316 F. Supp. 714 | N.D. Ill. | 1970
FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, MEMORANDUM, ORDER AND JUDGMENT
This action, brought by the court appointed receivers as an ancillary proceeding in this case, seeks a determination that certain properties are held in constructive trust for the benefit of the estate in receivership. The court’s receivers ask that an order be entered compelling certain persons allegedly in title or who claim some interest in the properties to convey said properties to City Savings Association.
This case is most complex and difficult and requires some explanation of the proceedings in the case in chief. This case was originally brought by a group of shareholder-depositors of City Savings Association. Their complaint was filed July 24, 1964. Jurisdiction was based on the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. § 78a et seq.). After appeals to our Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and to the United States Supreme Court, the jurisdiction of this court was affirmed. Tcherepnin v. Knight, 389 U.S. 332, 88 S.Ct. 548, 19 L.Ed.2d 564. Upon remand from the Supreme Court and on motion of the depositors and after an extensive hearing on said motion, I removed the state appointed liquidators then in custody of the assets of the Association and appointed receivers of this court. 277 F.Supp. 472. That action was reviewed and affirmed by our Court of Appeals. Tcherepnin v. Kirby, 7 Cir., 416 F.2d 594.
In an effort to expedite a determination in this cause and because the case was and is a most complex one, involving thousands of documents and numerous claims of depositors who have been pursuing a federal remedy for almost six years, I ordered that this litigation should proceed pursuant to the enlightened procedures outlined in the Judicial Conference’s Manual for Complex and Multidistrict Litigation. I also instructed the court’s receivers that all claims of the Association were to be litigated in this court as ancillary to the case in chief.
On April 4, 1969, the Receivers filed a Cross Complaint herein alleging massive fraud by cross-defendants C. Oran Mensik (“Mensik”) and Robert M. Kramer (“Kramer”) in concert with the other officers and directors of City Savings and various other persons and corporations; the Cross Complaint alleged that certain parcels of real estate in the Chicagoland area owned or controlled by Mensik and Kramer belonged in equity to City Savings because of these frauds and urged the imposition thereon of a constructive trust for the benefit of City Savings, its members and creditors.
On May 1, 1970, the Receivers served notice of a hearing instanter on the issue of title to these properties. On May 4, through May 8, and on May 21, 1970, hearings were held and were consolidated by agreement of the parties with pri- or proceedings concerning the Rule upon cross-defendant Henry McGurren (“Mc-Gurren”) as Trustee to show cause why the property commonly described as Palatine Estates should not be conveyed forthwith to City Savings. Cross-defendants McGurren, Kramer, Finlay, Peerless Closure Company and Braewood Building Corporation appeared and testified in support of their positions; evidence has also been offered by the Receivers to support City Savings’ claim to these properties. Peerless Closure Company and Henry McGurren as Trustee have filed Briefs in support of their positions and in response to a Brief filed by the Receivers.
Cross-defendant Alexander J. Pikiel, Mensik’s attorney, who is now deceased, testified extensively by deposition taken prior to his death by the attorneys for the Receivers.
Mensik is currently incarcerated in the Federal Penitentiary. However, on October 1, 1969, Mensik testified extensively by deposition taken by the attorneys for the Receivers in the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton, Illinois.
Robert M. Kramer appeared and testified before this court during the hearings on the issue of title to the properties under petition. In addition, Kramer testified at depositions taken by the attorneys for the Receivers on October 30, 1969; November 14, 1969; Novem
On June 26, 1964, the Department of Financial Institutions of the State of Illinois took custody of City Savings Association (hereafter “City Savings”) a state-chartered savings and loan association, upon a finding, based upon an examination report issued by Peat, Mar-wick, Mitchell & Co., certified public accountants, that as of April 30, 1964, City Savings had a capital impairment exceeding $14,000,000. City Savings was closed by the State on June 30, 1964, and is currently in receivership under the jurisdiction of this court. City Savings is hopelessly insolvent.
At the time the State took custody— and for at least 20 years prior thereto— cross-defendant C. Oran Mensik had been the chief executive officer of City Savings, simultaneously holding the positions of President, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Cross-defendant Robert M. Kramer, Mensik’s brother-in-law, became a Vice President of City Savings, a member of its Board of Directors and a member of its Executive Committee in 1954 and held these positions until City Savings was closed on June 30, 1964.
Mensik and Kramer operated City Savings, with Mensik the dominant figure and Kramer by his own admission functioning largely as assistant to and nominee and messenger boy for Mensik. Mensik and Kramer were assisted and supported in their efforts by the deceased cross-defendant Alexander J. Pikiel, Mensik’s then attorney, whose offices adjoined those of City Savings in the City Savings Building at 1654 W. Chicago Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, and by various other persons, including cross-defendants Walter Kulikowski, Mildred Riehl and Marianne Barto.
From 1959 to 1964, cross-defendant Robert J. Zaucha was loan officer at City Savings. From 1959 until 1964, cross-defendants Francis J. Sochacki, Robert J. Siman and Angelo LoMonaco purportedly appraised properties on which City Savings made loans. However, it is undisputed that none of these cross-defendants honestly and responsibly performed the job he purported to hold; rather, all these persons responded utterly to Mensik’s direction and control. All loan applications and appraisals were prepared in accordance with Mensik’s directions, without regard to either the real identity or integrity of the purported borrower and wholly without regard to the true value of the land.
The primary function of the Executive Committee of City Savings was purportedly to approve the applications for loans submitted to it by Mensik. In addition to Mensik and Kramer, Joseph Holley, a director of City Savings, was a member of the Executive Committee until his death in 1959. Thereafter, cross-defendant Herbert J. Hoover became the third member of the Executive Committee.
As is obvious from the sad history of this institution, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of City Savings never fulfilled their responsibilities to the depositors and creditors to safeguard and protect City Savings’
Under Mensik’s domination, City Savings fell into ruin. By April 30, 1964, 82% of the entire loan portfolio of City Savings ’was concentrated in 776 loans in two projects, Apple Orchard in Bartlett, Illinois, and Howie in the Hills in Palatine Township, Illinois. The outstanding net unpaid balance of the Apple Orchard loans on June 30, 1964— when City Savings was closed — was $14,-827,415.20; the outstanding net unpaid balance of the Howie in the Hills loans was $5,675,047.14. Thus, City Savings’ net investment in these two projects exceeded $20.5 million. The actual estimated value of these projects at the time City Savings was closed in 1964 was. approximately $2,000,000. These loans were the greatest single factor in the demise of City Savings.
The mortgage loans made by City Savings on the security of the real estate in the Apple Orchard and Howie in the Hills projects were based upon grossly inflated and fraudulent appraisals. The loans were made to entities controlled by Mensik and Kramer and their nominees: Cross-defendants Henry McGurren, Carl M. Melberg, Fred Melberg, Vernon C. Melberg, Maurice Melberg, C. J. Szymanski, Thor Ringstrom, Herbert J. Hoover, Charles Hartman, M. A. Barto, Mildred Riehl, Genevieve Jarecki and Walter Kulikowski.
It was the general practice of City Savings to purportedly finance subdivision development in three phases. In phase 1, City Savings loaned mortgage money to various corporations and individuals, purportedly for the purchase of raw farm land. In phase 2, City Savings increased the mortgage loans on the same property for the purported purpose of subdividing the land and constructing sewer, water and other improvements such as streets and curbs. The outstanding unpaid balance of the first loan was “repaid” from the proceeds of the second mortgage loan. In phase 3, City Savings again increased the mortgage loan on the same property for the alleged purpose of constructing buildings. The unpaid balance of the second loan was “repaid” from the proceeds of the third loan. In reality, however, the moneys were not utilized by the purported borrowers for development; rather, vast amounts of these loan funds were used for purposes unrelated to the development of the land purportedly offered as security for the loans.
The case of A-l Construction Corporation (“A-l”) a purported developer in the Apple Orchard complex, illustrates the pattern of fraud. A-l was incorporated in 1954 by Carl M. Mel-berg, Marianne Barto and I. L. Kunitz. Melberg was a long-time colleague of Mensik; Barto was Mensik’s secretary and Mrs. Kunitz was Mensik’s sister. During 1962, Robert M. Kramer became a director of A-l. The President of A-l, Walter Kulikowski, was identified by Pikiel as a “leg man” for Mensik. At all times, Mensik voted the stock and controlled and dictated the policies of A-l.
From 1959 through 1964, Mensik caused City Savings funds to be disbursed to A-l Construction Corporation in amounts exceeding 2.7 million; the loans were based on grossly inflated appraisals. Of these funds, A-l made pay-outs of approximately $2 million to persons and entities that had no relationship to nor participation in the development of the land, specifically:
A. From September 1960 through April, 1962, A-l disbursed $124,000 to Country Life Developers, a partnership; Kramer and Mensik were the sole partners. Country Life purportedly provided advice to parties who borrowed money from City Savings as to the proper use and development potential of the lands mortgaged as security for the City Savings loans; in fact, Country Life
B. From October of 1960 through September, 1962, A-l disbursed $214,-000 to Dollar Investment Company. Kramer was President and a director of Dollar from its inception in 1960 to its dissolution in 1962. Mensik controlled the Dollar Investment Company stock, caused Kramer’s election, and controlled and directed the operations of the Company.
C. From July of 1959 through July of 1962, $807,136.55 was disbursed by A-l Construction Corporation to Capital Mortgage Company. Kramer was President and a director of Capital. He was elected by Mensik and Mensik directed and controlled the operations of the company. There were no disbursements of funds by Capital Mortgage, Dollar Investment or A-l Construction except at Mensik’s direction.
D. From May 1959 through October of 1961, A-l disbursed $327,692.17 to the Commercial Savings & Loan Association of Maryland, a Mensik controlled stock savings and loan association in Maryland.
E. From June 25, 1959 through September 24, 1962, checks amounting to $383,137.97 were cashed at City Savings by A-l. It is clear that much of the funds from the checks cashed by A-l at City Savings directly enriched Mensik and his cohorts. No officer or director of any of these corporations or of City Savings exercised any control or responsibility whatsoever to prevent this enormous fraud because Mensik was utterly in control.
The fraud was compounded by the Mensik dealings in Maryland through Dollar Investment Company. In addition to the $214,000 disbursed from City Savings to Dollar Investment Company through A-l Construction as set forth above, City Savings extended funds directly to Dollar Investment Company in the amount of $516,975.56 from February, 1962 through July 1962. Dollar then paid out the money, in part as follows:
A. From February 23, 1960, through May 8, 1962, approximately $241,816.39 was re-funneled by Dollar Investment back to A-l Construction Corporation.
B. From July of 1959 through February of 1962, over $20,000 was disbursed to Capital Mortgage Company.
C. From April, 1960 through April, 1962, approximately $125,000 was disbursed by Dollar to the Maryland Trust Savings & Loan Association, a Mensik controlled stock savings and loan institution in Maryland.
D. From June, 1960 through April 1962, approximately $40,000 was disbursed by Dollar to the First General Savings & Loan Association, a Mensik controlled stock savings and loan institution in Maryland.
E. From April 1960 through April, 1962, approximately $106,000 was disbursed by Dollar to the Maryland Thrift Savings & Loan Association, a Mensik controlled stock savings & loan institution in Maryland.
F. From June, 1960 through April, 1962, over $60,000 was disbursed by Dollar to the Maryland Financial Savings & Loan Association, a Mensik controlled stock savings and loan institution in Maryland.
Dollar Investment, acting as a front for Mensik, was the majority stockholder in all the Maryland institutions; Kramer was a director of each of the institutions. In addition to the funds set forth above, from January of 1962 through June of 1962, Mensik caused City Savings Association to directly disburse over $460,000 to the Maryland savings and loan institutions which he controlled.
These disbursements of City Savings funds to institutions and corporations controlled by Mensik and Kramer represented a breach of their fiduciary relationship to City Savings and its
Where a fiduciary relationship exists as a matter of law, a person who profits from a transaction in his capacity as an officer or director of another corporation has the burden of proving that the transaction was in good faith. McCartney v. McCartney, 8 Ill.2d 494, 134 N.E.2d 789 (1956); Shlensky v. South Parkway Building Corporation, 19 Ill.2d 268, 166 N.E.2d 793 (1960). Mensik and Kramer have manifestly not met that burden here. To the contrary, the evidence shows and I so find that the transactions that they engineered as officers, directors and managing agents of both City Savings and the corporations receiving City Savings’ funds were consummated solely for their personal benefit at the expense of City Savings and its members.
Subsequent to the disbursement of the City Savings funds and while City Savings were falling into ruin, Kramer removed all the books, records and documents of Dollar Investment, A-l Construction Corporation and Capital Mortgage Company to Canada. The sole purpose of removing this documentary evidence, part of which was recovered and utilized by the Receivers in their discovery and which has been offered in evidence herein, was to render more difficult any attempt to unravel the tangled affairs of City Savings Association.
In addition to the City Savings funds Mensik diverted directly to corporations he controlled, Mensik further attempted to enrich himself by causing title to certain properties in the Apple Orchard and Howie in the Hills developments to be held by his nominees rather than mortgaged to City Savings as security for City Savings’ enormous loans in these areas.
Because of the incomprehensible state of City Savings’ records, it is not possible to trace City Savings’ money directly into each of these parcels. However, the facts of this case dictate a finding that the land belongs in equity to City Savings for two reasons: First, it is undisputed that Mensik, as a matter of common practice, disbursed City Savings funds intended for his own use to nominees whom he controlled. The evidence adduced herein clearly establishes that the persons and corporations who hold title to these parcels are Mensik’s nominees. It is, therefore, my finding based on the preponderance of the evidence before me that the properties under petition were acquired with City Savings funds; on this record a court of equity could find no less. Second, the properties acquired and retained by Mensik and his nominees in the Apple Orchard and Howie in the Hills developments are checkerboarded throughout those developments and are essential to the unified development of these areas. Yet, these parcels were never mortgaged to City Savings or held for its use when vast amounts of City Savings’ funds were advanced to purportedly develop these areas. Thus, each of the properties under petition represented a corporate opportunity of City Savings which Mensik and Kramer as officers and directors of City Savings should have either procured for City Savings or at minimum caused City Savings to receive as additional security for City Savings’ loans. Accordingly, I find that the facts of this ease are such that neither Mensik nor Kramer nor their nominees nor cohorts can in equity retain these parcels as against the unfortunate depositors of City Savings in light of the frauds perpetrated' upon City Savings. Allowing Mensik or his nominees to successfully assert any claims against the realty in question shocks the conscience of this Court.
An accurate history of all the conveyances involved in the Receivers’ petition is reflected in the charts attached hereto as an Appendix. Two transactions re-
A. THE NORTH EAST CORNER OF APPLE ORCHARD:
The “North East Corner” of the Apple Orchard Development, which is more fully described in the Appendix, was conveyed by George and Virginia Saum to Henry McGurren as Trustee on May 8, 1959. By deed dated May 6, 1959, the property had been conveyed by Mc-Gurren to A-l Construction Corporation. Although City Savings made huge loans to A-l to develop the Apple Orchard complex, this particular parcel was never mortgaged of record to City Savings. Rather, A-l conveyed the parcel into land trust No. 30121 at the LaSalle National Bank on October 19, 1962. On May 10, 1964, that Trust conveyed the parcel to Robert’s Realty Company, an Illinois corporation. (Robert Kramer was President and a director of Robert’s Realty Company; he was elected by Mensik and acted as Mensik’s nominee.) Robert’s Realty conveyed the same parcel to Wright Mortgage Company on June 22, 1966. (Kramer was also President of Wright Mortgage Company. He was elected by Mensik and responded to Mensik’s direction and control.) Wright Mortgage Company currently holds title as Mensik's nominee.
B. UNIT 2 OF HOWIE-IN-THEHILLS:
The Howie in the Hills development offers other examples of manipulation by Mensik and his cohorts. Unit 2 of Howie in the Hills was conveyed from Anton Cipri and his wife to Samuel R. Ballis on April 11, 1959. Thereafter, on December 14, 1962, Ballis conveyed the farm to Howie in the Hills Building Corporation, an Illinois corporation. (Robert Kramer was a Director of Howie in the Hills, which received more than $1.5 million in City Savings funds. Alexander J. Pikiel was registered agent, President and had acted as an incorporator. Howie in the Hills Building Corporation was a nominee for Mensik.) On October 13, 1964, Howie in the Hills conveyed Unit 2 to Suburban Life Builders Corporation, an Illinois corporation. (Mensik admittedly owns Suburban Life. Kramer is Vice President and Registered Agent, having been elected by Mensik. He responds to Mensik’s direction and control.) Suburban Life Builders still holds title to Unit 2 — except for the portion thereof known as Palatine Estates — as Mensik’s nominee.
The evidence clearly establishes and I now so find that these conveyances, and all the conveyances set forth in the Appendix, were engineered by Mensik, Kramer, McGurren and their cohorts to disguise the true ownership of these parcels of land; the land in fact is controlled by Mensik and was acquired pursuant to the scheme of fraud perpetrated upon City Savings’ depositors in breach of Mensik’s and Kramer’s fiduciary relationship to City Savings. See Central Ry. Signal Co. v. Longden, 194 F.2d 310 (7th Cir. 1952); Henry’s Drive-In, Inc. v. Anderson, 37 Ill.App.2d 113, 185 N.E.2d 103 (1st Dist. 1962).
From 1959 through 1964 over $1,000,-000 of City Savings funds was disbursed directly by City Savings to the American Reserve Insurance Company, Ltd. and the American Fidelity Insurance Company, Ltd. as purported premiums for the insurance of the City Savings loans to the Mensik controlled corporations. In fact, neither American Fidelity nor American Reserve functioned as an insurance company. Rather, both companies acted solely as conduits of City Savings funds and were merely names used by Mensik, Kramer and McGurren to disguise their control of funds in accounts at branches of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto, Montreal and Nassau.
American Reserve and American Fidelity — together with Eastern Trust Company — were “tentacles of the same entity” and used their funds interchangeably, according to Henry McGurren, who acted as American counsel for the cartel
It is clear from all of the evidence that Henry McGurren was a central figure in the scheme to defraud City Savings Association. McGurren’s claims that he acted only as an attorney or as a trustee of a naked land trust tax the credulity of the Court.
Having observed McGurren’s testimony on the witness stand, I found him to be at best evasive and intentionally misleading in his answers. His demeanor rendered an otherwise incredible story even more unbelievable.
His testimony is replete with contradictions, purported lapses of memory and implausible explanations as to whom he represented and in what capacity, particularly for an experienced attorney with an extensive real estate practice. For example:
A. McGurren purportedly represented Herbert. J. Hoover, a director of City Savings Association, with respect to the acquisition of the Saum and Van Wagner tracts in the Apple Orchard Complex. (See Appendix) However, he testified that he never ascertained the nature and extent of Hoover’s authority to act for A-l Construction Corporation or Capital Mortgage Company, the purported purchasers.
B. On January 25, 1963, the Executive Committee of City Savings approved a purported loan to Howie in the Hills Building Corporation of $340,000. Prior to the disbursement of these funds, $247,250.00 of the $340,000.00 was siphoned off to American Reserve Insurance Company by means of two City Savings checks dated January 24, 1963, the day before the loan was approved by the Executive Committee. These checks were negotiated to and deposited by Mc-Gurren in the account of American Fidelity Insurance Company, Ltd. at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Nassau, Bahamas. One month later, $66,737.86 from the identical account was disbursed through McGurren to Mrs. Martha Baker for the acquisition of a parcel of land on which City Savings made loans exceeding $4.8 million. Although McGurren caused Mrs. Martha Baker to convey her property to LaSalle National Bank Trust No. 30647, he professed not to know who the beneficiaries of the trust were.
Over $2.7 million of these funds were disbursed by City Savings to persons and corporations unrelated to the development of the land, including:
(a) $434,951.13 to Walter’s Realty Company. (Kramer was an officer and director of Walter’s; he was elected by Mensik and responded to his direction and control. The President of Walter's was Walter Kulikowski.)
(b) $365,434.50 to Prime Investment Company. (Kramer was President of Prime. He was elected by Mensik voting stock purportedly owned by Eastern Trust Company and was responsible to Mensik’s direction and control.)
(c) $134,370.08 to Fidelity Thrift Corporation. (Kramer is a Director of Fidelity Thrift. He was elected by Mensik voting stock purportedly owned by Eastern Trust Company; he responded at all times to Mensik’s direction and control); and
(d) $61,953.31 directly to Eastern Trust Company.
The excess of net loan balances over appraised value of this parcel as of June 30, 1964, exceeded $4.5 million. The
In open court, when pressed for an explanation as to why American Fidelity’s money was used to purchase the Baker parcel, McGurren “explained” that originally American Fidelity intended to buy the property but later decided it could not take title to property in Illinois. It was purportedly decided instead that American Fidelity would acquire stock in whatever corporation took title from Mrs. Baker. However, the transaction was never completed and American Fidelity purportedly never received any consideration at all for its payment of over $66,000 to Mrs. Baker.
C. McGurren said he could not remember how many claims of City Savings against American Fidelity and American Reserve were paid while he was counsel for the insurance companies. In fact, City Savings records are devoid of any records of claims made by City Savings despite more than one million dollars in premiums disbursed to American Reserve and American Fidelity and despite the fact that many of the mortgage loans purportedly insured by American Reserve and American Fidelity are in default.
These manipulations and discrepancies, when viewed in light of McGurren’s participation in almost every single aspect of the City Savings fraud and when placed in the perspective of his extensive dealings with Mensik for many years, lead inescapably to the conclusion and I now so find that McGurren acted as a conspirator with and nominee for Mensik.
Only two of the parcels of property under petition are purportedly owned by parties claiming title as bona fide purchasers for value: Braewood Building Corporation purports to own Palatine Estates, a subdivision comprising a portion of Howie in the Hills, Unit 2; and Peerless Closure Company purports to own a parcel of land centered squarely in the middle of the Apple Orchard Development which has been identified as the Mensik Homesite because Mensik lived there from March 1, 1963 until his imprisonment in 1968. Both parcels are fully described in the Appendix. The facts concerning these entities are as follows:
PALATINE ESTATES (Braewood Building Corporation):
In March of 1966, Suburban Life Builders Corporation purported to convey Lot 12 of Block 32 of Howie in the Hills, Unit 2, to Braewood Building Corporation (“Braewood”). On May 12, 1966, Howie-in-the-Hills Building Corporation quit-claimed the same property to Braewood. This parcel was later subdivided into 22 smaller lots and became known as Palatine Estates. Clark Frothingham and his wife together with Henry McGurren own and control Braewood. Although Frothingham has claimed that he received this land in payment for services rendered as an engineer in Howie in the Hills, in fact Braewood took title from these corporations pursuant to a plan, indeed, a conspiracy, whereby Brae-wood would act as a nominee and hold the land until directed by Mensik and McGurren to reconvey. This finding is predicated not only on my observation of Frothingham on the witness stand, but on the evidence adduced at the depositions of Frothingham and McGurren. Thus:
A. Although Frothingham knew at the time he entered into the agreement to do engineering work that Mensik had been charged with grave frauds in connection with City Savings loans in Howie in the Hills, he was nonetheless willing to assist Mensik in the proposed development of Howie in the Hills, Unit 2.
B. Frothingham received payments from an escrow at the Chicago Title and Trust Company for the work he purportedly performed in Howie in the Hills. The records of the Chicago Title and Trust Company indicate Frothingham signed waivers of lien and received $21,-000 from Escrow #296868 in connection
“[T]here are no other contracts for said work outstanding; * * * there is nothing due and to become due to any person for material, labor or other work of any kind done or to be done upon or in connection with said work. * * * »*
Notwithstanding his execution of this contractor’s affidavit, Frothingham testified that in connection with a payment of $18,000 for work on Unit 3, he signed the waiver at Kramer’s request, retained only $4,000 and disbursed the balance to other companies named by Kramer. In short, he admitted to executing fraudulent waivers of lien.
C. An option contract purportedly executed on behalf of Suburban Life Builders on December 6, 1965, purportedly gave Frothingham the option to purchase Lot 12 in Block 32 (Palatine Estates) on or before March 1, 1966, for the sum of $121,000 in order to resubdivide it into 22 lots. The stated consideration for the option was $1,000. This option was not recorded for more than two years, until June 19, 1968. Frothingham denied ever seeing the option and denied he ever paid Suburban Life $1,000 as consideration.
D. An assignment of Utopia Building Company of Suburban Life Builders’ interest in the option contract purportedly executed January 11, 1968 was also recorded on June 19, 1968. Utopia, which was dominated and controlled by Mensik and Kramer purportedly acted as general contractor and supervisor of the entire Howie-in-the-Hills. However, Frothing-ham denied any knowledge of the assignment.
E. A mechanics lien claim on behalf of Utopia Building Company in the sum of $106,000 for work purportedly done by Utopia prior to December 5, 1966 on Palatine Estates was also recorded on June 19, 1968. Frothingham testified that Utopia put in the sewer and water for the 22 lots but not until 1968, and disclaimed any knowledge of the lien claim.
Frothingham conveyed Lots 1 to 11 and 18 to 22 of Palatine Estates to Janet Aniline, a nominee, on October 21, 1968. On November 28, 1968, Janet Aniline and Orm Aniline conveyed these same lots to Henry MeGurren, purportedly- as trustee under a trust agreement having no number and bearing only the date 1968. On February 27, 1969, MeGurren as trustee conveyed these lots to Margery Selvin, another nominee. Despite the fact that he testified that he needed cash, Frothingham conveyed these lots before he had any written agreement whatsoever; moreover, he has admittedly never received any money from Kramer, MeGurren, Aniline, Selvin, or anyone else as consideration for the conveyances. This is hardly the behavior of a person who actually owns real estate. These are the actions of a nominee.
On March 11, 1969, three quit-claim deeds purportedly signed September 30, 1968, were recorded. These deeds conveyed all of the interest of Suburban Life Builders, Washington Capital Corporation and Utopia Building Company in and to Lots 12 to 17 in Palatine Estates Subdivision to Braewood. The deed from Suburban Life was executed by Mensik; the deed from Washington Capital was executed by Kramer; and the deed from Utopia was executed by Kramer. The acknowledgments were all taken by MeGurren. On the same day, March 11, 1969, a quit-claim deed was recorded conveying all of Braewood’s interest in and to Lots 12 to 17 to Joy A. Lutgert, McGurren’s daughter. Frothingham testified that he conveyed the lots to her at McGurren’s request, that MeGurren paid him with a note and that he never received any money from MeGurren. This again is the behavior of a nominee.
Subsequent to the Receivers’ petition to redeem these lots, Lots 12 to 17 of Palatine Estates were reconveyed to- Brae-wood, which now holds title thereto. Henry MeGurren as Trustee currently
From all the testimony adduced herein and from my own observation of Frothingham and McGurren on the witness stand, I must find and conclude that Braewood is a nominee for Mensik and Kramer and that Braewood and Mc-Gurren as trustee hold title to Palatine Estates subject to City Savings’ claims. I further find and conclude that Brae-wood and Frothingham have never held any interest in Palatine Estates other than to hold title as nominees and respond to the directions of Mensik and his cohorts. Braewood did not acquire these parcels as a bona fide purchaser for value without notice; McGurren engineered the transaction for both Brae-wood and the Mensik controlled corporations and Braewood acquired only the interest of Suburban Life Builders and Howie in the Hills Building Corporation. Suburban Life Builders and Howie in the Hills Building Corporation held title as Mensik’s nominees pursuant to the scheme to defraud the depositors of City Savings and thus held title as constructive trustees for the benefit of City Savings. Braewood stands in precisely the same posture. See Mortell v. Beckman, 16 Ill.2d 209, 157 N.E.2d 63 (1959); Edgerton v. Johnson, 178 F.2d 106 (7th Cir. 1949); Burnex Oil Co. v. Floyd, 106 Ill.App.2d 16, 245 N.E.2d 539 (1st Dist. 1969).
PEERLESS CLOSURE COMPANY (Mensik Homesite)
Cross-defendant Peerless Closure Company (“Peerless”) is a holding company for the investments of Henry A. Finlay, Jr., who is a cross-defendant herein individually. Henry McGurren is registered agent of Peerless.
Finlay’s connection with the Mensik cartel is extensive and long standing. In May, 1964, Finlay agreed to purchase 60% of the stock of Washington Capital Corporation, the purported owner of Unit 3 of Howie in the Hills. (Mensik owns Washington Capital. Kramer is president and a director, having been elected by Mensik.) Finlay’s agreement to purchase the stock of Washington Capital never was consummated; rather, beginning in December of 1964 and continuing through December of 1965, Finlay made extensive loans to several Mensik controlled corporations, including Washington Capital, United Capital Corporation (Kramer, Walter Kulikowski, and Mildred Riehl were incorporators and Kramer was registered agent) and Fidelity Thrift Corporation (Walter Kulikowski, Mildred Riehl and Robert Kramer were the officers and directors). As security, Finlay received stock in all these corporations.
Finlay testified that he later filed suit to recover these sums. He was unable to identify any of the parties to the suit but simply stated that he received his money and returned the stock. Specifically, on September 30, 1966, Finlay transferred all the Washington Capital stock to Mensik.
Despite his purported disillusionment with the Washington Capital, United Capital, Fidelity Thrift cartel, however, Finlay in May of 1967 purportedly agreed to acquire the Mensik Homesite from Washington Capital on behalf of Peerless for $50,000. Washington Capital was to have an option to repurchase the land within 90 days for $60,000, an equivalent of 80% interest per year on the $50,000 investment. The $50,-000 was obtained from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, purportedly as a loan to the American World Investment Association, Ltd., a Bahamian corporation controlled by Finlay that acted as a rubber stamp for Finlay’s foreign investments. Significantly, American World was set up with the assistance of Henry McGurren; Francisco Rodriguez and Charles Grant, the same persons used by McGurren and Mensik as front men for American Reserve, American Fidelity and Eastern Trust, were set up as officers of American World. In return for the $50,000 advance to Washington Capital, Finlay received an assignment of Washington Capital’s beneficial
Finlay knew at the time he entered into the agreement to acquire the Mensik Homesite, purportedly on behalf of Peerless, that he was dealing with the Mensik cartel and that the Mensik cartel was utterly and completely untrustworthy. As he testified: “I had trouble with these people before and by gum I was going to make a buck.” Moreover, Finlay admitted the high repurchase price to Washington Capital was dictated because he was “discounting a mortgage of dubious quality.” Finally, at the time Finlay closed the transaction on the Mensik Homesite on behalf of Peerless, Mensik was living on the property and Mensik’s brother-in-law, Kramer, was acting on behalf of Washington Capital.
I find Finlay’s actions on behalf of Peerless in the acquisition of the Mensik Homesite are wholly inconsistent with the standard of conduct required of one who holds himself out as a bona fide purchaser for value without notice. I find his testimony concerning his claim of ownership of the land in question not believable.
Peerless took title to the Mensik Home-site subject to all the defects in the titles held by Henry MeGurren as Trustee and Washington Capital Corporation — the prior parties in interest. MeGurren and Washington Capital as Mensik’s nominees held their respective interests pursuant to the scheme to defraud the depositors of City Savings and thus held these interests as constructive trustees for the benefit of City Savings. Peerless stands in precisely the same posture as Washington Capital and Henry MeGurren as Trustee. The conveyance to Peerless cannot defeat the claims of City Savings. See Doyle v. Teas, 5 111. 202 (1843); Heitman Trust Co. v. Parlee, 314 Ill.App. 83, 40 N.E.2d 732 (1st Dist. 1942).
I accordingly find from all the evidence that the existence of a scheme to defraud the depositors of City Savings has been proved clearly, convincingly and unequivocally. The participants in the scheme were Mensik, Kramer, MeGurren, Finlay, Braewood, Peerless and the other officers and directors of City Savings and of the corporations named as purported owners of the properties here under petition. Pursuant to this scheme, Mensik caused title to said properties to be held in the names of various persons and corporations which he controlled. I specifically find that the following persons hold title to the properties they purport to hold, as nominees for C. Oran Mensik and Robert M. Kramer: Suburban Life Builders Corporation; Brae-wood Building Corporation; Henry MeGurren ; Henry MeGurren as Trustee under an undated Trust Agreement; and under a Trust Agreement dated November 28, 1968; Washington Capital Corporation; Wright Mortgage Company; Howie-in-the-Hills Building Corporation; Melvin Building Corporation;
I also specifically find that neither Peerless Closure Company nor Braewood Building Corporation acquired rights in the properties they purport to own as a bona fide purchaser for value without notice. Both Braewood and Peerless through their officers and directors dealt extensively with Mensik, were aware of his manipulations and devices and took such rights as they purported to acquire subject to City Savings’ claims. The protestations of Clark Frothingham, Henry McGurren and Henry Finlay, Jr. to the contrary are without support in the record and could not be believed by anyone who has had an opportunity, as I have, to observe their demeanor while testifying on the witness stand.
I further find that title to the properties here under petition was acquired by the persons and corporations set forth in the Appendix as nominees for Mensik and Kramer, who were acting in breach of their fiduciary obligations due and owing to City Savings; and that the evidence herein clearly and unequivocally dictates the imposition of a constructive trust on the parcels of land here under petition.
Wherefore, it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed:
1. A constructive trust for the use and benefit of' City Savings Association is hereby imposed upon the real estate described as parcels I through and including XIV of the Appendix.
2. All right, title and interest in and to the real estate described as parcels I through and including XIV in the Appendix be and hereby is vested in City Savings Association instanter free of all claims of cross-defendants Suburban Life Builders Corporation, Braewood Building Corporation, Henry McGurren, Henry McGurren as Trustee under an undated Trust Agreement, Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated November 28, 1968, Washington Capital Corporation, Wright Mortgage Company, Howie-in-the-Hills Building Corporation, Melvin Building Corporation, LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated October 1, 1963, known as Trust No. 32317, LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated December 28, 1962, known as Trust No. 30647, Fidelity Thrift Corporation, Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated January 28, 1968, Long Life Building Corporation, Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated January 10,1959, Robert’s Realty Company, Security Thrift Corporation, LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated January 4, 1962, known as Trust No. 29042, Robert Kramer, Henry Mc-Gurren as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated January 25, 1968, known as Trust No. 1, Peerless Closure Company, and LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated August 4, 1961, known as Trust No. 28425.
3. The conveyances from Henry Mc-Gurren as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated January 10, 1959, to the persons, corporations and trusts set forth below, to the extent such conveyances may have affected the real estate indicated below, constituted a fraud upon
GRANTEE PATE OF DEED PARCEL
A-l Construction Corporation Feb. 14, 1959 VIII
A-l Construction Corporation May 6, 1959 IX, X, and XI
LaSalle National Bank as
Trustee under Trust
Agreement dated Jan. 4,
1962, known as Trust
No. 29042
Peerless Closure Co.
Peerless Closure Co.
4. The following corporations, trustees, and individuals are hereby ordered and directed to convey within fourteen (14) days all right, title, and interest they each may have or claim in and to the real estate indicated below to City Savings Association by quit claim deed or trustee’s deed as the case may be:
CORPORATIONS, TRUSTEES, INDIVIDUALS PARCELS*
Suburban Life Builders Corporation I: II; and IV
Braewood Building Corporation II;
Henry McGurren II, VII through and in-
cluding XIV
Henry McGurren as Trustee under an undated Trust Agreement and under Trust Agreement ii;
dated November 28, 1968
Washington Capital Corporation III, XII, XIII, and XIV
Wright Mortgage Corporation Lots A, B, C, 100 through
and including 123, and 138
through and including 144
of III; VII; X; and
XIII;
Howie-In-The-Hills Building Corporation I; and V;
Melvin Building Corporation V;
LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust V;
Agreement dated October 1, 1963, known as
Trust No. 32317
LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust VI;
Agreement dated December 28, 1962, known as
Trust No. 30647
Fidelity Thrift Corp. VII;
Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust VII;
Agreement dated January 28, 1968
Long Life Building Corporation VIII; IX;
Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust VIII through and Includ-
Agreement dated January 10,1959 ing XIV;
Robert’s Realty Company X;
Security Thrift Corporation XI;
LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust XII;
Agreement dated January 4, 1962, known as
Trust No. 29042
Robert Kramer VII;
Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust XIII;
Agreement dated January 25, 1968, known as
Trust No. 1
Peerless Closure Company XIII and XIV;
LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust XIV
Agreement dated August 4,1961, known as Trust
No. 28425
Defendant Robert Kramer is hereby directed and ordered to execute the deeds of Washington Capital Corporation, Wright Mortgage Corporation, Howie-in-the-Hills Building Corporation, Melvin Building Corp., Fidelity Thrift Corporation, Long Life Building Corp., Robert’s Realty Co., and Security Thrift Corporation, as an officer or director of said corporations.
5. The Receivers are hereby directed to prepare such deeds as may be necessary to comply with this Order and to procure such signatures thereon as may be required for compliance herewith.
6. I hereby expressly find that there is no just reason to delay enforcement of this Order and I hereby direct that final judgment enter pursuant to the terms hereof in favor of counter plaintiff, City Savings Association.
APPENDIX
1. UNIT NO. 2, HOWIE-IN-THE-HILLS (Area in blue on Exhibit H-52) Blocks 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the Howie-In-The-Hills Unit No. 2, a Subdivision in the Northwest quarter of Section 19, Township 42 North, Range 10 East of the Third Principal Meridian in Cook County, Illinois. Also known as:
Lots 6 through 10 both inclusive of Block 25, lots 12 through 22 of Block 24, lots 1 through 10 both inclusive of Block 30, lots 1 through 22 both inclusive of Block 31, lots 1 through 23 both inclusive of Block 32, lots 1 through 10 both inclusive of Block 33 and lots 1 through 10 both inclusive of Block 34 of Howie-in-the-Hills Unit No. 2, a Subdivision in the North
PET’S DATE OP
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Anton Cipri & Samuel R. Ballis 5 April 11,1959
Elizabeth Cipri
Samuel R. Ballis Howie-In-The 29 Dec. 14,1962
Hills Building
Corp., an 111.
corporation
Howie in the Hills Suburban Life 38a Oct. 13,1964
Building Corp. Builders corpo-
ration, an 111.
corporation
[Note: See Palatine Estates below at II for disposition of Lot 12 of Block 32 of Unit No. 2.]
II. PALATINE ESTATES (Area in blue bordered in green on Exhibit H-52) Lots 1 through 22 of Palatine Estates Subdivision, a resubdivision of Lot 12 of Block 32 of Howie-In-The-Hills Unit No. 2, a Subdivision in the Northwest quarter of Section 19, Township 42 North, Range 10 East of the Third Principal Meridian in Cook County, Illinois.
PET’S DATE OP
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
[Note: Por history of title prior to
1965 see Unit No. 2 above at I.]
Suburban Life Braewood 23 Mar. 1,1966
Building Corp.,
an 111. corpora-
tion
Braewood Janet Aniline 36 Oct. 21,1968 Lots 1 to 11
& 18 to 22
Janet Aniline Henry McGurren 37 Nov. 28,1968 Same
and Orm Aniline as Trustee (no
date or number
of agreement)
Henry McGurren Margery Selvin
as Trustee
Braewood Joy A. Lutgert
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Edwin H. Thur-Central H-7 Apr. 22,1960
nau & Olive D. National Bank
Thurnau as Trustee
under Trust
Agreement
dated 4/22/60,
known as
Trust No.
4596
Central National Washington H-48a Apr. 24,1966 Lots 1-307
Bank Trust No. Capital
4596 Corporation, an
111. corporation
(“Washington
Capital”)
Washington Village of Hoff- H-50 Dec. 8,1967 Lots 16
Capital man Estates and 26
Washington Wright Mort- H-51 May 8,1960 Lots A, B
Capital gage Corp., an 111. corporation and C, 100-123,
(“Wright and 138-144
Mortgage”)
IV. UNIT NO. 4, HOWIE-IN-THE-HILLS (Area in green on Exhibit H-52) Lots 1 to 115 of Howie-In-The-Hills Unit No. 4, a subdivision in the Southeast quarter of Section 19, Township 42 North, Range 10 East of the Third Principal Meridian in Cook County, Illinois.
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
William H. Lang Central H-27B May 25,1965
& Martha W. National Bank
Lang as Trustee
under Trust
Agreement
dated 12/19/62,
known as
Trust No. 5231
Central Suburban Life H-47a Jan. 31,1966
National Bank Builders
Trust No. 5231 Corp.
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
R. Campbell Fox Central H-l May 6,1957 Area in
& Eleanora Crosh National Bank yellow on
Fox as Trustee Exhibit H-52
under Trust
Agreement
dated 5/1/57,
known as
Trust No. 4011
Central Joan E. Davis H-9b Oct. 3,1960 Same
National Bank
Trust No. 4011
Joan E. Davis Robert R. H-9a Oct 3,1960 Same
Rissman as
Trustee under
Trust Agree-
ment dated
7/18/59, known
as Trust No. 1
Robert R. Howie in the H-ll Jan. 19,1961 Same
Rissman Trust Hills Building
No. 1 Corp.
Howie in the Boone Building H-20a, Aug. 2,1961 Sundry
Hills Building Corp., an 111. 20d and blocks
Corp. corporation 21
(“Boone”) and
New Castle
Building Corp.,
an 111. corpora-
tion (“New
Castle”)
Boone Melvin Building H-25 Aug. 8,1961 Several
Corp., an Ill. blocks
corporation
(“Melvin”)
Melvin Country Life H-32b, Dec. 17,1962 Sundry
Developers, d, e, blocks
Inc. an Ill. f, h
corporation
(“Country Life”)
Boone Howie in the H-32 Dec. 17,1962 Same
Hills Building 9
Corp.
Howie in the Boone H-32c Dec. 31,1962 Same
Hills Building
Corp.
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Melvin Casey ConstrucH-32a Dec. 31,1962 Same
tion Co., an
111. corporation
(“Casey”)
•Casey Melvin H-34a Dec. 31,1963 Same
Casey Boone H-34b Dec. 31,1963 Same
Howie in the Country Life H-34e Same Same
Hills Building
Corp.
LaSalle National Howie in the H-35a Oct. 1,1963 Lots 1-9
Bank as TrusHills Building and 15-23
tee under Trust Corp. of Blk. 29
Agreement
dated 10/1/63
known as
Trust No. 32317
Same Melvin H-35b Same Lots 10-14
of Blk. 29
VI. THIRTY-THREE FEET SOUTH OF APPLE ORCHARD SHOPPING CENTER (Area in red on Pet’s. Ex. No. A-73.0)
The South 33 feet of the following described parcel:
That part of the South half of Section 4 and the North half of Section 9, Township 40 North, Range 9, East of the Third Principal Meridian, described as follows: Beginning at a point on the South line of said Section 4 which is 15.42 chains West of the South East corner of said Section 4; proceed thence South 2% degrees East for a distance of 4.06 chains; proceed thence South 89% degrees West, along a line parallel with the North line of said Section 9 for a distance of 34.05 chains; proceed thence North % degree East for a distance of 44.28 chains to the North line of the South half of said Section 4; proceed thence North 89% degrees East, along said North line for a distance of 10.32 chains; proceed thence South % degree West (along a line parallel to the West line of the property herein described) for a distance of 29.30 chains; proceed thence North 89% degrees East for a distance of 10.37 chains; proceed thence South 85% degrees East i%6 chains; proceed thence South 2% degrees East for a distance of 10.14 chains to the place of beginning; excepting therefrom that part thereof described as follows: Beginning at the center of said Section 4; proceed thence Westerly along the East and West quarter section line for a distance of 594.0 feet; proceed thence Southerly along a line that forms an angle of 88 degrees 46 minutes to the left with the prolongation of the last described course for a distance of 1891.35 feet to the center line of Stearns Road (as widened by instrument of dedication dated June 4, 1941 and recorded June 12, 1941 as document 424796); proceed thence North Easterly along said center line, being along a line that forms an angle of 93 degrees 36 minutes to the left with the prolongation of the last described course, for a distance of 54.35 feet to a point of curve in said center line; proceed thence South Easterly along said center line, being along a curve to the right that is tangent to the last described course, for a distance of 626.8 feet; proceed thence Northerly for a distance of 1881.6 feet to a point in the East and West quarter section line that is 87.12 feet East of the center of said Section 4; proceed thence Westerly along said East and West quarter section line for a distance of 87.12 feet to the center of said Section 4 and the place of beginning, in DuPage County, Illinois.
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Martha Baker LaSalle National A-38 Feb. 14,1963
Bank as
Trustee under
Trust Agree-
ment dated
12/28/62, known
as Trust No.
30647
LaSalle Trust From time to All except
No. 30647 time to various the strip
corporations in question
that made
mortgages to
City Savings
Association
which have been
foreclosed or are
being foreclosed.
VII. THE VERNER FARM (Area in green on Pet’s Ex. No. A-73.0)
That part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 2, Township 40 North, Range 9 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in DuPage County, Illinois, described as follows: Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Section 2; thence Easterly along the South line of said Section 2 a distance of 2,611.9 feet; thence Northerly at an angle of 91°58' (turned from West to North) a distance of 880.00 feet; thence Westerly along a line parallel to the South line of said Section 2 a distance of 2,614.81 feet to a point in the West line of said Section 2; thence Southerly along the West line of said Section 2 a distance of 880.00 feet to the place or point of beginning.
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT
Harold Fidelity Thrift A-49.0 July 15,1964 '
Verner & Corp., an 111.
Janet Verner corporation
(“Fidelity
Thrift”)
Fidelity Thrift Wright A-60 July 6,1966
Mortgage
Wright Mortgage Genevieve B. A-71.1 Jan. 28,1969
Jarecki
Genevieve B. Henry McGurren A-71.0 Jan. 28,1969
Jarecki as Trustee
(no date or
number of the
trust agreement)
VIII. LOTS 600-602 OF APPLE ORCHARD
Lots 600, 601, 602 in Apple Orchard Subdivision Unit Number 14, of part of the SE % of the SE % of Section 3, Township 40 North, Range
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Anthony L. Paul D. Van A-1.0 Dec. 16,1953 NW Vi
Michel, Wagner & of § 10,
Sarah Prescott Eleanor S. Van SW Vi
Michel, Wagner (“Van of SE Vi
Rosell H Wagners”) of 3, SE
Chrisman, Vi SW
Virginia R. % of 3,
Chrisman part of
the SW
Vi of
SW Vi of
3. (Area
in blue
on Pet’s.
Ex. No.
A-73.0)
Van Wagners Henry McGurren A-6.1 . Jan. 10,1959 Same
as Trustee
under Trust
Agreement
dated 1/10/59
(McGurren
Trust 1-10-59”)
McGurren Trust, A-l Construction A-14 Feb. 14,1959 All of
1-10-59 Corporation an the above
111. corpora-north of
tion
Road
A-l Golden Valley A-16.0 June 3,1959 Same
Homes, Inc. an
111. corporation
(“Golden
Valley”)
Golden Valley Big Apple Realty A-47.0 June 17,1964 Lots 600-601
Company, Inc.
an 111. corpora-
tion
Apple”)
Big Apple Busy Bee A-53.0 Oct. 15,1964 Same
Construction
Company, an 111.
corporation
(“Busy Bee”)
Busy Bee Long Life A-58.0 June 23,1965 Same
Building Corp.,
an 111. corpora-
tion (“Long
Life”)
Lots 569 and 570 both in Apple Orchard Subdivision, Unit No. 13, a Subdivision in Section 3 and 10, Township 40 North, Range 9, East of the Third Principal Meridian in DuPage County, Illinois.
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
George N. Saum McGurren Trust A-11.0 May 8,1959 NE Vi of § 10
& Virginia C. 1-10-59 and § 4 South
Saum (“Saums”) of Stearns
Rd. (Area in
yellow on
Pet’s. Ex. No.
A-73.0)
McGurren Trust A-l A-12.0 May 6,1959 Same except
1-10-59 A-12.2 the W 100'
A-l LaSalle National A-35.0 Oct. 19,1962 Lots 569 &
Bank as Trustee 570
under Trust
Agreement dated
10/19/62 known
as Trust No.
30121
LaSalle Trust Apple Orchard A-46.1 Oct. 11,1962 Same
No. 30121 Builders, Inc.
an 111. corpora-
tion (“Apple
Orchard”)
Apple Orchard Big Apple A-46.0 June 17,1964 Same
Big Apple Busy Bee A-53.0 Oct. 15,1964 Same
Busy Bee Long Life
X. NORTH EAST CORNER OF APPLE ORCHARD
That part of the Northeast Quarter of Section 10, Township 40 North, Range 9 East of the Third Principal Meridian, described by beginning at the Northeast corner of said Northeast Quarter and running thence South on the East line of said Northeast Quarter, 716.03 feet to the Northeast corner of Apple Orchard Subdivision, Unit No. 4, a Subdivision in said Section 10; thence West on the North Line of said Unit 4, 184.97 feet to the Northwest corner thereof; thence South on the West line of said Unit 4, 45.0 feet to the Northeast corner of Apple Orchard Subdivision, Unit No. 9, a Subdivision in said Northeast Quarter; thence West on the North line of said Unit 9, 250.05 feet; thence South 64° 55' 45" West on the Northerly line of said Unit No. 9, 81.49 feet to an angle point in the Southeasterly line of Lot 596 in Apple Orchard Subdivision Unit No. 13; thence North 22° 34' East on said Southeasterly line, 29.4 feet; thence north 47° 33' West on the line of said Unit 13, 215.0 feet; thence South 42° 27' West on the line of Unit 13, 10.31 feet; thence North 47° 33' West on the line of Unit 13, 145.0 feet; thence South 42° 27' West on the line of Unit 13, 70.0 feet; thence North 58° 35' West on the line of said Unit 13, 271.65 feet; thence North 87° 24' West on the line of said Unit 13, 30.7 feet; thence North 2° 49' East on the line of said Unit 13, 277.25 feet to the North line of said Section 10; thence North 88° 30' East on said North line, 843.22 feet, to the place of beginning, in the Township of Wayne, in DuPage County, Illinois.
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Saums MeGurren Trust A-11.0 May 8,1959 Same as IX
1-10-59 above
MeGurren Trust A-l A-12.0 May 6,1959 Same
1-10-59 A.12.2
A-l LaSalle Trust A-37.0 Oct. 19,1962 North East
No. 30121 A-37.1 corner
LaSalle Trust Robert’s Realty A-45.0 May 10,1964 Same
No. 30121 Co., an 111. A-45.1
corporation
(“Robert’s
Realty”)
Robert’s Realty Wright A-61.0 June 22,1966 Same
Mortgage
XI. LOTS 247-254 AND 272-290 IN APPLE ORCHARD
Lots 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, and 290, all in Apple Orchard Subdivision, Unit No. 3, a Subdivision in Sections 3 and 10, Township 40 North Range 9, East of the Third Principal Meridian, in DuPage County, Illinois.
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Saums MeGurren Trust May 8,1959 Same as IX
1-10-59 above
MeGurren Trust A-l May 6,1959 Same
1-10-59
A-l Apple Orchard A-29.0 June 30,1962 Lots in
A-30.0 question
Apple Orchard A-l A-36.1 Oct. 15,1962 Same
A-l LaSalle Trust A-36.0 Oct. 19,1962 Same
No. 30121
LaSalle Trust Security Thrift A-41.0 Feb. 13,1964 Same
No. 30121 Corporation, an
111. corporation
(“Security
Thrift”)
XII. “NORTH APPLE TREE RANCH” IN APPLE ORCHARD
The East 390.3 feet of the South East Quarter and the South West Quarter and the West 100 feet of the South West Quarter of the South West Quarter of Section 3, all of which lies South of Stearns Road, and the East 390.3 feet of the North West Quarter and the East 100 feet of
PET’S DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Anthony L. Van Wagners Dec. 16,1953 Same as VIII
Michel, above
Sarah Prescott
Michel,
Roswell H.
Chrisman &
Virginia R.
Chrisman
Van Wagners McGurren Trust Jan. 10,1959 Same
1-10-59
Saums McGurren Trust May 8,1959 Same as IX
1-10-59 above
McGurren Trust Mildred G. Riehl A-26.1 Jan. 4,1962 Premises in
1-10-59 question
Mildred G. Riehl LaSalle National A-26.0 Jan. 4,1962 Same
Bank as
Trustee
under Trust
Agreement dated
1/4/62 known as
Trust No.
29042
XIII. MENSIK HOMESITE IN APPLE ORCHARD
The North 850 feet of the South 2168.18 feet of both the East 390.3 feet of the North West Quarter and the West 100 feet of the North East Quarter of Section 10, Township 40 North, Range 9 East of the Third Principal Meridian in DuPage County, Illinois, also known as the South 850 feet of the North 1210 feet of the said portions of the said sections.
PET’S ’ DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Anthony L. Van Wagners Dec. 16,1953 Same as VIII
Michel, above
Sarah Prescott
Michel,
Roswell H.
Chrisman &
Virginia R.
Chrisman
Van Wagners McGurren Trust Jan. 10,1959 Same
1-10-59
Saums McGurren Trust May 8,1959 Same as IX
1-10-59 above
McGurren Trust Joy Lutgert A-64.1 Jan. 24,1968 All except the
and Scott East 100 feet
Lutgert
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Joy Lutgert & Henry A-64.0 Jan, 26,1968 Same
Scott Lutgert McGurren
as Trustee
under Trust
Agreement dated
1/25/68 known
as Trust No. 1
Robert Kramer Wright A-65.0 Feb. 29,1968 Same
as Trustee under Mortgage
McGurren Trust
1-10-59
Henry McGurren Peerless A-68.0 Jan. 28,1969 Same
Trust No. 1 Closure Co.,
an 111. corpora-
tion (“Peer-
less”)
Wright Mortgage Peerless A-69.0 Jan. 28,1969 Same
XIV. LOTS 14 — IT APPLE TREE RANCH IN APPLE ORCHARD
Lots 14, 15, 16 and 17, all in Apple Tree Ranch Subdivision in the North y2 of Section 10, Township 40 North, Range 9, East of the Third Principal Meridian, in DuPage County, Illinois.
PET’S. DATE OF
GRANTOR GRANTEE EX. NO. INSTRUMENT REMARKS
Anthony L. Van Wagners Dec. 16,1953 Same as VIII
Michel, above
Sarah Prescott
Michel,
Roswell H.
Chrisman &
Virginia R.
Chrisman
Van Wagners McGurren Trust Jan. 10,1959 Same
1-10-59
Saums McGurren Trust May 8,1959 Same as IX
1-10-59 above
McGurren Trust Mildred G. Riehl A-21.1 Oct. 6,1961 Lots 14-17
1-10-59
Mildred G. Riehl LaSalle National A-21.0 Oct. 7,1961 Same
Bank as Trustee
under Trust
Agreement dated
8/4/61 known as
Trust No. 28425
LaSalle Trust Peerless
No. 28425
See Appendix.
. By a mesne conveyance from Mildred G. Riehl dated 1/4/62.
. By a series of mesne conveyances commencing with a deed to Joy Lutgert and Scott Lutgert dated 1/24/68, who then conveyed the premises by a deed dated 1/26/68 to Henry McGurren as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated 1/25/68, known as Trust No. 1 from which trustee the conveyance in question was obtained.
. By a series of mesne conveyances commencing with a deed to Mildred G. Riehl dated Get. 6, 1961, who then conveyed the premises by deed dated Oct. 7, 1961 to the LaSalle National Bank as Trustee under Trust Agreement dated Aug. 4, 1961, known as Trust No. 28425 from which trustee the conveyance in question was obtained.
See Appendix.
. Kramer is a director of Howie in the Hills Building Corp. (Tr. 242; Ex. A-79) and Alexander J. Pikiel was registered agent, incorporator and former President. (Ex. A-79)
. Mensik owns Suburban Life Builders (Mensik dep., pp. 110-111) and Kramer is Vice President and registered agent. (Ex. A-86; Tr. 252)
. McGurren is an officer and a director of Braewood. (Prothingham deposition of 4/11/69 at p. 13)
. These lots have been reconveyed to Mc-Gurren (order of 8/7/69 in the instant cause), who has been ordered to show cause why Palatine Estates should not be conveyed forthwith to City Savings (Id.) This rule applies to all the lots in Palatine Estates (Hearing on Rule to Show Cause, 9/30/69 at p. 33).
. Joy Lutgert is McGurren’s daughter. (Prothingham deposition of 4/11/69 at p. 94)
. Mensik owns Washington Capital (Mensik deposition, p. 110) and Kramer is President (Ex. A-63.2; Tr. 229). He was elected by Mensik voting stock owned by Eastern Trust Co. (Tr. 229)
. Kramer is President of Wright Mortgage Co. (Ex. A-60.1; Tr. 229-230). He was elected by Mensik.
. See footnote 2, supra.
. See Footnote 1, supra.
. Kramer and I. L. Kunitz, Mensik’s sister, were alternately directors of Melvin. (Ex. A-81)
. Kramer was a director of Fidelity Thrift. (Tr. 223; Ex. A-49.1) He was elected by Mensik voting stock owned by Eastern Trust. (Tr. 223-224) McGurren was the registered agent of Fidelity Thrift. (Ex. A-49.1)
. Robert Kramer is the beneficiary of this trust. (Tr. 305-306).
. Kramer was a director of A-l. (Ex. A-12.3)
. Pikiel was registered agent of Big Apple and President from 1961 to 1963. (Ex. A-46.2)
. Kramer is a director of Long Life (Ex. A-58.1) Pikiel was registered agent and an incorporator. (Ex. A-58.1)
. See Footnote 15, supra.
. Kramer is President of Robert’s Realty. (Ex. A-45.2) He was elected by Mensik. (Tr. 225-226)
. See Footnote 7, supra.
. Kramer is President of Security Thrift. (Ex. A-56.1) He was elected by Mensik voting stock owned by Eastern Trust Co. (Tr. 226-227)
. McGurren is the beneficiary of this trust. (Ex. A-26.9)
. See Footnote 5, supra.
. See Footnote 7, supra.
. McGurren is registered agent of Peerless Closure Co. (A-62.3) which is a holding company for Finlay’s investments. (Tr. 526-527)
. See footnote 23, supra.
