In Re Lawrence United Corp.
The Monroe Group, Inc. (Monroe) sought to compel General Accident Insurance Company of America (General Accident) to release commissions owed from a court-approved sale of the Debtor's assets. The Debtor, a former agent for General Accident, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and its Rochester office assets were sold to Monroe 'free and clear of all liens and other interests.' General Accident withheld commissions, arguing a right of recoupment for prepetition premiums owed by the Debtor, which it contended was not an 'interest' extinguished by the sale order. The court determined it had 'core' jurisdiction over the dispute, finding that General Accident's alleged right of recoupment was not an 'interest' under 11 U.S.C. § 363(f) and could not be asserted against postpetition commissions to recover prepetition premiums. Consequently, the court granted Monroe's motion, compelling General Accident to release the commissions.