WMB Subordinated Debt Misrepresentation Claims
Holders of WMB Subordinated Notes Claims filed proofs of claim against the Debtors in their Chapter 11 Cases seeking payment of allegedly outstanding amounts due on such notes and asserting multiple other claims, including, but not limited to, misrepresentations and omissions under the applicable securities laws (the “Misrepresentation Claims”).
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By orders, dated December 29, 2011, the Bankruptcy Court held that the Misrepresentation Claims should be subordinated pursuant to section 510(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. Accordingly, holders of Misrepresentation Claims would be entitled to receive their Pro Rata Share of Liquidating Trust Interests only if their Misrepresentation Claims were deemed Allowed Claims and recoveries were to reach Class 18 (Subordinated Claims). The Bankruptcy Court expressly preserved the rights and defenses of all parties, including the Debtors’ with respect to the validity and amount of the WMB Subordinated Notes Claims, including the Misrepresentation Claims.
By order, dated January 19, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court approved a stipulation and agreement by and among the Debtors and certain holders of WMB Notes Claims (as defined in the Plan) that asserted Misrepresentation Claims, providing, among other things, that such holders would receive an Allowed Subordinated Claim (as defined in the Plan) in the aggregate amount of $15 million on account of the claims asserted by such claimants and, furthermore, that such claimants withdraw, with prejudice, any appeal of the Court’s order. The Trust believes that the majority of the outstanding Misrepresentation Claims have been resolved pursuant to such settlement agreement. The remaining holders of Misrepresentation Claims remain unliquidated and disputed.
As previously discussed, with the distribution on February 25, 2019, LTI holders in Tranche 4 were paid in full; therefore, recoveries may be available for Class 18 claimants. The status of Misrepresentation Claims will need to be determined (e.g. allowed, disallowed or estimated) prior to making any future distributions. Therefore, the Trust intends to litigate its prior objections to those claims.
