As is often the case after a long vacation, the Ninth Circuit returns from its hiatus with a vengeance. After a five-day break, the court this morning publishes over a half-dozen opinions.
Fortunately for the Ninth Circuit, some cases aren't that hard.
As I often tell my students, federal courts don't like parties who commit fraud. That principle is true both generally and -- with particular force -- in bankruptcy court. When a debtor deliberately lies about his assets in order to obtain a discharge, and we eventually find out about it, don't be at all surprised that federal courts come down hard on the debtor; e.g., by revoking the discharge.
Judge Milan Smith's opinion is short, cogent and entirely right.
Not hard at all.
