45 R$ckefeller Plaza
New Y$rk, NY 10111
Teleph$ne: (212) 589-4200
Facsimile: (212) 589-4201
SIPA LIQUIDATION
In re:
N$. 08-01789 (BRL)
BERNARD L. MADOFF INVESTMENT
SECURITIES LLC,
Debt$r.
IRVING H. PICARD, Trustee f$r the Liquidati$n Adv. Pr$. N$. 09-1197 (BRL)
$f Bernard L. Mad$ff Investment Securities LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.
Defendants.
Page
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT................................................................................................ 1
BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................... 2
I. Pic$wer benefited tremend$usly fr$m Mad$ff’s fraud and is n$t a victim. .......... 2
II. Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that he was benefiting fr$m a fraud. .......... 3
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ............................................................................................... 11
ARGUMENT .......................................................................................................................... 15
I. THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PICOWER ARE PLED WITH SPECIFICITY....... 15
II. THE TRUSTEE HAS ADEQUATELY ALLEGED CONSTRUCTIVE FRAUD ........ 18
A. Pic$wer has received ample n$tice pleading $f the c$nstructive fraud
claims............................................................................................................... 19
B. The preference claim is pled in the alternative. ................................................. 21
C. Fictiti$us pr$fit d$es n$t c$nstitute fair c$nsiderati$n. ...................................... 22
D. The Net Equity Dispute is irrelevant t$ the Trustee’s claims and cann$t be
determined in a m$ti$n t$ dismiss..................................................................... 25
III. THE TRUSTEE HAS ALLEGED FACTS SUFFICIENT TO PIERCE THE
CORPORATE VEIL AND HOLD PICOWER LIABLE FOR THE TRANSFERS
TO ALL DEFENDANTS, AND DEFENDANTS FAIL TO CHALLENGE THE
SUFFICIENCY OF THE TRUSTEE’S AGENCY ALLEGATIONS ........................... 27
A. The Trustee has pled facts sufficient t$ pierce the c$rp$rate veil $f each
Defendant and imp$se alter eg$ liability up$n Pic$wer and $ther
Defendants. ...................................................................................................... 28
1. The determinati$n $f whether t$ ign$re the c$rp$rate f$rms
requires a fact specific inquiry int$ the t$tality $f the
circumstances. ...................................................................................... 30
2. The C$mplaint amply pleads a basis f$r piercing the c$rp$rate veil....... 32
B. Defendants fail t$ challenge the Trustee’s agency allegati$ns. .......................... 34
IV. ALL DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING THE FOUR NOT LISTED ON EbHIBIT B
TO THE COMPLAINT, RECEIVED AVOIDABLE TRANSFERS ............................ 36
V. THE TRUSTEE’S TURNOVER CLAIM IS PROPERLY STATED............................ 36
VI. THE RELEVANT DATE FOR THE SIb YEAR CONVEYANCES IS
CORRECTLY ALLEGED........................................................................................... 39
A. State law limitati$ns peri$ds are relevant $nly until the bankruptcy case is
filed.................................................................................................................. 39
1. Pic$wer’s argument c$ntravenes 25 years $f bankruptcy case law......... 41
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(c$ntinued)
Page
-ii-
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Page
Cases
546-552 West 146th Street LLC v. Arfa, 863 N.Y.S.2d 412 (1st Dep’t 2008)............................. 34
Acciai Speciali Terni USA, Inc. v. M#mene, 202 F. Supp. 2d 203 (S.D.N.Y. 2002) ............. 29, 30
Am. Express Travel Related Servs. C#., Inc. v. N. Atl. Res#urces, Inc., 691 N.Y.S.2d 403 (1st
Dep’t 1999) .......................................................................................................................... 35
Am. Tissue, Inc. v. D#nalds#n, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec. C#rp., 351 F. Supp. 2d 79 (S.D.N.Y. 2004)
............................................................................................................................................. 22
Andrew Velez C#nstr., Inc. v. C#ns#lidated Edis#n C#. #f New Y#rk (In re Andrew Velez C#nstr.,
Inc.), 373 B.R. 262 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2007).................................................................... 37, 66
Ap#ll# Fuel Oil v. United States, 195 F.3d 74 (2d Cir. 1999) .................................................... 34
Baldi v. Samuel S#n & C#. (In re McC##k Metals, LLC) N$. 05 C 2990, 2007 WL 4287507
(N.D. Ill. Dec. 4, 2007), aff’d, 548 F.3d 579 (7th Cir. 2008)................................................... 43
Ban# v. Uni#n Carbide C#rp., 273 F.3d 120 (2d Cir. 2001) ...................................................... 35
Barr v. Charterh#use Gr#up Int’l, Inc. (In re Everfresh Beverages, Inc.), 238 B.R. 558 (Bankr.
S.D.N.Y. 1999)..................................................................................................................... 44
Bash v. Cunningham (In re Cunningham), Adv. N$. 07-01146, 2008 WL 2746023 (Bankr. N.D.
Ohi$ July 11, 2008) .............................................................................................................. 44
Bay State Milling C#. v. Martin (In re Martin), 142 B.R. 260 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1992) ......... 41, 46
Bay#u Accredited Fund, LLC v. Redw##d Gr#wth Partners, L.P. (In re Bay#u Gr#up, LLC), 396
B.R. 810 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2008) ......................................................................................... 17
Bay#u Superfund, LLC v. WAM L#ng/Sh#rt Fund II, LLP (In re Bay#u Gr#up, LLC), 362 B.R.
624 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2007) ......................................................................................20, 22, 23
Bear, Stearns Sec. C#rp. v. Gredd (In re Manhattan Inv. Fund Ltd.), 397 B.R. 1 (S.D.N.Y. 2007)
............................................................................................................................................. 16
Belf#rd v. Martin-Trig#na (In re Martin-Trig#na), 763 F.2d 503 (2d Cir. 1985) ....................... 49
-iii-
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Bell Atlantic C#rp. v. Tw#mbly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007)...............................................15, 18, 20, 60
Bertrum v. Laughlin (In re Laughlin), 18 B.R. 778 (Bankr. W.D. M$. 1982) ............................ 67
Br#wn v. General Elec. Capital C#rp. (In re F#xmeyer C#rp.), 290 B.R. 229 (Bankr. D. Del.
2003) .................................................................................................................................... 29
Br#wning v. Williams (In re Silver Wheel Freightlines, Inc.), 64 B.R. 563 (Bankr. D. Or. 1986)42
Carr v. Equistar Offsh#re Ltd., N$. 94 Civ. 5567, 1995 WL 562178 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 21, 1995) 61
CDS Rec#veries L.L.C. v. Davis, 715 N.Y.S.2d 517 (3d Dep’t 2000)........................................ 47
C#llins v. K#hlberg & C#. (In re S#uthwest Supermarkets, LLC), 325 B.R. 417 (Bankr. D. Ariz.
2005) .................................................................................................................................... 50
Crigger v. Fahnest#ck & C#., 443 F.3d 230 (2d Cir. 2006)....................................................... 58
Dampskibsselskabet AF 1912 v. Black & Geddes, Inc. (In re Black & Geddes, Inc.), 16 B.R. 148
(Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1981) ........................................................................................................ 66
DirecTV, Inc. v. Webb, 545 F.3d 837 (9th Cir. 2008) ................................................................ 40
D#nell v. K#well, 533 F.3d 762 (9th Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 129 S.Ct. 640 (2008) ............ 20, 23
D#yle v. Pa#lin# (In re Energy Savings Center, Inc.), 61 B.R. 732 (E.D. Pa. 1986) ............ 38, 39
-iv-
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Dzik#wski v. Friedlander (In re Friedlander Capital Mgmt.), Adv. N$. 05-03088-PGH, 2009
WL 1231085 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. Apr. 29, 2009)...................................................................... 44
Eisenberg v. Feiner (In re Ahead By A Length, Inc.), 100 B.R. 157 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1989)..... 41
Erbe v. Linc#ln R#chester Trust C#., 144 N.E.2d 78 (N.Y. 1957) ............................................. 56
ESI, Inc. v. C#astal P#wer Pr#d. C#., 995 F.Supp. 419 (S.D.N.Y. 1998) .................................. 66
FDIC v. Hirsch (In re C#l#nial Realty C#.), 980 F.2d 125 (2d Cir. 1992) ......................38, 47, 48
Feldman v. First Nat’l City Bank, 511 F.2d 460 (2d Cir. 1975)................................................. 44
Fink v. Graven Aucti#n C#. (In re Graven), 64 F.3d 453 (8th Cir. 1995)................................... 43
First Uni#n Nat’l. Bank v. Gibb#ns (In re Princet#n-New Y#rk Inv. Inc.), 219 B.R. 55 (D.N.J.
1998) .................................................................................................................................... 41
Fitzgibb#ns v. Th#mas#n (In re Th#mas#n), 202 B.R. 768 (Bankr. D. C$l$. 1996) ................... 50
Geyer v. Ingers#ll Publicati#ns C#., 621 A.2d 784 (Del. Ch. 1992) .................................... 29, 31
G-I H#ldings, Inc. v. Th#se Parties Listed #n Exhibit A (In re G-I H#ldings, Inc.), 313 B.R. 612
(Bankr. D.N.J. 2004) ...................................................................................................... 42, 48
Gl#bal Cr#ssing Estate Rep. v. Winnick, N$. 04 Civ. 2558, 2006 WL 2212776 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 3,
2006) .............................................................................................................................. 44, 54
Gl#sser v. S. & T. Bank (In re Ambulat#ry Medical & Surgical Health Care), 187 B.R. 888
(Bankr. W.D. Pa. 1995) ........................................................................................................ 42
Graham C#unty S#il & Water C#nservati#n Dist. v. U.S. ex rel. Wils#n, 545 U.S. 409 (2005).. 40
Granite Partners, L.P. v. Bear, Stearns & C#., 58 F. Supp. 2d 228 (S.D.N.Y. 1999)................. 58
Gredd v. Bear, Stearns Sec. C#rp. (In re Manhattan Inv. Fund Ltd), 359 B.R. 510 (Bankr.
S.D.N.Y. 2007), aff’d in part and rev’d in part sub n#m. Bear, Stearns Sec. C#rp. v. Gredd (In
re Manhattan Inv. Fund Ltd.), 397 B.R. 1 (S.D.N.Y. 2007)................................................... 16
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Grumman Allied Indus., Inc. v. R#hr Indus., Inc., 748 F.2d 729 (2d Cir. 1984))........................ 58
Hassett v. Zimmerman (In re OPM Leasing Servs., Inc.), 32 B.R. 199 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1983) 16,
43, 51
Hirsch v. Gersten (In re Centennial Textiles, Inc.), 220 B.R. 165 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1998).. 43, 66
Hunter v. Hansen (In re Hansen), 114 B.R. 927 (Bankr. N.D. Ohi$ 1990)................................ 45
Ideal Steel Supply C#rp. v. Fang, 767 N.Y.S.2d 644 (2d Dep’t 2003) ....................................... 35
In re Asia Gl#bal Cr#ssing, Ltd., 333 B.R. 199 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005)................................... 64
In re K#reag, C#ntr#le et Revisi#n S.A., 961 F.2d 341 (2d Cir. 1992) ....................................... 66
In re Mid Atlantic Fund, Inc., 60 B.R. 604 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1986) .......................................... 63
In re RCM Gl#bal L#ng Term Capital Appreciati#n Fund, Ltd., 200 B.R. 514 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.
1996) .............................................................................................................................. 53, 54
In re Taubman, 160 B.R. 964 (Bankr. S.D. Ohi$ 1993)............................................20, 22, 23, 24
In re Vitre#us Steel Pr#ds. C#., 911 F.2d 1223 (7th Cir. 1990) ................................................. 50
Irwin & Leight#n, Inc. v. W.M. Anders#n C#., 532 A.2d 983 (Del. Ch. 1987) ........................... 29
Jalbert v. Zurich Am. Ins. C#. (In re Payt#n C#nstr. C#rp.), 399 B.R. 352 (Bankr. D. Mass.
2009) .................................................................................................................................... 21
Jenkins v. New Y#rk City Transit Auth#rity, --- F. Supp. 2d ---, N$. 08 Civ. 6814, 2009 WL
1940103 (July 1, 2009) ......................................................................................................... 15
Kaliner v. L#ad Rite Trailers, Inc. (In re Sverica Acquisiti#n C#rp.),179 B.R. 457 (Bankr. E.D.
Pa. 1995) ........................................................................................................................ 42, 48
L.A. Clarke & S#n, Inc. v. D#nald (In re L.A. Clarke & S#n, Inc.), 59 B.R. 856 (Bankr. D.D.C.
1986) .................................................................................................................................... 42
Lawler v. RepublicBank Dallas (In re Lawler), 53 B.R. 166 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. 1985) .............. 44
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Levit v. Spatz (In re Spatz), 222 B.R. 157 (N.D. Ill. 1998)......................................................... 41
Mab#n, Nugent & C#. v. Texas Am. Energy C#rp., 1998 WL 5492 (Del. Ch. 1988).................. 30
Mab#n, Nugent & C#. v. Texas Am. Energy C#rp., CIV.A. N$. 8578, 1990 WL 44267 (Del. Ch.
Apr. 12, 1990) ...................................................................................................................... 31
Mah#ney, Tr#cki & Ass#cs., Inc. v. Kunzman (In re Mah#ney, Tr#cki & Ass#cs., Inc.), 111 B.R.
914 (Bankr. S.D. Cal. 1990).................................................................................................. 40
Mancus# v. C#nt’l Bank Nat’l Ass’n Chicag# (In re T#pc#r, Inc.), 132 B.R. 119 (Bankr. N.D.
Tex. 1991) .................................................................................................................41, 45, 46
Marine Midland Bank v. J#hn E. Russ# Pr#duce C#., 405 N.E.2d 205 (N.Y. 1980).................. 35
Mendels#hn v. Jac#b#witz (In re Jac#bs), 394 B.R. 646 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2008) ... 19, 21, 37, 38,
39
Mercury Capital C#rp. v. Shepherds Beach, Inc., 723 N.Y.S.2d 48 (2d Dep’t 2001)................. 47
Mi-L#r C#rp. v. G#ttsegen (In re Mi-L#r C#rp.) 233 B.R. 608 (Bankr. D. Mass. 1999) ............ 41
M#bil Oil C#rp. v. Linear Films, Inc., 718 F. Supp. 260 (D. Del. 1989) .............................. 29, 30
Netjets Aviati#n, Inc. v. LHC C#mmunicati#ns, LLC, 537 F.3d 168 (2d Cir. 2008) . 30, 31, 32, 33,
34
O’C#nnell v. Shall# (In re Die Fleidermaus LLC), 323 B.R. 101 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005) ........ 42
Official C#mm. #f Unsecured Credit#rs v. Reliance Capital Gr#up, Inc. (In re Buckhead
America C#rp.), 178 B.R. 956 (D. Del. 1994) ....................................................................... 31
Old Orchard Bank & Trust C#. v. J#sefik (In re J#sefik), 72 B.R. 393 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1987) .. 43
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Orr v. Bernstein (In re Bernstein), 259 B.R. 555 (Bankr. D.N.J. 2001) ............................... 42, 48
Pauley Petr#leum, Inc. v. C#ntinental Oil C#., 231 A.2d 450 (Del. Ch. 1967), aff’d, 239 A.2d
629 (Del. 1968) .................................................................................................................... 30
P#l#netsky v. Better H#mes Dep#t, Inc., 760 N.E.2d 1274 (N.Y. 2001) .................................... 35
Publicker Indus. v. R#man Ceramics C#rp., 603 F.2d 1065 (3d Cir. 1979) ............................... 30
Resp#nsible Pers#n #f Musicland H#lding C#rp. v. Best Buy C#. (In re Musicland H#lding
C#rp.), 398 B.R. 761 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2008)............................................................52, 53, 54
R#berts#n-Cec# C#rp. v. C#rnelius, N$. 3:03cv475, 2007 WL 1020326 (N.D. Fla. Mar. 30,
2007) .................................................................................................................................... 29
R#sania v. Haligas (In re Dry Wall Supply, Inc.), 111 B.R. 933 (D. C$l$. 1990) ...........40, 41, 46
Sch#les v. Lehmann, 56 F.3d 750 (7th Cir. 1995)............................................... 20, 22, 23, 24, 27
Sears Petr#leum & Trans. C#. v. Burgess C#nstr. Servs., Inc., 417 F. Supp. 2d 212 (D. Mass.
2006) .................................................................................................................................... 41
Sec. Invest#r Pr#tect. C#rp. v. Stratt#n Oakm#nt, Inc., 234 B.R. 293 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1999).. 19
Sender v. Buchannan (In re Hedged-Investments Ass#cs.), 84 F.3d 1286 (10th Cir. 1996) . 20, 22,
23, 24
Shlaifer Nance & C#. v. Estate #f Andy Warh#l, 119 F.3d 91 (2d Cir. 1997)............................. 58
Silverman v. K.E.R.U. Realty, C#rp. (In re All#u Distribs.), 379 B.R. 5 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2007)
............................................................................................................................................. 59
Smith v. Am. F#unders Fin., C#rp., 365 B.R. 647 (S.D. Tex. 2007) .......................................... 41
S#lutia Inc. v. FMC C#rp., 456 F. Supp. 2d 429 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) ............................................. 58
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Steege v. Ly#ns (In re Ly#ns), 130 B.R. 272 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1991) ................................... 44, 48
T.C.I. Ltd. v. Sears Bank & Trust C#. (In re T.C.I. Ltd.), 21 B.R. 876 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1982) ... 44
Tab P’ship v. Grantland Fin. C#rp., 866 F. Supp. 807 (S.D.N.Y. 1994) ............................. 56, 58
Tabas v. Gigi Advertising Partnership (In re Kaufman & R#berts, Inc.), 188 B.R. 309 (Bankr.
S.D. Fl. 1995) ....................................................................................................................... 42
Tekinsight.c#m, Inc. v. Stylesite Mktg., Inc. (In re Stylesite Mktg., Inc.), 253 B.R. 503 (Bankr.
S.D.N.Y. 2000)..................................................................................................................... 66
Tese-Milner v. TPAC, LLC (In re Ticketplanet.c#m), 313 B.R. 46 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2004)....... 29
Trepuk v. Frank, 376 N.E.2d 924 (N.Y. 1978) rev’d #n #ther gr#unds, 437 N.E.2d 278 (N.Y.
1982) .................................................................................................................................... 56
Trevin# v. Mersc#rp, Inc., 583 F. Supp. 2d 521 (D. Del. 2008) ................................................. 31
Tsai v. Buildings By Jamie, Inc. (In re Buildings by Jamie, Inc.), 230 B.R. 36 (Bankr. D.N.J.
1998) .................................................................................................................................... 41
Uni#n Carbide C#rp. v. M#ntell N.V., 944 F. Supp. 1119 (S.D.N.Y. 1996)............................... 31
United States v. G#lden Acres, Inc., 702 F. Supp. 1097 (D. Del. 1988), aff’d, 879 F.2d 857 (3d
Cir. 1989) ............................................................................................................................. 31
Visc#nsi v. Lehman, N$. 06-3304, 2007 WL 2258827 (6th Cir. Aug. 8, 2007) .................... 23, 24
Wassau Business Ins. C#. v. Turner C#nst. C#., 141 F. Supp. 2d 412 (S.D.N.Y. 2001) ............. 28
William Passalacqua Builders, Inc. v. Resnick Devel#pers S#uth, Inc., 933 F.2d 131 (2d Cir.
1991) ............................................................................................................. 28, 30, 32, 33, 34
Wilshire Westw##d Ass#cs. v. Atlantic Richfield C#rp., 881 F.2d 801(9th Cir. 1989) ................ 46
W##ds & Ericks#n LLP v. Le#nard (In re Avi, Inc.), 389 B.R. 721(B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2008) ......... 39
Y#ung v. Param#unt C#mmc’ns, Inc. (In re Wingspread C#rp.), 178 B.R. 938 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.
1995) .................................................................................................................................... 53
Zahn v. Yucaipa Capital Fund, 218 B.R. 656 (D.R.I. 1998) ................................................ 52, 56
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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(c$ntinued)
Page
Zilkha Energy C#. v. Leight#n, 920 F.2d 1520 (10th Cir. 1990) .......................................... 45, 46
Zuckerman v. 234-6 W. 22nd St. C#rp., 645 N.Y.S.2d 967 (Sup. Ct. 1996) ............................... 47
Statutes
11 U.S.C. § 544 (2009).............................................................. 13, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
.....................................................................................................46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54
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(c$ntinued)
Page
Rules
Treatises
William Meade Fletcher, Fletcher Cycl$pedia $f the Law $f C$rp$rati$ns § 41.32 (2009)........ 29
Wright and Miller, 5 Fed. Prac. & Pr$c. Civ.3d § 1215 (2009).................................................. 60
Wright and Miller, 5 Fed. Prac. & Pr$c. Civ.3d § 1255 (2009)................................................. 65
-xi-
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
Jeffry Pic$wer t$$k fr$m Bernard L. Mad$ff Investment Securities (“BLMIS”) m$re than
$7 billi$n $f $ther invest$rs’ m$ney under circumstances that, at a minimum, sh$uld have put
him $n n$tice $f fraud. In resp$nse t$ the Trustee’s av$idance acti$n, Pic$wer (t$gether with the
$ther Defendants, all $f which are c$ntr$lled by him) has m$ved t$ dismiss many $f the causes
$f acti$n asserted by the Trustee.1 Pic$wer’s m$ti$n, h$wever, is, by its $wn admissi$n, little
m$re than a public relati$ns exercise designed t$ cast Pic$wer as an inn$cent victim $f Mad$ff’s
scheme.2
Alth$ugh his m$ti$n presents a myriad $f supp$sed backgr$und facts – alm$st all $f
which are irrelevant t$ the questi$n $f whether the Trustee has stated a claim and s$me $f which
are directly c$ntradict$ry t$ what is asserted in the Trustee’s C$mplaint – Pic$wer fails t$
ackn$wledge the billi$ns $f d$llars $f $ther invest$rs’ m$ney that he received fr$m BLMIS.
Despite Pic$wer’s c$ntenti$n that the C$mplaint fails t$ plead fraud pr$perly, Pic$wer als$ fails
even t$ ackn$wledge – let al$ne resp$nd t$ – the stark evidence $f fraud that $ccurred in his
BLMIS acc$unts and that is described thr$ugh$ut the Trustee’s C$mplaint. The few arguments
1
The Trustee seeks rec$very $f av$idable transfers fr$m each Defendant. Based $n the evidence available t$ the
Trustee, it is apparent that Pic$wer c$ntr$lled all $f the BLMIS acc$unts at issue. In additi$n t$ Pic$wer’s c$ntr$l
$f the acc$unts described herein, and as alleged in the C$mplaint, Pic$wer and/$r Decisi$ns Inc. (“Decisi$ns”)
(described in Pic$wer’s m$ti$n as “the principal entity thr$ugh which Mr. Pic$wer transacts his investment
business”) is a general partner $r direct$r $f Capital Gr$wth C$mpany, JA Primary Limited Partnership, JA Special
Limited Partnership, JAB Partnership, JEMW Partnership, JF Partnership, JFM Investment C$mpany, JLN
Partnership, JMP Limited Partnership, Jeffry M. Pic$wer Special C$., Fav$rite Funds, Jeffry M. Pic$wer P.C.
(c$llectively, and t$gether with Decisi$ns, the “Pic$wer C$rp$rate Entities”) and a Trustee $f the Pic$wer
F$undati$n. (C$mpl. ¶¶ 37–49, 53.) Acc$rding t$ publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
C$mmissi$n, Pic$wer is the s$le st$ckh$lder, s$le direct$r, and Chairman $f the B$ard $f Decisi$ns. See, e.g.,
Alaris Medical System Inc., Statement $f Changes in Beneficial Ownership (F$rm 4) (June 25, 2004) (Jeffry M.
Pic$wer), available at http://sec.g$v/Archives/edgar/data/817161/000090266404001043/xslF345b02/srz04-
0471_ex.xml. Decisi$ns and m$st $f the Pic$wer C$rp$rate Entities maintained an address at 22 Saw Mill River
R$ad, Hawth$rne, New Y$rk, a st$re fr$nt $ffice where little $r n$ business was c$nducted. (C$mpl. ¶ 37 et seq.)
Thr$ugh$ut this resp$nse, the Trustee may refer t$ “Pic$wer” and “the Defendants” interchangeably.
2
(See Def.’s M$t. t$ Dismiss at 4 n.2 [hereinafter “MTD”] (ackn$wledging that the “facts pr$vided herein are n$t
$ffered $r relied up$n as bases f$r dismissal $f the C$mplaint. Rather, these backgr$und facts are simply presented
t$ c$rrect and pr$vide c$ntext t$ facts alleged in the C$mplaint.”).)
by Pic$wer that d$ ackn$wledge the factual allegati$ns in the C$mplaint are n$t c$gnizable
Th$ugh Pic$wer’s alleged facts generally are, as Pic$wer c$ncedes, irrelevant t$ the
determinati$n $f the m$ti$n, it w$uld be irresp$nsible f$r the Trustee t$ let the m$st egregi$us
misrepresentati$ns stand unc$rrected. Acc$rdingly, s$me $f them are addressed in the f$ll$wing
secti$n.
BACKGROUND
The theme $f Pic$wer’s m$ti$n t$ dismiss is that he, like $ther BLMIS invest$rs, is a
“victim” $f Mad$ff’s fraud, suffering “devastating” and “immeasurable” l$ss. N$thing c$uld be
further fr$m the truth. Many invest$rs were damaged by the BLMIS fraud, but Pic$wer was n$t
$ne $f them. Based up$n the Trustee’s investigati$n t$ date, Pic$wer was instead the biggest
beneficiary $f Mad$ff’s scheme, having withdrawn either directly $r thr$ugh the entities he
c$ntr$lled m$re than $7.2 billi$n $f $ther invest$rs’ m$ney. Of this am$unt, m$re than $2.4
billi$n was received by Pic$wer within the past six years al$ne. The sums received by Pic$wer
are staggering by any measure. Given that Pic$wer withdrew m$re $f $ther invest$rs’ m$ney
than any $ther cust$mer $f BLMIS, Pic$wer’s repeated references t$ himself as a “victim” ring
h$ll$w.
c$ntends that this acti$n is driven by the Trustee’s desire t$ “fav$r later BLMIS invest$rs $ver
earlier $nes.” (MTD at 2.) The Trustee, Pic$wer claims, unfairly paints him as a villain in “a
frenzied eff$rt t$ deliver t$ the estate unprecedented sums fr$m $ne $f Mad$ff’s wealthiest
invest$rs.” (MTD at 4.) Pic$wer is mistaken. It is the Trustee’s $bligati$n t$ bring acti$ns $n
2
behalf $f the estate t$ rec$ver av$idable transfers. Seeking the rec$very $f fictiti$us pr$fits
received by invest$rs in a P$nzi scheme is wh$lly appr$priate. Indeed, the law is well-settled
that the Trustee can rec$ver such payments within the relevant peri$ds regardless $f the
invest$rs’ g$$d faith $r lack $f kn$wledge $f the scheme. Even if Pic$wer were, as he claims,
“taken in” by Mad$ff, and even putting aside the evidence $f patent fraud disc$vered by the
Trustee and alleged in the C$mplaint, the Trustee w$uld still be entitled t$ rec$ver the billi$ns $f
d$llars in false pr$fits – funds $btained fr$m $ther invest$rs – that BLMIS paid t$ Pic$wer. If
Pic$wer is c$rrect that rec$very by the Trustee in this case will “deliver t$ the estate
unprecedented sums” (see MTD at 4), that is $nly because Pic$wer received an unprecedented
As alleged in the C$mplaint, Pic$wer’s acc$unts were riddled with blatant and $bvi$us
fraud. The C$mplaint alleges, am$ng $ther things, that Pic$wer’s acc$unts rep$rted: pr$fitable
trading bef$re they were $pened $r funded (see C$mpl. ¶ 63(e)); executi$n $f trading
instructi$ns that hadn’t yet been given (see, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 63(f), (h), (i)); inexplicable changes
in acc$unt p$siti$ns (see, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 63(i)); $utlandish returns (see, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 3, 63(a)-
(c), (e)); and – at Pic$wer’s directi$n – the acc$mplishment $f investment results $ver time
peri$ds that already had expired (see C$mpl. ¶ 63(f)). Indeed, the C$mplaint alleges purp$rted
trading that is s$ inc$nsistent with n$rmal trading activity as t$ c$mpel the c$nclusi$n that
Pic$wer had t$ have kn$wn that impr$per trading activity was $ccurring. Faced with these
allegati$ns $f fraud, Pic$wer argues $nly that his withdrawal $f large sums $f m$ney is
inc$nsistent with his participati$n in the P$nzi scheme and challenges certain examples $f
purp$rted rates $f return. The allegati$ns $f irregular acc$unt activity are $therwise c$mpletely
3
disregarded. Presumably, this is because the facts alleged in the C$mplaint indisputably
establish, at a minimum, that Pic$wer was – $r sh$uld have been – $n n$tice that he was
participating in a fraud.
A. Pic(wer’s pr(fit fr(m the P(nzi scheme d(es n(t pr(ve his inn(cence.
Pic$wer makes the parad$xical argument that he c$uld n$t have been c$mplicit in the
P$nzi scheme because he made t$$ much m$ney fr$m it. His en$rm$us withdrawals, he argues,
w$uld have placed a strain $n BLMIS because they required BLMIS t$ raise additi$nal billi$ns
$f d$llars $n sh$rt n$tice. Thus, Pic$wer c$ntends, the fact $f his large withdrawals establishes
that he must have been unaware $f the fraud. This argument d$es n$t speak t$ the legal
N$netheless, Pic$wer’s premise that making billi$ns $f d$llars fr$m a P$nzi scheme is a badge
$f inn$cence is dubi$us at best. And it is n$t merely the sheer am$unt $f pr$fit he reaped that
sh$uld have put Pic$wer $n n$tice $f fraud. As alleged in the C$mplaint, the unusual (if n$t
unlawful) activity in his acc$unts, including $ne rep$rted negative net cash balance $f
appr$ximately $6 billi$n at the time $f Mad$ff’s arrest (C$mpl. ¶ 63(d)), was clear evidence that
s$mething was seri$usly amiss at BLMIS. N$ legitimate br$ker-dealer w$uld all$w this invest$r
As t$ Pic$wer’s argument that his withdrawals must have strained the P$nzi scheme, it is
w$rth n$ting that Pic$wer’s largest withdrawals were generally made quarterly. (See C$mpl. Ex.
A.) Acc$rdingly, BLMIS c$uld anticipate Pic$wer’s withdrawals and there was n$ need f$r
Mad$ff t$ raise the funds $n sh$rt n$tice. It is significant, m$re$ver, that as early as 2003 – even
bef$re Mad$ff’s scheme began t$ unravel – BLMIS c$uld n$t pay Pic$wer the quarterly sums
that he was demanding. Instead, $n several $ccasi$ns starting in September 2003, BLMIS paid
Pic$wer $nly a fracti$n $f the am$unt that he $riginally requested. BLMIS’ failure t$ pay
4
Pic$wer sums that purp$rtedly were in his acc$unts $r $therwise available t$ him is further
evidence that Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn $f Mad$ff’s fraud. This evidence bec$mes
even m$re c$mpelling given Pic$wer’s apparent lack $f c$mplaint ab$ut his inability t$ access
Pic$wer c$mplains that the Trustee has failed t$ allege with specificity facts that w$uld
dem$nstrate that he was $n n$tice $f fraud at BLMIS. Am$ng the many flaws in this argument
is that Pic$wer simply ign$res the pages $f detailed factual allegati$ns in the C$mplaint
describing patent fraud in his acc$unts. While n$t apparent fr$m Pic$wer’s l$ne allusi$n t$
“what the Trustee refers t$ as Mad$ff’s ‘backdating’ $f certain trades” in certain years (MTD at
16), the C$mplaint describes numer$us examples $f c$nduct specific t$ Pic$wer’s acc$unts that
Despite Pic$wer’s attempts t$ wave them $ff, the instances $f “backdating” alleged in the
C$mplaint are far fr$m min$r $r is$lated events. F$r example, the C$mplaint alleges that $n
April 18, 2006, Pic$wer wired $125 milli$n t$ BLMIS in $rder t$ $pen an acc$unt. (C$mpl. ¶
63(e).) This dep$sit c$nstituted m$re than 1/4 $f the t$tal cash that Pic$wer ever invested in
BLMIS. Within tw$ weeks, the $125 milli$n dep$sit had purp$rtedly gr$wn t$ $164 milli$n
because $f a dramatic “gain” $n the securities held in the acc$unt – all $f which supp$sedly had
been purchased three m$nths earlier, in January. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(e).) S$ Pic$wer, wh$ carefully
m$nit$red these acc$unts thr$ugh his $wn p$rtf$li$ appraisal system as well as thr$ugh p$rtf$li$
management rep$rts and cust$mer statements received fr$m BLMIS, knew $r sh$uld have
kn$wn that within tw$ weeks after he $pened his acc$unt, he had made alm$st $40 milli$n fr$m
trading that supp$sedly $ccurred m$nths bef$re the acc$unt was $pened $r funded. Because $f
5
this spectacular – and $bvi$usly fictiti$us – trading success, Pic$wer was able t$ withdraw his
$riginal $125 milli$n within five m$nths $f investing it, leaving a purp$rted $81 milli$n in the
acc$unt t$ enj$y c$ntinued “gr$wth” in value. This is but $ne example $f patently fraudulent
activity. Numer$us $ther incidents are alleged in the C$mplaint and $therwise kn$wn t$ the
Trustee based $n his c$ntinued investigati$n. There is n$ legitimate explanati$n f$r these events
As a thresh$ld matter, the C$mplaint alleges that Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn
ab$ut the fraud in Defendants’ acc$unts because he c$ntr$lled and cl$sely m$nit$red each
acc$unt. The C$mplaint alleges that Pic$wer directed withdrawals fr$m and transfers am$ng the
vari$us acc$unts; directed supp$sed trading activity within the acc$unts, including directi$n that
sales $r purchases be made f$r purp$ses $f achieving gains $r l$sses; directed payments t$ and
am$ng vari$us Defendants fr$m vari$us acc$unts; and executed cust$mer agreements, trade
auth$rizati$n agreements and $ther d$cumentati$n f$r the acc$unts. (C$mpl. ¶ 60.) The
C$mplaint als$ alleges that, t$gether with his agent April Freilich, Pic$wer maintained his $wn
c$mputerized client appraisal $r p$rtf$li$ appraisal system, thr$ugh which he tracked and
m$nit$red each acc$unt, including the securities purp$rtedly held in each acc$unt, the date they
were supp$sedly purchased, the price, the quantity, and the unrealized gain $r l$ss. (C$mpl. ¶
61.) In additi$n, Pic$wer was $ne $f a select few BLMIS invest$rs wh$, acc$rding t$ BLMIS
rec$rds, received the full “p$rtf$li$ management rep$rt” generated by BLMIS. Am$ng $ther
things, these BLMIS rep$rts included a target rate $f return (C$mpl. ¶ 59) against which the
purp$rted actual rate $f return, which als$ was included, c$uld be tracked. Thus, as alleged in
the C$mplaint, due t$ his active inv$lvement in his BLMIS acc$unts and investments, Pic$wer
was $r sh$uld have been aware $f all $f the activity alleged in each $f his acc$unts.
6
2. Pic$wer was aware $f fraudulent activity in his acc$unts.
Pic$wer fails t$ address in any way the Trustee’s allegati$ns $f specific fraudulent
activity in his acc$unts because they al$ne suffice t$ defeat his m$ti$n, even with$ut all $f the
$ther indicia $f fraud alleged in the C$mplaint. The C$mplaint identifies specific fraudulent
transacti$ns, generally including date, acc$unt, and am$unt at issue, in m$re than sufficient
detail t$ put Pic$wer $n n$tice $f the basis $f the Trustee’s claims. F$r example:
• The C$mplaint alleges that acc$rding t$ BLMIS rec$rds, in May 2007, Pic$wer
and Freilich asked BLMIS empl$yees t$ change the trading activity that had supp$sedly
$ccurred in the Pic$wer F$undati$n Acc$unt f$r January and February 2006 in $rder t$ generate
additi$nal gains. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(f).) After s$me discussi$n ab$ut the exact am$unt $f gain
Pic$wer wanted, and clarificati$n that the gains sh$uld be f$r 2007, Freilich directed BLMIS t$
generate $12.3 milli$n in gains f$r January and February.3 (C$mpl. ¶ 63(f)(i).) Alth$ugh it was
several m$nths t$$ late t$ make any actual trades in January $r February, BLMIS created
statements that rep$rted new transacti$ns in January and February 2007 resulting in a purp$rted
gain $f $12.6 milli$n. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(f)(ii).) Putting aside the fact that Pic$wer and his agent
specifically directed such fictiti$us activity, this revisi$nist hist$ry was $r sh$uld have been
$bvi$us t$ Pic$wer, wh$ m$nit$red these acc$unts thr$ugh cust$mer statements, his $wn
p$rtf$li$ appraisal system, and BLMIS’ full p$rtf$li$ management rep$rt. Pic$wer knew $r
sh$uld have kn$wn that the Pic$wer F$undati$n’s May 2007 statement reflected different
h$ldings than had been reflected in its acc$unt statements f$r January thr$ugh April 2007.
3
Alth$ugh the C$mplaint specifies that the trades t$$k place in 2007 (C$mpl. ¶ 63(f)(ii) (“transacti$ns f$r the
m$nths $f January and February 2007”)), elsewhere it suggests that they t$$k place in 2006, c$nsistent with
Freilich’s $riginal suggesti$n. (C$mpl.¶ 63(f)(ii) ( “…m$re than 15 m$nths earlier”).) F$r clarity, the trades were
rep$rted by BLMIS as taking place in January and February 2007, three t$ f$ur m$nths bef$re the c$nversati$ns at
issue.
7
(C$mpl. ¶ 63(f)(ii).) The t$tal value $f the acc$unt was $54.6 milli$n higher $n May 31, 2007
than it had been in April 2007 largely because $f these newly fabricated h$ldings and new
hist$ry. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(f)(ii).) This “new” acc$unt inf$rmati$n sh$uld have been inc$nsistent
with the inf$rmati$n in Pic$wer’s $wn p$rtf$li$ appraisal system. These allegati$ns indicate
fraud.
activity. F$r example, Pic$wer faxed a letter dated December 1, 2005 directing vari$us sales
acr$ss vari$us acc$unts. BLMIS rep$rted the sales as having settled $n December 2. This al$ne
is suspici$us, as settlement is typically three business days after the trade date, and the sales
w$uld thus have had t$ take place bef$re December 1. But the letter was n$t actually faxed t$
1. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(h).) In case there was any questi$n as t$ the timing, attached t$ the faxed letter
(and referenced in it) was a c$py $f pages fr$m Pic$wer’s p$rtf$li$ appraisal rep$rt dated
December 16. Pic$wer’s $wn independently maintained rec$rds reflect the st$ck that was
supp$sedly s$ld bef$re December 2 was still held by the acc$unts as $f December 16. (C$mpl. ¶
63(h).) In $ther w$rds, Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that certain st$ck was supp$sedly
held in his acc$unts $n December 16; that $n December 22 he faxed a letter (that was backdated
t$ December 1) requesting that the st$ck be s$ld; and that the st$ck was rep$rted as having been
backdated “purchases” $f st$ck in certain acc$unts, rec$rding them as having settled alm$st a
full year earlier– between January 12 and January 20, 2005. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(i)(ii).) Al$ng with an
instant unrealized gain $f ab$ut $79 milli$n, the acc$unts were instantly credited, in December
8
2005, with quarterly dividends f$r March, June and September 2005, t$taling ab$ut $82,000.
(C$mpl. ¶ 63(i)(ii).) Neither the dividends n$r the purchases appear $n Pic$wer’s 2005 acc$unt
statements f$r the m$nths fr$m January 2005 thr$ugh N$vember 2005 fr$m BLMIS. (C$mpl. ¶
63(i)(ii).) N$r d$ the st$ck p$siti$ns, which supp$sedly w$uld have been held since January,
appear $n the p$rtf$li$ appraisal system that Pic$wer maintained as $f N$vember 30, 2005. We
kn$w this because Pic$wer attached print$uts fr$m his system t$ a fax he sent t$ BLMIS $n
These allegati$ns are separate fr$m and in additi$n t$ the $ther indicia $f fraud alleged in
the C$mplaint, including, am$ng $ther things, implausible rep$rted returns and trading success,
an en$rm$us negative equity balance, and specified irregularities in BLMIS’ general $perati$ns.
Instead $f engaging in any discussi$n $f the specified fraudulent activity alleged in his
acc$unts, Pic$wer challenges the rep$rted rates $f return alleged in the C$mplaint. Specifically,
he disputes the C$mplaint’s allegati$ns that $ne acc$unt purp$rted t$ earn $ver 950% in 1999
and that tw$ $ther acc$unts rep$rted annual rates $f return $ver 100% f$r the years 1996 thr$ugh
1999. The acc$unt statements f$r these acc$unts, he argues, sh$w that the first acc$unt $nly
earned a 37.6% return in 1999 and that neither $f the $ther acc$unts earned an annual return $f
m$re than 100% in any $f the listed years. (See MTD at 14.)
Putting aside the fact that the rates $f return rep$rted by these three acc$unts in these
years are $nly a small fracti$n $f the implausibly high rates $f return rep$rted by Pic$wer’s m$re
than twenty-f$ur acc$unts $ver at least twenty-five years, Pic$wer misses the p$int. N$ acc$unt
at BLMIS actually “earned” any rate $f return: BLMIS did n$t engage in any securities trading
activity. At issue in this case is what BLMIS t$ld Pic$wer his acc$unts were earning. The
purp$rted rates $f return (b$th actual and target) f$r each acc$unt were specified $n the p$rtf$li$
9
management rep$rts that Pic$wer received fr$m BLMIS. The C$mplaint c$rrectly alleges that
these $utrage$usly high fabricated rates $f return – including $ver 100%, $ver 550%, and $ver
950% – were rep$rted t$ Pic$wer $n these d$cuments. (Other acc$unts, as alleged in the
C$mplaint, rep$rted wildly l$w rates $f return). If the rates $f return rep$rted in the p$rtf$li$
acc$unt statements, this in itself was $r sh$uld have been an independent sign t$ Pic$wer that
M$re$ver, if Pic$wer did in fact attempt t$ calculate his acc$unts’ rates $f return based
$n the inf$rmati$n c$ntained in cust$mer statements, $r f$r that matter his $wn p$rtf$li$
appraisal system, this exercise al$ne w$uld have emphasized the irregularities in Pic$wer’s
acc$unts. One $f the fact$rs that must be c$nsidered in determining an acc$unt’s rate $f return is
the equity that it h$lds at vari$us p$ints in time. Since rep$rts $f purchases and sales $f st$ck
were created in Pic$wer’s acc$unts m$nths after the transacti$ns that they supp$sedly described,
he sh$uld have had great difficulty calculating c$mprehensible rates $f return based $n his
acc$unt statements, and any attempt t$ d$ s$ w$uld have emphasized the already $bvi$us
irregularities.
Pic$wer als$ argues that the returns rep$rted in his acc$unts, even as alleged in the
C$mplaint, were n$t t$$ far $ut $f line with the results $f investment managers such as the
legendary James Sim$ns and $thers – alth$ugh, as the SEC and the media have widely rep$rted,
James Sim$ns himself f$und Mad$ff’s investment returns s$ unusual and suspici$us that he
investigated them, withdrew his funds fr$m BLMIS and urged $ther invest$rs t$ d$ s$ as well.4
4
See Office $f Investigati$ns, U.S. Securities and Exchange C$mmissi$n, Investigati$n $f Failure $f the SEC t$
Unc$ver Bernard Mad$ff’s P$nzi Scheme (Public Versi$n), Rep. N$. OIG-509, 145-57 (Aug. 31, 2009), available
at http://www.sec.g$v/news/studies/2009/$ig-509.pdf; Jenny Strasburg and Sc$tt Patters$n, The Mad#ff Fraud:
10
Pic$wer’s argument $nce again fails t$ address the legal sufficiency $f the C$mplaint.
M$re$ver, aside fr$m the fundamental flaws in Pic$wer’s premise, his $wn m$ti$n dem$nstrates
the inherent n$nsense $f this c$mparis$n. As Pic$wer p$ints $ut, “Defendants’ acc$unt
statements reflected investments m$stly in blue chip c$rp$rate equity securities and l$w-risk
securities such as sh$rt-term U.S. Treasury Bills $r m$ney market funds” and “did n$t reflect
any $pti$ns trading.” (MTD at 7.) Pic$wer’s $wn argument in defense $f the credibility $f his
returns, theref$re, is that BLMIS purp$rted t$ surpass the returns achieved by the m$st
successful investment managers in the w$rld, and purp$rted t$ d$ s$ based entirely $n l$w risk
c$nservative buy-and-h$ld investments in blue chip st$cks and Treasury Bills. This is a feat that
has been acc$mplished by n$ $ne. Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that this scheme was far
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
the allegati$ns in the C$mplaint and the relevant legal standards, and factual challenges that are
n$t pr$perly bef$re the C$urt $n a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. Pic$wer als$ makes multiple attempts t$
raise here the questi$n $f h$w claims submitted by invest$rs sh$uld be evaluated by the Trustee
pursuant t$ the Securities Invest$r Pr$tecti$n Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78aaa et seq. (2009) (“SIPA”).
Pic$wer challenges the particularity $f the allegati$ns $f fraud against him, alth$ugh he
d$es n$t identify which allegati$ns he challenges. The fraud at issue in this case is the fraud
Renaissance W#rried Ab#ut Mad#ff in ‘03, Wall St. J., Sept. 8, 2009, at C3; Aar$n Luchetti & Jenny Strasburg,
Sim#ns’ N#ti#n: All In, Then All Out, Wall St. J., Feb. 25, 2009, at C1.
11
c$mmitted by Bernard Mad$ff and BLMIS, which is indisputably alleged in the C$mplaint and
c$nceded by Pic$wer. Each allegati$n c$ncerning what Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn
regarding Mad$ff’s fraud is supp$rted by ample factual allegati$ns, m$st $f which are ign$red
P(int II: The C(mplaint Alleges Av(idance Claims Based (n C(nstructive Fraud
(resp$nding t$ MTD P$int VII)
Pic$wer als$ claims that the Trustee’s c$nstructive fraud claims are insufficient because
he has n$t and cann$t allege that Pic$wer did n$t pr$vide “fair c$nsiderati$n” f$r the Transfers.
Like many $ther claims challenged by Pic$wer, whether invest$rs pr$vided fair c$nsiderati$n is
a factual determinati$n that is n$t pr$perly bef$re the C$urt $n a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. But here
again, Pic$wer fails t$ ackn$wledge, much less address, the C$mplaint’s allegati$ns, which
establish b$th that Pic$wer failed t$ pr$vide reas$nably equivalent value f$r the Transfers in
excess $f his investment and that he lacked g$$d faith. The Trustee is entitled t$ alternatively
plead a preference claim, as he did. Pic$wer’s argument based $n h$w net equity sh$uld be
calculated under SIPA (the “Net Equity Dispute”) is n$t pr$perly raised in a m$ti$n t$ dismiss
and is already bef$re the C$urt pursuant t$ the Scheduling Order dated September 10, 2009.
Pic$wer’s remaining arguments attempt, with equal futility, t$ nibble away at the edges
$f the C$mplaint. In P$int II $f his m$ti$n (addressed at P$int III herein), Pic$wer argues that
the Trustee has failed t$ allege an alter eg$ claim against him. The C$mplaint alleges facts
sufficient t$ state a claim that the Defendants, under the d$mini$n and c$ntr$l $f Pic$wer, were
b$th used f$r fraud and $ther wr$ngful c$nduct and served as mere instrumentalities $f Pic$wer.
T$ the extent that Pic$wer challenges the facts in the C$mplaint supp$rting th$se allegati$ns, his
m$ti$n in this regard is n$t pr$perly bef$re the C$urt. N$tably, Pic$wer d$es n$t challenge the
12
Trustee’s agency allegati$ns, which require imputati$n $f his kn$wledge and c$nduct t$ all
Pic$wer c$mplains that Exhibit B t$ the C$mplaint fails t$ identify transfers t$ f$ur
defendants, but ign$res the C$mplaint’s allegati$ns that Exhibit B is n$t exhaustive and that the
Trustee’s investigati$n is c$ntinuing; specific transfers t$ these f$ur defendants have been
Pic$wer’s argument that the Trustee’s turn$ver claim is n$t ripe until after the av$idance
claim is decided ign$res the express language $f SIPA that such pr$perty is pr$perty $f the
P(int VI: The Relevant Date f(r the Six Year C(nveyances is C(rrectly Alleged
(resp$nding t$ MTD P$int V)
Pic$wer’s argument that the peri$d f$r the “six year transfers” sh$uld begin six years
pri$r t$ May 12, 2009 (the filing $f the adversary c$mplaint against Pic$wer) rather than six
years pri$r t$ December 11, 2008 (the filing $f the SIPA pr$ceeding) is wh$lly with$ut merit.
Pic$wer’s p$siti$n, as he tacitly c$ncedes, is c$ntradicted by 25 years $f case law, and it finds n$
supp$rt in the statute $r legislative intent. M$re$ver, it is irrelevant since the state statute $f
limitati$ns peri$d has n$t yet run, having been t$lled under New Y$rk law, Secti$n 108(c) $f the
Bankruptcy C$de, and having been equitably t$lled under the C.P.L.R. and Secti$n 544(a) $f the
C$de.
13
P(int VII: The Trustee Has Sufficiently Alleged
a Cause (f Acti(n Based (n the Disc(very Rule
(resp$nding t$ MTD P$int VI)
Similarly meritless is Pic$wer’s argument that the Trustee may n$t rely $n the disc$very
rule. The Trustee is n$t required under the law $f this District t$ identify in the C$mplaint a
specific credit$r wh$ c$uld n$t reas$nably have learned $f Mad$ff’s fraud. The fact that the
Trustee has alleged “red flags” that w$uld have been apparent t$ invest$rs $ther than Pic$wer in
n$ way suggests that “every single $ther BLMIS invest$r” (see MTD at 45) c$uld have
disc$vered – $r, like Pic$wer, knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn – $f the fraud. Like many $f
Pic$wer’s $ther challenges, this is a fact-specific inquiry that is n$t pr$perly bef$re the C$urt $n
Similarly, Pic$wer’s argument that the Trustee’s subsequent transfer claim must be
dismissed ign$res that the Defendants are alleged $n inf$rmati$n and belief t$ be subsequent
transferees based $n the pattern $f activity, transfers and mutual c$ntr$l within BLMIS, as
P(int I[: The C(mplaint Pr(perly Alleges Disall(wance (f Defendants’ SIPA Claims
(resp$nding t$ MTD P$int Ib)
Pic$wer ign$res the fact that the Trustee’s cause $f acti$n t$ disall$w Pic$wer’s SIPA
claim is based n$t $nly $n the inadequacy $f the claims but $n Secti$n 502 $f the Bankruptcy
C$de, which prevents the transferee $f an av$idable transfer fr$m receiving a distributi$n unless
he first returns the transfer. Pic$wer’s sec$nd attempt t$ raise the Net Equity Dispute, which is
already bef$re this C$urt and scheduled f$r a separate hearing inv$lving all interested parties,
14
P(int [: Pic(wer’s M(ti(n t( Dismiss Certain Remedies is Impr(per and With(ut Merit
(resp$nding t$ MTD P$int b)
Finally, a m$ti$n t$ dismiss f$r facial insufficiency cann$t be based $n the Trustee’s
ch$ice $f remedies s$ught in his prayer f$r relief, including a c$nstructive trust and the return $f
ARGUMENT
whether a c$mplaint c$ntains “sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, t$ ‘state a claim t$
relief that is plausible $n its face.’” Ashcr#ft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (qu#ting Bell
Atlantic C#rp. v. Tw#mbly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007)). “When there are well-pleaded factual
allegati$ns, a c$urt sh$uld assume their veracity and then determine whether they plausibly give
rise t$ an entitlement t$ relief.” Id. at 1950. In c$nsidering a m$ti$n t$ dismiss under Rule
12(b)(6), “[t]he C$urt’s functi$n . . . is ‘n$t t$ weigh the evidence that might be presented at [a]
trial but merely t$ determine whether the c$mplaint itself is legally sufficient.’” Jenkins v. New
Y#rk City Transit Auth#rity, --- F. Supp. 2d ---, N$. 08 Civ. 6814, 2009 WL 1940103, at *1 (July
1, 2009) (qu#ting G#ldman v. Belden, 754 F.2d 1059, 1067 (2d Cir. 1985)).
In P$int I $f his m$ti$n, Pic$wer argues that the C$mplaint lacks factual supp$rt f$r
claiming that “Mr. Pic$wer was a participant in Mad$ff’s fraud.” (MTD at 13.) This argument is
n$t $ffered in supp$rt $f the dismissal $f any particular claim; rather, Pic$wer demands that the
Trustee’s “fraud allegati$ns” sh$uld be dismissed f$r failure t$ c$mply with the particularity
required by Rule 9(b).5 Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) (2009); (MTD at 13-17.) Pic$wer c$ntests the
5
Rule 9(b) is applicable t$ fraud pleadings in the bankruptcy c$ntext, alth$ugh such pleadings are extended greater
liberality because a trustee is “a third party $utsider t$ the fraudulent transacti$n, that must plead fraud $n
15
Trustee’s allegati$ns regarding rep$rted rates $f return (and argues that they are “unremarkable”
in any event (MTD at 15)), argues that his ability t$ withdraw funds fr$m the P$nzi scheme in
fact sh$ws his inn$cence, and asserts that the allegati$ns $f “backdating” d$ n$t supp$rt the
inference that Pic$wer knew that Mad$ff was running a P$nzi scheme. (MTD at 14-16.) Given
Mad$ff’s reputati$n and Pic$wer’s pattern $f withdrawals, he c$ncludes, the Trustee has failed
t$ allege facts supp$rting “claims $f c$mplicity” and fraud against Pic$wer. (MTD at 17.)
Alth$ugh n$t apparent fr$m Pic$wer’s m$ti$n, the Trustee has n$t br$ught a claim
seeking damages fr$m Pic$wer as a c$-c$nspirat$r $f BLMIS. Rather, the C$mplaint alleges
that BLMIS engaged in fraud (see, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 1, 14, 19-32) and that Pic$wer knew $r
sh$uld have kn$wn that he was benefiting fr$m and being c$mpensated f$r fraudulent activity. 6
(See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 3, 4, 59, 63.) Mad$ff’s fraud is alleged in the C$mplaint and is c$nceded
by Pic$wer. The allegati$ns in the C$mplaint c$ncerning what Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have
Pic$wer n$netheless demands that the Trustee’s “fraud allegati$ns against Mr. Pic$wer
and the Defendants” be stricken. (MTD at 17.) But, since Pic$wer ign$res m$st $f the factual
allegati$ns dem$nstrating his fraudulent intent $r kn$wledge, and since his attempt t$ c$ntradict
sec$ndhand kn$wledge f$r the benefit $f the estate and all $f its credit$rs.” Hassett v. Zimmerman (In re OPM
Leasing Servs., Inc.), 32 B.R. 199, 203 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1983) (Lifland, J.).
6
N$tably, Pic$wer makes n$ legal argument challenging the sufficiency $f the Trustee’s claims f$r av$idance $f the
Transfers based $n actual fraudulent intent. This is because Pic$wer has n$ basis t$ raise any such challenge. See,
e.g., Bear, Stearns Sec. C#rp. v. Gredd (In re Manhattan Inv. Fund Ltd.), 397 B.R. 1, 8 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) (where
debt$r is engaged in a P$nzi scheme, actual intent t$ defraud may be presumed as a matter $f law); Drenis v.
Haligiannis, 452 F. Supp. 2d 418, 429 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (same). This s$-called “P$nzi presumpti$n” is based $n the
rec$gniti$n that “transfers made in the c$urse $f a P$nzi scheme c$uld have been made f$r n$ purp$se $ther than t$
hinder, delay, $r defraud credit$rs.” Bear, Stearns Sec. C#rp. v. Gredd (In re Manhattan Investment Fund Ltd.), 397
B.R. at 8 (qu#ting Gredd v. Bear, Stearns Sec. C#rp. (In re Manhattan Fund Ltd), 359 B.R. 510, 517-18 (Bankr.
S.D.N.Y. 2007) (Lifland, J.)).
16
$thers is c$ncededly irrelevant t$ his m$ti$n,7 it is difficult t$ ascertain what allegati$ns he
wishes t$ strike. F$r example, Pic$wer references Paragraph 63(f) $f the C$mplaint and asserts,
“[a]s with the Trustee’s $ther unsupp$rted fraud allegati$ns, he pleads n$ facts t$ supp$rt his
rank speculati$n that the Defendants believed th$se trades t$ be fictiti$us and c$ncluded, based
$n th$se trades, that Mad$ff was running a P$nzi scheme.”8 (MTD at 16.) Paragraph 63(f)
alleges that Defendants “knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that they were participating in fraudulent
activity” because Pic$wer and his agents “directed fictiti$us, backdated trades in $rder t$ achieve
fictiti$us gains $r l$sses in earlier peri$ds.” (C$mpl. ¶ 63(f).) It then details, $ver m$re than a
page, an example in which Pic$wer and Freilich directed BLMIS t$ engage in trading activity f$r
a peri$d that had already passed. There is n$ “unsupp$rted fraud allegati$n” in this paragraph
allegati$n $n inf$rmati$n and belief that Pic$wer was being c$mpensated f$r perpetuating the
P$nzi scheme by investing and maintaining milli$ns $f d$llars in BLMIS. (C$mpl. ¶ 63(a).)
C$ntrary t$ Pic$wer’s argument, the basis f$r the Trustee’s belief is indeed specified in the
C$mplaint. F$r clarity, any allegati$n by the Trustee ab$ut what Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have
kn$wn is based n$t just $n any particular sentence in the C$mplaint but $n the t$tality $f all $f
7
See MTD at 4 n.2, 14 (“Alth$ugh the Trustee’s allegati$ns must be taken as true f$r purp$ses $f this m$ti$n t$
dismiss, it sh$uld be n$ted that numer$us alleged ‘facts’ in the C$mplaint are c$ntradicted by [BLMIS acc$unt
rec$rds].”).
8
Pic$wer suggests repeatedly in his m$ti$n that the Trustee must pr$ve that Pic$wer was aware $f and c$mplicit in
the full extent and every aspect $f BLMIS’ P$nzi scheme. This is n$t s$. An invest$r wh$ bec$mes aware $f
circumstances that sh$uld trigger further inquiry int$ whether there is a fraud is deemed t$ be $n “inquiry n$tice” $f
the entire fraud. See, e.g., Bay#u Accredited Fund, LLC v. Redw##d Gr#wth Partners, L.P. (In re Bay#u Gr#up,
LLC), 396 B.R. 810, 845 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2008) (“a transferee may be $n ‘inquiry n$tice’ with$ut actual
kn$wledge $f a fraud $r $ther circumstance. Rather, a transferee is $n ‘inquiry n$tice’ if it knew $r sh$uld have
kn$wn $f inf$rmati$n placing it $bjectively $n alert that there was a p$tential pr$blem . . . such that the transferee
sh$uld have attempted t$ learn m$re”) (internal citati$ns $mitted; emphasis $mitted). Acc$rdingly, an invest$r may
be $n inquiry n$tice $f fraud even if he d$es n$t kn$w $r suspect the fraud is a P$nzi scheme as $pp$sed t$ fr$nt
running, rec$rd-keeping vi$lati$ns, $r an$ther type $f fraud.
17
the facts alleged. See, e.g., Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1949 (n$ting that “f$r the purp$ses $f a m$ti$n t$
dismiss,” c$urts “must take all $f the factual allegati$ns in the c$mplaint as true”) (emphasis
added); Tw#mbly, 550 U.S. at 555 (“Factual allegati$ns must be en$ugh t$ raise a right t$ relief
ab$ve the speculative level, $n the assumpti$n that all the allegati$ns in the c$mplaint are true . .
. .”) (emphasis added) (internal citati$ns $mitted). These facts include but are n$t limited t$ the
facts that Pic$wer pr$fited by billi$ns $f d$llars $f $ther invest$rs’ m$ney; that Pic$wer directed
fraudulent trading in his acc$unts; that his acc$unts rep$rted implausibly high and an$mal$usly
l$w rates $f return; and that he was $r sh$uld have been aware $f the multiple instances $f
In P$int VII $f his m$ti$n, Pic$wer claims that the Trustee’s fraudulent c$nveyance
claims based $n c$nstructive fraud are insufficient because the C$mplaint d$es n$t adequately
allege that the relevant transfers were made with$ut “fair c$nsiderati$n” t$ BLMIS. (MTD at
45-50.) Pic$wer is mistaken. The Trustee has alleged b$th that Pic$wer failed t$ pr$vide
reas$nably equivalent value f$r the transfers (as required by the Bankruptcy C$de) and that
Pic$wer failed t$ exchange fair value in g$$d faith (as required by New Y$rk Debt$r and
Credit$r Law), and the ultimate success $f these claims will depend $n a fact-based inquiry that
cann$t be determined $n a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. Pic$wer d$es n$t address, much less challenge,
the Trustee’s allegati$ns. Instead, this argument is $ne $f multiple attempts t$ gratuit$usly insert
a challenge t$ the Trustee’s meth$ds $f determining claims, an issue that is neither ripe n$r
18
A. Pic(wer has received ample n(tice pleading (f the c(nstructive fraud
claims.
A transfer may be av$ided as c$nstructively fraudulent under the Bankruptcy C$de if,
am$ng $ther things, the transferee received m$ney fr$m the debt$r f$r which the transferee did
n$t pr$vide “reas$nably equivalent value.” 11 U.S.C. § 548(a)(1)(B) (2009). The parallel
pr$visi$n in the New Y$rk Debt$r and Credit$r Law permits a trustee t$ av$id a c$nveyance that
was made with$ut “fair c$nsiderati$n.” N.Y. Debt. & Cred. Law § 273 (McKinney 2009). “Fair
c$nsiderati$n” under New Y$rk law is defined generally the same as “reas$nably equivalent
value” under the Bankruptcy C$de, except that it als$ requires that the transferee pr$vided the
value $r c$nsiderati$n “in g$$d faith.” N.Y. Debt. & Cred. Law § 272 (McKinney 2009);
Mendels#hn v. Jac#b#witz (In re Jac#bs), 394 B.R. 646 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2008). The questi$n
$f whether the debt$r received fair c$nsiderati$n f$r a transfer is a highly fact based inquiry that
requires an examinati$n int$ the t$tality $f circumstances, and theref$re is n$t pr$perly bef$re
the C$urt $n a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. See, e.g., 5 C#llier #n Bankruptcy ¶ 548.05(1)(b) (2009) (“In
$rder t$ determine if a fair ec$n$mic exchange has $ccurred in a case $f a suspected fraudulent
transfer, the bankruptcy c$urt must analyze all the circumstances surr$unding the transfer in
questi$n.”).
Rule $f Civil Pr$cedure 9(b) d$ n$t apply. See, e.g., Drenis, 452 F. Supp. 2d at 428-29;
Spanierman Gallery, PSP v. L#ve, 320 F. Supp. 2d 108, 113 (S.D.N.Y. 2004); Sec. Invest#r
Pr#tect. C#rp. v. Stratt#n Oakm#nt, Inc., 234 B.R. 293, 319 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1999). The
plaintiff need n$t pr$vide specific facts t$ supp$rt its allegati$ns, see Ericks#n v. Pardus, 551
U.S. 89, 93 (2007); rather, the plaintiff need $nly “give the defendant fair n$tice $f what the . . .
19
claim is and the gr$unds up$n which it rests,” Tw#mbly, 550 U.S. at 555 (qu#ting C#nley v.
invest$rs invest in a P$nzi scheme, payments that exceed their investments are n$t made f$r
reas$nably equivalent value and c$nstitute fraudulent c$nveyances that may be rec$vered by the
Trustee. See, e.g., D#nell v. K#well, 533 F.3d 762, 770 (9th Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct.
640 (2008) (“Where causes $f acti$n are br$ught . . . against P$nzi scheme invest$rs, the general
rule is that t$ the extent inn$cent invest$rs have received payments in excess $f the am$unts $f
principal that they $riginally invested, th$se payments are av$idable as fraudulent transfers . . .
.”); Sender v. Buchannan (In re Hedged-Investments Ass#cs.), 84 F.3d 1286, 1290 (10th Cir.
1996); Sch#les v. Lehmann, 56 F.3d 750, 757-58 (7th Cir. 1995) (P$sner, J.); Bay#u Superfund,
LLC v. WAM L#ng/Sh#rt Fund II, LLP (In re Bay#u Gr#up, LLC), 362 B.R. 624, 636 (Bankr.
S.D.N.Y. 2007) (“Plaintiffs are c$rrect in asserting in their brief that virtually every c$urt t$
address the questi$n has held unflinchingly that t$ the extent that invest$rs have received
payments in excess $f the am$unts they have invested, th$se payments are v$idable as fraudulent
transfers.”) (internal qu$tati$ns $mitted); In re Taubman, 160 B.R. 964, 986 (Bankr. S.D. Ohi$
1993).
BLMIS. The Trustee has alleged that Pic$wer c$ntr$lled the acc$unts $f each $f the Defendants.
(See C$mpl. ¶¶ 60-61.) The C$mplaint alleges that Pic$wer’s acc$unts withdrew a t$tal $f m$re
than $5 billi$n in fictiti$us pr$fit (see, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 2), and the Trustee’s c$ntinuing
investigati$n indicates that the actual number is greater than $7 billi$n. The Trustee has alleged
that this entire am$unt c$nsists $f fictiti$us pr$fit generated by a P$nzi scheme and is, in reality,
20
n$thing m$re than m$ney $btained fr$m $ther invest$rs. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 2, 66.) The
Trustee specified initial dates, meth$ds $f payment, and am$unts $f av$idable Transfers in the
C$mplaint. (See n$n-exhaustive list $f transfers (the “Transfers”) included in the C$mplaint at
Exhibit B and list $f Defendants’ acc$unts at Exhibit A.) These allegati$ns put Pic$wer $n
ample n$tice $f the claims against him and the basis $f these claims, and satisfies the Trustee’s
pleading $bligati$ns. See, e.g., Drenis, 452 F. Supp. 2d at 428-29 (“There is n$ argument that
plaintiffs’ pleadings fail t$ meet” c$nstructive fraud pleading standard where plaintiffs alleged
that defendants received distributi$ns that exceeded their c$ntributi$ns t$ a P$nzi scheme);
Jalbert v. Zurich Am. Ins. C#. (In re Payt#n C#nstr. C#rp.), 399 B.R. 352, 365 (Bankr. D. Mass.
2009) (identificati$n $f time frame and nature $f the transfers s$ught t$ be av$ided was
sufficient n$tice t$ defendant). The Trustee has additi$nally alleged that the specified Transfers
were made f$r less than fair c$nsiderati$n because Pic$wer failed t$ act in g$$d faith. See In re
Jac#bs, 394 B.R. at 662. As discussed ab$ve, the C$mplaint details numer$us facts
dem$nstrating that Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that he was participating in a fraudulent
enterprise, an enterprise that the debt$r has admitted and sw$rn was a P$nzi scheme. These
allegati$ns are sufficient t$ sh$w Pic$wer’s lack $f fair c$nsiderati$n f$r each transfer alleged.
Pic$wer seizes $n the fact that the Trustee has br$ught a claim t$ rec$ver transfers made
within 90 days $f the filing as v$idable preferences.9 Because a preference exists $nly when
there is an antecedent debt, Pic$wer argues, the Trustee has c$nceded the existence $f an
antecedent debt f$r the 90 day transfers – and f$r every $ther transfer alleged in the C$mplaint.
9
C$ntrary t$ Pic$wer’s claim, the Transfers made during the 90-day preference peri$d include transfers by check
that cleared during the relevant peri$d, even if the check was dated earlier. See Barnhill v. J#hns#n, 503 U.S. 393,
21
Pic$wer, $f c$urse, ign$res that this c$unt has been pled “[i]n the alternative” (C$mpl. ¶¶ 71,
81), as specifically permitted under the Federal Rules $f Civil Pr$cedure, see Fed. R. Civ. P.
8(b)(2) and (3) (2009). The ultimate questi$n $f whether there was $r was n$t an antecedent
debt is a questi$n $f fact t$ be determined at trial and is n$t pr$perly bef$re the C$urt in a m$ti$n
t$ dismiss. See, e.g., Am. Tissue, Inc. v. D#nalds#n, Lufkin & Jenrette Sec. C#rp., 351 F. Supp.
2d 79, 106 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) (“whether a transfer is f$r reas$nably equivalent value is largely a
questi$n $f fact”) (internal qu$tati$n $mitted); Orbach v. Pappa, 482 F. Supp. 117, 120
(S.D.N.Y. 1979) ("What c$nstitutes fair c$nsiderati$n under this secti$n must be determined
up$n the facts and circumstances $f each particular case."). Pic$wer’s m$ti$n suggests that he
intends t$ argue that every Transfer was $n acc$unt $f an antecedent debt, regardless $f whether
$r n$t the Transfer c$nstituted fictiti$us pr$fit and alth$ugh the Trustee has alleged Pic$wer’s
lack $f g$$d faith. Acc$rdingly, alternative pleading $f these causes $f acti$n, t$ preserve every
As discussed ab$ve, virtually every c$urt t$ address the issue has held that invest$rs in a
P$nzi scheme, regardless $f their g$$d faith, must surrender t$ the trustee the false pr$fit they
$btained during their participati$n in the scheme. See D#nell, 533 F.3d at 770; In re Hedged-
Investments Ass#cs., 84 F.3d at 1290; Sch#les, 56 F.3d at 757-58; Bay#u Superfund, LLC v.
WAM L#ng/Sh#rt Fund II, LLP (In re Bay#u Gr#up, LLC), 362 B.R. at 636; In re Taubman, 160
B.R. at 986. While a g$$d faith transferee has the right t$ retain payment f$r a b$na fide
antecedent debt, fictiti$us pr$fits fr$m a P$nzi scheme d$ n$t c$nstitute such a debt. This is
because an invest$r in a P$nzi scheme has n$ legitimate claim t$ fictiti$us pr$fits that in fact
394-95 (1992) (in determining if a transfer $ccurred within the 90-day preference peri$d, a transfer made by check
22
c$nsist $f m$ney invested by $ther invest$rs. T$ the extent the debt$r pr$mised such pr$fits t$
the invest$r, the pr$mise was fraudulent, and c$urts will n$t enf$rce a fraud t$ the detriment $f
$ther inn$cent credit$rs. See D#nell, 533 F.3d at 770; In re Hedged-Investments Ass#cs., 84
F.3d at 1290; Sch#les, 56 F.3d at 757-58; Bay#u Superfund, LLC v. WAM L#ng/Sh#rt Fund II,
LLP (In re Bay#u Gr#up, LLC), 362 B.R. at 636; In re Taubman, 160 B.R. at 986.
The single case relied $n by Pic$wer is inapp$site. In Visc#nsi v. Lehman, N$. 06-3304,
2007 WL 2258827 (6th Cir. Aug. 8, 2007), the circuit c$urt affirmed enf$rcement $f an
arbitrati$n award against what was at the time a s$lvent entity. Lehman Br$thers was alleged t$
have failed t$ supervise a st$ckbr$ker in its empl$y. The invest$r br$ught an arbitrati$n claim
against Lehman, and the arbitrat$r was urged t$ award the invest$r the full am$unt $f his
expectancy damages as remedy f$r the br$ker’s fraud. Id. at *4-5. Pic$wer claims, based $n
Lehman, that there is s$me distincti$n between the trustee’s generally accepted right t$ rec$ver
fictiti$us pr$fits in a P$nzi scheme, and his rights t$ rec$very “when the P$nzi scheme $perat$r
is a br$ker dealer.” (MTD at 47.) But the fact that a P$nzi scheme inv$lves the sale $f securities
d$es n$t preclude a trustee fr$m rec$vering fictiti$us pr$fit. See, e.g., D#nell, 533 F.3d at 770;
Superfund, LLC v. WAM L#ng/Sh#rt Fund II, LLP (In re Bay#u Gr#up, LLC), 362 B.R.at 636; In
The difference between Lehman and the vast b$dy $f case law supp$rting the Trustee’s
av$idance claim is n$t that Lehman inv$lved a br$ker dealer. It is that Lehman had t$ d$ with
the enf$rceability $f an arbitrat$r’s award and n$thing whats$ever t$ d$ with bankruptcy. The
main issue in Lehman was whether the defendants, having f$ught t$ enf$rce the arbitrati$n
sh$uld be deemed t$ $ccur $n the date the drawee bank h$n$rs the check).
23
clause in their c$ntract with the plaintiffs, w$uld be b$und by the arbitrat$r’s determinati$n $f
damages. Enf$rcing the arbitrat$r’s award was neither against public p$licy n$r t$ the detriment
$f $ther credit$rs since Lehman was n$t in bankruptcy and the rights $f $ther credit$rs were n$t
implicated. See, e.g., Sch#les, 56 F.3d at 757-58 (argument that it may seem “$nly fair” that
invest$r be entitled t$ pr$fits $n trades made with his m$ney was true as between invest$r and
P$nzi scheme $perat$r, but was n$t true as between invest$r and $ther invest$rs); In re
The case that is anal$g$us t$ Pic$wer’s situati$n is n$t Lehman but In re Hedged
Investments Ass#ciates, 84 F.3d 1286 (10th Cir. 1996). There, an invest$r in an investment fund
that turned int$ a P$nzi scheme attempted t$ defend against a trustee’s av$idance claim f$r
fictiti$us pr$fit. Like Pic$wer, the invest$r argued that under applicable law (in her case,
C$l$rad$), she w$uld have had a claim f$r her full expectancy damages and that theref$re the
full am$unt $f the transfers had been f$r value. The Tenth Circuit rejected her argument,
reas$ning that as a matter $f public p$licy, a C$l$rad$ state c$urt w$uld n$t permit an invest$r in
a bankrupt P$nzi scheme t$ enf$rce her fraudulent c$ntract with the defendant at the expense $f
$ther invest$rs. Since she had n$ enf$rceable claim f$r am$unts bey$nd her initial investment,
the debt$r had n$ debt t$ her f$r th$se am$unts and she had n$t pr$vided value f$r th$se
transfers. Id. at 1289. Whatever rights t$ expectancy damages an invest$r the$retically may
have as a fraud plaintiff, in $ther w$rds, d$ n$t $verc$me the rule that payments t$ invest$rs in a
P$nzi scheme in excess $f the am$unts $f their investments are av$idable as fraudulent transfers.
D. The Net Equity Dispute is irrelevant t( the Trustee’s claims and cann(t
be determined in a m(ti(n t( dismiss.
Pic$wer als$ claims that he is entitled t$ the “expectancy measure $f damages” under the
SIPA statute, and theref$re t$ establish lack $f fair c$nsiderati$n the Trustee must allege that the
24
transfers exceeded the value $f securities reflected $n the acc$unts’ last BLMIS acc$unt
statements. This is $ne $f several attempts by Pic$wer t$ challenge, in the c$ntext $f this m$ti$n
t$ dismiss, the Trustee’s interpretati$n $f “net equity” as defined under Secti$n 78lll(11) $f SIPA
in its determinati$n $f cust$mer claims. See 15 U.S.C. § 78lll(11) (2009). The Net Equity
Dispute is irrelevant t$ Pic$wer’s argument, and in any event cann$t be determined in the
Like s$me $ther invest$rs, Pic$wer claims that each acc$unt’s “net equity” f$r purp$ses
$f the SIPA statute is the am$unt sh$wn $n the last cust$mer statement issued by BLMIS.
(MTD at 10, 51-52.) Because th$se cust$mer statements issued by BLMIS included fictiti$us
pr$fits and were entirely fraudulent, h$wever, the Trustee is n$t relying $n the acc$unt balances
appearing $n the cust$mer statements f$r purp$ses $f claims determinati$ns. Instead, the
Trustee is evaluating claims based $n the am$unts that a cust$mer actually dep$sited with
BLMIS, less the am$unts that the cust$mer withdrew fr$m the acc$unt, s$metimes referred t$ as
The issue $f “net equity” applies t$ the determinati$n $f all cust$mer claims in this SIPA
liquidati$n, as well as litigati$ns br$ught by the Trustee. Acc$rdingly, it will be heard by the
C$urt, after briefing by interested parties in acc$rdance with this C$urt’s September 10, 2009
Scheduling Order. (See Mem. Dec. & Order Granting Trustee’s M$t. t$ Dismiss, Sept. 10, 2009
[hereinafter “Peskin Order”].) As this C$urt stated in its decisi$n ad$pting the Scheduling Order
and dismissing a c$mplaint by an$ther invest$r, “[w]ith m$re than 15,000 claims filed in the
Mad$ff pr$ceeding and multi-billi$ns $f d$llars at stake, the issue $f h$w the Trustee determines
claimants’ ‘net equity’ f$r distributi$n purp$ses is a central questi$n t$ be determined in this
25
SIPA liquidati$n.” (Peskin Order at 2.) The C$urt’s reas$ning in that decisi$n, dismissing an
invest$r’s c$mplaint f$r a declarati$n $f the sc$pe $f her claims, is equally applicable here:
The Scheduling M$ti$n will address the c$ncerns $f a variety $f cust$mers with
different acc$unt hist$ries and balances, including b$th net winners and net
l$sers, and will pr$vide every$ne inv$lved with the benefits fr$m the submissi$n
$f a c$mprehensive and c$mplete rec$rd $n this issue. All$wing Plaintiffs, wh$
represent $nly $ne gr$up $f cust$mers…t$ pr$ceed with the adversary pr$ceeding
t$ determine the Net Equity Issue that will apply t$ all cust$mer claims will yield
an inc$mplete rec$rd that might result in piecemeal litigati$n $n this issue.
M$re$ver, Plaintiffs will suffer n$ prejudice in having the Net Equity Issue
decided pursuant t$ the Scheduling M$ti$n while $ther cust$mers will suffer great
harm if Plaintiffs are permitted t$ pr$ceed with$ut their participati$n.
(Id. at 12-13, as amended per the Errata Order dated Sept. 11, 2009.) M$re$ver, the precise
am$unt $f equity in the cust$mer acc$unts – under whatever meth$d – is a heavily factual issue
that remains under investigati$n and cann$t be decided in the c$ntext $f a m$ti$n t$ dismiss.
See, e.g., Higazy v. Templet#n, 505 F.3d 161, 174 (2d Cir. 2007) (“Where there is a dispute ab$ut
the material facts, this questi$n must be res$lved by the fact finder.”) (citati$n $mitted).
In any event, whatever remedies Pic$wer may $r may n$t have under SIPA d$ n$t answer
the questi$n whether Pic$wer pr$vided “fair c$nsiderati$n” t$ BLMIS f$r the transfers at issue.
The c$ncept $f fair c$nsiderati$n refers t$ the value received by the debt$r in exchange f$r the
transfer. The am$unt $f value given by an invest$r is n$t altered based $n whether $r n$t a
br$kerage firm is registered with SIPC, whether $r n$t a SIPA acti$n is c$mmenced, $r whether
any $r all $f the invest$r’s investments are pr$tected under SIPA $r f$r h$w much, because n$ne
$f this affects the value that the invest$r gave t$ the debt$r in exchange f$r the transfer. See,
e.g., 5 C#llier #n Bankruptcy ¶ 548.05(1)(b) (2009) (“Because the ultimate issue is the impact $f
the transfer $n the debt$r’s estate, the c$urt must thus determine whether the debt$r, as $pp$sed
t$ s$me $ther entity, received such value.”); Sch#les, 56 F.3d at 757-58 (a party is entitled t$
retain pr$fit fr$m a P$nzi scheme $nly if the payment $f that pr$fit, which reduced the net assets
26
$f the estate, was $ffset by an equivalent value t$ the estate). The value that Pic$wer gave t$
BLMIS and its impact $n the BLMIS estate is n$t greater because this acti$n takes place under
SIPA, regardless $f what remedies Pic$wer may ultimately be determined t$ have under the
statut$ry scheme.
debt by the debt$r, “fair c$nsiderati$n” under New Y$rk law requires b$th that the transfer be
made “in g$$d faith” and be a “fair equivalent” t$ the $bligati$n. N.Y. Debt. & Cred. Law §
272. The Trustee has amply alleged that the Transfers t$ Pic$wer were utterly dispr$p$rti$nate
t$ any c$nsiderati$n pr$vided by him t$ BLMIS and that the Transfers were received by him in
bad faith. The m$ti$n t$ dismiss this c$unt theref$re sh$uld be denied.
Pic$wer inc$rrectly claims, in P$int II $f his m$ti$n, that the C$mplaint fails t$ allege
adequate cause f$r piercing the c$rp$rate veils $f the vari$us partnerships, funds, f$undati$ns
and $ther entities named in the C$mplaint (the “Pic$wer Entities”). (See MTD at 17-23.)
Whether $r n$t Pic$wer and the $ther Defendants are liable under the alter eg$ the$ry, like m$st
$f the challenges raised in Pic$wer’s m$ti$n, requires a fact-specific analysis and cann$t be
res$lved in a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. But the C$mplaint amply alleges b$th that the Pic$wer Entities
were mere instrumentalities $f Pic$wer and that they were used t$ achieve fraud, each $f which
In any event, Pic$wer fails t$ challenge the sufficiency $f the Trustee’s allegati$ns that
Pic$wer and/$r his agent Freilich acted as Defendants’ auth$rized agents in numer$us capacities,
including with$ut limitati$n direct$r, partner, $fficer and trustee (C$mpl. ¶¶ 34-54, 60), and that
27
in such capacities they engaged in transacti$ns with BLMIS that they knew $r sh$uld have
kn$wn were false, fraudulent and fictiti$us (see id. ¶¶ 3-4, 28, 53-55, 59-64). These allegati$ns
establish that Pic$wer’s kn$wledge and c$nduct must be imputed t$ all Defendants. They als$
establish that Pic$wer is pers$nally liable f$r his $wn fraudulent and t$rti$us c$nduct, perf$rmed
A. The Trustee has pled facts sufficient t( pierce the c(rp(rate veil (f each
Defendant and imp(se alter eg( liability up(n Pic(wer and (ther
Defendants.
The U.S. Supreme C$urt has declared that it is a “fundamental principle $f c$rp$rate
law . . . that the c$rp$rate veil may be pierced and the shareh$lder held liable f$r the
c$rp$rati$n’s c$nduct when, inter alia, the c$rp$rate f$rm w$uld $therwise be misused t$
acc$mplish certain wr$ngful purp$ses, m$st n$tably fraud, $n the shareh$lder’s behalf.” United
States v. Bestf##ds, 524 U.S. 51, 62 (1998). In general, the state $f f$rmati$n $f the entity
determines whether its f$rm may be disregarded and its liability-limiting veil may be pierced.
See Fletcher v. Atex, Inc., 68 F.3d 1451, 1456 (2d Cir. 1995).10 Under Delaware law, “a c$urt
can pierce the c$rp$rate veil $f an entity where there is fraud $r where a subsidiary is in fact a
mere instrumentality $r alter eg$ $f its $wner.” Geyer v. Ingers#ll Publicati#ns C#., 621 A.2d
784, 793 (Del. Ch. 1992) (shareh$lder was c$rp$rate alter eg$ where he dealt with substantial
10
Analysis $f Defendants’ “alter eg$” liability herein is based $n Delaware law as exp$unded by state and federal
c$urts c$nstruing Delaware as well as New Y$rk law, which are substantially similar. See Wassau Business Ins. C#.
v. Turner C#nst. C#., 141 F. Supp. 2d 412, 417 (S.D.N.Y. 2001) (Delaware and New Y$rk law “substantially
similar” $n piercing c$rp$rate veil). This is necessary because the “law $f piercing the c$rp$rate veil has n$t been
as fully devel$ped in Delaware as in many $ther jurisdicti$ns” and “it is rare f$r the Delaware c$urts t$ spell $ut in
any detail h$w the determinati$n t$ pierce the c$rp$rate veil is t$ be made.” Stephen B. Presser, Piercing the
C#rp#rate Veil § 2.8, at 2-73 & 2-76 (2009). T$ the extent that this C$urt may be required t$ apply Fl$rida law in
imp$sing alter eg$ $r similar liability $n any $f the Defendants, it sh$uld be $bserved that such law is als$
substantially similar t$ New Y$rk and Delaware law. See William Passalacqua Builders, Inc. v. Resnick Devel#pers
S#uth, Inc., 933 F.2d 131, 137 (2d Cir. 1991) (New Y$rk and Fl$rida law $f piercing c$rp$rate veil “virtually
28
The test f$r piercing the veil is disjunctive: c$urts may disregard c$rp$rate f$rm either
where there is fraud $r s$mething like it, as discussed bel$w, $r where the entity $r entities are
used as mere instrumentalities $r alter eg$s $f their $wner. See Acciai Speciali Terni USA, Inc.
that actual intent t$ defraud is n$t essential where evidence $f c$nstructive fraud $r $ther similar
inequitable c$nduct is present, see William Meade Fletcher, Fletcher Cycl$pedia $f the Law $f
C$rp$rati$ns § 41.32 (2009) (c$llecting cases), and c$nduct sh$rt $f active intent t$ deceive
required t$ establish fraud may justify piercing the c$rp$rate veil. Irwin & Leight#n, Inc. v.
W.M. Anders#n C#., 532 A.2d 983, 987 (Del. Ch. 1987). M$re$ver, c$urts may disregard
c$rp$rate f$rm and pierce the veil f$r a wide range $f unlawful and inequitable c$nduct, ranging
c$ntract generally, t$ public wr$ng and situati$ns where equitable c$nsiderati$ns am$ng
members $f a c$rp$rate entity require it. See M#bil Oil C#rp., 718 F. Supp. at 268 (“fraud $r
s$mething like fraud,” such as injustice $r inequity, justifies disregard $f c$rp$rate f$rm);
identical”); R#berts#n-Cec# C#rp. v. C#rnelius, N$. 3:03cv475, 2007 WL 1020326, at *7 n.7 (N.D. Fla. Mar. 30,
2007) (Delaware and Fl$rida law “the same” $n the issue $f veil-piercing).
11
Relying $n $verly br$ad dicta in Wallace v. W##d, 752 A.2d 1175, 1184 (Del. Ch. 1999), Defendants claim that
all $f the activities $f Pic$wer and the Pic$wer Entities must c$nstitute an unqualified fraud and sham f$r alter eg$
liability t$ attach t$ him and f$r the veil $f the vari$us entities t$ be pierced. (See MTD at 19-20.) This is inc$rrect.
“[F]raud $r a sham, strictly speaking, need n$t be sh$wn t$ justify the piercing $f a c$rp$rate veil under Delaware
law.” Br#wn v. General Elec. Capital C#rp. (In re F#xmeyer C#rp.), 290 B.R. 229, 236 (Bankr. D. Del. 2003)
(citing M#bil Oil C#rp. v. Linear Films, Inc., 718 F. Supp. 260, 268 (D. Del. 1989) and Fletcher, 68 F.3d at 1458).
All that the Trustee needs t$ sh$w is “an $verall element $f injustice $r unfairness.” Id. (citati$ns $mitted). The
reas$n why the limited partner plaintiffs’ attempt t$ pierce the c$rp$rate veil $f their general partner and imp$se
pers$nal liability $n its $fficers in Wallace v. W##d failed is that plaintiffs “merely state[d] that the purp$se $f the
General Partner [was] t$ manage and $perate the Partnership” and pled n$ $ther “facts that if true w$uld justify
disregarding the c$rp$rate f$rm $f the General Partner.” 752 A.2d at 1184. Defendants are als$ inc$rrect when they
claim that Delaware c$urts will n$t disregard c$rp$rate entities unless they are c$mplete shams created s$lely f$r the
purp$se $f defrauding $thers. (See MTD at 18-19 (citing Tese-Milner v. TPAC, LLC (In re Ticketplanet.c#m), 313
B.R. 46, 70 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2004) and Cr#see v. BCBSD, Inc., 836 A.2d 492, 497 (Del. 2003).) As the Sec$nd
Circuit recently declared, t$ pierce the c$rp$rate veil, “the plaintiff need n$t pr$ve that the c$rp$rati$n was created
29
Mab#n, Nugent & C#. v. Texas Am. Energy C#rp., 1998 WL 5492, at *3 (Del. Ch. 1988) (under
Delaware law, fraud is n$t the $nly basis t$ pierce c$rp$rate veil); Pauley Petr#leum, Inc. v.
C#ntinental Oil C#., 231 A.2d 450, 452-53 (Del. Ch. 1967), aff’d, 239 A.2d 629 (Del. 1968).
See als# Publicker Indus. v. R#man Ceramics C#rp., 603 F.2d 1065, 1069 (3d Cir. 1979)
(appr$priate t$ disregard c$rp$rate existence when “c$urt must prevent fraud, illegality, $r
injustice, $r when rec$gniti$n $f c$rp$rate entity w$uld defeat public p$licy $r shield s$me$ne
fr$m liability f$r a crime” (qu#ting Zubik v. Zubik, 384 F.2d 267, 272 (3d Cir. 1967))).
In cases where liability is premised, n$t $n fraud $r s$mething like it, but $n the mere
instrumentality d$ctrine, a tw$-pr$ng test must be met. The $wner and entity must be sh$wn t$
have $perated as a single ec$n$mic unit and an $verall element $f injustice $r unfairness must be
present. See Acciai Speciali Terni, 202 F. Supp. 2d at 207; cf. Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 138
(under New Y$rk law, c$rp$rate veil may be pierced either when c$rp$rate f$rm is used t$
achieve fraud, $r when c$ntr$l and d$minati$n $f entity by $wner are used t$ c$mmit wr$ng,
The legal test f$r determining when c$rp$rate f$rm sh$uld be ign$red in equity cann$t be
reduced t$ a single f$rmula. Irwin & Leight#n, 532 A.2d at 989. N$ single fact$r can justify a
decisi$n t$ disregard the c$rp$rate entity but s$me c$mbinati$n $f them is required and, as stated
ab$ve, an $verall element $f injustice $r unfairness must be present if the c$rp$rate veil is t$ be
pierced. United States v. G#lden Acres, Inc., 702 F. Supp. 1097, 1104 (D. Del. 1988), aff’d, 879
F.2d 857 (3d Cir. 1989). Alth$ugh c$urts have vari$usly identified certain c$nsiderati$ns that
with fraud $r unfairness in mind. It is sufficient t$ pr$ve that it was s$ used.” Netjets Aviati#n, Inc. v. LHC
C#mmc’ns, LLC, 537 F.3d 168, 177 (2d Cir. 2008) (citati$ns $mitted).
30
may be relevant t$ determining when a parent and subsidiary, $r $wner and entity, $perate as an
ec$n$mic unit f$r purp$ses $f the instrumentality test, they are n$t c$nclusive. See Uni#n
Carbide C#rp. v. M#ntell N.V., 944 F. Supp. 1119, 1144-45 (S.D.N.Y. 1996).
Just as there is n$ talismanic set $f fact$rs f$r determining when it is appr$priate t$ pierce
the c$rp$rate veil, there is n$ single test f$r determining the sufficiency $f pleading an alter eg$
claim. Again, the c$nsiderati$ns identified by c$urts as p$tentially relevant t$ determining when
a parent and subsidiary, $r $wner and entity, $perate as an ec$n$mic unit f$r purp$ses $f the
instrumentality test are n$t c$nclusive. See Uni#n Carbide C#rp., 944 F. Supp. at 1144-45.
M$re$ver, there is n$ judicial auth$rity requiring dismissal $f alter eg$ allegati$ns where they d$
n$t happen t$ fit the misleading versi$n $f Delaware’s c$rp$rate disregard d$ctrine that
Given the intensively factual inquiry required, the nature and extent $f Pic$wer’s
wr$ngd$ing and his d$mini$n and c$ntr$l $ver the $ther Defendants are n$t pr$per subjects f$r
res$luti$n $n a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. See id.; see als# Official C#mm. #f Unsecured Credit#rs v.
Reliance Capital Gr#up, Inc. (In re Buckhead America C#rp.), 178 B.R. 956, 975 (D. Del.
1994); Geyer, 621 A.2d at 793; Mab#n, Nugent & C#. v. Texas Am. Energy C#rp., CIV.A. N$.
8578 1990 WL 44267, at *5 (Del. Ch. Apr. 12, 1990). The C$mplaint m$re than adequately sets
f$rth facts that, if true, establish a basis t$ pierce the c$rp$rate veil under any relevant law; the
ultimate success $f this claim will depend up$n the t$tality $f facts and circumstances disc$vered
thr$ugh trial.
12
Defendants qu$te the inc$mplete and, in part, irrelevant fact$rs set f$rth in Trevin# v. Mersc#rp, Inc., 583 F.
Supp. 2d 521, 528-29 (D. Del. 2008), and then demand that the Trustee c$nf$rm his C$mplaint t$ their the$ry $f the
case at risk $f dismissal. (See MTD at 18-19.) The far m$re c$mprehensive and relevant fact$rs discussed in
Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d 168, the m$st auth$ritative analysis $f alter eg$ liability yet handed d$wn by the Sec$nd
31
2. The C$mplaint amply pleads a basis f$r piercing the c$rp$rate veil.
The C$mplaint pleads facts that amply supp$rt alter eg$ liability. The Sec$nd Circuit
recently, and exhaustively, expl$red many $f the fact$rs c$nsidered under Delaware law when
c$nsidering imp$sing alter eg$ liability in Netjets Aviati#n, Inc. v. LHC C#mmunicati#ns, LLC,
537 F.3d 168 (2d Cir. 2008). It c$nducted a similarly th$r$ugh analysis $f the same issue under
virtually identical principles $f New Y$rk law in Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 139, where the
plaintiff s$ught t$ pierce the c$rp$rate veil $f the c$ntracting defendant c$rp$rati$n and imp$se
alter eg$ liability $n its family real estate business $wners, $perating thr$ugh a web $f
partnerships and c$rp$rati$ns, all c$ntr$lled either directly $r indirectly by the family members.
The Sec$nd Circuit reversed the district c$urt’s dismissal $f plaintiff’s claim, finding plaintiff’s
alter eg$ allegati$ns sufficient t$ g$ t$ the jury. The allegati$ns in the Trustee’s C$mplaint are
clearly sufficient under the analysis c$nducted in these cases. Indeed, they largely track the alter
eg$ indicia that the Sec$nd Circuit held sufficient t$ require that the issue $f piercing the
c$rp$rate veil and imp$sing alter eg$ liability be presented t$ the factfinder. F$r example:
The C$mplaint asserts that Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that he was a
maj$r beneficiary $f Mad$ff’s fraud f$r $ver 25 years and withdrew m$re than $6
billi$n $f Mad$ff’s victims’ m$ney. (C$mpl. ¶¶ 2-4, 28, 53-55, 59-64.)
The C$mplaint alleges that Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that he was
engaged, directly and thr$ugh the $ther Defendants, which are entities he directly
$r indirectly $wns and/$r c$ntr$ls, in pr$fiting fr$m BLMIS’s fraud. (See, e.g.,
C$mpl. ¶¶ 3-4; c$mpare the c$llective c$ntr$l and management $f affiliates in
Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 179-80, 182 and Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 139-40.)
The C$mplaint avers that Pic$wer and/$r $ne $f his agents were the managers $f
all $f the Pic$wer Entities. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 37-52; c$mpare the limited
number $f identical direct$rs and $fficers in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 179 and
Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 139-40.)
Circuit, are n$where discussed in Defendant’s papers, perhaps, we suggest, because they are t$$ unc$mf$rtably
similar t$ the facts specifically alleged in the C$mplaint.
32
The C$mplaint states that in the c$urse $f perpetrating his wr$ngful c$nduct –
which f$r purp$ses $f alter eg$ the$ry c$nstitute fraud in law – Pic$wer used his
c$ntr$lling pers$nal and c$rp$rate auth$rity t$ direct the $pening $f acc$unts f$r
and manage the investments $f Defendants. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 34-52, 55-56,
60; c$mpare the c$llective acc$unting meth$ds and lack $f arm’s length dealing
in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 179-80 and Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 139-40.)
The C$mplaint alleges that many $f the Defendants shared $ffice space and
mailing addresses with each $ther, including 1410 S$uth Ocean B$ulevard, Palm
Beach, Fl$rida; 950 Third Avenue, New Y$rk, New Y$rk; and/$r 22 Saw Mill
River R$ad, Hawth$rne, New Y$rk. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 34-52; c$mpare the
shared $ffice space and empl$yee res$urces in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 179
and Passalacqua, 937 F.2d at 140.)
The C$mplaint asserts that Pic$wer and his agent maintained a p$rtf$li$ appraisal
system which enabled Pic$wer t$ centralize, c$$rdinate and direct all $f the
investments $f the Defendants with BLMIS. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 61; c$mpare the
centralized and intermingled financial management at Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d
at 179-82 and Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 140.)
The C$mplaint asserts that Pic$wer used $ne $f his BLMIS acc$unts as the
primary s$urce $f cash withdrawals f$r all $f the Defendants, and that he
pers$nally managed and supervised such withdrawals, which t$taled m$re than $6
billi$n. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 60, 63(d); c$mpare the similar cash management and
withdrawal systems in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 179-82 and Passalacqua, 933
F.2d at 140.)
The C$mplaint states that Pic$wer engaged in extra$rdinarily heavy margin call
b$rr$wing t$ finance his speculative trading p$siti$ns. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 63(c)-
(d); c$mpare the heavy margin and debt p$siti$ns in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at
181-82 and Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at 139-40.)
The C$mplaint avers that Pic$wer directed back-dated, fictiti$us and fraudulent
trades with BLMIS f$r his $wn acc$unts and the acc$unts $f $ther Defendants.
(See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 63(e)-(f); c$mpare the deceptive and unlawful acc$unting
ficti$ns in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 179-83.)
The C$mplaint affirms that in dealing with BLMIS, Pic$wer exercised c$mplete
d$mini$n $ver and used the Pic$wer Entities as instruments t$ advance his
pers$nal interests; acc$rdingly, they functi$ned as his alter eg$s and n$ c$rp$rate
veil can be maintained between them. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 53; c$mpare the
33
findings in Netjets Aviati#n, 537 F.3d at 182-84 and Passalacqua, 933 F.2d at
140.)
Given the Sec$nd Circuit’s analysis in Netjets Aviati#n and Passalacqua, the allegati$ns
$f the C$mplaint are m$re than sufficient t$ warrant denial $f Defendants’ m$ti$n t$ dismiss.
As discussed ab$ve, the C$mplaint is replete with specific allegati$ns $f the facts and
circumstances giving rise t$ actual $r c$nstructive kn$wledge $n the part $f Pic$wer and Freilich
regarding their fraudulent transacti$ns with BLMIS. The Defendants d$ n$t attack the
sufficiency $f the Trustee’s allegati$ns that Pic$wer was an agent $f the Pic$wer Entities, acting
within the sc$pe $f his auth$rity, and that all Defendants were the primary beneficiaries $f
wr$ngful c$nduct and in fact accepted and enj$yed the benefits there$f f$r decades. (See, e.g.,
C$mpl. ¶¶ 28, 54.) Under such circumstances, it is black letter law that the acts and kn$wledge
$f agents are imputed t$ their principals, and that the principals cann$t retain the fruits $f their
agent’s c$nduct. Center v. Hampt#n Affiliates, Inc., 488 N.E.2d 828, 829 (N.Y. 1985); 546-552
West 146th Street LLC v. Arfa, 863 N.Y.S.2d 412, 414 (1st Dep’t 2008); Capital Wireless v.
Del#itte, 627 N.Y.S.2d 794, 797 (3d Dep’t 1995); see als# Ap#ll# Fuel Oil v. United States, 195
F.3d 74, 76-77 (2d Cir. 1999) (when agent acquires kn$wledge material t$ empl$yment, such
kn$wledge is imputed t$ the principal, and c$rp$rati$n can be guilty $f kn$wing vi$lati$ns $f
N$t $nly d$es the C$mplaint establish that Defendants are liable f$r Pic$wer’s c$nduct, it
als$ establishes that Pic$wer is liable f$r his $wn participati$n in fraudulent $r t$rti$us c$nduct
(b$th $n behalf $f himself and $n behalf $f the Pic$wer Entities). New Y$rk law imp$ses
individual pers$nal liability $n $fficers, direct$rs and $ther c$rp$rate agents wh$ engage in
fraudulent acts $r $ther t$rts, even if such c$nduct is in the c$urse $f their duties. Ban# v. Uni#n
34
Carbide C#rp., 273 F.3d 120, 133 (2d Cir. 2001); L#presti v. Terwilliger, 126 F.3d 34, 42 (2d
Cir. 1997); Mills v. P#lar M#lecular C#rp., 12 F.3d 1170, 1177 (2d Cir. 1993). M$re$ver, this
liability may be imp$sed $n $fficers and direct$rs whether they actually participate in the fraud
$r t$rt, $r merely have kn$wledge $f it. See, e.g., C#hen v. K#enig, 25 F.3d 1168, 1173 (2d Cir.
1994); P#l#netsky v. Better H#mes Dep#t, Inc., 760 N.E.2d 1274, 1278 (N.Y. 2001); Marine
Midland Bank v. J#hn E. Russ# Pr#duce C#., 405 N.E.2d 205, 212 (N.Y. 1980); Ideal Steel
Supply C#rp. v. Fang, 767 N.Y.S.2d 644, 645 (2d Dep’t 2003) (s$le shareh$lders and $fficers $f
c$rp$rati$n that allegedly engaged in fraud necessarily participated in such fraud themselves and
Given that Pic$wer has c$nfined his $bjecti$n t$ the asserti$n $f liability against him
s$lely $n alter eg$ gr$unds (see MTD at 17-23), it sh$uld be n$ted that agents wh$ direct,
pers$nally liable irrespective $f whether alter eg$ liability is imp$sed $n them. Am. Express
Travel Related Servs. C#., Inc. v. N. Atl. Res#urces, Inc., 691 N.Y.S.2d 403, 404 (1st Dep’t
1999). C$rp$rate agents wh$ participate in the c$mmissi$n $f a t$rt are held individually liable
regardless $f whether they acted $n behalf $f the c$rp$rati$n in the c$urse $f $fficial duties and
regardless $f whether the c$rp$rate veil is pierced. Id.; see als# Espin#sa v. Rand, 806 N.Y.S.2d
186, 187 (1st Dep’t 2005). Acc$rdingly, Pic$wer may n$t escape individual pers$nal liability
f$r fraudulent and t$rti$us c$nduct c$mmitted by him as an agent $f the Defendants in the c$urse
$f c$ntr$lling, directing, $r participating in their false, fictiti$us and fraudulent transacti$ns with
BLMIS, and this liability exists in additi$n t$ any alter eg$ liability the C$urt may imp$se up$n
him when it pierces, as it is amply justified in d$ing here, the c$rp$rate veil.
35
IV. ALL DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING THE FOUR NOT LISTED ON E[HIBIT B
TO THE COMPLAINT, RECEIVED AVOIDABLE TRANSFERS
Pic$wer argues in P$int III $f his m$ti$n that f$ur $f the defendants sh$uld be dismissed
because they are n$t alleged t$ have received any transfers. Here he misreads the C$mplaint,
which states that the Transfers identified in Exhibit B are n$t an all-inclusive list $f direct
transfers $f estate pr$perty t$ defendants. (C$mpl.¶ 57.) Indeed, the Trustee’s investigati$n int$
BLMIS’ b$$ks and rec$rds is $ng$ing, and additi$nal inf$rmati$n c$ntinues t$ bec$me
available. At the time the C$mplaint was filed, certain acc$unts were alleged t$ be transferees
$n inf$rmati$n and belief based $n then available inf$rmati$n. Since filing, the Trustee has
$btained additi$nal inf$rmati$n fr$m rec$rds g$ing back substantially further in time and n$w
pr$vides particulars that underlie the fraudulent transfer allegati$ns in the C$mplaint.
It is telling that Pic$wer st$ps sh$rt $f asserting that the “N$n-Transferee” Defendants
received n$ transfers fr$m BLMIS. As he sh$uld be aware, pri$r t$ 1995 there were transfers
fr$m BLMIS t$ each $f the N$n-Transferee Defendants t$taling m$re than $100 milli$n,
evidence $f which the Trustee has disc$vered since the C$mplaint was filed. A list $f the initial
dates, meth$ds $f payment, and am$unts $f transfers t$ these Defendants is attached t$ this
mem$randum as Exhibit 1. If the C$urt finds that the allegati$ns against the “N$n-Transferee”
Defendants as pleaded in the C$mplaint, t$gether with the additi$nal particulars pr$vided here,
are insufficient, the Trustee w$uld amend t$ include these recently-identified transfers.
Pic$wer argues in P$int IV $f his m$ti$n that the Trustee’s claim f$r turn$ver $f the
Transfers is n$t ripe because the C$urt has n$t yet av$ided th$se Transfers pursuant t$ Secti$ns
544, 547, and 548 $f the Bankruptcy C$de 11 U.S.C. §§ 544, 547-8 (2009). Each $f the
36
Transfers in questi$n, h$wever, is the subject $f separate av$idance c$unts in this same acti$n.
Pic$wer’s argument als$ ign$res express pr$visi$ns $f the SIPA statute c$ncerning the
status $f pr$perty transferred by a debt$r when funds are insufficient t$ satisfy claims in full. In
…the trustee may rec$ver any pr$perty transferred by the debt$r which, except
f$r such transfer, w$uld have been cust$mer pr$perty if and t$ the extent that such
transfer is v$idable $r v$id under the pr$visi$ns $f title 11. … F$r purp$ses $f
such rec$very, the pr#perty s# transferred shall be deemed t# have been the
pr#perty #f the debt#r…
15 U.S.C. § 78fff-2(c)(3) (2009) (emphasis added). The key here is that the statute makes plain
that as t$ pr$perty that was cust$mer pr$perty pri$r t$ the transfer, that pr$perty when “s$
transferred” is deemed t$ have been pr$perty $f the estate pri$r t$ the transfer, and theref$re
subject t$ the turn$ver pr$visi$ns $f Secti$n 542. See 11 U.S.C. § 542 (2009). In $ther w$rds, if
there were any d$ubt ab$ut the nature $f cust$mer pr$perty, this SIPA pr$visi$n makes it clear
that f$r the purp$se $f av$idance acti$ns, cust$mer pr$perty is always pr$perty $f the estate.
Even aside fr$m the SIPA statute, h$wever, it is appr$priate under the Bankruptcy C$de
t$ pair a turn$ver claim with an av$idance acti$n. The c$re functi$n $f a turn$ver claim
pursuant t$ Secti$n 542 is t$ permit the Trustee t$ rec$ver “pr$perty that the trustee may use,
sell, $r lease” fr$m any pers$ns h$lding that pr$perty. See 11 U.S.C. § 542(a) . While the case
law pertaining t$ this subject is n$t unif$rm, see, e.g., Andrew Velez C#nstr., Inc. v. C#ns#lidated
Edis#n C#. #f New Y#rk (In re Andrew Velez C#nstr., Inc.), 373 B.R. 262, 273 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.
2007), a number $f cases stand f$r the pr$p$siti$n that a turn$ver claim may be pr$perly paired
with an av$idance claim. F$r example, in In re Jac#bs, the c$urt granted summary judgment t$
the trustee in an av$idance acti$n and held that a transfer $f pr$perty fr$m the debt$rs t$ the
37
defendants was b$th actually and c$nstructively fraudulent. In re Jac#bs, 394 B.R. at 664-72. In
the same ruling, the c$urt als$ granted summary judgment $n the trustee’s turn$ver and
acc$unting claim f$r that pr$perty. Id. In s$ ruling, the c$urt $bserved that by virtue $f its ruling
$n the av$idance claim, the pr$perty was a transfer $f pr$perty $f the debt$r and subject t$
turn$ver and av$idance. Id. at 674. This basic principle was als$ set f$rth in D#yle v. Pa#lin#
(In re Energy Savings Center, Inc.), 61 B.R. 732 (E.D. Pa. 1986), where the c$urt n$ted that:
A claim made under Secti$n 542, h$wever, is n$t necessarily distinct fr$m claims
under $ther secti$ns. F$r example, if a particular transfer $f pr$perty is v$idable
as a fraudulent transfer under Secti$n 548, then this pr$perty, n$w deemed
pr$perty $f the estate, bec$mes subject t$ the “turn$ver” auth$rity c$ntained in
Secti$n 542.
Id. at 735.
In challenging the Trustee’s claim f$r turn$ver, Pic$wer relies $n dicta in the Sec$nd
Circuit’s decisi$n in FDIC v. Hirsch (In re C#l#nial Realty C#.), 980 F.2d 125 (2d Cir. 1992), in
which the Sec$nd Circuit n$ted that $nly $nce a transfer is av$ided and rec$vered d$es the
pr$perty that was subject t$ that claim bec$me “pr$perty $f the estate” within the meaning $f
Secti$n 541(a)(3). Id. at 131; 11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(3) (2009). In re C#l#nial Realty, h$wever, was
n$t a turn$ver case. Rather, the issue the C$urt determined in that case was that the aut$matic
stay applied t$ a prepetiti$n fraudulent transfer claim regardless $f whether the fraudulently
transferred pr$perty was, $r was n$t, pr$perty $f the estate. In re C#l#nial Realty C#., 980 F.2d.
at 131-2. In re C#l#nial Realty thus d$es n$t address the issue here: whether a turn$ver claim
The pairing $f these claims is appr$priate f$r reas$ns $f judicial ec$n$my. By the
Defendants’ l$gic, the Trustee als$ c$uld n$t bring a rec$very claim under Secti$n 550 until the
transfer is av$ided. But it is c$mm$nly rec$gnized that this can be d$ne, see 5 C#llier’s #n
Bankruptcy ¶ 550.07 (2009), since requiring the Trustee t$ bring $ne adversary pr$ceeding t$
38
av$id the transfer and then a separate pr$ceeding t$ rec$ver the transfer $r its value w$uld be a
waste $f res$urces. See generally W##ds & Ericks#n LLP v. Le#nard (In re Avi, Inc.), 389 B.R.
721, 734-35 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2008) (h$lding that an av$idance and rec$very acti$n may be
br$ught simultane$usly t$ “av$id absurd results” and t$ “pr$tect the trustee fr$m attempts t$
impede rec$very” and t$ “aff$rd[] flexibility when a transferee $r its assets have disappeared.”).
The same rati$nale sh$uld apply t$ permit Secti$n 542 claims t$ be paired with av$idance
claims.
F$r these reas$ns, the Trustee requests that this C$urt f$ll$w the SIPA statute, and the
reas$ning $f In re Jac#bs and In re Energy Savings Center, and deny the Defendants’ m$ti$n t$
In P$int V $f his m$ti$n, Pic$wer expends much energy in arguing that transfers that
$ccurred within six years $f the filing $f the bankruptcy case $n December 11, 2008, but m$re
than six years bef$re the adversary filing $n May 12, 2009, sh$uld n$t be rec$verable under 11
U.S.C. § 544(b) (2009). In $ther w$rds, Pic$wer challenges this basis f$r rec$vering transfers
made t$ him in the peri$d between December 11, 2002 and May 12, 2003. The m$tivati$n f$r
this argument is understandable, since the Transfers at issue t$tal m$re than $520 milli$n d$llars.
N$netheless, Pic$wer’s argument is ill$gical and finds n$ supp$rt in the statute $r the caselaw. It
is als$ irrelevant, since c$ntrary t$ Pic$wer’s assumpti$n, the underlying state law statute $f
limitati$ns $n such transfers did n$t actually expire bef$re the adversary pr$ceeding was filed,
having been t$lled by, am$ng $ther things, the very fact $f the filing $f the bankruptcy petiti$n.
39
A. State law limitati(ns peri(ds are relevant (nly until the bankruptcy
case is filed.
The Bankruptcy C$de n$t $nly creates the causes $f acti$n referred t$ by 11 U.S.C. §
544(b), it specifically pr$vides the limitati$ns peri$d within which they are t$ be br$ught.
Acc$rdingly, the case law pr$perly h$lds that if the cause $f acti$n exists at the petiti$n date, the
$nly applicable statute $f limitati$ns f$r bringing it thereafter is 11 U.S.C. § 546(a) (2009).
Under New Y$rk state law, as in m$st $ther states, a transfer$r cann$t av$id its $wn
transfers – the right bel$ngs t$ the credit$rs $r, f$ll$wing bankruptcy, debt$r in p$ssessi$n.
C$nsequently, a cause $f acti$n f$r a trustee in bankruptcy is created by the Bankruptcy C$de,
and it c$mes int$ being at the same time as the bankruptcy case itself. See, e.g. Mah#ney, Tr#cki
& Ass#cs., Inc. v. Kunzman (In re Mah#ney, Tr#cki & Ass#cs., Inc.), 111 B.R. 914, 920 (Bankr.
S.D. Cal. 1990) (“a fraudulent transfer acti$n maintained by a debt$r-in-p$ssessi$n under 11
U.S.C. secti$n 544(b) is clearly the creati$n $f the Bankruptcy C$de”); R#sania v. Haligas (In re
Dry Wall Supply, Inc.), 111 B.R. 933, 935 n.2 (D. C$l$. 1990) (cause $f acti$n under Secti$n
546(b) is n$t $ne that c$uld have been br$ught by the debt$r).
A federal cause $f acti$n is g$verned by federal statute $f limitati$ns, where $ne exists.
Only if n$ federal statute $f limitati$ns applies d$ the federal c$urts l$$k t$ a state statute. See
e.g., Graham C#unty S#il & Water C#nservati#n Dist. v. U.S. ex rel. Wils#n, 545 U.S. 409, 414
(2005); DelC#stell# v. Int’l Br#th. Of Teamsters, 462 U.S. 151, 158-161 (1983); DirecTV, Inc. v.
Webb, 545 F.3d 837, 847 (9th Cir. 2008). In this instance, 11 U.S.C. § 546 specifically pr$vides
a statute $f limitati$ns f$r, am$ng $ther things, pr$ceedings under Secti$n 544. 11 U.S.C. §
546(a). Neither Secti$n 544 n$r Secti$n 546, n$r any $ther pr$visi$n $f the Bankruptcy C$de,
pr$vides that the Trustee must c$ntinue t$ l$$k t$ the pr$cedural limitati$ns $f state law $nce the
Trustee has acquired the substantive rights given t$ him by Secti$n 544 $f the Bankruptcy
40
C$de.13 Instead, Secti$n 546(a) specifically pr$vides the $perative limitati$ns peri$d f$r the
rights created by Secti$n 544. In $ther w$rds, and c$ntrary t$ the assumpti$n $f the Defendants,
Secti$n 544(a) d$es n$t s$ much t$ll the state statute as supersede it.14
M$re than 25 years $f case law under the Bankruptcy C$de c$nfirms that the state law
statute $f limitati$ns d$es n$t have any c$ntinued effect after the bankruptcy case is filed and the
Trustee’s Secti$n 544(b) rights arise. The f$ll$wing cases are all directly $n p$int and all s$
h$ld: Eisenberg v. Feiner (In re Ahead By A Length, Inc.), 100 B.R. 157, 164 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.
1989); Bl##m v. Fry (In re Leach), 380 B.R. 25, 29-30 (Bankr. D.N.M. 2007); Smith v. Am.
F#unders Fin., C#rp., 365 B.R. 647, 677-78 (S.D. Tex. 2007); Sears Petr#leum & Trans. C#. v.
Burgess C#nstr. Servs., Inc., 417 F. Supp. 2d 212, 225 (D. Mass. 2006); Mi-L#r C#rp. v.
G#ttsegen (In re Mi-L#r C#rp.) 233 B.R. 608 (Bankr. D. Mass. 1999); Tsai v. Buildings By
Jamie, Inc. (In re Buildings by Jamie, Inc.), 230 B.R. 36, 45 (Bankr. D.N.J. 1998); In re
Princet#n-N.Y. Inv., Inc., 219 B.R. at 65-66; Levit v. Spatz (In re Spatz), 222 B.R. 157, 164 (N.D.
Ill. 1998); Bay State Milling C#. v. Martin (In re Martin), 142 B.R. 260, 265-66 (Bankr. N.D. Ill.
1992); Mancus# v. C#nt’l Bank Nat’l Ass’n Chicag# (In re T#pc#r, Inc.), 132 B.R. 119 (Bankr.
N.D. Tex. 1991); In re Mah#ney, Tr#cki & Ass#cs., Inc., 111 B.R. at 914, 917-18 ; and In re Dry
Wall Supply, Inc., 111 B.R. at 936-37. In each $f these cases, the trustee filed an av$idance
13
The applicable New Y$rk statute $f limitati$ns, N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(8), is strictly a pr$cedural statute $f
limitati$ns. See First Uni#n Nat’l. Bank v. Gibb#ns (In re Princet#n-New Y#rk Invs., Inc.), 219 B.R. 55, 66 (D.N.J.
1998). In c$ntrast t$ pr$visi$ns such as 11 U.S.C. § 548 (tw$ year reachback fr$m bankruptcy filing date), it d$es
n$t create a “reachback” peri$d measured by a particular event. It just sets a time within which, as t$ any given
transfer, an acti$n must be c$mmenced. Theref$re, where a credit$r has the right t$ av$id transfers under the New
Y$rk Unif$rm Fraudulent C$nveyance Act, the transfers in questi$n c$ntinue t$ be v$idable as t$ that credit$r even
after the limitati$ns peri$d expires, and if the applicable statute $f limitati$ns is waived (such as by the defendant
n$t pleading it), changed, $r is $therwise rendered inapplicable, the substantive rights remain.
14
Cf. In re Princet#n-New Y#rk Inv., Inc., 219 B.R. at 66, and Am. F#unders Fin., C#rp., 365 B.R. at 677-78,
finding that Secti$n 546(a), because $f preempti$n, pr$vides the $nly relevant time peri$d within which a trustee
41
acti$n t$ $verturn a transfer that had taken place l$nger ag$ than the peri$d specified by the
primary state statute $f limitati$ns. H$wever, at the time the bankruptcy petiti$n was filed, the
credit$rs in wh$se sh$es the trustee was standing were n$t yet barred. Each $f these c$urts
acc$rdingly held that the trustee’s acti$n under Secti$n 544(b) was timely because it was filed
M$re$ver, numer$us cases in $ther c$ntexts have als$ stated plainly that s$ l$ng as the
applicable statute $f limitati$ns has n$t expired pri$r t$ the filing $f the bankruptcy case, the
trustee may bring a Secti$n 544(b) av$idance acti$n at any p$int during the peri$d set $ut in
Secti$n 546(a). E.g., O’C#nnell v. Shall# (In re Die Fleidermaus LLC), 323 B.R. 101, 107
(Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005); G-I H#ldings, Inc. v. Th#se Parties Listed #n Exhibit A (In re G-I
H#ldings, Inc.), 313 B.R. 612, 646 (Bankr. D.N.J. 2004); Orr v. Bernstein (In re Bernstein), 259
B.R. 555, 558 (Bankr. D.N.J. 2001); Gl#sser v. S. & T. Bank (In re Ambulat#ry Medical &
Surgical Health Care), 187 B.R. 888, 901 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 1995); Kaliner v. L#ad Rite Trailers,
Inc. (In re Sverica Acquisiti#n C#rp.),179 B.R. 457, 466 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1995); Tabas v. Gigi
Advertising Partnership (In re Kaufman & R#berts, Inc.), 188 B.R. 309, 312, 314 (Bankr. S.D.
Fl. 1995); Br#wning v. Williams (In re Silver Wheel Freightlines, Inc.), 64 B.R. 563, 568 (Bankr.
D. Or. 1986); L.A. Clarke & S#n, Inc. v. D#nald (In re L.A. Clarke & S#n, Inc.), 59 B.R. 856,
860-862 (Bankr. D.D.C. 1986). C$llier’s als$ agrees unequiv$cally. 5 C#llier #n Bankruptcy ¶
546.02[1][b] (2009) (“If the state law limitati$ns peri$d g$verning a fraudulent transfer acti$n
has n$t expired at the c$mmencement $f a bankruptcy case, the trustee may bring the acti$n
must bring a Secti$n 544(b) acti$n, even if the time limits are set by state law pursuant t$ a statute $f rep$se rather
than a statute $f limitati$ns. Under either the$ry, the result is the same.
42
pursuant t$ Secti$n 544(b), pr$vided that it is c$mmenced within the Secti$n 546(a) limitati$ns
peri$d.”)15
Defendants have c$nceded, as they must, that much case law is against them. What may
n$t be apparent fr$m Defendants’ brief, h$wever, is that $f the m$re than 20 cases they rely up$n
in attempting t$ make the c$ntrary argument, n#t a single #ne actually supp$rts their p$siti$n:
n$t $ne case c$nsiders the Secti$n 546(a) statute $f limitati$ns and c$ncludes – even in dicta –
that a trustee’s right t$ bring a rec$very adversary c$mplaint that existed $n the filing date can
M$st $f the cases Pic$wer relies up$n are s$ far afield that they d$ n$t even menti$n
Secti$n 546 and are patently n$t attempting t$ make a pr$n$uncement that deals with what
happens if the state law statute $f limitati$ns expires between the bankruptcy filing date and
15
Defendants make much $f the fact that Secti$n 544(a) includes specific reference t$ the c$mmencement $f the
case, while Secti$n 544(b) d$es n$t. H$wever, this is likely attributable t$ the fact that they derive fr$m tw$
different Secti$ns $f the Act – 70(c) and 70(e) respectively, which hist$rically had similar differences in language –-
70(c), the predecess$r $f Secti$n 544(a), see. e.g., H.R. REP. NO. 95–595, at 371 (1977), defined the trustee’s p$wers
and the hyp$thetical credit$rs’ p$wers as $f the date $f the bankruptcy, while Secti$n 70(e), the predecess$r $f
Secti$n 544(b), did n$t. Secti$n 544(a), and its predecess$r, Secti$n 70(c) $f the Bankruptcy Act, primarily define
p$wers the precise sc$pe $f which are determined by relative pri$rities am$ng lien credit$rs, b$na fide purchasers,
and $ther secured credit$rs $r claimants. The exact date $n which the hyp$thetical lien $r $ther p$wer ar$se and
attached is crucial t$ the determinati$n $f respective pri$rities, and thus had t$ be specified exactly in the statut$ry
language, $r the pr$visi$n c$uld have been rendered wh$lly ineffectual. Secti$n 544(b), which referenced rights $f
an actual credit$r, did n$t suffer fr$m the same imperative.
16
See, e.g. Baldi v. Samuel S#n & C#. (In re McC##k Metals, LLC) N$. 05 C 2990, 2007 WL 4287507, *3 n. 7
(N.D. Ill. Dec. 4, 2007) (says $nly that “The UFTA, h$wever, pr$vides a different timeline than secti$n 548 $f the
Bankruptcy C$de. . . . Under secti$n 6 $f the UFTA, an acti$n must be br$ught within f$ur years $f the disputed
transfer. . . . There is n$ allegati$n here that the L$ngview Trustee did n$t bring this acti$n within the pr$per
timeframe.”), aff’d 548 F.3d 579 (7th Cir. 2008); Fink v. Graven Aucti#n C#. (In re Graven), 64 F.3d 453, 455-56,
and n. 5 (8th Cir. 1995) (in a case with n$ limitati$ns issues, merely c$mmenting, with$ut discussing Secti$n 546,
“secti$n 544 may all$w the trustee t$ reach back t$ transfers made m$re than $ne year bef$re the bankruptcy filing,
because the statute $f limitati$ns fr$m the state $r applicable n$nbankruptcy law applies and may all$w the
av$idance $f transfers m$re than $ne year $ld.”); Hirsch v. Gersten (In re Centennial Textiles, Inc.), 220 B.R. 165,
171 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1998) (in a case with$ut statute $f limitati$ns issues $r discussi$ns, stating that Secti$n 544(b)
inc$rp$rates and makes applicable n$nbankruptcy law.); In re O.P.M. Leasing Servs., Inc., 32 B.R. at 201-2 (in a
case n$t raising Secti$n 546 issues, stating that a six year statute $f limitati$ns applies under Secti$n 544, thus
permitting the Trustee t$ state a cause $f acti$n f$r s$mething that was bey$nd the Secti$n 548 reachback peri$d.);
Old Orchard Bank & Trust C#. v. J#sefik (In re J#sefik), 72 B.R. 393, 395, 397 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1987) (state statute
43
The few cases cited that menti$n Secti$n 546 d$ n$thing t$ further Pic$wer’s arguments.
T$ the c$ntrary, they ackn$wledge that the state statute $f limitati$ns under Secti$n 544 has n$
relevance after the bankruptcy petiti$n date. See, e.g., Barr v. Charterh#use Gr#up Int’l, Inc. (In
re Everfresh Beverages, Inc.), 238 B.R. 558, 571-3 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1999) (refers t$ Secti$n
546 as the “$nly relevant” statute $f limitati$ns while h$lding that the plaintiff cann$t use the
state statute $f limitati$ns $r Secti$n 108(a) t$ extend his time f$r bringing Secti$n 544(b) suits
past the limit that Secti$n 546 sets); Gl#bal Cr#ssing Estate Rep. v. Winnick, N$. 04 Civ. 2558,
544.03[2] at 544-21, 544-22 (L. King 15th ed. 1989) f$r the pr$p$siti$n that “[$]nce the case has
c$mmenced, secti$n 546(a) . . . specifies the time within which the trustee must act under secti$n
544(b)” and further c$mmenting at f$$tn$te 6, “On the $ther hand, a state statute $f limitati$ns
may be relevant t$ a secti$n 544(b) claim if it expires bef$re the bankruptcy case c$mmences . . .
.”); Steege v. Ly#ns (In re Ly#ns), 130 B.R. 272, 278 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1991) (“If the credit$r int$
wh$se sh$es the trustee seeks t$ step . . . still had time t$ pursue the remedy at the time $f the
petiti$n, the trustee must bring the acti$n within the time fixed by secti$n 546.”); Hunter v.
$f limitati$ns expired bef$re the filing $f the bankruptcy case; §546 neither relevant n$r discussed); T.C.I. Ltd. v.
Sears Bank & Trust C#. (In re T.C.I. Ltd.), 21 B.R. 876 (Bankr. N.D. Ill. 1982) (d$es n$t deal with either Secti$n
544 $r Secti$n 546); Dzik#wski v. Friedlander (In re Friedlander Capital Mgmt.), Adv. N$. 05-03088-PGH, 2009
WL 1231085, *3, *10 n. 1 (Bankr. S.D. Fla. Apr. 29, 2009) (stating $nly, “Defendants d$ n$t dispute the Trustee’s
asserti$n that the applicable statute $f limitati$n is f$ur years, $r that the Trustee’s claim is timely br$ught” and then
reciting in the c$rresp$nding f$$tn$te, “The applicable state law limitati$ns peri$d applies t$ acti$ns br$ught under
secti$n 544(b).’ 5 C#llier #n Bankruptcy ¶ 544.09 (2009)”); and Bash v. Cunningham (In re Cunningham), Adv.
N$. 07-01146, 2008 WL 2746023, 2008 Bankr. LEbIS 4125 at *25-26 and n.5 (Bankr. N.D. Ohi$ July 11, 2008) (in
a case expressly disclaiming any statute $f limitati$ns issues under either §544 $r §548, id. at *26 n$te 5, remarking,
with$ut ever menti$ning Secti$n 546, “Once a fraudulent transfer is made, a trustee in bankruptcy generally must
bring a claim within f$ur years $f the transfer, See O.R.C. § 1336.09.”). In additi$n, $f c$urse, the Bankruptcy Act
cases cited by the defendants als$ are inapp$site t$ the §546 issue. These include Buchman v. Am. F#am Rubber
C#rp., 250 F. Supp. 60 (S.D.N.Y. 1965); Feldman v. First Nat’l City Bank, 511 F.2d 460 (2d Cir. 1975); Halpert v.
Engine Air Serv., Inc.,116 F. Supp. 13 (E.D.N.Y. 1953); Lawler v. RepublicBank Dallas (In re Lawler), 53 B.R. 166
(Bankr. N.D. Tex. 1985); MacLe#d v. Kapp, 81 F. Supp. 512 (S.D.N.Y. 1948); and Seligs#n v. N.Y. Pr#duce Exch.,
378 F. Supp. 1076 (D.C.N.Y. 1974).
44
Hansen (In re Hansen), 114 B.R. 927, 933 (Bankr. N.D. Ohi$ 1990) (“The state limitati$ns
peri$d is als$ extended by § 546(a) when the trustee is pr$ceeding under 544(b) . . . ”).
As m$st $f the cases p$int $ut, the p$licies $f the Bankruptcy C$de als$ str$ngly supp$rt
all$wing the trustee ($r debt$r in p$ssessi$n as the case might be) adequate time t$ determine
what causes $f acti$n are viable and sh$uld be br$ught. Otherwise, valuable rights that c$uld be
asserted f$r the benefit $f all the credit$rs w$uld simply expire with$ut rec$gniti$n.
N$ legislative hist$ry indicates that C$ngress intended any $ther result. M$re$ver,
C$ngress has had many $pp$rtunities t$ “c$rrect” the statute as part $f its peri$dic $verhauls $f
the Bankruptcy C$de if the many, many c$urts that have ruled $n the issue $ver the decades were
d$ing s$ c$ntrary t$ its intenti$ns – and it has n$t d$ne s$. Defendants misrepresent the 1994
amendment $f Secti$n 546(a) in 1994 as “sh#rtening [the tw$ year] limitati$ns peri$d t$ 1 year
after the app$intment $r electi$n $f the first trustee.” (MTD at 39 (citati$n $mitted).) The 1994
amendment res$lved a dispute am$ng c$mpeting lines $f cases whether the tw$ year limit $f
Secti$n 546(a) was supp$sed t$ run fr$m when a bankruptcy case was first filed by a debt$r in
p$ssessi$n $r whether it was supp$sed t$ begin t$ run $nly when a trustee was app$inted.
C#mpare, e.g., In re T#pc#r, Inc., 132 B.R. at 124-25 (statute begins t$ run when trustee is
app$inted) with Zilkha Energy C#. v. Leight#n, 920 F.2d 1520, 1524 (10th Cir. 1990) (statute
begins t$ run when a debt$r in p$ssessi$n files f$r bankruptcy). The c$mpr$mise pr$visi$n
c$nfirmed that the statute sh$uld be tw$ years fr$m the bankruptcy case filing in m$st situati$ns
(and n$t m$re than three years at the $utside), but at the same time ensured that a trustee wh$
was app$inted t$ take $ver fr$m a debt$r-in-p$ssessi$n within the first tw$ years w$uld have at
least a year’s w$rth $f “breathing time” t$ determine which causes $f acti$n t$ bring. In certain
factual situati$ns, theref$re, the amendment extended the statute bey$nd the strict tw$ year limits
45
that w$uld have been acc$rded t$ it by the Zilkha line $f cases, and in n$ event restricted the
statute t$ less than tw$ years fr$m the petiti$n date. See generally 5 C#llier #n Bankruptcy ¶
546.02[1][c], n.10; 546.LH[1][a] (2009). Defendants are simply inc$rrect t$ categ$rize this
amendment as evidence $f C$ngress’ desire t$ further cut back the estate’s time t$ sue.
M$re$ver, C$ngress did n$thing in its 1994 amendments – n$r has it at any time since –
t$ alter the interpretati$n $f the Secti$n that had been rendered already by such cases as In re
Martin, 142 B.R. at 265-66; In re T#pc#r, Inc., 132 B.R. at 123-24; In re Mah#ney, Tr#cki &
Ass#cs., Inc., 111 B.R. at 917-18; and In re Dry Wall Supply, Inc., 111 B.R. at 936-37. In each
$f these cases, the c$urt held squarely that a Secti$n 544(b) acti$n c$uld be filed despite the
argument that the state statute $f limitati$ns had already expired p$st-petiti$n because the
adversary pr$ceeding was filed within the tw$ year limit $f Secti$n 546(a). While later
amendments are n$t c$nsidered the best evidence $f $riginal legislative intent, they still acc$rded
interpretive weight. See, e.g., Wilshire Westw##d Ass#cs. v. Atlantic Richfield C#rp., 881 F.2d
801, 808 (9th Cir. 1989) (n$ting that amendments that dealt with the t$pic at issue but left
intent).
In sh$rt, the many c$urts wh$ have c$nsidered the issue $ver the last quarter century have
f$und against the Defendants’ p$siti$n, and C$ngress has never acted t$ change the effect $f
such cases, despite repeatedly having the $pp$rtunity t$ d$ s$ in $ther amendments t$ Secti$n
In any event, Pic$wer’s entire Secti$n 546 argument is irrelevant because the state law
statute $f limitati$ns has n#t expired. Defendant’s entire argument is falsely premised $n the
belief that, as t$ certain transacti$ns, the New Y$rk state statute $f limitati$ns applicable t$
46
fraudulent transfer expired between the filing $f the bankruptcy case and the c$mmencement $f
the instant adversary pr$ceeding. Because $f the t$lling pr$visi$ns pr$vided by b$th New Y$rk
and bankruptcy law, h$wever, n$ underlying credit$r has had his $r her New Y$rk law
av$idance claim expire. S$ even if Pic$wer c$uld $verc$me the vast b$dy $f case law discussed
ab$ve, his argument fails because av$idance acti$ns against transfers $ccurring m$re than six
years pri$r t$ the adversary filing, and less than six years pri$r t$ the filing $f the instant
1. The Bankruptcy case filing stays the running $f the statute $f limitati$ns
under New Y$rk law.
New Y$rk law pr$vides that “[w]here the c$mmencement $f an acti$n has been stayed by
a c$urt $r by statut$ry pr$hibiti$n, the durati$n $f the stay is n$t a part $f the time within which
the acti$n must be c$mmenced.” N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 204 (McKinney 2009). Secti$n 362 $f the
Bankruptcy C$de, which aut$matically stays all credit$rs fr$m filing fraudulent c$nveyance
rec$very cases while the bankruptcy case is pr$ceeding as t$ their debt$r, see In re C#l#nial
Realty C#., 980 F.2d 125, is precisely the type $f stay that t$lls New Y$rk statutes $f limitati$ns
pursuant t$ N.Y. C.P.L.R § 204(a). E.g., Mercury Capital C#rp. v. Shepherds Beach, Inc., 723
N.Y.S.2d 48 (2d Dep’t 2001); CDS Rec#veries L.L.C. v. Davis, 715 N.Y.S.2d 517, 519 (3d Dep’t
2000); Zuckerman v. 234-6 W. 22nd St. C#rp., 645 N.Y.S.2d 967, 971 (Sup. Ct. 1996) (aut$matic
stay t$lls statutes $f limitati$ns under New Y$rk law). Because a credit$r’s state law fraudulent
c$nveyance acti$n is subject t$ the aut$matic stay $f the Bankruptcy C$de, C.P.L.R. § 204(a)
When a state law statute $f limitati$ns is t$lled as t$ a credit$r, a Trustee wh$ is standing
in the sh$es $f that credit$r pursuant t$ 11 U.S.C. § 544(b) likewise gets the benefit $f that
47
t$lling.17 Because C.P.L.R. § 204(a) stayed the running $f the six year statute $f limitati$ns
applicable t$ the Trustee’s claims under Secti$n 544(b), that statute $f limitati$ns c$uld n$t have
expired in the peri$d between the c$mmencement $f this SIPA case and the filing $f the instant
2. Secti$n 108(c) $f the Bankruptcy C$de als$ stays the running $f the New
Y$rk statute $f limitati$ns.
The same result is reached pursuant t$ 11 U.S.C. § 108(c) (2009), which likewise
suspends the running $f statutes $f limitati$ns against credit$rs when they are prevented by
Secti$n 362’s aut$matic stay fr$m c$mmencing $r c$ntinuing a civil acti$n in a c$urt $ther than
in a bankruptcy c$urt $n a claim against the debt$r.18 The reas$n f$r this is set $ut in In re
C#l#nial Realty C#., 980 F.2d at 127-8. In that case, the FDIC s$ught pursuant t$ its $wn
statut$ry av$idance auth$rity t$ rec$ver assets alleged t$ have been fraudulently c$nveyed,
prepetiti$n, by a bankruptcy debt$r. Id. Alth$ugh the c$urt c$ncluded that neither the FDIC
acti$n n$r the pr$perty it s$ught t$ rec$ver were technically “pr$perty $f the estate,” it
n$netheless held the acti$n barred because the FDIC was effectively acting “t$ rec$ver a claim
against the debt$r” and the aut$matic stay theref$re applied. Id. at 132.
17
See, e.g., In re G-I H#ldings, Inc., 313 B.R. at 639-40 (h$lding a credit$r c$mmittee standing in the sh$es $f a
trustee c$uld benefit fr$m the $ne year t$lling $f the state statute $f limitati$ns f$r asbest$s claims); In re Bernstein,
259 B.R. at 560 (denying defendant’s m$ti$n t$ dismiss because the trustee standing in the sh$es $f an unsecured
credit$r may have been able t$ pr$ve that the unsecured credit$r c$uld have availed himself $f a $ne year t$lling
pr$visi$n and timely filed its c$mplaint alleging fraudulent transfers as $f the petiti$n date); In re Sverica
Acquisiti#n C#rp.,179 B.R. at 470 (n$ting the c$mm$n law “adverse d$minati$n” t$lling d$ctrine may apply t$ a
trustee standing in the sh$es $f a credit$r); In re Ly#ns, 130 B.R. at 279-81 (stating that the d$ctrine $f equitable
t$lling c$uld apply t$ a trustee standing in the sh$es $f a credit$r).
18
While Defendants cite t$ many cases h$lding the t$lling pr$visi$n $f 11 U.S.C. § 108(a) is inapplicable t$ extend
the state statutes $f limitati$ns relating t$ fraudulent c$nveyance cases, neither Defendants n$r th$se cases discuss
Secti$n 108(c). The reas$n may well be that a discussi$n $f this pr$visi$n is n$rmally unnecessary because $f the
c$urts’ universal end$rsement $f the pr$p$siti$n that Secti$n 546(a) all$ws Secti$n 544(b) acti$ns t$ be br$ught f$r
tw$ years after the petiti$n date s$ l$ng as the acti$n was viable $n the petiti$n date. See 11 U.S.C. §§ 544(b) &
546(a).
48
F$r the same reas$n, a fraudulent c$nveyance acti$n, even th$ugh the debt$r is n$t a
defendant, is an acti$n t$ rec$ver “a claim against the debt$r,” within the meaning $f Secti$n
108(c), thus triggering the aut$matic stay. New Y$rk state law fixes a peri$d f$r c$mmencing
fraudulent c$nveyance acti$ns $utside $f bankruptcy c$urt, and the aut$matic stay prevents the
credit$r fr$m bringing such acti$ns. Such an acti$n theref$re fits squarely within b$th the
w$rding19 and the intended purp$se $f the Secti$n 108(c) savings pr$visi$n. Absent such a
pr$visi$n, a bankruptcy filing which is later dismissed c$uld c$st a credit$r its $nly chance t$ file
The Sec$nd Circuit has expressly rec$gnized that during the pendancy $f a bankruptcy
case, Secti$n 108(c) pr$tects a credit$r’s right t$ bring a state law fraudulent c$nveyance acti$n
against expirati$n, and that as a result the trustee’s right t$ bring an acti$n under 11 U.S.C. §
763 F.2d 503 (2d Cir. 1985), a n$n-debt$r defendant argued that the statute $f limitati$ns barred
a fraudulent c$nveyance claim because the trustee did n$t bring the acti$n until 1983, five years
after the allegedly fraudulent c$nveyance and after the three year state law limitati$ns w$uld
have expired. Id. at 506. The Sec$nd Circuit dismissed this argument as invalid because $f the
effect $f Secti$n 108(c), stating “[t]his argument ign$res the t$lling $f the statute $f limitati$ns
19
Secti$n 108(c) pr$vides:
(c) Except as pr$vided in secti$n 524 $f this title, if applicable n$nbankruptcy law, an $rder
entered in a n$nbankruptcy pr$ceeding, $r an agreement fixes a peri$d f$r c$mmencing $r c$ntinuing a
civil acti$n in a c$urt $ther than a bankruptcy c$urt $n a claim against the debt$r, $r against an individual
with respect t$ which such individual is pr$tected under secti$n 1201 $r 1301 $f this title, and such peri$d
has n$t expired bef$re the date $f the filing $f the petiti$n, then such peri$d d$es n$t expire until the later
$f –
(1) the end $f such peri$d, including any suspensi$n $f such peri$d $ccurring $n $r after
the c$mmencement $f the case; $r
(2) 30 days after n$tice $f the terminati$n $r expirati$n $f the stay under secti$n 362,
922, 1201, $r 1301 $f this title, as the case may be, with respect t$ such claim.
11 U.S.C. § 108(c).
49
$n December 2, 1980, when the bankruptcy petiti$n was filed. The c$mplaint was timely filed.”
Acc$rdingly, Secti$n 108(c) $f the Bankruptcy C$de als$ has prevented the running $f
the New Y$rk state statute $f limitati$ns as t$ fraudulent c$nveyance acti$ns that c$uld have
3. The state statute $f limitati$ns is als$ equitably t$lled as t$ b$th real and
hyp$thetical credit$rs f$r claims based $n actual fraud.
Finally, the running $f the statute $f limitati$ns is als$ equitably t$lled under New Y$rk
law. N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 213(8) and 203(g) b$th permit a plaintiff t$ assert a fraud claim that
w$uld $therwise be untimely if the plaintiff d$es s$ within tw$ years $f the time when the
plaintiff disc$vered the fraud $r c$uld with reas$nable diligence have d$ne s$. N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§
203(g) & 213(8) (McKinney 2009). As pled by the Trustee and discussed bel$w, actual credit$rs
exist wh$ c$uld n$t reas$nably have kn$wn $f the fraud and, thus, have tw$ years fr$m
F$r that matter, the statute als$ is t$lled as t$ hyp$thetical credit$rs, in wh$se sh$es the
Trustee may stand pursuant t$ 11 U.S.C. § 544(a) (Trustee has the right t$ “av$id any transfer $f
pr$perty $f the debt$r . . . that is v$idable by” certain hyp$thetical credit$rs, including a credit$r
wh$ extends credit and has an executi$n returned unsatisfied). Such rights $f the Trustee are
“with$ut regard t$ any kn$wledge $f the trustee $r $f any credit$r.” 11 U.S.C. § 544(a).20 B$th
20
While the pr$visi$ns $f 11 U.S.C. § 544(a) are n$t c$mm$nly used t$ av$id fraudulent transfers, cases have
ackn$wledged that fraudulent c$nveyance acti$ns may als$ be br$ught under Secti$n 544(a) by asserting the rights
$f hyp$thetical credit$rs. See, e.g., In re Vitre#us Steel Pr#ds. C#., 911 F.2d 1223, 1235 n. 5 (7th Cir. 1990) (“The
Trustee may als$ have additi$nal p$wers t$ av$id fraudulent transfers using the ‘str$ng arm clause’. . . .”); C#llins v.
K#hlberg & C#. (In re S#uthwest Supermarkets, LLC), 325 B.R. 417, 420, 424-27 (Bankr. D. Ariz. 2005)
(permitting trustee t$ bring fraudulent c$nveyance acti$n under Secti$n 544(a)(2) and h$lding that “the disc$very
rule applicable t$ actual fraudulent transfers prevents the running $f limitati$ns against the hyp$thetical credit$r $f
Secti$n 544(a)(2), wh$ is statut$rily defined t$ lack kn$wledge $f any wr$ngd$ing”); Fitzgibb#ns v. Th#mas#n (In
re Th#mas#n), 202 B.R. 768, 770 (Bankr. D. C$l$. 1996) (rejecting defendant’s argument that the trustee’s
50
Secti$ns 275 and 276 $f the New Y$rk Debt$r and Credit$r Law make transfers available as t$
“future credit$rs,” such as a pri$r claim under 11 U.S.C. § 544(a), and Secti$n 274 makes
available as t$ pers$ns wh$ bec$me credit$rs during the c$ntinuati$n $f the business transacti$n
referenced by that Secti$n. See N.Y. Debt. & Cred. Law §§ 274-6 (McKinney 2009).
Secti$n 544(b) $f the Bankruptcy C$de best$ws standing $n the Trustee t$ av$id
transfers that are v$idable under applicable law by a credit$r h$lding an unsecured claim that is
all$wable under Secti$n 502 $f the Bankruptcy C$de. See In re OPM Leasing Servs., Inc., 32
B.R. at 201. A credit$r under New Y$rk law may set aside fraudulent c$nveyances made by a
debt$r, see, e.g., N.Y. Debt. & Cred. Law §§ 276, 276-a, 278, & 279 (McKinney 2009), and may
bring his acti$n within six years fr$m the c$mmissi$n $f the fraud, $r tw$ years fr$m the time $f
disc$very $f the fraud, whichever is later. N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 213(8) & 203(g); see als# H#ffenberg
v. H#ffman & P#ll#k, 288 F.Supp.2d 527, 535-6 (S.D.N.Y. 2003); Lefk#witz v. Appelbaum, 685
N.Y.S.2d 460, 461 (2d Dep’t 1999); Phillips v. Levie, 593 F.2d 459, 462 n.12 (2d Cir. 1979);
Schmidt v. McKay, 555 F.2d 30, 36-37 (2d Cir. 1977); Lippe v. Bairnc# C#rp., 225 B.R. 846,
Pic$wer claims in P$int VI $f his m$ti$n that the Trustee cann$t rely $n the “disc$very
rule” t$ pursue transfers that t$$k place m$re than six years pri$r t$ the filing date because (i) the
Trustee has n$t named a particular credit$r $r categ$ry $f credit$r in the C$mplaint and a basis
f$r why they c$uld n$t have disc$vered the fraud; and (ii) the “red flags” identified by the
av$idance acti$n, br$ught under Secti$n 544(b), sh$uld be dismissed because Secti$n 544(a) “als$ pr$vides that the
trustee may av$id any transfer $f pr$perty $f the debt$r that such a hyp$thetical perfected lien credit$r c$uld av$id,”
thus making the trustee a credit$r by $perati$n $f law wh$ has the p$wer t$ exercise any right that a credit$r c$uld
exercise, including the right t$ pursue an acti$n under the C$l$rad$ Unif$rm Fraudulent Transfer Act).
51
Trustee as putting Pic$wer $n n$tice $f Mad$ff’s fraudulent scheme essentially preclude the
Trustee fr$m asserting that any invest$r c$uld n$t have disc$vered the fraud. (See MTD at 40-
41.) B$th $f these arguments are unavailing and sh$uld be rejected by the C$urt.
The C$mplaint alleges that “[a]t all times relevant t$ the Transfers, the fraudulent scheme
perpetrated by BLMIS was n$t reas$nably disc$verable by at least $ne unsecured credit$r $f
BLMIS” (C$mpl. ¶ 120) and that “[a]t all times relevant t$ the Transfers, there have been $ne $r
m$re credit$rs wh$ have held and still h$ld matured $r unmatured unsecured claims against
BLMIS that were and are all$wable . . . .” Id. ¶ 121. Pic$wer claims that these allegati$ns are
insufficient and that the Trustee must further identify the invest$r(s) wh$se claim(s) the Trustee
is asserting pursuant t$ Secti$n 544(b) at the very incepti$n stage $f this litigati$n. Pic$wer is
inc$rrect.
The United States Bankruptcy C$urt f$r the S$uthern District $f New Y$rk recently
reiterated that there is n$ need at the c$mplaint stage t$ specifically identify the credit$r(s) up$n
wh$se claims a trustee bases his standing f$r purp$ses $f Secti$n 544(b). See Resp#nsible
Pers#n #f Musicland H#lding C#rp. v. Best Buy C#. (In re Musicland H#lding C#rp.), 398 B.R.
761, 780-81 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2008); see als# Zahn v. Yucaipa Capital Fund, 218 B.R. 656, 673-
4 (D.R.I. 1998) (“a pr$bing inquiry int$ wh$ the credit$rs are, and what claims they h$ld, is
inappr$priate” at the pleading stage; denying m$ti$n t$ dismiss). Pic$wer’s c$ncessi$n that
“[c]$urts in this District have been reluctant t$ require trustees t$ identify the credit$r(s) giving
rise t$ the trustee’s claims” (MTD at 42) is an understatement. As the In re Musicland c$urt
stated: “[t]he C$urt has n$t been able t$ l$cate a case in this district supp$rting the pr$p$siti$n
52
that the plaintiff must name the qualifying credit$r in the c$mplaint, $r suffer dismissal.” 398
B.R. at 780. N$r has any such case been f$und by the Trustee $r, evidently, by Pic$wer.
N$r d$es the single case fr$m this District relied $n by Pic$wer, Y#ung v. Param#unt
C#mmc’ns, Inc. (In re Wingspread C#rp.), 178 B.R. 938 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1995), supp$rt his
argument. In In re Wingspread, the trustee’s c$mplaint did n$t specifically identify any actual
qualifying credit$r. Id. at 945. Rather, during disc$very, the Trustee identified categ$ries $f
qualifying credit$rs and listed names $f specific credit$rs. Id. The defendants m$ved f$r
summary judgment, claiming that the trustee had n$t identified a single unsecured credit$r int$
wh$se sh$es he c$uld step. Id. While the In re Wingspread c$urt agreed that the trustee
ultimately had t$ pr$ve the existence $f an actual unsecured credit$r with standing, the c$urt did
n$t dismiss the trustee’s c$mplaint even th$ugh the c$mplaint failed t$ name any such credit$r.
Id. at 946. N$r did it grant summary judgment. Instead, the c$urt c$ncluded that factual issues
surr$unding whether the debt$r’s hundreds $f trade credit$rs might have such standing precluded
summary judgment, and n$ted that “at trial, the Trustee must pr$ve the existence $f at least $ne
unsecured credit$r” wh$ w$uld have had standing. Id. “Thus, alth$ugh the c$urt first framed the
issue as $ne $f pleading, Wingspread must be read t$ mean that the c$mplaint d$es n$t have t$
name the qualifying credit$r, and instead, it is sufficient t$ pr$ve the credit$r’s existence at trial.”
C$ntrary t$ Pic$wer’s argument, judicial auth$rity in this District appr$ves $f alm$st the
very language used by the Trustee. In In re RCM Gl#bal L#ng Term Capital Appreciati#n Fund,
Ltd., 200 B.R. 514 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1996), the c$urt held that the debt$r had adequately pleaded
the existence $f an unsecured credit$r with an all$wable claim by pleading that “as $f the date $f
53
the purp$rted fraudulent c$nveyance, the Debt$r had at least $ne $r m$re credit$rs h$lding
“unquesti$nably en$ugh” t$ put defendants $n n$tice $f the credit$rs wh$ supply the standing t$
sue, see Gl#bal Cr#ssing, 2006 WL 2212776, at *11 (c$urt held that it was sufficient t$ refer t$ a
gr$up $f credit$r n$teh$lders that engaged in an exchange $ffer), there is n$ requirement that any
such categ$ry be specified.21 In any event, the C$mplaint pr$vides ample n$tice t$ Pic$wer $f at
least $ne categ$ry $f credit$rs $n wh$se claims the Trustee f$unds his standing: the cust$mers
$f BLMIS. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶ 5 (“The Trustee seeks t$ set aside such transfers and preserve the
pr$perty f$r the benefit $f BLMIS’ defrauded cust$mers”); C$mpl. ¶ 15 (“…the Trustee must
…pursue rec$very fr$m cust$mers wh$ received preferences and/$r pay$uts $f fictiti$us pr$fits
t$ the detriment $f $ther defrauded cust$mers wh$se m$ney was c$nsumed by the P$nzi
scheme”); C$mpl. ¶ 18.) Indeed, Pic$wer can hardly assert that he will have tr$uble identifying,
f$r purp$ses $f disc$very and trial, a relevant categ$ry $f p$tential credit$rs. F$r clarity, the
Trustee reiterates that $ne categ$ry $f qualified credit$r is defrauded cust$mers $f BLMIS –
discussed thr$ugh$ut the C$mplaint – wh$ had and still h$ld unsecured claims against BLMIS.
There will be m$re than sufficient $pp$rtunity during disc$very f$r the Defendants t$
identify cust$mers t$ wh$m the Trustee is referring and/$r at trial f$r the Defendants t$ put f$rth
an argument that the identified credit$rs d$ n$t satisfy the requirements $f Secti$n 544(b) $f the
21
Even th$ugh the In re Musicland c$urt f$und that three categ$ries $f credit$rs were identified in the c$mplaint,
the c$urt did n$t mandate such a pleading standard. Rather, it merely ackn$wledged that the c$mplaint satisfied the
In re RCM Gl#bal case standard as well as the s$mewhat m$re enc$mpassing standard in the Gl#bal Cr#ssing case.
See In re Musicland, 398 B.R. at 780-81. As set f$rth ab$ve, the C$mplaint here als$ identifies at least $ne categ$ry
$f credit$r, thus satisfying b$th the In re RCM Gl#bal and Gl#bal Cr#ssing standards.
54
Bankruptcy C$de if the Defendants s$ desire. At this stage $f the pr$ceeding, the Trustee has
alleged in the C$mplaint all that is required under the law $f this District.
B. While the Trustee has adequately alleged the existence (f credit(rs wh(
c(uld n(t reas(nably have disc(vered the fraud, evaluati(n (f this issue is
premature.
The Defendants next argue that the Trustee is precluded fr$m relying $n the disc$very
rule because he d$es n$t sufficiently allege and will be unable t$ establish that there are BLMIS
invest$rs wh$ c$uld n$t have disc$vered Mad$ff’s fraud with reas$nable due diligence. First,
Pic$wer claims that the C$mplaint c$ntains n$ factual basis fr$m which it c$uld be inferred that
any reas$nable invest$r exists wh$ c$uld n$t have disc$vered Mad$ff’s fraud. Given that
Pic$wer dev$tes several pages $f his m$ti$n t$ hiding behind just th$se invest$rs, this appears t$
be a self-defeating argument. But m$re t$ the p$int, it is spuri$us: the C$mplaint amply alleges
the $perati$n $f the P$nzi scheme and Mad$ff’s steps t$ c$nceal it, which were designed t$ and
did deceive reas$nable invest$rs f$r decades. (See, e.g., C$mpl. ¶¶ 19–27, 29–32, 64(b).)
Pic$wer’s main argument is that having identified certain “red flags” that were available
t$ $ther invest$rs as well as Pic$wer, the Trustee is precluded fr$m arguing that any invest$r was
misled. If this inf$rmati$n put Pic$wer $n n$tice $f fraud, he argues, then “every single $ther
BLMIS invest$r” was als$ $n inquiry n$tice. (MTD at 45.) This argument is simply an$ther
attempt by Pic$wer t$ falsely equate himself with the $rdinary invest$rs wh$ have been
financially ruined by BLMIS. This intent is particularly transparent since the issue $f whether
there is an invest$r wh$ c$uld n$t have disc$vered the fraud is a questi$n that cann$t be
55
1. The evaluati$n $f which invest$rs c$uld $r c$uld n$t have disc$vered the
fraud cann$t be made $n this m$ti$n t$ dismiss.
The evaluati$n $f whether there is an unsecured credit$r $f BLMIS wh$ c$uld n$t have
disc$vered the fraud is n$t an analysis that is appr$priate t$ c$nsider in the c$ntext $f Pic$wer’s
m$ti$n t$ dismiss. The questi$n t$ be determined – whether a specific credit$r acting with
reas$nable diligence c$uld reas$nably have inferred the existence $f the fraud – is an inquiry
inv$lving a mixed questi$n $f law and fact that $rdinarily sh$uld n$t be disp$sed $f by summary
judgment. See Schmidt, 555 F.2d at 37; Trepuk v. Frank, 376 N.E.2d 924, 926 (N.Y. 1978)
(“Where it d$es n$t c$nclusively appear that a plaintiff had kn$wledge $f facts fr$m which the
fraud c$uld reas$nably be inferred, a c$mplaint sh$uld n$t be dismissed $n m$ti$n and the
questi$n sh$uld be left t$ the trier $f the facts.”), rev’d #n #ther gr#unds, 437 N.E.2d 278 (N.Y.
1982); Erbe v. Linc#ln R#chester Trust C#., 144 N.E.2d 78, 80-1 (N.Y. 1957) (reversing $rder $f
dismissal because c$urt w$uld n$t speculate as t$ sufficiency $f evidence at trial). The
determinati$n $f what a particular invest$r sh$uld have kn$wn requires examinati$n $f the
t$tality $f the facts and circumstances relating t$ that individual invest$r. This is especially true
given that issues such as the level $f an invest$r’s experience affects “the extent t$ which a c$urt
may pr$perly c$nclude that a particular event sh$uld have influenced that invest$r t$ inquire int$
the likelih$$d $f fraud inv$lving his $r her investment.” See Tab P’ship v. Grantland Fin. C#rp.,
Given that the Trustee is n$t required, at this juncture, even t$ identify any specific
credit$r up$n wh$se claim he relies, it is premature t$ delve int$ what any specific credit$r
reas$nably c$uld $r c$uld n$t have kn$wn. See Zahn, 218 B.R. at 673 (“a pr$bing inquiry int$
wh$ the credit$rs are, and what claims they h$ld, is inappr$priate” in c$ntext $f m$ti$n t$
dismiss).
56
2. Pic$wer is a s$phisticated invest$r wh$ had access t$ inf$rmati$n –
including fraud in his $wn acc$unts – that $ther invest$rs lacked.
As Pic$wer ackn$wledges, whether an invest$r c$uld have disc$vered the fraud f$r
purp$ses $f the disc$very rule depends $n whether “that credit$r was n$t aware $f facts fr$m
which a pers$n $f $rdinary intelligence reas$nably c$uld have inferred the Mad$ff fraud.”
(MTD at 41 (emphasis in $riginal).) The standing $f each credit$r, in $ther w$rds, is evaluated
based $n the facts $f which he was $r sh$uld have been aware, and what th$se facts sh$uld have
signified t$ that credit$r assuming he is a pers$n $f $rdinary intelligence. See, e.g., Schmidt, 555
F.2d at 36-37 (when a plaintiff c$uld have, acting with reas$nable diligence, disc$vered an
alleged fraud depends up$n whether he p$ssessed kn$wledge $f facts fr$m which he reas$nably
c$uld have inferred the fraud). Pic$wer fails t$ rec$gnize, here as thr$ugh$ut his m$ti$n, that he
is n$t the same as “every single $ther BLMIS invest$r.” (MTD at 45.) He is differently situated
fr$m $ther invest$rs, b$th in the inf$rmati$n available t$ him ab$ut BLMIS and his level $f
First, as discussed ab$ve, the C$mplaint alleges that the t#tality $f inf$rmati$n available
t$ Pic$wer sh$uld have put him $n n$tice that he was benefiting fr$m fraud. The inf$rmati$n
available t$ him was n$t limited t$ published articles $r any single piece $f inf$rmati$n that
c$uld have been disc$vered by $thers. Rather, inf$rmati$n that indicated $r sh$uld have
indicated t$ Pic$wer that he was benefiting fr$m fraud included inf$rmati$n $btained because $f
his $wn unusual kn$wledge $f and access t$ Mad$ff and BLMIS empl$yees; inf$rmati$n
received fr$m the additi$nal rep$rting fr$m BLMIS that he received f$r his acc$unts; the
an$mal$us rates $f return (b$th high and l$w) in his $wn acc$unts; the prescient st$ck picking
ability rep$rted by BLMIS in his $wn acc$unts; the vast sums $f m$ney he was able t$ extract
fr$m BLMIS in excess $f his investment; and, $f c$urse, the blatant fraud in his $wn acc$unts.
57
Sec$nd, Pic$wer – unlike many $ther BLMIS invest$rs – is a s$phisticated and
experienced invest$r wh$ by his $wn acc$unt netted m$re than $1 billi$n in a single c$rp$rate
transacti$n. In determining what facts sh$uld have pr$mpted an invest$r t$ inquire int$ the
likelih$$d $f fraud in investment transacti$ns, as well as the sc$pe and depth $f inquiry that the
invest$r sh$uld have undertaken, the s$phisticati$n $f that invest$r is critical. See Tab P’ship.,
866 F. Supp. at 811 n. 3; see als# Th#mps#n v. Metr#. Life Ins. C#., 149 F. Supp. 2d 38, 49
(S.D.N.Y. 2001).
This principle is well-settled b$th in the securities c$ntext and thr$ugh$ut New Y$rk law.
“The law is indulgent $f the simple $r untut$red; but the greater the s$phisticati$n $f the
invest$r, the m$re inquiry that is required.” Crigger v. Fahnest#ck & C#., 443 F.3d 230, 235-6
(2d Cir. 2006) (Jac$bs, J.) (jury was c$rrectly charged that s$phisticated invest$rs in a P$nzi
scheme had duty t$ inquire further where guaranteed investment returns were “pretty amazing,”
invest$rs failed t$ c$nsult with $utside advisers t$ c$nfirm legitimacy $f returns, P$nzi $perat$rs
refused t$ issue written $ffering d$cuments $r mem$randa and warned invest$rs n$t t$ discuss
investments with br$ker-dealer/cust$dian that allegedly was sp$ns$ring the scheme “$n pain $f
being aut$matically disqualified fr$m investing.”); see als# Granite Partners, L.P. v. Bear,
Stearns & C#., 58 F. Supp. 2d 228, 260-61 (S.D.N.Y. 1999); Shlaifer Nance & C#. v. Estate #f
Andy Warh#l, 119 F.3d 91, 98 (2d Cir. 1997) (New Y$rk c$urts are “particularly disinclined t$
transacti$ns” and “enj$y access t$ critical inf$rmati$n but fail t$ take advantage $f that access.”
(qu#ting Grumman Allied Indus., Inc. v. R#hr Indus., Inc., 748 F.2d 729, 737 (2d Cir. 1984)));
S#lutia Inc. v. FMC C#rp., 456 F. Supp. 2d 429, 448 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (in evaluating duty $f full
discl$sure: “the m$re s$phisticated the buyer, the less accessible the inf$rmati$n must be t$ be
58
c$nsidered within the seller’s peculiar kn$wledge”)(citati$n $mitted); M#st v. M#nti, 456
N.Y.S.2d 427, 428 (2d Dep’t 1982) (rejecting as implausible the claim that an experienced
assurances that pr$perty was assessed). The Trustee’s allegati$ns against any defendant $f what
that defendant knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn are based $n that defendant’s $wn access t$
inf$rmati$n and s$phisticati$n and d$ n$t implicate $ther invest$rs at BLMIS.22 Pic$wer was
n$t like “every single $ther BLMIS invest$r” and allegati$ns against him theref$re are irrelevant
t$ the Trustee’s ability t$ rely $n the disc$very rule in this $r any $ther acti$n.
Under the plain language $f 11 U.S.C. § 550, a prima facie claim against a subsequent $r
mediate transferee requires the pleading $f an initial transfer that is av$idable, and that the initial
transfer was later made t$ – $r f$r the benefit $f – the subsequent $r mediate transferee. 11
U.S.C. § 550 (2009); Silverman v. K.E.R.U. Realty, C#rp. (In re All#u Distribs.), 379 B.R. 5, 28-
30 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 2007). An exact d$llar-f$r-d$llar tracing $f funds fr$m the estate is n$t
required, s$ l$ng as there are sufficient allegati$ns that the funds at issue $riginated with the
Under Federal Rule $f Civil Pr$cedure 8(a), all that is required is that the c$mplaint give
the $pp$sing party “fair n$tice $f what the . . . claim is and the gr$unds up$n which it rests.” Id.
at 31 (qu$ting Ericks#n, 551 U.S. at 93)($missi$n in $riginal); Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a) (2009). A
c$mplaint has satisfied the pleading requirement under Rule 8(a) if it c$ntains sufficient factual
allegati$ns t$ enable a defendant t$ resp$nd. Wright and Miller, 5 Fed. Prac. & Pr$c. Civ.3d §
22
C$ntrary t$ Pic$wer’s suggesti$n that the Trustee seeks t$ fav$r later invest$rs $ver earlier invest$rs (MTD at 2),
the length $f time an invest$r was inv$lved with BLMIS is n$t, in the Trusteee’s view, disp$sitive $f whether that
59
1215 (2009). Put an$ther way, a c$mplaint need plead “$nly en$ugh facts t$ state a claim f$r
Here, the Trustee has alleged numer$us specific and direct transfers t$taling m$re than
$6.7 billi$n, and identified a subset $f th$se transfers $n Exhibit B.23 (C$mpl. ¶ 57.) As
discussed ab$ve, all $f the Transfers listed $n Exhibit B c$nstitute av$idable direct transfers $f
The Trustee has further alleged that Pic$wer $r Decisi$ns c$ntr$lled each $f the $ther
Pic$wer C$rp$rate Entities, which had an address either at 22 Saw Mill River R$ad, Hawth$rne,
New Y$rk, a st$re fr$nt $ffice where little $r n$ business was c$nducted, $r at 25 Virginia Lane,
Th$rnew$$d, New Y$rk; that Pic$wer and Decisi$ns c$nducted business thr$ugh each $f the
Pic$wer C$rp$rate Entities; and that Pic$wer $r Decisi$ns was the general partner $r direct$r $f
each $f the Pic$wer C$rp$rate Entities. (C$mpl. ¶ 37 et seq.) There is n$ indicati$n that any $f
the Pic$wer C$rp$rate Entities engaged in any business $f any kind, $ther than t$ act as entities
that c$uld h$ld funds derived fr$m BLMIS $r c$nduct Pic$wer’s pers$nal investments. The
Trustee has further alleged that the Pic$wer F$undati$n, Pic$wer Institute f$r Medical Research,
and Trust FBO Gabrielle H. Pic$wer were $r are n$npr$fit entities $r trusts that have been
d$minated and c$ntr$lled by Pic$wer. (See C$mpl. ¶ 53 and discussi$n at P$int III ab$ve.) The
Trustee has alleged that Pic$wer, thr$ugh Freilich and/$r Decisi$ns, c$ntr$lled and directed
withdrawals and transfers $f purp$rted cash and securities am$ng and between the Defendants
and the Defendants’ BLMIS acc$unts. Defendants sh$uld be well aware $f these transfers and
60
withdrawals because Pic$wer and Freilich r$utinely directed BLMIS t$ make them, identifying
In light $f the Pic$wer Entities’ c$mm$n address, c$mm$n c$ntr$l, apparent lack $f
indicia $f any $ther business $r pr$fit-making activities, and the backdr$p $f numer$us transfers
directed by Pic$wer and/$r Freilich am$ng Pic$wer Entities, the Trustee has plausibly alleged $n
inf$rmati$n and belief that these entities received and benefited fr$m subsequent transfers $f
BLMIS funds. See Carr v. Equistar Offsh#re Ltd., N$. 94 Civ. 5567, 1995 WL 562178, at *2
(S.D.N.Y. Sept. 21, 1995) (even under heightened pleading standard $f Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b),
“allegati$ns may be based $n inf$rmati$n and belief when the facts are peculiarly within the
$pp$sing party’s kn$wledge.” (qu#ting IUE AFL-CIO Pensi#n Fund v. Herrmann, 9 F.3d 1049,
BLMIS is uniquely in the hands $f the defendants and n$t the Trustee, and the Trustee has
identified the nature $f the transfers s$ught t$ be av$ided, dismissal is impr$per and the parties
sh$uld be permitted t$ pr$ceed with disc$very. See In re Payt#n, 399 B.R. at 365 (denying
m$ti$n t$ dismiss c$nstructively fraudulent transfers; alth$ugh specific transfers were n$t
identified, “Jalbert [the trustee] cann$t at this stage be required t$ d$ m$re” than “give a time
frame and specify the nature $f the transfers” because “[h]e is an $utsider t$ these transacti$ns
and will need disc$very t$ identify the specific transacti$ns by date, am$unt and the manner in
which they were effected.”). Like the trustee in In re Payt#n, the Trustee here has $nly very
limited inf$rmati$n bey$nd the d$cumentary evidence in BLMIS’ p$ssessi$n, but has identified
the nature $f the transfers s$ught t$ be av$ided. The inf$rmati$n pr$vided in the C$mplaint is
sufficient t$ permit the parties “t$ distinguish the transacti$ns at issue fr$m th$se that are n$t.”
61
Id. Acc$rdingly, because the pleading is sufficient f$r the Defendants t$ frame a resp$nse,
In $rder t$ have the $pp$rtunity t$ participate in this SIPA liquidati$n, BLMIS cust$mers
and credit$rs must have filed claims with the Trustee in acc$rdance with this C$urt’s December
23, 2008 Order $n $r bef$re the statut$ry July 2, 2009 bar date. (Order, Dec. 23 2008 [hereinafter
“Claims Pr$cedures Order”].) The f$ll$wing Defendants filed timely cust$mer claims f$r their
BLMIS acc$unts with the Trustee in acc$rdance with the Claims Pr$cedures Order: Jeffry
Pic$wer, Barbara Pic$wer, Capital Gr$wth C$mpany, JA Special Limited Partnership, JAB
Partnership, JEMW Partnership, JF Partnership, JLN Partnership, Jeffry M. Pic$wer Special C$.,
and The Pic$wer F$undati$n. (MTD at 11.) N$ claims were filed with the Trustee $n behalf $f
the remaining Defendants. Id. The Trustee’s $bjecti$n in C$unt Eleven applies $nly t$ th$se
The C$mplaint alleges tw$ separate gr$unds $n which Pic$wer’s SIPA claims sh$uld be
disall$wed: (i) that the claims are supp$rted neither by the b$$ks and rec$rds $f BLMIS n$r the
claims materials submitted, and (ii) that the claims sh$uld be disall$wed pursuant t$ Secti$n
502(d) $f the Bankruptcy C$de. (C$mpl. ¶¶ 122-3.); 11. U.S.C. § 502(d) (2009). Pic$wer d$es
n$t ackn$wledge, much less dispute, the sec$nd basis f$r this claim. The thrust $f Defendants’
argument instead f$cuses $n the Trustee’s interpretati$n $f “net equity,” as defined under Secti$n
78lll(11) $f SIPA. See 15 U.S.C. § 78lll(11). In additi$n t$ presenting factual issues that
preclude dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6), and that sh$uld pr$perly be decided in the c$ntext $f a
24
This C$unt was included in the C$mplaint t$ preserve the Trustee’s rights t$ assert its $bjecti$ns, and t$ pr$tect
against any arguments by Pic$wer based $n claim preclusi$n principles.
62
claims pr$ceeding, the Net Equity Dispute is squarely bef$re this C$urt in a separate pr$ceeding
inv$lving all interested parties. As discussed at P$int II, ab$ve, the legal issue underlying
Pic$wer’s arguments will be decided by this C$urt in due c$urse in acc$rdance with the Peskin
Order, which established a schedule and guidelines f$r the c$nsiderati$n $f this issue. (Peskin
Order at 16). Because C$unt Eleven is sufficient $n its face, and the Net Equity Dispute sh$uld
n$t be res$lved within the c$nfines $f this m$ti$n, C$unt Eleven cann$t be dismissed.
Pic$wer makes the baseless statement that the Trustee “has n$t pleaded . . . a legal basis
f$r disall$wing Defendants’ SIPA claims.” (MTD at 51.) T$ the c$ntrary, the Trustee has
pleaded, am$ng $ther things, that the claims filed by Defendants sh$uld be disall$wed under
the transferee $f an av$idable transfer fr$m receiving a distributi$n unless he first returns the
transfer:
N$twithstanding subsecti$ns (a) and (b) $f this secti$n, the c$urt shall disall$w
any claim $f any entity fr$m which pr$perty is rec$verable under secti$n 542,
543, 550, $r 553 $f this title $r that is a transferee $f a transfer av$idable under
secti$n 522(f), 522(h), 544, 545, 547, 548, 549, $r 724(a) $f this title, unless such
entity $r transferee has paid the am$unt, $r turned $ver any such pr$perty, f$r
which such entity $r transferee is liable under secti$n 522(i), 542, 543, 550, $r
553 $f this title.
11 U.S.C. § 502(d). The purp$se $f § 502(d) is t$ “preclude entities that have received v$idable
transfers fr$m sharing in the distributi$n $f assets unless $r until the v$idable transfer has been
returned t$ the estate.” In re Mid Atlantic Fund, Inc., 60 B.R. 604, 609 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1986).
In his C$mplaint, the Trustee has br$ught claims against Defendants f$r the receipt $f
m$re than $5 billi$n $f transfers $f BLMIS’s pr$perty which are rec$verable under Secti$ns 547,
548, and 550 $f the Bankruptcy C$de. 11 U.S.C. §§ 547-8, 550. Defendants have n$t returned
63
such transfers t$ the Trustee. Thus, Secti$n 502(d) clearly applies t$ any claims filed by
Defendants, as they have failed t$ repay $r turn $ver pr$perty rec$verable under Secti$ns 547,
548, and 550 $f the Bankruptcy C$de. See, e.g., In re Asia Gl#bal Cr#ssing, Ltd., 333 B.R. 199,
202 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2005) (stating that Secti$n 502(d) prevents transferee $f an av$idable
transfer fr$m receiving distributi$n unless he first returns transfer). Acc$rdingly, the Trustee has
pled a legal basis f$r disall$wing Defendants’ SIPA claims, and Defendants’ m$ti$n t$ dismiss
B. The Net Equity Dispute is n(t pr(perly bef(re the C(urt in the c(ntext (f
a m(ti(n t( dismiss.
Here again, Defendants argue that the Trustee must all$w their cust$mer claims in the
am$unt sh$wn $n their last cust$mer statements issued by BLMIS.25 (MTD at 10, 51-52.) As
discussed ab$ve, the issue $f “net equity” applies t$ the determinati$n $f all cust$mer claims in
this SIPA liquidati$n, as well as litigati$ns br$ught by the Trustee, and will be heard by the
C$urt after briefing by all interested parties in acc$rdance with this C$urt’s September 10, 2009
Order. This C$urt already has rejected an$ther attempt t$ raise the Net Equity Dispute $utside $f
the appr$priate f$rum. (Peskin Order at 16.) M$re$ver, as discussed ab$ve, the precise am$unt
$f equity in the cust$mer acc$unts is a heavily factual issue that remains under investigati$n and
cann$t be decided in the c$ntext $f a m$ti$n t$ dismiss. Since C$unt Eleven is sufficient as a
matter $f law in any event, the m$ti$n t$ dismiss this c$unt sh$uld be denied.
25
Defendants als$ assert that the $nly rec$rds relevant under SIPA f$r purp$ses $f this determinati$n are the
cust$mer’s last BLMIS statement. (MTD at 51.) There is n$thing in the statute, h$wever, that limits the Trustee t$
review $f the last cust$mer statement in determining cust$mer claims. The plain terms $f SIPA state that payments
t$ cust$mers may be paid “ins$far as such $bligati$ns are ascertainable fr$m the b$$ks and rec$rds $f the debt$r $r
are $therwise established t$ the satisfacti$n $f the Trustee.” 15 U.S.C. § 78fff-2(b) (2009). The “b$$ks and rec$rds”
$f a br$kerage are c$mprised $f m$re than merely the last cust$mer acc$unt statements and include all $f the
financial and c$rp$rate rec$rds $f the Debt$r. Finally, in a fraud case such as this, relying $n the cust$mer
statements as the $nly s$urce $f “b$$ks and rec$rds” is a n$nsensical pr$p$siti$n.
64
[. DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS CERTAIN REQUESTED REMEDIES IN
THIS CASE IS PROCEDURALLY IMPROPER AND WITHOUT MERIT
Pic$wer argues that the Trustee is n$t entitled t$ a c$nstructive trust $r t$ an assignment
$f the Defendants’ tax refunds. As a thresh$ld matter, the Trustee has n$t br$ught a cause $f
acti$n f$r a c$nstructive trust $r f$r Pic$wer’s tax refunds; these are merely am$ng the remedies
requested $n the Trustee’s claims f$r relief. (See C$mpl. ¶ 40, prayers xiii & xiv.) A demand f$r
relief is n$t a part $f the plaintiff’s claim, and a prevailing party shall be granted any relief t$
which it is entitled regardless $f whether that relief has been demanded in its pleadings. See,
e.g., Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(c) (2009) (except in the case $f a default judgment, the “final judgment
sh$uld grant the relief t$ which each party is entitled, even if the party has n$t demanded that
relief in its pleadings”); Wright & Miller, 5 Fed. Prac. & Pr$c. Civ.3d § 1255 (2009) (sufficiency
$f a pleading is tested by claim f$r relief and the demand f$r judgment is n$t c$nsidered part $f
the claim f$r that purp$se; thus, if pleader is entitled t$ any relief demand f$r impr$per remedy
will n$t be fatal t$ a party’s pleading). As the Trustee has pled numer$us causes $f acti$n
entitling him t$ relief, n$ m$ti$n t$ dismiss can be based up$n his selecti$n $f remedy. He will
be entitled t$ all appr$priate remedies, regardless $f the C$mplaint’s demand f$r relief, up$n
In any event, the remedies s$ught by the Trustee are n$t impr$per. The imp$siti$n $f a
c$nstructive trust is an equitable remedy that is warranted by the facts $f this case, and the
Trustee’s request f$r an assignment $f tax refunds will n$t result in a “windfall” t$ the estate, but
rather is a means t$ ensure rec$very $f all av$idable transfers received by the Defendants.
Funds transferred t$ Pic$wer represent the fruits $f a l$ng-running and c$nv$luted fraud.
As detailed in the C$mplaint, Pic$wer knew $r sh$uld have kn$wn that he was benefiting fr$m
fraud, and the imp$siti$n $f a c$nstructive trust t$ assist in the rec$very $f the ill-g$tten gains
65
held by the Defendants is b$th supp$rted in law, and required by the circumstances t$ effect
equity. The elements f$r a c$nstructive trust relied up$n by Defendants are guidep$sts, see In re
K#reag, C#ntr#le et Revisi#n S.A., 961 F.2d 341, 352-53 (2d Cir. 1992), and every element need
n$t be satisfied in all cases. Tekinsight.c#m, Inc. v. Stylesite Mktg., Inc. (In re Stylesite Mktg.,
Inc.), 253 B.R. 503, 508 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2000); see ESI, Inc. v. C#astal P#wer Pr#d. C#., 995
F. Supp. 419, 436-7 (S.D.N.Y. 1998). The $verriding purp$se $f a c$nstructive trust is the
preventi$n $f unjust enrichment, and the Trustee has clearly alleged sufficient gr$unds
warranting its imp$siti$n. See Sim#nds v. Sim#nds, 380 N.E.2d 189, 194 (N.Y. 1978); In re
K#reag, 961 F.2d at 354. A simple asserti$n that a c$nstructive trust sh$uld be imp$sed,
t$gether with sufficient detail giving n$tice that the m$ney being s$ught is impr$perly held as a
matter $f equity, sufficiently states a cause $f acti$n, see Dampskibsselskabet AF 1912 v. Black
& Geddes, Inc. (In re Black & Geddes, Inc.), 16 B.R. 148, 152-3 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 1981), and
As t$ Defendants’ tax refunds, the Trustee is n$t seeking any d$uble rec$very that c$uld
c$ntravene Secti$n 550 $f the Bankruptcy C$de. T$ the c$ntrary, the Trustee is trying t$ ensure
that he can rec$ver all $f the pr$perty, $r the value $f pr$perty, transferred in acc$rdance with
Secti$n 550. As the Defendants n$te, Secti$n 550 is intended t$ rest$re the estate t$ the financial
c$nditi$n that it w$uld have enj$yed if the transfer had n$t $ccurred. In re Andrew Velez
C#nstr., Inc., 373 B.R. at 274; In re Centennial Textiles, 220 B.R. at 176. The Trustee believes
the inc$me tax refunds s$ught by the Trustee result fr$m payments made by Defendants t$ the
United States, state and l$cal g$vernments based $n fictiti$us pr$fits that the Defendants
received fr$m BLMIS. Any $verpayment $r right t$ a refund c$nstitutes a return t$ the
66
rest$re the estate t$ the financial c$nditi$n that it w$uld have been in had the transfer n$t
$ccurred. The Trustee is permitted t$ rec$ver the full value $f an av$idable transfer, even if
c$mp$site elements $f that value must c$me fr$m m$re than $ne transferee. Bertrum v.
Laughlin (In re Laughlin), 18 B.R. 778, 781 (Bankr. W.D. M$. 1982). In this case, the inc$me
tax refunds c$nstitute a c$mp$nent $f the av$idable transfers and sh$uld be returned f$r the
CONCLUSION
F$r the reas$ns discussed ab$ve, Pic$wer’s m$ti$n t$ dismiss sh$uld be denied in its
entirety.
David J. Sheehan
Email: dsheehan@bakerlaw.c$m
Th$mas Lucchesi
Email: tlucchesi@bakerlaw.c$m
Lauren Resnick
Email: lresnick@bakerlaw.c$m
Tracy C$le
Email: tc$le@bakerlaw.c$m
Marc Hirschfield
Email: mhirschfield@bakerlaw.c$m
67
SUPPLEMENT TO EXHIBIT B
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SUPPLEMENT TO EXHIBIT B
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