Bianchi

Maurice Bianchi, formerly doing business as M. Bianchi of California, (“Bianchi”) appeals from the order granting summary judgment in favor of Bank of America (“Bank”), and the denial of his motions for summary judgment against the Bank and Charles Bousher, Comptroller General of the United States of America, the United States of America, and the United States General Accounting Office (“Government”) and his motion for a new trial or, in the alternative, to alter and amend findings of facts and conclusions of law, and to amend the judgment. Bianchi contends that the district court erred in ruling that the Bank was entitled to recover the money owed to Bian-chi by the Government based on the assignment agreement between the Bank and Bian-chi. We affirm because we conclude that Bianchi was barred by the collateral estoppel doctrine from contending that the assignment agreement was not valid.

I

A recitation of the factual and procedural background of this case is essential to understanding the issue before this court. This dispute arose out of the contracts between Bianchi and the Government. Prior to the filing of this action, this same dispute spawned three separate actions, two…