Goldman v. D'Amanda
Goldman v. D'Amanda
Opinion of the Court
Canandaigua Enterprises Corporation and its subsidiary, Finger Lakes Racing Association, Inc. (for purposes of this appeal they may be considered as one) own and operate a race track in central New York State. They are in the process of reorganization under Chapter X of the Bankruptcy Act and will be referred to collectively as the “debtor”. The debt- or-in-possession has been operating the track since the end of 1964. In November 1967 the Trustee requested that the district court find: (1) that the debtor is insolvent; (2) that its assets be sold at public auction; and (8) that an upset price of $4,000,000 cash be fixed.
By Order (March 25,1968) the district court, after much testimony and many exhibits had been placed before it, held: (1) that the debtor is insolvent; (2) “that the Goldman Plan is not fair and equitable nor feasible” for reasons set forth in a report of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which reasons it adopted; (3) that it declined to approve the Petrossi Plan for specified reasons; (4) that it declined to approve the Emprise Corporation Plan filed on February 26, 1968; and (5) that it approved only the Trustee’s Amended Plan of Reorganization filed January 8, 1968 (and not the Abelove Plan filed November 13, 1967) for reasons stated in the court’s memorandum.
The appeal comes before this court by a notice of appeal dated April 18, 1968 and is taken by “Milton Goldman, as creditor and stockholder” of the debtor. Three subjects of appeal are therein set forth: (1) the determination that the debtor is insolvent; (2) “that the Goldman Plan is not fair and equitable nor feasible”; and (3) the approval of the Trustee’s Amended Plan.
This brief background illustrates the narrowness of the issues on this appeal and likewise the limited nature of the decision thereon.
How do all these proceedings affect this appeal?
Appellant Goldman argues that the debtor is not insolvent and urges that a proper evaluation of the debtor’s property and a fair capitalization based upon reasonably anticipated earnings woúld establish solvency. Naturally the common stockholders are reluctant to have their investment wiped out — and it should not be if there is any likelihood of salvage. On the other hand they must have been aware — particularly in a race track investment — that every horse in the race could not win.
Little purpose would be served by reviewing the many reorganization decisions wherein valuation theories and security priorities are fully discussed. It is tempting in retrospect and with the wisdom of hindsight to think of the fabulous St. Louis-Southwestern (“Cotton Belt”); the twenty-year Missouri Pacific which passed through many economic cycles and vicissitudes; the many mid-western railroads, stockholders of which were wiped out; the ill-fated New Haven; and the court’s suggestion of “contingency certificates” in SilesianAmerican
As previously stated in this appeal from the Order of March 25, 1968, finding insolvency and rejecting the Goldman Plan, the appellant, the appellees and the SEC all discuss at some length the Sunshine and amended Emprise plans filed subsequently. The merits of these plans are not now before us. Accordingly, we do no more than to decide that on the law and facts then before the court, the Order of March 25, 1968 should be affirmed.
Conway v. Silesian-American Corp., 186 F.2d 201, 211 (2d Cir., 1950).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Milton GOLDMAN, Creditor-Appellant v. Francis J. D'AMANDA, Trustee-Appellee. In re CANANDAIGUA ENTERPRISES CORPORATION, and Finger Lakes Racing Association, Inc., Debtors
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published