NEW YORK, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. ("Lions Gate" or the "Company") (NYSE: LGF). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 237.
The investigation concerns whether Lions Gate and certain of its officers and/or directors have violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
In March 2010, Carl Icahn ("Icahn") commenced a series of tender offers intended to facilitate his takeover of the Company by increasing his ownership interest in Lions Gate and allowing him to designate his chosen representatives to the Company's Board of Directors ("Board"). Threatened by the possibility of losing control of the Company or being replaced, Lions Gate's management and the Board sought to block Icahn's plans.
On July 20, 2010, the Board - with management's assistance - approved and facilitated the Transactions, which resulted in placing over 16 million shares of common stock in the hands of director Mark Rachesky and/or entities he controlled ("Rachesky") while diluting the interests of other Lions Gate shareholders, including Icahn. Rachesky was a staunch supporter of Lions Gate management and the Board.
Thereafter, Lions Gate publicly represented that the Transactions were "a key part of the Company's previously announced plan to reduce its total debt, as well as its nearer term maturities." In fact, the SEC found, Lions Gate had not announced any such debt-reduction plan. Moreover, Lions Gate failed to adequately disclose the true purpose of the Transactions: to stifle Icahn's takeover attempts. Following the public announcement of the Transactions, Lions Gate continued to misrepresent their true purpose to investors.
On March 13, 2014, the SEC issued an Order Instituting Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Section 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings, and Imposing a Cease-and-Desist Order ("Order"), which memorialized the resolution of the investigation and charges against Lions Gate for making false and misleading disclosures regarding the Transactions. As detailed in the Order, Lions Gate settled the investigation by, among other things, agreeing to pay $7.5 million in fines and acknowledging that it had violated the federal securities laws.
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CONTACT:
Robert S. Willoughby
Pomerantz LLP
rswilloughby@pomlaw.com
SOURCE Pomerantz LLP