UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Before the
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-16729
In the Matter of
Miller Energy Resources, Inc., Paul
W. Boyd, CPA, David M. Hall, and
Carlton W. Vogt, III, CPA,
Respondents.
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PROPOSED PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING
File No. 3-18110
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In the Matter of
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KPMG LLP and John Riordan, CPA, :
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Respondents.
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I.
OVERVIEW
1.
The Division of Enforcement submits this Proposed Plan of Distribution (the
“Plan”) to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) 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. This Plan provides for the distribution of a Fair
Fund (the “Fair Fund”)1 established for the disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and civil
penalties collected in the KPMG AP2 from KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) and John Riordan, CPA
(“Riordan”) (collectively, the “KPMG Respondents”) and the civil penalties collected in the
Miller Energy AP,3 including any future funds collected in the Miller Energy AP, from Miller
Energy Resources, Inc. (“Miller Energy”), Paul W. Boyd, CPA (“Boyd”), David M. Hall
1
See Order Establishing a Fair Fund, Exchange Act Rel. No. 94300 (Feb. 23, 2022).
In the Matter of KPMG, LLP, et al., Admin. Proc. File No. 3-18110.
3
In the Matter of Miller Energy Resources, Inc., et al., Admin. Proc. File No. 3-16729.
2
(“Hall”), and Carlton W. Vogt, III, CPA (“Vogt”) (collectively, the “Miller Energy
Respondents”).4
2.
As described more specifically below, the Plan seeks to compensate investors
who were harmed, by the Respondents’ conduct described in the Orders, in connection with
financial accounting and reporting fraud, as well as audit failures, related to the valuation of
certain oil and gas assets acquired by Miller Energy. 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 Miller Energy common stock (the “Securities”) purchased from March 22,
2010 through April 29, 2015, inclusive (the “Relevant Period”) due to the misconduct of the
Respondents described in the Orders. 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 August 6, 2015, the Commission instituted public administrative and ceaseand-desist proceedings against Miller Energy, its former officers Boyd and Hall, and Vogt, the
engagement partner at a now defunct independent audit firm who audited Miller Energy’s
financial statements for fiscal year 2010.5 The Commission later resolved these proceedings by
separate settled orders as to Miller Energy6 on January 12, 2016 and as to Boyd,7 Hall,8 and
Vogt9 on June 7, 2016.
5.
In the Orders, the Commission found that the Miller Energy Respondents engaged
in financial accounting and reporting fraud, as well as audit failures, related to the valuation of
certain oil and gas assets in Alaska (the “Alaska Assets”) acquired by Miller Energy. Miller
Energy, an oil and gas company headquartered in Houston, Texas, purchased these assets for
$2.25 million in cash – along with the assumption of certain liabilities it valued at approximately
4
Hereinafter, the KPMG Respondents and Miller Energy Respondents are collectively referred to as the
“Respondents” and their respective settled orders are collectively referred to as the “Orders”.
5
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, Securities Act Rel. No. 9881 (Aug. 6, 2015).
6
See Order Making Findings and Imposing a Cease-and-Desist Order and Penalties Pursuant to Section 8A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as to Miller Energy Resources, Inc.,
Securities Act Rel. No. 10002 (Jan. 12, 2016).
7
See Order Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions 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 as to Paul Boyd, CPA, Securities Act Rel. No. 10089 (June 7, 2016).
8
See Order Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions Pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act of
1933 and Section 21C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as to David M. Hall, Securities Act Rel. No. 10090
(June 7, 2016).
9
See Order Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions Pursuant to Sections 4C and 21C of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice as to Carlton W. Vogt, III, CPA,
Securities Act Rel. No. 10091 (June 7, 2016).
2
$2 million – during a competitive bid in a bankruptcy proceeding in December 2009. According
to the Orders, Miller Energy subsequently reported those assets at an overstated value of $480
million and recognized a one-time “bargain purchase” gain of $277 million for its fiscal third
quarter ended January 2010 and fiscal year ended April 2010.
6.
The Commission found that Boyd, Miller Energy’s Chief Financial Officer, failed
to account for the acquisition in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
(“GAAP”) which required Miller Energy to record the Alaska Assets at “fair value.” The
Commission also found that Boyd used a report containing expense numbers that were
knowingly understated by Hall, Miller Energy’s Chief Executive, and double counted $110
million of certain fixed assets.
7.
In addition, according to the Orders, Vogt, the lead engagement partner assigned
to the audit of Miller Energy’s financial statements for fiscal year 2010, failed to comply with
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board rules and standards in auditing Miller
Energy’s financial statements, including its accounting for the Alaska Assets. The Commission
found that Vogt failed to exercise due professional care and skepticism by not adequately
assessing whether Miller Energy’s accounting treatment for the acquisition of the Alaska Assets
complied with GAAP. Further, the Commission Orders show that Vogt failed to obtain
sufficient competent evidential matter for management’s assertions regarding the fair value of
the Alaska Assets.
8.
The Commission ordered Miller Energy to pay a civil penalty of $5,000,000
which could be satisfied by the Commission having an allowed general unsecured claim in Class
4 of the Miller Energy’s Joint Plan of Reorganization, Case No. 15-00236, pending in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Alaska (the “Bankruptcy Case”), in the amount of
$5,000,000 or by Miller Energy making payments as directed over the course of three years,
starting within five days of the termination of the Bankruptcy Case. The Order against Miller
Energy provided that the Commission may distribute civil money penalties collected in this
proceeding, if, in its discretion, the Commission ordered the establishment of a Fair Fund,
pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Order further provided that
the Commission would hold the funds collected in an account at the U.S. Treasury pending a
decision whether the Commission, in its discretion, would seek to distribute the funds or transfer
them to the general fund of the U.S. Treasury. In their respective Orders, the Commission
ordered Hall and Boyd to each pay a $125,000 civil penalty to the Commission for transfer to the
U.S. Treasury.10
9.
On January 28, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order in the Bankruptcy
Case granting the Commission’s allowed general unsecured claim in the amount of $5,000,000.
The Commission collected $897,049.77 from the Miller Energy Bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy
Trustee filed the final tax return for the Bankruptcy in September 2023.
10
No monetary sanctions were ordered against Vogt.
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10.
On August 15, 2017, in a related matter, the Commission instituted and
simultaneously settled the KPMG AP11 against Miller Energy’s successor auditor, KPMG, and
engagement partner, Riordan, in connection improper professional conduct and securities
violations related to an audit of Miller Energy’s financial statements. In the KPMG Order,
among other things, the Commission ordered KPMG to pay $4,675,680 in disgorgement,
$558,319 in prejudgment interest, and a $1,000,000 civil penalty, and Riordan to pay at $25,000
civil penalty. The KPMG Order provided that the Commission may distribute civil money
penalties collected in this proceeding, if, in its discretion, the Commission orders the
establishment of a Fair Fund, pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The KPMG Order further provided that the Commission will hold all funds collected pursuant to
the KPMG Order in an account at the U.S. Treasury pending a decision whether the
Commission, in its discretion, will seek to distribute the funds or transfer them to the general
fund of the U.S. Treasury. KPMG and Riordan have paid in full, and the Commission holds a
total of $6,258,999 in an interest-bearing account at the U.S. Treasury, pursuant to the KPMG
Order.
11.
On February 23, 2022, the Commission issued an order12 that created the Fair
Fund, pursuant to Section 308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, so the funds collected in
the KPMG AP and Miller Energy AP, including any future funds collected in the Miller Energy
AP, for the purposes of distribution to harmed investors and recalled the $83,621.28 in penalties
collected from Hall and Boyd from the U.S. Treasury for inclusion in the Fair Fund.
12.
Currently, the Fair Fund is comprised of $7,239,670.05, and any additional funds
collected from the Respondents, pursuant to the Orders will be added to the Fair Fund. The Fair
Fund has been deposited in a Commission-designated account at the United States Department of
the Treasury, and any accrued interest will be added to the Fair Fund.
III.
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Plan, the following definitions will apply:
13.
“Administrative Costs” shall mean any 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.
14.
“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 Preliminary
Claimant’s purchases and dispositions of Securities during the Relevant Period such that
eligibility under the Plan can be determined, tax identification and other related information from
the Preliminary Claimant as determined necessary by the Fund Administrator in coordination
11
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. 81396 (Aug. 15, 2017)
(the “KPMG Order”).
12
Order Establishing a Fair Fund, Exchange Act Rel. No. 94300 (Feb. 23, 2022).
4
with the Tax Administrator, and a certification that the Preliminary Claimant is not an Excluded
Party.
15.
“Claim Status Notice” means the notice sent by the Fund Administrator within
ninety (90) days of the Claims Bar Date to any Preliminary Claimant that submitted a deficient
Claim Form. The Claim Status Notice will provide to each Preliminary 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 Preliminary 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.
16.
“Claims Bar Date” means the date established in accordance with this Plan by
which a Preliminary Claimant’s Claim Form must be postmarked or submitted electronically in
order to receive consideration under the Plan. The Claims Bar Date shall be one hundred twenty
(120) days after the initial mailing of the Plan Notice. Claim Forms submitted by Preliminary
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.
17.
“Claims Packet” means the materials relevant to submitting a claim that will be
provided to Preliminary Claimants who request such materials through a website or otherwise
prior to the Claims Bar Date. The Claims Packet will include, at a minimum, a copy of the Plan
Notice and a Claim Form (together with instructions for completion of the Claim Form).
18.
“Determination Notice” shall mean the written notice sent by the Fund
Administrator to all Preliminary Claimants who timely submitted a Claim Form notifying the
Preliminary Claimant of its eligibility determination. The Determination Notice will further
provide each Preliminary Claimant that is determined to be an Eligible Claimant with his, her, or
its calculated Recognized Loss. The Determination Notice will constitute the Fund
Administrator’s final ruling regarding the eligible status of the claim.
19.
“Distribution Payment” means a payment from the Fair Fund to a Payee in
accordance with the terms of this Plan.
20.
“Eligible Claimant” means a Preliminary Claimant, who is not an Excluded
Party, who submitted a valid Claim Form and has suffered a Recognized Loss, as calculated in
accordance with the Plan of Allocation.
21.
“Excluded Party” shall mean:
(a)
The Respondents;
(b)
Present or former officers or directors of Respondents or any assigns,
creditors, heirs, distributees, spouses, parents, dependent children or
controlled entities of any of the foregoing Persons or entities;
5
(c)
Any employee or former employee of the Respondents or any of its
affiliates who has been terminated for cause or has otherwise resigned, in
connection with the conduct described in the Orders;
(d)
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;
(e)
Any firm, trust, corporation, officer, or other entity in which Respondents
has or had a controlling interest;
(f)
The Fund Administrator, its employees, and those Persons assisting the
Fund Administrator in its role as the Fund Administrator; or
(g)
Any purchaser or assignee of another Person’s right to obtain a recovery
from the Fair Fund for value; provided, however, that this provision shall
not be construed to exclude those Persons who obtained such a right by
gift, inheritance or devise.
The Claim Form will require claimants to certify that they are not an Excluded Party. All
Excluded Parties will be deemed ineligible to participate in the distribution of the Fair Fund.
22.
“Fair Fund” means the fund created by the Commission pursuant to Section
308(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for the benefit of investors harmed by Respondents’
violations described in the Orders. Any additional funds collected from the Respondents,
pursuant to the Orders will be added to the Fair Fund.
23.
“Net Available Fair Fund” means the Fair Fund, plus any interest or earnings,
less Administrative Costs.
24.
“Payee” means an Eligible Claimant whose Recognized Loss calculates, in
accordance with the Plan of Allocation, to a distribution amount is equal to or greater than
$10.00 who will receive a Distribution Payment.
25.
“Person” means natural individuals as well as legal entities such as corporations,
partnerships, or limited liability companies.
26.
“Plan Notice” means a written notice from the Fund Administrator to Preliminary
Claimants informing them of the Fair Fund; the Plan and its eligibility requirements; explaining
how to submit a claim, including instructions for any online claims process; and how to obtain a
copy of the approved Plan and Claim Form by request or from the Fair Fund’s website. The Plan
Notice will also be available on the Fair Fund’s website that is maintained by the Fund
Administrator.
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27.
“Plan of Allocation” means the methodology used by the Fund Administrator to
calculate if a Preliminary Claimant has suffered a Recognized Loss. The Plan of Allocation is
attached as Exhibit A.
28.
“Preliminary Claimant” shall mean a Person, or their lawful successors,
identified by the Fund Administrator as having a possible claim to recover from the Fair Fund
under this Plan, or asserting, prior to the Claims Bar Date, that he, she, or it has a possible claim
to recover from the Fair Fund under this Plan, as a result of transactions in the Securities during
the Relevant Period.
29.
“Recognized Loss” means the amount of loss calculated in accordance with the
Plan of Allocation.
30.
“Relevant Period” means the period of time between March 22, 2010 and
April 29, 2015, inclusive.
31.
“Securities” refers to shares of Miller Energy Resources, Inc. common stock.
32.
“Summary Notice” means the notice published in print or internet media that
shall include, at a minimum, a statement of the purpose of the Fair Fund and the Plan, the means
of obtaining a Claims Packet, and the Claims Bar Date. The Summary Notice will be published
The Summary Notice will be published two (2) times within ten (10) days of the initial mailing
of the Plan Notice.
33.
“Third-Party Filer” means a third-party, including without limitation a nominee,
custodian, or an intermediary holding in street name, who is authorized to submit and submits a
claim(s) on behalf of one or more Preliminary Claimants. Third-Party Filer does not include
assignees or purchasers of claims, which are excluded from receiving Distribution Payments.
IV.
TAX COMPLIANCE
34.
On August 31, 2022, the Commission appointed Heffler, Radetich, & Saitta LLP
as the tax administrator (the “Tax Administrator”) for the Fair Fund to handle the tax obligations
of the Fair Fund.13 The Tax Administrator will be compensated for reasonable fees and expenses
from the Fair Fund in accordance with its 2022-2024 Omnibus Letter Agreement with the
Commission.14
35.
The Fair Fund constitutes a Qualified Settlement Fund (“QSF”) under 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 QSF, for purposes of Treas. Reg. § 1.468B-2(k)(3)(I) and shall satisfy the
tax-related administrative requirements imposed by Treas. Reg. § 1.468B-2, including, but not
limited to:
13
See Order Appointing Tax Administrator, Exchange Rel. No. 95642 (Aug. 31, 2022).
See Omnibus Order Directing the Appointment of Tax Administrator in Administrative Proceedings that
Establish Distribution Funds, Exchange Act Rel. No. 94845 (May 4, 2022).
14
7
(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 Fair Fund.
36.
All tax obligations will be paid from the Fair Fund, subject to the review and
approval of Commission staff.
V.
FUND ADMINISTRATOR
37.
On September 29, 2022, the Commission has appointed Guidehouse Inc., Baker
& Hostetler LLP, and PACE Claims Services LLC, as the fund administrator for the Fair Fund
(the “Fund Administrator”), and the Fund Administrator has obtained a bond in the amount of
$7,241,124.92, as ordered.15 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.
38.
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 Preliminary Claimants; obtaining mailing information for Preliminary
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 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 Preliminary 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 Preliminary Claimant eligibility; advising Preliminary 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.
39.
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.
40.
The Fund Administrator may extend any procedural deadline contained in the
Plan for good cause shown, if agreed upon by the Commission staff.
15
See Order Appointing Fund Administrator and Setting Bond Amount, Exchange Act Rel. No. 95941 (Sept. 29,
2022).
8
41.
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.
42.
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 of and Notification to Preliminary Claimants
43.
The Fund Administrator will, insofar as practicable, use its best efforts to
identify Preliminary Claimants from a review of trading records, obtaining records from
registered broker-dealers and investment advisors, 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 Preliminary
Claimants to maximize the participation rate of Miller Energy investors in the Fair Fund.
44.
Within sixty (60) days after Commission approval of the Plan, the Fund
Administrator shall:
(a)
design and submit a Claims Packet, including the Plan Notice and the
Claim Form, to the Commission staff for review and approval;
(b)
create a mailing and claim database of all Preliminary Claimants based
upon information identified by the Fund Administrator;
(c)
run a National Change of Address search to retrieve updated addresses for
all records in the database, thereby ensuring the mailing information for
Preliminary Claimants is up-to-date;
(d)
email and/or mail a Plan Notice to each Preliminary Claimant identified
by the Fund Administrator and to the Fund Administrator’s list of banks,
brokers, and other nominees in accordance with paragraph 49 below;
(e)
establish and maintain a website devoted solely to the Fair Fund. The Fair
Fund’s website, located at www.Miller.FundadministratorGBP.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
9
other information the Fund Administrator believes will be beneficial to
Preliminary Claimants;
(f)
establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number, 833-410-9090, for
Preliminary Claimants to call to speak to a live representative of the Fund
Administrator during its regular business hours or, outside of such hours,
to hear prerecorded information about the Fair Fund. The toll-free number
will be listed on all correspondence from the Fund Administrator to
Preliminary Claimants as well as on the Fair Fund’s website; and
(g)
establish and maintain a traditional mailing address and an email address
which will be listed on all correspondence from the Fund Administrator to
Preliminary Claimants as well as on the Fair Fund’s website.
45.
The Fund Administrator will publish the Summary Notice on the internet and/or
in print media acceptable to Commission staff two (2) times within ten (10) days of the initial
mailing of the Plan Notice.
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 Preliminary 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 one hundred twenty (120) days from the date
of the initial mailing of the Plan Notice.
48.
The Fund Administrator will promptly provide a Claims Packet to any
Preliminary Claimant upon request made via mail, phone, or email prior to the Claims Bar Date.
49.
The Fund Administrator will send by mail, email, or other means, the Plan Notice
to the Fund Administrator’s list of banks, brokers, and other nominees, as well as any other
institutions identified during the outreach process, that may have records of the Securities during
the Relevant Period (collectively, the “Nominees or Custodians”). The Fund Administrator will
request that these entities, to the extent that they were record holders for beneficial owners of the
Securities:
(a)
within fourteen (14) days of the Nominees’ or Custodians’ receipt of the
Plan Notice, notify and send the Plan Notice to the respective beneficial
owners, and, as requested, provide to the beneficial owners a Claim Form,
so that the beneficial owners may timely file a claim. The burden will be
on the Nominees or Custodians to ensure the claims process information,
including, if requested, the Claims Packet and other relevant materials, is
properly disseminated to the beneficial owners; and/or
(b)
provide to the Fund Administrator, within fourteen (14) days of receipt of
the Plan Notice, a list of last known names and addresses for all beneficial
10
owners for whom/which they purchased, as the record holder, the
Securities during the Relevant Period, so that the Fund Administrator can
communicate with the beneficial owners directly.
50.
An unlimited number of Plan Notices and Claim Forms may be downloaded by
the Nominees or Custodians from the Fair Fund’s website. In the event paper copies are needed,
the Fund Administrator may provide no more than fifty (50) additional copies of the materials
relevant to submitting a claim to any Nominee or Custodian requesting it for the purpose of
distribution to beneficial owners.
51.
Documented reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Nominees or the
Custodians, which would not have been incurred but for compliance with paragraph 49 above,
shall be reimbursed from the Fair Fund. The amount of such expenses allowed will be at the
discretion of the Fund Administrator, in consultation with the Commission staff. Unless
otherwise determined by the Fund Administrator in consultation with the Commission staff, outof-pocket expenses based on the following rates will be considered reasonable:
(a)
a maximum of $0.03 per Plan Notice and/or Claim Form, plus postage at
the pre-sort postage rate per Plan Notice and/or Claim Form actually
mailed;
(b)
a maximum of $0.05 per email of the Plan Notice with a link to the Claim
Form; or
(c)
$0.20 per name, address, and email address provided to the Fund
Administrator, up to a maximum of amount of $1,500.00.
52.
The Fund Administrator will attempt to locate any Preliminary Claimant whose
mailing 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 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
Preliminary Claimants whose Plan Notice 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
53.
To avoid being barred from asserting a claim, on or before the Claims Bar Date,
each Preliminary Claimant must submit to the Fund Administrator a properly completed Claim
Form reflecting such Preliminary Claimant’s claim, 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 Securities during the Relevant Period, as well as
holdings of Securities at pertinent dates.
11
54.
Electronic claims submission is encouraged; the Plan Notice will include
directions on how Preliminary Claimants can submit their claims electronically via the Fair
Fund’s website. If using the web-based claim filing option, a Preliminary Claimant must submit
his, her, or its claim to the Fund Administrator by 11:59 p.m. on the Claims Bar Date. The Plan
Notice will also include instructions for submission of claims if the Preliminary Claimant is
unable to submit his, her, or its claim electronically.
55.
The burden will be upon the Preliminary Claimant to ensure that his, her or its
Claim Form has been properly and 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.
56.
All Claim Forms and supporting documentation necessary to determine a
Preliminary Claimant’s eligibility to receive a distribution from the Fair Fund under the terms of
the Plan must be verified by a declaration executed by the Preliminary Claimant under penalty of
perjury under the laws of the United States. The declaration must be executed by the
Preliminary Claimant, unless the Fund Administrator accepts such declaration from a Person
authorized to act on the Preliminary Claimant’s behalf, whose authority is supported by such
documentary evidence as the Fund Administrator deems necessary.
57.
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.
58.
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 Securities as the Fund Administrator deems necessary or
appropriate to substantiate each individual claim. Without limitation, this includes the complete
name of the Preliminary 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 Securities on pertinent dates. 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.
12
59.
The receipt of Securities by gift, inheritance, devise, or operation of law will not
be deemed to be a purchase of Securities, nor will it be deemed an assignment of any claim
relating to the purchase of such Securities unless specifically so provided in the instrument of
inheritance. The recipient of 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 Securities, 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.
60.
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.
61.
The Preliminary 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
62.
The Fund Administrator will review all claim submissions and determine the
eligibility of each Preliminary Claimant to participate in the Fair Fund by reviewing claim data
and supporting documentation (or the lack thereof) and verifying the claim. Each Preliminary
Claimant will have the burden of proof to establish the validity and amount of his, her or its
claim. The Fund Administrator will have the right to request, and the Preliminary Claimant will
have the burden of providing to the Fund Administrator, any additional information and/or
documentation deemed relevant by the Fund Administrator.
63.
The Fund Administrator will provide a Claim Status Notice within ninety (90)
days of the Claims Bar Date to each Preliminary Claimant who has filed a deficient Claim Form
with the Fund Administrator. The Claim Status Notice will provide to each Preliminary
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 Preliminary 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.
64.
Any Preliminary Claimant with a deficient claim will have thirty (30) days from
the date of the Claim Status Notice to cure any deficiencies identified in the Claim Status Notice.
13
65.
Any Preliminary 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 Preliminary Claimant is requesting reconsideration of his, her, or its claim.
66.
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
67.
Within one hundred fifty (150) days of the Claims Bar Date, the Fund
Administrator will complete all claims determinations and send a Determination Notice to all
Preliminary Claimants who timely submitted a Claim Form notifying the Preliminary Claimant
of its eligibility determination. The Determination Notice will further provide to each
Preliminary Claimant that is determined to be an Eligible Claimant with his, her, or its calculated
Recognized Loss. The Determination Notice will constitute the Fund Administrator’s final
ruling regarding the eligibility status of the claim.
68.
The Fund Administrator may consider disputes of an Eligible Claimant’s
Recognized Loss calculation, if presented in writing to the Fund Administrator within thirty (30)
days of the date of the Determination Notice. The Fund Administrator will consult with
Commission staff as appropriate. The Fund Administrator will notify the Eligible Claimant in
writing with thirty (30) days of receiving a dispute of its determination, which will constitute the
Fund Administrator’s final ruling regarding the loss calculations for the claim.
Distribution Methodology
69.
Any Preliminary Claimant, who is not an Excluded Party, who submitted a valid
Claim Form and has suffered a Recognized Loss, as calculated in accordance with the Plan of
Allocation, will be deemed an Eligible Claimant.
70.
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
71.
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”).
14
72.
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
73.
Within one hundred twenty (120) days following the date of the Determination
Notices described above, in paragraph 67, the Fund Administrator will compile and send to the
Commission staff the Payee 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,
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.
The Escrow Account
74.
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.
75.
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.
76. 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.
15
77. 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.
78. 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.
79. 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
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
80.
The Fund Administrator will seek to distribute the Net Available Fair Fund to all
Payees only after all Claim Forms have been processed and all Preliminary Claimants whose
claims have been rejected or disallowed, in whole or in part, have been notified and provided the
opportunity to contest or cure pursuant to the procedures set forth herein.
81. Upon the Commission’s staff’s receipt, review, and acceptance of the Payee List
and Reasonable Assurances Letter from the Fund Administrator, 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. § 210.1101(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. All disbursements will be made pursuant to a Commission Order.
82. Upon issuance of an Order to disburse, the 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 ten (10) 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.
83.
All Distribution Payments will be issued by the Fund Administrator from the
Distribution Account. All checks will bear a stale date of one hundred twenty (120) days from
the date of issuance. Checks that are not negotiated by the stale date will be voided, and the
Bank will 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 as provided in paragraph 91.
16
84.
All Distribution Payments will 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 Payee and that the Payee should
consult his, her or its tax advisor for advice regarding the tax treatment of the distribution;
however, any backup withholding required under IRC § 3406(a) and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, or withholding required with respect to nonresident aliens (“NRAs”) under Chapter 3
of the IRC, or FATCA-subject Payees under Chapter 4 of the IRC, will be withheld as required
from the Distribution Payment and remitted to the Internal Revenue Service on the Payee’s
behalf; (c) a statement that checks will be void and cannot be reissued after one hundred twenty
(120) days from the date the original check was issued; and (d) contact information for the Fund
Administrator for questions regarding the Distribution Payment. The letter or other mailings to
Payees characterizing a Distribution Payment will be prepared by the Tax Administrator and
provided to the Commission staff for review and approval.
85.
All Distribution Payments, either on their face or in the accompanying mailing,
will clearly indicate that the money is being distributed from the Fair Fund established by the
Commission to compensate investors for harm as a result of securities law violations.
86.
Distribution Payments must be made by check or electronic payment payable to
the Payee (the beneficial account owner). A Third-Party Filer shall not be the payee of any
Distribution Payment check or electronic Distribution Payment. Compensation to a Third-Party
Filer for its services may not be paid or deducted from the Distribution Payment.
87.
The submission of a Claim Form and the receipt and acceptance of a Distribution
Payment by a Payee is not 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 make Distribution Payments. Wire transfers will be initiated by the Fund
Administrator using a two-party 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 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 no
later than one hundred twenty (120) 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
17
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.
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 check 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 one hundred twenty (120) days from issuance of the
original check or sixty (60) days from the reissuance, and in no event will a check be reissued
after one hundred twenty (120) 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 who have
failed to negotiate their Distribution Payment check and take appropriate action to follow up on
the status 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, the Fund Administrator, in
consultation with the Commission staff, may seek subsequent distribution(s) of any available
remaining funds, pursuant to the Commission’s Rules. All subsequent distributions shall be
made in a manner that is consistent with this Plan.
95.
A residual within the Fair Fund will be established for any amounts remaining
after the final disbursement to Payees from the Fair Fund and the payment of all Administrative
Costs (the “Residual”). The Residual may include funds from, among other things, amounts
remaining the Reserve, distribution checks that have not been cashed, checks that were not
delivered or returned to the Commission, tax refunds for the Fair Fund’s overpayment or for
waiver of IRS penalties.
96.
Once the Fund Administrator, in consultation with the Commission staff, deems
further distribution of the Fair Fund to investors infeasible, the Fund Administrator will direct
any uncashed Distribution Payments to be voided, and return any funds remaining in the Escrow
and Deposit Accounts to the Commission to be added to the Residual.
18
97.
All funds remaining in the Residual that are infeasible to distribute to investors
will be transferred to the U.S. Treasury after the final accounting is approved by the
Commission. Returning such money to 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.
Filing of Reports and Accountings
98.
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.
99.
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
all Administrative Costs, 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 the Fair Fund
100. The Fair Fund will be eligible for termination and the Fund Administrator will be
eligible for discharge after all of the following have occurred (a) a final accounting, in a standard
accounting format provided by the Commission staff, has been submitted by the Fund
Administrator and approved by the Commission; (b) all Administrative Costs have been paid;
and (c) any amount remaining in the Fair Fund has been returned to the Commission for transfer
to U.S. Treasury. Once the Commission has approved the final accounting, the Commission
staff will seek an order from the Commission authorizing: (a) the transfer of any amounts
remaining in the Fair Fund that are 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.
101. 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.
19
Miscellaneous
102. 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
any, appointed in this proceeding; and any records, including records containing investor
information, provided by Commission staff.
103. 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
104. 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 at such earlier time as the
Fund Administrator determines with the concurrence of the Commission staff.
105. The Fund Administrator will retain all materials submitted by Preliminary
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
106. The Notice of Proposed Plan of Distribution and Opportunity to Comment (the
“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 of
the publication 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 3-16729 and 3-18110” in the
subject line. Comments received will be available to the public. Persons should only submit
comments that they wish to make publicly available.
20
Exhibit A
PLAN OF ALLOCATION
This Plan of Allocation1 is designed to compensate investors based on their losses on
shares of Miller Energy common stock purchased or acquired on March 22, 2010 through April
29, 2015, inclusive (the “Relevant Period”), due to the misconduct of the Respondents as
described in the Orders. An investor who did not purchase shares of the Securities during the
Relevant Period or who is an Excluded Party is ineligible to recover under this Plan. Artificial
inflation in the price of the Securities over various date ranges surrounding corrective disclosures
and average closing prices of the Securities during the Lookback Period (defined below) have
been calculated by the Commission’s staff and are reflected in Table A and Table B,
respectively.
The Fund Administrator will calculate the amount of loss for each share of the Securities
purchased or acquired during the Relevant Period (“Recognized Loss per Share”) as follows:
For each share of Securities purchased or acquired between March 22, 2010 and April 29,
2015, inclusive, and
A.
Sold prior to July 28, 2010, the Recognized Loss per Share is $0.00.
B.
Sold on or after July 28, 2010, and prior to the close of trading on April 29, 2015,
the Recognized Loss per Share is the lesser of:
C.
D.
1
1.
the amount of inflation per share on the purchase/acquisition date as set
forth in Table A below minus the amount of inflation per share on the sale
date as set forth in Table A below; or
2.
the purchase/acquisition price minus the sale price.
Sold after the close of trading on April 30, 2015 and prior to the close of trading
on July 28, 2015 (the “Lookback Period”) the Recognized Loss per Share is the
least of:
1.
the amount of inflation per share on the purchase/acquisition date as set
forth in Table A below; or
2.
the purchase/acquisition price minus the sale price; or
3.
the purchase/acquisition price minus the moving average closing price of
the Miller Energy common stock on the sale date as set forth in Table B
below.
Held as of the close of trading on July 28, 2015, the last day of the Lookback
All capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
Period, the Recognized Loss per Share is the lesser of:
1.
the amount of inflation per share on the purchase/acquisition date as set
forth in Table A below; or
2.
the purchase/acquisition price minus [$0.45], the average closing price of
Miller Energy common stock during the Lookback Period, as shown in 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/acquisitions 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: Transactions for a Preliminary Claimant who made multiple
purchases/acquisitions and sales of Securities during the Relevant Period, 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 Securities to the Preliminary Claimant 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: Miller Energy 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 Securities 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 Securities 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 Securities and the date of a short sale is deemed to be the date of sale of the
Securities. 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: Recognized Loss will be the sum of the Recognized Loss per Share, as
calculated above, on all shares of the Securities purchased or acquired during the Relevant
Period. If the Recognized Loss calculates to a gain, then the Recognized Loss will be $0.00.
Market Loss Limitation: If a Preliminary Claimant’s actual market loss on shares of the
Securities 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 gain, then the Preliminary Claimant’s 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/acquired during the Relevant Period2 less the sum of (b) the sales
proceeds from shares of the Securities purchased/acquired during the Relevant Period or during
the Lookback Period,3 and (c) the holding value on the remaining of those shares, which will be
$0.45 per share, the moving average price as of the last day of the Lookback Period.4
Eligible Claimant: A Preliminary Claimant, who is not an Excluded Party, who submitted
a valid Claim Form and 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 their Recognized Losses in full, the Fund Administrator, in consultation with the
Commission staff, may include reasonable interest in the distribution amount to compensate for the
time value of money on Recognized Losses. Reasonable Interest will be calculated using the Shortterm 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 Securities 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. Short sales will be
considered for purposes of calculating the actual market loss.
4
Any open short positions 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
(inclusive of Reasonable Interest, if any). An Eligible Claimant whose distribution amount is
less than the Minimum Distribution Amount 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 (inclusive of Reasonable
Interest, if any) equals or exceeds the Minimum Distribution Amount will be deemed a Payee.
Distribution Payment: All Payees will receive a Distribution Payment for their
distribution amount.
4
Table A: Miller Energy Resources, Inc. Common Stock Inflation Schedule
Inflation
per Share
$3.67
$2.04
$1.09
$0.63
$0.18
$0.00
Date Range
March 22, 2010 — July 27, 2011
July 28, 2011
July 29, 2011
August 1, 2011
August 2, 2011 — April 29, 2015
On or after April 30, 2015
Table B: Miller Energy Resources, Inc. Common Stock Closing Price and Average Closing
Price, April 30, 2015 – July 28, 2015
Date
4/30/2015
5/1/2015
5/4/2015
5/5/2015
5/6/2015
5/7/2015
5/8/2015
5/11/2015
5/12/2015
5/13/2015
5/14/2015
5/15/2015
5/18/2015
5/19/2015
5/20/2015
5/21/2015
5/22/2015
5/26/2015
5/27/2015
5/28/2015
5/29/2015
Moving
Average
Closing Price
from April 30,
2015 to Date
Shown
$0.73
$0.72
$0.71
$0.69
$0.67
$0.65
$0.64
$0.64
$0.63
$0.62
$0.62
$0.62
$0.61
$0.61
$0.61
$0.61
$0.60
$0.60
$0.60
$0.60
$0.60
Date
6/1/2015
6/2/2015
6/3/2015
6/4/2015
6/5/2015
6/8/2015
6/9/2015
6/10/2015
6/11/2015
6/12/2015
6/15/2015
6/16/2015
6/17/2015
6/18/2015
6/19/2015
6/22/2015
6/23/2015
6/24/2015
6/25/2015
6/26/2015
6/29/2015
5
Moving
Average
Closing Price
from April 30,
2015 to Date
Shown
$0.60
$0.60
$0.59
$0.59
$0.58
$0.58
$0.58
$0.57
$0.57
$0.56
$0.56
$0.56
$0.55
$0.55
$0.54
$0.54
$0.53
$0.53
$0.53
$0.52
$0.52
Date
6/30/2015
7/1/2015
7/2/2015
7/6/2015
7/7/2015
7/8/2015
7/9/2015
7/10/2015
7/13/2015
7/14/2015
7/15/2015
7/16/2015
7/17/2015
7/20/2015
7/21/2015
7/22/2015
7/23/2015
7/24/2015
7/27/2015
7/28/2015
Moving
Average
Closing Price
from April 30,
2015 to Date
Shown
$0.52
$0.51
$0.51
$0.51
$0.50
$0.50
$0.50
$0.49
$0.49
$0.49
$0.48
$0.48
$0.47
$0.47
$0.47
$0.46
$0.46
$0.45
$0.45
$0.45
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.