Usual Criteria for Piercing the Corporate Veil Applied in Fraudulent Conveyance Action

The First Department determined the “pierce the corporate veil” causes of action should be dismissed, applying the usual “pierce the corporate veil” criteria in a “fraudulent conveyance” case:

“In order for a plaintiff to state a viable claim against a shareholder of a corporation in his or her individual capacity for actions purportedly taken on behalf of the corporation, plaintiff must allege facts that, if proved, indicate that the shareholder exercised complete domination and control over the corporation and abused the privilege of doing business in the corporate form to perpetrate a wrong or injustice” … . “Factors to be considered in determining whether the owner has abused the privilege of doing business in the corporate form include whether there was a failure to adhere to corporate formalities, inadequate capitalization, commingling of assets, and use of corporate funds for personal use … . In opposition to the [defendants’] motion for summary judgment, plaintiff failed to proffer any evidence of the above factors. Contrary to plaintiff’s claim, the factors mentioned [above] remain relevant even in a fraudulent conveyance case … .  D’Mel & Associates v Athco, Inc, et al, 9713, 602486/09, 1st Dept 4-4-13