IN RE: BRUCE LEE ALLEN (2016)

MEMORANDUM*

Bruce Lee Allen, a Chapter 7 debtor, appeals pro se from the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel's (“BAP”) judgment affirming the bankruptcy court's order approving the Chapter 7 trustee's settlement of claims that Allen asserted in state court against Zions First National Bank. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 158(d). We review de novo BAP decisions, and apply the same standard of review that the BAP applied to the bankruptcy court's ruling. Boyajian v. New Falls Corp. (In re Boyajian), 564 F.3d 1088, 1090 (9th Cir. 2009). We affirm.

The bankruptcy court did not abuse its discretion by approving the settlement agreement because the record supports the bankruptcy court's conclusion that the settlement was fair and equitable. See Martin v. Kane (In re A&C Props.), 784 F.2d 1377, 1380-83 (9th Cir. 1986) (approval of a compromise is not an abuse of discretion where the record contains a factual foundation establishing that the compromise was fair and equitable).

We do not consider matters not specifically and distinctly raised and argued in Allen's opening brief to the BAP. See Burnett v. Resurgent Capital Servs. (In re Burnett), 435 F.3d 971, 976-77 (9th Cir. 2006) (issues not presented to BAP are waived unless there are “exceptional circumstances”).

All pending requests are denied as moot.

AFFIRMED.