NEWHALL MEMORIAL LOSES ROUND ON DEBT.Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer WOODLAND HILLS - A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Wednesday refused to grant Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital's request to dismiss Facey Medical Foundation's claim that the hospital owes it more than $4 million. Facey, one of Newhall Memorial's largest creditors, has sued the bankrupt hospital over the outstanding debt. But the hospital's attorneys countersued, claiming that Newhall Memorial does not owe Facey any money. A Facey spokesman said the foundation had believed it had ample time to respond to the hospital's suit - but that the deadline passed one day before the date the creditor An individual to whom an obligation is owed because he or she has given something of value in exchange. One who may legally demand and receive money, either through the fulfillment of a contract or due to injury sustained as a result of another's Negligence planned to file. ``The court emphasizes that it has the impression there was a misunderstanding,'' said U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Greenwald. ``And the court is to conclude that Facey has a meritorious mer·i·to·ri·ous adj. Deserving reward or praise; having merit. [Middle English, from Latin merit defense to this complaint.'' For Santa Clarita-based Newhall Memorial, the court's action Wednesday is one of a myriad steps the beleaguered be·lea·guer tr.v. be·lea·guered, be·lea·guer·ing, be·lea·guers 1. To harass; beset: We are beleaguered by problems. 2. To surround with troops; besiege. hospital must face in its quest for Verb 1. quest for - go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" quest after, go after, pursue look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the reorganization. Burdened by $10 million in debt, the hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection more than a year ago. The filing would free the facility from the threat of creditors' lawsuits while it reorganizes its finances. In court documents, though, Facey's attorney, Gary Goodstein, claimed Newhall Memorial's attorney used tactics to achieve bargaining leverage over Facey in the bankruptcy case. ``I think what took place today was expected,'' Goodstein said in response to Judge Greenwald's decision. ``Now, things will proceed as planned.'' Facey and the hospital's council will convene CONVENE, civil law. This is a technical term, signifying to bring an action. Jan. 27 to deliver a status report to the court. A hearing date will then be set for further ruling. Hospital attorney Michael Weiss Michael Weiss can refer to one of several people:
Hospital supporters have claimed that Facey, a Mission Hills-based outpatient medical provider, is stalling stall 1 n. 1. A compartment for one domestic animal in a barn or shed. 2. a. A booth, cubicle, or stand used by a vendor, as at a market. b. the bankruptcy filing proceedings to aid a possible sale of Newhall Memorial. |
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