued to underperform. JBC Entertainment was in default on its obligations to
its secured lenders, GE Capital and Fifth Third Bank, for approximately $4.6
million dollars. The GE Capital loan was in default and no payments had been
made for over a year. In early 2011, GE Capital began pressuring JBC
Entertainment to make payments or provide additional credit support from the
investor group.
On May 20, 2011, respondent GameWorks communicated with Gemini and
Stevens about possibly purchasing JBC Entertainment's assets. On July 8, 2011,
GameWorks sent a letter of intent to Gemini and Stevens. On October 18, 2011,
GameWorks Acquisitions, LLC (GW Acquisitions), an entity created specifically for
this purchase, entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (APSA) with
JBC Entertainment and some of its subsidiaries. GW Acquisitions, as the sole
buyer, purchased five of the remaining seven JBC Entertainment establishments-
one located in Seattle, one in Virginia, and three in California. All of JBC
Entertainments' assets were subject to the creditors' liens, with outstanding
secured debt of approximately $6 million.
The parties negotiated separate purchase prices for each location. GW
Acquisitions paid $500,000 for the Seattle Jillian's because it was not profitable, in
need of renovation, and surrounded by city construction. The total sale price for all
five locations was approximately $3 million. In addition, because the APSA
specifically excluded liability for, among other things, encumbrances on the
No. 73305-2-1/6
purchased assets, GW Acquisitions required Gemini to obtain a release from the
secured lenders. Gemini also agreed to hold GW Acquisitions harmless from any
other excluded liabilities. Mika's claim for personal injury, listed as a potential
liability on Schedule 2.4 to the APSA, was an excluded liability.
GE Capital accepted a modest discount and was paid $1,442,580.76 in
sale proceeds to release its lien on the assets sold to GW Acquisitions. The
remaining proceeds went toward the $3.6 million owed to Fifth Third Bank. Fifth
Third Bank used the cash collateral posted by Gemini, Stevens, and Alpha to
satisfy the remaining balance and released its lien. JBC Entertainment retained
approximately $50,000 of the sale proceeds to finish its affairs.
Procedural History
On January 5, 2011, Mika brought an action for personal injury against
defendants JBC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (JBC Holdings), Gemini Investors
III, L.P (Gemini) and Alpha Capital Partners, Ltd. (Alpha), as owners of JBC
Holdings, Michael B. Knudsen, and Marquis Holmes, d/b/a Boss Life
Entertainment. Mika alleged that his injuries were caused by the negligent failure
of the defendants to take reasonable security measures. Mika also claimed the
defendants were liable for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and improper
instruction and training.3 On July 1, 2011, Gemini's and Alpha's motions to
dismiss Mika's claims were granted based on lack of personal jurisdiction.
3 Mika also asserted claims against Stevens, Humphreys and Holmes for outrage and infliction
of emotional distress.
No. 73305-2-1/7
On February 15, 2012, Mika filed an amended complaint adding Greg
Stevens, Tony Humphreys, and GameWorks as defendants. Mika also renewed
his claims against Gemini. Mika's claims against GameWorks and his renewed
claims against Gemini alleged that the sale of JBC Entertainment's assets
(including Jillian's in Seattle), GameWorks was in violation of the Uniform
Fraudulent Transfer Act (UFTA), chapter 19.40 RCW.4
The trial court granted Gemini's and GameWorks' motions for summary
judgment and dismissed Mika's claims against them on February 11 and 15,
2013, respectively. The court also granted Humphreys' motion for summary
judgment and dismissed Mika's claims against him on October 13, 2014.5 Mika
appeals these rulings.6
DISCUSSION
A defendant is entitled to summary judgment when he or she can show an
absence of evidence supporting an element essential to the plaintiffs claim.
Young v. Key Pharmaceuticals. Inc.. 112 Wash. 2d 216, 225, 770 P.2d 182 (1989). A
defendant is merely required to challenge the sufficiency of the plaintiff's evidence
on any material issue, jd. The burden then shifts to the nonmoving party to set
4 In a second amended complaint filed on November 30, 2012, Mika explicitly claimed that
GameWorks was liable "because of the fraudulent conveyance by the predecessor owners, Gemini."
Clerk's Papers (CP) at 188.
5The trial court's denial of Stevens' motion for summary judgment based on lack of personal
jurisdiction was reversed on appeal. Mika v. Stevens. 2013 WL 6835257, 178 Wash. App. 1030 (2013).
Mika's claims against Stevens were dismissed on June 23, 2014. He is not a party to this appeal.
6After entry of these orders, the court granted Mika's motion to voluntarily dismiss his
remaining claims without prejudice.
No. 73305-2-1/8
forth specific facts by affidavit or other evidence that show a genuine issue
exists. Ingersoll v. DeBartolo. Inc.. 123 Wash. 2d 649, 654, 869 P.2d 1014 (1994).
The nonmoving party may not rely on the allegations in the pleadings, and any
affidavits submitted must be admissible, based on personal knowledge, and not
merely conclusive, speculative or argumentative. Grimwood v. University of Puget
Sound. Inc.. 110 Wash. 2d 355, 359, 753 P.2d 517 (1988).
Mika argues that Gemini is liable under the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer
Act (UFTA) for transferring JBC Entertainment's assets to GameWorks, making
JBC Entertainment insolvent and denying Mika the ability to obtain full redress.
Gemini argues that the transfer was not fraudulent underthe UPTA because the
assets sold were subject to a valid security interest.7
Under RCW 19.40.041(a), a transfer made by a debtor is fraudulent to a
creditor, if the property was transferred "(1) [wjith actual intent to hinder, delay, or
defraud any creditor of the debtor; or (2) [wjithout receiving a reasonably
equivalent value in exchange for the transfer or obligation, and the debtor: (i) Was
engaged or was about to engage in a business or a transaction for which the
remaining assets of the debtorwere unreasonably small in relation to the
business or transaction; or (ii) Intended to incur, or believed or reasonably should
7Gemini also argues thatthe transfer was not fraudulent because sale occurred after Mika's
claims against Gemini had been dismissed and because JBC Entertainment had never been named as
a party to this litigation. In light of our disposition of the case, we do not address these issues. We note,
however, there is some dispute as to whether JBC Holdings and JBC Entertainment are separate and
distinct. The record contains a certificate of amendment from the Secretary of State of Delaware
showing JBC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., changed its name to JBC Entertainment, Inc., on October
27, 2004.
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No. 73305-2-1/9
have believed that he or she would incur, debts beyond his or her ability to pay as
they became due." RCW 19.40.041(a).
A fraudulent transfer occurs where "one entity transfers an asset to another
entity, with the effect of placing the asset out of the reach of a creditor, with either
the intent to delay or hinder the creditor or with the effect of insolvency on the part
of the transferring entity." Thompson v. Hanson. 168 Wash. 2d 738, 744, 239 P.3d
537 (2009). Any party making a claim under the UFTA carries the burden of
proving that the transfer in question was fraudulent. Sedwick v. Gwinn. 73 Wn.
App. 879, 885, 873 P.2d 528 (1994). Proof of actual intent to defraud must be
clear and satisfactory.8 Clearwater v. Skyline Const. Co.. Inc.. 67 Wash. App. 305,
321, 835 P.2d 257 (1992).
Under RCW 19.40.011(2)(i), an "asset" means property of a debtor, but
does not include "[property to the extent it is encumbered by a valid lien." A "lien"
under the statute is "a charge against or an interest in property to secure payment
8When determining actual intent under the statute, consideration is given to a numberof non
exclusive factors, including whether:
(1) The transfer or obligation was to an insider;
(2) The debtor retained possession or control of the property transferred after the transfer;
(3) The transfer or obligation was disclosed or concealed;
(4) Before the transfer was made or obligation was incurred, the debtor had been sued or
threatened with suit;
(5) The transfer was of substantially all of the debtor's assets;
(6) The debtor absconded;
(7) The debtor removed or concealed assets;
(8) The value of the consideration received by the debtor was reasonably equivalent to the
value of the asset transferred or the amount of the obligation incurred;
(9) The debtorwas insolvent or became insolvent shortly after the transferwas made or the
obligation was incurred;
(10)The transfer occurred shortly before or shortly after a substantial debt was incurred; and
(11)The debtortransferred the essential assets of the business to a lienor who transferred the
assets to an insider of the debtor.
RCW 19.40.041(b).
No. 73305-2-1/10
of a debt or performance of an obligation, and includes a security interest created
by agreement, a judicial lien obtained by legal or equitable process or
proceedings, a common-law lien, or a statutory lien. RCW 19.40.011(8). A "valid
lien" means "a lien that is effective against the holder of a judicial lien
subsequently obtained by legal or equitable process or proceedings." RCW
19.40.011(13).
The record shows that at the time of the transfer, all of JBC Entertainment's
assets were subject to GE Capital and Fifth Third Bank's secured liens. These
liens would have been effective against any judgment Mika might have obtained.
Accordingly, we conclude that Mika's claim for fraudulent transfer was properly
dismissed on summary judgment because none of the purchased properties were
"assets" as that term is defined in the UFTA.
Mika raises a number of arguments that, according to him, give rise to the
inference that a fraudulent transfer occurred. Mika argues that Gemini exhibited
"actual intent" to hinder, delay, and/or defraud him after JBC's motion for
summary judgment was denied. He also argues that GameWorks is liable for
constructive fraudulent transfer because after it purchased JBC Entertainment's
assets, only a shell of JBC Entertainment remained. Mika also argues that
GameWorks is liable as a successor, because it took assets in bad faith and with
actual and constructive knowledge of a fraudulent transfer, and because it is a
mere continuation of JBC Entertainment. None of these arguments raise an issue
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No. 73305-2-1/11
of fact with regard to GameWorks' liability for fraudulent transfer, because none of
the transferred property falls within the statute's definition of "assets."
Mika next argues that the "collusion of Gemini and GameWorks" requires
the court to pierce the corporate veil and hold both companies liable for his
injuries. Br. of Appellant at 25. He argues that "the abuse of the corporate form
was blatant, obvious, intentional, and would result in manifest loss" to himself. Id.
"[T]he doctrine of disregarding the corporate entity is an equitable remedy
and will be imposed only in exceptional cases to prevent fraud or manifest
injustice." Uni-Com Northwest. Ltd. v. Argus Publ'g Co.. 47 Wash. App. 787, 798,
737 P.2d 304 (1987). The Washington Supreme Court has outlined a two-factor
test for establishing a claim for corporate disregard: "(1) the corporate form must
be intentionally used to violate or evade a duty; and (2) disregard must be
necessary and required to prevent unjustified loss to the injured party." Meisel v.
M&N Modern Hydraulic Press Co.. 97 Wash. 2d 403, 410, 645 P.2d 689 (1982)
(quoting Morgan v. Burks. 93 Wash. 2d 580, 587, 611 P.2d 751 (1980)). "'Mere
common ownership of stock, the same officers, employees, etc., does not justify
disregarding the separate corporate identities unless a fraud is being worked upon
a third person.'" Minton v. Ralston Purina. Co., 146 Wash. 2d 385, 399, 47 P.3d 556
(2002) (quoting Rena-Ware Distributors. Inc. v. State. 77 Wash. 2d 514, 518, 463
P.2d 622 (1970)).
In disregarding the corporate form, the court exercises its equitable
powers. Truckweld Eouip. Co.. Inc. v. Olson. 26 Wash. App. 638, 643, 618 P.2d
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No. 73305-2-1/12
1017 (1980); see also Thomas V. Harris. Washington's Doctrine of Corporate
Disregard, 56 WASH. L. REV. at 253, 263 (1981). We review the facts underlying
corporate disregard for substantial evidence. Truckweld, 26 Wash. App. at 643. But
we review de novo the legal conclusions drawn to support corporate disregard.
Harris. 56 WASH. L. REV. at 271-75.
Mika cites only the "post-tort" activities of Gemini and GameWorks as the
basis for his corporate disregard claim. Br. of Appellant at 23-24. He argues that
the transfer was fraudulent and in bad faith, because Gemini and GameWorks
feigned innocent and legitimate business reasons for selling the assets with
knowledge of Mika's claim. Id.
With regard to the first element of the test, the court must find an abuse of
the corporate form. Meisel. 97 Wash. 2d at 410. Such abuse typically involves
"'fraud, misrepresentation, or some form of manipulation of the corporation to the
stockholder's benefit and creditor's detriment.'" Id. (quoting Truckwell. 26 Wn.
App. at 645). Mika has not shown any abuse of the corporate form, but even if he
had, he must still show that the abuse was used to violate or evade a duty. The
record contains ample evidence that JBC Entertainment was in default of its
obligations to its secured lenders. The company sold its remaining assets and
forfeited its collateral in order to pay down its debts.
Even if Gemini and GameWorks had abused the corporate form, Mika's
claim still fails because he cannot prove that piercing the veil will "'prevent an
unjustified loss to [him].'" Id, The transfer has no impact on Mika's ability to
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No. 73305-2-1/13
recover, because he would not have been able to collect on a judgment against
JBC Entertainment.
Because Mika has not shown the existence of material disputed facts as to
whether there is a basis for piecing the corporate veil of either Gemini or
GameWorks, the trial court properly dismissed these claims.
Mika argues that Humphreys should be personally liable for his injuries
under "Responsible Corporate Officer Doctrine." Br. of Appellant at 40. If a
corporate officer participates in the wrongful conduct, or knowingly approves of
the conduct, then the officer, as well as the corporation, is liable for the penalties.
State v. Ralph Williams' North West Chrysler Plymouth, Inc.. 87 Wash. 2d 298, 322,
553 P.2d 423 (1976). But the argument fails because the record clearly shows
that Humphreys was an employee of JBC Entertainment. There is no evidence
that he was ever a corporate officer or held a seat on the board of directors of
Jillian's or JBC Entertainment.
Mika also argues that Humphreys is personally liable per se because he
failed to develop, file, or direct the filing of a safety plan for Jillian's, as required by
SMC 10.11.015. And he contends that Humphreys is liable for creating an
unreasonable risk of harm when he failed to put in security measures such as
purse searches and metal detecting wands before entry and on a proximate
cause theory, because a shooting was a foreseeable occurrence. According to
Mika, Humphreys had a duty to him as an invitee to take reasonable steps to
protect him from imminent and reasonably foreseeable harm.
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No. 73305-2-1/14
But the undisputed evidence shows that Humphreys' role as regional
manager did not include supervising staff or developing safety and security
procedures for the individual establishments. The record shows that the local
management team at each Jillian's establishment had responsibility for on-site
security, and that JBC Entertainment had a corporate employee responsible for
compliance with local ordinances.
Mika also claims that Humphreys was negligent in hiring and supervising
Knudsen. "To prove negligent hiring, the plaintiff must demonstrate that (1) the
employer knew or, in the exercise of ordinary care, should have known of the
employee's unfitness at the time of the hiring; and (2), the negligently hired
employee proximately caused the plaintiff's injury." Ruschner v. APT. Sec. Svsts.
Inc., 149 Wash. App. 665, 680, 204 P.3d 271 (2009) (quoting Carlsen v. Wackenhut.
73 Wash. App. 247, 252, 868 P.2d 282 (1994)). Similarly, an employer will not be
liable for negligent supervision unless he or she knew, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should have known, that the employee presented a risk of
danger to others. Niece v. Elmview Group Home. 131 Wash. 2d 39, 48-49, 929 P.2d
420(1997).
Mika argues that the trial court erred in dismissing his claims for negligent
hiring and supervision because there are issues of material fact regarding whether
Humphrey hired Knudsen or if he was acting as Knudsen's supervisor at the time
the incident occurred. But even assuming the truth of these assertions, Mika
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No. 73305-2-1/15
points to nothing in the record suggesting that Knudsen was a risky hire or that he
had a tendency to disregard corporate orders or safety concerns.
The trial court did not err when it dismissed Mika's claims on summary
judgment.
Affirmed.
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WE CONCUR:
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