In Re Soika
This case concerns Household Finance Corporation's petition to review a Referee in Bankruptcy's order regarding the nondischargeability of a prebankruptcy debt. The bankrupt provided false financial statements to Household Finance Corp. and Postal Finance Co., omitting significant existing indebtedness. The Referee found these statements to be materially false, made with intent to deceive, and relied upon by the creditors, resulting in the bankrupt receiving additional funds. The Referee determined the nondischargeable liability for Household Finance Corp. to be $75.00, which was challenged by Household Finance, seeking $1,400.00. The court affirmed the Referee's decision, concluding that the 1960 amendment to the Bankruptcy Act § 17(a)(2) does not impose a special penalty beyond the New York 'actual pecuniary loss' rule for fraud, thus construing exceptions to discharge strictly in favor of the bankrupt.