In Re: Xyz Bell Corporation, Debtor.xyz Bell Corporation, Appellant, v. American Savings Bank, Appellant, 131 F.3d 150 (9th Cir. 1997)

MEMORANDUM^* 

We affirm that part of the district court's decision holding moot XYZ Bell Corporation's (XYZ) appeal.¹  The Bankruptcy Court's order lifting the stay shall remain intact.

Where property was, as here, foreclosed and sold, the "fact that [the] purchaser is a party to th [e] appeal does not change the applicability of the mootness rule." See Algeran Inc. v. Advance Ross Corp., 759 F.2d 1421, 1424 (9th Cir. 1985). Under Algeran, then, this appeal is moot.

The narrow exception to Algeran 's general rule delineated by In re Sun Valley Ranches, Inc., 823 F.2d 1373, 1375 (9th Cir. 1987) and In re Onouli-Kona Land Co., 846 F.2d 1170, 1173 (9th Cir. 1988) does not apply here. XYZ has no right of redemption under state law.

Through XYZ, Mr. Kabakow hopes not to lose control of the property he used to secure American's loan, a loan on which Mr. Kabakow has defaulted. Mr. Kabakow claims his corporation, XYZ, has a right of redemption to the property he used to secure American's loan. He claims American owes XYZ money or rights on an equivalent piece of property because American foreclosed the property and sold it. Mr. Kabakow, who is the president and sole shareholder of XYZ, attempts to elevate the form of an independent corporate structure over the substance of his situation. Such a manipulative claim cannot succeed before a court of equity. Mr. Kabakow, through his corporation, has no legitimate right of redemption under state law. The district court properly granted American relief from stay, American properly foreclosed the property and sold it, and this appeal is moot.

AFFIRMED.