Stalking Horse Bidder Whose Bid Did Not Prevail At An Asset Foreclosure Sale Gets An Allowed Claim Against The Secured Party For The Break-up Fee, But No Other Damages
In re Finova Capital Corp., 356 B.R. 609 (Bankr. D. Del. 2006) (Judge Peter J. Walsh)
This case presents the bankruptcy court’s detailed findings and conclusions following a trial on a claim objection. The debtor, Finova Capital, a former middle market lender, objected to the proof of claim filed by Olsen Industries, a company which had been the initial but unsuccessful bidder for the assets of a company to which Finova had been an undersecured lender. The issues revolved around competing interpretations of a March 2000 letter agreement by which Olsen Industries agreed to serve as the stalking horse bidder in the public foreclosure sale of the assets of the company, Consolidated Industries, which manufactured and distributed gas furnaces. Olsen claimed that Finova breached the letter agreement and that it was thereby entitled to millions of dollars in damages. The court found no breach, apart from Olsen being entitled to its $100,000 break-up fee.
Continue Reading...
