US Bankruptcy Court DHI Docket Feed

In re: Autumn Kapuakoumelea Paoo Levy

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii denied debtor Autumn Kapuakoumelea Paoo Levy's Motion for Determination of Willful Violation of the Automatic Stay and for Sanctions (ECF 38), filed January 6, 2026. The court found that Ms. Levy's landlords, Danelle Medeiros and Lawrence Kidder, did not willfully violate the automatic stay by interfering with her utilities after receiving notice of her bankruptcy filing. The court also held that while the state court's writ of possession entered December 23, 2025 was void because it violated the automatic stay, the subsequent judgment for possession entered January 2, 2026 was valid as no automatic stay was then in effect. The ruling establishes that debtors seeking sanctions under 11 U.S.C. § 362(k) must prove both a protected interest and a willful violation by clear and convincing evidence.

Jean Lorraine Richardson Bankruptcy Reopened, Fraud Allegations

The US Bankruptcy Court D. Hawaii granted Jean Lorraine Richardson's motion to reopen her Chapter 7 bankruptcy case (No. 15-01389), which had been closed since February 2022. The court ordered Ms. Richardson to show cause why all other requested relief should not be denied, relating to fraud allegations against her ex-husband Dr. Darius A. Richardson. The underlying dispute stems from a 2012 Guam Superior Court judgment for $50,172.78 in her favor and involves a $30,000 settlement the chapter 7 trustee previously negotiated with Dr. Richardson.

Gilliam v. Robinson - Order Denying Motion to Reconsider

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii denied debtor William Howard Gilliam's motion to reconsider the dismissal of his adversary proceeding against George (Rick) Robinson. The court applied the Ninth Circuit's three-part standard for reconsideration under Rule 59(e), finding that Gilliam failed to present newly discovered evidence, demonstrate clear error, or identify an intervening change in controlling law. The court further held that no automatic stay violation occurred because actions regarding the property at 5050 Lawai Road took place on November 4, 2025, before Gilliam's bankruptcy petition was filed on November 5, 2025, when the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 took effect.