Bankrupcy is no laughing matter and with those debts will be taken seriously by the powers that be. The couple in theory could be held personally liable and lose everything eg house, car, house contents.
Having the company come back so soon might be a means to some debt repayments.
People really should have checked him out prior to loaning him money in a lot more detail.
Perception (rotarian and dentist) is a risky thing ...