United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. St. Anselm Exploration Co. et al
Filing
151
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER granting 141 Defendants' Motion for Judgment. Judgment with prejudice SHALL ENTER on behalf of defendants, St. Anselm Exploration Co.; Michael A. Zakroff; Mark S. Palmer; Anna M.R. Wells; and Steven S. Etkind, agai nst plaintiff, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, on all claims for relief and causes of action asserted in this action; and defendants are AWARDED their costs to be taxed by the clerk of the court. By Judge Robert E. Blackburn on 3/29/13. (kfinn, )
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Judge Robert E. Blackburn
Civil Case No. 11-cv-00668-REB-MJW
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
Plaintiff,
v.
ST. ANSELM EXPLORATION CO.,
MICHAEL A. ZAKROFF,
MARK S. PALMER,
ANNA M.R. WELLS, and
STEVEN S. ETKIND,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Blackburn, J.
This case came before me for trial to the court from July 23 through August 2,
2012, on the claims of plaintiff, United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), for misrepresentation pursuant to section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 19331
and SEC Rule 10b-5(b)2 promulgated under section 10(b)3 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as well as scheme liability pursuant to sections 17(a)(1) and (3) of the
Securities Act4 and SEC Rules 10b-5(a) and (c) as set forth in the SEC’s First
1
15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)(2).
2
17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5(b).
3
15 U.S.C. § 78j(b).
4
15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)(1) & (3).
Amended Complaint [#36]5 filed July 5, 2011, and identified in the Final Pretrial Order
[#100] filed June 12, 2012.
All parties appeared through their respective attorneys. Additionally, the
individual defendants, Michael A. Zakroff, Mark S. Palmer, Anna M.R. Wells, and
Steven S. Etkind, appeared in person.
At the close of plaintiff’s case, defendants moved for entry of judgment as a
matter of law under Fed. R. Civ. P. 52(c). I deferred ruling on the motion and allowed
defendants to present their evidence. Defendants have now renewed their motion.
(Defendants’ Motion for Judgment Pursuant to F.R.C.P. 52(c) [#141] filed August
17, 2012.)
Having judicially noticed all relevant adjudicative facts in the file and record of
this case pro tanto, considered the evidence educed at trial in its various forms,
determined the credibility of the witnesses, weighed the evidence, considered all
reasons stated, arguments advanced, and the authorities cited by the parties in both
written and oral form, and being otherwise sufficiently advised, I grant defendants’ Rule
52(c) motion based on the following findings of fact (which have been established by a
preponderance of the evidence) and conclusions of law and enter appropriate orders,
and judgment.6
5
“[#36]” is an example of the convention I use to identify the docket number assigned to a specific
paper by the court’s electronic case filing and management system (CM/ECF). I use this convention
throughout this order.
6
As required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 52(a)(1), I state my findings of fact specially and conclusions of
law separately. Any finding of fact more properly deemed a conclusion of law, or any conclusion of law
more properly deemed a finding of fact, shall be as more properly characterized.
2
I. FINDINGS OF FACT
1. I have jurisdiction over the parties to this action pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§
77t(b) & 77v(a) (Securities Act), 78u(d), 78u(e), and 78aa (Exchange Act).
2. Venue is proper in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
3. Defendant St. Anselm Exploration Co. (“SAE”) is a privately held corporation
formed under the laws of Colorado and operating out of its office in Denver, Colorado.
4. Defendants, Anna M.R. Wells and Mark Palmer, both trained geologists, are
the president and vice president, respectively, of SAE, and together founded the
company in 1989. With defendant, Michael Zakroff, SAE’s secretary/treasurer and
business manager, they comprise the company’s three principals who together own one
hundred per cent (100%) of the company’s stock.7 Defendant, Steven Etkind, was
SAE’s vice president of corporate development, who was primarily responsible for
investor development and relations.
5. SAE is engaged in the business of oil and gas exploration and development
and, since 2007, exploration and development of geothermal energy.
6. St. Anselm CKU (“CKU”) was a limited liability company formed by SAE with
Hat Creek Energy (“Hat Creek”) in February 2006. Through CKU, SAE conducted oil
and gas activities in Kansas with Murfin Drilling Company (“Murfin”) from March 1, 2006,
until March 1, 2009. SAE formed St. Anselm KXP (“KXP”) to carry on its oil and gas
activities in the Murfin drilling program after the dissolution of CKU.
7
At the times relevant to this lawsuit, Ms. Wells owned 67% of the stock and Mr. Palmer 33%.
Mr. Zakroff, who was previously married to Ms. Wells, received a portion of her stock when the couple
divorced.
3
7. Agua Caliente (“Agua”) and Standard Steam Trust (“SST”) are LLCs formed
to acquire geothermal leases in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Terra Caliente (“Terra”),
another LLC formed by SAE, owned interests in both Agua and SST and was the
manager of both LLCs until 2012.
8. The SEC presented its case as relying on two primary misrepresentations: (1)
that investor funds would be used to advance the company’s operations, specifically
drilling and property acquisition; and (2) that payments to investors would be funded by
the operations of the company (primarily from asset sales) – as well as two primary
omissions: (1) that investor funds were used to pay off existing debt; and (2) that the
company had insufficient funds to pay ongoing expenses without raising new capital
from promissory notes.
9. The evidence fails to establish that SAE had any of the true hallmarks of a
Ponzi scheme. SAE conducted legitimate business operations and historically (and
contemporaneously) produced profits and earnings. The evidence established plainly
that SAE and its affiliates had real assets that had actual and potential value and that
SAE conducted significant, legitimate business operations.
10. SAE’s business plan is to identify and acquire oil, gas, and geothermal,
prospects, usually in partnership with others, to enhance their value by developing them
further, and then to sell them for a profit. SAE is not involved directly with the
production of the oil and gas properties in which it owns an interest or the construction
of power plants on its geothermal properties.
11. The process of developing a prospect to the point where it viably can be sold
typically requires several years. By contrast, the SEC’s proffered expert, Christina
4
Cook, cabined her review of the evidence to the time period between January 1, 2007,
and September 30, 2010, and she considered only cash infusions to the company,
taking no account of SAE’s assets or the growth of assets unless and until they had
been monetized. In other words, she gave no consideration to the potential value –
however well supported – of non-liquid assets.
12. To fund its operations, SAE historically relied, in part, on the issuance of
promissory notes. These notes were typically for one- or three-year terms and carried
high interest rates. Every note issued by the company was personally guaranteed by
the principals of SAE.8
13. When considered over a period representing the typical business cycle in the
industry, SAE had adequate revenue apart from income from promissory notes to pay
its debt – both principal and interest – to note holders. SAE took in $61 million in
revenue from sources other than promissory notes during between 2006 and 2010,
inclusive, more than sufficient to service the $57 million in debt – both principal and
interest – during that same time period. Even over the more limited period Ms. Cook
considered (rather than on a year-by-year basis), only twenty per cent (20%) of the
revenue attributable to the sale of promissory notes was used to service the company’s
debt.
14. All holders of promissory notes made by SAE and/or its affiliates also were
“accredited investors,” meaning, most significantly, that those holders were presumed to
8
Contrary to the implication of the SEC’s arguments, the fact that SAE’s principals did not have
adequate resources to cover these guarantees at the moment they might have been called is irrelevant.
The salient feature of such a guarantee is that it gave each principal skin in the game, making them
personally liable should the company default on its obligations.
5
be sophisticated and aware of the risks inherent to the industry, and thus the risk
involved in the investment. See 17 C.F.R. § 230.501(a).9 See also Goodlett, Martin,
Subjective Materiality and the Over-the-Counter Derivatives Markets, 61 DePaul L.
Rev. 165, 190 (Fall 2011).
15. SAE’s operations were funded also by sales of assets, periodic infusions of
capital from the shareholders,10 and loans from industry partners. Because developing
a lease to the point where it could be monetized typically takes several years, asset
sales were episodic and did not provide a regular infusion of cash to the business.
SAE’s comptroller, Tania Hattig, testified that SAE had a regular practice of “bridging
the gap” between asset sales by relying on these other sources of funding. When an
asset sale was consummated, however, the company typically realized millions of
dollars.
16. Each accredited investor who was issued a promissory note by SAE or one
of its affiliated entities signed a Subscription Agreement. Therein, investors
acknowledged that “[t]here are no constraints on the company’s use of cash, whether
from financings or operations. . . . Cash, including proceeds from debt financings, has
9
The SEC’s Regulation D rules governing accredited investors “relates to transactions exempted
from the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 . . .” 17 C.F.R. § 230.500(a).
However, “[s]uch transactions are not exempt from the antifraud, civil liability, or other provisions of the
federal securities laws,” and “[i]ssuers are reminded of their obligation to provide such further material
information, if any, as may be necessary to make the information required under Regulation D, in light of
the circumstances under which it is furnished, not misleading.” Id.
10
The SEC presented evidence intended to demonstrate that SAE’s principals paid themselves
large distributions as the company’s cash flow was dwindling. Yet these same principals also made
significant loans to the company during the relevant period and exerted significant efforts to grow the
business and increase its profitability. The environment in which they did business was inherently risky,
as this case demonstrates, and I perceive nothing inherently suspect in these defendants reaping rewards
commensurate with such risks. More specifically, I reject the SEC’s attempt to paint defendants as mere
rogues, living a high-budget, jet-setting lifestyle at the expense of unsuspecting investors.
6
been and will continue to be used at the discretion of the board of directors of the
company[.]” (Tr. Exh. 33 ¶ 2(c)(i) at 002491.) Following this language was an
enumerated list of potential uses of cash. At an earlier point in time, this section had
stated explicitly that one such purpose was financing the company’s debt. That
language was removed from the Subscription Agreement in 2007. The resultant
Subscription Agreement stated more generally that cash could be used “for other
purposes.” (Id.)11
17. Although the SEC presented the testimony of three investors – Laura Tolley,
Susan Gaultney, and Peter Conley – who claimed that they believed the company used
their investment funds strictly to finance oil and gas operations, I find this testimony not
credible, both in light of the plain language of the Subscription Agreements (with or
without the specific reference to debt financing) and in light of the witnesses’
concessions that the company could use incoming funds for any proper business
purpose. It is beyond peradventure that servicing company debt is a proper business
purpose.
18. Instead, I credit the testimony of Mr. Etkind and Ms. Hattig that any investor
who specifically inquired about the way in which funds were used was explicitly told
about the company’s periodic practice of “bridging the gap” between asset sales by
relying on funds from the issuance of new notes to fund existing interest payments.
19. The evidence demonstrates that SAE’s business plan, including the use of
11
The Subscription Agreements are one of the four main categories of written communications
on which the SEC bases its arguments that defendants committed fraud by omission. The other three are
(1) periodic activity update letters; (2) periodic “Dear St. Anselm Note Holder” letters; and (3) email
communications with individual investors.
7
new infusions of investor funds to finance repayments to existing note holders, together
with other sources of income, worked well in its initial years. The company had
adequate income from all sources to service its existing debt and grow its business.
20. In December 2008, the company’s principals convened a meeting of
investors, both existing and potential, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There was little
actual evidence of what actually was communicated to investors at this meeting, and no
one who testified at trial could provide anything more than broad generalizations about
the types of matters that were discussed. In general, however, it appears that SAE’s
principals discussed the company’s business and prospects, both on the oil and gas
side and the geothermal side.
21. At the time of the Albuquerque meeting, SAE’s prospects looked justifiably
bright. Beginning in 2007, the Bureau of Land Management, which had not leased land
for many years previously, decided to allow the public to lease properties capable of
generating geothermal energy. SAE attended the first BLM auction in June 2007, and
was the successful bidder on several leases. Ultimately, Agua and SST together
participated in leases on ten geothermal properties in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada.
22. Ms. Wells testified in detail regarding her extensive scientific investigation of
the prospects for geothermal in several regions of the country prior to the first lease
purchases. In estimating the potential value of the properties, she confirmed her own
conclusions first with an independent contractor working internally and then by
commissioning reports from a well-respected outside consulting firm, Geothermex. All
these estimates suggested the potential for significant geothermal resources. (See Tr.
Exhs. 377, 382, 392.)
8
23. The Mary’s River property represented the largest geothermal resource
Geothermex had ever mapped in Nevada. The company’s internal investigations of the
potential wattage (and concomitant value) of the properties was supported by
independent estimates. The estimate of the eight properties owned by SST alone
suggested a total value of $267 million. (See Tr. Exh. 385.)
24. In addition, SAE was approached by various third parties interested in
acquiring or partnering with the company on one or more of these properties. This thirdparty interest justifiably increased the company’s confidence in the inherent value of
these assets once they had been developed sufficiently to be sold.
25. In December 2009, SAE approached Ormat, an international developer of
geothermal plants, regarding a sale of some of the geothermal properties. Ormat
quickly agreed to purchase three parcels – Edwards Creek, Mary’s River and Mary’s
River Southwest, and Newdale – in separate transactions to be consummated seriatim.
26. At the time these properties were acquired and through at least the second
quarter of 2010, defendants reasonably believed that these geothermal leases
constituted an enormous asset that could eventually be monetized to significant profit
for the company.
27. Simultaneously, SAE continued its work on the oil and gas side via CKU, and
later, KXP. Mr. Palmer was primarily responsible for this aspect of the business.
28. Mr. Palmer relied on models, which he had developed in his previous
employment with Phillips Petroleum, to estimate the value of the company’s oil and gas
assets. These models were based on historical drilling information maintained by both
SAE and Murfin as well as reserve reports issued by a respected petroleum engineer,
9
Jack McCartney. (See Tr. Exhs. 360, 363, 366, 381, 400.) They contained data
regarding operating expenses, wells planned to be drilled in the coming year, upcoming
capital expenditures, and seismic information.12 (See Tr. Exhs. 289, 375, 376, 380,
394.) Mr. Palmer’s models included information regarding both hard and intangible
assets of the company. The information thus generated routinely was incorporated into
the company’s periodic written communications with investors.
29. The SEC’s proffered rebuttal expert on this issue, Leslie O’Connor, admitted
on cross-examination that she did not know how SAE’s purported success ratios for
drilled wells were derived, whether they applied to all Murfin’s wells in Kansas or just
those in which SAE participated, or whether they applied to wells drilled with the
assistance of 3D seismic.13 Ms. O’Connor considered no historical data prior to 2008 to
give context to Mr. Palmer’s assumptions, nor did she place any value on SAE’s
intangible rights or unproven or undeveloped leasholds. There was no evidence offered
to suggest that SAE’s consideration of the value of such unproven assets was unsound
either in theory or practice.
30. In March 2009, Hat Creek elected to withdraw from CKU and paid SAE $4.1
million in a reserve sale.14 However, Hat Creek declined Murfin’s offer to participate in
future prospects in the Kansas drilling program. SAE elected to acquire those rights,
12
SAE’s agreement with Murfin harkened back to 2002 and involved the exploration of properties
in Kansas and Nebraska located generally in a geologic area known as the Central Kansas Uplift. (Tr.
Exh. 409.)
13
In fact, and only by way of example, Mr. Palmer relied on a fifty per cent (50%) success rate for
wells drilled with 3D seismic, much less than the seventy per cent (70%) success ratio found for
commercial operations in Kansas generally.
14
Previously, in September 2008, SAE had sold a portion of its oil and gas reserves to Hat Creek
for more than $11 million.
10
which were then contributed, along with its existing wells and other rights in the Murfin
drilling program, to the newly formed KXP. The principals of SAE collectively loaned the
company $2 million to finance the acquisition of these rights, for which they paid Murfin
$5.8 million.15 Murfin, wanting to see KXP succeed, suspended interest due it on
receivables from KXP in 2009.
31. In August 2009, KXP successfully bid on the leases for two oil and gas
prospects in Kansas, Emerald and Emerald West. These parcels represented the last
five per cent (5%) of property available in the 140,000-plus contiguous acre parcel
colloquially known as “Woolsey,” after the 82-year old Kansas oilman who had
aggregated the parcel. The Woolsey land was estimated to have enormous value.
Indeed, on its investment of approximately $1.8 million, SAE eventually realized more
than $19 million in revenue when the Emerald and Emerald West properties were sold
in July 2011.
32. By this point in 2009, SAE estimated that it would have wells and reserves
by early 2010 in which KXP’s interest would have a market of value of between $15
million and $18 million, an estimate that was supported by a reserve report from an
independent third party.
33. Meanwhile, the geothermal side of the business continued to show
enormous promise. In August 2009, SST began to develop an Initial Public Offering
(IPO) for the Toronto stock exchange. Mr. Zakroff and David Trautenberg, SST’s vice
president of finance, worked extensively on the IPO through the remainder of 2009.
15
The company hoped eventually to find other partners to participate in KXP and share the
financial burdens of the related Murfin drilling program. In 2009 and 2010, it sold 35% of its interest in
KXP in different increments to four, separate investors for a total of $5.6 million. (See Tr. Exh. 410.)
11
34. Negotiations with Ormat regarding the Edwards Creek lease culminated in a
sale on March 31, 2010, for $8.72 million, netting SAE $1.1 million. The parties then
took up the St. Mary’s properties, discussing a putative price of $11.1 million. These
discussions continued through the end of 2009 and appeared likely to be consummated
during the first or second quarter of 2010. Nothing in the evidence suggests that
defendants did not reasonably contemplate the closing of these transactions within that
time frame.
35. Moreover, as Ms. Cook admitted on cross-examination, SAE had sufficient
income from sources other than notes to pay both interest and principal on the debt in
2008, and to pay interest only in 2007 and 2009.
36. Nevertheless, given the rapid expansion of SAE’s geothermal business and
its increasing investment in the Murfin drilling program through KXP, coupled with a
relative dearth of asset sales, SAE began to experience more pressing problems with its
cash flow in late 2009.
37. In a Christmas Eve series of email exchanges, Mr. Etkind and Mr. Zakroff
discussed the company’s financial situation and the fact that payments for January 2010
might be delayed. Mr. Etkind suggested that he saw little chance of bringing in new
investors to bridge the gap in time to make payments when due. It was then
determined to sell points in Terra. (Tr. Exh. 52.)
38. Then, in early 2010, another large oil and gas company in the Albuquerque
area was revealed to be a Ponzi scheme and filed for bankruptcy. Because many of the
investors in that business were note holders of SAE, there were concerns about a “run
on the bank” scenario occuring. Moreover, the company experienced a noticeable, but
12
ultimately ephemeral, difficulty in bringing in new investors.
39. At the same time, the geothermal industry had begun to soften due to a
number of unforeseen market factors. The BLM began to reevaluate and tighten its
leasing requirements in response to concerns over environmental impacts on sage
grouse habitats on BLM lands. In addition, the valuations of two highly valued IPOs
from July 2009, declined significantly in the third quarter of 2010. Moreover, three other
major power developers had projects that were significantly delayed, over budget,
and/or underperforming. Some of those companies failed, and the market for SAE’s
properties thus was diluted as others became readily available.
40. As a result of these external events, the IPO of SST fizzled out and the
anticipated reserve sale to Ormat of the St. Mary’s geothermal leases was delayed.
41. On the oil and gas side, uncertainties about the future price of oil served to
delay a reserve sale that the company had anticipated being able to consummate in the
first half of 2010.16
42. Throughout this period, SAE continued to solicit new participants through the
issuance of new promissory notes and to seek renewals of existing notes.
43. Several investors who were unsure whether to renew or chose not to renew
nevertheless agreed to let SAE continue to hold their notes and pay them interest until
unspecified future dates when it was anticipated that asset sales might be completed.
44. Nevertheless, as a result of this confluence of events, on July 23, 2010, Mr.
Etkind sent Mr. Zakroff a letter in which he informed the company that
16
The estimated value of the assets SAE intended to sell, confirmed by McCartney, was $15
million to $18 million, with a net return to SAE of $9.75 million to $11.7 million. This reserve sale was
ultimately consummated in November 2010.
13
given St. Anselm's current inability to meet its obligations
with respect to existing notes . . . I do not believe I can or
should pursue new investment leads until the situation
regarding the existing notes is resolved. . . . [G]iven the
representations which must be made to prospects regarding
the financial health of the company in the marketing of new
notes, I believe this is the only proper course.
(Tr. Exh. 234.) The company agreed and quickly hired consultants to advise it on
appropriate terms for restructuring its debt.
45. On August 2, 2010, SAE informed note holders that it would be unable to
make its July interest payments on time. (Tr. Exh. 235.)
46. Finally, on August 16, 2010, the company sent a letter to note holders
notifying them that it would be restructuring its debt, explaining that despite the
underlying value of the company’s assets, recent market events “ha[ve] caused us to
reevaluate the corporate finance model that has served us so well in the past:”
Due to the financial crisis and [oil] price slump, we have
encountered significant delays in moving our properties to
market, but at the same time, we have had to continue
spending capital to accumulate and validate properties.
While we have been able to service current debt with a
combination of proceeds from new debt and asset sales, we
have decided that it is not appropriate to continue raising
debt. As a result, St. Anselm is experiencing, and unless
corrective action is taken, will continue to experience
substantial cash flow deficits.
We believe it is imperative, for the benefit of all note holders,
to restructure all the existing debt now to enable us to pay
interest and principal solely from internally generated funds.
Please note that although we had expected to close an oil
and gas reserve sale by August 15, which would have
funded interest payments for July and August; the sale did
not occur. After extensive modeling of future cash flows, it
has been determined that even if the sale does occur, we
could not continue to service debt at existing interest levels.
As a result, both the July and August 2010 interest payments
14
will be capitalized into the principal amount of the new note,
and the first quarterly interest payment will be on October 1,
2010, to cover interest at the new rate for July, August and
September. III effect, this capitalization of July and August
2010 interest at existing rates can be viewed as an incentive
for participating in the debt restructure program
(Tr. Exh. 201.)
47. Under the terms of the restructure, existing notes were rolled over into new,
five-year notes bearing a fixed rate of interest of five percent (5%).
48. Also, based on the advice of the consultants, SAE issued complete refunds
to noteholders who had invested after June 28, 2010.
49. Not surprisingly, not all note holders were happy with the proposed terms of
the restructure. Nevertheless, 196 of the 198 note holders ultimately accepted the
terms of the restructure and were issued new notes on the terms proposed by the
company.17
50. No evidence suggests that any note holder lost principal as a result of the
restructure.
51. The totality of the evidence presented does not support a finding that, prior
to July 23, 2010, any defendant acted with an intent to deceive, manipulate, or defraud
in their communications with investors about the state of the company, or that their
conduct constituted an extreme departure from the standards of ordinary care, one
which they either knew presented a danger of misleading note holders or that was so
obvious that defendants must have been aware of it.
52. The totality of the evidence presented does not support a finding that, prior
17
Two other note holders sued the company. Their claims were settled out of court.
15
to July 23, 2010, any defendant failed to use the degree of care and skill that a
reasonable person of ordinary prudence and intelligence would be expected to exercise
in the situation.
53. Presently, SAE continues to operate as an ongoing concern. The reserve
sale of the KXP properties was consummated in November 2010, netting the company
$6,900,000. In addition, the company sold its Woolsey properties in July 2011 for
nearly $30 million, of which SAE received more than $19 million.
54. SAE has continued to make all payments due on the restructured notes and
has cash available to meet its interest obligations. It continues to operate without new
investor funds.
II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The motion presently before me renews defendants’ mid-trial request for relief
under Rule 52(c), which provides, in relevant part, that
If a party has been fully heard on an issue during a nonjury
trial and the court finds against the party on that issue, the
court may enter judgment against the party on a claim or
defense that, under the controlling law, can be maintained or
defeated only with a favorable finding on that issue. The
court may, however, decline to render any judgment until the
close of evidence.
FED. R. CIV. P. 52(c). In considering a Rule 52(c) motion, the court is not limited in its
evaluation of the nonmovant's case, as it would be on a motion for judgment as a matter
of law. See Charles A. Wright & Arthur Miller, 9C Federal Practice & Procedure Civil
§ 2573.1 (3rd ed. 2008); Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 2010 WL 653032 at *2 (N.D.
Okla. Feb. 17, 2010). Rather, the court may weigh the evidence, resolve disputed
issues of fact, “and decide for itself in which party's favor the preponderance of the
16
evidence lies.” 9C Federal Practice & Procedure Civil § 2573. See also Roth v.
American Hospital Supply Corp., 965 F.2d 862, 865 & n.2 (10th Cir. 1992) (applying
former Rule 41(b), the precursor to Rule 52(c)). “In so doing, the court is not required to
consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, but may weigh the
evidence to determine whether or not the plaintiff has demonstrated a factual and legal
right to relief.” Tyson Foods, Inc., 2010 WL 653032 at *2.
The SEC has brought claims under section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act and
Rule 10b-5(b) against defendants for fraud, and under sections 17(a)(1) and (a)(3) of
the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) for “scheme liability”. I examine the issues
implicated by these provisions in turn.
A. FRAUD
55. Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act provides:
It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by
the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate
commerce or of the mails, or any facility of any national
securities exchange –
....
(b) To use or employ, in connection with the purchase or
sale of any security registered on a national securities
exchange . . . any manipulative or deceptive device or
contrivance in contravention of such rules and regulations as
the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate
in the public interest or for the protection of investors.
15 U.S.C. § 78j(b) (West Supp. 2004). Rule 10b-5(b), promulgated under the authority
of this section, renders it a violation of section 10(b) “[t]o make any untrue statement of
a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statement made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
17
misleading.” 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5.
56. To state a cause of action under these provisions, the SEC must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that a particular defendant made “(1) a
misrepresentation or omission (2) of material fact,[18] (3) with scienter, (4) in connection
with the purchase or sale of securities, and (5) by virtue of the requisite jurisdictional
means.”19 SEC v. Wolfson, 539 F.3d 1249, 1256 (10th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted).
The state of mind required to state a cause of action under Rule 10b-5(b) is scienter,
that is, an “intent to deceive, manipulate, or defraud.” Ernst & Ernst v. Hochfelder,
425 U.S. 185, 193, 96 S.Ct. 1375, 1381, 47 L.Ed.2d 668 (1976). Scienter can be
proven by showing either knowing or intentional misconduct or recklessness, that is,
“‘conduct that is an extreme departure from the standards of ordinary care, and which
presents a danger of misleading buyers or sellers that is either known to the defendant
or is so obvious that the actor must have been aware of it.’” City of Philadelphia v.
Fleming Companies, Inc., 264 F.3d 1245, 1258 (10th Cir. 2001) (quoting Anixter v.
Home-Stake Production Co., 77 F.3d 1215, 1232 (10th Cir. 1996)).
57. Likewise, section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act makes it unlawful for any
person to obtain money or property by means of any untrue statement of a material fact
or any omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
18
A fact is material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor
would consider that information important in making an investment decision. TSC
Industires, Inc. v. Northway, Inc., 426 U.S. 438, 449, 96 S.Ct. 2126, 2132, 48 L.Ed.2d 757 (1976).
19
The jurisdictional means requirement is satisfied by the use of the means and instrumentalities
of interstate commerce, including the mails, telephone, or internet in connection with the fraud. 15 U.S.C.
§§ 77q(a) & 78j(b); 17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5. See also SEC v. Solucorp Industries, Ltd., 274 F.Supp.2d
379, 419 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). This elements appears uncontested.
18
made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 15
U.S.C. § 77q(a)(2). The state of mind necessary to prove a claim under section
17(a)(2) is negligence. Aaron v. SEC, 446 U.S. 680, 701-02, 100 S.Ct. 1945, 1958, 64
L.Ed.2d 611 (1980). A defendant acts negligently in stating or omitting a material fact if
he “fail[s] to use the degree of care and skill that a reasonable person of ordinary
prudence and intelligence would be expected to exercise in the situation.” SEC v. True
North Finance Corp., – F.Supp.2d –, 2012 WL 5471063 at *42 (D. Minn. Nov. 9, 2012).
58. The SEC has framed its claims as involving two primary misrepresentations
– that investor funds would be used to advance the company’s operations (specifically
drilling and property acquisition) and that payments to investors would be funded by the
operations of the company (primarily from asset sales) – and two primary omissions –
that investor funds were used to pay off existing debt and that the company had
insufficient funds to pay ongoing expenses without raising new capital from promissory
notes.
59. I perceive nothing in the copious evidence in this case to suggest that any
defendant actually made affirmative misrepresentations to investors of the nature
claimed by the SEC. There was little actual evidence of what was said at a December
2008 meeting of investors in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Certainly, no one who testified
regarding that meeting could provide anything more than broad generalizations about
the types of matters that were discussed. Moreover, although all three note holders
who testified at trial stated that it was their understanding and belief that their
investments would be used to fund operations, all eventually acknowledged that they
19
were never actually told as much by anyone associated with SAE.20
60. Instead, the evidence demonstrated that, to the extent any accredited
investor actually inquired about the use of investor funds, they were told plainly about
SAE’s policy of “bridging the gap” by relying on monies from new notes to service debt
attributable to existing ones. In addition, the Subscription Agreement plainly stated that
investor funds could be used for any purpose at the discretion of the company.21 All
three witnesses acknowledged that servicing existing debt was a legitimate business
purpose, thus coming within the boundaries of the matters disclosed by the Subscription
Agreement.
61. Nor do I find compelling the SEC’s argument that Mr. Etkind committed fraud
by assuring investors that SAE was not a Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi scheme is “an
investment scheme in which returns to investors are not financed through the success
of the underlying business venture, but are taken from principal sums of newly attracted
investments.” In re M & L Business Machine Co., Inc. 84 F.3d 1330, 1332 n.1 (10th
Cir.), cert. denied, 117 S.Ct. 608 (1996) . See also United States v. Godwin, 272
F.3d 659, 666 n.3 (4th Cir. 2001) (Ponzi scheme is “a phony investment plan in which
monies paid by later investors are used to pay artificially high returns to the initial
investors”), cert. denied, 122 S.Ct. 1942 (2002). A Ponzi scheme exists where it is
20
Mr. Conley came close to so stating, but could not recall any particulars of the alleged
conversation that purportedly formed the basis of his understanding. I do not find his testimony in this
regard credible, given the language of the Subscription Agreement, the contrary and credible testimony of
Mr. Etkind and Ms. Hattig, and Mr. Conley’s status as one of the two investors who did not agree to the
restructure and his concomitant obvious antipathy to defendants.
21
As discussed more fully infra, I reject the SEC’s argument that the Subscription Agreement
itself was misleading for failing to specifically delineate service of the debt among the list of possible uses
of investor funds.
20
shown that “(1) deposits were made by investors, (2) [defendant] conducted little or no
legitimate business operations as represented to investors, (3) [defendant’s] purported
business operation produced little or no profits or earnings, and (4) source of payments
to investors was cash infused by new investors.” In re Whitley, 2012 WL 170135 at *4
(Bkrtcy. M.D.N.C. Jan. 19, 2012).
62. The evidence fails to establish that SAE conducted “little or no legitimate
business operations” or that it “produced little or no profits or earnings.” The evidence
was more than sufficient to demonstrate that SAE and its affiliates had real assets that
had actual value and that SAE conducted significant, legitimate business operations.
Mr. Palmer explained in detail the historical information and other data that informed his
oil and gas models in this regard, and I find his testimony coherent and credible. Ms.
Wells testified extensively about the types of information that informed her estimations
of the value of the company’s geothermal assets, including, most significantly, the
independent verifications of respected third party consultants.
63. The SEC attempted to undermine the reliability of SAE’s internal information
through the rebuttal testimony of Ms. O’Connor. I do not find her testimony sufficiently
compelling to undermine defendants’ confidence in their own internal estimations of the
value of the company’s assets. Ms. O’Connor admitted on cross-examination that she
did not know how the success ratios for drilled wells were derived, whether they applied
to all Murfin’s wells in Kansas or just those in which SAE participated, or whether they
applied to wells drilled with the assistance of 3D seismic. In fact, and only by way of
example, Mr. Palmer relied on a fifty per cent (50%) success rate for wells drilled with
3D seismic, much less than the seventy per cent (70%) success ratio found for
21
commercial operations in Kansas generally. Moreover, Ms. O’Connor considered no
historical data prior to 2008 to give context to Mr. Palmer’s assumptions. Nor did she
place any value on SAE’s intangible rights or unproven or undeveloped leasholds.
There was no evidence offered to suggest that SAE’s consideration of the value of such
unproven assets – of which Woolsey was one – was unsound either in theory or
practice. In short, there was no credible evidence suggesting that SAE’s models and
internal projections were based on faulty assumptions, manufactured evidence, or
otherwise not worthy of credence.22
64. The gravamen of the SEC’s fraud claims is its allegation that defendants
were required affirmatively to disclose the nature of the company’s financing model in
order to make statements about the strength and viability of the company’s financial
situation not misleading. The evidence of this alleged fraud-by-omission can be
grouped into four broad categories: (1) periodic activity update letters; (2) periodic
letters to note holders; (3) email communications with investors; and (4) the
Subscription Agreement.
65. The securities laws “do not create an affirmative duty to disclose any and all
material information.” Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. v. Siracusano, – U.S. –, 131 S.Ct.
1309, 1321, 179 L.Ed.2d 398 (2011). The duty to disclose arises only “when necessary
to make . . . statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.” Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Thus
22
SAE’s internally generated estimates of the value of its holdings (Tr. Exhs. 375, 376, 380, 389,
and 394) were admitted at trial over the SEC’s objection. I now overrule that objection and consider these
exhibits to the extent they bear on defendants’ state of mind regarding the financial prospects and health
of SAE during the relevant time period.
22
“companies can control what they have to disclose under these provisions by controlling
what they say to the market.” Id. at 1322. See also In re Citigroup, Inc. Securities
Litigation, 330 F.Supp.2d 367, 377 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) (federal securities laws “do not
require a company to accuse itself of wrongdoing”), aff’d, 165 Fed. Appx. 928 (2nd Cir.
Feb. 6, 2006). “Moreover, revealing one fact about a subject does not trigger a duty to
reveal all facts on the subject, so long as what was revealed would not be so incomplete
as to mislead.” Richman v. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 868 F.Supp2d. 261, 274
(S.D.N.Y. 2012) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
66. I find first that the Subscription Agreement was not misleading simply
because it did not specifically enumerate debt service as a possible use of investor
funds. Even after this language was removed in 2007, the remaining disclosure is
certainly broad enough to encompass these types of expenditures. Moreover, as noted
above, all three investors who testified at trial admitted that debt servicing was a
legitimate business purpose and thus within the scope of the agreements.
67. The activity update letters alleged to be misleading by omission were sent to
investors in December 2007 (Tr. Exh. 5), October 2008 (Tr. Exh. 19), and February
2010 (Tr. Exh. 30). At the conclusion of all three letters, the following relevant language
appears:
We expect that St Anselm, over the next year or two, will
continue to fund activities in the Kansas/Nebraska program
from private debt financing. We believe the program has
shown, and will continue to show, more than enough equity
to support St. Anselm's debt. While we are confident that
the overall economics of the Kansas/Nebraska program will
prove to be sound and profitable (generate sufficient cash to
service debt and provide a return on investment for the St.
Anselm shareholders), any extended period of slow drilling,
23
whether due to bad weather or other factors, could adversely
impact future cash flow. And, of course, a series of
unsuccessful or less-successful-than-expected wells could
increase the negative impact on future cash flow, even
though subsequent wells could continue to show an overall
50% or greater success rate in drilling wells with the
anticipated reserves. Our strategy of funding activities from
private financing is not without risk, which is reflected in the
interest rate offered to investors and the personal guaranty
of repayment.
(Emphasis in originals.) Having thus addressed the issue, defendants were required to
state all facts that bore on the issue of debt servicing. I do not find, however, that SAE’s
actual economic position at the time of these update letters was so precarious as to
make this disclosure materially misleading.
68. I find the testimony of the SEC’s proffered expert on this topic, Ms. Cook, to
bear little weight in my analysis of this issue. Ms. Cook was asked to cabin her review
of the evidence to the time period between January 1, 2007, and September 30, 2010.
Thus, she did not consider two of SAE’s largest asset sales (the February 2006 Hat
Creek sale and the July 2011 Woolsey sale), which occurred outside this narrow
window. Moreover, Ms. Cook considered only cash infusions to the company. She took
no account of SAE’s assets or the growth of assets unless and until they had been
monetized. In other words, she gave no consideration to the potential value – however
well supported – of non-liquid assets. Even under Ms. Cook’s limited assessment, she
acknowledged that SAE had sufficient income from sources other than notes to pay
both interest and principal on the company’s debt in 2008, and adequate income in
2007 and 2009 to pay interest.
69. I find much more credible the testimony of defendants’ rebuttal expert,
24
Steven Shuster, that, when considered over a broader period representing the more
typical business cycle in the industry, SAE had adequate revenue apart from income
from promissory notes to pay its debt – both principal and interest – to note holders.23
Ms. Cook herself conceded that over the entire period she considered (rather than on a
year-by-year basis), only twenty per cent (20%) of the revenue attributable to the sale of
promissory notes was used to service the debt.
70. Given the facts as I find them from the evidence presented at trial, I find that
none of the defendants acted negligently, much less with scienter, in connection with
the representations made in any of the activity update letters.
71. A third category of alleged misrepresentations by omission are comprised of
letters addressed to “Dear St. Anselm Note Holder” and dated October 8, 2008 (Tr. Exh.
199), December 2008 (Tr. Exh. 20), March 2009 (Tr. Exh. 22), June 22, 2009 (Tr. Exh.
27), January 21, 2010 (Tr. Exh. 21), April 7, 2010 (Tr. Exh. 31), and June 14, 2010 (Tr.
Exh. 32). Nothing in the October or December 2008 letters addressed the issue of
investor financing or debt service at all.24 Thus, no duty to speak on that topic arose
from these communications.
72. The letters from 2009 and 2010 informed investors of more attractive terms
and additional incentives (in the form of bonus payments) for new and renewing notes.
To extent the offer of such terms implicated a duty to reveal that defendants would use
23
Mr. Shuster pointed out that SAE took in $61 million in revenue from sources other than
promissory notes during the six-year period he considered, more than sufficient to service the $57 million
in debt – both principal and interest – during that same period.
24
The October letter did state that SAE’s debt-to-equity ratio was 2-to-1, but nothing in the
evidence demonstrated that this representation was false.
25
investor funds to service the company’s debt, among other purposes, here again, I find
nothing in the evidence that suggests either scienter or negligence in such an omission.
The alleged omission might be material if defendants did not reasonably believe
or were reckless in believing that the company’s assets did not have sufficient value to
support the investment therein. Yet in 2009, SAE estimated that it would have wells
and reserves by early 2010 in which KXP’s interest would have a market of value of
between $15 million and $18 million, an estimate that was supported by a reserve report
from an independent third party. Moreover, the SEC has not shown that defendants’
confidence in their ability to consummate the reserve sale and complete the sale of the
St. Mary’s geothermal properties to Ormat during the first half of 2010 was irrational or
unreasonable. All the science indicated that these assets were highly valuable, and
there was no evidence presented to suggest that defendants somehow should have
divined the softening in relevant markets that appears to have been the major driver in
their inability to complete these transactions as anticipated.
73. Finally, the SEC points to a vast number of email communications from
2008, 2009, and 2010, mostly from Mr. Etkind, soliciting investments or inquiring about
renewals of existing notes. (See, e.g., Tr. Exhs. 24, 34, 39, 42, 47, 60, 72, 73, 78, 79,
153, 156, 162, 209; see also Tr. Exh. 85 (2/14/2010 email from Mr. Zakaroff to
investors Mark and Laurie Housel).) I have reviewed all of these communications and
find nothing in them that would support a duty to inform investors of the practice of using
investor funds to service the debt in light of the company’s financial situation. Even if
such a duty existed, I conclude that the evidence is not sufficient to support a
conclusion that, prior to July 23, 2010, when defendants decided to restructure and
26
stopped soliciting notes, any defendant had intent to mislead or was reckless in
communicating with investors without specifically revealing that investor funds were
used to service the company’s debt.
74. The question of negligence in these communications is somewhat closer, but
only concerning communications in July 2010. Yet nothing in the evidence suggests
that, prior to that time, defendants acted unreasonably in continuing to anticipate the
closing of the KXP reserve sale and the St. Mary’s transaction with Ormat. When it
became clear that these sales would be delayed, and consequently that the July 2010
interest payments could not be met, defendants immediately began planning to
restructure. Moreover, it was uncontroverted that SAE refunded in whole every
investment made with the company after June 28, 2010.
75. What this court perceives frpm the evidence presented in this case is not
fraud, whether intentional or reckless, or even negligence, but a company that got too
far out over its skis. SAE’s business model worked well for years, and there was
nothing inherently suspect about relying on investor financing as one piece among
several to service debt and operate a business. Beginning in 2007, the confluence of
several promising opportunities that seemed likely to yield enormous returns enticed the
company to take on additional debt in order to acquire additional assets. Yet with the
economic downtown of 2008 and the sudden decline in the relevant markets, the
company’s historical ability to sell assets to fund operations was compromised. No
defendant is charged with clairvoyance in the prediction of such external events. When
defendants realized their business model no longer worked in the then-current
economy, they moved with appropriate speed to revamp it and save investors’ principal.
27
That strategy worked, as SAE is still operating today.
76. For these reasons, I find and conclude that defendants’ motion for judgment
as a matter of law pursuant to Rule 52(c) should be granted as to the SEC’s claims for
fraud under section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5(b).
B. SCHEME LIABILITY
77. The SEC also has brought claims under section 17(a)(1) and (3) and Rule
10b-5(a)( and (c) for scheme liability. These statutes make it unlawful to engage,
directly or indirectly, in a course of business or employ a device in furtherance of a
scheme to defraud in connection with the sale or exchange of securities. SEC v.
Zanford, 535 U.S. 813, 819, 122 S.Ct. 1899, 1903, 153 L.Ed.2d 1 (2002).
To prove a violation of Rule 10b-5(a) or 10b-5(c), the SEC must prove by a
preponderance of the evidence that a defendant, acting with scienter, committed a
manipulative or deceptive act in furtherance of the alleged scheme to defraud. In re
Qwest Communications International, Inc. Securities Litigation, 387 F.Supp.2d
1130, 1143 (D. Colo. 2005).
Section 17(a)(1) prohibits the use of any device, scheme or artifice to defraud in
the offer or sale of any securities by use, directly or indirectly, of the means of interstate
commerce or the mails. 15 U.S.C. §§ 77q(a)(1). To prove its claim under section
17(a)(1) of the Securities Act, the SEC must establish (1) the direct or indirect use of a
device, scheme or artifice, to defraud; (2) with scienter; (3) in the offer or sale of a
security; (4) using interstate commerce or the mail. SEC v. Coffman, 2007 WL
2412808 at *10 (D. Colo. Aug. 21, 2007).
Section 17(a)(3) makes it unlawful to engage in any transaction, practice, or
28
course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the
purchaser. 15 U.S.C. §§ 77q(a)(3). To prove a violation of this section, the SEC must
demonstrate that defendants (1) engaged in acts, practices, or courses of dealing which
operate as a fraud or deceit; (2) in the offer or sale of securities; (3) using interstate
commerce or the mails; and (4) negligence. Aaron, 100 S.Ct. at 1958.
78. Scheme liability recognizes that “[c]onduct itself can be deceptive.”
Stoneridge Investment Partners, LLC v. Scientific-Atlanta, 552 U.S. 148, 158, 128
S.Ct. 761, 769, 169 L.Ed.2d 627 (2008). Nevertheless, liability does not arise simply by
virtue of repackaging a fraudulent misrepresentation a “scheme to defraud.” Public
Pension Fund Group v. KV Pharmaceutical Co., 679 F.3d 972, 987 (8th Cir. 2012).
Rather, scheme liability requires proof of participation in an illegitimate, sham, or
inherently deceptive transaction where the defendant’s conduct or role has the purpose
and effect of creating a false appearance. SEC v. Daifotis, 2011 WL 2183314 at *9
(N.D. Cal. June 6, 2011), modified on other grounds, 2011 WL 3295139 (N.D. Cal.
Aug. 1, 2011); SEC v. Lucent Technologies, Inc., 610 F.Supp.2d 342, 360 (D.N.J.
2009). The conduct must be “inherently deceptive when performed.” SEC v. Kelly, 817
F.Supp.2d 340, 344 (S.D.N.Y. 2011).
Stated differently, scheme liability exists only where there is deceptive conduct
going beyond misrepresentations. KV Pharmaceutical Co., 679 F.3d at 987; Kelly,
817 F.Supp.2d at 344. Allegations of a scheme based on the same misstatements that
would form the basis of a misrepresentation claim under Rule 10b–5(b) and nothing
more are not sufficient. See KV Pharmaceutical Co., 679 F.3d at 987; WPP
Luxembourg Gamma Three Sarl v. Spot Runner, Inc., 655 F.3d 1039, 1057 (9th Cir.
29
2011), cert. denied, 132 S.Ct. 2713 (2012); Lentell v. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 396
F.3d 161, 177 (2nd Cir.), cert. denied, 126 S.Ct. 421 (2005); Lucent Technologies,
Inc., 610 F.Supp.2d at 359. See also SEC v. Familant, 2012 WL 6600339 at *9
(D.D.C. Dec. 19, 2012) (noting that courts have rejected scheme liability “where the
primary purpose and effect of a purported scheme is to make a public misrepresentation
or omission. . . . In other words, because only [defendant] ultimately ‘made’ the false
statement, the executives who plotted to unleash the false statement could not violate
Rule 10b-5.”); TCS Capital Management, LLC v. Apax Partners, L.P., 2008 WL
650385 at *22 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 7, 2008) (rejecting Rule 10b–5(a) and (c) claims where
alleged deception “arose from the failure to disclose the ‘real terms' of the deal,” which
was “nothing more than a reiteration of the misrepresentations and omissions” of the
disclosure claim).
79. The SEC posits a number of ways in which it claims defendants engaged in
a deceptive scheme. (See SEC Br. At 117 n.16 [#144], filed August 31, 2012.)25
However, I conclude that there is nothing inherently deceptive about any of these
actions. The only way in which they might be conceived to be deceptive is by virtue of
the SEC’s contention that they bolstered the allegedly false impression created by
defendants’ misrepresentations and omissions which form the basis of the 10b-5(b) and
section 17(a)(1) claims. However, the statute does not permit such legal “double
25
In its proposed conclusions of law, the SEC suggests that post-fraud “lulling letters” can be
evidence of a scheme to defraud. (See SEC Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law at
101-103 [#144], filed August 31, 2012.) The precedents on which it relies, however, all involve criminal
prosecutions under the mail and wire fraud statutes. The SEC presents no authority suggesting that these
concepts have been or should be applicable to civil actions under the federal securities laws. Moreover, to
the extent lulling letters might be thought relevant, they still would have to arise with reference to an
underlying scheme separate from the communications contained therein, which is not shown on the
current record.
30
dipping.”
80. Accordingly, defendants’ motion for judgment as a matter of law as to the
SEC’s scheme liability claims must be granted also.
III. ORDERS
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED as follows:
1. That Defendants’ Motion for Judgment Pursuant to F.R.C.P. 52(c) [#141],
filed August 17, 2012, is GRANTED;
2. That judgment with prejudice SHALL ENTER on behalf of defendants, St.
Anselm Exploration Co.; Michael A. Zakroff; Mark S. Palmer; Anna M.R. Wells; and
Steven S. Etkind, against plaintiff, the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, on all claims for relief and causes of action asserted in this action; and
3. That defendants are AWARDED their costs to be taxed by the clerk of the
court in the time and manner provided by Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(d)(1) and D.C.COLO.LCivR
54.1.
Dated March 29, 2013, at Denver, Colorado.
BY THE COURT:
31
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?