U.S. Bankruptcy Judge (Santa Ana)
SANTA ANA — Faced with a mountain of debt, the man had what appeared to be a frivolous request. He wanted to keep an emerald necklace, and asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Theodor C. Albert for approval.
But the man’s reasoning pushed Albert to say yes. It was his wife’s engagement gift, and Albert decided forcing him to return it to the jewelers would impose an unfair hardship. So Albert let him keep it, along with the debt... (continued)