United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.8:13-11495 Chapter 7
Howard B. Grobstein, Chapter 7 Trustee v. CALCOMM CAPITAL, INC., a Adv#: 8:15-01089
#1.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Third Amended Complaint for 91) Intentional Interference with Contractual Relations; (2) Turnover; (3) Avoidance of Pre-Petition Fraudulent Transfers; (4) Avoidance of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers; (5) Recovery of Pre-Petition Fraudulent Transfers and Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers; (6) Breach of Fiduciary Duty (7) Aiding and Abetting Breach of Fiduciary Duty and (8) Declaratory Relief. (con't from 08-29-19 per order approving stip. to con't ent. 8-27-19)
83Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:See #15 at 11:00AM. Are parties prepared to set deadlines on complaint issues?
------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/8/17:Status conference continued to September 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. with expectation that involuntary proceeding will be clarified and settlement examined.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 2/9/17:Status Conference continued to May 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Personal appearance not required.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Point Center Financial, Inc. Represented ByRobert P GoeJeffrey S BeniceCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -
Page 1 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Defendant(s):
Estancia Atascadero Investments, Pro Se
Georgetown Commercial Center, Pro Se
Island Way Investments I, LLC Pro Se
Island Way Investments II, LLC Pro Se
Lake Olympia Missouri City Pro Se
Michigan Avenue Grand Terrace Pro Se
Mission Ridge Ladera Ranch, LLC Pro Se
Olive Avenue Investors, LLC Represented ByJonathan Shenson
Enterprise Temecula, LLC Pro Se
Palm Springs Country Club Pro Se
Pinnacle Peak Investors, LLC Pro Se
Provo Industrial Parkway, LLC Pro Se
South 7th Street Investments, LLC Represented ByJonathan Shenson
Spanish and Colonial Ladera Pro Se
Summerwind Investors, LLC Pro Se
Van Buren Investors, LLC Pro Se
White Mill Lake Investments, LLC Pro Se
Richard K. Diamond, solely in his Pro Se
Park Scottsdale, LLC Pro Se
Encinitas Ocean Investments, LLC Pro Se
El Jardin Atascadero Investments, Pro Se
Dillon Avenue 44, LLC Pro Se
Page 2 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
CALCOMM CAPITAL, INC., a Represented ByNancy A ConroySean A OKeefe
NATIONAL FINANCIAL Represented ByNancy A Conroy
POINT CENTER MORTGAGE Represented ByCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -Nancy A ConroyJonathan Shenson
NATIONAL FINANCIAL Represented ByCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -Sean A OKeefe
Dan J. Harkey Represented ByNancy A ConroySean A OKeefe
M. Gwen Melanson Represented ByNancy A Conroy
RENE ESPARZA Represented ByNancy A Conroy
DOES 1-30, inclusive Pro Se
16th Street San Diego Investors, Pro Se
6th & Upas Investments, LLC Pro Se
Altamonte Springs Church Pro Se
Andalucia Investors, LLC Pro Se
Anthem Office Investors, LLC Pro Se
Buckeye Investors, LLC Pro Se
Calhoun Investments, LLC Pro Se
Capital Hotel Investors, LLC Pro Se
Page 3 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Champagne Blvd Investors, LLC Represented ByJonathan Shenson
Cobb Parkway Investments, LLC Pro Se
Deer Canyon Investments, LLC Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Howard B. Grobstein, Chapter 7 Represented ByJohn P ReitmanRodger M LandauRoye ZurMonica Rieder
Trustee(s):
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Represented ByRodger M LandauRoye ZurKathy Bazoian PhelpsJohn P ReitmanRobert G Wilson - SUSPENDED -Monica RiederJon L DalbergMichael G SpectorPeter J GurfeinJack A Reitman
Page 4 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.8:13-11495 Chapter 7
Howard Grobstein, as Chapter 7 trustee v. POINT CENTER MORTGAGE Adv#: 8:16-01042
#2.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint for Avoidance and Recovery of Fraudulent Transfers or, in the Alternative, Avoidance and Recovery of Preferential Transfers -(con't from 10-03-19 )
Answer to Complaint for Avoidance and Recovery of Fraudulent Transfers; Counterclaims and Third Party Complaint filed 10-5-17
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:See # 16 @ 11:00AM; are the parties ready to set deadlines for issues in complaint?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 10/3/19:Where's the order requested at the 8/1 hearing?
-----------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 8/1/19:The court notes that a portion of the counterclaim based in breach of contract was remanded by order of the District Court dated May 2, 2019. But also, we learn that the counterclaimant may be a suspended corporation, and so is its manager Tamco, and that entity's principal, Mr. Gomberg, is deceased. Dismiss?
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/7/18:
Tentative Ruling:
Page 5 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
See Motion to Dismiss Counterclaim (Calendar # 13 at 11:00AM)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 2/15/18:Status? Why no report?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 10/12/17:See #11.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/8/17:A stay was entered March 21 but is up soon. What next?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 2/9/17:Status Conference continued to June 8, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Is a stay appropriate?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 11/10/16:No tentative.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 8/25/16:Status conference continued to November 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with stay of proceedings extended in interim, per trustee's request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 5/5/16:
Page 6 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Deadline for completing discovery: October 1, 2016Last date for filing pre-trial motions: October 24, 2016Pre-trial conference on: November 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Point Center Financial, Inc. Represented ByRobert P GoeJeffrey S BeniceCarlos F Negrete
Defendant(s):
POINT CENTER MORTGAGE Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Howard Grobstein, as Chapter 7 Represented ByRoye Zur
Trustee(s):
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Pro Se
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Represented ByRodger M LandauRoye ZurKathy Bazoian PhelpsJohn P ReitmanRobert G WilsonMonica RiederJon L DalbergMichael G SpectorPeter J Gurfein
U.S. Trustee(s):
United States Trustee (SA) Pro Se
Page 7 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION et alAdv#: 8:19-01022
#3.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint For Avoidance And Recovery Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfer(con't from 10-10-19 per ord appr. stip. to cont. ent. 8-22-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Deadline for completing discovery: December 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: January 21, 2020Pre-trial conference on: February 6, 2020 at 10:00AM.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
Tentative for 6/6/19:Status Conference continued to October 3, 2019 at 10:00am
Are these parties going to litigate over $5,800?
Refer to mediation. Order appointing mediator to be lodged by Plaintiff within 10 days.
One day of mediation to be completed by August 31, 2019.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H Zeigen
Page 8 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Michael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Defendant(s):
WELLS FARGO BANK, Pro Se
Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 9 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. Shen LiuAdv#: 8:19-01023
#4.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint for Avoidance And Recovery Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfer(con't from 10-10-19 per ord appr. stip. to cont. ent. 8-22-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Status conference continued to December 5, 2019 at 11:00AM to coincide with MSJ.
---------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/6/19:Deadline for completing discovery: November 15, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions:December 2, 2019Pre-trial conference on: December 19, 2019 at 10:00amJoint pre-trial order due per local rules.Refer to mediation. Order appointing mediator to be lodged by Plaintiff within 10 days. One day of mediation to be completed by August 31, 2019.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H ZeigenMichael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Page 10 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Defendant(s):Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 11 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. JPMORGAN CHASE BANK et alAdv#: 8:19-01024
#5.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint For Avoidance, Recovery, And Preservation Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers(con't from 10-10-19 per order approving stip. to cont. mediation completion date & s/c entered 8-26-19 )
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Status conference continued to December 5, 2019 at 11:00AM to coincide with MSJ.
------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/6/19:Deadline for completing discovery: October 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions:November 15, 2019Pre-trial conference on: December 19, 2019 at 10:00amJoint pre-trial order due per local rules.Refer to mediation. Order appointing mediator to be lodged by Plaintiff within 10 days. One day of mediation to be completed by August 31, 2019.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H ZeigenMichael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Page 12 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Defendant(s):JPMORGAN CHASE BANK Pro Se
Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 13 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. Barclays Bank Delaware et alAdv#: 8:19-01025
#6.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint For Avoidance, Recovery, And Preservation Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers(con't from 10-10-19 per order approving stip. to cont. mediation completion date and s/c entered 8-26-19) )
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Deadline for completing discovery: December 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: January 21, 2020Pre-trial conference on: February 6, 2020 at 10:00AM.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
---------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/6/19:Deadline for completing discovery: October 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions:November 15, 2019Pre-trial conference on: December 19, 2019 at 10:00amJoint pre-trial order due per local rules.Refer to mediation. Order appointing mediator to be lodged by Plaintiff within 10 days. One day of mediation to be completed by August 31, 2019.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H ZeigenMichael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Page 14 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Defendant(s):
Barclays Bank Delaware Pro Se
Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 15 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. Citibank et alAdv#: 8:19-01026
#7.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint For Avoidance, Recovery, And Preservation Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers(con't from 10-10-19 per order approving stip. to cont. mediation completion date and s/c entered 8-26-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Deadline for completing discovery: December 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: January 27, 2020Pre-trial conference on: February 13, 2020 at 10:00AM.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
----------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/6/19:Deadline for completing discovery: October 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions:November 15, 2019Pre-trial conference on: December 19, 2019 at 10:00amJoint pre-trial order due per local rules.Refer to mediation. Order appointing mediator to be lodged by Plaintiff within 10 days. One day of mediation to be completed by August 31, 2019.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H ZeigenMichael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Page 16 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Defendant(s):
Citibank Pro Se
Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 17 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. Bank of America Corporation et alAdv#: 8:19-01027
#8.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint For Avoidance, Recovery, And Preservation Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers(con't from 10-10-19 per ord appr. stip. to cont. ent. 8-22-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Deadline for completing discovery: December 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: January 27, 2020Pre-trial conference on: February 13, 2020 at 10:00AM.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/6/19:Status conference continued to September 12, 2019 at 10:00am (following mediation in related matters)
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H ZeigenMichael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Defendant(s):
Bank of America Corporation Pro Se
Charles C.H. Wu & Associates, APC Pro Se
Page 18 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 19 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei Liu8:16-11588 Chapter 11
Avery v. Charles C.H. Wu & Associates, APC et alAdv#: 8:19-01028
#9.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint For Avoidance, Recovery, And Preservation Of Unauthorized Post-Petition Transfers(con't from 10-10-19 per ord appr. stip. to cont. ent. 8-22-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Deadline for completing discovery: December 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: January 27, 2020Pre-trial conference on: February 13, 2020 at 10:00AM.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/6/19:Deadline for completing discovery: October 31, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions:November 15, 2019Pre-trial conference on: December 19, 2019 at 10:00amJoint pre-trial order due per local rules.Refer to mediation. Order appointing mediator to be lodged by Plaintiff within 10 days. One day of mediation to be completed by August 31, 2019.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Long-Dei Liu Represented ByLei Lei Wang EkvallRobert S MarticelloDavid A KaySteven H ZeigenMichael SimonKyra E Andrassy
Page 20 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMLong-Dei LiuCONT... Chapter 11
Defendant(s):Charles C.H. Wu & Associates, APC Pro Se
Shu Shen Liu Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Wesley H. Avery Represented ByLaila MasudD Edward Hays
Page 21 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMZia Shlaimoun8:17-10976 Chapter 7
Thomas H. Casey, Trustee of the Zia Shlaimoun Ch. v. Shlaimoun et alAdv#: 8:19-01045
#10.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Chapter 7 Trustee's Complaint Against Heyde Management, LLC For: 1) Avoidance of a Transfer of Property Pursuant to Section 547(b); 2) Avoidance of a Transfer of Property Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 548; 3) Avoiance of a Tranfer of Property Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 549; 4) Recovery of Avoided Transfer Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 550(Con't from 10-24-19 per another summon issued on 9-18-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Why no status report?
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Zia Shlaimoun Represented ByCharles Shamash
Defendant(s):
Zumaone LLC, a California limited Pro Se
New Era Valet LLC, a limited Pro Se
Jensen Investment Group LLC, a Pro Se
Goldstar Laboratories Missouri Pro Se
Goldstar Laboratories LLC, a Pro Se
Gold Star Health, LLC, a limited Pro Se
Gold Star Group, LLC, a Delaware Pro Se
40355 La Quinta Palmdale LLC, a Pro Se
328 Bruce LLC, a limited liability Pro Se
Page 22 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMZia ShlaimounCONT... Chapter 7
Aksel Ingolf Ostergard Jensen Pro Se
Oussha Shlaimoun Pro Se
Nico Aksel Leos Shlaimoun Pro Se
Helen Shlaimoun Pro Se
Go Gum, LLC, a Delaware limited Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Thomas H. Casey, Trustee of the Zia Represented ByMichael J Lee
Trustee(s):
Thomas H Casey (TR) Represented ByThomas H CaseyKathleen J McCarthyMichael Jason LeeSunjina Kaur Anand Ahuja
Page 23 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMGary James Sroka8:19-11841 Chapter 7
Sroka v. Mr Cooper et alAdv#: 8:19-01097
#11.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Declaratory Relief for a Declaratory Judgment (14 (Recovery of Money/Property) ,(91 (Declaratory Judgment)) ,(01 (Determination of Removal Claim or Cause)) ; (02 (Other)(con't from 9-26-19) (First Amended Complaint filed 9-12-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:See motion to dismiss, #17
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 9/26/19:Status conference continued to October 31, 2019 at 11:00AM to coincide with expected motion to dismiss.
--------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 8/15/19:Status conference continued to September 26, 2019 at 10:00AM in view of leave to amend granted 8/8.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Gary James Sroka Pro Se
Defendant(s):
Mr Cooper Pro Se
Real Time Resolutions Inc Pro Se
Nationstar Mortgage LLC Pro Se
Bank of America N A Pro Se
Page 24 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7
Wells Fargo Bank, National Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Gary Sroka Pro Se
Trustee(s):
Richard A Marshack (TR) Pro Se
Page 25 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMJames Michael Roberts8:19-10414 Chapter 7
Hulon v. RobertsAdv#: 8:19-01150
#12.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint To Determine Dischargeability Of Debt Under 11 U.S.C. Section 523(a)(2)(A), 523(a)(4) And 523(a)(6)(cont'd from 10-03-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Deadline for completing discovery: June 22, 2020Last date for filing pre-trial motions: July 3, 2020Pre-trial conference on: July 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
--------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 10/3/19:Deadline for completing discovery: June 22, 2020Last date for filing pre-trial motions: July 3, 2020Pre-trial conference on: July 16, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
Is there utility in proceeding with state action instead?
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
James Michael Roberts Represented ByAnerio V Altman
Defendant(s):
James Michael Roberts Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Geri Hulon Represented ByBrett Ramsaur
Page 26 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMJames Michael RobertsCONT... Chapter 7
Trustee(s):
Weneta M Kosmala (TR) Pro Se
Page 27 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.8:13-11495 Chapter 7
Howard B. Grobstein, Chapter 7 Trustee v. Benice et alAdv#: 8:16-01045
#13.00 PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE RE: Complaint for Avoidance and Recovery of Fraudulent Transfers or, in the Alternative, Avoidance and Recovery of Preferential Transfers(cont'd from 7-11-19 per order on further stipulation entered 6-12-19)
1Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:The court would have signed an order continuing dates had an order to that effect been uploaded.
------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 6/23/16:Deadline for completing discovery: October 31, 2016Last date for filing pre-trial motions: November 14, 2016Pre-trial conference on: December 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 5/5/16:Deadline for completing discovery: October 1, 2016Last date for filing pre-trial motions: October 24, 2016Pre-trial conference on: November 10, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Point Center Financial, Inc. Represented ByRobert P GoeJeffrey S BeniceCarlos F Negrete
Page 28 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Defendant(s):
Jeffrey S. Benice Pro Se
Law Offices Of Jeffrey S. Benice Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Howard B. Grobstein, Chapter 7 Represented ByRoye Zur
Trustee(s):
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Pro Se
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Represented ByRodger M LandauRoye ZurKathy Bazoian PhelpsJohn P ReitmanRobert G WilsonMonica RiederJon L DalbergMichael G SpectorPeter J Gurfein
U.S. Trustee(s):
United States Trustee (SA) Represented ByFrank Cadigan
Page 29 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
10:00 AMRichard Ryan Farino8:18-11185 Chapter 7
Hile v. FarinoAdv#: 8:18-01134
#14.00 PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE RE: Complaint to determine nondischargeability of debt pursuant to 11 U.S.C. Section 523(a)(2)(A)(con't from 6-27-19 per order regarding cont. dates listed in the prior scheduling order entered 6-03-19)
1Docket *** VACATED *** REASON: CONTINUED TO 3-05-20 AT 10:00 A.M. PER ORDER GRANTING STIPULATION OF COUNSEL REGARDING AMENDMENT TO STATUS CONFERENCE AND SCHEDULING ORDER ENTERED 9-30-19
Tentative for 10/4/18:Deadline for completing discovery: January 7, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: January 28, 2019Pre-trial conference on: February 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Richard Ryan Farino Represented ByJoseph A Weber
Defendant(s):
Richard Ryan Farino Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Gary Hile Represented ByWilliam R Cumming
Trustee(s):
Jeffrey I Golden (TR) Pro Se
Page 30 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.8:13-11495 Chapter 7
Howard B. Grobstein, Chapter 7 Trustee v. CALCOMM CAPITAL, INC., a Adv#: 8:15-01089
#15.00 Chapter 7 Trustee's Motion To Dismiss Counterclaim
226Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Grant. Appearance is optional.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Point Center Financial, Inc. Represented ByRobert P GoeJeffrey S BeniceCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -
Defendant(s):
Estancia Atascadero Investments, Pro Se
Georgetown Commercial Center, Pro Se
Island Way Investments I, LLC Pro Se
Island Way Investments II, LLC Pro Se
Lake Olympia Missouri City Pro Se
Michigan Avenue Grand Terrace Pro Se
Mission Ridge Ladera Ranch, LLC Represented ByAndrew Goodman
Olive Avenue Investors, LLC Represented ByJonathan Seligmann Shenson
Enterprise Temecula, LLC Pro Se
Page 31 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Palm Springs Country Club Pro Se
Pinnacle Peak Investors, LLC Pro Se
Provo Industrial Parkway, LLC Pro Se
South 7th Street Investments, LLC Represented ByJonathan Seligmann Shenson
Spanish and Colonial Ladera Pro Se
Summerwind Investors, LLC Pro Se
Van Buren Investors, LLC Pro Se
White Mill Lake Investments, LLC Pro Se
Richard K. Diamond, solely in his Represented ByGeorge E Schulman
Park Scottsdale, LLC Pro Se
Encinitas Ocean Investments, LLC Pro Se
El Jardin Atascadero Investments, Pro Se
Dillon Avenue 44, LLC Pro Se
CALCOMM CAPITAL, INC., a Represented ByNancy A ConroySean A OKeefe
NATIONAL FINANCIAL Represented ByNancy A Conroy
POINT CENTER MORTGAGE Represented ByCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -Nancy A ConroyJonathan Seligmann Shenson
NATIONAL FINANCIAL Represented ByCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -Sean A OKeefe
Dan J. Harkey Represented ByPage 32 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Nancy A ConroySean A OKeefe
M. Gwen Melanson Represented ByNancy A Conroy
RENE ESPARZA Represented ByNancy A Conroy
DOES 1-30, inclusive Pro Se
16th Street San Diego Investors, Pro Se
6th & Upas Investments, LLC Pro Se
Altamonte Springs Church Pro Se
Andalucia Investors, LLC Pro Se
Anthem Office Investors, LLC Pro Se
Buckeye Investors, LLC Pro Se
Calhoun Investments, LLC Pro Se
Capital Hotel Investors, LLC Pro Se
Champagne Blvd Investors, LLC Represented ByJonathan Seligmann Shenson
Cobb Parkway Investments, LLC Pro Se
Deer Canyon Investments, LLC Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Howard B. Grobstein, Chapter 7 Represented ByJohn P. ReitmanRodger M. LandauRoye ZurMonica Rieder
Trustee(s):
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Represented By
Page 33 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Rodger M. LandauRoye ZurKathy Bazoian PhelpsJohn P. ReitmanRobert G Wilson - SUSPENDED -Monica RiederJon L. DalbergMichael G SpectorPeter J. GurfeinJack A. ReitmanThomas A Maraz
Page 34 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.8:13-11495 Chapter 7
Howard Grobstein, as Chapter 7 trustee v. POINT CENTER MORTGAGE Adv#: 8:16-01042
#16.00 Chapter 7 Trustee's Motion To Dismiss Counterclaim
160Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:Grant. Appearance is optional.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Point Center Financial, Inc. Represented ByRobert P GoeJeffrey S BeniceCarlos F Negrete - INACTIVE -
Defendant(s):
POINT CENTER MORTGAGE Represented ByNancy A ConroyLauren N GansJonathan Seligmann Shenson
Plaintiff(s):
Howard Grobstein, as Chapter 7 Represented ByRoye ZurJack A. Reitman
Trustee(s):
Howard B Grobstein (TR) Represented ByRodger M. LandauRoye ZurKathy Bazoian PhelpsJohn P. Reitman
Page 35 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMPoint Center Financial, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Robert G Wilson - SUSPENDED -Monica RiederJon L. DalbergMichael G SpectorPeter J. GurfeinJack A. ReitmanThomas A Maraz
Page 36 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James Sroka8:19-11841 Chapter 7
Sroka v. Mr Cooper et alAdv#: 8:19-01097
#17.00 Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint With Prejudice
38Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:These are motions, respectively, of Nationstar Mortgage LLC dba Mr.
Cooper and Real Time Resolutions, Inc. under FRCP Rule 12(b) to Dismiss
for Failure to State a Claim Upon which relief may be granted. Although the
motions are given different numbers on the calendar, they involve nearly
identical questions of law and fact and so the analysis is combined in this
single memorandum. The motions were joined by Bank of America N.A. on
Oct. 1, 2019. The court’s tentative decision posted for the hearing August 8,
2019 is incorporated herein by reference; it dealt with the original complaint.
In that prior decision the court granted similar motions to dismiss but with
leave to amend. In that memorandum the court warned Plaintiff that if he
were serious about pursuing this action, he should seek counsel inasmuch as
the prior version of the complaint was largely unintelligible. But given
Plaintiff’s pro se status leniency was shown in the hope that the matter could
be resolved on its merits. However, the court warned that it would not
tolerate any more rambling and incomprehensible pleadings which present no
plain articulation in English of a theory for relief and amount to a waste of
time. But Plaintiff was either disinclined or unable to take this advice as his
First Amended Complaint filed September 12 is also unintelligible. Plaintiff
has filed a [Proposed] Second Amended Complaint on or about October 24,
2019 which appears to be his opposition to the motion (although he was not
given leave to amend again) because that document was attached to his
"Notice of Opposition and Request for a Hearing" filed that same date. The
court will therefore construe this [Proposed] Second Amended Complaint as
Tentative Ruling:
Page 37 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7
Plaintiff’s Opposition.
Although the [Proposed] Second Amended Complaint has the virtue of
being shorter and in (somewhat) plainer English, Plaintiff has still failed to
cure the problems for these reasons:
1. Plaintiff lacks standing. As the court tried to explain before, the wrongs
Plaintiff alleges all arose in connection with the Defendants’ attempts
to foreclose the mortgage held against the property commonly known
as 324 Via Promesa, San Clemente, which still to this date have not
resulted in an actual foreclosure sale. But it is rather clear that the
events complained of arose before May 14, 2019, the petition date,
which delayed the sale, so any claim for relief belongs to the appointed
Chapter 7 trustee. See e.g. Cusano v. Klein, 264 F. 3d 936, 945 (9th
Cir. 2001); Sierra Switchboard Co. v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp, 789 F.
2d 705, 708 (9th Cir. 1986); Griffin v. Allstate Ins. Co., 920 F. Supp
127, 130 (C.D. Cal. 1996). The claims for relief, if any, belong to the
estate and until the Trustee sells or abandons them, they cannot be
the basis for a complaint by debtor as is attempted here.
2. Defendants argue that the latest version is also barred by res judicata
in that the complaint seems to raise the same or very similar theories
as were dismissed with prejudice four years ago in adversary
proceeding #8:14-1201 TA. See Summerville v. Rojas (In re
Summerville), 361 B.R. 133, 142 (9th Cir. BAP 2007). This argument
could be conclusive if identity of the claims could be established, but
the court hesitates given the rambling nature of these various
complaints. It is somewhat unclear that the very same issues as
between the same parties were ruled on before. The [Proposed]
Second Amended Complaint is no model of clarity, but it seems to
suggest that the gravamen of the latest complaint (if that can be filed
as a complaint rather than merely as interpretive) involves some kind
Page 38 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7of tender by the debtor, which was not responded to by the
Defendants. Allegedly, this tender occurred on or about September
2018, which of course came after the court’s ruling in the prior
adversary proceeding. While unclear, this theory of a res judicata
defense might not be conclusive for this reason. However, insofar as
the basis for the First Amended Complaint is in fact the same wrongful
foreclosure theory alleged in 2014, it is barred.
3. The privilege under Cal. Civ. Code §2924(d) relates to the publishing
and recording of notices required under California’s foreclosure laws
and would seem to cover NBS Default Services, the Defendant’s
foreclosure services company, since allegedly all that they are charged
with is recording and publishing the notices involved in a foreclosure.
Since nothing is alleged which would bring this entity outside of the
law’s protections in this respect, this is an independent ground to
dismiss as to NBS only.
4. No intelligible basis for a claim is stated. If Plaintiff is relying on the
unintelligible ramblings of the First Amended Complaint, no cognizable
basis for relief is stated within the standards set forth in Bell Atlantic
Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 554-556 (2007) and Ashcroft v. Iqbal,
129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). If the court is supposed to be
persuaded by the somewhat clearer recitation found in the [Proposed]
Second Amended complaint, the same problem remains, even
assuming it could/should be read retroactively to interpret the First
Amended Complaint [See ¶¶10 and 13-15 of First Amended Complaint
which seem to state a similar theory based on "tender"]. The court
agrees with the assessment offered by Defendant Real Time
Resolutions that the allegations in the [Proposed]Second Amended
Complaint are effectively a "word salad" devoid of any real meaning.
Page 39 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7Plaintiff alleges only one charging claim, "First Claim for Declaratory
Relief," but, as is correctly argued by Defendants Nationstar, et al, this
is only a remedy, not a theory of relief. So, some other predicate for
employment of the remedy must be stated. See e.g. Stock West, Inc.
v. Confederated Tribes of the Coville Reservation, 873 F. 2d 1221,
1225 (9th Cir. 1989); Wood v. U.S., 2006 WL 2829829 at 1, n. 2 (E.D.
Cal. Sept. 29, 2006). But no such predicate for relief appears. As near
as the court can determine from the "Common Facts" found at page 3
of the [Proposed]Second Amended Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that he
made three (or four?) "tenders" by registered mail to the Defendants
and that these were "accepted" (apparently by alleged failure to
specifically reject). From this premise Plaintiff then alleges that a
"contract" was formed (is this eGJS02061961-05?) and so the
Defendants were wrongful in persisting with foreclosure. No allegation
is made as to what exactly was tendered, but one doubts that Plaintiff
means that the entire balance including accrued interest, fees etc., in
money (see page 2 of [Proposed] Second Amended Complaint); this is
a sum of about $1,038,496 according to the Mr. Cooper loan statement
dated 3/19/2019, of which $539,926 was the sum necessary to
reinstate. See Exhibit "A" attached to First Amended Complaint. Since
the petition in Chapter 7 was filed May 14, 2019, only about two
months later, one can only conclude that whatever was "tendered"
is/was not the full balance owed under the mortgage since the
Plaintiff’s schedules filed June 14, 2019 reveal no such sum of money
(or indeed anything close). In fact, the only assets of substance are
reported as the real property at Via Promesa and an alleged claim
against the Defendants described as "dispute re tendered real property
mortgages; pending Adv Compl., state and Federal actions?
6,600,000…" followed by some illegible handwriting.
5. While no specific reference in the [Proposed] Second Amended
Page 40 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7Complaint is made to identify the "tenders" that are central to the
complaint, we can suppose that they are the same as identified
collectively in the First Amended Complaint. Plaintiff refers to account
numbers for the loans of Mr. Cooper 0617169545 and for Real Time
Resolutions 006358758, although the latter number appears nowhere
on Exhibit "A". The Cooper number was handwritten upon the
registered mail receipt card, presumably by Plaintiff, with the
handwritten words "tender issued discharging of Government
obligation." On the version marked "4th Tender" the words "4th tender
infuse(?) issued to 4th consideration Arbitration Demanded" (sic)
appear. Mysterious reference is made to something called "Contract
Agreement No: eGJS02061961-05." None of this is explained, but the
court agrees with Real Time Resolutions that insofar as Plaintiff is
alleging that the bank Defendants had some kind of duty to respond to
whatever was contained in "Contract Agreement No:
eGJS02061961-05", or even to respond to his scribblings upon the
loan statements and certified mail cards attached as Exhibit "A" to the
First Amended Complaint, this is incorrect. Silence alone does not give
consent (Norcia v. Samsung Telecoms Am. LLC, 845 F. 3d 1279, 1284
(9th Cir. 2017)), even by estoppel for there must not only be the right,
but the duty, to speak before the failure to do so can estop a person
from afterward setting up the truth." Wold v. League of the Cross, Inc.,
114 Cal. App. 474, 479 (1931). A possible exception to the estoppel
by silence rule might exist if there were special circumstances, such as
a confidential or fiduciary relationship. See e.g. Moore v. State Bd. of
Control, 112 Cal. App. 4th 371, 385 (2003). But Plaintiff alleges no
basis for such a confidential or fiduciary relationship here. Indeed, it is
very much the opposite since Plaintiff had before sued the Defendants
(and lost) and in any event a bank is not a fiduciary to its borrower.
The proposition that a borrower on a distressed loan can, by writing to
the foreclosing lender some proposal and then sending by certified
mail, even four times, and claim satisfaction of the loan upon failure of
Page 41 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7the lender to respond, is preposterous and obviously does not state a
claim upon which relief can be granted.
6. It is obvious to the court that Plaintiff has no articulable clam for relief.
What does appear is largely unintelligible, and the intelligible portions
strain credulity. An earlier opportunity to amend was given but proved
unproductive as the First Amended Complaint is also insufficient and, if
one counts the [Proposed]Second Amended Adversary Complaint, this
is three bites at the apple. But it is more, if one views the several
versions of the earlier complaint found in adversary proceeding #
8:14-1201 TA. Moreover, even if that were not true, Plaintiff obviously
lacks standing. The law is lenient when dealing with pro se litigants, but
there are limits to the court’s patience. See Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F,
2d 1258, 1263 (9th Cir. 1992). The court sees absolutely no basis for
further indulging this Plaintiff so leave to further amend is not
appropriate.
Grant without leave to amend
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Gary James Sroka Pro Se
Defendant(s):
Mr Cooper Represented ByDane W Exnowski
Bank of America N A Represented ByEthan Schatz
Wells Fargo Bank, National Pro Se
Page 42 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James SrokaCONT... Chapter 7
Real Time Resolutions Inc Represented BySharon L HightowerNathaniel R Lucey
Nationstar Mortgage LLC Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Gary Sroka Pro Se
Trustee(s):
Richard A Marshack (TR) Pro Se
Page 43 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
11:00 AMGary James Sroka8:19-11841 Chapter 7
Sroka v. Mr Cooper et alAdv#: 8:19-01097
#18.00 Real Time Solutions, Inc's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint
42Docket
Tentative for 11/7/19:See #17.
Tentative Ruling:
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Gary James Sroka Pro Se
Defendant(s):
Mr Cooper Represented ByDane W Exnowski
Real Time Resolutions Inc Represented BySharon L HightowerNathaniel R Lucey
Nationstar Mortgage LLC Pro Se
Bank of America N A Represented ByEthan Schatz
Wells Fargo Bank, National Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Gary Sroka Pro Se
Trustee(s):
Richard A Marshack (TR) Pro Se
Page 44 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.8:17-13077 Chapter 11
Hoag Urgent Care - Anaheim Hills, Inc. et al v. Newport Healthcare Center Adv#: 8:17-01241
#19.00 STATUS CONFERENCE RE: Complaint for: 1. Disallowance of Claims; 2. Invalidation of Security Interest; 3. Avoidance of Fraudulent Transfers; 4. Recovery of Avoided Transfers; 5. Preservation of Avoided Transfers; and 6. Declaratory Relief(set from order entered 6-3-19 document #145 vacating the pre-trial conf. and setting a combined s/c & damage hearing to held on 8-01-19)(con't from 9-26-19)
1Docket *** VACATED *** REASON: CONTINUED TO 12-19-19 AT 11:00 A.M. PER ORDER ON SECOND STIPULATION AMENDING ORDER SETTING DAMAGES PHASE SCHEDULE AND CONTINUING STATUS CONFERENCE ENTERED 10-24-19
Tentative for 9/26/19:See #21 & 24
----------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 8/1/19:See #20
----------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 10/4/18:Deadline for completing discovery: January 19, 2019Last date for filing pre-trial motions: February 11, 2019Pre-trial conference on: March 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.Joint pre-trial order due per local rules.
--------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 8/23/18:
Tentative Ruling:
Page 45 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.CONT... Chapter 11
Status conference continued to September 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. At the very least we need to know whether the Trustee will be substituting in as real party in interest. The court expects this will be done (or specifically disclaimed) by the continued hearing.
-----------------------------------------------
Tentative for 5/24/18:See calendar #21 at 11:00AM.
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Hoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc. Represented ByAshley M McDowMichael T DelaneyFahim Farivar
Defendant(s):
Newport Healthcare Center LLC Pro Se
Hoag Memorial Hospital Pro Se
Plaintiff(s):
Hoag Urgent Care - Anaheim Hills, Represented ByAshley M McDow
Hoag Urgent Care - Huntington Represented ByAshley M McDow
Hoag Urgent Care - Orange, Inc. Represented ByAshley M McDow
Hoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc. Represented ByAshley M McDow
Your Neighborhood Urgent Care, Represented ByAshley M McDow
Page 46 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.8:17-13077 Chapter 7
Hoag Urgent Care - Anaheim Hills, Inc. et al v. Newport Healthcare Center Adv#: 8:17-01241
#20.00 Evidentiary Hearing Re: Damages Phase (set from order approving stipulation to vacate pre-trial conference and set damages phase schedule entered 6-03-19)(cont'd from 9-26-19)
0Docket *** VACATED *** REASON: CONTINUED TO 12-19-19 AT 11:00 A.M. PER ORDER ON SECOND STIPULATION AMENDING ORDER SETTING DAMAGES PHASE SCHEDULE AND CONTINUING STATUS CONFERENCE ENTERED 10-24-19
Tentative for 9/26/19:These are, respectively, the damages phase of the Motion for
Summary Judgment and a Motion to exclude "certain testimony" of Charles
Klaus. They are considered together in the same memorandum as they
concern inter-locking issues. The court granted Counterclaimants’ motion for
summary judgment on their conversion claim May 30, 2019 but held a further
hearing on damages (which had not been addressed in the motion) on
August 1, 2019. The court at that later hearing rejected the Counterclaimants
measure of damages as not based on what the court deemed the correct
measure, i.e. fair market value. Now we consider the damages phase a
second time, this time supported by expert testimony from Michael P. Rice,
director of asset appraisals for Medical Valuation Advisors, Inc. This appraisal
is opposed by the Amster parties who offer the counter declaration of Charles
Klaus, president of ABC Services Group. It is that testimony of Mr. Klaus that
Counterclaimants seek to exclude in #25.
The overarching concern of the court is that the damages portion of
this proceeding is not amenable to summary adjudication. Even giving the
most charitable characterization of the Rice appraisal, it raises and assumes
numerous issues of fact. The court agrees there are legitimate disputes over
Tentative Ruling:
Page 47 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
the age and condition of the equipment. The fact that a definitive list of make,
model and age of equipment apparently does not exist (or was not provided)
itself creates issues of fact. Of course, depreciation is always a major
concern in any appraisal of fair market value. Condition of items is also a
question which is hampered here because neither side seems to know where
the items are in order to make them available for inspection (but the court
does not expect the Amster parties to take much consolation in that as the
disappearance apparently was on "their watch"). The whole question of
changes to an earlier list prepared by Expert Equipment Appraisers dated
March 2, 2017 augmented by photographs (as revealed in the Rice report)
requires more explanation. In sum, the court will set an evidentiary hearing.
On the Klaus declaration, the court notes that he never actually opines
on the question of value. He only raises legitimate issues about methodology
in the Rice appraisal. Counterclaimants argue that because Mr. Klaus is
currently occupied as an auctioneer, not an appraiser, he cannot qualify as an
expert on any basis relevant here. The court notes that he was certified as an
appraiser at one point and reports that he has conducted over 100 appraisals
over the last 18 years. While his qualifications to give a current valuation on
medical equipment might be thin, the court finds that his knowledge about
appraisal methodology is enough to conclude that his testimony has value to
the court within the meaning of Rule 702 over that of a layperson, sufficient to
accept an opinion on that narrow question.
Continue for evidentiary hearing. Deny motion to exclude testimony of
Charles Klaus.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tentative for 8/1/19:This is Counterclaimants Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and
Newport Healthcare Center LLC’s (collectively "Counterclaimants"), motion for
an order liquidating damages owed by Counterclaim Defendants Your
Neighborhood Urgent Care and the Hoag Urgent Care entities (collectively
Page 48 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
"Counterclaim Defendants" or "YNUC"), upon successfully prosecuting by
summary judgment their counterclaim for the conversion of the Missing
Equipment. The damages assessment relies upon the testimony of Mr.
Michael P. Rice, a certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser.
Counterclaimants assert, based on Mr. Rice’s appraisal, that they are owed
damages for the unlawful conversion of the Missing Equipment in the amount
of no less than $335,665 as replacement value of the Missing Equipment plus
costs involved in pursuing the Missing Equipment. Counterclaimants argue
that YNUC neither employed their own expert to give another independent
appraisal of the Missing Equipment, nor did they elect to depose Mr. Rice.
Therefore, Counterclaimants assert, Mr. Rice’s appraisal is the only
admissible expert evidence on the value of the Missing Equipment.
YNUC in contrast argues that the court should not accept Mr. Rice’s
appraisal of the value of the Equipment because the appraisal used methods
ill-suited to accurately reflecting the damages allowed by law. Specifically,
YNUC asserts that the appraisal is flawed because Mr. Rice used the
replacement value of new equipment, rather than on the fair market value of
the Missing Equipment at the time of conversion.
1. What Is the Appropriate Method for Assessing Damages?
The main question before the court is, what method of assessing
damages is appropriate under these facts? Counterclaimants cite Southland
Corp. v. Emerald Oil, Inc. 845 F.2d 329 (9th Cir. 1988); 1988 U.S. App. LEXIS
21850 and Trans Container Servs. (BASEL) A.G. v. Sec. Forwarders, Inc.,
752 F.2d 483, 488 (9th Cir. 1985) for the general proposition that
"replacement value" is the proper method of assessing damages and that the
purpose of "replacement value" is to make the victim of conversion whole.
Counterclaimants’ two cases do not convince the court that damages
should be calculated based on the appraisal of the Missing Equipment as
though the equipment were brand new. It is true that the court in Trans
Page 49 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
Container noted that the district court did not err in awarding conversion
damages based on the "new value" of the converted property despite some of
the converted containers not being new. The Trans Container court stated:
The trial court made no error in setting the replacement value of the
boxes at $ 180 each. True, some of the boxes were not new, but the
court had the power to award Security replacement value in order to
make whole the victim of conversion. This court accepts the trial court's
findings of fact on this score. Trans Container at 488.
However, the court doubts that Trans Container can be read quite so broadly
considering that damages assessments are highly fact specific, as was the
court’s damages analysis in Trans Container. Instead, the court believes that
YNUC has more correctly stated the law of damages based on conversion of
property. Indeed, YNUC cites to Cal. Civ. Code §3336, which provides:
The detriment caused by the wrongful conversion of personal property
is presumed to be:
First—The value of the property at the time of the conversion, with the
interest from that time, or, an amount sufficient to indemnify the party
injured for the loss which is the natural, reasonable and proximate
result of the wrongful act complained of and which a proper degree of
prudence on his part would not have averted; and
Second—A fair compensation for the time and money properly
expended in pursuit of the property.
The Ninth Circuit has interpreted this statute as follows:
Although the first part of section 3336 appears to provide for
alternative measures of recovery, the first of the two measures, namely
the value of the property converted at the time and place of conversion
Page 50 of 5611/6/2019 4:27:11 PM
United States Bankruptcy CourtCentral District of California
Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7with interest from that time, is generally considered to be the
appropriate measure of damages in a conversion action…. The
determination of damages under the alternative provision is resorted to
only where the determination on the basis of value at the time of the
conversion would be manifestly unjust. Tyrone Pacific International,
Inc. v. MV Eurychili, 658 F.2d 664, 666 (9th Cir. 1981).
As noted earlier, the appraisal performed by Mr. Rice explained that his
appraisals were based on the value of the Missing Equipment as if the
equipment were brand new. However, many courts, including the court in
Southland Corp. (cited by Counterclaimants), have observed:
Generally, the appropriate measure of damages for conversion is the
fair market value of the property, but "[w]here proof establishes an
injury beyond that which would be adequately compensated by the
value of the property and interest, the court may award such amounts
as will indemnify for all proximate reasonable loss caused by the
wrongful act." Southland Corp. v. Emerald Oil, Inc., 1988 U.S. App.
LEXIS 21850 at *1-2.
YNUC correctly and persuasively argues that Mr. Rice’s appraisal is well off
the mark because the equipment, when it went missing, was several years old
(8 years old?) and, like almost all equipment, would have depreciated in value
(at least somewhat). No evidence (or even argument) is offered by
Counterclaimants suggesting that the alternative approach found in Cal. Civ.
Code §3336 is more appropriate. Therefore, the proper assessment of
damages should reflect an approximation of depreciation, but Mr. Rice’s
appraisal contains no such analysis. The court notes that YNUC takes issue
with other aspects of Mr. Rice’s appraisal, including that Mr. Rice never
actually physically inspected the Missing Equipment to get an accurate sense
of its condition. However, such an inquiry was rendered largely moot when
the equipment disappeared; instead, the court would expect a principled
discussion of the useful life of such items as the denominator with 8 years (or
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the actual age) the numerator. The court is unpersuaded that the valuation of
the equipment in Mr. Rice’s report complies with §3336, so the court is much
less concerned with the granular details of Mr. Rice’s appraisal in favor of the
correct statutory approach.
The court is also not certain whether Mr. Rice’s appraisal is the only
measure of damages Counterclaimants are asserting, or whether Mr. Sanford
Smith’s valuation, as the owner of the Missing Equipment, is also being
asserted. Clarification is needed on this point because Mr. Rice’s valuation is
much higher than Mr. Smith’s estimation of the Missing Equipment’s value (in
the region of $217,000, dkt # 95, p. 12). Only after a more accurate damages
assessment is proffered can the court properly determine whether any other
damages are warranted pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code §3336. If
Counterclaimants are claiming costs involved in pursuit of their property, proof
of those costs should be provided.
YNUC argues that the court should use the valuation of the Missing
Equipment provided in the HUC Debtors’ schedules because, as they were
signed under penalty of perjury, the court can rely on the accuracy of such
information. However, the court is uncomfortable with using the HUC
Debtors’ schedules to assess damages because it is not clear what the bases
for those appraisals were. In any event, YNUC opines that Counterclaimants’
damages are no more than $78,645. Thus, there is still clearly a need for one
more independent appraisal of the Missing Equipment.
2. Attorney’s Fees
The question of whether attorney’s fees should be awarded has
returned. Unfortunately, although instructed by the court to do so at the May
2, 2019 hearing, Counterclaimants still have not adequately addressed the
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Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
Santa Ana
Thursday, November 7, 2019 5B Hearing Room
2:00 PMHoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc.CONT... Chapter 7
attorney’s fees issue. In its adopted tentative ruling for May 2, 2019, on the
issue of attorney’s fees, this court stated:
Counterclaimants argue they have prevailed at every turn throughout
this adversary proceeding whether it was as to YNUC or the debtors.
They have obtained relief from stay in the main bankruptcy case and
obtained summary judgment in their favor in the fraudulent transfer
action. But, a relief of stay is generally held not to be "on the contract"
and thus will not support an award of fees. See e.g. In re Menco
Pacific, 2019 WL 653086 (Feb. 15, 2019). Tort actions are generally
not "on the contract" but this may not be a hard and fast rule and can
involve some nuance; it may depend on how much reference is made
to the terms of the agreement in sorting out whether liability was
established. See e.g. In re Mac-Go Corp. 541 B.R. 706, 715 (Bankr.
N.D.Cal. 2015) citing In re Penrod, 802 F. 3d 1084 (9th Cir. 2015). But
Counterclaimants may be arguing that, by the plain language of the
Sublease Agreements quoted above, they are entitled to attorneys’
fees insofar as the litigation is in connection with the Subleases and
related documents from YNUC as effectively a guarantor, or as a
signatory, not as a tortfeasor.
In sum, the entitlement to attorneys’ fees remains unclear.
Counterclaimants do not do sufficiently tie what has happened here to a
cognizable right to attorney’s fees, i.e. a recovery "on the contract" whether
the theory of recovery is tort or contract. Is this essentially a breach of
contract claim against YNUC as signatory, or as guarantor under one or more
of the agreements discussed herein? But insofar as the tort of conversion is
the sole basis for recovery, that may be problematic. But to add to the
confusion, Civil Code §3336, second part, suggests that "time and money
properly expended" is also compensable. However, the case law suggests
that the special damages alluded to in §3336 do not include attorney’s fees.
For example, in Haines v. Parra, 193 Cal. App. 3d 1553, 1559 (1987), the
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court observed:
The general rule is that attorneys’ fees are not a proper item of
recovery from the adverse party, either as costs, damages or
otherwise, unless there is express statutory authority or
contractual liability therefor [citations]. Section 3336 of the Civil
Code, which sets out the measure of damages in conversion
actions, does not expressly provide for attorneys’ fees for the
converting of property. It has long been held that such fees are
not within the rule of damages provided for by that section[.]
The Haines court then explained:
Upon remand, Haines may be able to demonstrate that he did
properly expend some time and money in pursuit of the
converted property for which he is entitled to a fair
compensation. "To entitle a party to such compensation the
[evidence] should tend to show that money was properly paid
out and time properly lost in pursuit of the property, and how
much." (Sherman v. Finch (1886) 71 Cal. 68, 72 [11 P. 847].)
Such evidence should be definite and certain. (Id. at pp. 71-72.)
Expenses "incurred in preparation for litigation and not in pursuit
of property" cannot be allowed as damages under Civil Code
section 3336. (Security-First National Bank of Los Angeles v.
Lutz (9th Cir. 1963) 322 F.2d 348, 352.) Additionally, any such
compensation must be fair, i.e., reasonable. To actually incur
expenses of $ 10,000 in pursuit of $ 4,000 seems to this court to
be inherently unreasonable. Haines at 1559.
As also noted above, the recovery of attorneys’ fees in bankruptcy
proceedings is somewhat muddled after the Penrod decision.
In any event there would need to be admissible evidence as to the
amount of fees requested, and the motion is still not supported by any
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Santa Ana
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showing of attributable time entries and the like.
Deny without prejudice to renewal once properly supported
Party Information
Debtor(s):
Hoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc. Represented ByAshley M McDowMichael T DelaneyFahim FarivarTeresa C ChowTiffany Payne Geyer
Defendant(s):
Newport Healthcare Center LLC Represented ByRandye B SorefTanya Behnam
Hoag Memorial Hospital Represented ByRandye B SorefTanya Behnam
Plaintiff(s):
Hoag Urgent Care - Anaheim Hills, Represented ByAshley M McDowFahim FarivarTeresa C ChowElizabeth A Green
Hoag Urgent Care - Huntington Represented ByAshley M McDowFahim FarivarTeresa C ChowElizabeth A Green
Hoag Urgent Care - Orange, Inc. Represented ByAshley M McDow
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Judge Theodor Albert, PresidingCourtroom 5B Calendar
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Fahim FarivarTeresa C ChowElizabeth A Green
Hoag Urgent Care-Tustin, Inc. Represented ByAshley M McDowFahim FarivarTeresa C ChowElizabeth A Green
Your Neighborhood Urgent Care, Represented ByAshley M McDowTeresa C Chow
Trustee(s):
Richard A Marshack (TR) Represented ByCaroline DjangCathy TaElizabeth A Green
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