In re: William Spencer Reingold and Alida Ann Reingold

FILED
MAR 19 2013
1 SUSAN M SPRAUL, CLERK
U.S. BKCY. APP. PANEL
OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
2
3 UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY APPELLATE PANEL
4 OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
5 In re: ) BAP Nos. CC-12-1112-PaDKi
) CC-12-1141-PaDKi
6 WILLIAM SPENCER REINGOLD and ) (Cross Appeals)
ALIDA ANN REINGOLD, )
7 ) Bankr. No. 10-24329-RN
Debtors. )
8 ___________________________________) Adv. Proc. No. 10-01903-RN
)
9 WILLIAM SPENCER REINGOLD, )
)
10 Appellant and )
Cross-Appellee, )
11 )
v. ) M E M O R A N D U M1
12 )
SHARON SHAFFER, )
13 )
Appellee and )
14 Cross-Appellant. )
___________________________________)
15
Argued and Submitted on February 22, 2013,
16 at Pasadena, California
17 Filed - March 19, 2013
18 Appeal from the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Central District of California
19
Honorable Charles E. Rendlen, III, Bankruptcy Judge, Presiding
20
21 Appearances: Shai S. Oved argued for appellant William Spencer
Reingold; Philip Dennis Dapeer argued for appellee
22 Sharon Shaffer.
23
Before: PAPPAS, DUNN and KIRSCHER, Bankruptcy Judges.
24
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. See 9th
28 Cir. BAP Rule 8013-1.
-1-
1 Chapter 72 debtor William Spencer Reingold (“Reingold”)
2 appeals from a decision of the bankruptcy court determining that
3 $76,000 of a total debt of $126,000 he owed to creditor Sharon
4 Shaffer (“Shaffer”) was excepted from discharge under
5 § 523(a)(2)(A). Shaffer cross-appeals, arguing that the total
6 debt should be excepted from discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A). We
7 AFFIRM.
8 FACTS
9 Reingold is a contractor and real estate developer. In 2008,
10 he hoped to purchase and rehabilitate a single-family residence in
11 Santa Barbara that had been damaged by fire (the “Property”). At
12 some point not clear in the record, but before having contact with
13 or receiving any funds from Shaffer, Reingold withdrew money from
14 his children’s IRA accounts and made a deposit of $32,000 into
15 escrow for the purchase of the Property.
16 Reingold did not have sufficient funds from his available
17 resources to complete the acquisition of and work on the Property,
18 nor to meet his other business expenses. Reingold enlisted
19 Shaffer’s financial aid.
20 On October 24, 2011, Shaffer gave Reingold a check for
21 $50,000. Reingold cashed it and the check cleared the bank on
22 October 28, 2011. Reingold asserts that the money given to him by
23 Shaffer was intended to be a general purpose loan to support his
24 business. Shaffer disputes this, and contends that the loan was
25
26 2
Unless otherwise indicated, all chapter, section and rule
references are to the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532, and
27 to the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Rules 1001-9037.
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are referred to as Civil
28 Rules.
-2-
1 intended solely for Reingold’s use to acquire and improve the
2 Property.
3 On October 31, 2011, Reingold and Shaffer signed a Loan
4 Agreement and Promissory Note (the “Loan Agreement”), prepared by
5 Reingold, containing, in part, the following terms:
6 [SHAFFER] agrees to loan [REINGOLD] the sum of $126,000
dollars (Hereinafter, “the Loan Amount”) to be used for
7 purchase and rehabilitation of [the Property]. FOR
VALUE RECEIVED, [REINGOLD] promises to pay to the order
8 of [SHAFFER] the sum of $150,000 dollars within one
year. . . . If the Loan Amount is not repaid within one
9 year interest thereafter will accrue at a rate of 16%
annually on any unpaid principal or interest. Upon
10 acquisition of the [Property] [REINGOLD] grants
[SHAFFER] an immediate secured interest in [the
11 PROPERTY] as a secondary lienholder.
12 On November 17, 2008, Shaffer gave Reingold a second check,
13 this one for $76,000. The check cleared the bank on November 25,
14 2011.
15 On April 20, 2009, Reingold canceled the escrow on the
16 Property and the $32,000 deposit was refunded to him.
17 On July 21, 2009, Shaffer sued Reingold in state court for
18 breach of contract and to collect on the promissory note. Shaffer
19 conceded in the bankruptcy court that she did not assert a cause
20 of action for fraud against Reingold in state court. The state
21 court granted a default judgment against Reingold in favor of
22 Shaffer on November 4, 2009, for $126,000 in damages, $12,047.00
23 interest, $43,069.00 attorney’s fees, and $2,595.00 costs, for a
24 total of $183,711.00.
25 Reingold and his wife filed a petition under chapter 7 on
26 April 14, 2010.
27 Shaffer filed an adversary complaint against Reingold on
28 May 24, 2010, and a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) on August 24,
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1 2010. In the FAC, Shaffer sought a determination that the debt
2 owed by Reingold3 to her was excepted from discharge in bankruptcy
3 under § 523(a)(2)(A). Specifically, Shaffer alleged that the
4 representations made to her by Reingold in the Loan Agreement —
5 that the loan proceeds would be used for the purchase and
6 rehabilitation of the Property — were false and fraudulent at the
7 time they were made; that Reingold was aware of that falsity; that
8 Reingold made those representations with the intent to obtain the
9 loan and to defraud Shaffer; and that Shaffer relied on those
10 representations and was proximately damaged by them. Reingold
11 filed an answer on September 21, 2010, admitting that he signed
12 the promissory note and Loan Agreement, but generally denying the
13 remaining allegations.
14 Shaffer submitted a trial brief to the bankruptcy court in
15 which she argued that: (1) Reingold obtained the loan proceeds of
16 $126,000 based on false statements, which were compounded by
17 Reingold’s concealment of material facts, such as his financial
18 inability to acquire the Property and his intention to use the
19 funds for purposes other than the Project; (2) Reingold never
20 intended to use the loan proceeds for the purpose he represented
21 to Shaffer; (3) Reingold did not use the proceeds for their
22 intended purpose; (4) Shaffer was victimized by Reingold.
23 Reingold’s trial brief acknowledged that he had defaulted on
24 his contractual obligations under the Loan Agreement, but denied
25 that he committed any fraud. Generally, Reingold asserted that he
26
3
In her First Amended Complaint, Shaffer asserted that
27 Reingold’s wife, Alida Ann Reingold, was also responsible for the
debt. The parties agreed to dismiss Alida as a defendant with
28 prejudice before the trial in the adversary began.
-4-
1 did not make any material misrepresentations, with knowledge of
2 any falsity, upon which Shaffer relied and sustained injury.
3 The bankruptcy court conducted a trial on November 28, 2011.
4 Shaffer and Reingold were represented by counsel. They were the
5 only two witnesses, and both were subject to cross-examination.
6 At the close of testimony, the court took the issues under
7 advisement.
8 On January 9, 2012, the bankruptcy court announced its oral
9 decision on the record. It found that the debt represented by the
10 $76,000 check given by Shaffer to Reingold was excepted from
11 discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A) because those loan proceeds were
12 obtained by false pretenses and used for purposes other than as
13 specifically represented in the Loan Agreement.
14 On the other hand, the bankruptcy court ruled that the debt
15 represented by the $50,000 check could be discharged. The court
16 found that the money represented a general purpose loan from
17 Shaffer to Reingold for development of the Property. The court
18 would later in its findings observe that a general purpose loan is
19 that “for which the borrower could use the loan for any purpose.”
20 The bankruptcy court entered a judgment in favor of Shaffer
21 and against Reingold on February 16, 2012, for $76,000, which it
22 declared to be excepted from discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A).
23 Reingold timely appealed the judgment. Shaffer filed a timely
24 cross-appeal.
25 JURISDICTION
26 The bankruptcy court had jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 133427 and 157(b)(2)(I). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 158.
28
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1 ISSUES
2 Whether the bankruptcy court erred in determining that the
3 debt represented by the $50,000 check was not excepted from
4 discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A).
5 Whether the bankruptcy court erred in finding that the debt
6 represented by the $76,000 check was excepted from discharge under
7 § 523(a)(2)(A).
8 STANDARDS OF REVIEW
9 The question whether a claim is excepted from discharge under
10 § 523(a)(2)(A) presents mixed issues of law and fact which we
11 review de novo. Diamond v. Kolcum (In re Diamond), 285 F.3d 822,
12 826 (9th Cir. 2001). We review the bankruptcy court’s findings of
13 fact for clear error. Honkanen v. Hopper (In re Honkanen),
14 446 B.R. 373, 378 (9th Cir. BAP 2011).
15 DISCUSSION
16 Section 523(a)(2)(A) provides that: “A discharge . . . does
17 not discharge an individual debtor from any debt . . . (2) for
18 money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or
19 refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained, by — (A) false
20 pretenses, a false representation, or actual fraud[.]” To
21 demonstrate to the bankruptcy court that a debt should be excepted
22 from discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A), a creditor must prove five
23 elements: (1) misrepresentation, fraudulent omission or deceptive
24 conduct by the debtor; (2) knowledge of the falsity or
25 deceptiveness of his statement or conduct; (3) an intent to
26 deceive; (4) justifiable reliance by the creditor on the debtor's
27 statement or conduct; and (5) damage to the creditor proximately
28 caused by its reliance on the debtor's statement or conduct.
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1 Ghomeshi v. Sabban (In re Sabban), 600 F.3d 1219, 1222 (9th Cir.
2 2010); Oney v. Weinberg (In re Weinberg), 410 B.R. 19, 35 (9th
3 Cir. BAP 2009). The creditor bears the burden of proving all five
4 elements by a preponderance of the evidence. Grogan v. Garner,
5 498 U.S. 279, 291 (1991); In re Weinberg, 410 B.R. at 35.
6 This appeal focuses on whether Reingold made fraudulent
7 representations to Shaffer to obtain the loans and, if so, when.
8 Reingold argues that he never misrepresented his intent to Shaffer
9 and, thus, the bankruptcy court erred in holding any portion of
10 his debt to Shaffer excepted from discharge. Shaffer defends the
11 decision of the bankruptcy court that the $76,000 she paid to
12 Reingold on November 17 was excepted from discharge, but argues in
13 her cross-appeal that the Loan Agreement signed on October 31,
14 2008, was an integrated contract and, therefore, the bankruptcy
15 court was obliged to treat funds received both on October 24,
16 2008, and November 17, 2008, as a single transaction for purposes
17 of measuring Reingold’s entitlement to a discharge for purposes of
18 § 523(a)(2)(A).
19 I.
20 The bankruptcy court did not err in determining that the
debt represented by the $50,000 check was not excepted from
21 discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A).
22 In resolving the issues, we must first examine the timing of
23 the relevant events in this case. The parties hotly dispute
24 whether there was a misrepresentation4 and when it occurred.
25
4
26 The parties and the court have used the terms
“misrepresentation,” “false representation” and “false pretenses”
27 interchangeably. Properly viewed, there are distinctions. A
false representation is an express misrepresentation, while a
28 (continued...)
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1 Reingold acknowledged at trial that he signed the Loan
2 Agreement on October 31, 2008.
3 Q: [The Loan Agreement] has a date — that’s your
signature on page 1-21?
4
REINGOLD: Yes, it is.
5
Q: And it’s dated October 31, 2008. Do you recall
6 signing this at that time?
7 REINGOLD: Yes, sir.
8 Trial Tr. 7:11-13. Shaffer then testified:
9 Q: You signed [the Loan Agreement] on October 31,
2008, correct?
10
SHAFFER: Yes, I did.
11
Q: And Mr. Reingold signed it at the same time,
12 correct?
13 SHAFFER: Yes, he did.
14 Trial Tr. 63:11-14, November 28, 2011. Despite some later
15 equivocation by Shaffer,5 based on the evidence, the bankruptcy
16
4
17 (...continued)
false pretense refers to an implied misrepresentation or conduct
18 intended to create and foster a false impression. See In re
Young, 91 F.3d 1367, 1374 (10th Cir. 1996) (citing Itaparica, Ltd.
19 v. Hargrove (In re Hargrove), 164 B.R. 768, 772 (Bankr. N.D. Okla.
1994) (recognizing that an implied representation constitutes
20 "false pretenses" for purposes of § 523(a)(2)(A))). The parties
have not raised any issue regarding the distinction between false
21 representation and false pretense and so we will not examine the
question. Smith v. Young (In re Young), 208 B.R. 189, 199 (Bankr.
22 S.D. Cal. 1997) (“The conceptual difficulty attending such a fine
differentiation, however, leads courts to typically ignore the
23 negligible difference between the two phrases.”)
5
24 Shaffer would state under cross-examination that she gave
Reingold the $50,000 check at the same time that she signed the
25 Loan Agreement. Trial Tr. 70:2-6. She also indicated that they
dated the Loan Agreement for October 31 because “I think silly on
26 my end. I just wanted to extend that year — that year long
period, span.” However, she did not give any specific date other
27 than October 24 for delivery of the check and October 31 for
signing the Loan Agreement. And to the extent that this
28 (continued...)
-8-
1 court could properly find that the Loan Agreement, with its
2 alleged misrepresentation, was executed by the parties on
3 October 31, 2008.
4 It was also established in the bankruptcy court as a matter
5 of disputed fact that Shaffer gave Reingold the check for $50,000
6 on October 24 or, in other words, before the parties executed the
7 Loan Agreement. The evidence in the record confirms that the
8 check was dated and signed by Shaffer on October 24, and that the
9 check was honored by the bank on October 28, 2008. The proof also
10 showed that the second check for $76,000 was given by Shaffer to
11 Reingold on November 17, 2008, after the Loan Agreement was
12 signed.
13 Against this temporal sequence, the bankruptcy court found
14 that: “[The $76,000] loan proceeds were to be used only for the
15 development of the [Property]. Such representations were the
16 inducement for Plaintiff Sharon Shaffer to make the loan to
17 Defendant William Reingold. The specifics and restrictions,
18 including the material representation that the $76,000 was to be
19 used for this property were established on October 31st, 2008.”
20 H’rg Tr. 4:2-10, Jan. 9, 2012.
21 In her cross-appeal, Shaffer does not challenge the
22 bankruptcy court’s finding that Reingold’s representation
23 concerning his proposed use of the loan funds was made on
24
25
5
(...continued)
26 contradicts both her earlier testimony and the testimony of
Reingold, the bankruptcy court did not clearly err in accepting
27 the dates on which both parties’ testimonies agree, that is,
October 24 for delivery of the $50,000 check and October 31, 2008,
28 when both parties signed the Loan Agreement.
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1 October 31 in the Loan Agreement. Instead, she argues that, as
2 the Loan Agreement expressly provides, the parties’ agreement was
3 an integrated contract governing the terms of the total loan of
4 $126,000. Under California contract law, since the parties’
5 intent was that there was but a single loan, Shaffer argues that
6 the bankruptcy court erred by its finding that there were, in
7 fact, two loans made by Shaffer to Reingold. Because there was
8 only one loan, and because that loan was conditioned on the terms
9 in the Loan Agreement restricting Reingold’s use of the loan
10 proceeds to acquiring and developing the Property, Shaffer insists
11 the total debt must be excepted from discharge under
12 § 523(a)(2)(A).
13 Shaffer’s argument misses the point. As it arises in the
14 context of Reingold’s bankruptcy case, this contest does not
15 implicate state contract law, nor the interpretation of the terms
16 of the Loan Agreement. Instead, the critical issue is if and when
17 Reingold engaged in any fraud in connection with Shaffer’s
18 extension of credit to him, and the disposition of that question
19 is through application of § 523(a)(2)(A).
20 There is no dispute that Reingold was indebted to Shaffer for
21 $126,000 as evidenced by the Loan Agreement. Nor is it disputed
22 that the Loan Agreement contains a clause that the loan proceeds
23 were to be used for the purchase and development of the Property.
24 What is disputed is whether that contract clause constituted a
25 misrepresentation, known to be false by Reingold, that was
26 intended to defraud Shaffer, and whether Shaffer relied on that
27 representation and suffered a proximate injury as a result. Those
28 concerns derive exclusively from federal bankruptcy law, not state
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1 law. Grogan, 498 U.S. at 284.6
2 It is perhaps unfortunate that the bankruptcy court seemed to
3 refer to the checks issued on October 24, 2008, and November 7,
4 2008, as independent loans. However, a fair review of the record
5 indicates that the court was attempting to distinguish between the
6 two payments by Shaffer to Reingold in relation to his
7 representation about his intended use of the loan proceeds. In
8 this respect, the bankruptcy court correctly noted that one
9 payment was made by Shaffer before Reingold’s actionable fraud
10 under the bankruptcy law occurred, and the other afterwards.
11 In particular, the facts found by the bankruptcy court were
12 that the $50,000 payment was made to Reingold on October 24, 2008.
13 However, Reingold would not make the misrepresentation that the
14 loan proceeds would be used solely to acquire and develop the
15 Property until the Loan Agreement was presented to Shaffer on
16 October 31, 2008. To except a debt from discharge under
17 § 523(a)(2)(A), the critical misrepresentation must occur at or
18 before the point where “the money was obtained.” Campos v. Beck
19 (In re Beck), 2012 WL 2127751 at *3 (Bankr. D. Ariz. June 11,
20 2012) (“The plaintiff must make an ‘initial showing that the
21 alleged fraud existed at the time of, and has been the methodology
22
23 6
Reingold also attempts to argue principles of contract law
are applicable here. He suggests that this is a contest over a
24 breach of contract, which he freely admits he committed, and he
concedes that Shaffer holds a dischargeable claim against him for
25 $126,000. But Reingold fails to appreciate the distinction
between breach of contract and fraud. As our Court of Appeals
26 explained the critical difference, breach of contract is the
“failure to honor one’s promise, but breaking a promise that one
27 intends not to keep is fraud.” United States v. Univ. of Phoenix,
461 F.3d 1166, 1172 (9th Cir. 2006)(citing United States ex rel.
28 Main v. Oakland City Univ., 426 F.3d 914 (7th Cir. 2005).
-11-
1 by which, the money, property or services were obtained.’”),
2 quoting Conn. Attys. Title Ins. Co. v Budnick (In re Budnick),
3 469 B.R. 158, 174 (Bankr. D. Conn. 2012); Aslakson v. Freese
4 (In re Freese), 472 B.R. 907, 918 (Bankr. D.N.D. 2012);
5 In re Woodall, 177 B.R. 517, 523-24 (Bankr. D. Md. 1995);
6 In re Ethridge, 80 B.R. 581, 587 (Bankr. M.D. Ga. 1987). In other
7 words, misrepresentations made by a debtor to a creditor after the
8 credit has been extended have no effect upon the discharge of the
9 debt.
10 Simply put, the target misrepresentation must have existed at
11 the inception of the debt, and a creditor must prove that he or
12 she relied on that misrepresentation. As the Panel has explained,
13 For purposes of [§] 523(a)(2), however, the timing of
the fraud and the elements to prove fraud focus on the
14 time when the lender . . . made the extension of credit
to the Debtor. . . . In other words, . . . the inquiry
15 of whether a creditor justifiably relied on Debtor's
alleged misrepresentations is focused on the moment in
16 time when that creditor extended the funds to Debtor.
See McClellan v. Cantrell, 217 F.3d 890, 896 (7th Cir.
17 2000)(Ripple, Circuit Judge, concurring) (noting
Congress' use of "obtained by" in § 523(a)(2) "clearly
18 indicates that fraudulent conduct occurred at the
inception of the debt, i.e. the debtor committed a
19 fraudulent act to induce the creditor to part with his
money or property.").
20
21 New Falls Corp. v. Boyajian (In re Boyajian), 367 B.R. 138, 147
22 (9th Cir. BAP 2007) (citing Bombardier Capital, Inc. v. Dobek
23 (In re Dobek), 278 B.R. 496, 508 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 2002)). As a
24 leading treatise explains, “if the property and services were
25 obtained before the making of any false representation, subsequent
26 misrepresentations will have no effect on dischargeability.”
27 4 COLLIER ON BANKRUPTCY ¶ 523.08[1] (Alan N. Resnick & Henry J.
28 Sommer, eds., 16th ed., 2012).
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1 Here, the bankruptcy court found that the only representation
2 made by Reingold to Shaffer in connection with the $50,000 check
3 paid on October 24, 2008, was that it was to be a general purpose
4 loan, to be used in conducting his business, which the court
5 characterized as a “loan for which the borrower could use the loan
6 proceeds for any purpose.” H’rg Tr. 5:20-21. Moreover, the court
7 found that Reingold “did use a portion of the $50,000, as well as
8 personal effort and services, toward the project.” H’rg Tr. 5:6-
9 8.
10 Whether the debtor made a misrepresentation is a finding of
11 fact reviewed for clear error. Candland v. Ins. Co. of N. Am.
12 (In re Candland), 90 F.3d 1466 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing In re
13 Lansford, 822 F.2d 902, 904 (9th Cir. 1987)). The bankruptcy
14 court’s finding that no misrepresentation was made by Reingold to
15 Shaffer until October 31, 2008, a week after she gave him the
16 initial $50,000 check, is supported by the record and was not
17 clearly erroneous. Because no misrepresentation occurred at or
18 before the time of the $50,000 payment, the Panel need not review
19 whether the other elements for an exception to discharge under
20 § 523(a)(2)(A) are present as to that payment. The bankruptcy
21 court did not err in determining that the debt represented by the
22 $50,000 check was not excepted from discharge under
23 § 523(a)(2)(A).
24 II.
The bankruptcy court did not err in determining that the
25 $76,000 payment was excepted from discharge under
§523(a)(2)(A).
26
27 Reingold argues that the bankruptcy court erred when it
28 decided that his debt to Shaffer for the $76,000 payment was
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1 excepted from discharge. He contends that the entire $126,000
2 debt was dischargeable. At bottom, Reingold’s position amounts to
3 a challenge to the bankruptcy court’s fact findings and lacks
4 merit.
5 A. Misrepresentation. As discussed above, the bankruptcy
6 court found that Reingold represented in the Loan Agreement that
7 the $76,000 he received from Shaffer was to be specifically and
8 solely used for acquisition of and work on the Property, and that
9 he would account for his use of the funds to Shaffer. In
10 particular, in the words of the bankruptcy court, through the Loan
11 Agreement, "Debtor [represented that the] loan proceeds were to be
12 used only for the development of the [Property]. Such
13 representations were the inducement for Plaintiff Sharon Shaffer
14 to make the loan to Defendant William Reingold. The specifics and
15 restrictions . . . were established on October 31, 2008." Hr’g
16 Tr. 4:8-10. The court then found that “the $76,000 loan was to be
17 specifically used and accounted for by the Defendant. That the
18 Defendant obtained the loan by false pretenses in that he failed
19 to specifically account, keep the Plaintiff informed and
20 utilize[d] the funds for purposes that can only be assumed for
21 other than specifically intended on the development of the
22 [Property].” H’rg Tr. 5:9-16. The court also found that, at the
23 time he entered into the Loan Agreement, Reingold “concealed from
24 [Shaffer] . . . [his] intention not to use the loan proceeds
25 strictly in accordance with the purpose of the $76,000 loan
26 contract.” H’rg Tr. 6:1-3. Simply stated, the bankruptcy court
27 found that Reingold intentionally concealed his intent to use the
28 $76,000 in loan funds as specifically agreed in the Loan Agreement
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1 for purposes other than acquisition and development of the
2 Property.
3 A debtor’s silence or omission of a material fact can
4 constitute a false representation which is actionable under
5 § 523(a)(2)(A). Citibank (South Dakota), N.A. v. Eashai
6 (In re Eashai), 87 F.3d 1082, 1088-89 (9th Cir. 1996). Moreover,
7 “[t]he nature of a scheme to defraud by false representations can
8 be shown by accumulated evidence . . . and subsequent conduct.”
9 United States v. Gibson, 690 F.2d 697, 701 (9th Cir. 1982). In
10 this case, Reingold’s failure to account to Shaffer for the use of
11 the loan proceeds when she requested that he do so, and his
12 failure to adequately account to the court for the money, could
13 evidence Reingold’s fraudulent intent.7
14 The bankruptcy court considered the testimony of the parties
15 on this topic from both Reingold and Shaffer. Reingold insisted
16 that he never concealed information from Shaffer with the intent
17 to defraud her. Indeed, Reingold testified that he specifically
18 told Shaffer that he would use the funds for purposes other than
19 the Project. Trial Tr. 117:8-10. Shaffer was equally adamant
20 that Reingold never told her that he would use the funds for
21 purposes other than the Project and she would not have provided
22
23
7
Reingold argues that the bankruptcy court’s findings that
24 faulted him for his failure to account to Shaffer, or to the
court, for the use of the $76,000 demonstrates that the court
25 conflated the elements for an exception to discharge for fraud or
defalcation by a fiduciary under § 523(a)(4) with those required
26 to show actual fraud under § 523(a)(2)(A). This argument is
misplaced. Shaffer did not allege a claim for relief under
27 § 523(a)(4). And as discussed above, Reingold’s failure to
account for the loan funds was apparently viewed by the bankruptcy
28 court as evidence of Reingold’s intent to conceal his fraudulent
conduct. The bankruptcy court did not err in this regard.
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1 the funds to him had she known that Reingold would use them for a
2 purpose outside the restrictions of the Loan Agreement. Trial Tr.
3 64:9-14. As noted above, whether there was a misrepresentation is
4 a question of fact reviewed for clear error. In re Candland,
5 90 F.3d at 1466. "Where there are two permissible views of the
6 evidence, the factfinder's choice between them cannot be clearly
7 erroneous."). Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, NC, 470 U.S.
8 564, 574, (1985). And we must defer to a bankruptcy court’s
9 findings based on testimonial evidence. Rule 8013.
10 Here, the bankruptcy court did not clearly err when it found
11 that Reingold made a misrepresentation to Shaffer concerning his
12 intended use of the $76,000 in loan proceeds.
13 B. Knowledge of the falsity or deceptiveness of a statement,
14 or conduct and an intent to deceive. The bankruptcy court found
15 that Reingold actively concealed his true purpose not to apply all
16 the restricted funds to acquiring or developing the Property.
17 Knowledge of the falsity or deceptiveness of a statement is a
18 question of fact. Runnion v. Pedrazzini (In re Pedrazzini),
19 644 F.2d 756, 758 (9th Cir. 1981) (The existence of scienter is a
20 question of fact, not to be reversed on appeal unless clearly
21 erroneous.). The bankruptcy court had testimony from both parties
22 and its ruling, again based on conflicting testimonial evidence,
23 is not clearly erroneous.
24 Moreover, the bankruptcy court had evidence of Reingold’s
25 behavior subsequent to the Loan Agreement from which it could
26 infer that Reingold did not intend to apply the funds solely to
27 the Property. It is well established that courts can consider
28 subsequent conduct in determining fraudulent intent as long as
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1 that conduct provides an indication of the debtor's state of mind
2 at the time of the false representations. Williamson v. Busconi,
3 87 F.3d 602, 603 (1st Cir. 1996) (explaining that "subsequent
4 conduct may reflect back to the promisor's state of mind and thus
5 may be considered in ascertaining whether there was fraudulent
6 intent at the time the promise was made"); Strominger v. Giquinto
7 (In re Giquinto), 388 B.R. 152, 167 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2008)
8 (stating that "[a]n often employed indicia, especially with
9 respect to fraudulent actions under § 523(a)(2)(A), centers on a
10 debtor's subsequent conduct"); Siebanoller v. Rahrig
11 (In re Rahrig), 373 B.R. 829, 834 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 2007) (same);
12 Stein v. Tripp (In re Tripp), 357 B.R. 544, 548 (Bankr. D. Ariz.
13 2006) (noting that a court "may consider subsequent conduct to the
14 extent that it provides an insight into the debtor's state of mind
15 at the time of the representations"); Lucas v. Lyle (In re Lyle),
16 334 B.R. 324, 334 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2005) (explaining that
17 "subsequent conduct can reflect a debtor's state of mind at the
18 time the representation is made"); Visotsky v. Woolley
19 (In re Woolley), 145 B.R. 830, 836 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1991) (same);
20 Miller v. Krause (In re Krause), 114 B.R. 582, 606 (Bankr. N.D.
21 Ind. 1988) (same).
22 Shaffer testified that Reingold failed to communicate any
23 information regarding his efforts to acquire and rehabilitate the
24 Property. He provided no written accounting or other financial
25 statements regarding her investment. Trial Tr. 65:12. He did not
26 inform her that he had canceled escrow on the Property and taken
27 the funds back in his own name. Trial Tr. 65:24. Indeed, Shaffer
28 never found out about the canceled escrow until she filed her
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1 state court lawsuit. Trial Tr. 66:20. Reingold did not dispute
2 that testimony.
3 The only documentary evidence produced at trial concerning
4 his use of the loan proceeds was Reingold’s selection of checks
5 that he alleged represented expenditures from Shaffer’s funds on
6 the Project. However, in his testimony, Reingold was unable to
7 link the checks to the Property or establish that the funds were
8 provided by Shaffer. For example: (1) Check 1033 for $2,000, for
9 “taxes for IEG Corporation” for the period 2006-2007, well before
10 Shaffer was involved with Reingold or the Project.” Trial Tr.
11 33:3-5. (2) Check 1037, dated December 23, 2008, for $5,000, for
12 “expenses and salary for subs.” Reingold testified that he did
13 not know what work was done for that $5,000. Trial Tr. 35:1.
14 (3) Two checks not identified in Reingold’s testimony totaling
15 $23,000. Reingold was not able to state whether the $23,000 was
16 partly or fully attributed to the Project. Trial Tr. 35:16-22.
17 (4) Check 4157 for $5,187 to the California Franchise Tax Board
18 for “state taxes.” In testimony, Reingold admitted “I don’t know
19 if it had anything to do with [the Project]. Probably nothing.”
20 Trial Tr. 36:20-21. (5) Check 4176 for $3,000 to Natalia
21 Avenegas. Reingold testified, “I don’t remember who she was.”
22 Trial Tr. 38:4. (6) A check in October 2008 to IEG (a wholly
23 owned corporation of Reingold) for $17,000 marked “Loan to IEG.”
24 Reingold testified that the $17,000 was for “construction projects
25 that I had running at that time.” Trial Tr. 38:20-21. In short,
26 on their faces, the checks submitted by Reingold in discovery and
27 then admitted in the bankruptcy court do not conclusively support
28 his argument that the expenditures they represent were related in
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1 full to the Project.
2 Moreover, Reingold never properly established the source of
3 the funds for the checks. Reingold failed to provide in discovery
4 or at trial the bank statements to trace the source of the funds
5 for the checks. After testifying that he had lost or misplaced
6 financial records following a fire and burglary at his home, Trial
7 Tr. 52:8-22, this colloquy followed with counsel for Shaffer:
8 COUNSEL: So, did you ever make any effort to get [the
bank statements and missing checks] online or directly
9 from the bank? Calling on the bank and asking for the
copies of these — of the bank statements over this
10 period of time so that I or Ms. Shaffer could do an
accounting as to what money came in and out of the
11 account to which you deposited her loan proceeds?
12 REINGOLD: No, I just acquired the checks that we used to
– that we spent to the money, that we could find.
13
14 Trial Tr. 52:22–53:4. Without the supporting bank statements,
15 neither the parties nor the bankruptcy court could trace the funds
16 from Shaffer to Reingold.
17 In sum, the bankruptcy court had testimonial evidence that
18 Reingold withheld information from Shaffer about his work on the
19 Project. He failed to inform Shaffer that he had stopped escrow
20 on the Project and claimed the funds for himself. He was not able
21 to provide documentary evidence that he had used Shaffer’s funds
22 for their intended purpose. And he was unable to provide adequate
23 records related to either the Project or use of Shaffer’s funds.
24 Reingold’s subsequent conduct, therefore, exhibited two badges of
25 fraud as discussed in a recent bankruptcy court decision:
26 For purposes of § 523(a)(2)(A), a common badge of fraud
concerns whether a defendant made any effort to perform
27 their obligation. Chase Bank v. Brumbaugh (In re
Brumbaugh), 383 B.R. 907, 912 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 2007).
28 As this Court previously explained: "as a general rule,
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1 the greater the extent of a debtor's performance, the
less likely it will be that they possessed an intent to
2 defraud." Ewing v. Bissonnette (In re Bissonnette),
398 B.R. 189, 194 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 2008).
3
4 Bartson v. Marroquin (In re Marroquin), 441 B.R. 586, 593 (Bankr.
5 N.D. Ohio 2010). The Bartson court went on to identify “failure
6 to keep adequate records” as another badge of fraud in a debtor’s
7 subsequent conduct that would show intent to defraud for
8 § 523(a)(2)(A) purposes. Id.
9 Here, the bankruptcy court did not clearly err in finding
10 that:
11 The Court finds that the $76,000 loan was to be
specifically used and accounted for by [REINGOLD]. That
12 [REINGOLD] obtained the loan by false pretenses in that
he failed to specifically account, keep [SHAFFER]
13 informed and utilize the funds for purposes that can
only be assumed for other than specifically intended on
14 the development of the [PROPERTY].
15 Hr’g Tr. 5:11-16.
16 C. Justifiable reliance by the creditor on the debtor's
17 statement or conduct. The bankruptcy court found that Shaffer
18 relied on Reingold’s misrepresentation and concealment. Whether
19 Shaffer justifiably relied on Reingold’s misrepresentation is a
20 question of fact. Eugene Parks Law Corp. Defined Benefit Pension
21 Plan v. Kirsh (In re Kirsh), 973 F.2d 1454, 1456 (9th Cir. 1982);
22 Deitz v. Ford (In re Deitz), 469 B.R. 11, 34 (9th Cir. BAP 2012).
23 There is nothing in the record to indicate a reason why Shaffer
24 should not rely on the representation in the Loan Agreement that
25 funds would be used on the Property. Shaffer testified that she
26 was acquainted with Reingold from their mutual interest in
27 surfing, that she was aware that Reingold was a contractor, and
28 that she was given a prospectus concerning the Property by
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1 Reingold before signing the Loan Agreement. There is nothing
2 apparent in this record to indicate that Shaffer should not trust
3 Reingold’s representations. It was not clearly erroneous for the
4 bankruptcy court to conclude that Shaffer justifiably relied on
5 the misrepresentations of Reingold.
6 D. Damage to the creditor proximately caused by the debtor's
7 statement or conduct. The bankruptcy court found that Shaffer
8 “was damaged in the amount which the court now determines
9 to be [$]76,000 of the loan proceeds based upon defendant’s
10 failure to account for the use and disposition of the Shaffer loan
11 proceeds.” Hr’g Tr. 6:5-9. Determination of proximate cause and
12 assessing damages under § 523(a) is a question of fact. Britton
13 v. Price (In re Britton), 950 F.2d 602, 605 (9th Cir. 1991). The
14 bankruptcy court did not clearly err in determining that Shaffer
15 was proximately damaged in the amount of $76,000.
16 In sum, the record supports the bankruptcy court’s decision
17 that the debt to Shaffer for the $76,000 arose as a result of
18 Reingold’s fraudulent misrepresentation and is excepted from
19 discharge under § 523(a)(2)(A).8
20 CONCLUSION
21 We AFFIRM the judgment of the bankruptcy court.
22
23
8
24 Reingold raises several issues regarding evidentiary
rulings made by the bankruptcy court. However, Reingold does not
25 specify the particular evidentiary rulings to which he objected,
nor whether he raised the objections challenged on appeal in the
26 bankruptcy court. Reingold does not explain how the bankruptcy
court’s evidentiary rulings were prejudicial. We will not reverse
27 even erroneous evidentiary rulings unless they are prejudicial.
Allstate Ins. Co. v. Herron, 634 F.3d 1101, 1110 (9th Cir. 2011).
28 We therefore decline to consider Reingold’s evidentiary
challenges.
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