This week, the market crisis continued to dominate all events. The SEC took extraordinary steps to curtail short selling and is considering additional emergency measures which would require large hedge funds and institutional traders to disclose their short positions. To supplement these measures, the Enforcement Division is conducting expanding existing investigations to focus on the short selling of some traders. Each of these steps is intended to quell the turmoil in the markets and preclude market manipulation which might send some share prices spiraling down.

In private securities actions, there were two significant circuit court decision, one regarding the CSX case and another implementing the Supreme Court’s decision in Tellabs. The were also enforcement actions based on option backdating, financial fraud and one SEC insider trading case which may be unique since one of the named defendants passed away three weeks before the case was filed.

The market crisis

Short sale rules: As the turmoil in the markets continued, the SEC focused on short trading and market manipulation, announcing that it may add to the new regulations already in place. On Wednesday, Chairman Cox noted that he is going to request that the SEC adopt a new rule on an emergency basis which would require hedge funds and other large institutional investors with more than $100 million invested in securities to disclosure their daily short positions. In the same release, the Chairman noted that the Division of Enforcement is expanding their ongoing investigations “by undertaking a series of additional enforcement measures against market manipulation. The Enforcement Division will obtain disclosure from significant hedge funds and other institutional traders … [about] their past trading positions in specific securities.”

The announcement of the proposed emergency rule and enforcement efforts follows the implementation by the SEC of other new provisions aimed at naked short selling. Under a new rule which will became effective on Thursday, September 18, 2008, the Commission imposed a hard T+ 3 close out requirement on all short sales. This rule requires any short seller and their broker-dealer to deliver the securities by the close of business on the settlement date which is three days after the transaction. In addition, the options market maker exception was also eliminated and the Commission adopted Rule 10b-21 regarding fraudulent short selling as discussed here.

Auction rate securities: The Committee on Financial Services, U.S. House of Representatives, began hearings this week into the auction rate securities markets. Those hearing are focused on the continuing crisis in those markets. Prepared testimony was offered by Linda Thomsen, Director of the Division of Enforcement. In her remarks, Ms. Thomsen reviewed the division’s investigative efforts into events in the ARS market. Those efforts have been coordinated with FINRA, the New York Attorney General’s Office and the North American Securities Administrators Association. As a result of these combined inquiries, several significant tentative settlements have been announced as previously discussed here.

Private litigation

Two recent significant rulings focus on disclosure obligations under Section 13d and the interpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision in Tellabs which construed the PSLRA requirement of a “strong inference” of scienter as discussed here.

Section 13d disclosure: The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Kaplan’s decision not to enter an injunction which would sterilize the shares of two hedge funds found to be in violation of Section 13d. That ruling came in the midst of a hotly contested proxy contest regarding CSX in which the two hedge funds were seeking board seats as discussed here. CSX v. Children’s Investment Fund, No 08-2899 -cv (2nd Cir. Sept. 15, 2008).

Tellabs: An Eighth Circuit ruling continued to develop the jurisprudence applying the Supreme Court’s “strong inference” of scienter test developed in its Tellabs decision. The Circuit Court affirmed a pre-Tellabs ruling dismissing a class action complaint for failing to adequately plead a strong inference of scienter. The district court analyzed the question on an allegation by allegation basis rather than using the Tellabs approach of considering the complaint as a whole. In reviewing the district court order, the Circuit Court analyzed the question in the same manner as the district court and by considering the complaint as a whole. In conducting its analysis, the Circuit Court did not follow its prior post-Tellabs approach which combined the Supreme Court’s approach with the Circuit’s pre-Tellabs “motive and opportunity” test derived from Second Circuit jurisprudence. In reaching its decision Court accepted allegations from confidential witnesses without commenting on the PSLRA pleading requirements although detailed facts about those witnesses were presented as discussed here. Western Pa. Electrical Employees Benefits Fund v. Ceridian Corp., No 07-2707 (8th Cir. Sept. 11, 2008).

Enforcement actions

Option backdating: The Commission filed two option backdating cases this week, while trial commenced in a criminal case. The first is a clear reminder to independent directors of their watchdog role, SEC v. Kohavi, Case No. 08-43-48 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2008), discussed here. Named as defendants in the action are three former outside directors of Mercury Interactive, Igal Kohavi, Yair Shamr and Giora Yaron. The complaint alleges that from 1997 through 2002 directors approved 21 separate backdated option grants and that they were reckless in not heeding a series of red flags which should have told them the grants were backdated and improper. To settle the action, each defendant consented to the entry of a permanent injunction prohibiting future violations of the antifraud, proxy and reporting provisions of the federal securities laws and agreed to pay a civil penalty of $100,000. The Commission previously settled its action against the company as discussed here. SEC v. Mercury Interactive, LLC, Case No. 07-2822 (N.D. Cal May 31, 2007).

The second is a settled action against the former chairman and CEO of KB Home, Inc., SEC v. Karatz, Civil Action No. CV 08-06012 (C.D. CA. Filed Sept. 15, 2008) discussed here. The action alleged that the defendant engaged in a multi-year scheme to backdate stock options for himself and others between 1999 and 2005. To resolve the action, Mr. Karatz consented to the entry of a permanent injunction prohibiting future violations of the antifraud, reporting and proxy provisions of the federal securities laws and an order requiring him to pay disgorgement and interest of about $6.7 million and a civil penalty of $480,000. The order also bars him from serving as an officer or director of a public company for five years.

Finally, trial began in U.S. v. Roberts, Case No. 3:07-cr-00100 (N.D. Cal. Feb. 27, 2007). This case is based on option backdating at McAfee, Inc. Mr. Roberts is the former general counsel of the company. He is alleged to have increased his potential profit on options by over $197,000 by backdating options. The proceedings got off to a rocky start when the company suddenly produced a group of e-mails that had long been sought.

Financial fraud: The Commission filed a financial fraud case against American Italian Pasta Company and three separate actions against three former officers this week, SEC v. American Italian Pasta Co., Case No. 4:08-cv-00675 (W.D. Mo. Filed Sept. 15, 2008), discussed here. The complaint claims that after an earnings short fall in 2002 the defendants crafted a scheme to ensure that the company would meet Wall Street expectations using a variety of improper accounting techniques. As a result, the company overstated pre-tax income by over $36 million and EPS by about 23% for fiscal 2002, 42% for fiscal 2003 and 59% in the first quarter of fiscal 2004. To resolve the actions, the company and two of the former officers consented to the entry of permanent injunctions prohibiting future violations of the antifraud and reporting provisions. In addition, one former officer consented to the entry requiring him to pay disgorgement of about $750,000 plus prejudgment interest and a civil penalty of $250,000 and barring him from serving as an officer or director. A second officer agreed to pay a civil penalty of $25,000.

Insider trading: The SEC filed an insider trading case against four men alleged to have traded on inside information about the acquisition of Georgia-Pacific Corporation. SEC v. Zeglis, Case No. 08-CV-5259 (N.D. Il. Sept. 16, 2008). According to the complaint James Zeglis misappropriated material nonpublic information from his brother, a member of Georgia-Pacific’s board of directors about a takeover of the company. Just before the transaction announcement, Mr. Zeglis tipped Gautum Gupta and Jim Dixon. Mr. Gupta is alleged to have then tipped Lance McKee. Each defendant traded. Messrs. McKee and Dixon settled the action by consenting to permanent injunctions, agreeing to pay disgorgement and civil penalties. According to press reports, Mr. Zeglis died three weeks before the action was filed. A Commission spokesman is quoted as saying that the agency could still pursue Mr. Zeglis’ assets. There was no mention of continuing to pursue the injunctive relief requested in the complaint.

The SEC issued a rule yesterday regarding naked short selling as part of its efforts to quell the current market turmoil. In addition, the Commission filed a settled option backdating action that should serve as a warning to all outside directors.

The market crisis

The SEC expanded its rule regarding naked short selling. Under a new rule, which will become effective on Thursday, September 18, 2008, the Commission imposed a hard T+ 3 close out requirement on all short sales. Under this rule, any short seller and their broker-dealer will be required to deliver the securities by the close of business on the settlement date, which is three days after the transaction. The new rule incorporates sanctions for those who fail to deliver the securities.

The rule also eliminates the options market maker exception for the close-out requirement of Rule 203(b)(3) in Regulation SHO. Accordingly, market makers will be required to comply with the hard close requirements like all other market participants.

The new rule effectively extends the provisions of the emergency action taken back in July and discussed here, which only applied to a Freddie Mac, Fanny Mae and a handful of other companies. By expanding the emergency rule to all market participants, the Commission leveled the playing field, giving all issuers protection from naked short selling. At the same time, the rule will make it harder for options market-makers to hedge trades when they sell put contracts. The Commission is also requesting comments on the new rule.

The Commission also adopted Rule 10b-21 regarding fraudulent short selling transactions. The rule focuses on short sellers deceiving their broker dealer regarding the ability to cover.

While the new rule on short selling is clearly intended to help stabilize the markets, the need as well as its immediate impact is at best unclear. Naked short selling has not played a role in the demise of the two GSEs or Lehman, all of whom were protected by the earlier emergency rule. Perhaps the real impact of the new rule will be to remind market participants that as a “cop on the street” the SEC is closely monitoring the markets for those who might try to manipulate shares trading in these clearly volatile markets.

Option backdating and outside directors

Outside directors got a wake-up call and a reminder of their independent watchdog role yesterday when the SEC filed a settled enforcement action based on option backdating at Mercury Interactive, SEC v. Kohavi, Case No. 08-43-48 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 17, 2008). Named as defendants in the action are three former outside directors of the company, Igal Kohavi, Yair Shamr and Giora Yaron. The SEC’s complaint essentially claims that the directors were asleep at the switch, rubber stamping whatever management approved.

The complaint alleges that from 1997 through 2002 directors approved 21 separate backdated option grants and that they were reckless in not knowing that the grants violated company policy. A table in the complaint lists each of the backdated grants approved by the three outside directors. Another section of the complaint tiled “Kohavi, Shamir and Yaron Approved Options Notwithstanding Numerous Indications of Backdating” details what it claims are a series of “red flags” that were ignored by the three directors. Several of those red flags were approving grants with an “as of” date which preceded the time the three directors executed the approval papers. In two instances however, the three directors executed approvals that were backdated for employees and, a short time later, again executed a consent for backdated options for the same employees, but with different “as of dates” to take advantage of a share price drop.

To settle the action, each defendant consented to the entry of a permanent injunction prohibiting future violations of the antifraud, proxy and reporting provisions of the federal securities laws. In addition, each defendant consented to an order requiring that they pay a civil penalty of $100,000. The Commission previously settled its action based on backdated options against the company as discussed here. SEC v. Mercury Interactive, LLC, Case No. 07-2822 (N.D. Cal May 31, 2007).