CERCLA BANKRUPTCY CASE: RICHARD E. THOMAS WAS THE CEO OF THE THOMAS SOLVENT COMPANY OF BATTLE CREEK, MI. IN 1986 EPA SUED, AMONG OTHERS, THOMAS PERSONALLY AND THE SOLVENT COMPANY AS PRPS UNDER CERCLA FOR THE CONTAMINA- TION OF THE VERONA WELL FIELD SF SITE. IN ABOUT 1987 THOMAS AND HIS FAMILY MOVED TO DALLAS , TX, AND PURCHASED AN EXPENSIVE CONDOMINIUM (FOR $1.75 MILLION), USING MONEY FRAUDULENTLY RECEIVED FROM THE SOLVENT COMPANY. IN 12/96 THOMAS FILED A PETITION IN BANKRUPTCY COURT IN TEXAS, CLAIMING THAT THE CONDO WAS COVERED BY TEXAS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION PROVISION. THE US OBJECTED TO THE CLAIM THAT THE CONDOMINIUM WAS SUBJECT TO THE EXEMP- TION, AND ARGUED THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE LIABILITY FOR THE JUDGMENTS THAT EPA HAD RECEIVED IN THE MICHIGAN COURTS.