Blixseth v. Credit Suisse AG
Blixseth v. Credit Suisse AG
Opinion of the Court
ORDER
"This matter is before the Court on the Motion' for- Summary Judgment [Docket No. 117] filed by Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC, Credit Suisse (USA) Inc., Credit Suisse Holdings (USA) Inc., and Credit Suisse Cayman Islands Branch " (collectively, “Credit Suisse.”)
I. BACKGROUND
Timothy Blixseth and his former wife, Edra Blixseth, founded the Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC (‘Yellowstone Club”), a master-planned golf and ski resort devel
In 2005, Credit Suisse arranged a $375 million loan to the borrowers, the terms of which were set forth in the Credit Agreement dated September 30, 2005. Id. at 2, ¶ 4. Plaintiff signed the Credit Agreement on behalf of the Yellowstone Club as president of BGI. Id. at 2, ¶ 6. Credit Suisse signed the Credit Agreement as administrative agent, collateral agent, paying agent, sole lead arranger, and sole book-runner. Id. at 2, ¶ 5. Section 9.20 of the Credit Agreement stated:
No Recourse to Partners. Notwithstanding anything in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary, no partner or member or managing member in the Borrower shall be personally liable for the payment of the Obligations; provided, however, nothing contained herein shall release, diminish or impair the obligations of the Borrower.to pay in full when due all Obligations in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents.
Docket No. 28-2 at 47, § 9.20 (the “no recourse provision”). On September 28, 2005, the Yellowstone Club, YD, BSR, and Credit Suisse executed a Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignments of Rents and Leases and Fixture Filing (the “Security Agreement”). Docket No. 115 at 3, ¶ *9. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the Security Agreement, repayment of the Credit Suisse loan was secured by a majority of the borrowers’ assets (the “collateral”). Docket No. 123-1 at 4.
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, Credit Suisse transferred approximately $342 million to the borrowers. Docket No. 123 at 2, ¶ 6. The Yellowstone Club transferred approximately $209 million of those funds to BGI, who in turn distributed approximately $199 million directly to plaintiff in the form of notes (the “BGI notes”). Docket No. 115 at 3, ¶ 11; Docket No. 117 at 5, ¶¶ 6-7.
A. Divorce Proceedings
In 2006, plaintiff and Ms. Blixseth began divorce proceedings. Docket No. 115 at 3, ¶ 12. On June 26, 2008, plaintiff and Ms. Blixseth settled their divorce and agreed to divide their marital assets pursuant to the , Marital Settlement Agreement (“MSA”). Id. at 3, ¶ 14; see also Docket No. 123-15. Pursuant to the MSA, plaintiff transferred ownership of BGI to Ms. Blixseth. Docket No. 115' at 3, ¶ 15. In her capacity as president of BGI, Ms. Blixseth executed the Assumption Agreement, which stated, in relevant part, “BGI hereby releases [Mr. Blixseth] from any and all claims, obligations or liabilities associated with the BGI Indebtedness. Simultaneously herewith, BGI is delivering the original [Promissory Notes] to [Edra Blixseth] to be marked ‘Superceded by Replacement Note.’” Docket No. 123-13 at 3, ¶ 4; see also Docket No. 115 at 4, H1Í16,18.
B. Bankruptcy
On November 10, 2008, the Yellowstone Club, YD, BSR, and Yellowstone Club Construction Company, LLC' (collectively, the “debtors”) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (the “Yellowstone Club bankruptcy”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana (the “bankruptcy court”). Docket No. 115 at 5, ¶ 24; see also In re Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC (“YMC Bankruptcy”), No. 08-61570-RBK (Bankr.D.Mont. Nov. 10, 2008) (Docket No. 1).
In May 2009, Credit Suisse, in its capacity as an agent for the prepetition lenders
Plaintiff asserts that the Third Amended Plan and Settlement Term Sheet made him the sole target in funding, the Yellowstone Club bankruptcy plan, while releasing Credit Suisse from liability. Docket No. 123 at 8-9, ¶¶ 57, 59-60. He further contends that Credit Suisse asserts control over the'Liquidating Trust because
(1) CS is a beneficiary of the YCLT as an recipient of allowed claims 3 and 8; (2) CS appoints 4 of 7 members on the YCÍ.T Board with a majority vote; (3) the Board advises and directs the trustee; (4) Majority vote appoints the Trustee; (5) Trust Board Advises, instruction and direction [sic] on administration and assists in the pursuit of Trust Claims, as requested; (6) CS-áppointed members^] votes must [] approve any settlement with Mr. Blixseth (5 of 7 votes to settle); and (7) CS’ local counsel in YMC bankruptcy, Holland & Hart, is designated as counsel for the YCLT, and cannot be removed absent unanimous approval.
Id. at 8-9, ¶ 58 (citations omitted).
C. AP-14
On February 25, 2009, before the Settlement Term Sheet was agreed to, Credit Suisse filed an adversary proceeding (“AP-14”) against the debtors and the UCC in the bankruptcy court. Docket No. 115 at 5, ¶ 26; see also Blixseth v. Kirschner ('AP-14U‘), AP No. 09-00014-RBK (Bankr.D.Mont. Feb. 25,2009) (Docket No. 1). The ÜCC then filed a complaint against Credit Suisse and John Does 1-15 in a separate adversary proceeding, which was consolidated with AP-14 on March 3, 2009. AP-lk (Docket No. 20). On March 24, 2009, plaintiff filed a complaint in intervention against the debtors and the UCC in AP-14. AP-H (Docket No. 38). On April 3, 2009, the UCC filed an answer asserting counterclaims against plaintiff for breach of fiduciary duty, alter ego, and recovery of fraudulent transfers. Id. (Docket No. 98 at 21-25).
Part I of the trial in AP-14 was held over the course of six days in late April and early May 2009. Docket No. 115 at 6, ¶ 36. The UCC claimed that Credit Suisse aided and abetted plaintiffs breach of fiduciary duties, that the Credit Suisse loan
On September 18, 2009, the Liquidating Trust was substituted for the debtors and the UCC as a party in AP-14, leaving the Liquidating Trust and plaintiff as the only parties to AP-14. Docket No. 115 at 9, ¶ 53. On' January 25, 2010, the Liquidating Trust filed an amended answer and counterclaims. AP-14 (Docket No. 487). On February 17, 2010, the bankruptcy court entered the Amended Final Pretrial Order. AP-4 (Docket No. 538; Docket No. 542). The final pretrial order stated that the two central issues in the case were
(i) whether Mr. Blixseth breached his fiduciary duties to the Debtors by causing the Borrowers to enter into the 'Credit Suisse Loan and by subsequently using the proceeds for his personal benefit and for the benefit of third parties, and the damage, if any, caused by the alleged breaches; and (ii) whether the Credit Suisse Loan and the subsequent transfers of those loan proceeds were fraudulent transfers under Montana state law.
Id., Docket No. 538 at 3. Plaintiff sought a declaratory judgment that, among other things, (1) he had been released from liability for any claim asserted by the debtors, (2) the loan or portion of the Credit Suisse loan transferred to BGI was not a fraudulent transfer, (3) the debtors’ claims were barred as a matter of law, and (4) that “the real party in interest of said Trust is Credit Suisse, which is contractually prohibited from pursuing claims against Timothy Blixseth on a non-recourse loan.” Id. (Docket No. 538 at 3-4). The Liquidating Trust sought, among other things,- (1) a determination that the transfer of the Credit Suisse loan proceeds to. plaintiff was a fraudulent transfer under Montana law, and (2) a determination that the releases executed in conjunction with the MSA constituted a fraudulent transfer. Id. (Docket No. 538 at- 25-26). Plaintiff asserted multiple defenses, including that the Liquidating Trust’s claims were barred due to “the Trust’s lack of standing because it is controlled by a party who participated in the allegedly bad behavior.” Id. (Docket No. 538 at' 7). The Liquidating Trust also asserted multiple defenses, including that it had standing to assert-its claims by virtue of the Third Amended plan and the arguments it advanced in its
In February 2010, the bankruptcy court held Part II of the AP-14 trial over the course of three days. Id. (Docket ,No. 557). Both parties submitted post-trial briefs, addressing, among other things, plaintiffs argument that Credit Suisse controlled the Liquidating Trust and was attempting to circumvent the no recourse provision of the Credit Suisse loan. Id. (Docket No. 569 at 50-53; Docket No. 571 at 41-49).
On August 16, 2010, the bankruptcy court issued a memorándum of decision resolving AP-14. In re Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC, 436 B.R. 598 (Bankr. D.Mont. 2010).
The bankruptcy court then turned to plaintiffs remaining defenses. The court rejected plaintiffs argument that, at all times relevant, he was acting on the advice of counsel and should not therefore bear any liability. Id. at 671. The court next considered plaintiffs unclean hands and in pari delicto defense, namely, “that [plaintiff] is not getting a fair shake because YCLT is controlled by Credit Suisse.” Id. at 673. The bankruptcy court noted that this defense stemmed from Credit Suisse’s involvement in the Third Amended Plan, which it negotiated on behalf of itself and the prepetition lenders, the UCC, and debtors. Id. Under the plan, the prepetition lenders released their claims against Credit Suisse. Id. at 674. The Third Amended Plan also allowed approximately $229 million for the prepetition lenders’ claims to the debtors’ assets, to be divided between Class 3 and Class 8 claims. Id. at 673-74. The Third Amended Plan provided for the creation of the Liquidating Trust, which would take possession of all -property and assets of the debtors. Id. at 673.
YCLT is only a successor of the Debtors. Blixseth has shown no evidence to suggest any wrong doing by the Debtors. Similarly, YCLT is not a successor in interest to Edra and the Court, to date, has not agreed with Blixseth’s grand conspiracy theory regarding Byrne and Edra. Thus, the' Court is not convinced that'YCLT has unclean hands in this matter. Moreover, while Credit Suisse was permitted to appoint four of the seven members to the Trust Advisory Board, the Court is not convinced that Credit Suisse controls YCLT. The Court also agrees with YCLT that no basis exists whatsoever upon which any misconduct’ that may have been engaged in by Credit Suisse should be imputed upon YCLT.
Id. at 675 (footnote omitted). On this point, the bankruptcy court noted:
According to terms of the confirmed Plan, Credit Suisse, as' agent for the Prepetition Lenders, was entitled to appoint four of the seven'members of the Board. Two of its designees are representatives of independent- hedge funds (Scoggin and Babson) who are Prepetition Lenders that vote in their own economic interest. Scoggin has a 5% interest in the loan and Babson has an-11% interest. The Prepetition -Lenders are the entities, funds and others who purchased the debt placed by Credit Suisse. The other two Credit Suisse designees on the Board are Messrs. Hunt and McGloin, who are independent businessmen. The remaining three members represent other constituencies not aligned with the Prepetition Agent or the Prepetition Lenders — Yellowstone Club World, LLC, the LeMond Plaintiffs, and the non-settling, Class B shareholders.
Id. at 675 n. 58.
Although the bankruptcy court ruled that plaintiffs unclean hands and in pari delicto defense did not bar the Liquidating Trust’s claims, the court turned its attention to the conduct of Credit Suisse and the prepetition lenders. The bankruptcy court found that, in issuing the Credit Suisse loan, Credit Suisse “turn[ed] a blind eye to Debtors’ financial'statements,” id. at 676, and failed to do its due diligence with respect to the loan, conduct of which the court stated: “The naked greed in this case combined with Credit Suisse’s complete disregard for the Debtors or any other person or entity who was subordinated to Credit Suisse’s first lien position, shocks the conscience of this Court,” Id. at 677. The bankruptcy court found that Credit .Suisse negotiated, a “position that allowed YCLT to step in and seek payment on behalf of Credit Suisse on a non-recourse loan. If Credit Suisse had wanted to go after Blixseth in the event of a default, it should have included such provision in the Credit. Agreement. This .it did not do.” Id. at 677-78. As a result, the bankruptcy court precluded Credit Suisse and the prepetition lenders from benefit-ting -from their participation in the Credit Suisse loan and ruled that those two parties would be prohibited from “converting a nonrecourse loan into a recourse loan through crafty legal negotiations with the Debtors and the Committee.” Id. at 678. The bankruptcy court held the damage award against plaintiff would not include
On September 7, 2010, the bankruptcy court issued an amended judgment against plaintiff and in favor of the Liquidating Trust for $40 million. AP-15 (Docket -No. 582). After resolution of plaintiffs motions to disqualify the bankruptcy judge and to dismiss AP-14 for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the bankruptcy- court issued a second amended judgment on December 5, 2012 against plaintiff for $40 million, directing that none of the proceeds, from the judgment be paid to Credit. Suisse. Id. (Docket No. 713)., Plaintiff subsequently appealed to the. district court. On April 7, 2014, the district court denied plaintiffs appeal. In re Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC, 2014 WL 1369363, at *1 (D.Mont. April 7, 2014). Plaintiff appealed the district court’s decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His appeal remains pending. See In re Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC v. Brian Glasser, No. 14-35438, 2015 WL 1206093 (9th Cir. 2015).
D. Kirsehner v. Blixseth
On October 5, 2011, the Liquidating Trúst brought sdit against plaintiff in the United States District Court for the Central District of California to recover bn BGI’s claims. Kirsehner v. Blixseth, No. ll-cv-08283-GAF-SP, 2011 WL 7656403 (C.D.Cal. October 5, 2011) (Docket No. 1). The Liquidating Trust sought to “set aside the release of Blixseth's liability on the Notes as a fraudulent transfer under 11 U.S.C. § 548(a) and California Civil Code § 3439.04, and to collect on the Notes under a breach of contract theory.” Id. (Docket No. 72 at 5). Mr. Blixseth filed a motion to dismiss under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6), which the court denied. Id. (Docket No. 18 at 13). Mr. Blix.seth then filed counterclaims for contribution and unjust enrichment against Credit Suisse. Id. (Docket No. 27 at 3-4). The court noted that - the factual allegations underlying the claims against the Liquidating Trust, which were incorporated into the claims asserted against Credit Suisse, were “substantially similar” to those asserted by plaintiff in the present case. Id. (Docket No. 72 at 6). On November 1, 2012, the court dismissed Mr. Blixseth’s counterclaims against Credit Suisse pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6). Id. (Docket No. 72 at 2, 36). On June 18, 2014, the court granted summary judgment in favor of the Liquidating Trust, giving preclusive effect to the bankruptcy court’s ruling in AP-14 that the releases were a fraudulent transfer. Id: (Docket No. 123 at'9-11).
E. Procedural History
On February 14, 2012, plaintiff filed the present case, asserting claims against Credit Suisse, Cushman, and Dean Pauww 'for (1) violations of .the. Racketeer Influenced . and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), 18 , U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968; (2) common law fraud; (3) .breach of fiduciary duty; (4) common law negligence and negligent misrepresentation; (5) tortious interference with contractual relations; (6) breach of covenants of good faith and fair dealing, under the Uniform Commercial Code and common law; (7) breach of contract; (8) equitable indemnity; and (9) common law conspiracy. Docket No. 1 at 68-83. Cushman and Mr. Pauww as well as Credit Suisse filed motions to dismiss. Docket No. 24; Docket No. 28. On September 30, 2013, the Court dismissed all of plaintiffs claims against Cushman and Mr. Pauww. Docket No. 61 at 29. The Court dismissed plaintiffs RICO, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, equitable indemnity, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and conspiracy claims against Credit Suisse. Id. The Court granted plaintiff leave to amend with respect to his claim for breach of the
The parties filed competing motions to reconsider the Court’s September 30, 2013 order, which the Coürt denied. Docket No. 91.-Credit Suisse filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Docket No. 73. The Court- dismissed the portion of plaintiffs good faith- and fair dealing claim arising from Credit Suisse’s actions with respect to appraisals, but denied Credit Suisse’s motion to dismiss in all other respects. Docket No. 90 at 5, 14. Thus, there are two claims .currently-before the Court.- Plaintiffs tortious interference with- contract claim alleges that Credit Suisse interfered with the releases by causing the Liquidating Trust to assert that the releases were invalid and unenforceable and that-Credit Suisse, in negotiating the..Settlement Term Sheet, interfered with the MSA by seeking to capture property plaintiff received pursuant to the MSA. Docket No. 68 at 60, ¶¶ 129-30. Plaintiffs good faith and fair dealing claim alleges that Credit Suisse’s conduct in' the Yellowstone Club bankruptcy proceedings was in contravention of the Credit Agreement’s no recourse provision. Id. at 66-67, ¶ 145.
On January 16, 2015, Credit Suisse filed the present motion. Docket No. 117. Credit Suisse seeks summary judgment on both of plaintiffs remaining claims.
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Summary judgment is warranted under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 when the “movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). A'disputed fact is “material”- if under the relevant substantive law it is essential to proper disposition of the claim. Wright v. Abbott Labs., Inc., 259 F.3d 1226, 1231-32 (10th Cir. 2001). Only disputes over material facts can create a genuine issue for trial and preclude summary judgment. Faustin v. City & Cnty. of Denver, 423 F.3d 1192, 1198 (10th Cir. 2005). An issue is “genuine” if. the evidence is such that it might lead a reasonable jury to return a verdict for the nonmoving party. Allen v. Muskogee, 119 F.3d 837, 839 (10th Cir. 1997).
However, “[w]hen, as in this case, the moving party does not bear the ultimate burden of persuasion at trial, it may satisfy its burden at the sumhaary judgment stage by identifying a lack of evidence for the nonmovant - on an essential element of the nonmovant’s claim.” Bausman v. Interstate Brands Corp., 252 F.3d 1111, 1115 (10th Cir. 2001) (quoting Adler v. Wal-Mart Stores; Inc., 144 F.3d 664, 671(10th Cir. 1998)) (internal quotation marks omitted). “Once the moving party meets this burden, the burden shifts to the nonmoving party to demonstrate a genuine issue for trial on a material matter.” Concrete Works of Colo., Inc. v. City & Cnty. of Denver, 36 F.3d 1513, 1518 (10th Cir. 1994) (citing Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). The nonmoving party may not rest solely on the allegations in the pleadings, but instead must designate “specific facts showing that there is- a genuine issue for trial.” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548; see Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e). “To avoid summary judgment, the nonmovant must establish, at a minimum, an inference of the presence of each element essential to the case.” Bausman, 252 F.3d at 1115 (citing Hulsey v. Kmart, Inc., 43 F.3d 555,
III. ANALYSIS
A. Issue Preclusion
Credit Suisse argues that plaintiffs claims are barred by the doctrine of issue preclusion.
(1) the issue previously decided is identical with the one presented in the action in question, (2). the prior action has been finally adjudicated on the merits, (3) the party against whom the doctrine is invoked was-a party or in privity with a party to the prior adjudication, and (4) the party against whom the doctrine is raised had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the prior action.
Moss, 559 F.3d at 1161.
1. Control of the Liquidating Trust
Credit Suisse argues that preclusive effect should be given to the bankruptcy court’s ruling that Credit Suisse did not
the continued pursuit of Blixseth by the YCLT is a continual breach of the covenant [of good faith and fair dealing]. For example, if CS [i.e. Credit Suisse] wanted to cease violating the covenant it could reach a settlement- with Blixseth. CS, through its prepetition lenders have a majority' of the - votes necessary to approve settlement — CS could stop seeking repayment from Blixseth at any time.' It has not’ elected to force the YCLT to settle or agree to settle the various lawsuits the YCLT is bringing against Blixseth.
Docket No. 123 at 19-20.
Plaintiff disputes only the first element of Credit Suisse’s issue preclusion defense. Determining whether the issue actually litigated and determined in a prior proceeding is identical to the issue presented in a current case is a fact specific
Is there a substantial overlap between the evidence or argument to be advanced in .the .second proceeding and that advanced in the first? Does the new evidence or argument involve application of the same rule of law as that involved in the prior proceeding? Could pretrial preparation and discovery relating, to the matter presented in the first action reasonably be expected to have embraced the matter sought to be presented in the second? How closely related are the claims involved in the two proceedings?
B-S Steel of Kan., Inc. v. Tex. Indus., Inc., 439 F.3d 653, 663 (10th Cir. 2006) (quoting Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 27 cmt. c,). An issue is actually litigated and decided if it is “properly raised, by the pleadings or otherwise, and is submitted for determination, and is determined.” Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 27, cmt. d. However, even if an issue is actually decided in the prior proceeding, preclusive effect does not attach unless the resolution of the issue'was “essential to the judgment” in the prior proceeding. Arizona, 530 U.S. at 414, 120 S.Ct. 2304.
The amended, final pretrial order in AP-14 states that plaintiff sought a declaratory judgment that Credit Suisse — not the Liquidating Trust — was the real party in interest with respect to the Liquidating Trust’s claims. AP-14 (Docket No. 538 at 4). Plaintiff asserted substantially the same argument as a defense to the Liquidating Trust’s claims, namely ‘ that the trust lacked standing “because it is controlled by a party[— Credit Suisse — ]who participated in the allegedly bad behavior.” Id. (Docket No. 538 at 4, 26). This argument was listed in the amended final pretrial order as a legal issue to be argued at trial. Thus, Credit Suisse’s ability to control the Liquidating Trust was squarely raised in the pleadings and submitted to the bankruptcy court for determination, just as it is raised in the pleadings in the present case. Cf. Docket No. 68 at 59, ¶ 126.
In his post-trial brief, filed after trial but the before the bankruptcy court issued a ruling on the merits) plaintiff argued that Credit Suisse exercises control over the Liquidating Trust because Credit Suisse can appoint a majority of members to the Liquidating Trust board, hand picked Mr. Kirschner as the trustee, and dictated that Credit Suisse’s former counsel represent the Liquidating Trust. AP-14 (Docket No. 571 at 41-44). Plaintiff, citing the deposition testimony of a Liquidating Trust board member, argued that the people Credit Suisse appointed to the board voted as a bloc to control the trust and would not approve a settlement that does not benefit Credit Suisse. Id. (Docket No. 571 at 45). Plaintiff further contended that Credit Suisse and the prepetition lenders had the most to gain from a recovery against plaintiff. Id. (Docket No.- 571- at 46). Plaintiff concluded his arguments on the issue by asserting that Credit Suisse could not seek recovery from him and that, given Credit Suisse’s control over the Liquidating Trust, the Liquidating Trust was similarly prohibited. Id. (Docket No. 571 at 47). Plaintiffs arguments on the issue of control in the present case are based upon the same assertions. Cf. Docket No. 123 at 8-9, ¶ 58; see also B-S Steel, 439 F.3d at 663.
After presiding over nine total days of trial and considering the parties’ arguments, the bankruptcy court ruled on plaintiffs control/unclean hands defense. In re Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC, 436 B.R. at 675. After reviewing the Set
Plaintiffs primary 'argument appears to be, not that the issue of Credit Suisse’s control over the Liquidating Trust in this proceeding is somehow different from the issue raised and decided in AP-14, but that the bankruptcy court’s decision in AP-14 “did not hinge on the issue of whether CS controlled the YCLT.” Docket No. 123 at 14. “A determination ranks as necessary or essential only when the final outcome hinges on it.” Bobby v. Bies, 556 U.S. 825, 835, 129 S.Ct. 2145, 173 L.Ed.2d 1173 (2009); see also In re Microsoft Corp. Antitrust Litig., 355 F.3d 322, 327 (4th Cir. 2004) (“in describing the scope of the ‘critical and necessary’ criterion, we have used the alternative word ‘essential’”). The bankruptcy court sustained plaintiffs unclean hands and in pari delicto defense as to Credit Suisse and the prepetition lenders. In re Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC, 436 B.R. at 678 (“the Court will not at this time enter an order that would in any way benefit' Credit Suisse, the Prepetition. Lenders or other parties who have speculated on a monumental award against Blixseth”). As a result, the court ruled -that any - amounts recovered from plaintiff would not be distributed to Credit Suisse and the prepetition lenders. Id. Given that the bankruptcy court found that Credit Suisse did riot control the Liquidating Trust and that Credit Suisse’s misconduct could not be imputed to the Liquidating Trust, Credit Suisse would have otherwise been' able to recover against’ plaintiff but for the bankruptcy court’s determination that Credit Suisse had unclean hands. The bankruptcy court’s ruling that Credit Suisse did not control the liquidating trust was a necessary step in thé ’bankruptcy court’s analysis. before it was appropriate to address plaintiffs unclean hands defense and the court’s ultimate ruling that the Liquidating Trust — but not Credit Suisse — could- benefit from any damages. recovered from plaintiff.
The Court finds that the identity of issues element is satisfied with respect to the bankruptcy court’s ruling that Credit Suisse did not control the Liquidating Trust. There is no dispute' as to the remaining elements. Thus, the Court will give preclusive effect to the bankruptcy court’s ruling on this issue. Once the Liquidating Trust was formed, it assumed the debtors’ claims against, plaintiff. Because the Liquidating Trust .was the .entity that controlled the prosecution of those claims and ultimately succeeded in setting asi.de the releases and obtaining a judgment against plaintiff for the Credit Suisse loan proceeds, plaintiffs claims in this case — to the extent they are based on actions Credit Suisse took after the Liquidating Trust was formed — are premised on Credit Suisse’s ability to manipulate the Liquidating Trust into securing those outcomes. Therefore, the fact that Credit Suisse did not control the Liquidating Trust bars any aspect of plaintiffs claims that is based upon actions Credit Suisse took after formation of the Liquidating Trust. See Matosantos Commercial Corp. v. Applebee’s Int’l, Inc., 245 F.3d 1203, 1209 (10th Cir. 2001) (“All the claims pleaded in Matosantos’ Kansas complaint are'based on the underlying issue decided in the Puerto Rico District court: “whether [Applebee’s] assumed or promised to assume Casual Dining’s obligation to pay for the Matosantos inventory.’”). Those aspects of plaintiffs claims are therefore dismissed. See Robinson v. Volkswagenwerk AG, 56 F.3d 1268, 1273 (10th Cir. 1995) (holding that jury- in prior action necessarily found at least one of multiple facts, any one of which “is incompatible 'with the damages for fraud claimed by plaintiffs in this action”).
B. Credit Suisse’s Conduct Prior to the Formation of the Liquidating Trust
The Court turns to the remaining aspect of plaintiffs claims, which concerns Credit Suisse’s conduct prior to the formation of the Liquidating Trust.
I. Tortious Interference with Contract
Plaintiff generally alleges that Credit Suisse, engaged in conduct that “caused-the Liquidating Trustee to assert that the releases were invalid and not enforceable, thus depriving Plaintiff of an extremely valuable contract right,” which arguably implicates Credit Suisse’s conduct prior to formation of the Liquidating Trust. Docket No. 68 at 60, ¶ 129; see also id. at 61, ¶ 133. Plaintiff alleges that Credit Suisse, Cross Harbor, the UCC, and the debtors drafted and executed the Settlement Term Sheet which made plaintiff the sole target for funding a bankruptcy plan, “which involved the capturing of virtually all of Plaintiffs marital community that he had received out .of the MSA.” Id. at 60, ¶ 130. Plaintiff asserts that, the Settlement Term Sheet was adopted and incorporated into the Third Amended Plan “and as a result, litigation was commenced against Plaintiff-in. AP-14 and other litigation for the purpose of recovering, from plaintiff (as the sole source) monies for the payment of the Club’s unsecured creditors.” Id. It was in this manner that Credit Suisse allegedly interfered with the releases and the property division provisions of the MSA. Id. at 60, ¶ 131. As plaintiffs allegations concede, see Docket No. 68 at 60, ¶ 129, this claim is dependent upon a causal relationship be
Credit Suisse argues that, because it did not directly control the Liquidating Trust, no such causal relationship exists. Docket No. 117 at 16; Docket No. 129 at 5 n.5. In response, plaintiff fails to identify, with citation to the record, specific evidence supporting his contention that Credit Suisse caused any interference with the releases of the MSA. See Adler, 144 F.3d at 671. Plaintiff asserts that the Settlement Term Sheet made plaintiff the sole-target of the Yellowstone Club bankruptcy, implying that, absent'Credit Suisse’s conduct, the UCC and the Liquidating Trust would have sought to recover funds from other individuals. However, plaintiff does not identify any such persons' or entities. Moreover, the portions of the Settlement Term Sheet upon which plaintiff relies in support of his position do not, without more, support the conclusion that the plaintiff was to become the lone focus of the Yellowstone Club bankruptcy at the exclusion other appropriate individuals. See Docket No. 123 at 8, ¶ 57 (citing Docket No. 123-21 at 4, § 3.e; id. at 9-10, § 5.c, g; id. at 12, § 9.
Plaintiff also asserts that Credit Suisse is culpable for its involvement in drafting and voting for the Third Amended Plan. Docket No. 123 at 9,' ¶ 59. Plaintiff contends that the Third Amended Plan provided for the dismissal of all claims against Credit Suisse, but that -plaintiff was not afforded the same benefit. Docket No. 123-23 at 49, § 8.4; id. at 52, §§ 9.2.4, 9.2.5. Plaintiffs argument implies that he and Credit Suisse were somehow equally situated such that, if claims against Credit Suisse were dismissed,- claims against him Should be dismissed as well — an implication which plaintiff does not support. Plaintiff also points out that the Third Amended Plan provided for the transfer to the Liquidating Trust of certain actions against third parties, a fact which, by itself, does not establish causation. See id. at 48, § 8.2.2; see also id. at 21-22, § 1.111, § 1.117.
Plaintiffs theory of liability relies on the presumption that, but for Credit Suisse’s allegedly tortious actions in negotiating, drafting, and supporting the Settlement Term Sheet and the Third Amended Plan, no one — not the debtors, not the UCC, not any other entity — would have brought or continued to prosecute suits against plaintiff to set aside the releases as fraudulent transfers and to recover from him personally. Not only does plaintiff fail to provide evidentiary support for such a presumption, it is a presumption which is contradicted by the récord. First, prior to the formation of the Liquidating Trust, the execution of the Settlement Term Sheet, and the confirmation of the Third Amended Plan, the UCC brought claims-against plaintiff seeking to set aside the transfer of loan proceeds to plaintiff as a fraudulent
.
2. Breach of the Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
Plaintiff claims that, by virtue of Credit Suisse’s involvement in the Yellowstone Club bankruptcy, he was deprived of the -.benefit, and expectation conferred upon him by the no recourse provision. Docket No. 68 at 66, ¶ 145.
Plaintiff asserts that Credit Suisse violated reasonable commercial standards by foregoing its right to be repaid through foreclosure on its security interests. Docket No. 123 at 16. Plaintiff contends that Credit Suisse, rather than foreclosing, decided to join the Third Amended Plan and treat its claim as unsecured, knowing with substantial certainty that any recovery would be accomplished by collection from plaintiff personally in contravention of the no recourse provision. Id. In response, Credit Suisse argues that, because the borrowers tiled for bankruptcy, an automatic
Plaintiff attempts to broaden his claim by yagüely asserting that Credit Suisse engaged in various acts of subterfuge and bad faith and should not therefore be allowed to rely on the bankruptcy process to “justify the creation of a schémé that made a non-recóurse loan, recourse.” "Docket No. 123 at 17-18. Plaintiff, however, makes no attempt to support his argument with citation to the record. Moreover, such an argument finds no support in plaintiffs amended complaint. Plaintiff alleges only that, during the relevant time period, Credit Suisse breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing by failing “to foreclose on its security as a secured creditor,” failing “to seek repayment of the loan from the collateral pledged by Borrower,” and “electing not to foreclose on its security as a secured creditor and choosing to pursue Plaintiff for the loan default.” Docket No. 68 at ’67.
Even assuming that plaintiff could establish that Credit Suisse failed to observe reasonable commercial standards , in negotiating, drafting, and supporting the Settlement Term Sheet and the Third Amended Plan, plaintiff fails to show that
C. Rule 56(d)
Plaintiff argues that, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d), Credit Suisse’s motion for summary judgment should be denied or deferred to allow him to conduct discovery. Docket No. 123 at 19.
To the extent plaintiff seeks discovery regarding Credit Suisse’s alleged control of the Liquidating Trust, plaintiffs request for Rule 56(d) relief is denied. For the reasons discussed above, plaintiff is precluded from relitigating this issue: Plaintiff does not argue, and nothing in plaintiffs counsel’s affidavit, suggests, that the Court lacks sufficient facts to rule on Credit Suisse’s issue preclusion argument. None of the facts mentioned in plaintiffs affidavit has any apparent relevance to issue preclusion elements. Thus, plaintiffs request to defer ruling on Credit Suisse’s issue preclusion argument is denied. See Docket No. 123-26 at 2-3, ¶ 12.a, c, d.
The Court turns to plaintiffs request for additional discovery on the question of whether Credit Suisse’s
actions in executing/assisting in the creation of the Settlement Term Sheet and joining/voting. for the Third Amended plan [were] not commercially reasonable, including all aspects of CS Defendants’ business decision to join the Third Amended Plan, including all interactions with its bondholder? ,and parties to the Settlement Term Sheet, plus an inquiry by experts into CS’s. general business and banking decisions of a typical bank with adequately protected collateral.
Docket No. 123-26 at 3, ¶ 12.b. Plaintiffs counsel’s affidavit does not contain the requisite particularity. Although plaintiffs counsel lists multiple facts that it intends to seek through discovery, the standard requires plaintiff to show that necessary probable facts are not available and why such facts cannot be presented. See Campbell, 962 F.2d at 1522. Although discovery has not commenced in the present case, this fact is not, by itself, a sufficient basis to grant plaintiffs request. First, plaintiff is not painting on a blank canvas. It is Credit Suisse’s alleged misuse of the bankruptcy proceedings that gives rise to plaintiffs claims, and plaintiff was a litigant in many of those proceedings. In AP-14, the bankruptcy court ordered Credit Suisse to provide plaintiff with a compact disc, in searchable format, of all discovery it previously produced in that case. AP-14. (Docket No. 467 at 3-4). Plaintiffs post-trial brief relied on trial testimony; trial exhibits; and cited additional deposition testimony, including the testimony of a Liquidating Trust board m.ember. See, e.g., AP-14 (Docket No. 571 at-42-45 (citing deposition of Yoav Rubenstein)). Plaintiff does not argue that facts gathered in other proceedings are irrelevant and does not explain why he cannot present such facts in this case. Second, plaintiffs theory is that Credit Suisse, through the negotiation and drafting of the Settlement Term Sheet and the Third Amended Plan, influenced the UCC, the debtors, the Liquidating Trust, and .other third parties involved in the
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, it is'
ORDERED that Credit Suisse’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Docket- No. 117] is GRANTED. It is further
ORDERED that this case is dismissed in its entirety.
. The following facts are undisputed unless otherwise, indicated. Plaintiffs allegations have been set forth at length elsewhere-and will not be restated here except as relevant to resolving the present motion. Docket No. 61 at 2-10,
. The Court refers to the BGI/BLX entity as "BGI.”
. The term "BGI Indebtedness” as it is used in the Assumption Agreement refers to the promissory notes executed by plaintiff in favor of BGI. Id. at 4, ¶ 17.
. To the extent plaintiff objects on hearsay grounds to the consideration of documents filed in other cases or findings of fact and rulings from other courts, plaintiff’s objection is sustained in part and overruled in part. An out-of-court written statement by a judge offered to prove the truth of a fact asserted therein is, absent an applicable hearsay exception, inadmissable hearsay. Herrick v. Garvey, 298 F.3d 1184, 1191-92 (10th Cir. 2002). In Herrick, for example, a plaintiff sought to rely at summary judgment on a district court opinion from a different case- in which the court made a finding of fact that a corporation sold its airplane manufacturing business. Id. at 1191. The Tenth Circuit held that admitting the written statement by the judge for the truth of the matter asserted, namely, that the corporation did in fact sell its airplane manufacturing business, was inadmissible hearsay. Id. at 1191-92. Thus, to the extent either party seeks to rely on documents from other courts or findings of fact from another court to establish the truth of a fact asserted, therein, such reliance constitutes inadmissible hearsay. However, to the extent the parties rely on documents, findings of fact, or rulings from another court to establish the mere fact a party made a particular assertion or argument or to establish that another court made a particular finding or ruling, such a use is not for thé truth of the matter asserted therein and does not therefore constitute hearsay. In resolving this motion, the Court considers documents filed in other cases and findings of fact and rulings from other courts only for the latter purpose.
. The YD, BSR, and Yellowstone Club Construction Company, LLC bankruptcy -cases were jointly administered under Case No. 08-61570-RBK. . '
. The prepetition lenders are those entities that advanced the loan funds to the borrowers under the Credit Agreement.
. Plaintiff appealed the bankruptcy court's order confirming the Third Amended Plan to the district court. The district court reversed and remanded on narrow grounds. Blixseth v. Yellowstone Mountain Club, LLC, 2010 WL 4371368, at *1 (D.Mont. Nov. 2, 2010). On remand, the bankruptcy court addressed the issues raised by plaintiff's initial appeal. YMC Bankruptcy (Docket No. 2281). On August 11, 2011, plaintiff again appealed .the bankruptcy court's decision to confirm the plan. Id. (Docket No. 2289). On March 6, 2013, the district court dismissed plaintiff's appeal. Id. (Docket No. 2521).
. Plaintiff asserted this argument in his motion for summary judgment in AP-14. Id. (Docket No. 486 at 5). The bankruptcy court ruled that plaintiff failed to show the “absence of a genuine issue of material fact regarding whether or not Credit Suisse controls the Trust.” Id. (Docket No. 535 at 22).
. As noted above, the Court recounts the bankruptcy court’s findings and rulings, not for the truth of the matters asserted therein, but for the fact that such findings and rulings were made.
. The terms “issue preclusion" and "collateral estoppel” are interchangeable. See SilFlo, Inc. v. SFHC, Inc., 917 F.2d 1507, 1520 (10th Cir. 1990).
. Neither party addresses whether federal or state law applies to Credit Suisse's assertion of issue preclusion. The Tenth Circuit has suggested that “ [f]ederal law determines the effects under the rule of res judicata of a judgment of a federal court.’ ” Murdock v. Ute Indian Tribe of Uintah & Ouray Reservation, 975 F.2d 683, 687 (10th Cir. 1992) (quoting Restatement (Second of Judgments § 87, at 314 (1982)); cf. Kinslow v. Ratzlaff, 158 F.3d 1104, 1105 (10th Cir. 1998) ("A party’s ability to relitigate an issue decided in a prior state court determination depends on the law of the state in which the earlier litigation occurred.”). Other circuits confronted with the question have ruled that federal law determines the preclusive effect of- a bankruptcy court’s rulings. In re Kane, 254 F.3d 325, 328 (1st Cir. 2001). However, additional complications may arise where a federal court’s judgment relies in substantial part oh state substantive law. See 18B Charles Alan Wright et al., Federal Practice & Procedure §§ 4468, 4472 (2d ed. 2015). Here, the bankruptcy court asserted jurisdiction over' the parties’ claims in AP-14 pursuant.to 28 U.S.C. § 1334, but the parties’ claims turned in large part on Montana law. See AP-14 (Docket No. 257-1 at 7); Id., 436 B.R. at 661. The parties cite only federal law and therefore appear to presume that federal law should determine the preclusive effect of the-bankruptcy court’s ruling in AP-14. See Docket No. 117 at 11-12; Docket No. 123 at 10. In light of the parties’ positions on the issue and the foregoing authority, the Court will apply federal law in considering Credit Suisse's assertion of issue preclusion.
. Plaintiff also seeks discovery regarding, among other things, Credit Suisse’s selection and continued oversight of Liquidating Trust board members. Docket No. 123-26 at 2, ¶ 12.
. Moreover, but for the bankruptcy court’s finding that Credit Suisse did not control the Liquidating Trust, the bankruptcy court would have had to resolve the question of whether the- Liquidating Trust’s recovery should.be limited because of Credit Suisse's misconduct. The bankruptcy court did not explicitly or impliedly reach such an issue, further supporting the conclusion that the court’s finding regarding Credit Suisse's control over the Liquidating Trust was necessary to the judgment in AP-14.
. As Credit Suisse correctly points out, plaintiff's argument is also factually incorrect. On February 4, 2009, the UCC brought suit against Ms. Blixseth and BGI, a suit which the parties voluntarily dismissed after Ms. Blixseth and BGI entered bankruptcy. Kirschner v. BLX Grp., Inc., No. 09-00010 (Bankr. D.. Mont. Jan 14, 2010) (Docket No. 72).
. In a previous order, the Court dismissed plaintiff’s good faith and faith dealing claim arising out of Credit Suisse’s actions with respect to appraisals conducted pursuant to the Credit Agreement. Docket No. 90 at 5.
. Plaintiff does not seek additional discovery on the question of what, if any, additional alternative means Credit Suisse could have used to secure repayment.
. As discussed above, plaintiff's allegations that Credit Suisse breached the covenant by participating in lawsuits against plaintiff are precluded by the bankruptcy-court’s decision.
. Although plaintiff seeks "exemplary damages," id. "tort damages are not available for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in common contract actions.” Keller v. Dooling, 248 Mont. 535, 541, 813 P.2d 437 (1991).
. Effective December 1, 2010, the Supreme Court amended Rule 56, and what is now Rule 56(d) previously was codified as Rule 56(f). Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 Adv. Comm. Note (2010) ("The standard for granting summary judgment remains unchanged... Subdivision (d) carries forward without substantial change the provisions of former subdivision (f)”).
. To the extent plaintiff argues that, as a general matter, summary judgment is premature until all parties have conducted discovery, plaintiff misstates the relevant standard. "There is no requirement in [Rule 56] that summary judgment not be entered until discovery is complete.” Weir v. Anaconda Co., 773 F.2d 1073, 1081 (10th Cir. 1985); accord Hackworth v. Progressive Cas. Ins. Co., 468 F.3d 722, 733 n. 7 (10th Cir. 2006). "Any potential problem with.. .premature motions can be adequately dealt with under Rule [56(d)].” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 326, 106 S.Ct. 2548. A party seeking to defer ruling on summary judgment must therefore satisfy the requirements of Rule 56(d), and, upon doing so, is entitled to a full opportunity to conduct discovery. See Convertino v. United States Dep’t of Justice, 684 F.3d 93, 99 (D.C.Cir. 2012).
. Even if the Court were to defer ruling on the question of whether Credit Suisse's preplan conduct was commercially reasonable, as discussed above, plaintiff's claims fail for an additional, independent reason, namely, lack of causation. Plaintiff does not specifically purport to seek discovery on the causal relationship between such conduct and his claimed damages. Plaintiff was a litigant in the suits thát were allegedly the end result of Credit Suisse's actions, and would therefore appear to possess facts relevant to the prosecution and defense of such suits. Plaintiff does not, however, offer such facts in support of his causation theory or argue that he does not possess them. Thus, even if the Court were to defer ruling on the commercial reasonableness of Credit Suisse’s actions, plaintiff fails to create, or argue that he cannot create, a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether Credit Suisse’s conduct caused his claimed damages.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Timothy L. BLIXSETH, an individual v. CREDIT SUISSE AG, a Swiss corporation, Credit Suisse Group AG, a Swiss corporation, Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Credit Suisse (USA), Inc., a Delaware corporation, Credit Suisse Holdings (USA), Inc., a Delaware corporation, Credit Suisse Cayman Island Branch, an entity of unknown type, and Does 1-100
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published