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Debtor.
14
17 Plaintiff,
v. (1) TO AVOID AND RECOVER
18 FRAUDULENT TRANSFER
PAUL J. MANAFORT, an individual, and PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C. §§ 544(b)
19 JEFF YOHAI, an individual, AND 550, AND CALIFORNIA CIVIL
CODE §§ 3439.04(a)(1), 3439.07 AND
20 Defendants. 3439.09;
(2) TO AVOID AND RECOVER
21 FRAUDULENT TRANSFER
PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C. §§ 544(b)
22 AND 550, AND CALIFORNIA CIVIL
CODE §§ 3439.04(a)(2), 3439.07 AND
23 3439.09;
(3) TO AVOID AND RECOVER
24 FRAUDULENT TRANSFER
PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C.
25 §§ 548(a)(1)(A) AND 550;
(4) TO AVOID AND RECOVER
26 FRAUDULENT TRANSFER
PURSUANT TO 11 U.S.C.
27 §§ 548(a)(1)(B) AND 550;
(5) TO AVOID AND RECOVER
28 PREFERENTIAL TRANSFER
1194951.1 1 COMPLAINT
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6 Thomas H. Casey, the chapter 7 trustee ("the Trustee" or “Plaintiff”) of the estate ("the
7 Estate") of 779 Stradella LLC ("Debtor"), respectfully alleges as follows:
11 adversary proceeding is a core proceeding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 157(b)(2)(A), (C), (E) and (O).
12 2. Venue properly lies in this judicial district in that the civil proceeding arises under
13 title 11 of the United States Code as provided in 28 U.S.C. § 1409.
14 3. This adversary proceeding arises out of and is related to the case entitled In re 779
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15 Stradella, LLC, a chapter 7 case current pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central
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16 District of California, the Honorable Catherine E. Bauer presiding ("the Bankruptcy Case").
21 6. Upon information and belief, Jeff Yohai ("Yohai") is the managing member of
22 Baylor Holding LLC (“Baylor”).
23 STATEMENT OF STANDING
24 7. Plaintiff has standing to bring this action pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 323, 541, 542,
25 543, 549, 550, and 551.
26 GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
27 8. Plaintiff incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1 through 7,
28 as though fully set forth herein.
1194951.1 2 COMPLAINT
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1 9. On December 21, 2016, the Debtor filed a voluntary petition for relief under
2 chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code.”) Upon a motion by the
3 United States Trustee, the Debtor’s case was converted to one under chapter 7 by order entered on
4 December 1, 2017. Thomas H. Casey was appointed the chapter 7 trustee on December 4, 2017.
5 10. The Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that the Debtor’s sole asset is the
6 single-family residence located at 779 Stradella Road, Los Angeles, California 90077, Assessor’s
8 11. The Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that in Schedule A of Debtor’s
9 bankruptcy schedules filed on January 27, 2017 (the "Schedules"), the Debtor listed the Property
10 and indicated the current value of its interest in the Property to be $8,673,143 [Dkt. No. 33].
11 12. The Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that in Schedule D, the Debtor listed,
12 a second position secured claim against the Property in the form of a Deed of Trust in favor of
13 Manafort (“Manafort Deed of Trust”) in the amount of $2,709,690.00 [Dkt. No. 33].
14 13. The Manafort Deed of Trust states that it secures “the indebtedness evidenced by a
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15 promissory note dated March 30, 2016.” A true and correct copy of the Manafort Deed of Trust is
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17 14. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that the Debtor purported to the grant the
18 Manafort Deed of Trust (“Transfer”) on or about December 19, 2016 – just two days before the
19 Petition Date but almost 9 months after the alleged promissory note. The Manafort Deed of Trust
20 was recorded on December 20, 2016 – the day before the Petition Date.
21 15. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that Yohai is a member of Baylor. Baylor
23 16. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that Yohai is the former son-in-law and
25 17. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges on December 1, 2016, Yohai executed a
26 Power of Attorney (“POA”) appointing Manafort as his attorney in fact and authorizing Manafort
27 to act on his behalf. A true and correct copy of the POA is attached hereto as Exhibit “B.”
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1194951.1 3 COMPLAINT
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1 18. The Manafort Deed of Trust was executed by “Jeff Yohai, by Paul J. Manafort as
3 19. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that also on December 1, 2016, Yohai
5 member of Baylor. A true and correct copy of the corporate resolution is attached hereto as Exhibit
6 “C.”
7 20. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that Manafort did not loan any funds to
8 the Debtor but rather made a capital contribution the Debtor. The closing statement for the Property
9 (along with its notes) suggest that Manafort’s wife and Baylor deposited certain of the funds used
10 to purchase the Property. A true and correct copy of the closing statement and notes is attached
12 21. Plaintiff is informed, believes, and alleges that Manafort has an equity interest in
13 Baylor.
15 (To Avoid and Recover Preferential Transfer Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §§ 547 and 550)
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16 22. Plaintiff incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1 through
18 23. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer was a transfer of an
20 24. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer occurred less than
22 25. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer was made to or for
24 26. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer was made to
26 27. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer was made while
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1194951.1 4 COMPLAINT
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1 28. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that by reason of the Transfer,
2 Defendant Manafort obtained more than it would have received in the chapter 7 case if the Transfer
6 30. The Trustee is entitled to set aside the Transfer pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 547(b) and
7 to recover the Transfer or the equivalent value of the Transfer from Defendant for the benefit of the
13 31. Trustee incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1 through
15 32. Upon information and belief, the Transfer occurred just two days prior to the
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16 Petition Date.
17 33. The Transfer was made with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud the
18 Debtor's creditors.
19 34. Creditors existed at the time of the Transfer that remained unpaid as of the Petition
20 Date.
21 35. The Debtor made the Transfer to or for the benefit of Defendant Manafort.
23 37. The Trustee is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that at the time of
24 the Transfer, there was no obligation due and owing to Defendant Manafort.
25 38. The Debtor was insolvent at the time of the Transfer and/or was rendered insolvent
27 39. By reason of the foregoing, the Transfer is avoidable, and Trustee is entitled to set
28 aside the Transfer pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 544(b) and California Civil Code §§ 3439(a)(1), 3439.07
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1 and 3439.09 and Trustee is entitled to recover the Transfer or the value of the Transfer for the
7 40. Trustee incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1 through
9 41. At the time of the Transfer, the Debtor was engaged or was about to engage in a
10 business or a transaction for which the remaining assets of the Debtor were unreasonably small in
12 42. At the time of the Transfer, the Debtor intended to incur, or believed or reasonably
13 should have believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as they became due.
14 43. The Transfer was made to and for the benefit of Defendant Manafort.
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15 44. The Debtor did not receive reasonably equivalent value for making the Transfer and
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17 45. By reason of the foregoing, the Transfer is avoidable, Trustee is entitled to set aside
18 the Transfer pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 544(b) and California Civil Code §§ 3439(a)(2), 3439.07 and
19 3439.09, and Trustee is entitled to recover the Transfer or the value of the Transfer for the benefit
24 46. The Trustee incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1
26 47. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer occurred during the
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1194951.1 6 COMPLAINT
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1 48. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer was made with the
3 49. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that creditors existed at the time of
5 50. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Debtor made the Transfer to or
7 51. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Debtor received no consideration
9 52. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Debtor was insolvent at the time
11 53. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Defendant Manafort did not take
13 54. By reason of the foregoing, the Transfer is avoidable, Plaintiff is entitled to set aside
14 the Transfer pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 548(a)(1)(A), and Plaintiff is entitled to recover the Transfer
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15 or the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 550.
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19 55. The Trustee incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1
21 56. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that at the time of the Transfer,
22 Debtor was engaged in or was about to engage in a business or a transaction for which Debtor’s
24 57. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that at the time of the Transfer,
25 Debtor intended to incur, or believed or reasonably should have believed that it would incur, debts
27 58. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that the Transfer was made to and for
1 59. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Debtor did not receive reasonably
3 60. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Debtor did not make the Transfer
4 in good faith.
5 61. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Defendant Manafort did not take
7 62. The Trustee is informed, believes, and alleges that Defendant Manafort did not take
9 63. By reason of the foregoing, the Transfer is avoidable, Plaintiff is entitled to set aside
10 the Transfer pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 548(a)(1)(B), and Plaintiff is entitled to recover the Transfer
11 or the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 550.
15 64. Trustee incorporates each and every allegation contained in paragraphs 1 through
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17 65. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 551, the Transfer is preserved for the benefit of the Estate as
18 the Transfer is avoidable under 11 U.S.C. §§ 544 and 550 as set forth above.
19
20 WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests that this Court enter a judgment in favor of Plaintiff and
22
24 Avoiding the Transfer and declaring that the Transfer be annulled and rendered void as a
25 preferential transfer and for recovery of the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate.
26 Awarding the Trustee a money judgment against the Defendant in the amount of the
27 Transfer.
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2 Avoiding the Transfer and declaring that the Transfer be annulled and rendered void as a
3 fraudulent transfer and for recovery of the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate.
4 Awarding the Trustee a money judgment against the Defendant in the amount of the
5 Transfer.
7 Avoiding the Transfer and declaring that the Transfer be annulled and rendered void as a
8 fraudulent transfer and for recovery of the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate.
9 Awarding the Trustee a money judgment against the Defendant in the amount of the
10 Transfers.
12 Avoiding the Transfer and declaring that the Transfer be annulled and rendered void as a
13 fraudulent transfer and for recovery of the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate.
14 Awarding the Trustee a money judgment against the Defendant in the amount of the
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15 Transfer.
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17 Avoiding the Transfer and declaring that the Transfer be annulled and rendered void as a
18 fraudulent transfer and for recovery of the value of the Transfer for the benefit of the Estate.
19 Awarding the Trustee a money judgment against the Defendant in the amount of the
20 Transfer.
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1194951.1 9 COMPLAINT
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2 For such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
4 Respectfully submitted,
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1194951.1 10 COMPLAINT
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EXHIBIT A
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EXHIBIT B
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EXHIBIT C
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EXHIBIT D
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