UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-17582
In the Matter of
Weatherford International PLC, f/k/a
Weatherford International LTD.,
James Hudgins, CPA, and Darryl
Kitay, CPA
Respondents.
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PROPOSED PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-17628
In the Matter of
Ernst & Young LLP, Craig R.
Fronckiewicz, CPA, and Sarah E.
Adams, CPA
Respondents.
I.
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OVERVIEW
1.
The Division of Enforcement submits this proposed plan of distribution (the
“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 1101 of the Commission’s Rules on Fair Fund and Disgorgement Plans
(the “Commission’s Rules”), 17 C.F.R. § 201.1101. As described more specifically below, the
Plan provides for the distribution of funds collected in the above-captioned matters to
compensate investors harmed by securities violations of Weatherford International PLC, f/k/a
Weatherford International LTD. (“Weatherford”), James Hudgins, CPA, and Darryl Kitay, CPA
(collectively, the “Weatherford Respondents”),1 as well as Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”), Craig
1
See Order Instituting Public Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Section 8A of the
Securities Act of 1933, Sections 4C and 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 102(e) of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist
Order, Securities Act Rel. No. 10221 (Sept. 27, 2016) (the “Weatherford Order”).
R. Fronckiewicz, CPA, and Sarah E. Adams, CPA (collectively, the “E&Y Respondents” and
together with the Weatherford Respondents, the “Respondents”)2 as described in the Orders.
2.
As described more specifically below, the Plan seeks to compensate investors
who were harmed by the Respondents’ conduct described in the Orders. The Commission’s
Orders arose out of substantially similar facts and occurred during substantially the same time
period as the violations alleged in two related Class Actions (the “Class Actions”).3 As
calculated using the methodology detailed in the Plan of Allocation (attached as Exhibit A),
investors will be compensated for their losses on shares of Weatherford common stock
(“Security”) purchased between February 25, 2009 and November 12, 2012 (the “Relevant
Period”). The allocation methodology is substantially similar to the court-approved
methodology developed for the Class Actions. In the view of the Commission staff and the Fund
Administrator, this methodology constitutes a fair and reasonable allocation of the Fair Fund.
3.
The Commission has custody of the Fair Fund and shall retain control of the
assets of the Fair Fund. The Plan is subject to approval by the Commission, and the Commission
retains jurisdiction over its implementation.
II.
BACKGROUND
4.
On September 27, 2016, the Commission issued the Weatherford Order against
the Weatherford Respondents. In the Weatherford Order, the Commission found that, between
2007 and 2012, Weatherford, a large multinational provider of oil and natural gas equipment and
services, issued false financial statements that inflated its earnings by over $900 million in
violation of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). As a result, Weatherford was
forced to restate its financial statements on March 8, 2011, and again in February and July 2012.
As a result of the conduct described in the Weatherford Order, the Commission ordered the
Weatherford Respondents to pay a total of $140,364,067 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest,
and civil money penalties. All the amounts ordered have been paid. Pursuant to Section 308(a)
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), the Weatherford Order created a Fair
Fund for distribution of the amounts ordered to harmed investors.
5.
On October 18, 2016, the Commission issued the E&Y Order against the E&Y
Respondents. According to the E&Y Order, the E&Y Respondents violated the federal securities
laws and engaged in improper professional conduct while serving as the external auditor,
coordinating (i.e., signing) partner, and tax partner, respectively for Weatherford in connection
with its 2007-2010 financial statements. As a result of this conduct, the Commission ordered the
E&Y Respondents to pay a total of $11,840,107 in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil
2
See Order Instituting Public Administrative and Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 4C and 21C
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, Making Findings,
and Imposing Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order, Exchange Act Rel. No. 79109 (Oct. 18, 2016) (the
“E&Y Order” and together with the Weatherford Order, the “Orders”).
3
In re Weatherford Int'l Sec. Litig., 11 Civ. 1646 (LAK) (JCF), (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 28, 2013) (for the class period April
25, 2007 through March 1, 2011) (“Weatherford I”), and Freedman v. Weatherford Int'l, No. 12 Civ. 2121, 2013
WL 5299137 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 20, 2013) (for the class period March 2, 2011 through July 24, 2012) (“Weatherford
II”).
2
money penalties to the Commission, and created a Fair Fund, pursuant to Section 308(a) of the
Sarbanes-Oxley of 2002.
6.
On November 30, 2017, the Commission issued an Order consolidating the
Weatherford and Ernst & Young Fair Funds into a single Fair Fund for distribution to harmed
investors, for a total Fair Fund in the amount of $152,204,174 (the “Fair Fund”).4
7.
The Fair Fund is currently deposited in a Commission designated interest-bearing
account at the United States Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, where it
will be held until a disbursement is ordered. It is not anticipated that the Fair Fund will receive
additional funds, other than accumulated interest and earnings from investment.
III.
DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the definitions below shall apply.
8.
“Administrative Costs” shall mean administrative costs and expenses, including
without limitation the fees and expenses of the Tax Administrator and the Fund Administrator,
tax obligations, bond premium expenses, and investment and banking costs.
9.
“Claimant” means a Person who files a Claim Form in this action or a Class
Action Authorized Claimant as defined herein.
10.
“Claim Form” means the form designed by the Fund Administrator, in
consultation with the Commission staff, for the filing of claims in accordance with this Plan.
The Claim Form will require, at a minimum, sufficient documentation reflecting any Claimant’s
purchases and dispositions of the Security during the Relevant Period such that eligibility under
the Plan can be determined, tax identification and other related information from the Claimant as
determined necessary by the Fund Administrator in coordination with the Tax Administrator, and
a certification that the Claimant is not an Excluded Party.
11.
“Claim Status Notice” means the notice sent by the Fund Administrator within
sixty (60) days of the Claims Bar Date (195 days after Plan approval) to any Claimant that
submitted a deficient Claim Form. The Claim Status Notice will provide to each Claimant
whose claim is deficient, in whole or in part, the reason(s) for the deficiency and in the event the
claim is denied, the Claim Status Notice will state the reason(s) for such denial. The Claim
Status Notice will also notify the Claimant of the opportunity to cure any deficiency, request
reconsideration, or dispute the determination made by the Fund Administrator and provide
instructions regarding what is required to do so.
12.
“Claims Bar Date” means the date established in accordance with this Plan by
which a Claimant’s Claim Form must be postmarked or submitted electronically in order to
receive consideration under the Plan. The Claims Bar Date shall be ninety (90) days after the
initial mailing of the Notices (135 days after Plan approval). Claim Forms submitted by
4
Order Consolidating Fair Funds, Exchange Act Rel. No. 82185 (Nov. 30, 3017).
3
Claimants postmarked or received after the Claims Bar Date will not be accepted unless the Fund
Administrator is directed to do so by the Commission staff.
13.
“Claims Determination Date” means the date on or before which the Fund
Administrator shall mail Determination Notices to each Claimant who has filed a Claim Form.
The Claims Determination Date is one hundred fifty (150) days after mailing the Claim Status
Notices (345 days after Plan approval).
14.
“Class Actions” means the In re Weatherford Int'l Sec. Litig., 11 Civ. 1646 (LAK)
(JCF) (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 28, 2013) (“Weatherford I”) and Freedman v. Weatherford Int’l, No. 12
Civ. 2121, 2013 WL 5299137 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 20, 2013) (“Weatherford II”) class actions.
15.
“Class Action Authorized Claimant” means a Person who filed an approved
claim(s) in one or both of the Class Actions for purchases or acquisitions of the Security made
during the Relevant Period. Such Person is automatically deemed a Claimant under the Plan,
with respect only to those transactions in the Security as to which a claim was previously
authorized in either Class Action. Class Action Authorized Claimants will only be required to
provide information regarding the disposition of their shares at the end of the Relevant Period or
90-day Lookback Period (as defined in the Plan of Allocation) on a Claim Form pursuant to the
Plan, unless they wish to amend their claim approved in the Class Actions to include additional
transactions. Failure to provide the required information will result in the transactions being
deemed ineligible.
16.
“Class Action Authorized Claimants Notice” means the notice sent to Class
Action Authorized Claimants informing them of the Fair Fund and that they will automatically
be deemed a Claimant under the Plan, with respect to the transactions in the Security in the Class
Action for which their claim was previously approved and that because the Relevant Period
exceeds the class period in both of the Class Actions, information regarding the disposition of
their shares at the end of the Relevant Period or 90-day Lookback Period (as defined in the Plan
of Allocation) is required. In addition, if their approved transactions calculate to a Recognized
Loss in accordance with the Plan of Allocation they will be deemed an Eligible Claimant under
the Plan. This notice shall also inform Class Action Authorized Claimants that should they wish
to amend the claim approved in connection with the Class Actions to include additional
transactions, they may do so by submitting a revised Claim Form, along with documentation
supporting the additional transactions; all such amendments will be reviewed for eligibility in
accordance with the Plan. The Class Action Authorized Claimants Notice shall be mailed fortyfive (45) days after Plan approval.
17.
“Class Action Deficient Claimant” means a Person who filed a claim(s) in one or
both of the Class Actions that was determined to be deficient and who failed to cure such
deficiency in the Class Actions.
18.
“Class Action Deficient Claimants Notice” means the notice sent to Class Action
Deficient Claimants informing them that they have an opportunity to cure or supplement the
deficient claim(s) filed in the Class Actions by providing the required information and/or
documentation. Information regarding the disposition of their shares at the end of the Relevant
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Period will also be requested. If such information and/or documentation establishes a
Recognized Loss as calculated in accordance with the Plan of Allocation, the Class Action
Deficient Claimant will be deemed an Eligible Claimant under the Plan. The Class Action
Deficient Claimants Notice shall be mailed forty-five (45) days after Plan approval.
19.
“Determination Notice” means the notice sent to each Claimant who submitted a
Claim Form setting forth the Fund Administrator’s conclusion concerning the eligibility of such
claim. Determination Notices shall be mailed within one hundred fifty (150) days after mailing
the Claim Status Notices (345 days after Plan approval).
20.
“Distribution Payment” shall mean a payment from the Fair Fund to a Payee in
accordance with the terms of this Plan.
21.
“Eligible Claimant” means a Claimant, who is not an Excluded Party, who
submitted a valid Claim Form and suffered a Recognized Loss, as calculated in accordance with
the Plan of Allocation. Eligible Claimant also includes Class Action Authorized Claimants and
Class Action Deficient Claimants who cured their deficiencies, who provided information
regarding the Lookback Period and dispositions of their shares at the end of the Relevant Period
and suffered a Recognized Loss.
22.
“Excluded Party” shall mean (a) any of the Respondents or any Defendant named
in the Complaints in the Class Actions; (b) any employee or former employee of the Respondent
or any of its affiliates who has been terminated for cause or has otherwise resigned in connection
with the conduct described in the Orders; (c) any Person who, as of the Claims Bar Date, has been
the subject of criminal charges related to the conduct described in the Orders or any related
Commission action; (d) members of the immediate family of the individual Respondents or any
Defendant named in the Class Actions; (e) any firm, trust, partnership, corporation, present or
former officer, director or other individual or entity in which any of the Respondents or
Defendants named in the Complaint or in the Class Action(s) have a controlling interest or which
is related to or affiliated with any of the Respondents or Defendants named in the Class Actions;
(f) the legal representatives, heirs, successors-in-interest or assigns of any such excluded persons
or entities; (g) Persons whose only acquisition of the Security during the Relevant Period was via
gift or inheritance if the Person from which the Security were received did not themselves acquire
the Security during the Relevant Period; (h) any purchaser or assignee of another Persons’ right to
obtain a recovery from the Fair Fund for value; provided however, this provision shall not be
construed to exclude those Persons who obtained such a right by gift, inheritance, or devise; and
(i) the Fund Administrator, its employees and those persons assisting the Fund Administrator in
its role as Fund Administrator. The Claim Form will require all Claimants, other than Class
Action Authorized Claimants who do not amend their claims, to certify that that they are not an
Excluded Party.
23.
“Fair Fund” shall refer to the consolidated fund created by the Commission,
pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for the benefit of investors
harmed by the Respondents’ securities violations described in the Orders.
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24.
“Net Available Fair Fund” shall mean the Fair Fund, plus any accumulated
interest and earnings from investments thereon, less any Administrative Costs.
25.
“Notice” shall mean the Class Action Authorized Claimants Notice, the Class
Action Deficient Claimants Notice, or the Potentially Eligible Claimants Notice (collectively,
“Notices”).
26.
“Payee” means an Eligible Claimant whose Recognized Loss calculates, in
accordance with the Plan of Allocation, to a distribution amount equal to or greater than $10.00
and who will receive a Distribution Payment.
27.
“Persons” means natural individuals as well as legal entities such as corporations,
partnerships, or limited liability companies.
28.
“Plan of Allocation” shall be the methodology used to calculate a Recognized
Loss for a Claimant as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. The Plan of Allocation is
substantially similar to the plans of allocation in the Class Actions.
29.
“Potentially Eligible Claimant” means a Person whose name and address is in
Epiq’s Class Actions database, but who never filed a claim in either of the Class Actions and any
other Persons asserting that they have a possible claim to recover from the Fair Fund under this
Plan as a result of transactions in the Security during the Relevant Period.
30.
“Potentially Eligible Claimants Notice” means the notice sent to Potentially
Eligible Claimants informing them that they must submit a Claim Form and supporting
documentation in order to participate in the distribution of the Fair Fund. The Potentially
Eligible Claimants Notice shall be mailed forty-five (45) days after Plan approval.
31.
“Recognized Loss” means the amount of loss calculated in accordance with the
Plan of Allocation, as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.
32.
“Relevant Period” shall mean from February 25, 2009 through November 12,
2012. As illustrated by Table A in Exhibit A, the Relevant Period subsumes the class period of
Weatherford II, begins later than the class period of Weatherford I and extends to a later time
period than either class period.
33.
“Security” shall mean Weatherford common stock purchased or acquired during
the Relevant Period.
34.
“Third-Party Filer” means a third-party, including without limitation a nominee,
custodian, or an intermediary holding in street name, who is authorized to, and submits, a
claim(s) on behalf of one or more Potentially Eligible Claimants. Third-Party Filer does not
include assignees or purchasers of claims, which are excluded from receiving Distribution
Payments under paragraph 22.
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IV.
TAX COMPLIANCE
35.
The Commission appointed Miller Kaplan Arase LLP, as the tax administrator
(“Tax Administrator”) of the Fair Fund on August 2, 2018. 5 The Tax Administrator will be
compensated for reasonable fees and expenses from the Fair Fund in accordance with its Revised
2017-2018 Engagement Letter Agreement with the Commission.6
36.
The Fair Fund is a Qualified Settlement Fund within the meaning of Section
468B(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, 26 U.S.C. § 468B(g), and related
regulations, 26 C.F.R. §§ 1.468B-1 through 1.468B-5. The Tax Administrator is the
administrator of such Qualified Settlement Fund, for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 1.468B2(k)(3)(I), and shall satisfy the tax related administrative requirements imposed by Treas. Reg. §
1.468B-2, including, but not limited to:
(a)
obtaining a taxpayer identification number;
(b)
requesting funds necessary for the timely payment of all applicable taxes,
the payment of taxes for which the Tax Administrator has received funds,
and the filing of applicable returns; and
(c)
fulfilling any information reporting or withholding requirements required
for distributions from the Net Available Fair Fund.
37.
All tax obligations will be paid from the Fair Fund, subject to the review and
approval of Commission staff.
V.
FUND ADMINISTRATOR
38.
On July 16, 2020, the Commission issued an Order appointing Epiq Systems, Inc.
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(“Epiq”) as the fund administrator (the “Fund Administrator”) of the Fair Fund, and set the
administrator’s bond amount. Epiq has obtained a bond in the amount of $152,204,174, as
ordered.8 Pursuant to Rule 1105(a) of the Commission’s Rules, 17 C.F.R. § 201.1105(a), the
Fund Administrator may be removed at any time by order of the Commission or hearing officer.
39.
The Fund Administrator will be responsible for administering the Fair Fund in
accordance with the Plan. This will include, among other things, taking reasonable steps to
identify and contact Claimants; obtaining/updating mailing information for Claimants;
establishing a website and staffing a call center to address inquiries during the claims process;
developing a claims database; preparing accountings; cooperating with the Tax Administrator
5
See Order Appointing Tax Administrator, Exchange Act Rel. No. 83766 (Aug. 2, 2018).
See Omnibus Order Directing the Appointment of Tax Administrator in Administrative Proceedings that Establish
Distribution Funds, Exchange Act Rel. No. 81057 (June 30, 2017).
7
Epiq acquired the claims administrator for both of the Class Actions, Garden City Group (“GCG”), in 2018,
including the databases created by GCG for the Class Actions.
8
Order Appointing Fund Administrator and Setting Bond Amount, Exchange Act Rel. No. 89333 (July 16, 2020).
6
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appointed by the Commission to satisfy any tax liabilities and to ensure compliance with income
tax reporting requirements, including but not limited to Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA); advising Claimants of deficiencies in claims and providing an opportunity to cure any
documentary defects; taking antifraud measures, such as identifying false, ineligible and
overstated claims; making determinations under the criteria established herein as to Claimant
eligibility; advising Claimants of final claim determinations; disbursing the Fair Fund in
accordance with this Plan, as ordered by the Commission; and researching and reconciling errors
and reissuing payments, when possible.
40.
To carry out the purposes of this Plan, the Fund Administrator is authorized to
make and implement immaterial changes to the Plan upon agreement of the Commission staff. If
a change is deemed to be material by the Commission staff, Commission approval is required
prior to implementation by amending the Plan.
41.
The Fund Administrator may extend any procedural deadline contained in the
Plan for good cause shown, if agreed upon by the Commission staff.
42.
The Fund Administrator is authorized to enter into agreements with third parties
as may be appropriate or necessary in the administration of the Fair Fund, provided such third
parties are not excluded pursuant to other provisions of this Plan. In connection with such
agreements, the third parties shall be deemed to be agents of the Fund Administrator under this
Plan.
43.
The Fund Administrator will be entitled to payment from the Fair Fund of
reasonable fees and expenses, including the bond premium, incurred in the performance of its
duties (including any such fees and expenses incurred by agents, consultants or third parties
retained by the Fund Administrator in furtherance of its duties).
VI.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE FAIR FUND
Identification and Notification to Claimants
44.
Based upon records obtained in its capacity as claims administrator in the Class
Actions, the Fund Administrator has identified several Potentially Eligible Claimants, including
those who opted-out of the Class Action. The Fund Administrator will, insofar as practicable,
use its best efforts to identify additional Potentially Eligible Claimants from a review of trading
records and seeking information from any other source available to it. The Fund Administrator
may also engage a third-party firm, after consultation with and approval of the Commission staff,
to assist in identifying additional Potentially Eligible Claimants to maximize the participation
rate in this distribution.
45.
Within forty-five (45) days following the entry by the Commission of its order
approving the Plan, the Fund Administrator shall:
(a)
design each of the Notices, which shall be submitted to Commission staff
for review and approval;
8
(b)
create a mailing and claims database of all Class Action Authorized
Claimants, Class Action Deficient Claimants, and Potentially Eligible
Claimants based on the Fund Administrator’s records from the Class
Actions;
(c)
run a National Change of Address search to retrieve updated addresses for
all records in the database, thereby ensuring the mailing information for
Claimants is up-to-date;
(d)
email and/or mail a Notice, as applicable, to each Class Action Authorized
Claimant, Class Action Deficient Claimant, and Potentially Eligible
Claimant known to or made known to the Fund Administrator;
(e)
establish and maintain a specific website devoted solely to the Fair Fund.
The Fair Fund’s website located at www.WeatherfordSECFairFund.com
will make available a copy of the approved Plan; provide information
regarding the claims process and eligibility requirements for participation
in the Fair Fund in the form of frequently asked questions; include in
downloadable form, the Claim Form and other related materials; and such
other information the Fund Administrator believes will be beneficial to
Claimants;
(f)
establish and maintain a traditional mailing address and an email address,
which will be listed on all correspondence from the Fund Administrator;
(g)
establish a toll-free telephone number by which Claimants can obtain
information about the Fair Fund; and
(h)
Publish a copy of the Summary Notice Publication on the internet and/or
in print media acceptable to Commission staff.
46.
The Commission staff retains the right to review and approve any material posted
on the Fair Fund’s website, any material mailed, and any scripts used in connection with any
communication with Claimants.
47.
In all materials that refer to the Claims Bar Date, the filing deadline will be
clearly identified with the calendar date, which is ninety (90) days from the date of the initial
mailing of the Notices.
48.
The Fund Administrator will promptly provide the applicable Notice and Claim
Form to any Person upon request made via mail, phone, or email prior to the Claims Bar Date.
49.
The Fund Administrator shall attempt to locate any Claimant whose Notice is
returned as “undeliverable” and will document all such efforts. The Fund Administrator shall use
its best efforts to make use of commercially available resources and other reasonably appropriate
9
means to obtain updated addresses in response to “undeliverable” notices, and forward any
returned mail for which an updated address is provided or obtained. The Fund Administrator
will make available, upon request by the Commission staff, a list of all Claimants whose Notices
have been returned as “undeliverable” due to incorrect addresses and for which the Fund
Administrator has been unable to locate current addresses.
Filing a Claim
50.
Unless extended by the Commission staff, the Claims Bar Date shall be no more
than ninety (90) days from the date of mailing of Notices.
51.
To avoid being barred from asserting a claim, on or before the Claims Bar Date,
each Class Action Authorized Claimant who chooses to amend their Class Action approved
claim must submit a Claim Form with the documentation to the Fund Administrator supporting
their amended claim. Further, any Class Action Deficient Claimant must submit to the Fund
Administrator all required supporting documentation to establish the validity of their deficient
Class Action claim as an eligible claim, and any Potentially Eligible Claimant who did not file a
claim in the Class Actions must submit to the Fund Administrator a properly completed Claim
Form together with all required supporting documentation as the Fund Administrator, in its
discretion, deems necessary or appropriate to substantiate the claim. Without limitation, this
information may include third party documentary evidence of purchases and dispositions of the
Security during the Relevant Period, as well as holdings of the Security at pertinent dates.
Failure to provide the required information will result in the transactions being deemed
ineligible.
52.
The burden shall be upon each Claimant to ensure that his, her, or its Claim Form
has been timely received by the Fund Administrator. A Claim Form that is postmarked or
otherwise received after the Claims Bar Date will not be accepted unless the deadline is extended
by the Fund Administrator for good cause shown, after consultation with the Commission staff.
53.
All Claim Forms and supporting documentation necessary to determine a
Claimant’s eligibility to receive a distribution from the Fair Fund under the terms of the Plan
must be endorsed by a declaration executed by the Claimant under penalty of perjury under the
laws of the United States. The declaration must be executed by the Claimant, unless the Fund
Administrator accepts such declaration from a Person authorized to act on the Claimant’s behalf,
whose authority is supported by such documentary evidence as the Fund Administrator deems
necessary.
54.
When submitting claims to the Fair Fund on behalf of its clients, all Third-Party
Filers must use the electronic filing template provided by the Fund Administrator in this
matter. Third-Party Filers that do not comply with the template and format provided by the Fund
Administrator may be rejected. Third-Party Filers must also submit a signed master proof of
claim and release, as well as proof of authority to file on behalf of the Claimant(s) at the time the
electronic file of transactions is submitted. Failure to do so may result in rejection of the
claim(s).
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55.
Each Third-Party Filer must establish the validity and amount of each claim in its
submission. Third-Party Filers must submit such supporting documentary evidence of
purchases, dispositions, and holdings of the Security as the Fund Administrator deems necessary
or appropriate to substantiate each individual claim. Without limitation, this includes the
complete name of the Claimant (beneficial account owner) and its TIN (for individuals) or EIN
(for companies), sufficient contact information to confirm the identity of the beneficial owner,
and documentation from the original bank, broker or other institution of purchases and
dispositions of Securities (account statements, confirmations and other documentation of
purchases and dispositions), as well as holdings of the Security on pertinent dates.
Documentation generated by the Third-Party Filer as well as affidavits in lieu of supporting
documentation will not be accepted unless, for good cause, the Fund Administrator determines it
acceptable. The Fund Administrator will have the right to request, and the Third-Party Filer will
have the burden of providing to the Fund Administrator, any additional information and/or
documentation deemed necessary by the Fund Administrator to substantiate the claim(s)
contained in the submission. Documentation from a Third-Party Filer that is not acceptable to
the Fund Administrator will result in rejection of the affected claim(s). The determination of the
Fund Administrator to reject a claim for insufficient documentation, as reflected on the
Determination Notice, is final and within the discretion of the Fund Administrator.
56.
The receipt of the Security by gift, inheritance, devise, or operation of law will
not be deemed to be a purchase of the Security, nor will it be deemed an assignment of any claim
relating to the purchase of such Security unless specifically so provided in the instrument of
inheritance. The recipient of the Securities as a gift, inheritance, devise or by operation of law
will be eligible to file a Claim Form and participate in the distribution of the Fair Fund to the
extent the original purchaser would have been eligible under the terms of the Plan. Only one
claim may be submitted with regard to the same transactions in the Security, and in cases where
duplicative claims are filed by the donor and donee, the donee claim will be honored, assuming it
is supported by proper documentation.
57.
Claims on behalf of a retirement plan covered by Section 3(3) of ERISA, 29
U.S.C.§ 1002(3), which do not include Individual Retirement Accounts and such plan’s
participants, are properly made by the administrator, custodian or fiduciary of the plan and not
by the plan’s participants. The Fund Administrator will distribute any payments on such claims
directly to the administrator, custodian or fiduciary of the retirement plan. The custodian or
fiduciary of the retirement plan will distribute any payments received in a manner consistent with
its fiduciary duties and the governing account or plan provisions.
58.
The Claimant has the burden of notifying the Fund Administrator of a change in
his, her or its current address and other contact information, and of ensuring that such
information is properly reflected on the Fund Administrator's records.
Review of Claims and Deficiency Process
59.
The Fund Administrator shall review each Claim Form received to determine the
validity and amount of such claim, together with any additional conclusions of the Fund
Administrator on other issues relevant to the claim. Each Claimant, other than Class Action
11
Authorized Claimants who do not amend their claims, shall have the burden of proof to establish
the validity and amount of his, her or its claim, and that he, she or it qualifies as an Eligible
Claimant; and the Fund Administrator shall have the right to request, and the Claimant shall have
the burden of providing to the Fund Administrator, any additional information and/or
documentation deemed relevant by the Fund Administrator.
60.
The Fund Administrator shall provide a Claim Status Notice to each Claimant
who files a deficient Claim Form with the Fund Administrator. The Claim Status Notice will
provide to each Claimant whose claim is deficient, in whole or in part, the reason(s) for the
deficiency (e.g., failure to provide required information or documentation). In the event the
claim is denied, in whole or in part, the Claim Status Notice will state the reason(s) for such
denial. The Claim Status Notice will also notify the Claimant of the opportunity to cure any
deficiency, request reconsideration, or dispute the determination made by the Fund
Administrator and provide instructions regarding what is required to do so.
61.
Any Claimant who has received a Claim Status Notice shall have thirty (30) days
from the date of the Claim Status Notice to cure any deficiencies identified in the Claim Status
Notice.
62.
Any Claimant seeking reconsideration of a denied claim must advise the Fund
Administrator in writing within thirty (30) days of the date of the Claim Status Notice. All
requests for reconsideration must include the necessary documentation to substantiate the basis
upon which the Claimant is requesting reconsideration of his, her, or its claim.
63.
The Fund Administrator will have the authority, in its sole discretion, to waive
technical claim deficiencies and approve claims on a case-by-case basis, or in groups of claims.
Claims Eligibility Determination
64.
On or before the Claims Determination Date, the Fund Administrator shall send a
Determination Notice to each Claimant who has filed a Claim Form with the Fund
Administrator, notifying the Claimant of its eligibility determination. The Determination Notice
will further provide to each Claimant that is determined to be an Eligible Claimant with his, her,
or its Recognized Loss. The Determination Notice will constitute the Fund Administrator’s final
ruling regarding the eligibility status of the claim.
65.
The Fund Administrator may consider disputes of an Eligible Claimant’s
Recognized Loss calculation if notice of the dispute is presented in writing to the Fund
Administrator within twenty (20) days of the date of the Determination Notice. The Fund
Administrator will consult with Commission staff as appropriate. Within twenty (20) days of
receiving an Eligible Claimant’s notice of dispute, the Fund Administrator will notify the
Eligible Claimant, in writing, of its calculation of the Eligible Claimant’s Recognized Loss after
considering the dispute. This notice will constitute the Fund Administrator’s final ruling
regarding the loss calculations for the claim.
12
Third Party Review
66.
After the Fund Administrator has completed the process of analyzing the claims
and determining the amounts to be distributed as provided in the Plan, and prior to the
distribution of funds from the Net Available Fair Fund, the Fund Administrator may engage an
independent, third-party firm, acceptable to the Commission, to perform a set of agreed upon
tasks, review a statistically significant sample of claims, and ensure accurate and
comprehensive application of the Plan of Allocation. The Fund Administrator shall provide the
Commission staff with the results of that review together with any written analysis or reports
related to the review, and, upon request, shall make the firm available to the Commission to
respond to questions concerning the review.
Distribution Methodology
67.
The Net Available Fair Fund shall be distributed based on the methodology, as set
forth in the Plan of Allocation, attached as Exhibit A hereto.
68.
Any Claimant, who is not an Excluded Party, who submitted a valid Claim Form
(including Class Action Authorized Claimants) and has suffered a Recognized Loss, as
calculated in accordance with the Plan of Allocation, will be deemed an Eligible Claimant.
69.
No Distribution Payments will be made for less than $10.00. If an Eligible
Claimant’s Recognized Loss, in accordance with the Plan of Allocation, calculates to a
distribution amount less than $10.00, that Eligible Claimant will be deemed ineligible to receive
a Distribution Payment and his, her, or its distribution amount will be reallocated on a pro-rata
basis to Eligible Claimants whose distribution amounts are greater than or equal to $10.00. All
Eligible Claimants whose Recognized Loss calculates to a distribution amount equal to or greater
than $10.00 will be deemed a Payee and receive a Distribution Payment.
Establishment of a Reserve
70.
Before determining the amount of funds available for distribution and calculating
each Payee’s Distribution Payment, the Fund Administrator, in conjunction with the Tax
Administrator, will establish a reserve to pay Administrative Costs and to accommodate any
unexpected expenditures (the “Reserve”).
71.
After all disbursements and Administrative Costs are paid, any remaining
amounts in the Reserve will become part of the Residual described in paragraph 95 below.
Preparation of the Payment File
72.
Within two hundred forty (240) days following the date of the Determination
Notices described above, paragraph 64, the Fund Administrator will compile and send to the
Commission staff the Payees information, including the name, address, calculated Recognized
Loss, and the amount of the Distribution Payment for all Payees (the “Payee List”). The Fund
Administrator will also provide a Reasonable Assurances Letter to the Commission staff,
13
representing that the Payee List: (a) was compiled in accordance with the approved Plan; (b) is
accurate as to Payees’ names, addresses, Recognized Losses and amounts of their Distribution
Payment; (c) includes the number of Payees compensated; (d) the percentage of the Payee’s
Recognized Loss being compensated by the disbursement from the Fair Fund, and if applicable,
the total percentage to include all prior disbursements; (e) the total amount of funds to be
disbursed; and (f) provides all information necessary to make a payment to each Payee.
Escrow Account
73.
Prior to the disbursement of funds from the Net Available Fair Fund, the Fund
Administrator will establish an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”) with a United States
commercial bank that is a well-capitalized financial institution as defined by the Federal Reserve
Act, Subpart D, 12 C.F.R. 208.43 and that is not unacceptable to the Commission staff (the
“Bank”), pursuant to an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”) to be provided by
Commission staff.
74.
The Fund Administrator, pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, shall also establish
with the Bank a separate deposit account (e.g. controlled distribution account, managed
distribution account, linked checking and investment account) (the “Distribution Account”),
insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to the guaranteed FDIC pass
through limit. The Distribution Account shall be linked with the Escrow Account and shall be
named, and records maintained, in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.
75.
During the term of the Escrow Agreement, the portions of the Fair Fund
transferred to the Escrow Account (the “Escrow Property”), shall be invested and reinvested in
short-term U.S. Treasury securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
Government or an agency thereof. The investment shall be, of a type and term necessary to meet
the cash liquidity requirements for payments to Payees, tax obligations, and/or fees of the Tax
Administrator and/or Fund Administrator, including investment or reinvestment in a bank
account insured by the FDIC up to the guaranteed FDIC limit, or in money market mutual funds
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that invest 100% of their assets in direct
obligations of the United States Government.
76.
The Fund Administrator shall provide duplicate original bank and/or investment
statements on any accounts established by the Fund Administrator to the Tax Administrator on a
monthly basis and shall assist the Tax Administrator in obtaining mid-cycle statements, as
necessary.
77.
The Fund Administrator shall deposit or invest funds in the Escrow and
Distribution Accounts so as to result in the maximum reasonable net return, taking into account
the safety of such deposits or investments. In consultation with Commission staff, the Fund
Administrator shall work with the Bank on an ongoing basis to determine an allocation of funds
between the Escrow and Distribution Account.
78.
All interest, dividends, and/or income earned by the Escrow Property will accrue
for the benefit of the Escrow Property. All Administrative Costs associated with the Escrow and
14
Distribution Accounts will be the responsibility of the Fund Administrator, who may be
reimbursed for said costs as provided in this Plan. No such Administrative Costs may be paid to
the Bank, its agents, and/or its affiliates from the Escrow Property.
Distribution of the Fair Fund
79.
The Fund Administrator will seek to distribute the Net Available Fair Fund to all
Payees only after all timely submitted Claim Forms have been processed and all Claimants
whose claims have been rejected or disallowed, in whole or in part, have been notified and
provided the opportunity to cure pursuant to the procedures set forth above.
80.
Upon receipt, review, and acceptance of the Payee List and Reasonable
Assurances Letter, the Commission staff will seek an order from the Commission pursuant to
Rule 1101(b)(6) of the Commission’s Rules, 17 C.F.R. § 201.1101(b)(6), to disburse funds from
the Net Available Fair Fund to the Bank in accordance with the Payee List for distribution by the
Fund Administrator in accordance with the Plan.
81.
Upon issuance of an order to disburse by the Commission, Commission staff will
direct the transfer of funds in accordance with the Payee List to the Bank. The Fund
Administrator will then use its best efforts to commence mailing Distribution Payment checks
and/or effect wire transfers within fourteen (14) business days of the release of the funds into the
Escrow Account. All efforts will be coordinated to limit the time between the Escrow Account’s
receipt of the funds and the issuance of Distribution Payments.
82.
All Distribution Payments will be issued by the Fund Administrator from the
Distribution Account. All checks will bear a stale date of ninety (90) days from the date of
issuance. Checks that are not negotiated before the stale date shall be voided and the issuing
financial institution shall be instructed to stop payment on those checks. A Payee’s claim will be
extinguished if he, she or it fails to negotiate his, her or its check by the stale date, and the funds
will remain in the Fair Fund, except if a check reissue has been requested before the stale date,
such request is governed by paragraph 91.
83.
All Distribution Payments to Payees shall be preceded or accompanied by a
communication that includes, as appropriate: (a) a statement characterizing the distribution; (b) a
statement that the tax treatment of the distribution is the responsibility of each recipient and that
the recipient should consult his, her or its tax advisor for advice regarding the tax treatment of the
distribution; (c) a statement that checks will be void after ninety (90) days; and (d) contact
information for the Fund Administrator, to be used in the event of any questions regarding the
distribution. Any such informational letter or other mailing to recipients characterizing their
distributions shall be submitted to the Tax Administrator and Commission staff for review and
approval.
84.
All Distribution Payments, either on their face, or in the accompanying mailing
will clearly indicate that the money is being distributed from a Fair Fund established by the
Commission to compensate investors for harm as a result of securities law violations.
15
85.
Distribution Payments must be made by check or electronic payment payable to
the beneficial account owner. The Third-Party Filer shall not be the payee of any Distribution
Payment check or electronic Distribution Payment. Any other payment arrangement must be
discussed with the Fund Administrator and must be authorized by the Payee (beneficial account
owner). Compensation to the Third-Party Filer for its services may not be paid or deducted from
the Distribution Payment.
86.
If, after discussion with the Fund Administrator in consultation with the
Commission staff, and authorization by the Payee(s), a Distribution Payment is to be made to a
Third-Party Filer to distribute to the Payee(s), the Third-Party Filer will be required to complete
a certification, which will require them, at a minimum, to attest that any distribution to the
custodian, trustee, or investment professional representing multiple potentially eligible beneficial
owners, will be allocated for the benefit of current or former pooled investors and not for the
benefit of management. The certification form will be available on the Fair Fund’s website and
upon request from the Fund Administrator. All such Third-Party Filers must have an auditable
mechanism available to the Fund Administrator and the Commission staff to confirm that each
Payee received the Distribution Payment directed to them.
87.
The submission of a Claim Form and the receipt and acceptance of a Distribution
Payment by a Payee is not intended to be a release of a Payee’s rights and claims against any
party.
88.
Electronic or wire transfers may be utilized at the discretion of the Fund
Administrator to transfer approved Distribution Payments to filers of claims on behalf of twenty
(20) or more Payees. Wire transfers will be initiated by the Fund Administrator using a twoparty check and balance system, whereby completion of a wire transfer will require an
authorization by two members of the Fund Administrator’s senior staff.
89.
At the discretion of the Fund Administrator, certain costs that were not factored
into the Reserve, such as bank fees for the return of a payment, may reduce the Payee’s
Distribution Payment. In such situations, the Fund Administrator will immediately notify the
Tax Administrator of the reduction in the Distribution Payment.
Post Distribution; Handling of Returned or Uncashed Checks; and Reissues
90.
The Fund Administrator shall use its best efforts to make use of reasonable
commercially available resources and other reasonably appropriate means to locate all Payees
whose checks are returned to the Fund Administrator as “undeliverable.” If new address
information becomes available, the Fund Administrator will repackage the distribution
check and send it to the new address. If new address information is not available after a
diligent search (and in no event later than ninety (90) days after the initial mailing of the original
check) or if the distribution check is returned again, the check shall be voided and the Fund
Administrator shall instruct the issuing financial institution to stop payment on such check. If the
Fund Administrator is unable to find a Payee’s correct address, the Fund Administrator, in its
discretion, may remove such Payee from the distribution and the allocated Distribution Payment
will remain in the Fair Fund for distribution, if feasible, to the remaining Payees.
16
91.
The Fund Administrator will reissue checks to Payees upon the receipt of a valid,
written request from the Payee prior to the initial stale date. In cases where a Payee is unable to
endorse a Distribution Payment check as written (e.g., name changes, IRA custodian changes, or
recipient is deceased) and the Payee or a lawful representative requests the reissuance of a
Distribution Payment in a different name, the Fund Administrator will request, and must
receive, documentation to support the requested change. The Fund Administrator will review the
documentation to determine the authenticity and propriety of the change request. If, in the
discretion of the Fund Administrator, such change request is properly documented, the Fund
Administrator will issue an appropriately redrawn Distribution Payment to the requesting party.
Reissued checks will be void at the later of ninety (90) days from issuance of the original check
or thirty (30) days from the reissuance, and in no event will a check be reissued after ninety (90)
days from the date of the original issuance without the approval of Commission staff.
92.
The Fund Administrator will make reasonable efforts to contact Payees to follow
up on the status of uncashed checks over $100.00 (other than those returned as “undeliverable”)
and will take appropriate additional action to encourage the cashing of uncashed checks at the
request of Commission staff. The Fund Administrator may reissue such checks, subject to the
time limits detailed herein.
Administrative Costs
93.
All Administrative Costs will be paid from the Fair Fund in accordance with the
Commission’s Rules.
Disposition of Undistributed Funds
94.
If funds remain following the initial distribution and payment of all
Administrative Costs, the Fund Administrator, in consultation with the Commission staff, may
seek subsequent distribution of any available remaining funds, pursuant to the Commission’s
Rules.
95.
A residual account within the Fair Fund will be established for any amounts
remaining after the final disbursements to Payees from the Fair Fund (the “Residual”). The
Residual may include the Reserve, distribution checks that have not been cashed, funds from
checks that were not delivered or from funds returned to the Commission, Fair Fund tax refunds
for overpayment or for waiver of IRS penalties.
96.
All funds remaining in the Residual that are infeasible to distribute to investors
will be returned to the Commission and transferred to the U.S. Treasury after the final
accounting is approved by the Commission. Returning such money to the Respondents would be
inconsistent with the equitable principle that no Person should profit from their own wrongdoing.
Therefore, in these circumstances, distributing disgorged funds to the U.S. Treasury is the most
equitable alternative.
17
Filing of Reports and Accountings
97.
In accordance with Rule 1105(f) of the Commission’s Rules, the Fund
Administrator shall provide to the Commission staff a progress report and a quarterly account
statement in a format to be provided by Commission staff, within forty-five (45) days of the
Commission’s approval of the Plan, and shall provide to Commission staff additional reports and
quarterly account statements within ten (10) days after the end of every calendar quarter. Such
progress reports shall inform the Commission staff of the activities and status of the Fair Fund
during the reporting period, and shall specify, at a minimum, the location of the account(s)
comprising the Fair Fund, including among other things, an interim accounting of all monies in
the Fair Fund.
98.
When the final distribution is completed, the Fund Administrator shall provide to
Commission staff a final report summarizing all tasks undertaken and the outcome of its
administrative efforts. The Fund Administrator shall make arrangement for the final payment of
taxes and all other outstanding fees and expenses, and submit a final accounting of all monies
received, earned, spent, and distributed in connection with the administration of the Plan in a
format provided by the Commission staff. The Fund Administrator will also submit a report to
the Commission staff containing the final distribution statistics regarding distributions to
individuals and entities, and such other information requested by the Commission staff.
Termination of Fair Fund
99.
The Fair Fund will be eligible for termination, and the Fund Administrator
eligible for discharge and cancellation of its bond, after all of the following have occurred: (a) a
final accounting, in a standard accounting format provided by Commission staff, has been
submitted by the Fund Administrator, and has been approved by the Commission; (b) all
Administrative Costs have been paid; and (c) any amounts remaining in the Fair Fund has been
returned to the Commission for transfer to the U.S. Treasury. Upon Commission approval of the
final accounting, Commission staff will seek an order from the Commission authorizing: (a) the
transfer of any amounts remaining in the Fair Fund that is infeasible to return to investors, and
any amounts returned to the Fair Fund in the future that are infeasible to return to investors, to
the U.S. Treasury, subject to Section 21F(g)(3) of the Exchange Act; (b) discharge of the Fund
Administrator; (c) cancellation of the Fund Administrator’s bond; and (d) termination of the Fair
Fund.
100. Once the Fair Fund has been terminated and funds, if any, are transferred to the
U.S. Treasury, no further claims will be allowed and no additional payments will be made
whatsoever.
Miscellaneous
101. When administering this Plan, the Fund Administrator, and/or each of its
designees, agents and assigns, may rely on: all applicable law; orders issued by the Commission,
including orders issued by delegated authority; orders issued by an administrative law judge, if
18
any, appointed in this proceeding; and any records, including records containing investor
information, provided by Commission staff.
102. Should any additional funds be received pursuant to Commission or Court order,
agreement, or otherwise, prior to the Commission’s termination of the Fair Fund, such funds will
be added to the Fair Fund and distributed, if feasible, in accordance with the Plan, pursuant to the
Commission’s Rules.
Wind-down and Document Retention
103. The Fund Administrator will shut down the website, P.O. Box and customer
service telephone line(s) established specifically for the administration of the Fair Fund six (6)
months after the transfer of any remaining funds to the Commission, or such earlier time as the
Fund Administrator determines with the concurrence of the Commission staff.
104. The Fund Administrator will retain all materials submitted by Claimants in either
paper or electronic form for a period of six (6) years from the date of approval of a final fund
accounting. Materials maintained in electronic form must be accessible and readable for the
duration of retention. Pursuant to the Commission staff's direction, the Fund Administrator will
either turn over to the Commission or destroy all materials, including documents in any media,
upon expiration of this period.
VII.
NOTICE AND COMMENT PERIOD
105. The Notice of the Proposed Plan of Distribution (“Notice”) will be published on
the Commission’s website at http:/www.sec.gov/litigation/fairfundlist.htm. Any person wishing
to comment on the Plan must do so in writing by submitting their comments to the Commission
within thirty (30) days from the date of the Notice: (a) to the Office of the Secretary, United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-1090; (b)
by using the Commission’s Internet comment form (www.sec.gov/litigation/admin.shtml); or (c)
by sending an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Comments submitted by email or via the
Commission’s website should include “Administrative Proceeding File Numbers 3-17582 and 317628” in the subject line. Comments received will be available to the public. Persons should
only submit comments that they wish to make publicly available.
19
EXHIBIT A
PLAN OF ALLOCATION
This Plan of Allocation is designed to compensate investors based on their losses on
shares of the Weatherford common stock (“Eligible Security”) purchased between February 25,
2009 and November 12, 2012 (the “Relevant Period”) due to the conduct of the Respondents.
Investors who did not purchase shares of the Eligible Security during the Relevant Period did not
purchase shares at prices inflated by the Respondents’ violative conduct, or who are an Excluded
Party1 are ineligible to recover under this plan. Artificial inflation in the price of the Eligible
Security over various date ranges surrounding corrective disclosures and average closing prices
of the Eligible Security during the Lookback Period (defined below) have been calculated by
Commission’s staff economists and are reflected in Table A and Table B, respectively.
The Fund Administrator will calculate the amount of loss for each share of the Eligible
Security purchased or acquired during the Relevant Period (“Recognized Loss per Share”) as
follows:
For each share of Weatherford common stock purchased or acquired on February 25,
2009 through November 12, 2012, and
A.
B.
1
Sold on or after February 25, 2009, and prior to the close of trading on November
12, 2012, the Recognized Loss per Share is the lesser of:
i.
the amount of inflation per share on the purchase/acquisition date as set
forth in Table A below minus the amount inflation per share on the sale
date as set forth in Table A below; or
ii.
the purchase/acquisition price minus the sale price.
Sold after the close of trading on November 12, 2012 and prior to the close of
trading on February 8, 2013 (i.e., during the “Lookback Period”), the Recognized
Loss per Share is the least of:
i.
the amount of inflation per share on the purchase/acquisition date as set
forth in Table A below; or
ii.
the purchase/acquisition price minus the moving average closing price of
Weatherford common stock on the sale date as set forth in Table B below;
or
iii.
the purchase/acquisition price minus the sale price.
All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
1
C.
Held as of the close of trading on February 8, 2013, the last day of the Lookback
Period, the Recognized Loss per Share is the lesser of:
i.
the amount of inflation per share on the purchase/acquisition date as set
forth in Table A below; or
ii.
the purchase/acquisition price minus $11.26, the average closing price of
Weatherford common stock between November 13, 2012, and February 8,
2013, as shown on the last row in Table B below.
If the Recognized Loss per Share calculates to a negative number, reflecting a gain, the
Recognized Loss per Share on such shares will be $0.00.
All prices mentioned in the calculations exclude all taxes, fees and commissions.
Purchases and sales shall be deemed to have occurred on the “contract” or “trade” date as
opposed to the “settlement” or “payment” date.
Additional Provisions
FIFO Methodology: For a Claimant who made multiple purchases/acquisitions and sales
of the Security during the Relevant Period, transactions will be matched according to the first-in,
first-out (“FIFO”) method. The earliest sales during the Relevant Period will be matched first
against any holdings at the opening of the Relevant Period. Once the beginning holdings have
all been matched, or in the event there are no beginning holdings, then any further sales will be
matched against the earliest Relevant Period purchases/acquisitions and chronologically
thereafter.
Acquisitions: The receipt or grant of the Security by gift, devise, inheritance, or
operation of law during the Relevant Period is not considered an eligible purchase if the original
purchase did not occur during the Relevant Period. Shares acquired outside of the Relevant
Period will be excluded from the calculation of the Recognized Loss.
Options and Derivatives: Weatherford common stock is the only security eligible for
recovery under this Plan. Option contracts to purchase or sell the Security are not securities
eligible for recovery under the Plan. With respect to the Security purchased or sold through the
exercise of an option, the purchase/sale date is the exercise date of the call and the assignment
date of the put, and the purchase/sale price is the strike price of the call at the time of exercise
and the strike price of the put at the time of assignment. Transactions in the Security during the
Relevant Period that are pursuant to, or in connection with, a swap or another derivative will not
be eligible for a recovery and will be excluded from the Recognized Loss calculation.
Short Sales: If the sale date for a share falls before the purchase date, then the share has a
Recognized Loss per Share of $0.00. The date of covering a short sale is deemed to be the date
of purchase of the Security and the date of a short sale is deemed to be the date of sale of the
Security. The earliest Relevant Period purchases will be matched against any short position
2
existing on the date prior to the start of the Relevant Period, and not be entitled to a recovery,
until that short position is fully covered.
Recognized Loss: A Claimant’s Recognized Loss will be the sum of the Recognized
Loss per Share, as calculated above, on all shares of the Security purchased or acquired during
the Relevant Period. If the Recognized Loss calculates to a negative number, reflecting a gain,
then the Recognized Loss will be $0.00.
Market Loss Limitation: If a Claimant’s actual market loss on shares of the Security
purchased/acquired during the Relevant Period is less than his, her or its Recognized Loss, then
his, her or its Recognized Loss shall be limited to the actual market loss amount. If the actual
market loss calculates to a negative number, reflecting a gain, then the Recognized Loss will be
$0.00. The actual market loss will be calculated as (a) the total purchase amount for shares of
the Security purchased during the Relevant Period,2 less the sum of (b) the sales proceeds on any
of those shares of the Security purchased/acquired during the Relevant Period and sold during
the Relevant Period or during the Lookback Period,3 and (c) the holding value on the remaining
of those shares purchased during the Relevant Period,4 which for the purposes of this calculation
will be $11.26 per share, the moving average price as of the last day of the Lookback Period.
Eligible Claimant: A Claimant, who is not an Excluded Party, who has suffered a
Recognized Loss, as calculated above, will be deemed an Eligible Claimant.
Allocation of Funds: If the Net Available Fair Fund is equal to or exceeds the sum of
Recognized Losses of all Eligible Claimants, each Eligible Claimant’s distribution amount will
equal his, her or its Recognized Loss, plus “Reasonable Interest” if applicable. If the Net
Available Fair Fund is less than the sum of the Recognized Losses of all Eligible Claimants, each
Eligible Claimant’s distribution amount will equal his, her or its “Pro Rata Share” of the Net
Available Fair Fund (and no Reasonable Interest). In either case, the distribution amount will be
subject to the “Minimum Distribution Amount.”
Reasonable Interest: If the Net Available Fair Fund exceeds that necessary to pay all Eligible
Claimants his, her, or its Recognized Losses in full, the Fund Administrator, in consultation with the
Commission staff, may include reasonable interest in the distribution amount to compensate Eligible
Claimants for the time value of his, her, or its respective Recognized Losses. Reasonable Interest will
be calculated using the Short-term Applicable Federal Rate plus three percent (3%), compounded
quarterly from the end of the Relevant Period through the approximate date of the disbursement of the
funds. If there are insufficient funds to pay Reasonable Interest in full to all Eligible Claimants, each
Eligible Claimant’s Reasonable Interest amount will be his, her or its Pro Rata Share of the excess
funds.
2
Purchases during the Relevant Period to cover short positions will be included in the calculation of actual market
loss if the purchase is matched to a short sale during the Relevant Period. Purchases/acquisitions that are not
eligible for recovery will not be considered for purposes of calculating the actual market loss.
3
Sales of the Eligible Security during the Relevant Period will be matched first against the opening position and the
proceeds of such sales will not be considered for purposes of calculating the actual market loss.
4
Any open short position at the end of the Lookback Period will be ignored for purposes of calculating the actual
market loss.
3
Pro Rata Share: A Pro Rata Share computation is intended to measure Eligible Claimants’
Recognized Losses against one another. The Fund Administrator shall determine each Eligible
Claimant’s Pro Rata Share as the ratio of his, her, or its Recognized Loss to the sum of Recognized
Losses of all Eligible Claimants.
Minimum Distribution Amount: The Minimum Distribution Amount will be $10.00. If
an Eligible Claimant’s distribution amount, inclusive of Reasonable Interest, if any, is less than
the Minimum Distribution Amount, that Eligible Claimant will be deemed ineligible to receive a
Distribution Payment and his, her, or its distribution amount will be reallocated on a pro-rata
basis to Eligible Claimants whose distribution amounts are greater than or equal to the Minimum
Distribution Amount.
Payee: An Eligible Claimant whose distribution amount equals or exceeds the Minimum
Distribution Amount will be deemed a Payee and receive a Distribution Payment for their
distribution amount.
Prior Recovery: To avoid payment of a windfall, the Distribution Payment will be no
larger than the Payee’s Recognized Loss minus the amount of any compensation for the loss that
resulted from the conduct described in the Orders that was received from another source (e.g.,
class action settlement), to the extent known by the Fund Administrator, Reasonable Interest, if
awarded, may be added to such Distribution Payment.
4
Table A: Weatherford Common Stock Inflation Schedule
Date Range
Inflation per Share
February 25, 2009 through May 6, 2009
May 7, 2009 through August 3, 2009
August 4, 2009 through November 1, 2009
November 2, 2009 through February 28, 2010
March 1, 2010 through May 3, 2010
May 4, 2010 through August 3, 2010
August 4, 2010 through November 1, 2010
November 2, 2010 through March 1, 2011
March 2, 2011 through March 8, 2011
March 9, 2011 through April 13, 2011
April 14, 2011 through July 28, 2011
July 29, 2011 through October 27, 2011
October 28, 2011 through February 20, 2012
February 21, 2012
February 22, 2012 through March 15, 2012
March 16, 2012 through July 24, 2012
July 25, 2012 through November 12, 2012
November 13, 2012 through September 30, 2015
5
$1.34
$1.86
$2.25
$2.85
$2.65
$3.07
$3.52
$4.25
$2.54
$2.79
$2.96
$3.30
$3.70
$1.22
$1.90
$1.99
$0.86
$0.00
Table B: Weatherford Common Stock Closing Price and Average Closing Price during the
Lookback Period
11/13/2012
11/14/2012
11/15/2012
11/16/2012
11/19/2012
11/20/2012
11/21/2012
11/23/2012
11/26/2012
11/27/2012
11/28/2012
11/29/2012
11/30/2012
12/3/2012
12/4/2012
12/5/2012
12/6/2012
12/7/2012
12/10/2012
12/11/2012
12/12/2012
Moving
Average
Closing Price
from
November
13, 2012 to
Date Shown
$9.15
$9.12
$9.12
$9.13
$9.20
$9.26
$9.32
$9.38
$9.44
$9.47
$9.52
$9.56
$9.63
$9.67
$9.72
$9.78
$9.85
$9.91
$9.96
$10.01
$10.04
Moving
Average
Closing Price
from
November
13, 2012 to
Date Shown
$10.06
$10.09
$10.11
$10.15
$10.19
$10.22
$10.24
$10.25
$10.27
$10.29
$10.30
$10.32
$10.35
$10.38
$10.41
$10.45
$10.48
$10.51
$10.53
$10.56
$10.58
Date
12/13/2012
12/14/2012
12/17/2012
12/18/2012
12/19/2012
12/20/2012
12/21/2012
12/24/2012
12/26/2012
12/27/2012
12/28/2012
12/31/2012
1/2/2013
1/3/2013
1/4/2013
1/7/2013
1/8/2013
1/9/2013
1/10/2013
1/11/2013
1/14/2013
6
Date
1/15/2013
1/16/2013
1/17/2013
1/18/2013
1/22/2013
1/23/2013
1/24/2013
1/25/2013
1/28/2013
1/29/2013
1/30/2013
1/31/2013
2/1/2013
2/4/2013
2/5/2013
2/6/2013
2/7/2013
2/8/2013
Moving
Average
Closing Price
from
November
13, 2012 to
Date Shown
$10.61
$10.64
$10.67
$10.70
$10.75
$10.79
$10.82
$10.86
$10.91
$10.95
$11.00
$11.04
$11.08
$11.12
$11.16
$11.20
$11.23
$11.26
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.