In Re William Wesley Choate, Debtor.the Farm Credit Bank of Wichita, Appellee, v. William Wesley Choate, Appellant, 956 F.2d 277 (10th Cir. 1992)

Before EBEL and BARRETT, Circuit Judges, and KANE,^*  District Judge.

ORDER AND JUDGMENT^** 

JOHN L. KANE, Jr., District Judge, Sitting by Designation.

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir.R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

The Farm Credit Bank of Wichita (Bank) commenced this adversary proceeding within Debtor's bankruptcy action, asserting state law tort claims for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, intentional interference with contractual relationships, and slander of title. Following trial, the bankruptcy court entered judgment in favor of the Bank in the amount of $499,606.32 on the claims of malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and slander of title. The court entered judgment in Debtor's favor on the claim of intentional interference with contractual relationships. The bankruptcy court further determined that this debt was nondischargeable because the debt was the result of a malicious and willful injury to the Bank. See 11 U.S.C. § 523(a) (6).

Debtor appealed to the district court, which affirmed. Debtor now appeals that affirmance to this court, asserting a number of arguments challenging the bankruptcy court's determination that Debtor was liable in tort, the amount of damages the bankruptcy court awarded, and the bankruptcy court's determination that the debt was nondischargeable.

We review the district and bankruptcy courts' legal conclusions de novo, but we will not disturb the bankruptcy court's factual findings unless clearly erroneous. In re Burkart Farm & Livestock, 938 F.2d 1114, 1115 (10th Cir. 1991). Upon consideration of the parties' arguments, we determine this appeal lacks merit. We, therefore, affirm for substantially the reasons stated in the district court's order of June 17, 1991.¹ 

The mandate shall issue forthwith.