Securities and Exchange Commission v. Management Solutions et al
Filing
1954
MEMORANDUM DECISION and Order-Both delivery and acceptance, symbolically or otherwise, fail the test of proofby clear and convincing evidence. The equities relating to competing investor interests fortify that decision. Thus, a 49.5 p ercent tenant-in-common interest in the proceeds from the sale of Tetonian Apartments is DENIED. This is an equitable proceeding. SLEA 423 or its legitimate successor is entitled to file a general claim in the proceedings, the amount of which remains for subsequent determination. Signed by Judge Bruce S. Jenkins on 6/19/14. (jmr)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Plaintiff,
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND
ORDER
v.
MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC., a
Texas Corporation; WENDELL A.
JACOBSON; ALLEN R. JACOBSON,
Defendants.
Case No. 2:11-CV-01165-BSJ
District Judge Bruce S. Jenkins
(Warner Entities v. Miller—Receiver)
This matter came before the court for evidentiary hearing on April 25, 2014. Doyle
Byers, Cory Talbot, and David Broadbent appeared on behalf of the Receiver, Gil Miller. James
Gilson and Zachery Shields appeared on behalf of Intervenor Plaintiff Warner Entities. The
matter was continued until May 9, 2014, and closing argument occurred May 13, 2014.
Having considered the parties’ briefs, the evidence presented, the arguments of counsel,
the relevant law, and the equities in this receivership, the court finds the Warner Entities have not
demonstrated their ownership claim by clear and convincing evidence and their claim for a 49.5
percent tenant-in-common interest in the proceeds from the sale of Tetonian Apartments is
DENIED.
This is an equitable determination as part of an equitable receivership, dictated by the
circumstances of this particular tenant-in-common claim asserted by the Warner Entities. It does
not limit the Warner Entities’ right to assert ownership interests in other properties, if any, or the
court’s ability to consider them.
BACKGROUND
On February 14, 2014, John A. Beckstead, 1 as receiver for Defendants Management
Solutions, Inc., related companies, Wendell A. Jacobson, Allen R. Jacobson, and others (the
“Receiver”), submitted a motion seeking confirmation of the private sale of Stone Brook and
Tetonian Apartments property free and clear of liens with valid liens to attach to the proceeds of
that sale. 2 On March 3, 2014, Intervening Plaintiffs B.C. Warner Investments, L.C.; Truckpro,
L.C.; SLEA 423 L.L.C.; B.C. Warner Revocable Trust; BCW - D.O., L.L.C.; BCW - Maui,
L.L.C.; BCW - S.F. L.L.C.; TMB Limited Company; Bart C. Warner; James N. Warner, Jeffrey
K. Wetzel, Gerald A. Zmyslo (collectively, "Warner" or the “Warner Entities”) filed an
opposition to the proposed sale, wherein they claimed a 49.5 percent tenant-in-common interest
in Tetonian Apartments. 3
The proposed sale of Stone Brook and Tetonian Apartments and the objections thereto
came before the court on March 12, 2014. After hearing arguments from counsel, the court
reserved ruling and continued the hearing until March 18, 2014. 4 At the March 18 hearing,
counsel for Receiver asked for additional time to complete depositions and respond to the
1
Gil A. Miller was subsequently substituted as appointed Receiver on April 15, 2014. (See Order
Substituting Receiver, filed April 15, 2014 (CM/ECF No. 1813).)
2
(Mot. to Confirm a Private Sale of Stone Brook & Tetonian Properties & to Approve Sale Free & Clear of
Liens with Valid Liens to Attach to Proceeds, filed February 14, 2014 (CM/ECF No. 1588).)
3
(Mem. in Opp’n to Receiver’s Mot. to Confirm a Private Sale of Stone Brook and Tetonian Properties,
filed March 3, 2014 (CM/ECF No. 1621).)
4
(See Minute Entry for March 12, 2014 hearing, (CM/ECF No. 1723).)
2
Warner Entities’ newest memorandum in opposition to the proposed sale. The court granted the
request and subsequently set scheduling and evidentiary hearings for April 23 and April 25,
2014, respectively. 5 On April 10, 2014, the Receiver filed an additional memorandum in support
of the proposed sale, 6 which the Warner Entities responded to on April 18, 2014. 7
At the April 25, 2014 evidentiary hearing, counsel for the Receiver and counsel for the
Warner Entities informed the court that the parties had resolved certain of the Warner Entities’
concerns and that, as such, the Warner Entities withdrew their objection to the Receiver’s
proposed sale. 8 In the absence of objections to the proposed sale and based on the arguments of
counsel and good cause appearing, the court confirmed the sale with proceeds subject to valid
interests, if any. 9 The evidentiary hearing proceeded in order to determine the nature of the
Warner Entities’ interest in Tetonian Apartments and any resulting attachment to sale proceeds.
5
(See Am. Notice of Hr’g, filed March 31, 2014 (CM/ECF No. 1761, 1762).)
6
(Supplemental Br. in Supp. of Mot. to Confirm a Private Sale of Stone Brook and Tetonian Properties and
to Approve Sale Free and Clear of Liens with Valid Liens to Attach to Proceeds, filed April 10, 2014 (CM/ECF No.
1797).)
7
(Warner’s Mem. in Resp. to Receiver’s Supplemental Br. Regarding Receiver’s Mot. to Confirm Private
Sale of Stone Brook and Tetonian Properties, filed April 18, 2014 (CM/ECF No. 1834).)
8
The withdrawal of the Warner’s objection to the proposed sale came in response to an amended purchase
and sale agreement between the Receiver and the Barlow Corporation, which provided for an increased purchase
price of $12,082,250, with an allocation of $8,524,926 to Tetonian Apartments. (See Stipulation in Partial
Resolution of Warner’s Opp’n to Receiver’s Mot. to Confirm a Private Sale of Stone Brook and Tetonian Properties
and to Approve Sale Free and Clear of Liens With Valid Liens to Attach to Proceeds, filed April 25, 2014 (CM/ECF
No. 1853), at 2.)
9
(See Order Confirming a Private Sale of Stone Brook and Tetonian Properties and to Approve Sale Free
and Clear of Liens With Valid Liens to Attach to Proceeds, filed May 1, 2014 (CM/ECF No. 1875).)
3
BURDEN OF PROOF
While there is a paucity of express authority as to the quantum of proof required by one
seeking recognition of an ownership interest in realty contrary to a public recorded deed,
particularly in an equitable receivership with a multiplicity of competing interests, what guidance
is available points to clear and convincing as the preferred standard.
For the matter before us, there are two deeds at play. The first is the deed held by the
Receiver providing Tetonian Properties, LLC (“Tetonian Properties) with 100 percent title
interest in Tetonian Apartments. 10 This deed is recorded. 11 The second is the deed purportedly
conveying to Warner a 49.5 percent interest in Tetonian Apartments. That “original deed” is not
available. That deed was not recorded. 12 No one has been able to testify as to its physical
delivery. Its location is unknown. 13
Warner is arguing implicitly, in a sense, that the first deed, the Receiver’s deed, is not
accurate because it does not describe the purported conveyance to Warner. Warner asserts
implicitly that the Receiver’s deed is inaccurate because it overstates the Receiver’s interest. The
burden is on Warner to demonstrate the validity of his 49.5 percent interest by clear and
convincing evidence: “The recording of a deed raises a presumption of delivery, which
presumption is entitled to great and controlling weight and which can only be overcome by clear
and convincing evidence.” Controlled Receivables, Inc. v. Harman, 17 Utah 2d 420, 423, 413
10
The parties on April 25, 2014 provided a proposed order to the court containing stipulations. Because of
change of circumstances eliminating some issues, the order was not executed by the court, but the relevant
stipulations remain and were used by the parties and considered by the court. For the convenience of the parties, the
court has designated the document containing factual stipulations as “Exhibit A.”
11
(See Exhibit A, at 9.)
12
(Id., at 11.)
13
(Id.)
4
P.2d 807, 809 (1966); see 23 Am. Jur. 2d Deeds § 141. “The law presumes that the holder of title
to property is the owner thereof; Hawe v. Hawe, 89 Idaho 367, 406 P.2d 106 (1965); Shurrum v.
Watts, 80 Idaho 44, 324 P.2d 380 (1958). The effect of this presumption is that:‘(O)ne who
would claim the ownership of property of which the legal title stands or [sic] record in another,
or that the same is held by such person in trust for the one so claiming, must establish such claim
by evidence that is clear, satisfactory and convincing.’ In re Capolino's Estate, 94 Cal.App.2d
574, 210 P.2d 850 (1949), at 852, quoting Redsted v. Weiss, 73 Cal.App.2d 889, 167 P.2d 735
(1946).” Russ Ballard & Family Achievement Inst. v. Lava Hot Springs Resort, Inc., 97 Idaho
572, 579, 548 P.2d 72, 79 (1976).
The original of the second deed was either retained by Tetonian Properties and never
delivered, or it was lost. In either case, the burden is on Warner to demonstrate the deed’s
delivery and acceptance, or its equivalent. See Krebs v. Krebs, 114 Idaho 571, 574, 759 P.2d 77,
80 (Ct. App. 1988); 23 Am. Jur. 2d Deeds § 129. As indicated above and outlined in Utah Code
Ann. § 57-4a-4 (West), it is a recorded deed that creates presumptions regarding title to the real
property affected. There is no contention that the Receiver’s deed was not recorded or that
Tetonian Properties (and thus Receiver) is record title owner of Tetonian Apartments. 14 And
there is no contention that Warner’s purported deed was recorded. 15 As such, the validity of the
Receiver’s deed is entitled to “great and controlling weight.” And the burden is on Warner to
demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the Receiver’s deed is incomplete and that
Warner’s unrecorded deed was created, delivered, and accepted.
14
(Id., at 9.)
15
(Id., at 11.)
5
DISCUSSION
The Warner Entities argue that in January 2009, SLEA 423, LLC (“SLEA 423”) received
a valid tenant-in-common interest in 49.5 percent of the Tetonian Apartments real property from
Tetonian Properties. 16 The sale of real property requires both delivery and acceptance. See Estate
of Skvorak v. Sec. Union Title Ins. Co., 140 Idaho 16, 20-21, 89 P.3d 856, 860-61 (2004) (“From
these holdings it appears there cannot be a unilateral transfer of interest in real estate without
delivery and delivery requires the mutual assent of the parties.”); Santaquin Min. Co. v. High
Roller Min. Co., 25 Utah 282, 71 P. 77, 80 (1903) (“There can be no delivery of a deed without
acceptance, and no acceptance without the existence of some person or entity with capacity to
accept, and when W. H. West received the deed the corporation was not in existence.”); 23 Am.
Jur. 2d Deeds § 149; 26A C.J.S. Deeds § 90. For the reasons discussed below, the Warner
Entities failed to carry the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that both
occurred. 17
A. DELIVERY
The evidence of a physical delivery of an original deed from Tetonian Properties to
SLEA 423 is not clear and convincing. But it is possession of this deed that the Warner Entities
16
Tetonian Properties is a related MSI entity and subject to the Order Appointing Receiver, Freezing Assets
and Other Relief. (Filed December 15, 2011 (CM/ECF No. 4), at 25).
17
The rule is one of clear and convincing evidence, but the Warner Entities similarly did not prove delivery
or acceptance of a 49.5 percent ownership interest by a preponderance of evidence.
6
ostensibly acquired by their acquisition of SLEA 423 from Summit Exchange Services, LLC
(“Summit”). 18
Jacobson testified that there was an original deed, but he did not know what happened to
it. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 18:13-23. Warner, as the successor of SLEA 423 after the requisite waiting
period, never saw an original deed. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 98:17-20; 138:14-24. Both Jacobson and
James Warner testified that they believed Ray Beck, as manager of Summit, would see that the
deed was recorded. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 100:18-25; Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 98:21-99:14. But Beck
never saw the original deed. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 72:14-17. Beck testified to receiving a copy of
the deed, but could not testify specifically where the copy came from. Id., at 83:1-5. 19
Neither Warner nor the SLEA 423 grantee recall seeing the original deed. The Purchase
and Sale Agreement specifically contemplates that “Possession of the Property attributable to the
Undivided Interest shall be delivered to Buyer at Closing.” Ex. 19, C:5(f). In Bart Warner’s
deposition, this provision was identified and counsel for Receiver, Doyle Byers, asked Bart
Warner whether the buyer did anything to secure possession of the property at closing:
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
We assumed it would be delivered to us.
How?
Well, by the title company or the exchanger or Wendell.
So “it” - - by “it,” do you mean the deed?
Yeah, or whatever documents we needed for the exchange, the 1031.
Okay. Is there anything outside of that that you did to actually take
possession of the property?
Like, what would that be?
I don’t know. I’m just wondering if you did anything, SLEA did anything.
18
Summit is the 1031 exchange accommodation service used by the Warner Entities to facilitate the 1031
exchange with Tetonian Properties. Ray Beck, a manager of Summit, signed an Assignment and Assumption of
Membership Interest on July 10, 2009, transferring Summit’s Membership Interest in SLEA 423 to BCW-SF. (See
Exhibit A, at 7, 13.)
19
In response to the Court’s question as to who sent Beck the deed copy, Beck stated, “I don’t know
specifically. Someone sent me. I would suspect it was in the Jacobson origin.” (Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 83:4-5.)
7
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
MR. GILSON: Did you go get a pickup truck and dig up the soil?
(By Mr. Byers) Or, you know, there were no keys exchanged, or anything
like that - I wasn’t moving in.
- - for you to actually take possession? I understand that, but it
contemplates it, so I’m just asking if you did anything.
No.
Bart Cannon Warner Dep., (CM/ECF No. 1800-6), at 118:1-119:5.
The assumption by Warner or Jacobson that Beck would have received and recorded the
original deed seems erroneous, given that Beck testified he could not recall instructing anyone to
record the deed, not for the present transaction or for previous transactions involving Warner
wherein BCW-SF obtained and sold its interest in Sycamore. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 73:25-74:6.
Without evidence of physical delivery of the original deed, the Warner Entities rely on
Jacobson’s intent to effectuate delivery of the original deed—a symbolic delivery. There is some
evidence to support this position. Jacobson testified that his intent in signing the deed was to
convey a 49.5 percent ownership interest. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 21:2-7. Additionally, Bart Warner
through Summit made a down payment and construction draws to Tetonian Properties between
January 22 and July 7, 2009, totaling $962,920.63. 20
There are also annual Form 8825 tax statements from 2009-2012 that Tetonian Properties
provided Bart Warner, attributing 49.5 percent of the property income and expenses to him. See
Ex. 41. However, Tetonian Properties identifies Bart Warner as the 49.5 percent owner. But it is
SLEA 423, not Bart Warner, which is the purported grantee of the ownership interest. There is
no evidence in the record of a real property conveyance to Warner by SLEA 423.
20
(Exhibit A, at 12.)
8
Troubling inconsistencies in Jacobson’s behavior contrary to Jacobson’s “intent”
testimony are not limited to tax statements. More problematic are the representations Jacobson
made to lenders after the purported transfer to Warner. Approximately April 2009, Tetonian
Properties obtained a hard money loan from Northstar Funding. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 13:3-15. In
August 2009, it was refinanced through a $4 million loan from America First Credit Union. Id.,
at 13:16-14:1. That loan in turn was refinanced in January 2011 with a loan of over $6 million
from Key Bank. Id., at 14:2-12. For each loan and the loan documents involved, Jacobson did
not reveal to the lender the existence of a tenant-in-common interest in Tetonian Apartments, let
alone an interest held by the Warner Entities. In the trust deed between borrower Tetonian
Properties and lender Northstar Funding, the legal description states, “Borrower covenants that
Borrower is lawfully seized of the estate hereby conveyed and has the right to grant and convey
the Property and that the Property is unencumbered, except for encumbrances of record.” Ex. 74;
Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 74:13-75:25. In his deposition, Jacobson testified he did not think he notified
Northstar Funding that he had conveyed half the property to Warner Entities, neither could he
remember notifying the existing members of Tetonian Properties. Wendell A. Jacobson Dep.,
(CM/ECF No. 1799-2), at 136:18-137:4.
Similarly, the America First Credit Union loan, which replaced Northstar Funding, states
in the Construction Loan Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents and Leases, Security Agreement,
and Fixture Filing that Tetonian Properties, the grantor, “is or is about to become the owner of
fee simple title.” Exhibit 31; see also, Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 76:13-77:22. Jacobson testified to
having no recollection of ever affirmatively disclosing to America First Credit Union that
9
Tetonian Properties was not the sole owner. Wendell A. Jacobson Dep., (CM/ECF No. 1799-2),
at 214:11-19.
With the subsequent Key Bank loan, the pattern continued. Its loan documents do not
reflect any ownership interest by Bart Warner or any of his companies, but reflect Tetonian
Properties as owner in fee simple. Hr’g 05/09/24 Tr., 77:23-79:25. 21 Jacobson testified that he
thought Key Bank likely knew the Warner Entities owned a tenant-in-common interest, given the
tax returns, balance sheets and other documents the bank had access to which indicated a tenantin-common interest. Id., at 79:3-16. But, again, Jacobson testified that he did not recall ever
expressly disclosing to Key Bank that Tetonian Properties did not own the Tetonian Apartments
in fee simple. Wendell Jacobson Dep., (CM/ECF No. 1799-2), at 248:17-23. And he stated just
the opposite in the loan documents.
Shortly before the Key Bank loan, Wendell Jacobson’s brother, Gene Jacobson, prepared
a portfolio summary for Tetonian Properties “in an effort to acquire long term financing for the
newly constructed Stonebrook Apartments—Phase II and its owner, Tetonian Properties, LLC.”
Ex. 35. This portfolio summary makes no indication that there is any other ownership interest,
other than Tetonian Properties, in Tetonian Apartments, and Jacobson testified that it was
probably sent to potential lenders to obtain financing. 22
Jacobson suggested these representations to lenders may have been mistakes or
oversights. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., at 75:21-25; 76:22-77:7. But Jacobson is a sophisticated
21
(See also id., at 15.)
22
(Id.)
10
businessman, a repeat player in real estate transactions. 23 It is unlikely that he would mistakenly
state Tetonian Properties held the property in fee simple if it did not.
The effect of these loan documents, and not just the statements made therein, belie an
intent to convey 49.5 percent of Tetonian Apartments to the Warner Entities. These loans did not
just encumber Tetonian Properties’ alleged remaining 50.5 percent interest in Tetonian
Apartments. They encumbered the property in its entirety, long after the purported conveyance
of an interest to a Warner entity and consistent with the non-delivery of an original deed by a
sophisticated businessman. 24
Jacobson’s treatment of investors is also inconsistent with an intent to convey ownership
interest to the Warner Entities. Jacobson did not just use borrowed money and Warner money for
Tetonian Properties—before and after the Warner alleged purchase, Jacobson solicited
approximately $5.5 million in investor funds. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 56:17-57:7. These funds
contributed to the acquisition and construction of the property. Id., at 57:10-11. This $5.5
million commingled investor money was funneled through Thunder Bay. Id., at 61:5-17. If
Jacobson intended to symbolically deliver an ownership interest to the Warner Entities and
believed he had done so, one would expect him to communicate this fact to subsequent investors
in Tetonian Properties. But Jacobson testified in his deposition that he could not recall ever
making such communications. CM/ECF No. 1799-2, at 139:3-15. 25 The declaration of investor
23
Jacobson testified that he has been involved in hundreds of real estate transactions. (Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr.,
87:19-22.)
24
Jacobson testified that he believed he had the power to encumber the entire property. (Wendell A.
Jacobson Dep., (CM/ECF No. 1799-2), at 233:1-234:7.) But no such agreement between him and Warner was
memorialized in writing. (Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 140:10-15.)
25
(See also Exhibit A, at 17.)
11
John C. Phillips suggests Jacobson did not do so. Phillips declares that he invested $300,000 in
Tetonian Properties in October 2009—months after the purported 49.5 percent ownership
transfer to the Warner Entities—after (i) communicating to Jacobson that he did not want to
invest in a company that held property that had been involved in 1031 exchanges or that had sold
tenant-in-common interests in the property, and (ii) Jacobson never telling him that the property
owned by Tetonian Properties had been involved in 1031 exchanges and had sold tenant-incommon interests. CM/ECF No. 1802-7. 26
For the reasons outlined above, Jacobson’s professed intent is conclusively contradicted
by Jacobson’s subsequent actions. The court finds that a delivery, whether physical or symbolic,
is not demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence.
B. ACCEPTANCE
Assuming an intent to deliver, there is not clear and convincing evidence that such
symbolic delivery was accepted. 27
Beck, the Summit SLEA 423 manager and SLEA 423’s creator, testified that he at no
time ever saw the original deed. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 72:14-17. Having never seen it, it was
impossible for him to accept it. He saw a copy. Id., at 83:1-5. He was of the understanding that
someone else, a closing officer, an escrow agent with whom he had corresponded, would handle
26
Jacobson recalls discussing with Phillips about 1031 exchanges and tenant-in-common interests, but
believes that conversation took place after Phillips had invested in Tetonian Properties. (See Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr.,
27:23-28:10.)
27
The receipt of a copy of a deed by SLEA 423 is some evidence of the existence of an original deed but,
standing alone, is not evidence of the delivery of an original deed to SLEA 423, Warner, or an escrow agent or
closing officer.
12
the receipt and recording of the original deed. Id., at 83:23-84:16; 86:4-16; Ray Beck Dep.,
(CM/ECF No. 1802-1), at 86:5-20. That did not happen. The original deed was never recorded. 28
There was no testimony offered from a closing officer or escrow agent as to the physical receipt,
acceptance, or attempt to record such a deed.
And looking at the loan or loans purportedly existing at the time of transfer and the loans
subsequent to the transfer, it does not appear Beck or Warner symbolically accepted delivery
either.
The sales price for the property interest was $1.5 million—$366,000 in cash and $1.134
million in existing note, either to be assumed or for the interest to be subject to. Hr’g 04/25/14
Tr., 47:8-48:12. 29 Beck oversaw the original payment of $366,000 to Tetonian Properties as well
as “construction draws” over a period of time amounting to $596,920.63 to comply with 1031
regulations and to insulate the total from the reach of taxing authorities. 30 But neither Beck nor
Warner seem to know anything about this purportedly existing note, nor did they act to undertake
it. Beck testified he was never provided with the note. Id., at 48:24-49:4. He did not know who
the payee on the note was. Id., at 65:24-66:1; 80:13-18. Beck testified that he did not sign an
existing note and did not engage in a formal assumption of a note. Id., at 79:10-25. Additionally,
Beck was not involved in coming up with the $1.5 million purchase price. Id., at 71:11-13. The
total debt of the existing note as of the closing date, according to the Purchase and Sale
28
(Exhibit A, at 11.)
29
The Summary of Terms (Ex. 15) describes the purchase price as including “$1,134,000.00 Existing Note
(to be assumed).” In contrast, the Purchase and Sale Agreement (Ex. 19), which was the document signed, states that
the buyer will take their interest “subject to that certain blanket loan.”
30
(Exhibit A, at 12.)
13
Agreement, was $2,268,000. Id., at 85:10-13. But Beck was not entirely sure where that figure
came from—he believed it was generated by Jacobson. Id., at 85:13-18.
Similarly, the Warner Entities were ignorant of the details of any existing note and did
nothing in the way of putting their name on it. James Warner stated that he believed there was
debt on the property at the time of the property transfer, but he did not know to whom the debt
was owed. Id., at 123:8-12. Bart Warner testified in his deposition that he did not recall taking
any steps to assume a portion of the loan; he did not know how the Jacobsons serviced the debt
subsequent to Warner taking a property interest; and that he assumed Jacobson would take the
money he invested and make payments. Bart Cannon Warner Dep., (CM/ECF No. 1800-6), at
102:16-103:13.
It is apparent that a debt existing on the property prior to the 49.5 percent ownership
transfer was important for optimizing the tax benefits of a 1031 exchange. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr.,
69:6-70:23; 71:8-21; 103:19-104:7. But neither the existence of such a debt, nor Beck or the
Warner’s undertaking of it is clear. The absence of either is inconsistent with an acceptance of
ownership interest. That part of the transaction seems incomplete.
The Warner Entities’ actions, much like Jacobson’s actions, are also inconsistent with
acceptance and ownership. Warner knew Jacobson was obtaining loans that encumbered the
entire property, including their purported interest. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 118:14-20; 139:19-24. In
fact, Jacobson suggested that Bart Warner himself referred Jacobson to America First Credit
Union and Key Bank. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 91:5-92:8. But the Warner Entities never signed their
name to the underlying loan or security documents. Hr’g 05/09/14 Tr., 92:24-93:3. And the
Warner Entities never signed their name to a paper authorizing Jacobson to encumber the entire
14
property. Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 140:10-15. Ordinarily, when sophisticated owners of realty have
accepted an interest and know that someone is going to borrow against that interest, they want to
be part of that transaction where the borrowing occurs because it is their interest being pledged.
Sophisticated people do not sit on their hands. They put their names on the signature line,
because it is their property being encumbered.
Thus, other than in tax reports, Tetonian Properties through Jacobson, and Warner as
successor to the ownership of SLEA 423, acted as if nothing of consequence had changed after
the purported 49.5 percent transfer. Each persisted in treating the realty as if it continued to be
wholly owned by Tetonian Properties. Warner sat by and allowed the realty to be mortgaged
three separate times with neither a complaint, nor an outcry, nor a written undertaking to pay part
of the mortgage with the lending institutions. Nor was there a public indication by him or by
Jacobson of his asserted interest, even though it appears “investors” were being solicited by
Jacobson for membership in Tetonian Properties. 31 Investor money seems to have been used to
help build the structure and other improvements in which Warner now claims a superior
ownership interest.
Therefore, even if symbolic delivery of the deed did occur, the Warner Entities fail to
show by clear and convincing evidence that acceptance also occurred.
31
The fact that the prior Receiver adopted the books for tax reports does not repeal the history of action and
inaction on the part of the parties. (See Hr’g 04/25/14 Tr., 109:15-110:6.)
15
CONCLUSION
Both delivery and acceptance, symbolically or otherwise, fail the test of proofby clear
and convincing evidence. The equities relating to competing investor interests fortify that
decision. Thus, a 49.5 percent tenant-in-common interest in the proceeds from the sale of
Tetonian Apartments is DENIED.
This is an equitable proceeding. SLEA 423 or its legitimate successor is entitled to file a
general claim in the proceedings, the amount of which remains for subsequent determination.
7fv
DATEDthis
19
day of June, 2014.
16
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