Case Summary:

Coney Island Auto Parts, Inc. v. Burton arises from a 2015 adversary proceeding in the Vista-Pro Automotive bankruptcy, where Vista-Pro (a Tennessee auto-parts manufacturer) sued Coney Island Auto Parts Unlimited, Inc., a New York corporation, in the Tennessee bankruptcy court to recover approximately $49,000 in unpaid invoices. Vista‑Pro served the summons and complaint by first‑class mail addressed only to “Coney Island Auto Parts Unltd., Inc.” at its Brooklyn business address, without naming or directing service to any officer or registered agent, Coney Island never appeared, and the bankruptcy court entered a default judgment in May 2015, which Vista‑Pro’s Chapter 7 trustee, Jeanne Burton, then spent years trying to enforce, sending a demand letter to Coney Island’s CEO, serving subpoenas, registering the judgment in New Y ...