Earlier this month, James Carroll in his capacity as the “Wind Down Professional” for the Velocity Express bankruptcy, began filing preference actions against various defendants.  As alleged in the preference complaints, Carroll was appointed as Velocity’s Wind Down Professional under a “Wind Down Order” entered by the Delaware Bankruptcy Court in July of last year.  At the time it filed for bankruptcy, Velocity was a package delivery (aka “logistics”) provider whose services included customer bulk shipments, pick-up and delivery services as well as “expedited point to point services.”  Decl. at *3.

Velocity began its business as United Shipping & Technology.  In 1999, United acquired Corporate Express Delivery Systems.  Since reorganizing in 2002, United has operated as Velocity Express.  On September 24, 2009, Velocity filed petitions for bankruptcy with the Delaware Bankruptcy Court.  At the time of filing for bankruptcy, the company employed over 1,300 employees and had contracts with approximately 2,400 drivers.  Decl. at *5.

Velocity attributes its need to file for bankruptcy to the downturn in the U.S. economy.  Many of Velocity’s customers cut back on their shipping expenses as their sales declined.  As Velocity lost revenue, it was unable to cut certain expenses.  Commercial leases were just one of the fixed costs that Velocity contends forced it in to bankruptcy.  Decl. at *8.  To address the costs associated with leases, Velocity filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court authorizing it to reject certain leases.  Velocity filed the lease rejection motion simultaneous with filing its petitions for bankruptcy.  Decl. at *16.

On September 24, 2009, Comvest Velocity Acquisition LLC entered into an asset purchase agreement with Velocity.  Comvest Velocity Acquisition LLC is an affiliate of Convest Investment Partners III, L.P.  The Bankruptcy Court approved the sale to Comvest on November 3, 2009.

The Velocity Express bankruptcy, as well as the preference actions, are before the Honorable Mary F. Walrath.  Judge Walrath previously served as the Chief Judge of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court.  James Carroll, as the Plaintiff in the Velocity Express preference actions, is represented by the law firm Sullivan Hazeltine Allinson, LLC.