Having a creditor show up at the meeting of creditors doesn’t happen often. When it does, it’s often an ex-spouse. Though Lussier and Sullivan were never married, it appears that their break up was contentious. This is a perfect example of why it doesn’t pay to lie on your petition.
Brian J. Sullivan (the “Debtor”) appealed the bankruptcy court order denying his discharge under Bankruptcy Code Section 727(a)(4)(A). On appeal, the Debtor contended that the bankruptcy court erroneously denied his discharge on the grounds that: (1) Stephanie R. Lussier (“Lussier”) lacked standing to object to his discharge; (2) he was denied his Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance of counsel; and (3) the facts in the record do not support the judgment. Based upon its review of the evidence, the applicable law, and the written and oral arguments, the Panel concluded that the order of the bankruptcy court should be AFFIRMED.