Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2004(a) states that "[o]n motion of any party in interest, the court may order the examination of any entity." Courts construing Rule 2004(a) have found its scope "unfettered and broad." In re Washington Mutual, Inc., 408 B.R. 45, 49 (Bankr. D. Del. 2009), citing In re Bennett Funding Group, Inc., 203 B.R. 24, 28 (Bankr. N. D. N.Y. 1996). Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2004(b) establishes some of the parameters of what is commonly referred to as a "Rule 2004 Examination":
Earlier this month, GameTech International, Inc., and various related entities (collectively, "GameTech"), filed chapter 11 petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. According to GameTech's Declaration in Support of its Chapter 11 Petitions (the "Decl."), the company entered the electronic bingo business in 1994 and the video lottery terminal ("VLT") and slot machine business in 2007. Decl.
In June, Northstar Aerospace and various related entities (collectively, "Northstar") filed chapter 11 petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Northstar describes itself as a supplier of "components and assemblies for the commercial and military aerospace markets." The company also provides machining, repair and overhaul services for the aerospace industry. See Northstar's Declaration in Support of First Day Motions
On July 9, 2012, Judge Peter J. Walsh of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware issued a memorandum opinion (the "Opinion"), in the Blitz U.S.A. bankruptcy proceeding addressing whether an employee bonus plan is a transaction made in the ordinary course of business under 11 U.S.C.
On May 30, 2012, RG Steel, LLC and various related entities (collectively "RG Steel" or "Debtors") filed petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. According to the Declaration of the company's CFO (the "Decl."), RG Steel enters bankruptcy as the fourth largest flat-rolled steel company in the United States. At full capacity, the company can produce 8.2 million tons of steel per year. Decl. at 2.
On June 22, 2012, Ritz Camera & Image, LLC, and various related entities (collectively, the "Debtors" or "Ritz II"), filed chapter 11 petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Those familiar with Ritz Camera know that the company's predecessor, Ritz Camera Centers, Inc.
Introduction
On April 19, 2012, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York granted in part and denied in part JPMorgan Chase, N.A.’s motion to dismiss an adversary complaint filed by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“LBHI”) and its Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. The Complaint seeks to recover approximately $8.6 billion in prepetition transfers made by LBHI to JPMorgan in the days leading up to LBHI’s bankruptcy.
Introduction
On March 26, 2012, Judge Mary F. Walrath of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware refused to rule that, as a matter of law, payments made to satisfy a debtor’s obligations under a letter of credit constitute “settlement payments” protected from avoidance under section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code. EPLG I, LLC v. Citibank, National Association et al. (In re Qimonda Richmond, LLC, et al.), No. 09-10589, 2012 Bankr. LEXIS 1264 (Bankr.