THE CADLE COMPANY v. MARGUERITE FLETCHER AND TERRY FLETCHER (2017)

Defendants–Appellants Marguerite Fletcher and Terry B. Fletcher appeal the August 13, 2014 judgment of the District Court granting summary judgment to Plaintiff–Appellee on its claim of fraudulent transfer of assets and denying a motion by Defendants–Appellants for partial summary judgment. The primary question on appeal is whether a judgment debtor's residual wages after garnishment are exempt from further execution under Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52–361a and 52–367b, and thus should not be considered “assets” under the Connecticut Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52–552a et seq.¹

On October 14, 2015, we entered an order certifying the question of whether Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 52–361a and 52–367b exempt a judgment debtor's post–garnishment residual wages from further execution to the Connecticut Supreme Court. See Cadle Co. v. Fletcher, 804 F.3d 198 (2d Cir. 2015) (per curiam).² The Connecticut Supreme Court has answered that question in the negative. See Cadle Co. v. Fletcher, 324 Conn. 228, 244–45 (Dec. 23, 2016).

We have considered all of the Defendants' remaining arguments on appeal and find them to be without merit. Accordingly, for substantially the reasons set forth by the Connecticut Supreme Court, we AFFIRM the judgment of the District Court.

FOOTNOTES

1.   The underlying facts, procedural history of the case, and issues on appeal are set forth in our opinion of October 14, 2015.

2.   In light of the paucity of state precedent, we held that it was more appropriate for the Connecticut Supreme Court to interpret the relevant state statutes in light of Connecticut's overall statutory scheme. See Cruz v. TD Bank, N.A., 711 F.3d 261, 267–68 (2d Cir. 2013). Our decision to certify this question is fully explained in our previous opinion. See Cadle Co., 804 F.3d at 199–202.

PER CURIAM: