Dave v. Baessler (In re Baessler)

TONY M. DAVIS, UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE

Three years ago, a California state court found that Baessler, acting with the intent to deceive, made false representations that Dave reasonably relied on to his detriment. Based on that finding, the state court entered judgment on several legal theories, including one theory that did not require proof of an intent to deceive. Does the state court's finding bind the bankruptcy court in a subsequent suit to determine whether the judgment can be discharged?

I. Facts

A. A house in Beverly Hills.

In the fall of 2006, Dave hired Baessler to remodel Dave's…