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Judge Orders Merit Street Media Liquidated in Chapter 7, Citing Misconduct

The ruling cites deleted texts as evidence of plans to favor certain creditors.

Overview

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott Everett converted Merit Street’s case to Chapter 7 on Tuesday, saying there was never a realistic path to reorganization.
  • An independent trustee will sell the company’s assets, including its media library, with the court emphasizing fair, impartial treatment of creditors.
  • The court found that Phil McGraw deleted a discovery text and positioned Merit Street’s assets for acquisition by his new venture, Envoy Media, which planned to hire Merit staff.
  • Trinity Broadcasting’s countersuit alleging fraud and mismanagement under a purported $500 million deal continues as part of the estate’s litigation overseen by the trustee.
  • Professional Bull Riders claims roughly $181 million and supported conversion, while Peteski Productions says it will appeal and denies any destruction of evidence.