Connecticut, Department of Social Services v. Hultman (In Re Hultman)

RULING ON PLAINTIFF’S MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

ROBERT L. KRECHEVSKY, Bankruptcy Judge.

I

This single ruling deals with two motions for summary judgment filed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (“DSS”) in mirror-image complaints brought against each debtor — Barry Wayne Hultman (“Barry”) and Dorothy Hultman (“Dorothy”) (together “the Hult-mans”). The issue raised by the motions, i.e. the application of the doctrine of collateral estoppel, is identical in each complaint, as indicated by the Hultmans filing, in effect, a single joint response to the motions.

II

Barry filed…