Dutton v. Harris Stratex Networks Inc.

270 F.R.D. 171, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76104, 2010 WL 2990017
CourtDistrict Court, D. Delaware
DecidedJuly 22, 2010
DocketCivil Action No. 08-755-JJF
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 270 F.R.D. 171 (Dutton v. Harris Stratex Networks Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Delaware primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Dutton v. Harris Stratex Networks Inc., 270 F.R.D. 171, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76104, 2010 WL 2990017 (D. Del. 2010).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION

FARNAN, District Judge.

Pending before the Court are three motions: (1) a Motion to Dismiss The Consolidated Class Action Complaint (D.I. 56) filed by Defendant Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”); (2) a Motion To Dismiss (D.I. 60) filed by Defendant Harris Corporation (“Harris”); and (3) a Motion To Dismiss (D.I. 61) filed by Defendants Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. (“Harris Stratex”), Guy M. Campbell, Harald J. Braun, Sarah A. Du-dash, Howard L. Lance, and Scott T. Mikuen (collectively “the Individual Defendants”). For the reasons discussed the Court will grant Ernst & Young’s Motion to Dismiss, deny Harris’ Motion to Dismiss, and grant in part and deny in part the Motion To Dismiss filed by Harris Stratex and the Individual Defendants.

BACKGROUND1

This action arises in connection with an agreement between Harris and Stratex Networks, Inc. (“Stratex”) to merge Stratex and the Microwave Communications Division (“MOD”) of Harris to form a new company, Harris Stratex (the “Merger”). (D.I. 51 at ¶ 3.) Under the terms of the Merger, Harris agreed to merge its Microwave Communications Division and supplied $25 million in cash in exchange for a 56% ownership in the new company. The shareholders of Stratex Networks exchanged their stock for 44% ownership in the new company. (Id.)

A Registration Statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and specifically noted MCD’s losses for fiscal years 2005 and 2006, with a net loss of $3,778,000 in fiscal year 2005 and $35,848,000 in fiscal year 2006. (Id. at ¶ 13.) The Registration Statement was declared effective on January 8, 2007. (Id. at ¶ 4.) On January 26, 2007, the Merger was approved by Stratex Network shareholders, and the new company, Harris Stratex, began trading [175]*175on the NASDAQ Stock Market the next day. (Id. at ¶ 5.)

Following the merger, Harris Stratex made a series of public announcements that caused the company’s stock to fluctuate. On January 30, 2008, Harris Stratex released a second quarter earnings statement that announced that earnings would be less than expected because of unexpected costs associated with compliance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act. (Id. at ¶¶ 42-44.) Following the announcement, Harris Stratex stock declined from $14.33 per share to $10.89 per share, for a loss of $3.44 per share. (Id. at ¶ 45.)

On July 30, 2008, Harris Stratex announced that its previously stated financial reports, including the results for MCD’s fiscal years 2004 through 2006, were incorrect due to accounting errors, and therefore, the company would be restating earnings for fiscal years 2005-2008. (Id. at ¶ 48-51.) In response to this announcement, Harris Stratex stock dropped from $11.24 per share to $7.35 per share. (Id. at ¶ 50.)

On September 18, 2008, Harris Stratex released the restated figures which increased the net losses of MOD for the three fiscal years ending on June 30, 2006, by $5,800,000. (Id. at ¶ 38; see also D.I. 58 Ex. C.) Following the release, the price of Harris Stratex stock rose from a September 18 close of $7.92 per share to a September 19 close of $8.50 per share. (D.I. 58 Ex. B.)

In response to the restatement of earnings, multiple class action complaints were filed by individuals who had purchased shares of Harris Stratex stock. These actions were consolidated, and a lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed. A Consolidated Class Action Complaint (the “Class Complaint”) was filed and Ernst & Young LLP was added as a defendant. By the Class Complaint, Plaintiffs allege (1) violations of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) against Harris Stratex, Ernst & Young, Campbell, Dudash, Lance and Mikuen (“Count I”); (2) violations of Section 15 of the Securities Act against Harris Corp., Campbell, Dudash, Lance, and Mikuen (“Count II”); (3) violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 against Harris Stratex and all Individual Defendants (“Count III”); and (4) violations of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against Campbell, Braun and Dudash (Count IV).

STANDARD OF REVIEW

I. Rule 12(b)(6)

Under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a defendant may move for dismissal based on a plaintiffs “failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). When reviewing a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), the Court must accept all factual allegations in a complaint as true and view them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Christopher v. Harbury, 536 U.S. 403, 406, 122 S.Ct. 2179, 153 L.Ed.2d 413 (2002). A complaint must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(a). Assuming the factual allegations are true, even if doubtful in fact, the “factual allegations must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). While the complaint need not make detailed factual allegations, “a plaintiffs obligation to provide the grounds of his entitlement to relief requires more than mere labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action.” Id. (internal quotations and citations omitted). Thus, stating a claim upon which relief can be granted “ ‘requires a complaint with enough factual matter (taken as true) to suggest’ the required element” of a cause of action. Phillips v. County of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224, 234 (3d Cir.2008) (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 556, 127 S.Ct. 1955.) In sum, if a complaint “pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged,” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, — U.S.—, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009), then the complaint is “plausible on its face,” and will survive a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6). Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955.

II. Rule 9(b)

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b) provides:

[176]*176In all averments of fraud or mistake, the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake shall be stated with particularity. Malice, intent, knowledge, and other condition of mind of a person may be averred generally.

Fed.R.Civ.P. 9(b). The requirements of Rule 9(b) apply to securities fraud claims. See e.g., Shapiro v. UJB Fin. Corp., 964 F.2d 272, 287-288 (3d Cir.1992) (applying Rule 9(b) to Section 11 and 12 claims resounding in fraud); Charal Inv. Co. v. Rockefeller,

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Bluebook (online)
270 F.R.D. 171, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 76104, 2010 WL 2990017, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/dutton-v-harris-stratex-networks-inc-ded-2010.