Grier v. Wadley

Opinion

5(&200(1'(' )25 )8//7(;7 38%/,&$7,21 3XUVXDQW WR 6L[WK &LUFXLW 5XOH 

(/(&7521,& &,7$7,21  )(' $SS 3 WK &LU )LOH 1DPH DS

81,7('67$7(6&28572)$33($/6 )257+(6,;7+&,5&8,7 BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

1RV ; 7(11(66(( $662&,$7,21 2)  +($/7+ 0$,17(1$1&(   1RV 25*$1,=$7,216 ,1&HWDO   ,QWHUYHQRUV$SSHOODQWV !   Y   *$<1(// *5,(5HWDO  ,QWHUYHQRUV   3ODLQWLIIV$SSHOOHHV   )5(',$ :$'/(<  &RPPLVVLRQHU7HQQHVVHH  'HSDUWPHQWRI+HDOWKHWDO  'HIHQGDQWV$SSHOOHHV    1R  7(11(66(( $662&,$7,21 2)  +($/7+ 0$,17(1$1&(  25*$1,=$7,216 ,1&HWDO  ,QWHUYHQRUV$SSHOOHHV  *$<1(// *5,(5HWDO  ,QWHUYHQRUV  3ODLQWLIIV$SSHOOHHV   

  7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

)5(',$ :$'/(<  9 &RPPLVVLRQHU7HQQHVVHH  )RUWKHUHDVRQVSURYLGHGDERYHZH5(0$1'WKLVFDVHWR 'HSDUWPHQWRI+HDOWKHWDO  DOORZ WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW WR FRQGXFW D IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ LQ D  PDQQHUFRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKLVRSLQLRQ7KH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW 'HIHQGDQWV$SSHOOHHV  'HFUHHVKDOOUHPDLQLQHIIHFWZKLOHWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWFRQGXFWV  WKHIDLUQHVVKHDULQJ7KLVGLVSRVLWLRQUHQGHUVXQQHFHVVDU\DQ Y  H[DPLQDWLRQRILQWHUYHQRUVjYDULRXVVXEVWDQWLYHFKDOOHQJHVWR  WKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW'HFUHH 7+$$Q$VVRFLDWLRQRI  +RVSLWDOVDQG+HDOWK6\VWHPV   +263,7$/ $//,$1&( 2)  7(11(66(( 7(11(66((  3+$50$&,676 $662&,$7,21  ,QWHUYHQRUV  'HIHQGDQWV$SSHOODQWV    1R  7(11(66(( $662&,$7,21 2)  +($/7+ 0$,17(1$1&(  25*$1,=$7,216 ,1&HWDO  ,QWHUYHQRUV   7+$$Q$VVRFLDWLRQRI  +RVSLWDOVDQG+HDOWK6\VWHPV  +263,7$/ $//,$1&( 2)  7(11(66(( 7(11(66((  3+$50$&,676 $662&,$7,21  ,QWHUYHQRUV$SSHOODQWV    Y   *$<1(// *5,(5HWDO  3ODLQWLIIV$SSHOOHHV     7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

IRUXPIRUDOOLQWHUHVWHGSDUWLHVWRFRPPHQWRQWKHSURSRVHG GHFUHHl+RZHYHUWKH6XSUHPH&RXUWDOVRZDUQHGWKDW )5(',$ :$'/(<  m>L@W KDV QHYHU EHHQ VXSSRVHG WKDW RQH SDUW\ZKHWKHU DQ &RPPLVVLRQHU7HQQHVVHH  RULJLQDOSDUW\DSDUW\WKDWZDVMRLQHGODWHURUDQLQWHUYHQRU 'HSDUWPHQWRI+HDOWKHWDO  FRXOGSUHFOXGHRWKHUSDUWLHVIURPVHWWOLQJWKHLURZQGLVSXWHV  'HIHQGDQWV$SSHOOHHV 1 DQGWKHUHE\ZLWKGUDZLQJIURPOLWLJDWLRQ>DQLQWHUYHQRU@ GRHV QRW KDYH WKH SRZHU WR EORFN WKH GHFUHH PHUHO\ E\ ZLWKKROGLQJ LWV FRQVHQWl /RFDO 1R  ,QWjO $VVjQ RI $SSHDOIURPWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV'LVWULFW&RXUW )LUHILJKWHUVDW,QGHHGWKH6XSUHPH&RXUWLQ/RFDO IRUWKH0LGGOH'LVWULFWRI7HQQHVVHHDW1DVKYLOOH mGLGQRWFUHDWHDEURDGULJKWRILQWHUYHQRUVWRDTXDVLWULDO 1RnsRKQ71L[RQ'LVWULFWsXGJH EXW UDWKHU VLPSO\ UHTXLUHG D GLVWULFW FRXUW FRQGXFWLQJ D IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ WR DOORZ D SDUW\ WR D SURSRVHG VHWWOHPHQW $UJXHGsXQH DJUHHPHQW WR µSUHVHQW HYLGHQFH DQG KDYH LWV REMHFWLRQV KHDUGjl8QLWHG6WDWHVY&LW\RI+LDOHDK)G 'HFLGHGDQG)LOHG$XJXVW QWK&LUTXRWLQJ/RFDO1R,QWjO$VVjQRI )LUHILJKWHUV86DW(GZDUGVY&LW\RI+RXVWRQ %HIRUHs21(6'$8*+75(<DQG&2/(&LUFXLW )GWK&LUm1HLWKHULQWHUYHQRUVQRU sXGJHV REMHFWRUV DUH HQWLWOHG WR KROG FRQVHQW GHFUHHV KRVWDJH DQG UHTXLUH D IXOOEORZQ WULDO LQ OLHX RI D IDLUQHVV KHDULQJl BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB )XUWKHUPRUHWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWPD\OLPLWWKHIDLUQHVVKHDULQJ mWRZKDWHYHULVQHFHVVDU\WRDLGLWLQUHDFKLQJDQLQIRUPHG &2816(/ MXVW DQG UHDVRQHG GHFLVLRQl 8QLWHG 6WDWHV Y 2UHJRQ  $5*8('  *DU\ & 6KRFNOH\ %$.(5 '21(/621 )GWK&LUTXRWLQJ&RWWRQY+LQWRQ %($50$1  &$/':(// 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH IRU )GWK&LU  7HQQHVVHH$VVRFLDWLRQRI+HDOWK0DLQWHQDQFH2UJDQL]DWLRQV ,Q VXP DOWKRXJK LQWHUYHQRUV DUH HQWLWOHG WR D IDLUQHVV HWDO*RUGRQ%RQQ\PDQ7(11(66((s867,&(&(17(5 KHDULQJRQUHPDQGZHUHMHFWLQWHUYHQRUVjVXJJHVWLRQDWRUDO 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH 6XH $ 6KHOGRQ 2)),&( 2) 7+( DUJXPHQW WKDW WKH IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ PXVW HQWDLO WKH HQWLUH $77251(< *(1(5$/ *(1(5$/ &,9,/ ',9,6,21 SDQRSO\RISURWHFWLRQVDIIRUGHGE\DIXOOEORZQWULDORQWKH 1DVKYLOOH7HQQHVVHHIRU$SSHOOHHV21%5,()*DU\& PHULWV 7KH SULQFLSOHV DUWLFXODWHG DERYH EHOLH VXFK DQ 6KRFNOH\ sRKQ 6 +LFNV %$.(5 '21(/621 DSSURDFK7KHIDLUQHVVKHDULQJLVDIRUXPIRUWKHLQWHUYHQRUV %($50$1  &$/':(// 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH IRU WRYRLFHWKHLUREMHFWLRQVKRZHYHUWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWKDVWKH 7HQQHVVHH$VVRFLDWLRQRI+HDOWK0DLQWHQDQFH2UJDQL]DWLRQV GLVFUHWLRQWROLPLWWKHIDLUQHVVKHDULQJDQGWKHFRQVLGHUDWLRQ HWDO*RUGRQ%RQQ\PDQ7(11(66((s867,&(&(17(5 RIWKRVHREMHFWLRQVVRORQJDVVXFKOLPLWDWLRQVDUHFRQVLVWHQW 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH 6XH $ 6KHOGRQ 2)),&( 2) 7+( ZLWKWKHXOWLPDWHJRDORIGHWHUPLQLQJZKHWKHUWKHSURSRVHG $77251(< *(1(5$/ *(1(5$/ &,9,/ ',9,6,21 VHWWOHPHQWLVIDLUDGHTXDWHDQGUHDVRQDEOH 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH /LQGD $ 5RVV $66,67$17 $77251(< *(1(5$/ 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHH IRU $SSHOOHHV  :LOOLDP % +XEEDUG :LOOLDP 0 %DUULFN :((' +8%%$5' %(55<  '28*+7< 1DVKYLOOH 7HQQHVVHHIRU7+$HWDO  7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB LQWHUYHQRUVj QRWLFHVRIDSSHDOWREHILOHGDVRIWKHGDWHRQ ZKLFKWKH\KDGILOHGWKHLUPRWLRQWRLQWHUYHQH,QIDFWLWZDV 23,1,21 WKH SODLQWLIIV ZKR ILOHG D PRWLRQ WR UHFRQVLGHU DVNLQJ WKH BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB FRXUWWRKROGDKHDULQJRQWKHLQWHUYHQRUVjPRWLRQWRPRGLI\ RU VHW DVLGH WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH ZKLFK WKH FRXUW 1$7+$1,(/ 5 s21(6 &LUFXLW sXGJH  ,QWHUYHQRUV DSSDUHQWO\QHYHUDFWHGXSRQ7KHLQWHUYHQRUVGLGKDYHDQ $SSHOODQWV DSSHDO WKH GLVWULFW FRXUWjV HQWU\ RI D UHYLVHG RSSRUWXQLW\WRUDLVHWKHLUREMHFWLRQVWRSODLQWLIIVjPRWLRQWR FRQVHQWGHFUHHJRYHUQLQJWKHKHDULQJDQGDSSHDOSURFHGXUHV PRGLI\ WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH KRZHYHU WKH UHFRUG LQ7HQQHVVHHjV0HGLFDLGPDQDJHGFDUHSURJUDP7KHSDUWLHV VTXDUHO\LQGLFDWHVWKDWWKH\ZHUHQHYHUSURYLGHGDIRUXPWR WR WKH FRQVHQW GHFUHH ZHUH WKH SODLQWLIIV WKH UHFLSLHQWV RI SUHVHQWWKHLUDUJXPHQWVDVWRZK\WKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHVKRXOG 0HGLFDLG LQ 7HQQHVVHH DQG WKH GHIHQGDQWV LQFOXGLQJ WKH EHVHWDVLGH 6WDWHRI7HQQHVVHH$SSHOODQWVFRQWHQGWKDWVLQFHWKH\ZHUH QRWSDUWLHVWRWKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHWKH\FDQQRWEHERXQGE\LW 7KH6XSUHPH&RXUWKDVKHOGWKDWmDQLQWHUYHQRULVHQWLWOHG XQGHUWKH'XH3URFHVV&ODXVHRIWKH)RXUWHHQWK$PHQGPHQW WR SUHVHQW HYLGHQFH DQG KDYH LWV REMHFWLRQV KHDUG DW >D@ $SSHOODQWVDOVRDUJXHWKDWWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWIDLOHGWRFRQGXFW KHDULQJ>@RQZKHWKHUWRDSSURYHDFRQVHQWGHFUHHl/RFDO1R D IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ WR GHWHUPLQH WKH UHDVRQDEOHQHVV RI WKH  ,QWjO  $VVjQ RI )LUHILJKWHUV  86 DW  VHH DOVR FRQVHQWGHFUHH)LQDOO\$SSHOODQWVUDLVHVHYHUDOVXEVWDQWLYH :LOOOLDPV)GDWm7KHUHDVRQDEOHQHVVKHDULQJLVD REMHFWLRQVWRWKHFRQVHQWGHFUHH)RUWKHUHDVRQVSURYLGHG EHORZZH5(0$1'WKLVFDVHWRDOORZWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWWR FRQGXFWDIDLUQHVVKHDULQJ  3ODLQWLIIV DOVR FRQWHQG WKDW WKH SURFHGXUHV RXWOLQHG LQ :LOOLDPV RQO\ DSSO\ LQ 7LWOH 9,, FDVHV RU DOWHUQDWLYHO\ WR FDVHV LQYROYLQJ GLVFULPLQDWLRQ , DQG QRQPLQRULW\ LQWHUHVWV 3ODLQWLIIVj DUJXPHQW LV ZLWKRXW PHULW IRU VHYHUDO UHDVRQV )LUVW SODLQWLIIV RYHUORRN WKH IDFW WKDW :LOOLDPV OLNH WKH 7KLVFDVHEHJDQLQDVD86&†FODVVDFWLRQ FDVH DW EDU ZDV D 6HFWLRQ  FDVH QRW D 7LWOH 9,, FDVH 6HFRQG ODZVXLW7KHRULJLQDOSODLQWLIIVZKRZHUHSUHVHQWDQGIXWXUH SODLQWLIIVj DVVXPSWLRQ WKDW :LOOLDPV RQO\ DSSOLHV WR FDVHV LQYROYLQJ 0HGLFDLG UHFLSLHQWV DOOHJHG WKDW 7HQQHVVHHjV 0HGLFDLG GLVFULPLQDWLRQ LV FRQWUDGLFWHG E\ 6L[WK &LUFXLW FDVHODZ ZKLFK KDV FRQVLVWHQWO\ DSSOLHG :LOOLDPV WR D EURDG UDQJH RI FDVHV  6HH $OYDUDGR Y SURJUDPYLRODWHGUHTXLUHPHQWVRIERWKWKH0HGLFDLG$FW /LQVH\ 1R   :/  WK &LU $XJ   86& †  HW VHT DQG WKH 'XH 3URFHVV &ODXVH RI WKH DSSO\LQJ :LOOLDPVj IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ UHTXLUHPHQW LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI 6HFWLRQ )RXUWHHQWK $PHQGPHQW  3ODLQWLIIV DUJXHG WKDW GHIHQGDQWV  FODVV DFWLRQ LQYROYLQJ LQYHUVH FRQGHPQDWLRQ DQG GXH SURFHVV FODLPV IDLOHGWRSURYLGHWKHPZLWKDGHTXDWHQRWLFHDQGSURFHGXUDO DJDLQVW WKH $LUSRUW $XWKRULW\ DQG &LW\ RI 0HPSKLV IRU QRLVH SROOXWLRQ SURWHFWLRQXSRQGHQLDORIFODLPVVXEPLWWHGE\WKHLU0HGLFDLG XQSXEOLVKHG 3HRSOH )LUVW RI 7HQQHVVHH Y $UOLQJWRQ 'HYHORSPHQWDO

SURYLGHUV &HQWHU 1R   :/  WK &LU 0D\   FLWLQJ :LOOLDPVj IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ UHTXLUHPHQW LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI 6HFWLRQ  FODVV DFWLRQ ZKHUH SODLQWLIIV FODLPHG WKDW WKH\ ZHUH EHLQJ GHSULYHG RI ,Q6HSWHPEHUWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWDSSURYHGD6HFRQG EDVLF FDUH DQG PHGLFDO WUHDWPHQW LQ YLRODWLRQ RI VXEVWDQWLYH GXH SURFHVV &RQVHQW'HFUHHZKLFKWKHSDUWLHVKDGQHJRWLDWHGWRUHVROYH FRPSRQHQW RI )RXUWHHQWK $PHQGPHQW XQSXEOLVKHG :HEVWHU Y WKHLU GLVSXWHV 7KH 6HFRQG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH UHTXLUHG 6RZGHUV 1R   :/  WK &LU 0DU  

GHIHQGDQWVWRJLYH0HGLFDLGUHFLSLHQWVZULWWHQQRWLFHXSRQ DSSO\LQJ :LOOLDPV j IDLUQHVV KHDULQJ UHTXLUHPHQW LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI FODVV

GHQLDO RI HLWKHU WKHLU UHTXHVWV IRU PHGLFDO DVVLVWDQFH SUH DFWLRQ LQYROYLQJ FODLPV E\ .HQWXFN\ SULVRQHUV WKDW WKH SUHVHQFH RI DVEHVWRV LQ SULVRQ GRUPLWRULHV FRQVWLWXWHG FUXHO DQG XQXVXDO SXQLVKPHQW DXWKRUL]DWLRQRUWKHLUSURYLGHUVjFODLPVIRUUHLPEXUVHPHQW DQG GHSULYHG WKH SODLQWLIIV RI OLEHUW\ ZLWKRXW GXH SURFHVV RI ODZ XQSXEOLVKHG  7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

WRWKRVHDIIHFWHGDGHTXDWHDQGUHDVRQDEOH )G ,WDOVRUHTXLUHGGHIHQGDQWVWRSURYLGHUHFLSLHQWVXSRQUHTXHVW WK&LU ZLWKDGPLQLVWUDWLYHKHDULQJVWRUHYLHZVXFKGHQLDOV )LUVWLQWHUYHQRUVDUJXHWKDWHQWU\RIWKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHZDV ,Q sDQXDU\  7HQQHVVHH FRQYHUWHG LWV WUDGLWLRQDO HUURUEHFDXVHWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWIDLOHGWRJLYHmQRWLFHRIWKH 0HGLFDLGIHHIRUVHUYLFHSURJUDPWRDPDQDJHGFDUHPRGHO SURSRVHGFRPSURPLVHWRDOOPHPEHUVRIWKHFODVVlDVUHTXLUHG DQG H[SDQGHG WKH VFRSH RI HOLJLELOLW\ 7KH QHZ SURJUDP E\)HG5&LY3H+RZHYHULQWHUYHQRUVODFNVWDQGLQJ NQRZQ DV 7HQQ&DUH RSHUDWHV DV D VSHFLDO GHPRQVWUDWLRQ WRDVVHUWWKLVFODLPXQGHU5XOHH)HG5&LY3H SURMHFW DXWKRUL]HG E\ WKH 6HFUHWDU\ RI +HDOWK DQG +XPDQ UHTXLUHVWKDWmQRWLFHRIWKHSURSRVHGGLVPLVVDORUFRPSURPLVH 6HUYLFHV XQGHU WKH ZDLYHU DXWKRULW\ FRQIHUUHG RQ KLP E\ VKDOOEHJLYHQWRDOOPHPEHUVRIWKHFODVVLQVXFKDPDQQHU 6HFWLRQRIWKH6RFLDO6HFXULW\$FW86&† DVWKHFRXUWGLUHFWVl7KHSODLQODQJXDJHRIWKH5XOHH 8QGHU 7HQQ&DUH WKH VWDWH QR ORQJHU GLUHFWO\ SXUFKDVHV FOHDUO\FRQWHPSODWHVDOORZLQJRQO\FODVVPHPEHUVWRREMHFW PHGLFDOVHUYLFHVIRUHOLJLEOHLQGLYLGXDOVDVLWGLGLQWKHIRUPHU WRDODFNRIQRWLFH6HH*RXOGY$OOHFR,QF)G 0HGLFDLG IHHIRUVHUYLFH SURJUDP ,QVWHDG 7HQQ&DUH  WK &LU  7KXV XQGHU 5XOH H  QRQFODVV FRQWUDFWVZLWKSULYDWHPDQDJHGFDUHFRQWUDFWRUVm0&&Vl PHPEHUVKDYHQRVWDQGLQJWRREMHFWWRDODFNRIQRWLFH,G ZKLFK FRQWURO EHQHILFLDULHVj DFFHVV WR FRYHUHG VHUYLFHV 6LQFHWKHLQWHUYHQRUVDUHQRQFODVVPHPEHUVWKH\KDYHQR )URP7HQQ&DUHjVLQFHSWLRQWKH0&&VZHUHUHTXLUHGE\WKHLU VWDQGLQJWRREMHFWWRWKHDOOHJHGODFNRIQRWLFHJLYHQWRFODVV FRQWUDFWV WR FRPSO\ ZLWK IHGHUDO QRWLFH DQG KHDULQJ PHPEHUVSXUVXDQWWR5XOHH UHTXLUHPHQWVRI&)5†6XESDUW(3XUVXDQWWRLWV FRQWUDFWZLWKWKH6WDWHWKH0&&VDJUHHGWKDWWKHVWDWHFRXOG 1H[WLQWHUYHQRUVDUJXHWKDWWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWjVIDLOXUHWR mGHYHORS DGGLWLRQDO JULHYDQFH SURFHVV JXLGHOLQHV RU UXOHV FRQGXFWDIDLUQHVVKHDULQJDVUHTXLUHGE\WKH6L[WK&LUFXLWjV ZKLFK VKDOO EH IROORZHG E\ WKH >0&&@ LI 7HQQ&DUH GHFLVLRQ LQ :LOOLDPV   )G  DW   ZDV DQ DEXVH RI GHWHUPLQHV WKDW LW LV LQ WKH EHVW LQWHUHVW RI WKH 7HQQ&DUH GLVFUHWLRQ6SHFLILFDOO\LQWHUYHQRUVFRQWHQGWKDWWKH\ZHUH SURJUDP RU LI QHFHVVDU\ WR FRPSO\ ZLWK IHGHUDO RU MXGLFLDO GHQLHGWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WRREMHFWWRYDULRXVSURYLVLRQVRIWKH UHTXLUHPHQWVls$DW 5HYLVHG&RQVHQW'HFUHH ,Q $SULO   WKH FXUUHQW SODLQWLIIV ZKR DUH 7HQQ&DUH 7KHUHFRUGUHIOHFWVWKDWWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWIDLOHGWRFRQGXFW HQUROOHHVILOHGDPRWLRQWRDPHQGWKH6HFRQG&RQVHQW'HFUHH DKHDULQJWRGHWHUPLQHWKHIDLUQHVVRIWKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHWR DOOHJLQJWKDWWKH7HQQ&DUHSURJUDPZDVEHLQJDGPLQLVWHUHG WKRVH DIIHFWHG  ,QGHHG SODLQWLIIV FRQFHGH WKDW WKH mWKH LQDPDQQHULQFRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKH'HFUHH6SHFLILFDOO\WKH SURFHHGLQJVEHORZZHUHQRWIRUPDOO\GHQRPLQDWHGDIDLUQHVV KHDULQJDQGGLGQRWSXUSRUWWRIROORZWKHVHTXHQFHVXJJHVWHG LQ:LOOLDPVl3ODLQWLIIVj%UDW,QVWHDGSODLQWLIIVDUJXH  7KH VWDWH FRQWUDFWV ZLWK WKUHH W\SHV RI 0&&V 0DQDJHG FDUH WKDW LQWHUYHQRUV KDG  DPSOH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR SUHVHQW WKHLU RUJDQL]DWLRQV m0&2Vl YDULRXVO\ UHIHUUHG WR DV KHDOWK PDLQWHQDQFH DUJXPHQWVDVWRZK\WKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHVKRXOGEHVHWDVLGH RUJDQL]DWLRQV m+02Vl DGPLQLVWHU PHGLFDO EHQHILWV %HKDYLRUDO KHDOWK +RZHYHUWKHUHFRUGUHIXWHVSODLQWLIIVjDUJXPHQW$OWKRXJK RUJDQL]DWLRQV DGPLQLVWHU PHQWDO KHDOWK DQG DGGLFWLRQ WUHDWPHQW 3KDUPDF\

WKHLQWHUYHQRUVLQFOXGHGLQWKHLUPRWLRQWRLQWHUYHQHDOHQJWK\ EHQHILWV PDQDJHUV m3%0Vl DGPLQLVWHU SUHVFULSWLRQ GUXJ EHQHILWV $OO WKUHH W\SHV RI HQWLWLHV DUH SUHSDLG IL[HG PRQWKO\ SUHPLXPV IRU WKH FULWLTXH RI WKH FRQVHQW GHFUHH WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW GLG QRW EHQHILFLDULHV ZKR DUH DVVLJQHG WR WKHP E\ WKH VWDWH ,Q UHWXUQ WKH\ DGGUHVVWKHLQWHUYHQRUVjVXEVWDQWLYHDUJXPHQWVWRVHWDVLGHWKH PDLQWDLQ QHWZRUNV RI KHDOWK FDUH SURYLGHUV DV VXEFRQWUDFWRUV WR WUHDW WKRVH GHFUHH 5DWKHU WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW VLPSO\ RUGHUHG WKH EHQHILFLDULHV 7KH 0&&V UHYLHZ DQG FRQWURO WKH HQUROOHHVj DFFHVV WR 7HQQ&DUH VHUYLFHV  7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

SODLQWLIIVDUJXHGWKDWDPRGLILFDWLRQZDVQHHGHGWRmSUHYHQW DJHQWV VHUYDQWV HPSOR\HHV    l  )(' 5 &,9 3 G WKH GHQLDO GHOD\ UHGXFWLRQ VXVSHQVLRQ RU WHUPLQDWLRQ RI HPSKDVLVDGGHGm7KLVLVGHULYHGIURPWKHFRPPRQODZ PHGLFDO DVVLVWDQFH RU RWKHU DGYHUVH DFWLRQ ZLWKRXW GXH GRFWULQHWKDWDGHFUHHRILQMXQFWLRQQRWRQO\ELQGVWKHSDUWLHV SURFHVVDQGDWLPHO\IDLUKHDULQJGHFLVLRQLQYLRODWLRQRI7LWOH EXW DOVR WKRVH LGHQWLILHG ZLWK WKHP LQ µSULYLW\j ZLWK WKHP ;,;RIWKH6RFLDO6HFXULW\$FWl s$DW'HIHQGDQWV UHSUHVHQWHGE\WKHPRUVXEMHFWWRWKHLUFRQWUROl6HH5HJDO DFNQRZOHGJHG WKDW WKH 'HFUHH KDG WR EH PRGLILHG EXW .QLWZHDU&RY1DWLRQDO/DERU5HODWLRQV%RDUG86 GLVDJUHHGZLWKSODLQWLIIVjSURSRVHGPRGLILFDWLRQV VHHDOVR+HQGHUVRQY)RUG6:G 7HQQGHILQLQJDJHQF\DVWKHILGXFLDU\UHODWLRQVKLS ,Q 0D\  WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW KHOG WKDW WKH VWDWHjV ZKLFKUHVXOWVIURPWKHPDQLIHVWDWLRQRIFRQVHQWE\RQHSHUVRQ 7HQQ&DUHQRWLFHDQGKHDULQJSURFHGXUHVYLRODWHG0HGLFDLG WRDQRWKHUWKDWWKHRWKHUVKDOODFWRQKLVEHKDOIDQGVXEMHFWWR ODZDQGUHJXODWLRQVDVZHOODVWKH'XH3URFHVV&ODXVHRIWKH KLVFRQWURODQGFRQVHQWE\WKHRWKHUWRVRDFW,QWKHFDVHDW )RXUWHHQWK$PHQGPHQW6HH'DQLHOVY:DGOH\)6XSS EDULWLVFOHDUWKDWWKHLQWHUYHQRUVDUHVXEMHFWWRWKHFRQWURORI 0'7HQQ7KHGLVWULFWFRXUWRUGHUHG WKH6WDWHLQVRIDUDVWKH\DUHFRQWUDFWXUDOO\ERXQGWRIROORZ WKH GHIHQGDQWV WR VXEPLW SURSRVHG PRGLILFDWLRQV WR WKH ZKDWHYHUDSSHDOVDQGJULHYDQFHSURFHGXUHVWKH6WDWHGHHPV &RQVHQW'HFUHHZLWKLQGD\V,GDW,Q$XJXVW DSSURSULDWH0RUHRYHUWKHLQWHUYHQRUVDUHDFWLQJRQEHKDOI WKHGLVWULFWFRXUWHQWHUHGDQDJUHHGRUGHULQZKLFKWKHSDUWLHV RIWKH6WDWHVLQFHWKH6WDWHE\VWDWXWHLVWKHmVLQJOH6WDWH QHJRWLDWHG WKH SROLFLHV DQG SURFHGXUHV WKURXJK ZKLFK WKH DJHQF\l UHVSRQVLEOH IRU DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ RI WKH 7HQQ&DUH IHGHUDO 0HGLFDLG GXH SURFHVV UHTXLUHPHQWV ZRXOG EH SURJUDP   86& † D D   $FFRUGLQJO\ WKH LPSOHPHQWHG LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI WKH QHZ PDQDJHG FDUH LQWHUYHQRUV DUH DJHQWV RI WKH 6WDWH DQG DUH ERXQG E\ WKH SURJUDP  7KDW DJUHHG RUGHU LQFRUSRUDWHG WKH WHUPV RI WKH FRQVHQWGHFUHHWRZKLFKWKHVWDWHZDVDSDUW\ FRQVHQWGHFUHHZKLFKDSSOLHGWRWKH6WDWHGHIHQGDQWVDV ZHOODVWRWKHLUmDJHQWVHPSOR\HHVDQGUHSUHVHQWDWLYHVl ,QVXPWKHHQWU\RIWKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW'HFUHHDJDLQVWWKH s$DW LQWHUYHQRUVLVFRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKH'XH3URFHVV&ODXVHRIWKH )RXUWHHQWK$PHQGPHQWDVZHOODV)HG5&LY3G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,Q:LOOLDPVY9XNRYLFKWKH6L[WK&LUFXLWDUWLFXODWHG WKHSURFHGXUHZKLFKFRXUWVPXVWIROORZLQRUGHUWRDSSURYH  D FODVV DFWLRQ VHWWOHPHQW  WKH FRXUW PXVW SUHOLPLQDULO\ 7KH GHIHQGDQWV VXEVHTXHQWO\ DSSHDOHG WR WKH 6L[WK &LUFXLW DQG DVNHG DSSURYH WKH SURSRVHG VHWWOHPHQW LH WKH FRXUW VKRXOG RQO\ WKDW WKH &RXUW VWULNH WKH SRUWLRQ RI WKH WULDO FRXUWjV UXOLQJ WKDW IRXQG WKH 0&2V WR EH VWDWH DFWRUV 7KH 6L[WK &LUFXLW YDFDWHG WKH mVWDWH DFWRUl GHWHUPLQHZKHWKHUWKHFRPSURPLVHHPERGLHGLQWKHGHFUHHLV ILQGLQJ ZLWKRXW UHDFKLQJ WKH PHULWV UXOLQJ RQ WKH EDVLV WKDW WKH ILQGLQJ LOOHJDO RU WDLQWHG ZLWK FROOXVLRQ  PHPEHUV RI WKH FODVV ZDV XQQHFHVVDU\ WR WKH WULDO FRXUWjV JUDQW RI UHOLHI 6HH 'DQLHOV Y 0HQNH PXVWEHJLYHQQRWLFHRIWKHSURSRVHGVHWWOHPHQWDQGD 1R   :/  DW  WK &LU $SU   KHDULQJPXVWEHKHOGWRGHWHUPLQHZKHWKHUWKHGHFUHHLVIDLU XQSXEOLVKHG RSLQLRQ  7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

QRWSUHVHQWDVSDUWLHVWRWKHOLWLJDWLRQPD\EHERXQGE\WKH E\WKHFRXUWDQGHQWHUHGRQ2FWREHU6HFWLRQ$RI MXGJPHQWZKHUHWKH\DUHLQIDFWDGHTXDWHO\UHSUHVHQWHG E\ WKHGHFUHHSURYLGHGWKDW SDUWLHVZKRDUHSUHVHQWRUZKHUHIRUDQ\RWKHUUHDVRQWKH UHODWLRQVKLSEHWZHHQWKHSDUWLHVSUHVHQWDQGWKRVHZKRDUH 7KLVRUGHUDQGSUHYLRXVRUGHUVLQFRUSRUDWHGE\UHIHUHQFH DEVHQW LV VXFK DV OHJDOO\ WR HQWLWOH WKH IRUPHU WR VWDQG LQ VKDOO DSSO\ IXOO\ WR WKH VWDWH GHIHQGDQWV WKHLU DJHQWV MXGJPHQWIRUWKHODWWHUl86DWHPSKDVLVDGGHG VHUYDQWVHPSOR\HHVDQGDWWRUQH\VDQGWKRVHSHUVRQVLQ ,QGHHGWKHUHODWLRQVKLSRIDQRQSDUW\WRWKRVHSDUWLFLSDWLQJLQ DFWLYHFRQFHUWRUSDUWLFLSDWLRQZLWKWKHPLQFOXGLQJDQ\ WKHOLWLJDWLRQFDQUHVXOWLQWKHQRQSDUW\EHLQJERXQGE\WKH SULYDWHRUSXEOLFHQWLW\WKDWDGPLQLVWHUV0HGLFDLGIXQGHG UHVXOWRIWKHOLWLJDWLRQ6HH7RXUDQJHDXY8QLUR\DO,QF KHDOWKEHQHILWV7KHVHRUGHUVVKDOODSSO\VSHFLILFDOO\EXW )GG&LU6SHFLILFDOO\m>D@SHUVRQ QRW OLPLWHG WR WKH VWDWH GHIHQGDQWV DQG WKHLU PDQDJHG ZKRDJUHHVWREHERXQGE\WKHGHWHUPLQDWLRQRILVVXHVLQDQ FDUHFRQWUDFWRUV0&& DFWLRQEHWZHHQRWKHUVLVERXQGLQDFFRUGDQFHZLWKWKHWHUPV RI KLV DJUHHPHQWl ,G DW  TXRWLQJ 5(67$7(0(17 s$DW 7KH GHFUHH HQMRLQHGWKHGHIHQGDQWVWR 6(&21' 2) s8'*0(176 †    VHH DOVR /RFDO DGHTXDWHO\ SURWHFW WKH GXH SURFHVV ULJKWV RI SODLQWLII FODVV 1XPEHU  ,QWjO $VVjQ RI  )LUHILJKWHUV  86 DW  PHPEHUVLQWKHFRQWH[WRIPDQDJHGFDUHE\FRPSO\LQJZLWK KROGLQJWKDWDSDUW\PD\QRWLPSRVHGXWLHVRUREOLJDWLRQVRQ SURYLVLRQV RI WKH GHFUHH ZKLFK H[SDQGHG WKH SURWHFWLRQV DWKLUGSDUW\ZLWKRXWWKDWSDUW\jVDJUHHPHQW DIIRUGHGE\&)5†6XESDUW( $SSO\LQJWKHVHSULQFLSOHVWRWKHFDVHDWEDULWLVFOHDUWKDW 2Q 1RYHPEHU   VL[ 7HQQ&DUH 0&2V DQG WKHLU WKH LQWHUYHQRUV WKURXJK WKHLU FRQWUDFW ZLWK WKH 6WDWH RI WUDGH DVVRFLDWLRQ WKH 7HQQHVVHH $VVRFLDWLRQ RI +HDOWK 7HQQHVVHH DJUHHG WR EH ERXQG E\ WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 0DLQWHQDQFH2UJDQL]DWLRQVm0&2,QWHUYHQRUVlPRYHGWR 'HFUHH*RYHUQLQJ7HQQ&DUH$SSHDOV6HFWLRQD RI LQWHUYHQHIRUWKHSXUSRVHRIFKDOOHQJLQJWKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW WKH &RQWUDFWRU 5LVN $JUHHPHQW EHWZHHQ WKH 6WDWH DQG DOO 'HFUHH  2Q 1RYHPEHU   WKUHH RWKHU WUDGH SDUWLFLSDWLQJ +02V SURYLGHV WKDW m7(11&$5(  PD\ DVVRFLDWLRQVm3URYLGHU,QWHUYHQRUVlILOHGDMRLQWPRWLRQWR GHYHORSDGGLWLRQDODSSHDOSURFHVVJXLGHOLQHVRUUXOHVZKLFK LQWHUYHQHRQEHKDOIRIKRVSLWDOVDQGSKDUPDFLVWV%RWK0&2 VKDOO EH IROORZHG E\ WKH &217$&725 LI 7(11&$5( ,QWHUYHQRUVDQG3URYLGHU,QWHUYHQRUVILOHGPRWLRQVIRUUHOLHI GHWHUPLQHV WKDW LW LV LQ WKH EHVW LQWHUHVW RI WKH 7HQQFDUH IURP WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH  DUJXLQJ WKDW WKH GHFUHH 3URJUDP RU LI QHFHVVDU\ WR FRPSO\ ZLWK IHGHUDO RU MXGLFLDO LQDSSURSULDWHO\ UHOLHV RQ WKH KHDULQJ ULJKWV VHW IRUWK LQ  UHTXLUHPHQWVl  s$ DW  HPSKDVLV DGGHG &)5†6XESDUW($IILGDYLWWHVWLPRQ\ILOHGLQVXSSRUW )XUWKHUPRUHWKH&RQWUDFWRU5LVN$JUHHPHQWSURYLGHVWKDWWKH RIWKHLQWHUYHQRUVjPRWLRQVFRPSODLQHGWKDWWKHHIIHFWRIWKH SURYLGHUV  PXVW DOVR FRPSO\ ZLWK WKH JULHYDQFH SURFHVV GHFUHH ZDV WR LPSRVH QHZ UHTXLUHPHQWV WKDW WKH\ SURYLGH 7KXVLQWHUYHQRUVDUHERXQGE\WKHDGGLWLRQDODSSHDOSURFHVV QRWLFHDQGVHUYLFHVSHQGLQJDSSHDO DQGJULHYDQFHJXLGHOLQHVFRQWDLQHGLQWKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW 'HFUHHE\YLUWXHRIWKHLUFRQWUDFWXUDOREOLJDWLRQVWRWKH6WDWH 2Q )HEUXDU\   WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW JUDQWHG LQWHUYHQRUVj PRWLRQV WR LQWHUYHQH  7KH FRXUW QRWHG WKDW 7KH HQWU\ RI WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH DJDLQVW WKH m>G@HIHQGDQWVDQG>S@ODLQWLIIVLQWKLVFDVHUHEXIIHG>S@URSRVHG LQWHUYHQRUVLVDOVRFRQVLVWHQWZLWK)HG5&LY3G5XOH >L@QWHUYHQRUVjDWWHPSWVWREHSUHVHQWZKHQWKHWHUPVRIWKH GSURYLGHVWKDWm>H@YHU\RUGHUJUDQWLQJDQLQMXQFWLRQ 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH ZHUH QHJRWLDWHG DQG GUDIWHGl DQG LVELQGLQJRQO\XSRQWKHSDUWLHVWRWKHDFWLRQWKHLURIILFHUV WKDW WKH H[LVWLQJ SDUWLHV ZRXOG QRW EH SUHMXGLFHG E\  7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK 1RV 1RV 7HQQHVVHH$VVjQRI+HDOWK  HWDOY*ULHUHWDO   HWDOY*ULHUHWDO

LQWHUYHQWLRQs$DW7KHGLVWULFWFRXUWDOVRIRXQGWKDW PRYHGWKLVFRXUWIRUDOLPLWHGUHPDQGWRSHUPLWWKHGLVWULFW WKH LQWHUYHQRUVj DELOLW\ WR SURWHFW WKHLU LQWHUHVWV ZRXOG EH FRXUWWRJUDQWD)HG5&LY3EPRWLRQWRPRGLI\WKH LPSDLUHGLIWKH\ZHUHQRWDOORZHGWRLQWHUYHQHEHFDXVHWKH 5HYLVHG&RQVHQW'HFUHH7KH6L[WK&LUFXLWJUDQWHGWKHMRLQW GHQLDORILQWHUYHQWLRQZRXOGSUHFOXGHDOODSSHOODWHUHYLHZRI PRWLRQ DQG UHPDQGHG WR WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW IRU WKH OLPLWHG WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW 'HFUHH  7KH GLVWULFW FRXUW GLG QRW SXUSRVHRIUXOLQJRQSODLQWLIIVj5XOHEPRWLRQWRPRGLI\ DGGUHVVWKHLQWHUYHQRUVjVXEVWDQWLYHDUJXPHQWVWRVHWDVLGHWKH 6HH 7HQQHVVHH  $VVRFLDWLRQ RI +HDOWK 0DLQWHQDQFH FRQVHQW GHFUHH 5DWKHU WKH FRXUW RUGHUHG WKH LQWHUYHQRUVj 2UJDQL]DWLRQV,QFY*ULHU1RWK&LUsXQH QRWLFHVRIDSSHDOEHILOHGQXQFSURWXQFDVRIWKHGDWHVRQ XQSXEOLVKHGRUGHUs$DW ZKLFKWKH\KDGILOHGWKHLUPRWLRQVWRLQWHUYHQH 2QsXO\WKHGLVWULFWFRXUWIRXQGWKDWWKH5HYLVHG 2Q0DUFKSODLQWLIIVILOHGD0RWLRQWR5HFRQVLGHU &RQVHQW 'HFUHH VKRXOG EH PRGLILHG WR FRUUHFW WHFKQLFDO IRUWKH3XUSRVHRI$IIRUGLQJWKH3DUWLHVDQ2SSRUWXQLW\WR HUURUV FODULI\ LWV WHUPV DQG DOORZ PRUH WLPH IRU LWV 6XSSOHPHQWWKH5HFRUG3ODLQWLIIVUHTXHVWHGWKDWLQVWHDGRI LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK SODLQWLIIVj PRWLRQ WR LPPHGLDWHO\RUGHULQJWKHLQWHUYHQRUVWRSURFHHGZLWKWKHLU PRGLI\ WKH FRQVHQW GHFUHH 2Q $XJXVW   WKH DSSHDOV WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW VKRXOG KROG D KHDULQJ RQ WKH LQWHUYHQRUVILOHGWKHLU1RWLFHRI$SSHDO LQWHUHYHQRUVj PRWLRQ WR PRGLI\ RU VHW DVLGH WKH 5HYLVHG &RQVHQW'HFUHH*RYHUQLQJ7HQQ&DUH$SSHDOV2Q0DUFK ,, SODLQWLIIDOVRILOHGD0RWLRQIRU5HOLHIIURPsXGJPHQW SXUVXDQWWR)HG5&LY3WRPRGLI\WKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW 7KH GLVWULFW FRXUWjV DSSURYDO RI D FRQVHQW GHFUHH LV 'HFUHH6SHFLILFDOO\WKHSODLQWLIIVUHTXHVWHGWKDWWKHFRXUW UHYLHZHGIRUDEXVHRIGLVFUHWLRQ6HH/RFDO,QWjO$VVjQRI PDNHFHUWDLQFKDQJHVQHFHVVDU\WRFRUUHFWWHFKQLFDOHUURUVDQG )LUHILJKWHUVY&OHYHODQG86/RUDLQ WRFODULI\WHUPV 1$$&3Y/RUDLQ%GRI(GXF)GWK &LU  8QLWHG 6WDWHV Y &LW\ RI $OH[DQGULD  )G 2Q0DUFKWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWDIWHUDKHDULQJRQ   WK &LU KROGLQJ  WKDW DQ DEXVH RI SODLQWLIIVj 0RWLRQ IRU 5HOLHI IURP sXGJPHQW RUGHUHG WKH GLVFUHWLRQVWDQGDUGJHQHUDOO\DSSOLHVWRDSSHOODWHUHYLHZRI LQWHUYHQRUVWRUHVSRQGWRSODLQWLIIVjUHYLVLRQVWRWKH5HYLVHG MXGLFLDODSSURYDOVRIFRQVHQWGHFUHHV &RQVHQW'HFUHHZLWKLQEXVLQHVVGD\V2Q$SULO LQWHUYHQRUVILOHGWKHLUUHVSRQVHWRSODLQWLIIVj0RWLRQIRU5HOLHI ,,, IURPsXGJPHQWREMHFWLQJWRWKHmJURVVO\XQEDODQFHGDSSHDOV UXOHVl DQG VSHFLILFDOO\  WKH mSODLQO\ XQFRQVWLWXWLRQDO ,QWHUYHQRUV$SSHOODQWV FRQWHQG WKDW WKH GLVWULFW FRXUWjV SURKLELWLRQRQLQWHUYHQWLRQLQDGPLQLVWUDWLYHDSSHDOVls$ HQWU\RIWKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHYLRODWHVWKHLUFRQVWLWXWLRQDOULJKW DW WR GXH SURFHVV XQGHU WKH )RXUWHHQWK $PHQGPHQW 6SHFLILFDOO\ $SSHOODQWV UHO\LQJ RQ WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUWjV 2Q0D\WKHGLVWULFWFRXUWDGRSWHGWKHSODLQWLIIVj GHFLVLRQLQ+DQVEHUU\Y/HH86DUJXHWKDW SURSRVHGFKDQJHVWRWKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW'HFUHH+RZHYHU VLQFHWKH\ZHUHQRWSDUWLHVWRWKHFRQVHQWGHFUHHWKH\FDQQRW RQ0D\WKHGLVWULFWFRXUWYDFDWHGLWV0D\WKRUGHU EH ERXQG E\ LW XQGHU WKH 'XH 3URFHVV &ODXVH RI WKH FRQFOXGLQJWKDWLWODFNHGMXULVGLFWLRQWRDOORZPRGLILFDWLRQV )RXUWHHQWK$PHQGPHQW:HGLVDJUHH WRWKH5HYLVHG&RQVHQW'HFUHHVLQFHDQRWLFHRIDSSHDOKDG DOUHDG\EHHQILOHG7KHSODLQWLIIVDQGWKHGHIHQGDQWVMRLQWO\ ,Q +DQVEHUU\ Y /HH  WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUW VWDWHG WKDW FRQVLVWHQWZLWKWKH'XH3URFHVV&ODXVHmPHPEHUVRIDFODVV