Rosen v. Chowaiki & Co. Fine Art Ltd. (In re Chowaiki & Co. Fine Art Ltd.)
Rosen v. Chowaiki & Co. Fine Art Ltd. (In re Chowaiki & Co. Fine Art Ltd.)
Opinion of the Court
Shay Rosen ("Rosen" or "Plaintiff") commenced this action (the "Adversary Proceeding") seeking a declaratory judgment that Chowaiki & Co. Fine Art Ltd. (the "Gallery" or "Debtor"), acting through one of its principals, Ezra Chowaiki ("Chowaiki"), fraudulently induced Rosen to transfer $230,000 (the "Wired Funds") to the Gallery's bank account pre-petition. See First Amended Adversary Complaint For Declaratory Judgment; Imposition of Constructive Trust; And Turnover of Funds (the "Amended Complaint" or "Am. Compl.") [ECF No. 5], ¶¶ 37-43 (Count One). Rosen also seeks a declaration that the Wired Funds are not property of the Gallery's bankruptcy estate within the meaning of section 541(d) of the Bankruptcy Code, (Am. Compl. ¶¶ 44-48) (Count Two), and the imposition of a constructive trust for the benefit of Rosen and turnover of the Wired Funds. (Am. Compl. ¶¶ 49-53) (Count Three).
Albert Togut, not individually but solely in his capacity as Chapter 7 trustee (the "Trustee") of the Gallery, moved to dismiss this adversary proceeding pursuant Rules 9(b) and 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Having considered all arguments raised by the parties, for the reasons set forth below, the Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED under Rule 12(b)(6) on the ground that Rosen has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
The Court has jurisdiction over this adversary proceeding pursuant to
BACKGROUND
A. Chowaiki and Rosen's Pre-Petition Transaction
For purposes of the Motion to Dismiss, the Court accepts as true the following facts as alleged in the Amended Complaint (and the exhibits thereto)
Rosen is an Israeli national and operates an art consulting business. Rosen Decl. ¶ 1. On or around October 11, 2017, Rosen was introduced to Chowaiki through a mutual colleague, Christine Barberi ("Barberi"). Am. Compl. ¶ 11. Rosen had known Barberi for around 10 years and previously had completed art transactions with her.
Rosen spoke with Chowaiki by telephone on October 12, 2017, whereupon they discussed the Kandinsky offer and Chowaiki proposed that Rosen could participate in a joint purchase of the Schichtenweise painting with Barberi and the Gallery. Id. ¶ 12. After the phone call, Chowaiki sent Rosen a follow up email discussing the terms of the offer. Id. ¶ 13; see id. Exh. A (Chowaiki email to Rosen). In the email, Chowaiki estimated that he could obtain the painting for about one million dollars and stated that he was willing to sell a half share in the piece. Exh. A. Chowaiki further represented in the email that he believed the painting could be resold "for anywhere between $1.5-2m." and that "[o]f course, Christine [Barberi needs] to be added on top."
*707Chowaiki sent Rosen another email on October 20, 2017, stating that he "[had] a client already interested in the picture. It looks like he will be willing to pay $1.2m to own it outright and he will let me resell it one day when he feels like selling it." Id. ¶ 14. Chowaiki clarified that the Gallery would be required to pay $950,000 to buy the painting before re-selling it for $1.2 million and that if Rosen was interested in participating they could make the return proportional. Id. After engaging in negotiations, Rosen and Chowaiki agreed that for a 24% interest in the Kandinsky, Rosen would pay $230,000. Id.
On October 23, 2017, Rosen caused $230,000 (the "Wired Funds") to be transferred from his wife's bank account (the "Bank Account" or "Account") to the Gallery's bank account in New York. Id. ¶ 16; see also id. at Exh. B (Wire Transfer Confirmation). Rosen did not hear from Chowaiki again after transmitting the Wired Funds. Id. ¶ 17.
By November, the Gallery was facing multiple lawsuits from numerous creditors. Id. ¶¶ 28-31. On or around November 9, 2017, Barberi contacted Rosen to tell him that the Gallery had been closed and was filing for bankruptcy. Id. ¶ 19. In addition, she reported that Chowaiki and the Gallery's majority owner, David Dangoor, were being accused of fraud in which they had allegedly lured investors and collectors into paying money for artworks by renowned artists that neither the Gallery nor its principles owned or had any right to sell. Id. ; see also id. at 6 n.1. By November 4, 2017, any opportunity the Gallery had of acquiring the Kandinsky had evaporated when, because of Chowaiki's non-response to his emails, the seller of the Kandinsky took the painting elsewhere. Id. Exh. D (Email from Carosso to Chowaiki).
On December 12, 2017, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York commenced a criminal case against Chowaiki: USA v. Chowaiki , Case No. 1:18-cr-00323-JSR (the "Criminal Case"). On May 3, 2018. Chowaiki pled guilty for having "devised a scheme and artifice to defraud and for obtaining money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretenses ..." involving at least twenty-five pieces of art. Criminal Case, Dkt No. 15.
B. Bankruptcy
On November 13, 2017 (the "Petition Date"), the Gallery filed a voluntary petition for relief pursuant to chapter 7 of Bankruptcy Code and, on the following day, Albert Togut was appointed chapter 7 trustee. Soon thereafter, on November 27, 2017, the Gallery filed its schedules of assets and liabilities, listing assets of $276,681.59 and liabilities of $11,877,011.03. See Summary of Assets and Liabilities for Non-Individuals [Case No. 17-13228, ECF No. 7].
C. Adversary Proceeding
Shortly after the Petition Date, Rosen initiated this adversary proceeding
At the hearing on the Motion to Dismiss, the Trustee raised the issue of Rosen's standing to bring this adversary proceeding. See First Hearing Tr. 21-22:20-7. The Trustee argued that it was unclear who was the real party in interest in this case, since the Wired Funds had been transferred from a bank account belonging to Rosen's wife, rather than Rosen himself. See id. 23:7-13. While Rosen conceded that the Wired Funds were transferred from his wife's account, he maintained that he had standing because the Wired Funds in fact belonged to him, notwithstanding the name on the account. See id. 41:6-13. Rosen also argued that as husband and wife, he and the account owner should be considered one economic unit. See id. 42-43:24-1.
Because the standing issue was first introduced at the First Hearing, the Court ordered supplemental briefing regarding the standing issue.
(i) The Record with Respect to the Bank Account from which the Funds were Transferred
It is undisputed, and the evidence submitted in connection with the supplemental briefing on the standing issue confirms, that the Bank Account from which Rosen caused the Wired Funds to be transferred is an account at Edmond de Rothschild Bank registered in the name of Orian Levin, who is Rosen's wife. See Rosen Decl. ¶¶ 3-4; Levin Decl. ¶¶ 3-4. Levin opened the Bank Account on March 12, 2006, and on the same day she, granted Rosen power of attorney over the Bank Account. See Heerde Decl. Exh. A; Levin Decl. Exh. A. Additionally, on July 21, 2011, Rosen and Orion Levin filed with the Bank a document called Form A - Declaration of Identity of the Beneficial Owner, which listed both Rosen and Levin as beneficial owners *709of the funds in the Account. See Levin Decl. Exh. C (Form A).
Rosen and Levin have each submitted declarations attesting that although the Bank Account is in Levin's name, they "consider[ed] all the funds in the Account to be joint property" and that it is their "mutual understanding that each of [them is] equally entitled to use all the funds in the Account." Rosen Decl. ¶ 7. See also Levin Decl. ¶ 8 ("Shay [Rosen] and I consider all funds in the Account to be our joint property. It is our mutual understanding that each of us are equally entitled to use all the funds in the Account."). Each also attested that Rosen manages the Account, communicates with the Bank regarding the Account, and uses funds in the Account in his discretion, for example, by executing withdrawals and deposits for purchases and sales of art relating to his art business. See Rosen Decl. ¶ 8; Levin Decl. ¶ 9.
(ii) Supplemental Briefings on the Issue of Standing
In his supplemental memorandum on the standing issue, the Trustee contends that Rosen lacks standing because both the complaint and the attached exhibits demonstrate that the Wired Funds - the subject of this adversary proceeding - were transferred from Levin's account, and therefore, Rosen could not allege injury to property in which he held an interest. See Trustee's Standing Memo. ¶ 16. The Trustee argues that New York law presumes that once funds are deposited into a bank account, the account holder is the party that has title to those funds. Id. ¶ 17.
Rosen argues in his supplemental memorandum that his allegations, if taken as true, are sufficient to establish standing. See Rosen's Standing Memo. at 3. In connection with his supplemental briefing, Rosen filed his declaration and a declaration from his wife. Rosen also supplemented the record with documentation reflecting that he has power of attorney over the account, and that he is listed as a beneficial owner of the account pursuant to the Form A document. See Levin Decl. Exh. A. Rosen argues that, taken in its totality, this evidence demonstrates that he has a sufficient interest in the Account to satisfy the injury-in-fact requirement for standing. Rosen Standing Memo at 3-4.
In reply, the Trustee disputes the significance of Rosen's supporting documents. Reply to Plaintiff's Supplemental Briefing Concerning Plaintiff Shay Rosen's Standing § I ¶ 2, § II ¶ 8-11 ("Trustee 2nd Standing Reply") [ECF No. 34]. The Trustee argues that the designation of Rosen as a "beneficial owner" on Form A is simply a banking formality required by Swiss authorities as part of their anti-money laundering statutes; it does not equate to an ownership interest sufficient enough to *710confer standing to bring an adversary proceeding.
The natural person(s) who ultimately owns or controls a customer and/or the natural person [on] whose behalf a transaction is being conducted. It also includes those persons who exercise ultimate effective control over a legal person or arrangement.
Id. ¶ 14; see FATF, International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation: The FATF Recommendations , at 111 (2012). The Trustee argues that the "beneficial owner" designation merely refers to the entity that exercises control over the legal owner of the account; however, such control over the legal person does not equate to legal ownership for the purposes of standing. Id. Similarly, the Trustee emphasizes that the policy behind requiring account holders to name "beneficiary owners" is to combat money laundering, not to construe civil ownership of funds. Id. ¶ 15. Thus, the Trustee argues, the "beneficiary owner" designation does not stand for the proposition that Rosen has a property interest in the funds in the account.
LEGAL STANDARDS
A. Rules 12(b)(1) and 12(h)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Standing to maintain an adversary proceeding is assessed as a matter of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, made applicable to this adversary proceeding pursuant to Rule 7012 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. In re Magnesium Corp. of Am. ,
Article III standing is a prerequisite for jurisdiction. See, e.g., Fulani v. Bentsen ,
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(h)(3) provides that "[i]f the court determines at any time that it lacks subject-matter jurisdiction, the court must dismiss the action." Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3) ; see Liranzo v. United States,
The analysis for determining subject matter jurisdiction is the same pursuant to both Rule 12(b)(1) and Rule 12(h)(3). See Cruz v. AAA Carting & Rubbish Removal, Inc. ,
B. Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Rule 7012(b) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure makes Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure applicable to adversary proceedings. On a Rule 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim for relief, a court must accept as true all material facts alleged in the complaint and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the plaintiff. See Walker v. City of New York ,
A complaint states a claim that is facially plausible when the factual content pleaded therein is sufficient to "allow[ ] the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged."
DISCUSSION
A. Rule 12(b)(1) - Article III Standing
1. Injury-in-Fact Requirements
In order to maintain a case, the plaintiff is required to "allege[ ] such a personal stake in the outcome of the controversy as to warrant his invocation of federal-court jurisdiction." Summers v. Earth Island Institute ,
Regarding the first element, "[t]o establish injury in fact, a plaintiff must show that he or she suffered 'an invasion of a legally protected interest' that is 'concrete and particularized' and actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical.' " Spokeo ,
Because standing is not merely a "pleading requirement but rather an indispensable part of the plaintiff's case, each element must be supported in the same way as any other matter on which the plaintiff bears the burden of proof, i.e. , with the manner and degree of evidence required at [each] successive stage[ ] of litigation." Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama , --- U.S. ----,
*7132. Rosen's Alleged Injury
The Trustee contends Rosen has failed to allege an injury in fact that he has personally suffered as required to establish a "case or controversy" and therefore lacks standing to prosecute this Adversary Proceeding. In support of this contention, the Trustee argues that, pursuant to New York state law, once funds are deposited in a bank account, the account holder is presumed to have title to those funds. It is undisputed that the Wired Funds were transferred from a bank account owned by Orion Levi, Am. Compl. ¶ 16, and not Plaintiff Rosen. Hence, the Trustee asserts that the Amended Complaint does not allege injury to property in which Rosen owns an interest and therefore Rosen cannot establish an actual, personal injury in fact sufficient to establish his constitutional standing.
Rosen argues that the Trustee's argument fails for two reasons. First, he contends that there is no inherent inconsistency in the allegation that Rosen owned funds in an account under Orion Levin's name, and, on a motion to dismiss, the Court is required to accept as true Rosen's factual allegations relating to standing. Next, Rosen urges that the Supplemental Declarations establish that while the Account is maintained under Levin's name, Rosen and Levin have mutual ownership of the funds in the Bank Account, thereby rebutting the New York state law presumption of ownership.
This Court finds that Rosen has meet his burden in alleging facts that affirmatively and plausibly suggest that he suffered a concrete injury sufficient to satisfy the injury-in-fact requirement of Article III standing.
As a general rule, New York law presumes that "once funds are deposited in a bank account, the account holder has title to and control over those funds." LFD Operating, Inc. v. Ames Dep't Stores, Inc. (In re Ames Dept. Stores, Inc. ),
In his Amended Complaint, Rosen described his relationship to the funds only by the short statement that "[t]he Wired Funds are the property of Rosen." Am. Compl. ¶ 35. While this claim is called into question by the additional fact plead in Amended Complaint that the funds came from his wife's bank account, Am. Compl. ¶ 16, at the pleadings stage, "the court must take all facts alleged in the complaint as true and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of plaintiff." Natural Res. Def. Council v. Johnson,
While "a bare assertion of ownership of the res without more is inadequate to prove an ownership interest sufficient to establish standing," Olivo v. U.S. ,
Rosen has alleged facts that amply demonstrate dominion and control over the funds. Through exhibits attached to the Supplemental Declarations, Rosen establishes that he has power of attorney over the Bank Account that authorizes him to execute all transactions. Heerde Decl. Exh. A; Levin Decl. Exh. A. He regularly deposits funds into the Bank Account from art sales and makes withdraws for purchases. Rosen Decl. ¶ 8; Levin Decl. ¶ 9. Further, both Rosen and his wife have an understanding that the funds held in the Bank Account are intended to ultimately benefit their family and, notwithstanding the title of the account holder, both Rosen and Levin consider all of the funds held in the Bank Account to be joint property. Rosen Decl. ¶ 7; Levin Decl. ¶ 8.
These alleged facts undoubtedly elevate Rosen's interest in the funds beyond "bare assertions of ownership." Cf. $79,000 in Account No. 2168050/6749900,
Rather, it is the cumulative assertions contained in the Supplemental Declarations that demonstrate that Rosen "effectively exercises control over the property." In re Suntech ,
Other cases have found facts similar to those alleged by Rosen to be sufficient to rebut the New York presumption regarding ownership of bank account funds. For example, in United States v. Contents of Account Numbers 208-06070 & 208-06068-1-2,
In sum, Rosen exerts sufficient control over the Bank Account to demonstrate an interest in the funds within, rebutting the presumption that only the account holder has title to and control over the funds. Rosen's purported injury is also clearly traceable to Chowaiki's conduct and would likely be redressed by a favorable decision that compensated Rosen for his losses, satisfying the second and third prongs of the standing analysis. As such, Rosen has met his burden of establishing Article III standing to pursue his claims against Chowaiki.
B. Rule 12(b)(6) - Failure to State a Claim
1. Count I - Fraudulent Inducement
Pursuant to Count I of the Amended Complaint, Rosen seeks a declaratory judgment that he was fraudulently induced to enter into a transaction pursuant to which he transferred the Wired Funds to the Debtor and that he has been injured by the Debtor's alleged fraud in at least the amount of the Wired Funds. Am. Compl. ¶ 37-43.
In order to state a claim for intentional or fraudulent misrepresentation in New York, a plaintiff must allege: (1) a misrepresentation or a material omission of fact, (2) which was false and known to be false by the defendant, and (3) made for the purpose of inducing the other party to rely upon it, (4) justifiable reliance of the other party on the misrepresentation or material omission, and (5) injury. Mandarin Trading Ltd. v. Wildenstein ,
Fraudulent inducement claims are subject to the heightened pleading standard of Rule 9(b), which is made applicable in this proceeding by Bankruptcy Rule 7009. "In alleging fraud or mistake, a party must state with particularity the circumstances *716constituting fraud or mistake. Malice, intent, knowledge, and other conditions of a person's mind may be alleged generally." Fed. R. Civ. P.9(b). "[T]he requisite intent of the alleged speaker of the fraud need not be alleged with great specificity," Chill v. Gen. Elec. Co. ,
The fraud alleged by Rosen is fraudulent inducement to enter into a contract. Such a claim "arises from a promisor's successful attempts to induce a promisee to enter into a contractual relationship despite the fact that the promisor harbored an undisclosed intention not to perform under the contract." Barrie House Coffee Co. v. Teampac, LLC ,
Here, Rosen alleges with specificity that Chowaiki sent emails to him and spoke on the phone with him, provides that dates of communications, and quotes the specific statements purportedly made by Chowaiki on behalf of the Debtor. Am. Compl. ¶ 12-15. In certain instances, Rosen attaches to the Amended Complaint the emails on which he bases his claim. See
The Court also concludes that the allegations in the Amended Complaint are sufficient to state a fraud claim that is facially plausible. In Neckles Builders , the Appellate Division held that similar facts constituted sufficient allegations to state a claim sounding in fraud.
Although the Court is inclined to find that Rosen pleads sufficient facts to support a claim sounding in fraud, the form of relief sought by Rosen (i.e. a declaratory judgment finding the factual elements of fraud, seemingly as a basis for the imposition of a constructive trust sought in Count III) compels the Court to dismiss the claim as it is presently pled.
Under the Declaratory Judgment Act, federal courts have the discretionary authority to grant declaratory relief. See § 28 U.S.C. 2201(a) ("[A]ny court of the United States, upon the filing of an appropriate pleading, may declare the rights and other legal relations of any interested party seeking such declaration, whether or not further relief is or could be sought."). But that authority is discretionary, and a declaratory judgment must serve a purpose. See Koch v. Rodenstock ,
It is not clear what purpose a declaratory ruling would serve in this case. A mere finding by the Court of the underlying facts of fraud, with nothing more, would not alter the legal relationship between the parties. See Koch,
Here, a finding of the factual elements of fraud would not facilitate Rosen's separate claim for the imposition of a constructive trust, since the two claims are distinct and require separate legal and factual considerations. See In re First Cent. Fin. Corp.,
The Court therefore declines to proceed with Rosen's Count I claim seeking a declaratory judgment, where Rosen has other available remedies, including an affirmative action for fraud or conceivably a nondischargeability action under 523(a). See Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 33 (1982) ("A litigant's seeking a declaratory remedy when he could have maintained a conventional action for coercive relief often signifies that he is in a quandary not only as to what his rights and duties are, but also as to how to secure their adjudication."); see also Walsh v. Andorn ,
*7182. Count II - Section 541(d) of the Bankruptcy Code
Pursuant to Count II of the Amended Complaint, Rosen seeks a declaratory judgment under section 541(d) of the Bankruptcy Code that the Debtor does not hold any equitable or ownership interest in the Wired Funds because they were obtained as the result of the alleged fraud perpetrated by Chowaiki. Am. Compl. ¶ 44-48.
Section 541(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code defines "property of the estate" as including "all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case."
(d) Property in which the debtor holds, as of the commencement of the case, only legal title and not an equitable interest ... becomes property of the estate under subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section only to the extent of the debtor's legal title to such property, but not to the extent of any equitable interest in such property that the debtor does not hold.
The Court finds that Count II similarly seeks futile and unnecessary declaratory relief, especially in light of Count III, which seeks the imposition of a constructive trust. At best, a declaratory judgment under Section 541(d) would merely declare that certain property held by the debtor is not part of the estate, rendering it "subject to a duty to reconvey it to the rightful owner." In re Fetman,
3. Count III - Imposition of a Constructive Trust
Pursuant to Count III of the Amended Complaint, Rosen seeks the imposition of a constructive trust and the immediate turnover of the Wired Funds. Am. Compl. ¶ 49-53.
Under New York law, a constructive trust is an equitable remedy, the key purpose of which is to prevent unjust enrichment. See In re Koreag Controle et Revision S.A ,
The Court finds that the Amended Complaint, read in a light most favorable to Rosen, does not sufficiently plead facts to support a finding of unjust enrichment, which is the predicate injury for the remedy of a constructive trust.
As an initial matter, the Court notes that the Amended Complaint incorrectly frames the cause of action underlying Count III as "the imposition of a constructive trust." Am. Compl. ¶ 49-53. A constructive trust is a remedy, not a cause of action. The proper pleading would be a claim for unjust enrichment, with the requested relief of a constructive trust. See Amusement Indus., Inc. v. Stern,
Here, Rosen's true claim is for fraudulent inducement, a common law tort pled (incorrectly as a claim for declaratory judgment, as discussed above) in Count I of the Amended Complaint. A claim for unjust enrichment is inappropriate where an overlapping common law claim is available to the plaintiff. See Benham v. eCommission Sols., LLC ,
Nonetheless, the Court will proceed with its constructive trust analysis, since the factual allegations supporting Count III are identical to those supporting Count I; therefore a successful claim in Count I could, at least in theory, support an equitable remedy in the form of a constructive trust. See Comcast of Illinois X, LLC ,
A claim for unjust enrichment and a remedy of a constructive trust is applicable "only in unusual situations when, though the defendant has not breached a contract nor committed a recognized tort, circumstances create an equitable obligation running from the defendant to the plaintiff." Corsello,
*720Unjust enrichment exists where "the acts of the parties or others have placed in the possession of [the defendant] money, or its equivalent, under such circumstances that in equity and good conscience he ought not to retain it." Miller v. Schloss,
While a finding of fraud can be grounds for the imposition of a constructive trust outside of bankruptcy, see, e.g., S.E.C. v. Credit Bancorp, Ltd.,
Here, there is no unjust enrichment because the estate is not "unjustly" enriched. In re Dreier LLP ,
In the chapter 7 context, where the Debtor's assets are essentially confiscated and converted into property of the bankruptcy estate, and where the Trustee is governed by equitable obligations to apportion the estate so that all "unsecured creditors receive fair but not full returns," In re First Cent. Fin. Corp.,
The very purpose of bankruptcy is to protect the interests of all creditors from *721the actions of individual creditors, to "eliminate[ ] strategic costs that would otherwise be associated with a race to the courthouse." Thomas H. Jackson, Bankruptcy, Non-Bankruptcy Entitlements, and the Creditors' Bargain , 91 YALE L.J. 857, 862 (1982) ; see also Young v. Higbee Co.,
Rosen's pleadings do not demonstrate a "substantial reason" for the Court to allow him to remove the Wired Funds from the bankruptcy estate, at the expense of other creditors. In re First Cent. Fin. Corp.,
*722Rosen may, of course, file a proof of claim in the bankruptcy, and stand to be treated in the same pro rata manner as the Debtor's other creditors. However, he has not stated a claim that is plausible on its face to show unjust enrichment and is therefore not entitled to the imposition of a constructive trust. As such, Count III fails to state a claim for which relief can be granted.
Furthermore, while the absence of unjust enrichment, standing alone, is fatal to a request for a constructive trust, Rosen also does not plead a facially plausible fiduciary relationship with Chowaiki or any other relationship of trust that might warrant the imposition of a constructive trust. Rosen asserts in his Amended Complaint that the Gallery owed a fiduciary duty to him "by virtue of his status as a partner" in a purported joint venture centered around the purchase and resale of the Kandinsky.
The constructive trust doctrine is not "rigidly limited,"
*723Simonds,
For this reason, many cases in this circuit have ruled that a failure to plead a confidential relationship precludes a constructive trust remedy as a matter of law, even after acknowledging that this element is not a sine qua non of a constructive trust. See, e.g, Atateks Foreign Trade Ltd. v. Dente ,
Participation in a joint venture will create fiduciary obligations to other members of the joint venture. Northern Shipping Funds I, LLC v. Icon Capital Corp. ,
From the email exchange between Barberi and Rosen on or around October 11, 2017, it is clear that the initial idea to buy and resell the Kandinsky was Chowaiki's and that he was the party that had the expertise necessary to carry out the transaction. Am. Compl. ¶ 11. Additionally, it was Chowaiki who was wholly responsible for finding a potential client to whom the Kandinsky could be resold. Neither Rosen nor Barberi had any role in negotiating a resale price with said client. Id. ¶ 14. Indeed, Rosen acknowledged that "the identities of any potential buyer or seller remained a secret known only to Chowaiki." Opp. Memo. at 15. Aside from investing a portion of the funds into the transaction, Rosen alleges that he had no input as to how the deal would be directed, and merely stood to make a profit on his initial investment once Chowaiki had concluded the proposed transaction. In view of the foregoing, the complaint wholly fails to describe Rosen as anything other than a passive investor who had no right to direct or control the transaction in any way. See McGhan v. Ebersol,
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above,
It is so ORDERED.
On February 8, 2018, the Court granted the Motion of Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov for Limited Intervention in Support of the Trustee's Motion for Dismissal of the First Amended Complaint of Plaintiff Shay Rosen [ECF No. 9], allowing Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov to intervene in this adversary proceeding for the limited purpose of supporting the Motion to Dismiss. See Order Granting Motion of Bogomila Welsh-Ovcharov for Limited Intervention [ECF No. 18]. Welsh-Ovcharov filed a Joinder Motion in support of the Trustee's Motion to Dismiss [ECF No. 16] and was represented by counsel at the First Hearing.
For purposes of a rule 12(b)(6) analysis, a complaint is "deemed to include any written instrument attached to it as an exhibit or any statements or documents incorporated in it by reference." Cortec Indus. v. Sum Hldg. L.P. ,
According to the Amended Complaint, this was not the Gallery's first agreement made with an investor to jointly purchase and sell the Kandinsky. Previously, around September 28, 2017, Chowaiki had executed a joint venture agreement to purchase "the very same Kandinsky 50%-50% with Carpenter Fine Violins & Collectibles LLC for a total price of $625,000." Am. Compl. ¶ 24; see also
Rosen initially filed a Complaint [ECF No. 1], in response to which the Trustee filed a Motion to Dismiss [ECF No. 3]. Rosen subsequently filed the Amended Complaint [ECF No. 6], which is the pleading at issue on this motion.
On February 12, 2018, the Court "So-Ordered" a Stipulation Scheduling Supplemental Briefing [ECF No. 19], which, inter alia , required the Trustee and Rosen to file simultaneous briefing regarding Rosen's standing to commence this adversary proceeding. Accordingly, the Trustee filed the Trustee Standing Memo and Rosen filed the Memorandum of Law Regarding Plaintiff Shay Rosen's Standing (the "Rosen Standing Memo") [ECF No. 23], which was supported by three declarations: (i) Declaration of Matthew C. Heerde ("Heerde Decl.") [ECF No. 24]; (ii) Declaration of Shay Rosen ("Rosen Decl.") [ECF No. 25]; and (iii) Declaration of Orian Levin ("Levin Decl. together with the Heerde Decl. and the Rosen Decl., the "Supplemental Declarations.") [ECF No. 26]. Although not authorized, the Trustee and Rosen each filed two reply briefs in connection with the standing issue. See Trustee's Reply Memorandum of Law Regarding Plaintiff's Lack of Standing ("Trustee 1st Standing Reply") [ECF No. 28]; Reply Memorandum of Law Regarding Plaintiff Shay Rosen's Standing ("Rosen 1st Standing Reply") [ECF No. 29]; Supplemental Briefing Concerning Plaintiff Shay Rosen's Standing ("Rosen 2nd Standing Reply") [ECF No. 33]; Reply to Plaintiff's Supplemental Briefing Concerning Plaintiff Shay Rosen's Standing ("Trustee 2nd Standing Reply") [ECF No. 34].
Rosen concedes that the New York state law presumption of ownership pertaining to funds deposited in a bank account applies to the Bank Account, see Rosen 2nd Standing Reply at 2 ("For purposes of the Court's determination on standing, Rosen concedes that the rebuttable presumption under New York law regarding title to funds deposited in a bank account applies in this case, even though the Wired Funds originate from a Swiss bank account."), but contends that he has rebutted the presumption that the Funds belong solely to his wife.
Although Rosen argues that Form A supported his and his wife's oral agreement that the money in the account was jointly owned, Rosen concedes that the ultimate purpose of Form A is related to money laundering regulations. Second Hearing Tr. 39:17-19. Further, Rosen concedes that Form A is likely required whenever any person or entity holds a power of attorney over a bank account in which they are not the named owner. Id. 40:49.
Even if a declaratory judgment here would in some way facilitate a future action, the Court declines to entertain piecemeal litigation when a future global resolution would otherwise be possible. See Elec. Data Sys. Corp. v. Xerox Corp. ,
Rosen points to the allegation in his Amended Complaint that the Wired Funds remain intact and traceable in the Debtor's bank account in support of his request for the imposition of a constructive trust. Am. Compl. ¶ 33-35. While it is true that a claimant of funds held in trust or in escrow bears the burden of tracing these funds "to the specific property at issue." In re Schick ,
Here, where there are merely allegations of an arms-length business transaction gone bad, Chowaiki was fully entitled to comingle the Wired Funds with his own funds, and therefore no "trust" existed. See In re Black & Geddes, Inc.,
Rosen asserted an alternative argument for the first time in his Opposition to the Trustee's Motion to Dismiss, [ECF No. 14], alleging that even if the Court finds there is no joint venture between the parties, a fiduciary relationship nevertheless arose between Rosen and Chowaiki based, inter alia , on Chowaiki holding himself out as an expert in Kandinsky paintings. This coupled with Chowaiki's other actions and his exploitation of Rosen's long-standing friendship with Barberi, allegedly fostered a relationship of trust between the two upon which Rosen relied. However, the Court declines to sustain a claim of a fiduciary relationship on this basis since it is predicated on facts outside the scope of what is alleged in the Complaint. Goodman v. Port Authority of N.Y.& N.J. ,
The Court has considered the Trustee and Rosen's remaining arguments, and to the extent not specifically addressed herein, concludes that they lack merit.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN RE: CHOWAIKI & CO. FINE ART LTD., Debtor. Shay Rosen v. Chowaiki & Co. Fine Art Ltd.
- Cited By
- 8 cases
- Status
- Published