In re Corwin
In re Corwin
Opinion of the Court
This is a petition under Rev. St. § 5120, to vacate the discharge of the bankrupt. It was filed within two years after the discharge was granted. It appears by the petition that these 'petitioners filed specifications in opposition to the discharge, which were tried, and resulted in a
The bankrupt has appeared and objects that the petition states no case against him, under section 5120, which he should be required to answer.
I think it is clear that section 5120 does not authorize a rehearing or new trial upon specifications heard and determined before the- discharge, even if the opposing creditor can adduce new facts, even the conduct of the bankrupt happening since the discharge, which would be competent evidence in case of a new trial, or a discovery since the discharge of new evidence, tending to support the specifications. The evident purpose of section 5120 was to give creditors who had failed to oppose the discharge, for the reason that they had no knowledge before the discharge that the grounds now alleged for opposing it existed, an opportunity within two years to make the necessary charges and to prove them.
The privilege given is not so broad as the right to a new trial on newly discovered evidence, and I think it cannot be claimed that a creditor, who, before the discharge, filed specifications setting forth, by way of charge against the bankrupt, fraudulent acts, had no knowledge of those acts. He necessarily had such knowledge of them that he was able to allege them; and it must be assumed as againot him that he alleged them in good faith, and upon such information as justified him in doing so. This section does not provide that the creditor must have had no knowledge of all the evidence which may be produced to support the charges, but no knowledge of the fraudulent acts charged. It is based on the theory that if the creditor knows of the fraudulent acts, then, with the power given by the act to examine the bankrupt
Petition dismissed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In the Matter of William S. Corwin
- Status
- Published