United States of America v. Bone et al
Filing
34
MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins on 10/12/2017. (JLC)
FILED
2017 Oct-12 PM 04:33
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
MIDDLE DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
ANDREW J. BONE, SR., et al,
Defendants.
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Civil Action No.:
4:16-CV-1806-VEH
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This case comes before the Court on the United States of America’s
“Unopposed Renewed Motion for Default Judgment Against Andrew J. Bone, Sr.,
Connie C. Bone, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC and Cavalry SPV I, LLC.” and
the Unopposed Motion for Summary Judgment by the United States Against the
Exchange Bank of Alabama, the State of Alabama, and the County of Etowah. (Doc.
28). On May 2, 2017, this Court wrote an extensive Order denying, without
prejudice, the government’s previous Motion for Default Judgment. (Doc. 26). The
Court adopts and incorporates by reference that Order, and all of its findings and
holdings, as amended herein.
I.
THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
As between the United States, the Exchange Bank of Alabama, the State of
Alabama, and the County of Etowah, the following is stipulated and agreed to:
1.
The County of Etowah possesses a first priority interest in the
amount of the delinquent ad valorem taxes on the Subject Property for
tax year 2016.
2.
The Exchange Bank of Alabama possesses a second priority
interest in the amount of the unpaid balance, plus interest and fees
accruing until the date of payment in full, plus reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by The Exchange Bank of Alabama in enforcing or
protecting its rights and remedies under the stated security agreements,
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and
other legal expenses on—
a.
a first mortgage recorded on October 1, 1999, in Book
1999 on Page 274 (Doc. No. M-1999-4083) of the public
records of Etowah County; and
b.
a second mortgage recorded on May 18, 2000, in Book
2000 on Page 139 (Doc. No. M-2000-1616) of the public
records of Etowah County.
3.
The United States of America possesses a third priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2005 and 2009, plus interest,
penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date of
payment in full.
4.
The State of Alabama possesses a fourth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2009, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
5.
The United States of America possesses a fifth priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest, penalties, and
statutory additions that may accrue until the date of payment in full.
2
6.
The State of Alabama possesses a sixth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
7.
The United States of America possesses a seventh priority interest
in the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against
Andrew J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 and 2012, plus
interest, penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date
of payment in full.
8.
The State of Alabama possesses an eighth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 through 2013, plus interest that may
accrue on that amount until the date of payment in full.
(Doc. 14). There being no genuine issue of material fact as to the priority between
these parties, Summary Judgment will be GRANTED, at least as to these parties1, in
the form of an Order setting out the above. See FED. R. CIV. P. 56.
II.
THE MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT
A.
Andrew and Connie Bone
In its previous Order, this Court held:
Upon due consideration, and based on the foregoing, the United States
is entitled to a default judgment in its favor and against Andrew J. Bone,
Sr. and Connie Bone, declaring that the federal income taxes assessed,
including penalties and interest, against Mr. and Mrs. Bone for tax years
1
Because this Court determines that a default judgment on this issue is also appropriate as to the
non-responding Defendants, see infra, ultimately the Final Order in this case will declare these priorities
as to all parties.
3
2005 and 2009 to 2012, are valid. However, as noted above, there is
some discrepancy between the assessments and what is stated in the
Complaint and the Underwood affidavit. Accordingly, at this time the
Court will not grant a default judgment.
(Doc. 26 at 19). The Court also held:
Upon due consideration, and based on the foregoing, the United States
is entitled to a default judgment in its favor, and against Andrew J.
Bone, Sr. and Connie Bone, declaring that [tax] liens attached to the
Subject Property and may be enforced against that property through a
decree of foreclosure. Again, however, without an exact figure, the
Court cannot grant the relief requested.
(Doc. 26 at 20).
Since this Court’s last Order, the United States has served upon Andrew and
Connie Bone Requests for Admissions, which ask them first to admit that they “are
jointly liable to the United States in the amount of $404,255.56 as of November 4,
2016, for . . . unpaid income tax liabilities for tax years 2005 and 2009 to 2012, plus
statutory additions and interest.” (Doc. 28-6 at 2). In that same document, the United
States also asked Mr. and Mrs. Bone to admit:
2.
The County of Etowah possesses a first priority interest in the
amount of the delinquent ad valorem taxes on the Subject Property for
tax year 2016.
3.
The Exchange Bank of Alabama possesses a second priority
interest in the amount of the unpaid balance, plus interest and fees
accruing until the date of payment in full, plus reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by The Exchange Bank of Alabama in enforcing or
protecting its rights and remedies under the stated security agreements,
4
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and
other legal expenses on—
a.
a first mortgage recorded on October 1, 1999, in Book
1999 on Page 274 (Doc. No. M-1999-4083) of the public
records of Etowah County; and
b.
a second mortgage recorded on May 18, 2000, in Book
2000 on Page 139 (Doc. No. M-2000-1616) of the public
records of Etowah County.
4.
The United States of America possesses a third priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2005 and 2009, plus interest,
penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date of
payment in full.
5.
The State of Alabama possesses a fourth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2009, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
6.
The United States of America possesses a fifth priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest, penalties, and
statutory additions that may accrue until the date of payment in full.
7.
The State of Alabama possesses a sixth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
8.
The United States of America possesses a seventh priority interest
in the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against
Andrew J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 and 2012, plus
interest, penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date
of payment in full.
5
9.
The State of Alabama possesses an eighth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 through 2013, plus interest that may
accrue on that amount until the date of payment in full.
(Doc. 28-6 at 3-5). Attorney Allison C. Carroll, who served the Requests for
Admissions, states in her declaration that no response has been received from Mr. or
Mrs. Bone. (Doc. 28-2 at 4). By operation of Rule 36(a)(3) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, these facts are deemed to be admitted by Mr. and Mrs. Bone.
Upon due consideration, and based on the foregoing and this Court’s previous
Order, the United States is entitled to a default judgment in its favor and against
Andrew J. Bone, Sr. and Connie Bone, jointly and severally, as to all Counts of the
Complaint. Furthermore, the United States is entitled to a default judgment in its
favor and against Andrew J. Bone, Sr. and Connie Bone that, pursuant to 26 U.S.C.
§ 6321, tax liens attached to the Subject Property and may be enforced against that
property through a decree of foreclosure, and that the federal income taxes assessed,
including penalties and interest, against Mr. and Mrs. Bone for tax years 2005 and
2009 to 2012, are valid, and that Mr. and Mrs. Bone are jointly and severally liable
to the United States in the amount of $404,255.56 as of November 4, 2016, for unpaid
income tax liabilities for tax years 2005 and 2009 to 2012, plus statutory additions
and interest.
6
Finally, upon due consideration, and based on the foregoing and this Court’s
previous Order, the United States is entitled to a default judgment in its favor and
against Andrew J. Bone, Sr. and Connie Bone, declaring that the
1.
The County of Etowah possesses a first priority interest in the
amount of the delinquent ad valorem taxes on the Subject Property for
tax year 2016.
2.
The Exchange Bank of Alabama possesses a second priority
interest in the amount of the unpaid balance, plus interest and fees
accruing until the date of payment in full, plus reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by The Exchange Bank of Alabama in enforcing or
protecting its rights and remedies under the stated security agreements,
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and
other legal expenses on—
a.
a first mortgage recorded on October 1, 1999, in Book
1999 on Page 274 (Doc. No. M-1999-4083) of the public
records of Etowah County; and
b.
a second mortgage recorded on May 18, 2000, in Book
2000 on Page 139 (Doc. No. M-2000-1616) of the public
records of Etowah County.
3.
The United States of America possesses a third priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2005 and 2009, plus interest,
penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date of
payment in full.
4.
The State of Alabama possesses a fourth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2009, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
7
5.
The United States of America possesses a fifth priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest, penalties, and
statutory additions that may accrue until the date of payment in full.
6.
The State of Alabama possesses a sixth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
7.
The United States of America possesses a seventh priority interest
in the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against
Andrew J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 and 2012, plus
interest, penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date
of payment in full.
8.
The State of Alabama possesses an eighth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 through 2013, plus interest that may
accrue on that amount until the date of payment in full.
By separate Order, the Court will enter these judgments.2
B.
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC and Cavalry SPV I, LLC
In its previous Order, this Court wrote:
The government insists, without authority, that, due to their failure to
appear, this Court can hold that the interests of Portfolio Recovery
Associates, LLC and Cavalry SPV I, LLC are extinguished. That is not
the case. In the instant case, there is not a sufficient basis in the
Complaint for this Court to enter a judgment that these Defendants have
no interest. The government has also failed to present evidence to that
effect. Further, the government has failed to establish that Mr. and Mrs.
Bone have no interest in the proceeds, or show that, if they have an
2
There has been no request for a jury trial by any party.
8
interest, what their priority would be. The Court therefore cannot, at this
time, grant the relief requested.
(Doc. 26 at 20-21) (citations and footnotes omitted).
Since the court entered its last Order, the United States has served upon
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC and Cavalry SPV I, LLC Requests for
Admissions which asked each Defendant to admit
1.
You disclaim any interest in any proceeds from the judicial sale
of the Subject Property.3
2.
The County of Etowah possesses a first priority interest in the
amount of the delinquent ad valorem taxes on the Subject Property for
tax year 2016.
3.
The Exchange Bank of Alabama possesses a second priority
interest in the amount of the unpaid balance, plus interest and fees
accruing until the date of payment in full, plus reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by The Exchange Bank of Alabama in enforcing or
protecting its rights and remedies under the stated security agreements,
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and
other legal expenses on—
a.
b.
4.
3
a first mortgage recorded on October 1, 1999, in Book
1999 on Page 274 (Doc. No. M-1999-4083) of the public
records of Etowah County; and
a second mortgage recorded on May 18, 2000, in Book
2000 on Page 139 (Doc. No. M-2000-1616) of the public
records of Etowah County.
The United States of America possesses a third priority interest in
The “Subject Property” was clearly described as the property at issue in this case.
9
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2005 and 2009, plus interest,
penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date of
payment in full.
5.
The State of Alabama possesses a fourth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2009, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
6.
The United States of America possesses a fifth priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest, penalties, and
statutory additions that may accrue until the date of payment in full.
7.
The State of Alabama possesses a sixth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
8.
The United States of America possesses a seventh priority interest
in the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against
Andrew J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 and 2012, plus
interest, penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date
of payment in full.
9.
The State of Alabama possesses an eighth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 through 2013, plus interest that may
accrue on that amount until the date of payment in full.
(Doc. 28-7 at 3-5; doc. 28-8 at 3-5). Attorney Allison C. Carroll, who served the
Requests for Admissions, states in her declaration that no response has been received
from these Defendants. (Doc. 28-2 at 4).
10
By operation of Rule 36(a)(3) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, these facts are deemed to be admitted by Portfolio
Recovery Associates, LLC and Cavalry SPV I, LLC.
Upon due consideration, and based on the foregoing and this Court’s previous
Order, the United States is entitled to a default judgment in its favor and against
Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC and Cavalry SPV I, LLC, declaring that
1.
Neither entity has any interest in any proceeds from the judicial
sale of the Subject Property.
2.
The County of Etowah possesses a first priority interest in the
amount of the delinquent ad valorem taxes on the Subject Property for
tax year 2016.
3.
The Exchange Bank of Alabama possesses a second priority
interest in the amount of the unpaid balance, plus interest and fees
accruing until the date of payment in full, plus reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by The Exchange Bank of Alabama in enforcing or
protecting its rights and remedies under the stated security agreements,
including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and
other legal expenses on—
a.
a first mortgage recorded on October 1, 1999, in Book
1999 on Page 274 (Doc. No. M-1999-4083) of the public
records of Etowah County; and
b.
a second mortgage recorded on May 18, 2000, in Book
2000 on Page 139 (Doc. No. M-2000-1616) of the public
records of Etowah County.
4.
The United States of America possesses a third priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2005 and 2009, plus interest,
penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date of
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payment in full.
5.
The State of Alabama possesses a fourth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2009, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
6.
The United States of America possesses a fifth priority interest in
the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against Andrew
J. and Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest, penalties, and
statutory additions that may accrue until the date of payment in full.
7.
The State of Alabama possesses a sixth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax year 2010, plus interest that may accrue on that
amount until the date of payment in full.
8.
The United States of America possesses a seventh priority interest
in the amount of the joint federal income tax assessments against
Andrew J. and Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 and 2012, plus
interest, penalties, and statutory additions that may accrue until the date
of payment in full.
9.
The State of Alabama possesses an eighth priority interest in the
amount of the joint state income tax assessments against Andrew J. and
Connie C. Bone for tax years 2011 through 2013, plus interest that may
accrue on that amount until the date of payment in full.
By separate Order, the Court will enter these judgments.
III.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, and this Court’s previous Order, Summary Judgment
and Judgment by Default are appropriate as set out above. A Final Order will be
entered.
12
DONE and ORDERED this 12th day of October, 2017.
VIRGINIA EMERSON HOPKINS
United States District Judge
13
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