New filings in the involuntary bankruptcy petition filed by Halco Lighting against lighting distributor Atlanta Light Bulbs, Inc. show the case moving slowly due to Atlanta Light Bulbs not filing necessary paperwork.
On May 23, a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Paul Baisier ruled Atlanta Light Bulbs ordered “that the Debtor shall comply with Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure 1007(a)(2), (b)(1) and (c) by timely filing the requisite documents.” The ruling comes after the judge determined that “the Debtor (Atlanta Light Bulbs Inc.) was served with the Petition and the Involuntary Summons” on April 19. According to the judge’s ruling, “the Debtor’s answer to the Involuntary Summons was due no later than May 13, 2022. The Debtor failed to answer or otherwise respond.”
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure named by Judge Baisier say Atlanta Light Bulb must file schedules, statements, and other documents that list assets and liabilities, current income and expenditures, contracts and unexpired leases, and a statement of financial affairs. No specific date was given for when the filings are due.
In addition to the Halco proceedings, Ford Motor Credit Company has filed a separate involuntary bankruptcy claim that Atlanta Light Bulbs, which says the distributor owes $459,433 on seven Atlanta Light Bulb vehicles. Ford Motor Credit Company is asking the court for permission to take possession of the vehicles during the bankruptcy case.
Earlier this month, Tandem Bank filed a $600,000 suit against Atlanta Light Bulbs, claiming it has not been paid for a promissory note and business loan dated September 2, 2020.
In 2014, “lightED” reported Atlanta Light Bulb was named one of Georgia’s “Small Business Rock Stars” by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. In 2013, the distributor was named a finalist in the Georgia Family Business of the Year awards.