The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled in a precedential decision that in cases where a trustee has abandoned a bankrupt entity, a creditor can nevertheless sue those who “plunder” a near-insolvent company of its remaining assets.

A three-judge appellate panel reached its decision in the case of In re Wilton Armetale, where Artesanias Hacienda Real sued North Mill Capital and Leisawitz Heller.