`
`Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
`HALPER SADEH LLP
`667 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
`New York, NY 10065
`Telephone: (212) 763-0060
`Facsimile: (646) 776-2600
`Email: sadeh@halpersadeh.com
`
`Counsel for Plaintiff
`
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
`
`
`Case No:
`
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`
`DAWN BROZIK,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`RENEWABLE ENERGY GROUP, INC.,
`JEFFREY STROBURG, RANDOLPH L.
`HOWARD, CYNTHIA WARNER,
`WALTER BERGER, JAMES C. BOREL,
`DELBERT CHRISTENSEN, DEBORA
`M. FRODL, DYLAN GLENN, PETER J.
`M. HARDING, NIHARIKA TASKAR
`RAMDEV, and CHRISTOPHER D.
`SORRELLS,
`
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
`
`Plaintiff Dawn Brozik (“Plaintiff”), by Plaintiff’s undersigned attorneys, for Plaintiff’s
`
`complaint against Defendants (defined below), alleges the following based upon personal
`
`knowledge as to Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s own acts, and upon information and belief as to all other
`
`matters, based upon, inter alia, the investigation conducted by and through Plaintiff’s attorneys.
`
`NATURE OF THE ACTION
`
`1.
`
`This is an action against Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (“Renewable Energy” or
`
`the “Company”) and its Board of Directors (the “Board” or the “Individual Defendants”) for their
`
`1
`
`
`
`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 2 of 15 PageID #: 2
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`violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange
`
`Act”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 78n(a) and 78t(a), and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder by the SEC, 17
`
`C.F.R. § 240.14a-9, in connection with the proposed acquisition (the “Proposed Transaction”) of
`
`Renewable Energy by Chevron Corporation (“Chevron”) and its wholly owned subsidiary,
`
`Cyclone Merger Sub Inc. (“Merger Sub”).
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`2.
`
`The claims asserted herein arise under and pursuant to Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of
`
`the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 78n(a) and 78t(a)) and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder by the
`
`SEC (17 C.F.R. § 240.14a-9).
`
`3.
`
`This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28
`
`U.S.C. § 1331, and Section 27 of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78aa.
`
`4.
`
`Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) and Section 27 of
`
`the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. § 78aa(c)) as a substantial portion of the transactions and wrongs
`
`complained of herein had an effect in this District, and the alleged misstatements entered and the
`
`subsequent damages occurred in this District.
`
`5.
`
`In connection with the acts, conduct and other wrongs alleged in this complaint,
`
`Defendants, directly or indirectly, used the means and instrumentalities of interstate commerce,
`
`including but not limited to, the United States mails, interstate telephone communications and the
`
`facilities of the national securities exchange.
`
`PARTIES
`
`6.
`
`Plaintiff is, and has been at all relevant times hereto, an owner of Renewable Energy
`
`common stock.
`
`2
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`
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 3 of 15 PageID #: 3
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`7.
`
`Defendant Renewable Energy provides lower carbon transportation fuels in the
`
`United States and internationally. The company utilizes a production, distribution, and logistics
`
`system to convert natural fats, oils, and greases into advanced biofuels. The Company is
`
`headquartered in Ames, Iowa. The Company is incorporated in Delaware. The Company’s
`
`common stock trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol, “REGI.”
`
`8.
`
`Defendant Jeffrey Stroburg (“Stroburg”) is Chairman of the Board of the
`
`Company.
`
`9.
`
`Defendant Randolph L. Howard (“Howard”) is a director of the Company, serving
`
`as Vice Chairman of the Board.
`
`10.
`
`Defendant Cynthia Warner (“Warner”) is President, Chief Executive Officer
`
`(“CEO”), and a director of the Company.
`
`11.
`
`12.
`
`13.
`
`14.
`
`15.
`
`16.
`
`17.
`
`18.
`
`19.
`
`Defendant Walter Berger (“Berger”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant James C. Borel (“Borel”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant Delbert Christensen (“Christensen”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant Debora M. Frodl (“Frodl”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant Dylan Glenn (“Glenn”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant Peter J.M. Harding (“Harding”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant Niharika Taskar Ramdev (“Ramdev”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendant Christopher D. Sorrells (“Sorrells”) is a director of the Company.
`
`Defendants Stroburg, Howard, Warner, Berger, Borel, Christensen, Frodl, Glenn,
`
`Harding, Ramdev, and Sorrells are collectively referred to herein as the “Individual Defendants.”
`
`20.
`
`Defendants Renewable Energy and the Individual Defendants are collectively
`
`referred to herein as the “Defendants.”
`
`3
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`
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 4 of 15 PageID #: 4
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`SUBSTANTIVE ALLEGATIONS
`
`A. Background of the Proposed Transaction
`
`21.
`
`Beginning in January 2020, Renewable Energy and Chevron engaged in periodic
`
`discussions of renewable diesel production, supply and other strategic opportunities.
`
`22.
`
`In fall 2020, Renewable Energy engaged in discussions with a petroleum refinery
`
`and supply company (“Company A”) regarding a potential joint venture or strategic partnership.
`
`Those parties executed a confidentiality agreement. While those discussions fizzled in January
`
`2021, the parties renewed such discussions between August 2021 into December 2021.
`
`23.
`
`On November 9, 2021, the Board appointed Defendants Glenn and Ramdev as
`
`members of the Board.
`
`24.
`
`On December 20, 2021 Defendant Warner met Chevron’s Director of Mergers and
`
`Acquisitions, at which time Chevron relayed its intent to submit a proposal to acquire Renewable
`
`Energy in January 2022.
`
`25.
`
`On January 3, 2022, Chevron offered to acquire Renewable Energy for $58.50 per
`
`share in cash. At the time, Chevron offered to add Defendant Warner to the Chevron board of
`
`directors after consummation of a transaction and to headquarter the combined renewable fuels
`
`business in Ames, Iowa.
`
`26.
`
`On January 11, 2022, Chevron raised its offer to acquire Renewable Energy for
`
`$61.50 per share in cash.
`
`27.
`
`On February 9, 2022, after Guggenheim Securities, LLC (“Guggenheim”) had been
`
`retained to serve as a financial advisor to the Board in connection with the Proposed Transaction,
`
`Guggenheim provided Renewable Energy “with a customary memorandum disclosing certain of
`
`Guggenheim’s then-current and historical relationships with Chevron and its affiliates.” Proxy
`
`4
`
`
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 5 of 15 PageID #: 5
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`Statement at 27.
`
`28.
`
`The Board determined not to conduct a “market check” and engage exclusively
`
`with Chevron without contacting other potential buyers. Renewable Energy requested a “go shop”
`
`period but Chevron apparently refused.
`
`29.
`
`On February 20, 2022, Defendant Warner met with Chevron’s CEO, reiterating
`
`Chevron’s request that Defendant Warner join Chevron’s board after completion of merger.
`
`30.
`
`On February 27, 2022, Renewable Energy and Chevron (and their relevant
`
`affiliates) executed a merger agreement. The next day, Renewable Energy and Chevron announced
`
`the Proposed Transaction pursuant to which Chevron would acquire Renewable Energy for $61.50
`
`per share in cash. The press release announcing the Proposed Transaction states, in pertinent part:
`
`Chevron Announces Agreement to Acquire Renewable Energy Group
`
`• Expected to build strength and accelerate growth across renewable fuels
`value chain
`
`• Projected to be accretive to earnings and free cash flow
`
`• Cynthia (CJ) Warner, REG CEO, expected to join Chevron Board of
`Directors
`
`February 28, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
`
`SAN RAMON, Calif. & AMES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chevron Corporation
`(NYSE: CVX) and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGI) (“REG”)
`announced today a definitive agreement under which Chevron will acquire the
`outstanding shares of REG in an all-cash transaction valued at $3.15 billion, or
`$61.50 per share.
`
`The acquisition combines REG’s growing renewable fuels production and leading
`feedstock capabilities with Chevron’s large manufacturing, distribution and
`commercial marketing position.
`
`“REG was a founder of the renewable fuels industry and has been a leading
`innovator ever since,” said Chevron Chairman and CEO Mike Wirth. “Together,
`we can grow more quickly and efficiently than either could on its own.”
`
`The transaction is expected to accelerate progress toward Chevron’s goal to grow
`renewable fuels production capacity to 100,000 barrels per day by 2030 and brings
`
`5
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`
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 6 of 15 PageID #: 6
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`additional feedstock supplies and pre-treatment facilities. After closing of the
`acquisition, Chevron’s renewable fuels business, Renewable Fuels - REG, will be
`headquartered in Ames, Iowa. In addition, CJ Warner is expected to join Chevron’s
`Board of Directors.
`
`“This transaction delivers premium cash value to shareholders and will give us
`additional resources as we aim to accelerate growth and strengthen our collective
`ability to deliver the sustainable fuels our customers and the world need,” said CJ
`Warner, REG president & CEO. “Our employees’ hard work and dedication have
`built a fantastic renewable fuels company and made this transaction possible. We
`look forward to joining Chevron’s team.”
`
`The transaction is expected to be accretive to Chevron earnings in the first year
`after closing and accretive to free cash flow after start-up of REG’s Geismar
`expansion.
`
`Transaction Details
`
`The acquisition consideration is 100 percent cash. Total enterprise value of $2.75
`billion includes a net cash position around $400 million greater than debt.
`
`The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies
`and is expected to close in the second half of 2022. The acquisition is subject to
`REG shareholder approval. It is also subject to regulatory approvals and other
`customary closing conditions.
`
`The transaction price represents a premium of around 57% on a 30-day average
`based on closing stock prices on February 25, 2022.
`
`Advisors
`
`Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to Chevron. Paul, Weiss,
`Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal advisor to Chevron.
`Guggenheim Securities, LLC is acting as financial advisor and Latham & Watkins
`LLP is acting as legal advisor to REG.
`
`Conference Call
`
`Chevron will conduct a conference call on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 11:00
`a.m. ET to discuss the transaction.
`
`A webcast of the discussion will be available in a listen-only mode to individual
`investors, media, and other
`interested parties on Chevron’s website
`at www.chevron.com under the “Investors” section, or by calling 800-822-4794
`and providing the conference ID 5949818. Additional materials will be available
`under “Events and Presentations” in the “Investors” section on the Chevron
`website.
`
`6
`
`
`
`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 7 of 15 PageID #: 7
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`About Chevron
`
`Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe
`affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more
`prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas;
`manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and
`develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused
`on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and seeking to grow lower carbon
`businesses along with our traditional business lines. More information about
`Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
`
`About Renewable Energy Group
`
`Renewable Energy Group is leading the energy and transportation industries’
`transition to sustainability by converting renewable resources into high-quality,
`sustainable fuels. REG is an international producer of sustainable fuels that
`significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions to immediately reduce carbon impact.
`REG utilizes a global integrated procurement, distribution, and logistics network to
`operate 11 biorefineries in the U.S. and Europe. In 2020, REG produced 519 million
`gallons, or 1.7 million metric tons, of cleaner fuel delivering 4.2 million metric tons
`of carbon reduction. REG is meeting the growing global demand for lower-carbon
`fuels and leading the way to a more sustainable future.
`
`31.
`
`On March 23, 2022, Defendants caused to be filed with the SEC a Schedule 14A
`
`Preliminary Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange
`
`Act in connection with the Proposed Transaction.
`
`B. The Proxy Statement Contains Materially False and Misleading Statements and
`Omissions
`
`32.
`
`The Proxy Statement, which recommends that Renewable Energy shareholders
`
`vote in favor of the Proposed Transaction, omits and/or misrepresents material information
`
`concerning: (i) potential conflicts of interest involving Company insiders; (ii) the sales process
`
`leading up to the Proposed Transaction; (iii) potential conflicts of interest involving Renewable
`
`Energy’s financial advisor, Guggenheim; (iv) financial analyses performed by Guggenheim in
`
`connection with its fairness opinion; and (v) Renewable Energy’s financial projections.
`
`33.
`
`The omission of the material information (below) renders the following sections of
`
`the Proxy Statement false and misleading, among others: (i) Background of the Merger; (ii)
`
`7
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`
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 8 of 15 PageID #: 8
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`Recommendation of Our Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger; (iii) Opinion of
`
`Guggenheim Securities; and (iv) Certain Financial Projections.
`
`34.
`
`Unless and until the material misstatements and omissions (referenced below) are
`
`remedied before the anticipated shareholder vote on the Proposed Transaction, Renewable Energy
`
`shareholders will be forced to make a voting decision on the Proposed Transaction without full
`
`disclosure of all material information.
`
`35.
`
`In the event the Proposed Transaction is consummated, Plaintiff may seek to
`
`recover damages resulting from Defendants’ misconduct.
`
`1. Material Omissions Concerning Company Insiders’ Potential Conflicts of
`Interest
`
`36.
`
`The Proxy Statement omits material information concerning potential conflicts of
`
`interest involving Company insiders.
`
`37.
`
`The Proxy Statement fails to sufficiently disclose the details of all employment-
`
`related and compensation-related discussions and negotiations concerning the Company’s officers
`
`and directors, particularly Defendant Warner, Renewable Energy’s CEO and a director who had
`
`been actively negotiating the Proposed Transaction and who had received numerous offers during
`
`the sales process to join Chevron’s board after the closing of the Proposed Transaction.
`
`38.
`
`Any communications
`
`regarding post-transaction employment during
`
`the
`
`negotiation of the underlying transaction must be disclosed to shareholders.
`
`39.
`
`The above-referenced omitted information, if disclosed, would significantly alter
`
`the total mix of information available to the Company’s shareholders.
`
`2. Material Omissions Concerning the Sales Process Leading up to the Proposed
`Transaction
`
`40.
`
`The Proxy Statement omits material information concerning the sales process
`
`leading up to the Proposed Transaction.
`
`8
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`
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 9 of 15 PageID #: 9
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`41.
`
`The Proxy Statement provides that Renewable Energy entered into a mutual
`
`confidentiality agreement with Company A in 2020.
`
`42. With respect to the confidentiality agreement with Company A, the Proxy
`
`Statement fails to disclose whether such agreement contained any provisions that could preclude
`
`Company A from making a strategic or superior proposal to or for the Company.
`
`43. Without this information, Renewable Energy shareholders may have the mistaken
`
`belief that Company A is or was permitted to submit superior proposals for the Company, when in
`
`fact they are or were contractually prohibited from doing so.
`
`44.
`
`This information is material because a reasonable Renewable Energy shareholder
`
`would want to know, prior to voting their shares in connection with the Proposed Transaction,
`
`whether potential buyers are or were foreclosed from submitting a strategic or superior proposal.
`
`45.
`
`The above-referenced omitted information, if disclosed, would significantly alter
`
`the total mix of information available to the Company’s shareholders.
`
`3. Material Omissions Concerning Guggenheim’s Potential Conflicts of Interest
`
`46.
`
`As noted, on February 9, 2022, Guggenheim provided Renewable Energy “with a
`
`customary memorandum disclosing certain of Guggenheim’s then-current and historical
`
`relationships with Chevron and its affiliates.” Proxy Statement at 27. The Proxy Statement,
`
`however, fails to disclose the details of such “then-current and historical relationships.”
`
`47.
`
`Rather, the Proxy Statement inconsistently states that “Guggenheim Securities has
`
`not been previously engaged during the past two years by REG or Chevron to provide financial
`
`advisory or investment banking services for which Guggenheim Securities received compensation,
`
`. . .” Id. at 50. This statement omits material facts that are necessary to make the statement not
`
`misleading since, as noted, Guggenheim had “then-current” relationships with Chevron and its
`
`affiliates as of February 9, 2022.
`
`9
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 10 of 15 PageID #: 10
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`48.
`
`Disclosure of a financial advisor’s compensation and potential conflicts of interest
`
`to shareholders is required due to their central role in the evaluation, exploration, selection, and
`
`implementation of strategic alternatives and the rendering of any fairness opinions. Disclosure of
`
`a financial advisor’s potential conflicts of interest may inform shareholders on how much weight
`
`to place on that analysis.
`
`49.
`
`The omission of the above-referenced information renders the Proxy Statement
`
`materially incomplete and misleading. This information, if disclosed, would significantly alter the
`
`total mix of information available to the Company’s shareholders.
`
`4. Material Omissions Concerning Guggenheim’s Analyses
`
`50.
`
`In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Proxy Statement omits material
`
`information concerning analyses performed by Guggenheim.
`
`51.
`
`The Proxy Statement fails to disclose the following concerning Guggenheim’s
`
`“Discounted Cash Flow Analysis”: (1) the individual inputs and assumptions underlying the (i)
`
`range of discount rates of 8.25% to 10.25%, and (ii) perpetual growth rates of 0% to 2%; (2) the
`
`terminal values; and (3) the line items underlying the projections utilized in the analysis.
`
`52.
`
`The Proxy Statement fails to disclose the following concerning Guggenheim’s
`
`“Selected Precedent Merger and Acquisition Transactions Analysis”: (1) the value of each
`
`transaction; and (2) the closing date of each transaction.
`
`53. With respect to Guggenheim’s “Premiums Paid in Selected Precedent Merger and
`
`Acquisition Transactions” analysis, the Proxy Statement fails to disclose: (1) the transactions
`
`observed in the analysis; and (2) the premiums paid therein.
`
`54. With respect to Guggenheim’s “Wall Street Equity Research Analyst Stock Price
`
`Targets” analysis, the Proxy Statement fails to disclose: (1) the price targets observed in the
`
`analysis; and (2) the sources thereof.
`
`10
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 11 of 15 PageID #: 11
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`55.
`
`The valuation methods, underlying assumptions, and key inputs used by
`
`Guggenheim in rendering its purported fairness opinion must be fairly disclosed to the Company’s
`
`shareholders. The description of Guggenheim’s fairness opinion and analyses, however, fails to
`
`include key inputs and assumptions underlying those analyses.
`
`56. Without the information described above, the Company’s shareholders are unable
`
`to fully understand Guggenheim’s fairness opinion and analyses, and are thus unable to determine
`
`how much weight, if any, to place on them in determining whether to vote for or against the
`
`Proposed Transaction. This omitted information, if disclosed, would significantly alter the total
`
`mix of information available to the Company’s shareholders.
`
`5. Material Omissions Concerning Renewable Energy’s Financial Projections
`
`57.
`
`The Proxy Statement omits material information concerning Renewable Energy’s
`
`financial projections.
`
`58. With respect to each set of Renewable Energy’s financial projections, the Proxy
`
`Statement fails to disclose: (1) all line items underlying revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted
`
`EBITDA after SBC, and Unlevered Free Cash Flow; (2) the Company’s net income projections;
`
`and (3) a reconciliation of all non-GAAP to GAAP metrics.
`
`59.
`
`The disclosure of this information is material because it would provide the
`
`Company’s shareholders with a basis to project the future financial performance of the Company
`
`and would allow shareholders to better understand the financial analyses performed by the
`
`Company’s financial advisor in support of its fairness opinion. Shareholders cannot hope to
`
`replicate management’s inside view of the future prospects of the Company. Without such
`
`information, which is uniquely possessed by Defendant(s) and the Company’s financial advisor,
`
`the Company’s shareholders are unable to determine how much weight, if any, to place on the
`
`Company’s financial advisor’s fairness opinion in determining whether to vote for or against the
`
`11
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 12 of 15 PageID #: 12
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`Proposed Transaction.
`
`60.
`
`The above-referenced omitted information, if disclosed, would significantly alter
`
`the total mix of information available to the Company’s shareholders.
`
`COUNT I
`For Violations of Section 14(a) and Rule 14a-9 Promulgated Thereunder
`Against All Defendants
`Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained above as if fully
`
`61.
`
`set forth herein.
`
`62.
`
`During the relevant period, Defendants, individually and in concert, directly or
`
`indirectly, disseminated or approved the false and misleading Proxy Statement specified above,
`
`which failed to disclose material facts necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of
`
`the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in violation of Section 14(a) of
`
`the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder by the SEC.
`
`63.
`
`Each of the Individual Defendants, by virtue of his/her positions within the
`
`Company as officers and/or directors, were aware of the omitted information but failed to disclose
`
`such information, in violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act. Defendants, by use of the
`
`mails and means and instrumentalities of interstate commerce, solicited and/or permitted the use
`
`of their names to file and disseminate the Proxy Statement with respect to the Proposed
`
`Transaction. The Defendants were, at minimum, negligent in filing the materially false and
`
`misleading Proxy Statement.
`
`64.
`
`The false and misleading statements and omissions in the Proxy Statement are
`
`material in that a reasonable shareholder would consider them important in deciding how to vote
`
`on the Proposed Transaction.
`
`65.
`
`By reason of the foregoing, Defendants have violated Section 14(a) of the Exchange
`
`Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder.
`
`12
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 13 of 15 PageID #: 13
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`66.
`
`Because of the false and misleading statements and omissions in the Proxy
`
`Statement, Plaintiff is threatened with irreparable harm.
`
`COUNT II
`Violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act
`Against the Individual Defendants
`
`Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained in the foregoing
`
`
`67.
`
`paragraphs as if fully set forth herein.
`
`68.
`
`The Individual Defendants acted as control persons of the Company within the
`
`meaning of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act as alleged herein. By virtue of their senior positions
`
`as officers and/or directors of the Company and participation in and/or awareness of the
`
`Company’s operations and/or intimate knowledge of the false statements contained in the Proxy
`
`Statement filed with the SEC, they had the power to and did influence and control, directly or
`
`indirectly, the decision-making of the Company, including the content and dissemination of the
`
`false and misleading Proxy Statement.
`
`69.
`
`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
`
`statements or cause the statements to be corrected. As officers and/or directors of a publicly owned
`
`company, the Individual Defendants had a duty to disseminate accurate and truthful information
`
`with respect to the Proxy Statement, and to correct promptly any public statements issued by the
`
`Company which were or had become materially false or misleading.
`
`70.
`
`In particular, each of the Individual Defendants had direct and supervisory
`
`involvement in the operations of the Company, and, therefore, is presumed to have had the power
`
`to control or influence the particular transactions giving rise to the securities violations as alleged
`
`13
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 14 of 15 PageID #: 14
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`herein, and exercised the same. The Individual Defendants were provided with or had unlimited
`
`access to copies of the Proxy Statement and had the ability to prevent the issuance of the statements
`
`or to cause the statements to be corrected. The Proxy Statement at issue contains the
`
`recommendation of the Individual Defendants to approve the Proposed Transaction. Thus, the
`
`Individual Defendants were directly involved in the making of the Proxy Statement.
`
`71.
`
`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 Proposed
`
`Transaction. The Proxy Statement purports to describe the various issues and information that they
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`reviewed and considered—descriptions which had input from the Individual Defendants.
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`72.
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`By virtue of the foregoing, the Individual Defendants have violated Section 20(a)
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`of the Exchange Act.
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`73.
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`As set forth above, the Individual Defendants had the ability to exercise control
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`over and did control a person or persons who have each violated Section 14(a) and Rule 14a-9
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`promulgated thereunder, by their acts and omissions as alleged herein. By virtue of their positions
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`as controlling persons, the Individual Defendants are liable pursuant to Section 20(a) of the
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`Exchange Act. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ conduct, the Company’s
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`shareholders will be irreparably harmed.
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for judgment and relief as follows:
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`A.
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`Preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendants and all persons acting in
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`concert with them from proceeding with, consummating, or closing the Proposed Transaction and
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`any vote on the Proposed Transaction, unless and until Defendants disclose and disseminate the
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`material information identified above to Company shareholders;
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`Case 1:22-cv-01854 Document 1 Filed 04/03/22 Page 15 of 15 PageID #: 15
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`B.
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`In the event Defendants consummate the Proposed Transaction, rescinding it and
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`setting it aside or awarding rescissory damages;
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`C.
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`Declaring that Defendants violated Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act,
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`and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder;
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`D.
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`Awarding Plaintiff reasonable costs and expenses incurred in this action, including
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`counsel fees and expert fees; and
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`E.
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`Granting such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
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`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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`Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury.
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`Dated: April 3, 2022
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` Respectfully submitted,
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`HALPER SADEH LLP
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`/s/ Daniel Sadeh
`Daniel Sadeh, Esq.
`Zachary Halper, Esq. (to be admitted pro hac
`vice)
`667 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
`New York, NY 10065
`Telephone: (212) 763-0060
`Facsimile: (646) 776-2600
`Email: sadeh@halpersadeh.com
` zhalper@halpersadeh.com
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`Counsel for Plaintiff
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`15
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