Richard Bowman v. El Paso CGP Company, L.L.C.
431 S.W.3d 781
Tex. App.2014Background
- El Paso CGP Company, L.L.C. sued Richard Bowman for fraudulent transfers by Atasca Resources, Inc. to Bowman.
- The trial court granted El Paso a final summary judgment for $987,915.82.
- TUFTA § 24.006(a) requires showing no genuine fact issue and lack of reasonably equivalent value.
- El Paso relied on Bowman's statements and a discovery document detailing payments between Atasca and Bowman.
- Bowman admitted the transfers were loans/loan repayments, with no promissory notes or formal terms, and claimed he repaid more than he borrowed.
- The appellate court reversed, concluding a genuine issue of material fact exists as to reasonably equivalent value and remanded for trial.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasonable equivalent value? | Bowman received no value from Atasca | Transfers were loans with repayment; value present | Issue sustained; material fact exists as to value and remand for trial |
| Were transfers to Bowman loans? | Evidence shows loans from Atasca to Bowman | Promissory terms unspecified; not conclusively non-loans | Not conclusively non-loans; factual dispute remains |
| Did Atasca receive value where Bowman repaid more to Atasca than received? | El Paso contends insufficient value | Bowman testified net transfers favored Atasca; value present | Issue sustains factual dispute; remand for fact-finder to determine value. |
Key Cases Cited
- T.O. Stanley Boot Co. v. Bank of El Paso, 847 S.W.2d 218 (Tex. 1992) (loan agreement terms often required for enforceability; definiteness matters)
- In re Hinsley, 201 F.3d 638 (5th Cir. 2000) (value analysis under bankruptcy and fraudulent transfer rules)
- In re Mladenka, 130 S.W.3d 397 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004) (burden to prove fraudulent transfer; value considerations)
- In re Erlewine, 349 F.3d 205 (5th Cir. 2003) (reasonableness of value often fact-intensive)
- In re Food & Fibre Protection, Ltd., 168 B.R. 408 (Bankr. D. Ariz. 1994) (subsistence of value where debtor transferred more than received)
