In Re: Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Word of Faith Ministries, Inc.

Background

The district court stated that it had dismissed Jeanette Y. Brown’s appeal on July 16, 2021, because she had not paid the filing fee. The court later determined from the public docket in the related bankruptcy case that the fee had been paid.

Brown sent the court a letter asking it to lift the dismissal. The court construed that request as a motion to reopen the appeal. The opinion says the court might have discretion to grant the request, but it did not rule in this order that the appeal was reopened.

Limits on the Appeal

The court reiterated that any appeal would be limited to the issues addressed in the bankruptcy court’s February 3, 2021 order identified in Brown’s initial appeal. The court also stated that Brown could represent only her individual interests. She could not pursue legal claims belonging to Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Word of Faith Ministries, Inc., which the court said must be represented by licensed counsel.

Order

The court ordered Appellee Deborah J. Piazza to file any response to Brown’s letter by October 22, 2021. It also ordered Brown, by October 29, 2021, to inform the court whether she intended to proceed with the appeal given the limits on the appeal and her inability to represent the Church. Alternatively, Brown could request a refund from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Because Brown represented herself, the court directed that all further filings be submitted through the court’s Pro Se Intake Unit. The order also provided information about a private legal clinic for people in civil cases who do not have lawyers and clarified that the clinic was not part of the court and could not file documents for Brown.

Disposition

The order required further responses and clarification; it did not state that Brown’s motion to reopen was granted or denied.