,_ v - Fifth Court of Appeals

,_ v - Fifth Court of Appeals ,_ v - Fifth Court of Appeals

5thcoa.courts.state.tx.us
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lo In Appellee's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, Appellee makes a bare assertion that " ... Invictus did not receive any value for the transfers to Fabiani and Guardado." CR. 23. However, there is no evidence cited for this proposition. CR. 23-24. On the other hand, Appellant presented proof that Invictus did receive value for the transfers. Appellant Fabiani's Affidavit in his Response to the Motion for Summary Judgment states that Invictus was paying back other outstanding loans with the funds from the sale ofthe Compliance Depot units. CR. 184-185. Appellee failed to present proof of the required elements under the UFTA. ISSUE FOUR Whether the damages awarded for fraudulent transfer are erroneous under the UFT A and result in an improper double recovery for Appellee. Summary of Argument Even if Appellee had pled and proved fraudulent transfer, the $175,000.00 damages awarded are improper under the UFTA and result in a double recovery for Appellee. Law The UFT A provides specific statutory remedies for creditors. The UFT A § 24.008 specifies that: "(a) In an action for relief against a transfer or obligation under this chapter, a creditor, subject to the limitations in Section 24.009 of this code, may obtain: (1) avoidance of the transfer or obligation to the extent necessary to satisfy the creditor's claim; (emphasis added). APPELLANT'S BRIEF 27

A creditor may also recover a money judgment for the value of the asset transferred or in amount necessary to satisfy the creditor's claim, whichever is less: § 24.009. Defenses, Liability, and Protection of Transferee (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, to the extent a transfer is voidable in an action by a creditor under Section 24.008(a)(l) of this code, the creditor may recover judgment for the value of the asset transferred, as adjusted under Subsection (c) of this section, or the amount necessary to satisfY the creditor's claim, whichever is less. (emphasis added) Therefore, a creditor, if he has proved the elements of fraudulent transfer, may recover the only the amount necessary to satisfy the creditor's underlying claim. Argument In the case at bar, it is uncontested that the total amount of Appellee's underlying claim against Invictus is $100,000.00 (original amount of the Note) plus 12% interest per annum. CR. 33-36. Therefore, Appellee has no evidence of the $175,000.00 in "actual damages" awarded in the Judgment. Appellee's maximum claim at all times was, at most, for the amount of the Note plus 12% interest. CR. 33-36. Within his own evidence, Appellee admits that the amount due and owing under the Note was $112,000.00 and that this was the amount of his demand from lnvictus. CR. 70. The Judgment erroneously awarded $175,000.00 in "actual damages" with no basis whatsoever. Appellee did not have actual damages of $175,000.00. Appellee's damages are statutorily limited under Tex. Bus. & Comm. Code § APPELLANT'S BRIEF 28

lo<br />

In Appellee's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, Appellee makes a<br />

bare assertion that " ... Invictus did not receive any value for the transfers to<br />

Fabiani and Guardado." CR. 23. However, there is no evidence cited for this<br />

proposition. CR. 23-24.<br />

On the other hand, Appellant presented pro<strong>of</strong> that Invictus did receive value<br />

for the transfers. Appellant Fabiani's Affidavit in his Response to the Motion for<br />

Summary Judgment states that Invictus was paying back other outstanding loans<br />

with the funds from the sale <strong>of</strong>the Compliance Depot units. CR. 184-185.<br />

Appellee failed to present pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the required elements under the UFTA.<br />

ISSUE FOUR<br />

Whether the damages awarded for fraudulent transfer are erroneous under<br />

the UFT A and result in an improper double recovery for Appellee.<br />

Summary <strong>of</strong> Argument<br />

Even if Appellee had pled and proved fraudulent transfer, the $175,000.00<br />

damages awarded are improper under the UFTA and result in a double recovery<br />

for Appellee.<br />

Law<br />

The UFT A provides specific statutory remedies for creditors. The UFT A §<br />

24.008 specifies that: "(a) In an action for relief against a transfer or obligation<br />

under this chapter, a creditor, subject to the limitations in Section 24.009 <strong>of</strong> this<br />

code, may obtain: (1) avoidance <strong>of</strong> the transfer or obligation to the extent<br />

necessary to satisfy the creditor's claim; (emphasis added).<br />

APPELLANT'S BRIEF<br />

27

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