Snitzer v. The Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers' Pension Fund

• Court: District Court, S.D. New York
• Decided: May 4, 2020
• Docket: 1:17-cv-05361
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT USDC SDNY SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK DOCUMENT ELECTRONICALLY FILED -------------------------------------------------------------- X DOC #: ANDREW SNITZER and PAUL LIVANT, : DATE FILED: 05/04/ 2020 individually and as representatives of a class of : similarly situated persons, on behalf of the : American Federation of Musicians and Employers' : Pension Plan, : : Plaintiffs, : : -against- : : THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE : AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS : AND EMPLOYERS' PENSION FUND, THE : 17-CV-5361 (VEC) INVESTMENT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD : OF TRUSTEES OF THE AMERICAN : ORDER FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS AND : EMPLOYERS' PENSION FUND, RAYMOND M. : HAIR, JR., AUGUSTIN GAGLIARDI, GARY : MATTS, WILLIAM MORIARITY, BRIAN F. : ROOD, LAURA ROSS, VINCE TROMBETTA, : PHILLIP E. YAO, CHRISTOPHER J.G : BROCKMEYER, MICHAEL DEMARTINI, : ANDREA FINKELSTEIN, ELLIOT H. GREENE, : ROBERT W. JOHNSON, ALAN H. RAPHAEL, : JEFFREY RUTHIZER, BILL THOMAS, : MAUREEN B. KILKELLY, and DOES NO. 1-6, : WHOSE NAMES ARE CURRENTLY : UNKNOWN, : : Defendants. : -------------------------------------------------------------- X VALERIE CAPRONI, United States District Judge: WHEREAS the Court has received emails and letters from Martin Stoner, a putative class member who opposes preliminary approval of the parties’ proposed settlement; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the attached communications are filed on the docket to preserve the public’s right to access judicial documents.

SO ORDERED. . -

Date: May 4, 2020 VALERIE CAPRONI New York, New York United States District Judge

MARTIN STONER 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 (212) 866-5447 The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni United States District Judge Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square, Room 240 New York, New York 10007 Email: CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov Re: Snitzer and Livant v. The Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund, et al., 17- cv-5361 (VEC) Dear Judge Caproni: I write as a member of the class in the above-referenced matter who desires not only to participate in the telephone conference Your Honor has scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 2:00 Pm or, in the alternative, to potentially file a legal memorandum of law in support of my attached motion to intervene in this case, if my interests cannot be adequately represented at the hearing tomorrow. As an initial matter, I am not currently represented by counsel but am in the process of searching for adequate representation. I apologize for not using the ECF method to communicate with the Court, but as I am currently unrepresented, I have no other option now to communicate quickly with the Court given the proximity of the Telephone conference tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2:00 PM. Thus, at this point, having no other recourse except to email Chambers directly, again I apologize to the Court profusely. As this Court already is already aware, the Trustees filed an The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 2 April 7, 2020 application for a reduction in benefits with the Department of Treasury on December 29, 2019. The Treasury Department then has 225 days to consider the Trustees Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 (“MPRA”) application before rendering a decision. Currently, we are in the “Comments” period of the MPRA application, with comments by Plan Participants due to Treasury no later than April 20, 2020. I argue that my interests as a member of the class are not adequately represented by counsel. The Snitzer litigation and the MPRA application have both facts and legal issues in common yet both Counsel have refused to cooperate with my repeated interest to apply to the Court to have relevant sealed discovery from the Snitzer litigation released to the Treasury Department. Writing to me via email on January 15, 2020, Attorney Steven Schwarz stated, “With respect to the discovery information in our Snitzer case that the defendant Trustees have designated as confidential pursuant to the protective order…..the confidentiality designation of the discovery materials produced by the Trustees has been made by the defendant Trustees, and not Plaintiffs Snitzer and Livant. If you think that information is relevant to the MPRA process, then that is an issue that you can take up in connection with the MPRA process or some other action you file in your own case in a court of competent jurisdiction or with the appropriate governmental agency.” However, what Mr. Schwartz failed to mention was that there is not an opt out provision in the settlement and therefore I would not be permitted to litigate any common issues or facts once the settlement was approved. Counsel’s position therefore directly conflicts with, negatively The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 4 April 7, 2020 affects, and prejudices my interests as a member of the class re: the MPRA Application. I am therefore planning to request during the telephone hearing tomorrow that the Court consider releasing all relevant sealed discovery to be made available to the Treasury Department to protect both the public interest, that of other class members, as well as my personal interests as a 70 year-old class member facing imminent threat of a 33% cut to my pension beginning on January 1, 2020. While this Court may assume that I am coming rather late to the process, I have only had actual knowledge of the possible filing by the Trustees of a MPRA application for cuts in June 2019, and of the likely filing of an application for cuts in the time period July/August 2019. I first wrote to Defendant’s counsel prior to the filing of the Trustees application for cuts in December 2019 asking that they postpone the filing of their MPRA application, until after the trial and final conclusion of the Snitzer litigation. They refused and went ahead and filed anyway. Subsequently, I asked both counsel if they would approve my filing a motion to intervene under Rule 24 (requesting intervention both as a right and permissively). Both counsel opposed my motion to intervene and asserted in their letters to me that there was absolutely no overlap between MPRA and the instant litigation (and Plaintiff’s counsel suggested that I retain counsel). However, all other counsel that I have approached to date have either been unwilling to take my case on an expenses-only basis (to file my motion to intervene) insisting that money and the Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 5 April 7, 2020

possibility of a “big settlement” was their only interest from a legal point of view and that the phrase “in the interests of justice” or “in the public interest” meant “nothing” to them.

Therefore, for your perusal I am attaching below my preliminary Motion to Intervene, and a letter dated January 6, 2020 from Defendant’s Counsel explaining that they would oppose my request to unseal relevant discovery as it pertains to the Trustees ongoing MPRA application.

Thank you very much for your courtesy.

Sincerely,

Martin Stoner

Enclosures Preliminary Motion to intervene Letter from Counsel Jani Rachelson to Martin Stoner UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK_____ : MOTION TO INTERVENE ANDREW SNITZER and PAUL LIVANT, : PURSUANT TO FEDERAL individually and as representatives of a class of RULE OF CIVIL similarly situated persons, on behalf of the PROCEDURE 24 American Federation of Musicians Pension Plan, Plaintiffs, : v. : : CIVIL ACTION THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE No. 1:17-cv-05361-VEC AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS : AND EMPLOYERS PENSION PLAN, et al. : : JUDGE VALERIE E. CAPRONI Defendant, : : MARTIN STONER, : : Movant Seeking : Intervention : _______________________________________: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT Martin D. Stoner (“Martin Stoner”) respectfully moves this Court for an Order granting him leave to intervene in this case, as of right under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(a), Fed. R. Civ. P 24(a), or in the alternative, as a matter of permissive intervention under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(b), Fed. R. Civ. P. 24(b). The matter will be set for a date and time to be determined by the Court. Martin Stoner seeks intervention for the limited purpose of objecting to the Proposed Settlement which plaintiffs Snitzer and Livant and defendant American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Plan (“the Plan”) have agreed to and submitted to the Court for approval. If permitted to intervene, Martin Stoner will, without delay, oppose the Proposed Settlement on the grounds that it is not fair, reasonable, adequate, or in the public interest as explained more fully in the attached Memorandum in Opposition to Proposed Settlement, attached hereto as required by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 24(c). The grounds for intervention as a right by Martin Stoner are as follows, as explained more fully in the Accompanying Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion to

Intervene (“Memorandum of Law”), filed herewith: 1. The Motion to intervene is timely. 2. Martin Stoner has an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action. 3. Martin Stoner is so situated that disposing of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede his ability to protect his interest. 4. The existing parties do not adequately represent the interests of Martin Stoner. The grounds for permissive intervention by Martin Stoner are as follows, also as explained more fully in the accompanying Memorandum of Law: 1. The Motion to Intervene is timely.

2. Martin Stoner has a claim or defense that shares with the main action a common question of law or fact. 5. 3. The intervention of Martin Stoner will not unduly delay or prejudice the adjudication of the original parties’ rights. 6. 4. If granted leave to intervene, Martin Stoner will significantly contribute to the full, just, and equitable adjudication of the legal question presented. Martin Stoner also moves for such further and other relief as the Court may deem just and proper. For the reasons set forth above and in the accompanying Memorandum of Law, Martin Stoner requests that the Court grant the Motion to Intervene and allow him to participate in the Fairness Hearing upon its scheduling by the Court, and, thereby, not delay or disrupt the Court’s current orders and pending proceedings. Dated: New York, New York Respectfully submitted, March ____, 2020 ______________________ Martin D. Stoner jilmar_10025@yahoo.com 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 Tel. 212-866-5447 W/OTCC Jani K. Rachelson, Partner W kK] SS Tel: 212.356.0221 Fax: 646.473.8221 SIMON Cell: 917.224.2812 Lue jrachelson@cwsny.com www.cwsfy.com 900 Third Avenue, Suite 2100 * New York, NY 10022-4869

January 14, 2020

By Email Martin Stoner 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 Re: Your January 8 Email Regarding a Motion to Intervene Dear Mr. Stoner: Weare in receipt of your email dated January 8, notifying us of your intent to file a motion to intervene in the Snitzer action if the Trustees do not withdraw the application for approval of a proposed suspension of benefits in accordance with the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014 (“MPRA”), which was filed on December 30, 2019. Your letter states that you intend to ask the Court presiding over the Snitzer lawsuit to issue an injunction, requiring the Trustees to withdraw the application pending resolution of the litigation. You copied plaintiffs’ counsel in the Snitzer litigation on your email and, for this reason, they are copied here as well. As I explained in my January 6 letter to you, the pendency of the Snitzer litigation did not serve as a basis for delaying the filing of the MPRA application, or withdrawing the same now, because the two proceedings are unrelated, making intervention and an injunction on the Snitzer lawsuit inappropriate. As the Plan has explained in the Notice of Proposed Reduction posted to the Plan’s website on January 7, 2020, the proper forum for objecting to the application is with Treasury by filing a comment at www.treasury.gov/mpra at the appropriate time. Should you nevertheless decide to pursue intervention, the Trustee Defendants will oppose your motion and raise all available defenses, including the attempt to improperly expand the claims raised in the Snitzer litigation. Sincerely yours,

cl ; Jani K. Rachelson

JKR:mmb cc: Steven Schwartz, Esq. (by email) Robert J. Kriner, Esq. (by email)

MARTIN STONER 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 (212) 866-5447

April 8, 2020

The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni United States District Judge Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square, Room 240 New York, New York 10007 Email: CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov

Re: Snitzer and Livant v. The Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund, et al., 17- cv-5361 (VEC)

Dear Judge Caproni:

I write as a member of the class in opposition to Plaintiff’s request for cancellation of the conference call today at 2:00 PM. It is only a matter of days before class members are required to submit their evidence in opposition to the MPRA application of the Trustees. Therefore, time is of the essence and a delay would prejudice my rights under both ERISA and MPRA.

Under MPRA, the Trustees are required to demonstrate for approval of their application for a reduction in benefits that they took all reasonable steps to avoid insolvency. I am alleging in my response to the Trustees application that by breaching their fiduciary duty to Plan Participants, the Trustees could not possibly have taken all reasonable steps to avoid insolvency and so the application must be rejected by Treasury. Therefore, much of the sealed evidence is relevant to my MPRA application. See below. The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 2 April 7, 2020

Once again I apologize to the Court profusely for contacting Chambers directly.

Martin Stoner Cc via email to all counsel

DEADLINE Trustees Of Musicians Union Pension Plan, Claiming “Victory”, Agree To $26.8 Million Settlement Of Suit That Accused Them Of Making Risky Investments By David Robb Labor Editor March 30, 2020 10:55am Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund have agreed to a $26.85 million settlement of a class action lawsuit that claimed they made a series of risky investments that endangered the pensions of thousands of musicians. “The settlement is a victory for the Trustees, as the plaintiffs failed to prove their claims that the defendants had engaged in ‘risky’ investment decision- making,” the trustees said in announcing the settlement. “The Trustees settled because at least $17 million in proceeds from the $26.85 million settlement would be paid to the Plan by the Plan’s fiduciary insurers. None of the current or former Trustees who are defendants are paying a dime. The alternative was to drag on this sideshow and allow the available insurance to be further consumed by legal fees and expenses. Recall that the plaintiffs originally sought recovery of investment losses that they estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The plaintiffs’ lawyers can pocket the balance of the settlement proceeds if it’s approved—about $10 million. They are the ones who profited by using their unsupported mudslinging to push this case to the eve of trial before agreeing to settle for much less than they originally demanded.” martin stoner Mon 4/20/2020 12:34 PM To: Caproni NYSD chambers ; Steven A. Schwartz Cc: Myron Rumeld ; Jani K. Rachelson ; Robert J. Kriner 1 attachments (931 KB) Ray Hair comments February 2015.pdf; Dear Judge Caproni: I write as a member of the class in the above-referenced matter to voice my formal opposition to the preliminary approval of the settlement agreement in the above-referenced matter. I have a range of concerns including, 1) that the settlement does not fall within the range of typical settlement remedies based upon the facts known at the time of the settlement, 2). The proceedings in this case were not conducted at arms length as required under Rule 23(b)(1), 3.) there were several conflicts of interest that should first be reviewed by the Court before the settlement receives preliminary approval, and 4.) the attorneys for Plaintiffs did not adequately represent the interests of the class adequately, and 5. ) the settlement does not adequately address the Trustees recent statement that despite the proposed settlement, the Trustees expect to continue with "business as usual" when it comes to how they invest Plan Assets. . Therefore, even preliminary approval should be withheld until the Court can more appropriately hear full argument on these issues. As an initial matter, Bruce Simon of the law firm Cohen Weiss & Simon was formally appointed counsel to Local 802 AF of M in 2010 after Pension Fund Trustee, Tino Gagliardi, was appointed President of Local 802 AF of M in New York City. Since the Snitzer complaint covers part of the time that Cohen Weiss was counsel for the Union, how does that not conflict with Cohen’s Weiss current representation of Defendant, including Trustee Tino Gagliardi and the rest of the AFM Board of Trustees? As for Defendants, one of their attorneys was removed as Plan Counsel Writing in a Memo Endorsement dated 11/30/2017, Judge Valery J. Caproni wrote, “While the Court will permit these redactions at this stage, the parties are forewarned that if the allegations concerning the advice of Plan Counsel become critical to the Court’s reasoning it is likely that the balance of interests will require unsealing of the information contained in these paragraphs.” I therefore argue that the time is ripe for these documents to be unsealed and provided to members of the class by Proskauer directly as they bear on the Joint Motion for Preliminary Approval and whether Defendant’s Counsel had a conflict of interest and was using its influence as Plan Counsel to protect its firm from allegations of possible misconduct and/or possible wrongdoing on the part of one of its own attorneys. These conflicts of interest are serious concerns that all class members share cited above and are not easily resolved in any way, shape, or form. The full facts re: these potential conflicts of interests should have been revealed to class members in the Joint Motion for Preliminary Approval. These facts are damaging to the transparency of the settlement and smack of collusion between the Parties for the benefit of their own respective firm interests rather than for the benefit of the best interests of the Class. Similarly, I argue that at the time that the Snitzer complaint was filed in mid-2017, there was already rising concern among class members, including Plaintiffs Snitzer and Livant, that our Pension Fund was in deep trouble due to the risky and illiquid investments of the Board of Trustees and its Investment Committee. In late December 2014, Congress passed the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act which permitted Plan Trustees for the first time to reduce once-guaranteed pension benefits of Plan Participants. Additionally, with regard to our own Trustees, two of our members of the Pension Board of Trustees, Christopher Brockmeyer, and William Moriarity worked with the Washington DC lobbying group NCCMP to advocate for, write some of the language, and eventually pass the current bill that now mandates cuts to all class members. Obviously, while this information was at first fiduciary duty with respect to MPRA which continued through out the time period covered in the Snitzer litigation but is not mentioned even once in Court documents, and is not a cause of action with remedies sought on its behalf. This allegation as well must be addressed by both Counsels. This also smacks of obvious collusion between Counsels and raises obvious questions why it was not in the interests of the class to litigate this issue which occurred in the same period as other allegations referenced in the Snitzer complaint. There is no explanation for this huge omission in the Joint Motion for Approval. Counsel cannot simply stick its head in the sand like an ostrich and pretend that these issues will simply go away. They won’t and I am raising them respectfully for the Court’s consideration. Finally, since I do not want to bore the Court here with further lengthy recitals, I ask that the Court pause before deciding on Preliminary Approval in order for these facts to be fully discussed and more importantly revealed thru release of additional sealed documents in this litigation. Thank you very much for your kind consideration. Sincerely, Martin Stoner martin stoner Tue 4/21/2020 1:54 PM To: Caproni NYSD chambers Cc: Robert J. Kriner ; Steven A. Schwartz ; Jani K. Rachelson ; Myron Rumeld 1 attachments (931 KB) Ray Hair comments February 2015.pdf; Dear Judge Caproni, PS: I forgot to mention that in my prior email there was a document attached that proves that as early as February 2015, well before the filing of the Snitzer complaint, information about MPRA was already being discussed in Union newsletters like Local 802 New York City's newsletter called "Allegro". In the February 2015 Allegro article, Plan Trustee Ray Hair, who was also then President of Local 802 made statements that were both misleading and false and may have constituted a cause of action for a further breach of fiduciary duty by the Plan Trustees Fiduciary. Here is the relevant part of what Trustee Ray Hair said in February 2015, "I want to re-iterate that the AFM-EPF is not severely underfunded under this new law, is not projected to become insolvent, and the new law does not authorize benefit reductions to the AFM-EPF". In a note that precedes the article, Ray Hair also notes "the avalanche of questions received about new pension fund legislation and its impact upon AFM-EPF." For Class Counsel then to have deliberately ignored this obvious class issue in this litigation, is a deliberate move that is not even mentioned in the Joint Motion and MOL. While I respect the Court's desire to litigate only the issues that are raised in the complaint, the very issue of why this obvious breach of fiduciary duty is not addressed at all in the complaint remains a mystery. Perhaps that is where the collusion between the parties also manifests itself? Similarly, if you look at Exhibit 5 of the Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Approval (please see document no. 139, pages 62-84), you will see that the asset allocation as of December 31, 2019 is still exactly the same as it was in 2017 and 2018 (please see specifically document 139 page 79). It doesn't look like the Snitzer litigation has had any tangible effect so far on the Trustees risky and illiquid investment policies and this settlement won't do enough to alter that course in any event. Thus, the remedies provided are not sufficient given the convincing evidence available at the time. Therefore, as part of my request for a pause before deciding, I also ask that if the evidence demonstrates that the Trustees willfully hid and conspired and colluded to hide their role in the passage of MPRA as well as the real possibilities for future cuts to class members pensions, that the Court should refer this matter to the Assistant District Attorney for the Southern District of New York for possible prosecution of the Trustees, their agents, and assigns for criminal conspiracy to commit fraud. Once again, thank you for your courtesy. Sincerely, Martin Stoner Enclosures: copy of document previously enclosed in email to Hon. Valery J. Caproni dated 04/20/2020 aa 2 = as re gr a” □□ i aes ge Sais 2 Site tae tad Tk SS c= : Pe «| New Pension Law Is a Plus for Defined Benefit Plan: ee ™ { by Ray Hair, AFM International President Note: Although I promised to provide further details this month concerning newly concluded Federatic R : St ay i agreements in Symphonic Media and Motion Picture-TV Film, I will defer until March in order to clarify ¢ ‘Te | avalanche of questions received about new pension fund legislation and its impact upon AFM-EPE Than lj a to Fund Counsel Anne Mayerson for her assistance in preparing this month’ column. | “A | In Decem- _ that serves as an insurance company for - Act, but it also is projected to becon ber,Congress defined benefit plans. The PBGC ‘is not _insolvent during the current plan ye passed the Multiemployer Pension Reform _ funded by tax revenues, but by premiums or any of the next 14 plan years (or ne Act of 2014. Thislegislationisnotcurrent- paid to it by defined benefit plans; in 19 plan years, ifthe plan is less than 80 . ly relevant for the American Federation _ return, the PBGC guaranteesaportionof _ funded or its nonworking participan of Musicians & Employers’ Pension Fund _ the benefits earned under each plan (the outnumber working participants by (AFM-EPF) because it applies only to se- maximum guarantee fora participant ina ratio of more than two to one), and verely underfunded plans. The AFM-EPF —_multiemployer plan is just under $13,000. the plan's board of trustees has dete is not severely underfunded. a year). mined that, even though all reasonab Contrary to what you might have heard, The guarantee can be only provided, | Measures to avoid insolvency □□□ the new legislation will help to protect however, so long as the PBGC remains been taken, the plan is still project the pensions of millions of Americans. a viable entity. Unfortunately, the PBGC to become insolvent unless benefits a Here's why: is on shaky financial ground. Two recent suspended: and studies, one by the PBGC itself and one _* the plan's actuary has certified that □□ Defined Benefit Plans: by the federal government's General Ac- _ reductions are projected to allow tl oa Basic Principles counting Office, conclude that the PBGC _ plan to avoid insolvency, and There are two basic types of retirement is likely to run out of money in the near + a majority of all participants and be: plans. Undera “defined contribution” plan, future (the next 10-20 years) and thatthe __eficiaries of the plan have not vote the employer contributes (and/or allows insolvency ofjust two severely underfund- _to reject the reduction of benefits (tl the employees to contribute out of wages) a ed plans would almost entirely deplete its government can override a negative vo fixed amount of moneytoeachemployee’s Sources. PBGC says funds sponsored by in some circumstances). plan account. That moneyis then invested. the Electrical Workers and the Teamsters penefits may not be reduced for partic When the employee retires, he or she gets most at risk. pants on a disability pension or for tho: whatever is in the account; thatis, the fixed . age 80 and older, (Restrictions on redu Meo contribution, plus investment earnings or Benefit Reductions Under . tions also apply to participants betwee minus investment losses. the Recent Pension Legislation age 75 and 80.) By contrast, under a “defined benefit” The primary goal of the recent pension _ want to reiterate that the AFM-EPF PCC plan, the employer contributesan amount _ legislation was to give severely under- not severely underfunded under this ne political of money required to pay a fixed bene- funded plans—which AFM-EPFisnot—an _ jaw. is not projected to become □□□□□□□□ of fit—the AFM-EPF fixed benefit provides opportunity to recover from thelingering and the new law does not authorize ber a specified dollar amount per $100 of effects of the economic turbulence of efit reductions to the AFM-EPE But t to TEMPO. contributions. The age 65 benefit that has recent years, rather than letting them be- protecting PBGC’s solvency, the new la been earned at any particular point during - come insolvent and thereby jeopardizing js god for AFM-EPF participants, alor an employee's career generally cannot be _ the viability of the PBGC. It's estimated with participants in the other multien reduced by the plan or by the employer. _that, while at least 90% of multiemployer _ployerpension plans that are not severe ° defined benefit pension plans are on solid —_ynderfunded. The Role of the Pension financial footing, about 5-10% of such Sanus lacie disbrameniid : s)); 0 OFM ow thi □□□□□ er . plans, covering as many as 1.5 million “ ane PE Benefit Guaranty Cor por ation participants, are severely underfunded. 1M benefits is a good thing. But ignorir ve Federal law contains detailed rules to The legislation permits those plans to the effect that the economic struggles of ensure that defined benefit plans have reduce benefits in certain circumstances. few multiemployer defined benefit plar : enough money over time to pay all of the but in no event toa level that les than could have on participants in all mult benefits that have been earned, However, 110% of th employer defined benefit plans is a wor: d . certain plansinextremesituationsbecome __ OTE siamantee, thing. Like many other labor organizatior insolvent because they are not able to Specifically, a severely underfunded multi- and multiemployer pension funds, th satisfy these rules. In that case, the plan employer defined benefit plan mayreduce AFM and AFM-EPF applaud the recer relies on the Pension Benefit Guaranty _ its benefits only ifit appliesto the govern- _ pension legislation as the only opportunit Corporation (PBGC) to pay a portion of | ment, and the government finds that: for the recovery of severely underfunde the benefits, + the plan is in “critical and declining sta- _ plans and the preservation of the PBGC PBGC is a federal government agency tus” Thatitis, not only in “critical” status _ benefit guarantees for all participants i under the 2006 Pension Protection multiemployer defined benefit plans.

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MARTIN STONER 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 (212) 866-5447

Aril 17, 2020

The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni United States District Judge Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square, Room 240 New York, New York 10007 Email: CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov

Re: Snitzer and Livant v. The Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund, et al., 17- cv-5361 (VEC)

I write as a member of the class in the above-referenced matter to oppose preliminary approval of the settlement agreement in the above-referenced matter due to the fact that preliminary approval would:

. 3.1(e) Preliminarily enjoin Class Members and the Plan from commencing, prosecuting, or pursuing any claim or complaint that arises out of or relates in any way to the Released Claims; As an initial matter, you are already familiar with the fact that I am not currently represented by counsel but am in the process of searching for adequate representation. To this end, I am looking to find counsel to sue the Trustees of the Plan for breach of fiduciary duty from 2017-present (i.e., post –Snitzer), arising out of the Hon. Valery J. Caproni Page 2 April 17, 2020

Trustees continued misrepresentation of the Plan’s financial status and policy of investing in highly illiquid and risky investments costing millions of dollars in investment fees each year. My complaint would likely allege both a continuing violation and a pattern and practice of risky investments and false, deceptive, and fraudulent communication with Plan Participants dating back more than a decade and include information about past illegal conduct by the Trustees, their agents and assigns to demonstrate a pattern and practice and continuing violation.

The fact that the Trustees recently sent an email notice to all class members describing the settlement as “a victory” for the Trustees, rejoicing that they did nothing wrong, and that they would continue their same investment strategy and behavior makes me concerned that this settlement will not reasonably and fairly protect class members from future breaches of fiduciary duty by these same Trustees, and that litigation to remove them is likely the only way for class members to secure a fiscally-sound retirement fund.

Thus, approval by this Court of a preliminary settlement should be withheld first until the Trustees issue a formal apology to the Court, to the Plaintiffs, to all class members, and to the press who reported their misleading statements, that the statements contained in their email were false, deceptive, misleading, and do not accurately represent the Trustees attitude moving forward if the settlement is to be approved.

Secondly, I respectfully ask the Court to consider if preliminary approval of the settlement agreement would deprive me and other class members who may join me in this fight of our constitutional due process rights to pursue our own litigation as broadly Hon.Valery J. Caproni Page 3 April 17, 2020 described above due to the non-opt out nature of this settlement.

Thank you very much for your courtesy. Sincerely,

Martin Stoner cc. via email to all Counsel MARTIN STONER 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 (212) 866-5447

April 27, 2020

The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni United States District Judge Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square, Room 240 New York, New York 10007 Email: CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov

Re: Snitzer and Livant v. The Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund, et al., 17-cv-5361 (VEC)

I write as a putative class member and Objector in the above-referenced matter to respond to the pending motion to approve the preliminary settlement. I argue against preliminary approval as the Court is “not likely to be able to” give final approval to the proposed settlement agreement.

Under the new Rule 23(e), in weighing a grant of preliminary approval, district courts must determine whether “giving notice is justified by the parties’ showing that the court will likely be able to: (i) approve the proposal under Rule 23(e)(2); and (ii) certify the class for purposes of judgment on the proposal.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e)(1)(B)(i–ii) (emphasis added). In Re Payment Card Litigation, MDL No. 1720, filed 09/18/18, Eastern District of New York.

According to City of Detroit v. Grinell Corportion, 495 F.2d 448 (2d Cir. 1974), “The rule in this Circuit provides that an approval of a class action settlement offer by a lower court must be overturned if that court ….failed to allow objectors to develop on the record facts going to the propriety of the settlement." Newman v., Stein 464 F.2d at 692. The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 2 April 27, 2020

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

The facts in this case demonstrate that there was very little risk in litigating this case as Defendant’s breach of fiduciary duty was already clearly noted by this Court in calling Defendant’s investment choices “exceedingly risky”. The law is clear that:

A fiduciary's process must bear the marks of loyalty, skill, and diligence expected of an expert in the field. It is not enough to avoid misconduct, kickback schemes, and bad-faith dealings. The law expects more than good intentions. "[A] pure heart and an empty head are not enough." DiFelice v. U.S. Airways, Inc., 497 F.3d 410, 418 (4th Cir. 2007) (quoting Donovan v. Cunningham, 716 F.2d 1455, 1467 (5th Cir. 1983)). Sweda v. University of Pennsylvania, 923 F.3d 320 (2019).

Even where parties have reached agreement in the class settlement context, courts need not grant preliminary approval. To that end, many courts deny preliminary approval “ ‘without prejudice’, providing guidance to the parties as to the problems that concern them and giving the parties the opportunity to amend the agreement.” See, e.g., Patterson v. Premier Construction Co. Inc., No. 15-CV-00662, 2017 WL122986, at *2 (E.D.N.Y. Jan. 12, 2007); Oladapo v. Smart One Energy, LLC, No. 14-CV-7117,2017 WL 5956907, at *16 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 9, 2017), report and recommendation adopted, No.14-CV-7117, 2017 WL 5956770 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 30, 2017).

Previously, in my communications to this Court, I have expressed skepticism with regard to certain conflicts of interest and other relevant issues with regard to Defendant’s Counsel. Now I wish to highlight issues I have with the conduct of this case by Plaintiff’s Counsel, which, in combination with conflicts of interest in Defendant’s representation outlined previously by this Objector, make it likely that the proposed settlement will not be approved by this Court.

The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 3 April 27, 2020

I. THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT IS NOT FAIR, REASONABLE AND/OR ADEQUATE

As an initial matter, I argue that in light of the harm suffered by members of the class and the extent of Defendant’s wrongdoing, the proposed settlement is not fair, reasonable, and/or adequate. As of the settlement date, the Fund continues to remain insufficiently funded for many years to come. This settlement does nothing to alleviate that substantial Plan deficit, and the proper asset allocation as outlined in the Governance Provisions alone will not restore the fund to solvency.

More specifically, class members are not receiving enough relief for the injury that they’ve suffered and Plaintiffs’ attorneys are being paid too much. "[T]he essential requisite of due process as to absent members of class [actions] is not notice, but the adequacy of representation of their interests by [the] named parties." Eisen v. Carlisle, 391 F.2d 555 (2d Cir. 1968).

Mr. Schwartz goes to great length in his Declaration in Support of his Motion for Preliminary Approval to boast of his legal accomplishments. In ¶ 22 of his Declaration, for example, Mr. Schwartz writes, “Class Counsel concur with our experts’ view that the Settlement is a “real win” and Governance Provisions will provide an “excellent protection infrastructure” that collectively, are among the most stringent ….”

I disagree. This settlement does not give back even one tenth of the roughly three hundred million dollars of damages that were asked for. Moreover, a full third of what was agreed upon goes to legal fees to Plaintiff’s Counsel. Not one trustee was personally punished for his/her breach of fiduciary duty, either by being removed as a Trustee and/or having to pay a penny of his/her own money back to class members defrauded of their rightful contributions. The Settlement fails to hold the Trustees fully accountable for their willful, deliberate, and egregious destruction of the Plan’s assets. If this is the extent of the knowledge of Plaintiff’s experts, then I do not need to wait to see their expert reports published on the settlement website to conclude that they have already lost all credibility with me. Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 4 April 27, 2020

Additionally, in spite of the Trustees now being “aware” of what their fiduciary requirements are, that has not stopped them from being invested in the same 80% range of risky and illiquid assets, according to the Plan’s December 30, 2019 IRS Form 5500. The Governance Provisions in the Proposed Settlement, in which the Trustees retain the ultimate power to fire the proposed Fiduciary and the Fiduciary has no authority to actually insist on his asset recommendations, is virtually worthless.

Clearly that is why the Trustees themselves recently proclaimed in their March 30, 2020 email to class members (previously sent to this Court) that the settlement was “a victory” for them, and that they would continue to invest the same way as before despite of the settlement. Since the Trustees have still not repudiated their March 30, 2020 email as I previously requested in my letter to the Court dated April 8, 2020, I can only assume that their views on the subject have not changed.

II. PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL FAILED TO ADD MEKETA AS A CO- FIDUCIARY/CO-DEFENDANT

I argue that “in suits alleging breach of fiduciary duty, the “threshold question” is whether in so doing the defendants were acting as fiduciaries “when taking the action subject to complaint”. Pegram v. Herdrich, 530 U.S. 211, 226, 120 S. Ct. 2143, 147 L.Ed.2d 164 (2000). The Amended Snitzer complaint makes clear that at ¶105 investment advisor and co- fiduciary, Meketa, repeatedly gave the Plan imprudent investment advice that caused the Plan to lose assets due to risky and illiquid investments. Therefore, Plaintiff’s counsel clearly should have investigated adding Meketa as a co-fiduciary/co-defendant with liability in this action. Meketa has much more money available towards a potential verdict or settlement than the Plan Trustees alone. Thus, Plaintiff’s counsel failed to be robustly adversarial on behalf of class members in investigating Meketa’s conduct, including its personal ties to the Trustees, and unreasonably failed to add Meketa (and possibly other investment firms) as a co-defendant/co-fiduciary. As this Court ruled on 11/30/2017, “The fact that allegations may be damaging to the reputation of a third-party is not, standing alone, an adequate basis to withhold information from the public”. Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 5 April 27, 2020

III. PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL DELIBERATELY OVERLOOKED IMPORTANT DISCOVERY

It seems unreasonable and unfair that in practically every case where Defendant attempted to hide evidence (for example evidence of liability against co-fiduciaries such as Meketa in ¶ 105 of the Amended Complaint) via sealing of discovery documents, Plaintiff’s counsel agreed to and went along with it like a sheep being led to market. Why? What was agreed upon by both parties’ counsels pre-dating the settlement negotiations that was not ever revealed to the settlement mediator, including whether any member of the Board of Trustees had any prior or ongoing financial relationships with Meketa or any of the other of the numerous investment firms hired by the Plan? Was there collusion in fact between the parties counsel? Without adequate discovery on this topic (and also of Meketa’s and other investment firms’ role in this debacle), the present settlement appears insufficient, unfair, and unreasonable.

Moreover with regard to adequate discovery, why did Plaintiff’s counsel not ask for the handwritten notes of Board of Trustees meetings? This material is first-hand knowledge, which could either corroborate or eviscerate the testimony of Trustees Brockmeyer and Hair. Therefore, before this settlement is approved I want to see both the relevant handwritten Trustees’ notes and the un-redacted depositions of Trustees Hair and Brockmeyer provided to class members.

IV. PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL FEES ARE TOO HIGH AND UNREASONABLE Finally, with respect to Plaintiff’s legal fees, Mr. Schwartz’ Declaration does not state when or how the subject of legal fees for Counsel was decided. In order to be sure that Counsel’s legal fees were negotiated at arms length, more detail needs to be given by counsel how attorneys’ fees for class counsel were negotiated and agreed upon. Given the great number of pages in the Schwartz Declaration, it appears that more attention was given by him to his own fee than to any adequate relief for the class. Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 6 April 27, 2020 This is unfair, unreasonable, and smacks of collusion. In sum, Plaintiff’s Counsel’s positions directly conflict with, negatively affects, and prejudices my interests as a member of the class re: a robust prosecution of this case Here, Mr. Schwartz et al simply has let members of the class down and so the award of legal fees should not be accepted by this Court, or any Court within the Second Circuit, which has the most instances of reducing counsel fees of any circuit. Where a class has been certified, a district court “may award reasonable attorney’s fees and non-taxable costs.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(h). However, as stated by the Second Circuit in Goldberger v. Integrated Resources, Inc., 209 F.3d 43 (2d Cir. 2000): The point is that plaintiffs in common fund cases typically are not fully informed. Nor are they able to negotiate collectively, or at arm’s length. That is why we emphasized in Grinell I, as we rejected a 15% fee, that awards in these cases are proper only “if made with moderation.” 495 F.2d at 469 (emphasis added) (quoting Greenough, 105 U.S. at 536). As Grinell II instructs, the court is to act “as a fiduciary who must serve as a guardian of the rights of absent class members.” 560 F.2d at 1099 (internal quotation marks omitted). Continuing, the Second Circuit stated: All these considerations have fed the perception among both Commentators and the Congress that plaintiffs in common fund cases are mere “figureheads,” and that the real reason for bringing such actions is “the quest for attorneys fees.” Ralph K. Winter: Paying Lawyers, Empowering Prosecutors, and Protecting Managers: Raising the Cost of Capital in America, 42 Duke L.J. 945, 984 (1993); see Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, H.R. Rep. No. 104-369 (1995) passim, reprinted in 1995 U.S.C.C.A.N. 730, passim (criticizing abusive lawyer-driven securities class actions). This is why we continue to approach fee awards “with an eye to moderation.” Grinnell II, 560 F.2d at Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 7 April 27, 2020

1099 (quoting Grinnell I, 495 F.2d at 470).

We appreciate that fixing a reasonable fee becomes even more Difficult because the adversary system is typically diluted ---indeed Suspended ---during fee proceedings. Defendants, once the settlement amount has been agreed to, have little interest in how it is distributed and thus no incentive to oppose the fee. See Continental Illinois, 962 F.2d at 572. Indeed, the same dynamic creates incentives for collusion --- the temptation for lawyers to agree to a less than optimal settlement “in exchange for red-carpet treatment on fees”. Weinberger v. Great N. Nekoosa Corp., 925 F.2d 518, 524 (1st Cir. 1991) (citing John C. Coffee, Jr. The Unfaithful Champion: The Plaintiff as Monitor in Shareholder Litigation, 48 Law Contemp. Probs. 5, 26-33 (1985)). And the class members ___ the intended beneficiaries of the suit ---rarely object.

In this case, however I do object. Plaintiff’s attorneys have not provided an adequate, fair, and reasonable settlement given the facts and the low risk in litigating this very strong case, in my view. As such, the settlement may even be described as of minimal value, an evaluation supported by the record. Therefore, I formally object to the high legal fees in the proposed settlement agreement.

CONCLUSION

In sum, in view of the numerous objections presented herein, the Motion for Preliminary Approval shall be denied because it is unlikely that the proposed settlement will be finally approved by this Court. Further, since under the ABA Ethical Guidelines to Settlement Negotiations Class Actions, Section 3.6, “An attorney cannot represent and be an advocate for subclasses with opposing interests, and may not be able to represent class members supporting a settlement while also representing individuals who are objecting to it”, the Court shall appoint an additional lawyer for those members of the class who oppose the proposed settlement and give that attorney equal standing in this litigation. Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 8 April 27, 2020 Thank you very much for your time and your consideration. Sincerely,

Martin Stoner Cc: via email to all counsel martin stoner Tue 4/28/2020 8:21 PM To: Caproni NYSD chambers Cc: Myron Rumeld ; Robert J. Kriner ; Steven A. Schwartz ; Jani K. Rachelson Dear Judge Caproni, My apologies for yet another missive, but I wanted to apologize if I have offended the Court or done anything improper. Based on the letters that I have recently received from Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Rumfeld, they seem to suggest that there is no place for an objector in the preliminary approval stage, only at a fairness hearing. If this is true, then my sincere apologies, as I did not understand. On the other hand, if it is permissible for a class member to address the Court re: issues raised in the Joint Motion for Preliminary Approval, I would like to say that I believe that there is some overlap between the issues the Court must weigh in the preliminary and final approval process. My thought there was to avoid litigation costs and wasted Court time by preliminarily approving a settlement that ultimately is unlikely to get final approval in its present form. Both Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Rumfeld declined to address my legal arguments against preliminary approval in their recent letters, and suggest that by waiting to read the un-redacted amended complaint and expert depositions, I will be better served. But these documents certainly will not shed any light on my argument that Counsel's legal fees are too large or whether the settlement was conducted at arms length. So I respectfully disagree with distinguished counsels. Nothing in the expert testimony or un-redacted complaint is going to weigh on the legal issue of whether the Trustees are going to apologize to this Court, litigants, and class members for their email dated March 30, 2020 stating that the settlement will not change their investment practices going forward, certainly a relevant concern before this Court grants preliminary approval. As far as facts, neither Mr. Rumfeld or Mr. Schwartz seem to be in agreement as to whether Proskauer's attorney, Mr. Rory Judd Albert, "retired" or "resigned" after giving his deposition testimony in this case. Did they forget to co- ordinate their response? There is a big difference between leaving the firm voluntarily and being forced out. Perhaps some documents or evidence one way or the other would be helpful? In sum, I believe that it is a mistake to grant preliminary approval to a settlement which ultimately will not receive final approval because its primary function is simply to enrich lawyers at the expense of members of the class. Thank you very much for your time and your consideration. Sincerely, Martin Stoner MARTIN STONER 900 West End Avenue New York, New York 10025 (212) 866-5447

May 4, 2020

The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni United States District Judge Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square, Room 240 New York, New York 10007 Email: CaproniNYSDChambers@nysd.uscourts.gov

Re: Snitzer and Livant v. The Board of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund, et al., 17-cv-5361 (VEC)

With the Court’s permission, I write to submit to this Court some ideas from the book, “Class Action Dilemmas: Pursuing Public Goals for Private Gain”, by Hensler et al. published by Rand Corporation in 2000. In the book, the authors recommend inviting and hearing neutral expert testimony on the value of purported changes in defendants’ practices and the appropriateness of class counsel’s fees and expenses to provide a more rigorous judicial approval process. According to the Schwartz declaration (Dkt. # 139, ¶ 4.1) the “Plan” provides for payment of a neutral expert and then does not notify members of the class as to its findings. I believe that because settling parties share an interest in convincing the judge of the reasonableness of the settlement, judges have particular reason to use their authority to appoint their own experts in class action litigation. As cited by “Class Action Dilemmas” on page 495. However, judges need to be wary of experts obtained by plaintiff class action attorneys or defendants who may have a financial interest in securing the judge’s approval of a settlement. Under Rule 706 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, federal judges have the authority to appoint their own neutral experts. Judges should appoint neutral The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 2 May 4, 2020

experts to assist them in assessing claims of regulatory enforcement to assure that such claims are real. Judges also should appoint neutral accountants to audit attorney expense reports before making a final award of expenses.

Turning now to “Class Action Dilemmas”, it says on page 471,

However, judges should be suspicious of settlements that fall far short of reasonably estimated losses, and of plaintiff class action attorneys whose advocacy is directed toward persuading the judge of the weaknesses of the very case that they were eager to have that same judge certify not many months before.

Regarding attorney’s fees specifically, “Class Action Dilemmas” says on pages 490-491:

The private gains that accrue to plaintiff class counsel in damage class action litigation are the engine that drives the litigation. The single most important action that judges can take to support the public goals of class action lawsuits is to reward class action attorneys only for lawsuits that actually accomplish something of value to class members and society…..

But in class action litigation, defendants may have an interest in plaintiff attorneys’ receiving significant rewards for substandard settlements: Such settlements leave defendants, on net, better off than they might have been had the class action attorney worked harder (or more skillfully), thereby forcing the defendant either to try the case to verdict or settle for a larger amount. If judges do not strictly scrutinize the quality of settlements, plaintiff attorneys may get paid too much for what they accomplish and defendants may pay too little for closing off future litigation.

Thus, my objections are encapsulated above as to why this Court should deny preliminary approval. In the alternative, should the Court decide to grant preliminary approval, then I respectfully ask the Court to follow the The Honorable Valerie E. Caproni Page 3 May 4, 2020 recommendations contained in “Class Action Dilemmas” and hire independent neutral experts to evaluate the effectiveness.of the governance provisions, as well as the legal fees and expenses of counsel. Thank you very much, Your Honor, for your continued patience with me in this matter, which is greatly appreciated. I hope that I have contributed something of value here and that I am not simply being a nuisance. Very truly yours, Sy Martin Stoner Copies to all counsel