IN RE: AMC INVESTORS, LLC, et al., Debtors. EUGENIA VI VENTURE HOLDINGS, LTD, et al., Plaintiff-Appellants, v. MAPLEWOOD MANAGEMENT LP, et al., Defendant-Appellees.
Chapter 7, Case No. 08-12264-JTD (Jointly Administered); Adv. Pro. No. 11-52317-JTD; Adv. Pro. No. 11-52318-JTD; Civ. No. 22-179-RGA; Civ. No. 22-180-RGA
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
January 18, 2024
ANDREWS, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Mark D. Collins, Marcos A. Ramos, Cory Kandestin, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, DE, Mitchell A. Karlan, Paul J. Kremer, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, attorneys for plaintiff-appellants, Eugenia VI Venture Holdings, Ltd., for and on behalf of Debtors AMC Investors, LLC and AMC Investors II, LLC.
Curtis Miller, Daniel B. Butz, Jonathan M. Weyland, Morris Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, Wilmington, DE; James A. Bombulie, Dustin B. Hillsley, Akerman, LLP, Miami, FL; Brian P. Miller, King & Spalding LLP, Miami, FL, attorneys for defendant-appellees, Maplewood Management, L.P., MapleWood Holdings LLC, Maple Wood Partners LP, Robert V. Glaser, and Robert J. Reale.
ANDREWS, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE:
This matter arises from the chapter 11 cases of AMC Investors, LLC (“Investors“) and AMC Investors II, LLC (“Investors II,” and together with Investors, the “Debtors“) and two related adversary proceedings1 filed by plaintiff Eugenia VI Venture Holdings, Ltd. (together with Debtors, “Eugenia“) derivatively on behalf of the Debtors, against defendants Maplewood Management, L.P., MapleWood Holdings LLC, MapleWood Partners LP, Robert V. Glaser, and Robert J. Reale (together, “Defendants“) who were at all relevant times officers, directors, and/or shareholders of AMC Computer Corp. (“Computer“). The Adversary Proceedings allege breaches of fiduciary duties and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with the Defendants’ management of Computer, a company in which Debtors were shareholders.
Before the Court is Eugenia‘s appeal of the Bankruptcy Court‘s Order (Adv. Proc. No. 11-52317-JTD, D.I. 314; Adv. Proc. No. 11-52318-JTD, D.I. 269) and accompanying Opinion, In re AMC Inv‘rs, LLC, 637 B.R. 43 (Bankr. D. Del. 2022), granting summary judgment in favor of Defendants based on their affirmative defenses, including statute of limitations, res judicata, and collateral estoppel, and dismissing the underlying adversary proceeding complaints with prejudice. For the reasons set forth herein, the Order is affirmed.
I. BACKGROUND
A. The Parties
Computer was a hardware and services company. Debtors Investors and Investors II were formed in 2000 and 2001, respectively, for the sole purpose of effectuating a private equity
On September 4, 2001, Eugenia entered into a revolving line of credit with Computer pursuant to which the company was allowed to borrow up to $2 million at any given time to finance forecasted future sales of computer equipment. Subsequently, Eugenia and Computer entered into a restated credit agreement by which Eugenia agreed to lend Computer up to $16 million to finance its operations (the “Credit Agreement“). Computer was permitted to borrow up to 85% of its eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and other assets, pursuant to the Credit Agreement. As a condition precedent, Eugenia required Debtors to extend an unconditional guaranty of Computer‘s obligations under the Credit Agreement. In January 2003, Eugenia also became a shareholder of Computer. (B000413).
On May 5, 2005, Mr. Glaser, the managing member of the general partner of the Debtors’ manager, notified Mr. Hassels-Weiler (who controlled Eugenia and Casita) of “potential accounting misstatements at AMC Computer” that form the basis for this lawsuit. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 52. (See B000235). As a result, “on May 6, 2005, Eugenia declared a default under the Credit Agreement, putting AMC Computer out of business.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 52.
Mr. Hassels-Weiler directed both Eugenia‘s and Casita‘s actions from 2005 to the present and continues to direct and/or represent them today. (B000420–422; B000233–236; B000240). “It is undisputed that Casita knew of the facts which make up the basis for the current breach of fiduciary duty claims by May 2005.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 58.
By May 2005, Computer was insolvent, and its board of directors voted to cease operations and to approve an assignment for the benefit of creditors. In response, Eugenia notified Computer that it was in default under the Credit Agreement, accelerated the outstanding obligations, and demanded immediate payment from Computer and from the Debtors under their guaranties.
From June 2005 through 2008, Eugenia and its affiliate, Casita, filed fourteen actions relating to Computer in multiple courts/jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court of the State of New York, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY“), and the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, suing both directly and derivatively on behalf of Computer, and alleging fraud and breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with Computer‘s default under the credit agreement. The Defendants in these actions were the same as those in the Present Action: officers, directors, and/or shareholders of Computer.
B. The Prior Actions
These actions were filed at the direction of Mr. Hassels-Weiler (B000236–237) beginning on June 3, 2005, when Eugenia filed a complaint against Surinder Chabra, Computer‘s CEO, for fraud based on the same facts alleged in the complaints in the underlying Adversary Proceedings—allegations concerning Computer‘s insolvency and inability to pay the full amount due under the Credit Agreement. (B000524-527). Three days later, on June 6, 2005, Eugenia filed another complaint against Surinder Chabra for breach of fiduciary duty on the same basis. (B000547-548 (the “Second Chabra Complaint,” and with the First Chabra Complaint, the
Less than two weeks later, on June 16, 2005, Eugenia filed a complaint against Appellee Robert Reale (“Reale“) for fraud based on the same factual allegations. (B000553–554 (the “First Reale Complaint“)). On June 22, 2005, Eugenia filed another complaint against Mr. Reale for breach of fiduciary duty based on the same factual allegations. (B000559–460 (the “Second Reale Complaint,” and with the First Reale Complaint, the “Reale Complaints“)).
On July 12, 2005, Eugenia sued certain of the Defendants and the Debtors as third-party defendants (in a complaint filed by Surinder Chabra, Narinder Chabra, and Parvinder Chabra) again predicated on the same dispute as the current proceedings. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 61. (See also B000566 (the “Investors Complaint“))
On August 16, 2005, Eugenia sued Mr. Glaser (and certain directors of Computer) for breach of fiduciary duty based on the same underlying facts as the complaints in these proceedings (the “Prior Action“) in the SDNY, suing derivatively on behalf of Computer. (B000568–577 (the “Board Complaint“)).
On April 18, 2006, Eugenia sued Mr. Glaser for fraud based on the same facts alleged in the Complaints in these Adversary Proceedings. (See B000578-602 (the “Glaser Complaint“)).
On July 11, 2006, the Chabra Complaints, Reale Complaints, Investors Complaint, and the Glaser Complaint were consolidated with the Board Complaint in the Prior Action. (See B000424-461 (the “Consolidated Complaint“)).
As to the fraud claims, which Eugenia brought in its individual capacity, the allegations were that defendants “fraudulently induced Plaintiff to execute the Credit Agreement with AMC by making false, material statements of fact, and by intentionally concealing material facts about AMC‘s financial situation and history.” In re Eugenia VI Venture Holdings Ltd. Litigation, 649 F. Supp. 2d 105, 108–09 (S.D.N.Y. 2008). Further, “Defendants perpetrated, aided, and abetted
Following discovery and briefing, on December 15, 2008, the SDNY entered summary judgment against Eugenia in the Prior Action, dismissing all actions in a single judgment. In re Eugenia VI Venture Holdings, Ltd Litig., 649 F. Supp. 2d 105, 121 (S.D.N.Y. 2008). The SDNY held that Eugenia did not show either that its reliance on defendants’ representations was reasonable, or that it was damaged by defendants’ alleged fraud. As to breach of fiduciary duty, Eugenia‘s claims failed, as a matter of law, because it could not prove damages. The SDNY reasoned that deepening a company‘s insolvency does not, on its own, demonstrate that the company has been damaged. To survive summary judgment on breach of fiduciary duty, Eugenia had to show that defendants deepened Computer‘s insolvency in breach of a separate duty, e.g., fiduciary duty. The facts that Eugenia introduced did not demonstrate breach of fiduciary duty, and Defendants’ actions might have been consistent with reasonable business judgment, rather than bad faith. See id. at 125-26. The SDNY further held that:
The factual record leaves open no question that [Eugenia] had in its possession an abundance of information and unobstructed access to much more, and knew enough about AMC‘s precarious finances to warrant at least minimal scrutiny before relying blindly on the totals Defendants represented on the face of the borrowing base certificates. [Eugenia‘s] reliance was unreasonable, and [Eugenia‘s] claims to fraud under the Credit Agreement fail as a matter of law.
The Second Circuit affirmed the SDNY‘s judgment in 2010: “We agree with the district
Eugenia failed to adduce sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to damages despite arguing that defendants-appellees caused the destruction of AMC and ‘rendered the company incapable of paying its debts, and substantially increased those debts.’ That is, at the time the parties entered the Credit Agreement, AMC was already insolvent. As a result, Eugenia cannot demonstrate that thereafter defendants-appellees’ mismanagement rendered the corporation insolvent. Eugenia‘s derivative fiduciary claims thus fail.
Id. In addition, Eugenia‘s claims for fraud failed as a matter of law because, “Eugenia suffered no out-of-pocket loss.” Id.
Eugenia brought several other causes of action against Defendants in New York state courts. On June 6, 2005, at the direction of Mr. Hassels-Weiler (B000237), Eugenia filed a complaint against Investors and Investors II, seeking payment under the guaranties of the Credit Agreement following Eugenia‘s declaration of default. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 60. (See B000603-608 (the “First Guaranty Complaint“)). On September 8, 2005, Eugenia voluntarily dismissed that lawsuit due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Id. The same day, Eugenia filed its second lawsuit against the Debtors regarding the guaranties. Id. (See B000609-623 (the “Second Guaranty Complaint“)). Given that the Debtors are mere holding companies who were required by Eugenia (as lender to Computer) to have no assets, no employees, and do nothing but hold stock in Computer, the Debtors did not contest liability. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 60. (B000326, B000339 (Credit Agreement, §§ 3.8 & 6.5)).
On March 23, 2006, the Supreme Court of New York entered judgment on the guaranties against the Debtors. On July 27, 2007, after Defendants successfully appealed the amount of the judgment, the court entered an amended judgment on the guaranties against Debtors for $10.7 million. Id. at 60–61. (See B000462–464 (Amended Judgment)). Defendants filed a notice of
C. Bankruptcy Litigation
On September 30, 2008, ten days before oral argument, Eugenia filed involuntary petitions for relief against Investors and Investors II, more than three years after Mr. Hassels-Weiler, Casita, Eugenia, and Debtors all had notice of the matters that are the subject of the complaints in the Present Action. The Bankruptcy Court entered orders for relief on June 5, 2009.
On June 3, 2011, the Bankruptcy Court granted Eugenia, as Debtors’ sole creditor, derivative standing to pursue causes of action against Defendants on behalf of the Debtors. The same day, Eugenia filed a complaint on behalf of each Debtor, initiating these two Adversary Proceedings. The complaint alleges that Defendants breached their fiduciary duties of good faith, due care, and loyalty to Debtors by instituting, directing, and/or failing to discover and prevent massive fraud by the board and management of Computer. (See APP000923-938).2 Eugenia alleges, “Computer‘s governance was marked by widespread improprieties and irregularities that contributed to Computer‘s deteriorating financial condition. Defendants actively initiated and directed these improprieties, or took no action to prevent or halt them.” (APP000926). Many of the supporting facts are identical to those that were raised in pleadings before the SDNY.
Defendants answered together (Adv. D.I. 44), raising the affirmative defenses of issue and claim preclusion. Defendants argued that the prior federal litigation before the SDNY and the Second Circuit should bar the Present Action. In addition, Defendants asserted statute of limitations and laches defenses. (Id. at 10). Eugenia subsequently filed two motions for partial summary judgment. In the first motion, Eugenia sought partial summary judgment, on behalf of
The Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion, see In re AMC Inv‘rs, LLC, 524 B.R. 62 (Bankr. D. Del. 2015), and later entered an Order and Final Judgment in favor of Defendants, dismissing the underlying complaints with prejudice based on the statute of limitations defense. The Bankruptcy Court ruled that: (i) Delaware‘s three-year statute of limitations applies; (ii) Debtors’ claims accrued in May 2005; (iii) Eugenia did not bring this action until June 2011 such that Debtors’ claims are time-barred absent tolling; and (iv) none of the tolling doctrines apply because “Eugenia clearly knew about Defendants’ conduct by June 2005, when it commenced [the Prior Action].” See id. 80-81.
D. The First Appeal
On appeal, I reversed and remanded the case on “extremely limited” grounds. In re AMC Inv‘rs, LLC, 551 B.R. 148, 155 (D. Del. 2016):
With respect to tolling doctrines that are recognized by Delaware, the Bankruptcy Court applied the proper standard for purposes of the statute of limitations analysis. The statute begins to run “upon the discovery of facts constituting the basis for the cause of action or the existence of facts sufficient to put a person of ordinary intelligence and prudence on inquiry which, if pursued, would lead to the discovery of such facts.
Id. at 154-55 (citations omitted). However, I also held that the “determination that none of Delaware‘s tolling doctrines are available to Debtors was incorrect to the extent that this determination was based solely on Eugenia‘s knowledge... Eugenia‘s knowledge is not imputed to the Debtors for purposes of the statute of limitations analysis.” Id. at 155. Defendants appealed my ruling to the Third Circuit, which dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. In re AMC Investors, LLC, 2016 WL 9412513 (3d Cir. Oct. 19, 2016).
E. The Opinion on Remand
On remand, the parties engaged in additional discovery, and Defendants moved for summary judgment on the merits as well as on their timeliness defenses, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 55 & n.43. On January 27, 2022, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Order granting Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. Id. at 51. In a thorough 41-page Opinion, the Bankruptcy Court held that Eugenia‘s claims were time-barred under Delaware‘s three-year statute of limitations governing breach of fiduciary duty claims. The Bankruptcy Court held it undisputed that Casita—a member of Investors—“knew of the facts that make up the basis for the current breach of fiduciary duty claims by May 2005.” Id. at 58. Whether Casita‘s knowledge may be imputed to Investors II was unclear, but such a determination was unnecessary because regardless of such an imputation, “the Debtors were directly on notice of the facts giving rise to those actions within the applicable statutes of limitations such that their claims are time-barred.” Id. at 60. The Bankruptcy Court further held that Eugenia‘s claims regarding fraud and breach of fiduciary duty at Computer are precluded under New York law based on the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel based on prior adjudications by the Second Circuit. See id. at 66-70.
F. The Present Appeal
Eugenia filed a timely notice of appeal of the Order with respect to each of the two Adversary Proceedings. (Civ. No. 22-179-RGA, D.I. 1; Civ. No. 22-180-RGA, D.I. 1). The appeals are fully briefed. (D.I. 19, 31, 41).3 I did not hear oral argument because the facts and legal arguments are adequately presented in the briefs and record, and the decisional process
II. JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
Appeals from the Bankruptcy Court to this Court are governed by
III. ANALYSIS
A. No Dispute of Material Fact as to When Debtors Obtained Notice
The parties agree that Delaware‘s three-year statute of limitations applies to Eugenia‘s breach of fiduciary duty claims. See In re Tyson Foods, Inc., 919 A.2d 563, 584 (Del. Ch. 2007). The parties further agree that the alleged wrong—Defendants’ mismanagement of Computer—occurred from January 2003 through May 2005. See In re AMC Inv‘rs, 551 B.R. at 152. As correctly framed by the Bankruptcy Court, “Because the alleged wrong here occurred between January 2003-May 2005 and the Complaints were not filed until June 3, 2011, the claims are time barred absent tolling of the statute of limitations.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 57-58.
There are three recognized tolling doctrines: equitable tolling, inherently unknowable injuries, and fraudulent concealment. These doctrines prevent the limitations period from running until an entity is on “inquiry notice” of its claims, i.e., “such time that persons of ordinary intelligence and prudence would have facts sufficient to put them on inquiry notice which, if pursued, would lead to the discovery of the injury.” In re Dean Witter P‘ship Litig., 1998 WL 442456, at *7 (Del. Ch. July 17, 1998), aff‘d, 725 A.2d 441 (Del. 1999). As the Bankruptcy Court explained, for all three doctrines, the statute of limitations “begins to run upon the discovery of
As Eugenia admits, “Debtors would have had to obtain inquiry notice no sooner than September 30, 2005 for their claims to be timely.” (D.I. 19 at 22).4 The Bankruptcy Court ultimately held that “the Debtors discovered, or should have discovered, the existence of facts to put them on inquiry notice of the basis of these lawsuits by September 8, 2005“—i.e., the filing of the Second Guaranty Complaint “at the latest.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 61. This holding foreclosed application of all three of Delaware‘s tolling doctrines; it is the subject of Eugenia‘s appeal.
The Bankruptcy Court observed that it is likely that the Debtors were aware of the facts underlying these Adversary Proceedings in or around June or July 2005, when Eugenia filed the First Guaranty Complaint against Debtors seeking payment under the guaranties of the Credit Agreement following Eugenia‘s declaration of default. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 60 n.80. Viewing the facts in a light most favorable to Eugenia, however, and giving Eugenia the benefit of
According to Eugenia, the Bankruptcy Court erred because Eugenia‘s direct and derivative suits on behalf of Computer did not put Debtors on inquiry notice of these claims. First, Eugenia argues that Debtors were not on notice because the claims in the Present Action were not made in the Prior Action. Second, Eugenia argues that inquiry notice can be imputed to an LLC only through the knowledge of a blameless agent or member, and the only individuals who could have obtained inquiry knowledge on their behalf were their managing agents (i.e., Defendants) and their members, who are not blameless agents.
1. Debtors Had Inquiry Notice No Later than September 8, 2005
Eugenia urges that I reverse the Bankruptcy Court‘s holding that Debtors obtained inquiry notice of their claims—notice of “facts which, if pursued, would lead to the discovery of the injury,” In re Dean Witter, 1998 WL 442456, at *7, at the latest, on September 8, 2005, when the
Eugenia filed a lawsuit against these Debtors on June 6, 2005 to recover on the guaranty based on the same factual predicate [as the Present Action]. Thus, the Debtors cannot claim that their risk of ever being exposed on the guaranty was slim or unknown until after September 2005 when they were already named as defendants in a suit by Eugenia to recover on the guaranty. Such an argument is nonsensical.
In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 65-66. I agree. Eugenia further argues that while it is true that “[d]isclosure of wrongful acts in publicly filed documents put a plaintiff on inquiry notice of the wrongful acts,” those publicly filed documents must include facts demonstrating that the plaintiff itself has or may reasonably have a claim. (D.I. 41 at 7-8 (quoting In re Fruehauf Trailer, 250 B.R. at 189–92)). Eugenia argues that the Prior Action “concerned only Eugenia and AMC Computer‘s claims, and alleged only that Glaser had been grossly negligent in managing AMC Computer.” Id. at 8. According to Eugenia, “the first time a publicly filed document alleged that Glaser had committed fraud was in April 2006” and “only at that point would the publicly filed lawsuits have provided Casita—and potentially Investors—with direct knowledge that it had a possible claim.” Id.
Eugenia essentially argues that Debtors were not on notice on September 8, 2005 because the precise claims in this suit were not made in the Second Guaranty Complaint or in the Prior
2. Notice Was Properly Imputed to the Debtors
Eugenia further asserts that the Bankruptcy Court erred in determining that both Debtors obtained inquiry notice no later than September 8, 2005 because Investors II lacked the capacity to receive any notice. Eugenia argued below that there is “no support ... for the contention that corporate entities are automatically imbued with knowledge of the allegations made against them.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R at 61 n.86. According to Eugenia, Debtors, as LLCs, could obtain
I need not weigh in on Investor II‘s innocent agent theory, because the Bankruptcy Court did not base its decision solely on the existence of Eugenia‘s suit against Debtors, but rather on Debtors’ participation in that suit. As the Bankruptcy Court explained:
The Court relies on the fact that the Debtors were active participants in the September 8, 2005 New York state action, and were, thus, obviously aware of the facts underlying that action. Were it the case that, for example, Eugenia received its judgment by way of default and the Debtors were never served with process or not on notice of the New York State action, the Court would likely find that the Debtors were unaware of the facts
underlying this action at that time. However, that is not the case. It is clear the Debtors knew of the facts underlying the New York action in September 2005 since they actively participated in that litigation.
In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R at 61 n.86. I agree that Debtors became aware of the factual basis for the claims in these proceedings no later than on September 8, 2005. Accordingly, the tolling doctrines do not apply.
B. No Dispute of Material Fact as to the Existence of a Tolling Agreement
A party may contractually agree to toll the statute of limitations against it. See Hanna v. Motiva Enters., LLC, 839 F. Supp. 2d 654, 669 (S.D.N.Y. 2012). According to Eugenia, Defendants and Debtors agreed to toll the limitations period starting in February 2006. Defendants disputed the existence of a tolling agreement, and no signed agreement has ever been produced. The Bankruptcy Court observed that, at the time of the Opinion, litigation had been ongoing since June 3, 2011: “Accordingly the parties have had nearly eleven years to exchange discovery with respect to a controlling tolling agreement.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 62. Indeed, prior to issuing the Opinion, the Bankruptcy Court required production of certain privileged materials, including the draft tolling agreements. See id. at n.100. Based on its review, the Bankruptcy Court granted summary judgment on the evidentiary record, which “merely establishes that there were drafts and negotiations back and forth with regards to a tolling agreement, but that one was never agreed upon.” Id. at 63. According to Eugenia, even if the statute of limitations began to run prior to October 2005, there is “substantial evidence that Defendants and Debtors agreed to toll the limitations period starting in February 2006,” and the Bankruptcy Court “erred by disregarding evidence of a binding agreement between the parties.” (D.I. 19 at 39 (citing APP002030–2125).
As the Bankruptcy Court correctly explained, “At the summary judgment stage, once the movant has produced evidence to show that the material facts are not at issue, the non-movant
According to Eugenia, the Bankruptcy Court erroneously concluded that the tolling agreement was not binding due to the lack of a signed copy of the agreement in the record. See In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 64. “Even though the final written ‘Tolling and Joint Defense Agreement’ was not signed, that does not render it nonbinding as a matter of law,” according to Eugenia. (D.I. 19 at 39). Rather, New York law recognizes that an unsigned agreement is binding where “there [i]s literally nothing left to negotiate or settle.” Hanna, 839 F. Supp. 2d at 668. To determine whether the parties intended to be bound by an unsigned agreement, Eugenia argues, courts look to “(1) the language of the agreement; (2) the context of the negotiations; (3) the existence of open terms; (4) partial performance; and (5) the necessity of putting the agreement in final form.” Universal Reinsurance Co. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 1999 WL 771357, at *5 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 1999).
The confidential draft tolling agreements and related correspondence were filed under seal by the parties. (D.I. 22; see D.I. 22-5 (APP001632–1859); D.I. 22-7 (APP002030–2125); D.I. 22-8 (APP002126-2157); D.I. 22-13 (APP002268–2269); D.I. 37 (B000757–983)). Those documents
C. Equitable Tolling Does Not Save these Claims
As the Bankruptcy Court explained, “In Delaware, courts will employ equitable tolling following a breach of fiduciary duties where manifest justice would otherwise result.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 64. “[T]he doctrine of equitable tolling stops the statute [of limitations] from running while a plaintiff has reasonably relied upon the competence and good faith of a fiduciary.” Id. (quoting In re Am. Int‘l Grp., 965 A.2d 763, 813 (Del. Ch. 2009), aff‘d sub nom., Teachers’ Ret. Sys. of La. v. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 11 A.3d 228 (Del. 2011)). “Delaware courts may also equitably toll the statute of limitations ‘where the plaintiff in some extraordinary way has been prevented from asserting his or her rights.‘” Id. (quoting Oshiver v. Levin, Fishbein, Sedran & Berman, 38 F.3d 1380, 1387 (3d Cir. 1994)). “If equitable tolling applies, ‘the statute of
Thus, the doctrine only tolls the statute of limitations “until an investor knew or had reason to know of the facts constituting the wrong.” In re Dean Witter, 1998 WL 442456, at *6. The Bankruptcy Court found this doctrine inapplicable, reasoning that because the Debtors had knowledge of the fraud at Computer, they should have had knowledge of their own claims as well. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 64-66.
Eugenia argues the Bankruptcy Court‘s decision ignores that the Debtors were left to rely on Defendant Glaser, who allegedly breached his fiduciary duties to the Debtors by fraudulently keeping Computer afloat to enrich himself through management fees, and by representing himself as blameless by claiming to be working to identify the source of the fraud so he could remedy it. (D.I. 19 at 33-36). Like the Bankruptcy Court, I am also “left puzzled” as to what the Debtors were relying on. In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 64-65. As the Bankruptcy Court explained, “Defendant Glaser informed Hassels-Weiler that there was potential fraud at Computer in May 2005, which caused Eugenia to declare default under the Credit Agreement.” Id. at 65. “At that point, regardless of how Glaser was painting the picture, innocent or not, Hassels-Weiler was put on notice of potential fraud, and the Debtors, as guarantors of AMC Computer‘s obligations, should have been aware of the facts underlying this litigation, given that Eugenia‘s declaration of default exposed them to liability.” Id. “Moreover,” the Bankruptcy Court explained, “when Hassels-Weiler started filing lawsuits in June 2005, the Debtors were or should have been aware of Glaser‘s role, given the allegation that Glaser controlled AMC Computer, which was allegedly submitting false borrowing base certificates.” Id. I agree that equitable tolling does not apply as Debtors “knew or had reason to know of the facts constituting the wrong” no later than September
For the foregoing reasons, Eugenia‘s claims are barred by the statute of limitations, the Order will be affirmed, and there is no need for me to examine whether these claims are also barred by the doctrines of res judicata and/or collateral estoppel. Taking into consideration the long history of this litigation, however, and to move it forward as much as possible toward a final resolution, I address Defendants’ additional affirmative defenses below.
D. Res Judicata Bars This Action
As the Bankruptcy Court explained, “The purpose of the doctrine of res judicata is ‘to promote finality.‘” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 66 (quoting In re DeFlora Lake Dev. Assocs., 571 B.R. 587, 594 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2017)). Under the doctrine of res judicata, or claim preclusion, a final judgment on the merits of an action precludes the parties or their privies from relitigating issues that were or could have been raised in that action.” Id. Under New York law,7 res judicata is an affirmative defense if: “1) the earlier decision was a final judgment on the merits; 2) plaintiffs in both suits are the same or in privity; and 3) the claims raised are the same.” Id. (quoting Penthouse Media Grp., Inc. v. Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones, LLP, 406 B.R. 453, 458 (S.D.N.Y. 2009)). Eugenia agrees this is the test for res judicata and that the first requirement is satisfied. (D.I. 19 at 42 (“the prior actions resulted in final judgments“)). Eugenia disagrees with the Bankruptcy Court‘s findings with respect to the other two requirements. (See id. at 42-47).
“It is fundamental that a judgment in a prior action is binding not only on the parties to that action, but on those in privity with them.” Green v. Santa Fe Indus., Inc., 514 N.E.2d 105, 108 (N.Y. 1987). To determine whether privity exists, the court “eschews strict reliance on formal representative relationships in favor of a more flexible consideration.” Slocum ex. rel. Nathan “A” v. Joseph “B,” 588 N.Y.S.2d 930, 931 (N.Y. App. Div. 1992). Parties in privity include “those who are successors to a property interest, those who control an action although not formal parties to it, those whose interests are represented by a party to the action, and possibly co-parties to a prior action.” Watts v. Swiss Bank Corp., 265 N.E.2d 739, 743 (N.Y. 1970).
Applying this standard, the Bankruptcy Court found that Eugenia (on behalf of Debtors in these Adversary Proceedings) is in privity with Eugenia (on behalf of Computer in the Prior Action) for three reasons. First, “Eugenia has been acting on its own behalf despite filing suit derivatively; first, on behalf of AMC Computer; second, on behalf of the Debtors currently.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 68. The Bankruptcy Court explained that “the practical reality is that Eugenia seeks to recover on its $10.7 million judgment. Thus, under that scenario, Eugenia ‘is in privity with ... Eugenia.‘” Id. (quoting In re AMC Inv‘rs, 524 B.R. at 74). I agree that facts presented here reflect “substantial identity of the incentives of the earlier party with those of the party against whom res judicata is asserted.” Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. v. Celotex Corp., 56 F.3d 343, 346 (2d Cir. 1995). As the Bankruptcy Court explained, “It is clear that the New York lawsuits and this lawsuit stem from the alleged fraud that occurred at AMC Computer, Eugenia‘s declaration of default under the Credit Agreement, and Eugenia‘s mission to monetarily recover as a result of that default.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 61. And, Eugenia‘s recovery under the
Second, “looking at each action as truly derivative, the [Bankruptcy Court] found that there is privity between AMC Computer (on whose behalf Eugenia filed suit derivatively in New York) and the Debtors (on whose behalf Eugenia filed suit derivatively here) under New York‘s ‘totality of the circumstances’ test and under the test which asks, ‘whether a plaintiff‘s interests were represented in the earlier action.‘” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 68 (quoting In re AMC Inv‘rs, 524 B.R. at 75-77). Indeed, as the sole creditor of the Debtors, every action Eugenia takes on behalf of Debtors is taken for Eugenia‘s own benefit. The Bankruptcy Court found that:
As shareholders, Debtors’ interest in the present case is to recover for the alleged mismanagement and eventual collapse of AMC Computer. Since Eugenia had previously brought suit as a shareholder for the alleged mismanagement of AMC Computer, both actions were brought to vindicate the interests of AMC Computer shareholders.
Id. at 68 n.141 (cleaned up); see Parkoff v. Gen. Tel. & Elecs. Corp., 425 N.E.2d 820, 824 (N.Y. 1981) (“a judgment rendered in [a derivative] action brought on behalf of the corporation by one shareholder will generally be effective to preclude other actions predicated on the same wrong brought by other shareholders“); Lee v. Marvel Enters., Inc., 765 F. Supp. 2d 440, 456 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) (same). In its briefing, Eugenia attempts to makes a hyper-technical distinction that “Debtors’ incentive to sue was to vindicate their rights to be properly managed in good faith,” not in order to vindicate “AMC Computer‘s right to be managed in its own best interests.” (D.I. 19 at 49). As noted, however, New York law clearly “eschews strict reliance on formal representative relationships in favor of a more flexible consideration.” Slocum, 588 N.Y.S.2d at 931.
2. The Present Action Raises the Same Claims As the Prior Action
The inquiry as to whether the claims asserted in the Prior Action and Present Action are sufficiently identical is not limited to only those claims that were brought or could have been brought. The “transactional analysis” used by New York courts is much broader, providing that “once a claim is brought to a final conclusion, all other claims arising out of the same transaction or series of transactions are barred, even if based upon different theories or if seeking a different remedy.” O‘Brien v. City of Syracuse, 429 N.E.2d 1158, 1159 (N.Y. 1981); see Yoon v. Fordham Univ. Faculty & Admin. Ret. Plan, 263 F.3d 196, 201 (2d Cir. 2001).
Eugenia‘s main argument on appeal is that Computer and the Debtors are differently situated. Eugenia maintains that “the claims were not motivated by the same underlying interests.” (D.I. 19 at 49). Both actions, however, were motivated by Eugenia‘s interest in vindicating the rights of Computer shareholders. Eugenia further asserts, “Debtors suffered entirely separate harms,” and Debtors “seek different relief than that sought in the prior actions.” (Id. at 48). Both actions, however, concern Eugenia‘s recovery on the $10.7 million guaranty judgment. Finally, Eugenia argues that the claims arise “under a separate source of rights,” that Debtors “attack Defendants in an entirely different legal capacity,” and that Debtors “invoke different facts showing why Defendants are liable.” (Id. at 48-49). Under New York law, these distinctions are insufficient to prevent the application of res judicata. See Ferris v. Cuevas, 118 F.3d 122, 126 (2d Cir. 1997) (barring claim based on different legal theory).
Based on the unity of interest and identity between the plaintiffs, and the fact that the
E. Collateral Estoppel Bars This Action
As the Bankruptcy Court explained, “Under New York law, ‘[c]ollateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, precludes a party from relitigating in a subsequent proceeding or action an issue that was raised in a prior action or proceeding and decided against that party or those in privity.‘” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 69 (quoting Bruno v. Bank of New York, 101 N.Y.S.3d 124, 127 (2019)). Here, the Bankruptcy Court held that “the doctrine of collateral estoppel bars the Plaintiffs from relitigating the issue of AMC Computer‘s insolvency, which is fatal to their breach of fiduciary duty claims.” Id.
There is no disagreement as to whether the Bankruptcy Court applied the correct legal standard. Collateral estoppel applies where there is (1) privity between the parties in both actions, (2) “if the issue in the second action is identical to an issue which was raised, necessarily decided and material in the first action,” and (3) “the plaintiff had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the earlier action.” Bruno, 101 N.Y.S.3d at 127. It is the “party seeking the benefit of collateral estoppel,” who has the “burden of demonstrating the identity of issues, whereas the party attempting to defeat its application has the burden of establishing the absence of a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the prior action.” Id.
The parties agree, “The analysis of privity under collateral estoppel is the same as under res judicata.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 69. As set forth herein, plaintiffs in the Prior Action are in privity with Eugenia in the Present Action.
2. The Identical Issue Element Is Satisfied
With respect to whether the issue in the Present Action is identical to an issue which was raised, necessarily decided, and material in the Prior Action, the Bankruptcy Court has twice determined that this element was met. As the Bankruptcy Court explained, “the Second Circuit made a factual finding that AMC Computer was already insolvent when it entered the Credit Agreement, and that this finding was ‘actually determined’ and ‘necessary’ to the Court‘s dismissal of Eugenia‘s breach of fiduciary duty claims.” In re AMC Inv‘rs, 637 B.R. at 69 (quoting In re AMC Inv‘rs, 524 B.R. at 79). The Bankruptcy Court reasoned, “If the company was already insolvent, then it is immaterial whether it was this set of defendants or the previous that was responsible for mismanaging AMC [Computer] ... [t]he bottom line is that, as decided by the Second Circuit, AMC‘s insolvency predated the [Credit] Agreement .... Thus, the problem of causation and damages persists.” Id.
Eugenia argues that Computer‘s insolvency is irrelevant to its claims that “Defendants breached their fiduciary duty by entering the Guaranty to keep AMC Computer afloat, engaging in self-dealing rather than honoring their fiduciary obligations to avoid needlessly triggering the Guaranty, and failing to take any action to recover Debtors’ losses once the Guaranty was triggered.” (D.I. 19 at 52).
I disagree. The Second Circuit‘s determination in the Prior Action that Computer was insolvent from at least January 2003 onward is decisive of the Present Action. If Computer was insolvent at that time, then when Debtors signed the Guaranty, as required by Eugenia prior to
3. The Full and Fair Opportunity Element is Satisfied
I find no error in the Bankruptcy Court‘s determination that Eugenia had a full and fair opportunity to contest the earlier proceeding. In evaluating whether a party has had its day in court, New York courts consider nine factors: “the size of the claim, the forum of the prior
F. Alleged Post-Prior Action Claims
Eugenia argues that certain acts which form the basis of Debtors’ breach of fiduciary duty claims “post-date the New York actions” and that, accordingly, neither the statute of limitations nor claim or issue preclusion apply to bar those claims. (See D.I. 19 at 22-23, 50-51). This is a restatement of Eugenia‘s position that the Defendants’ “delay tactics were an essential part of [their] scheme to avoid liability, because absent a bankruptcy filing, the Debtors’ creditors would not have had standing to bring an action on behalf of the Debtors.” (Id. at 22 (“[Defendants]
IV. CONCLUSION
I find no error in the Bankruptcy Court‘s determinations that the Present Action is barred by the applicable statute of limitations and the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel. I will therefore affirm the Order. A separate order will be entered.
RICHARD G. ANDREWS
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE