throbber
Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 1 of 14 PageID #: 1
`
`
`
`
`
`JOHN RYAN,
`
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
`GROUP, INC., DAVID W. KARP, PETER D.
`AQUINO, WAYNE BARR, JR., WILLIAM
`H. BISHOP, BENJAMIN C. DUSTER, IV,
`and SHELLY C. LOMBARD,
` Defendants.
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`
`Case No._______________
`
`
`COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF
`THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`Plaintiff John Ryan (“Plaintiff”), by his undersigned attorneys, for this complaint against
`
`defendants, alleges upon personal knowledge with respect to himself, and upon information and
`
`belief based upon, inter alia, the investigation of counsel as to all other allegations herein, as
`
`follows:
`
`NATURE OF THE ACTION
`
`1.
`
`Plaintiff brings this action against Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.
`
`(“Alaska Communications” or the “Company”) and the members of its Board of Directors (the
`
`“Board” or the “Individual Defendants”) for their violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the
`
`Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78n(a), 78t(a), and U.S.
`
`Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 14a-9, 17 C.F.R. § 240.14a-9. By the Action,
`
`Plaintiff seeks to enjoin the vote on a proposed transaction, pursuant to which Alaska
`
`Communications will acquired by Project 8 Buyer, LLC (“Parent”), an affiliate of ATN
`
`International, Inc. (“ATN”), and Freedom 3 Investments IV, LP, a fund advised by Freedom 3
`
`Capital LLC (“FC3”) (the “Proposed Transaction”).
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 2 of 14 PageID #: 2
`
`
`
`2.
`
`On January 4, 2021, the Company announced it had entered into an Agreement and
`
`Plan of Merger dated December 31, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”) to effect the Proposed
`
`Transaction, which is valued at approximately $332 million. The Merger Agreement provides
`
`that each Alaska Communications stockholder is to receive $3.40 in cash for each share of
`
`Company common stock they own (the “Merger Consideration”).
`
`3.
`
`On February 9, 2021, the Company filed a Schedule 14A Definitive Proxy
`
`Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) with the SEC recommending that its stockholder approve the
`
`Proposed Transaction. In doing so, however, the Proxy Statement omits or misrepresents material
`
`information concerning numerous items, each critical to a stockholder deciding whether to approve
`
`the Proposed Transaction. Items omitted from or misrepresented in the Proxy Statement include:
`
`(i) the financial projections prepared by the Company management that were used in the valuation
`
`analyses ostensibly supporting the fairness opinion issued by the Company’s financial advisor, B.
`
`Riley Securities, Inc. (“B. Riley”); (ii) the background of the Proposed Transaction; and (iii) B.
`
`Riley’s potential conflicts of interest. Defendants authorized the issuance of the false and
`
`misleading Proxy Statement in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act.
`
`4.
`
`It is imperative that the material information omitted from the Proxy Statement is
`
`disclosed to the Company’s stockholders prior to the forthcoming stockholder vote so that they
`
`can properly exercise their corporate suffrage rights.
`
`5.
`
`For these reasons and as set forth in detail herein, Plaintiff seeks to enjoin
`
`Defendants from taking any steps to consummate the Proposed Transaction unless and until the
`
`material information discussed below is disclosed to the Company’s stockholders or, in the event
`
`the Proposed Transaction is consummated, to recover damages resulting from the defendants’
`
`violations of the Exchange Act.
`
`2
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 3 of 14 PageID #: 3
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`6.
`
`This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Section 27 of the Exchange
`
`Act (15 U.S.C. § 78aa) and 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question jurisdiction) as Plaintiff alleges
`
`violations of Section 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 14a-9.
`
`7.
`
`This Court has jurisdiction over the defendants because each defendant is either a
`
`corporation that conducts business in and maintains operations within this District or is an
`
`individual with sufficient minimum contacts with this District such that the exercise of jurisdiction
`
`by this Court permissible under traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
`
`8.
`
`Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391 because defendants
`
`are found or are inhabitants or transact business in this District.
`
`THE PARTIES
`
`9.
`
`Plaintiff is and has been a continuous stockholder of Alaska Communications
`
`common stock at all times relevant hereto.
`
`10.
`
`Defendant Alaska Communications is a Delaware corporation with principal
`
`executive offices located at 600 Telephone Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. The Company’s
`
`common stock trades under the symbol “ALSK” on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Alaska
`
`Communications is a fiber broadband and managed IT services provider that offers technology
`
`and service enabled customer solutions to business and wholesale customers in and out of Alaska.
`
`The Company also provides telecommunication services to consumers in the most populated
`
`communities throughout Alaska. The Company’s network is among the most expansive in Alaska
`
`and forms the foundation of service to the Company’s customers.
`
`11.
`
`Defendant David W. Karp (“Karp”) is Chairman of the Company’s Board of
`
`Directors. Karp is a director of the Company and has been since 2011.
`
`3
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 4 of 14 PageID #: 4
`
`12.
`
`Defendant Peter D. Aquino (“Aquino”) is a director of the Company and has been
`
`since 2019.
`
`13.
`
`Defendant Wayne Barr, Jr. (“Barr”) is a director of the Company and has been since
`
`2018.
`
`14.
`
`Defendant William H. Bishop (“Bishop”) is President and Chief Executive Officer
`
`of the Company. Barr is a director of the Company and has been since 2019.
`
`15.
`
`Defendant Benjamin C. Duster, IV (“Duster”) is a director of the Company and has
`
`been since 2020.
`
`16.
`
`Defendant Shelly C. Lombard (“Lombard”) is a director of the Company and has
`
`been since 2020.
`
`17.
`
`Defendants identified in paragraphs 11-16 are referred to herein as the “Board” or
`
`the “Individual Defendants.”
`
`18.
`
`Non-party ATN is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices
`
`located at 500 Cummings Center, Suite 2450, Beverly, MA 01915. ATN is a holding company
`
`that, directly and through its subsidiaries, owns and operates telecommunications businesses in
`
`North America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
`
`19.
`
`F3C is a Delaware limited liability company with principal executive offices
`
`located at 12 East 49th Street, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
`
`20.
`
`21.
`
`Parent is a Delaware limited liability company and affiliate of ATN.
`
`Non-Party Merger Sub is a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary
`
`of Alaska Communications.
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 5 of 14 PageID #: 5
`
`SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS
`
`The Proposed Transaction
`
`22.
`
`On January 4, 2021, Alaska Communications announced the Proposed Transaction,
`
`stating in part:
`
`ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- Jan. 4, 2021-- Alaska Communications Systems Group,
`Inc. (NASDAQ: ALSK) (“Alaska Communications” or
`the “Company”)
`announced today that on December 31, 2020 it entered into a definitive agreement
`pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by a newly formed entity owned
`by ATN International, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNI) (“ATN”) and Freedom 3 Capital,
`LLC (“FC3”) in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $332 million,
`including net debt. The merger will result in Alaska Communications becoming a
`consolidated, majority owned subsidiary of ATN and is expected to close in the
`second half of 2021. Alaska Communications’ prior agreement to be acquired by
`an affiliate of Macquarie Capital (“Macquarie”) and GCM Grosvenor (“GCM”),
`through its Labor Impact Fund, L.P., has been terminated.
`
`Under the terms of the agreement, an affiliate of ATN will acquire all the
`outstanding shares of Alaska Communications common stock for $3.40 per share
`in cash. This represents a premium of approximately 78% over the closing per share
`price of $1.91 on November 2, 2020, the last trading day prior to the date when
`Alaska Communications’ original merger agreement with Macquarie and GCM
`was executed, a 70% premium to the 30-day volume weighted average price up to
`and including November 2, 2020 and a 4% premium to Macquarie and GCM’s prior
`binding agreement to acquire the Company.
`
`The merger agreement follows the determination by the Alaska Communications
`Board of Directors, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, that the
`ATN proposal constituted a “Superior Proposal” as defined
`in Alaska
`Communications’ previously announced merger agreement with Macquarie and
`GCM. Consistent with that determination and following the expiration of the
`negotiation period with Macquarie and GCM required under such agreement,
`Alaska Communications terminated that agreement. In connection with the
`termination, Alaska Communications paid Macquarie and GCM a $6.8 million
`break-up fee.
`
`David W. Karp, Chairman of the Alaska Communications Board of Directors, said,
`“Today's announcement is the product of a comprehensive process that
`demonstrates what a strong business the team at Alaska Communications has built.
`The agreement with ATN is a great result for our stockholders, who will receive
`significant near-term value.”
`
`Bill Bishop, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alaska Communications,
`stated, “This transaction represents an exciting opportunity to augment our market
`
`5
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 6 of 14 PageID #: 6
`
`position, as well as, expand our capabilities to better serve our customers. ATN has
`extensive telecommunications expertise, a strong track record of successfully
`investing in and operating capital-intensive businesses and has a strong financial
`position highlighted by its net cash position. These are critical attributes that will
`support our strategy to deliver superior customer service utilizing our fiber-based
`network solutions. We firmly believe this transaction will allow us to enhance our
`expanded fiber network services and drive long-term value for our employees and
`customers in Alaska.”
`
`Michael Prior, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ATN, stated, “This
`investment and merger allows us to enter a new market with many similar
`characteristics to our existing operations in the U.S. and elsewhere. Further, it
`aligns with our strategy to leverage the broad capabilities of our operating platform
`to enhance and augment leading providers of facilities-based communications
`services in distinctive markets. ATN has a long history of enabling its subsidiaries
`to gain and maintain strong market positions by investing in high quality
`infrastructure, the latest technologies and creative solutions to give customers a
`superior experience. We recognize the same determination and customer-centric
`approach in the Alaska Communications team. Our industry is rapidly changing,
`and communications requirements have never been more essential and critical than
`they are today. We look forward to combining our resources and experience with
`Alaska Communications’ market knowledge and reputation for superior service to
`provide industry-leading communications products and services to customers in
`Alaska and beyond.”
`
`The merger is subject to the approval of Alaska Communications' stockholders,
`regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The merger has fully
`committed debt and equity financing and is not subject to any condition with regard
`to financing. Alaska Communications’ Board of Directors has unanimously
`approved
`the agreement and recommends
`that Alaska Communications’
`stockholders approve the proposed merger and merger agreement. Alaska
`Communications expects to hold a special meeting of stockholders to consider and
`vote on the proposed merger and merger agreement as soon as practicable after the
`mailing of the proxy statement to its stockholders.
`
`TAR Holdings, LLC, which owns approximately 8.8% of the outstanding shares of
`Alaska Communications common stock, has entered into a voting agreement with
`ATN agreeing, among other things, to vote in favor of the merger. The voting
`agreement will automatically terminate upon the earliest of (a) the vote of
`stockholders on the merger, (b) any termination of the Merger Agreement, (c) any
`change in recommendation by the Board of Alaska Communications and (d) 14
`months after the signing of the Merger Agreement. Under the voting agreement,
`TAR Holdings, LLC may sell shares of the Company’s stock in the open market
`through a broker dealer.
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 7 of 14 PageID #: 7
`
`The Proxy Statement Contains Material Misstatements or Omissions
`
`23.
`
`On February 9, 2021, Alaska Communications filed the Proxy Statement with the
`
`SEC. The Company furnished it to stockholders to solicit their votes in favor of the Proposed
`
`Transaction. The Individual Defendants were obligated to carefully review the Proxy Statement
`
`before it was filed with the SEC and disseminated to the Company’s stockholders to ensure that it
`
`did not contain any material misrepresentations or omissions. However, the Proxy Statement
`
`misrepresents and/or omits material information that is necessary for the Company’s stockholders
`
`to make an informed decision concerning whether to vote in favor of the Proposed Transaction, in
`
`violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act.
`
`24.
`
`As set forth herein, the Proxy Statement fails to provide Company stockholders
`
`with material information or provides them with materially misleading information concerning(i)
`
`Alaska Communications management’s financial projections and the data and inputs underlying
`
`the valuation analyses performed by B. Riley; (ii) the background of the Proposed Transaction;
`
`and (iii) B. Riley’s potential conflicts of interest.
`
`Material Omissions Concerning Alaska Communications Management’s Financial Projections
`and B. Riley’s Financial Analyses
`
`
`regarding Company
`
`25.
`
`The Proxy Statement omits material
`
`information
`
`management’s financial projections. Specifically, at page 61 the Proxy Statement reveals that
`
`management prepared financial projections in connection with the Company’s standalone plan
`
`“during the first quarter of 2020 in connection with its annual, normal course five-year planning
`
`process.” According to the Proxy Statement, management these projections in the first quarter of
`
`2020 and were presented to the Board at its March 25, 2020 meeting. The Proxy Statement does
`
`not, however, disclose any such financial projections.
`
`26.
`
`The Proxy Statement also fails to disclose the unlevered free cash flows for fiscal
`
`7
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 8 of 14 PageID #: 8
`
`years ending December 31, 2021 through December 31, 2025 utilized by B. Riley for purposes of
`
`its discounted cash flow analysis. At page 68 the Proxy Statement reveals that B. Riley performed
`
`such an analysis “to derive a per share equity value reference range for a share of Company
`
`common stock.” In doing so, it determined the “reference range [] by adding (i) the net present
`
`value of the unlevered free cash flows for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2021 through
`
`December 31, 2025, based on the Company projections. . . .” If the unlevered free cash flows are
`
`equivalent to the adjusted free cash flows set forth in the projections on page 62 of the Proxy
`
`Statement, the Proxy Statement must clarify this.
`
`27.
`
`The Proxy Statement also fails to disclose all line items underlying the calculation
`
`of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow.
`
`28.
`
`Critical to stockholders is the Proxy Statement’s description of B. Riley’s fairness
`
`opinion and the various valuation analyses performed in support of that opinion. This description,
`
`however, fails to include key inputs and assumptions underlying these analyses. Without this
`
`information, as described below, Alaska Communications’ public stockholders are unable to fully
`
`understand these analyses and, thus, are unable to determine what weight, if any, to place on B.
`
`Riley’s fairness opinion in determining whether to vote in favor of the Proposed Transaction or
`
`seek appraisal.
`
`29. With respect to B. Riley’s Selected Public Company Analysis and Selected
`
`Precedent Transactions Analysis, the Proxy Statement fails to disclose the individual multiples
`
`and financial metrics for each of the companies and transactions observed, respectively.
`
`30. With respect to B. Riley’s Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, the Proxy Statement
`
`fails to disclose: (i) the unlevered free cash flows for fiscal years ending December 31, 2021
`
`through December 31, 2025 used in the analysis; (ii) quantification of the Company’s terminal
`
`value; and (iii) quantification of the inputs and assumptions underlying the discount rates ranging
`
`8
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 9 of 14 PageID #: 9
`
`from 11.5% to 12.5%.
`
`31. With respect to B. Riley’s Premiums Paid Analysis, the Proxy Statement fails to
`
`disclose the transactions observed and the individual premiums for each of the transactions.
`
`32.
`
`The omission of this information renders the statements in the “Opinion of Our
`
`Financial Advisor” section of the Proxy Statement false and/or materially misleading in
`
`contravention of the Exchange Act.
`
`Material Omissions Concerning the Background of the Proposed Transaction
`
`33.
`
`The Proxy Statement fails to disclose material information concerning the
`
`background of the Proposed Transaction.
`
`34.
`
`First, the Proxy Statement, fails to disclose whether any of the confidentiality
`
`agreements executed by potential buyers (“A” through “D”) include “don’t-ask, don’t-waive”
`
`(“DADW”) standstill provisions that are presently precluding any of these potential buyers from
`
`submitting a topping bid for the Company. This failure creates the false impression that any of the
`
`potential buyers who entered into confidentiality agreements could make a superior proposal for
`
`the Company. If those confidentiality agreements contain DADW provisions, then those potential
`
`buyers can only make a superior proposal by (i) breaching the confidentiality agreement—since to
`
`make the superior proposal, they would have to ask for a waiver, either directly or indirectly; or
`
`by (ii) being released from the agreement, which if action has been done, is omitted from the Proxy
`
`Statement.
`
`35.
`
`Any reasonable Alaska Communications stockholder would deem the fact that the
`
`most likely topping bidders for the Company may be precluded from making a topping bid for the
`
`Company to significantly alter the total mix of information.
`
`36.
`
`The omission of this information renders the statements in the “Background of the
`
`Merger” section of the Proxy Statement false and/or materially misleading in contravention of the
`
`9
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 10 of 14 PageID #: 10
`
`Exchange Act.
`
`Material Omissions Concerning B. Riley’s Potential Conflicts of Interest
`
`
`37.
`
`The Proxy Statement fails to disclose material information concerning the potential
`
`conflicts of interest faced by the Company’s financial advisor, B. Riley. Specifically, the Proxy
`
`Statement fails to disclose whether B. Riley has performed any past services for any parties to the
`
`Merger Agreement or their affiliates, as well as the fees received by B. Riley for providing such
`
`services.
`
`38.
`
`Full disclosure of investment banker compensation and all potential conflicts is
`
`required due to the central role played by investment banks in the evaluation, exploration,
`
`selection, and implementation of strategic alternatives. The omission of this material information
`
`renders the statements in the “Opinion of Our Financial Advisor” section of the Registration
`
`Statement false and/or materially misleading in contravention of the Exchange Act.
`
`39.
`
`The Individual Defendants were aware of their duty to disclose this information
`
`and acted negligently (if not deliberately) in failing to include this information in the Proxy
`
`Statement. Absent disclosure of the foregoing material information prior to the stockholder vote
`
`on the Proposed Transaction, Plaintiff and the other stockholders of Alaska Communications will
`
`be unable to make a sufficiently informed decision whether to vote in favor of the Proposed
`
`Transaction and are thus threatened with irreparable harm warranting the injunctive relief sought
`
`herein.
`
`CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
`
`COUNT I
`
`On Behalf of Plaintiff Against All Defendants for Violations of
`Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 and 17 C.F.R. § 244.100
`
`40.
`
`Plaintiff incorporates each and every allegation set forth above as if fully set forth
`
`10
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 11 of 14 PageID #: 11
`
`herein.
`
`41.
`
`Rule 14a-9, promulgated by the SEC pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange
`
`Act, provides that proxy communications with stockholders shall not contain “any statement
`
`which, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or
`
`misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary in
`
`order to make the statements therein not false or misleading.” 17 C.F.R. § 240.14a-9.
`
`42.
`
`Defendants issued the Proxy Statement with the intention of soliciting stockholder
`
`support for the Proposed Transaction. Each of the defendants reviewed and authorized the
`
`dissemination of the Proxy Statement and the use of their name in the Proxy Statement, which fails
`
`to provide critical information regarding, among other things, financial analysis that were prepared
`
`by Truist and relied upon by the Board in recommending the Company’s stockholders vote in favor
`
`of the Proposed Transaction.
`
`43.
`
`In so doing, defendants made untrue statements of fact and/or omitted material facts
`
`necessary to make the statements made not misleading. Each of the Individual Defendants, by
`
`virtue of their roles as officers and/or directors, were aware of the omitted information but failed
`
`to disclose such information, in violation of Section 14(a). The Individual Defendants were
`
`therefore negligent, as they had reasonable grounds to believe material facts existed that were
`
`misstated or omitted from the Proxy Statement, but nonetheless failed to obtain and disclose such
`
`information to stockholders although they could have done so without extraordinary effort.
`
`44.
`
`Defendants were, at the very least, negligent in preparing and reviewing the Proxy
`
`Statement. The preparation of a Proxy Statement by corporate insiders containing materially false
`
`or misleading statements or omitting a material fact constitutes negligence. Defendants were
`
`negligent in choosing to omit material information from the Proxy Statement or failing to notice
`
`the material omissions in the Proxy Statement upon reviewing it, which they were required to do
`
`11
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 12 of 14 PageID #: 12
`
`carefully. Indeed, defendants were intricately involved in the process leading up to the signing of
`
`the Merger Agreement and the preparation and review of strategic alternatives and other financial
`
`matters.
`
`45.
`
`The misrepresentations and omissions in the Proxy Statement are material to
`
`Plaintiff, who will be deprived of his right to cast an informed vote if such misrepresentations and
`
`omissions are not corrected prior to the vote on the Proposed Transaction. Plaintiff has no adequate
`
`remedy at law. Only through the exercise of this Court’s equitable powers can Plaintiff be fully
`
`protected from the immediate and irreparable injury that Defendants’ actions threaten to inflict.
`
`COUNT II
`
`On Behalf of Plaintiff Against the Individual Defendants for Violations of Section 20(a) of
`the Exchange Act
`
`46.
`
`Plaintiff incorporates each and every allegation set forth above as if fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`47.
`
`The Individual Defendants acted as controlling persons of the Company within the
`
`meaning of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act as alleged herein. By virtue of their positions as
`
`directors of Alaska Communications, and participation in and/or awareness of the Company’s
`
`operations and/or intimate knowledge of the incomplete and misleading statements contained in
`
`the Proxy Statement filed with the SEC, they had the power to influence and control and did
`
`influence and control, directly or indirectly, the decision making of Alaska Communications,
`
`including the content and dissemination of the various statements that Plaintiff contends are
`
`materially incomplete and misleading.
`
`48.
`
`Each of the Individual Defendants was provided with or had unlimited access to
`
`copies of the Proxy Statement and other statements alleged by Plaintiff to be misleading prior to
`
`and/or shortly after these statements were issued and had the ability to prevent the issuance of the
`
`12
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 13 of 14 PageID #: 13
`
`statements or cause the statements to be corrected.
`
`49.
`
`Each of the Individual Defendants had direct and supervisory involvement in the
`
`day-to-day operations of the Company, and, therefore, is presumed to have had the power to
`
`control or influence the particular transactions giving rise to the Exchange Act violations alleged
`
`herein, and exercised the same. The omitted information identified above was reviewed by the
`
`Board prior to voting on the Proposed Transaction. The Proxy Statement at issue contains the
`
`unanimous recommendation of the Board to approve the Proposed Transaction. The Individual
`
`Defendants were thus directly involved in the making of the Proxy Statement.
`
`50.
`
`In addition, as the Proxy Statement sets forth at length, and as described herein, the
`
`Individual Defendants were involved in negotiating, reviewing, and approving the Merger
`
`Agreement. The Proxy Statement purports to describe the various issues and information that the
`
`Individual Defendants reviewed and considered. The Individual Defendants participated in
`
`drafting and/or gave their input on the content of those descriptions.
`
`51.
`
`By virtue of the foregoing, the Individual Defendants have violated Section 20(a)
`
`of the Exchange Act.
`
`52.
`
`As set forth above, the Individual Defendants had the ability to exercise control
`
`over and did control a person or persons who have each violated Section 14(a) and Rule 14a-9, by
`
`their acts and omissions as alleged herein. By virtue of their positions as controlling persons, these
`
`defendants are liable pursuant to Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. As a direct and proximate
`
`result of Individual Defendants’ conduct, Plaintiff will be irreparably harmed.
`
`53.
`
`Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law. Only through the exercise of this Court’s
`
`equitable powers can Plaintiff be fully protected from the immediate and irreparable injury that
`
`Defendants’ actions threaten to inflict.
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-00222-LPS Document 1 Filed 02/17/21 Page 14 of 14 PageID #: 14
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands injunctive relief in his favor and against the defendants
`
`jointly and severally, as follows:
`
`A.
`
`Preliminarily and permanently enjoining defendants and their counsel, agents,
`
`employees, and all persons acting under, in concert with, or for them, from proceeding with,
`
`consummating, or closing the Proposed Transaction, unless and until defendants disclose the
`
`material information identified above which has been omitted from the Proxy Statement;
`
`B.
`
`Rescinding, to the extent already implemented, the Merger Agreement or any of
`
`the terms thereof, or granting Plaintiff rescissory damages;
`
`C.
`
`Directing the defendants to account to Plaintiff for all damages suffered because of
`
`their wrongdoing;
`
`D.
`
`Awarding Plaintiff the costs and disbursements of this action, including reasonable
`
`attorneys’ and expert fees and expenses; and
`
`E.
`
`Granting such other and further equitable relief as this Court may deem just and
`
`proper.
`
`JURY DEMAND
`
`Plaintiff demands a trial by jury.
`
`Dated: February 17, 2021
`
`
`
`
`
`
`By:
`
`LONG LAW, LLC
`
`/s/ Brian D. Long
`Brian D. Long (#4347)
`3828 Kennett Pike, Suite 208
`Wilmington, DE 19807
`Telephone: (302) 729-9100
`Email: BDLong@longlawde.com
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff
`
`14
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket