United States v. Howard

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

81,7(' 67$7(6 2) $0(5,&$ ; 3ODLQWLII$SSHOOHH    1R Y  !  s(55< /(( +2:$5'  'HIHQGDQW$SSHOODQW  1 $SSHDOIURPWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV'LVWULFW&RXUW IRUWKH:HVWHUQ'LVWULFWRI.HQWXFN\DW/RXLVYLOOH 1RnsRKQ*+H\EXUQ,,'LVWULFWsXGJH $UJXHG0D\ 'HFLGHGDQG)LOHGsXO\ %HIRUH0225(DQG*,/0$1&LUFXLWsXGJHV 0F.($*8('LVWULFWsXGJH BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB &2816(/ $5*8('  sRVHSK ' +H\G *(1(5$/ (/(&75,& $,5&5$)7(1*,1(6/(*$/23(5$7,216&LQFLQQDWL 2KLR IRU $SSHOODQW  7HUU\ 0 &XVKLQJ $66,67$17

7KH +RQRUDEOH 'DYLG : 0F.HDJXH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 'LVWULFW sXGJH IRU WKH :HVWHUQ 'LVWULFW RI 0LFKLJDQ VLWWLQJ E\ GHVLJQDWLRQ

  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

81,7('67$7(6$77251(</RXLVYLOOH.HQWXFN\IRU FLUFXPVWDQFHVPDQLIHVWLQJH[WUHPHLQGLIIHUHQFHWRWKHYDOXH $SSHOOHH  21 %5,()  sRVHSK ' +H\G *(1(5$/ RIKXPDQOLIHKHZDQWRQO\HQJDJHVLQFRQGXFWZKLFKFUHDWHV (/(&75,&$,5&5$)7(1*,1(6/(*$/23(5$7,216 D VXEVWDQWLDO GDQJHU RI GHDWK RU VHULRXV SK\VLFDO LQMXU\ WR &LQFLQQDWL2KLRsRVHSK6sXVWLFH7$)767(77,1,86 DQRWKHUSHUVRQl +2//,67(5 &LQFLQQDWL 2KLR IRU $SSHOODQW  7HUU\ 0 &XVKLQJ0RQLFD:KHDWOH\$66,67$1781,7('67$7(6 ' sXGLFLDOELDV $77251(<6/RXLVYLOOH.HQWXFN\IRU$SSHOOHH )LQDOO\ +RZDUG FRQWHQGV WKDW WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW HUUHG LQ BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB GHQ\LQJKLVPRWLRQIRU WKHGLVWULFWMXGJHWRUHFXVHKLPVHOI SXUVXDQWWR86&†+RZDUGILOHGWKLVPRWLRQGXULQJ 23,1,21 KLV VHFRQG WULDO DOOHJLQJ WKDW WKH GLVWULFW MXGJH FRXOG QR BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB ORQJHUPDLQWDLQWKHDSSHDUDQFHRILPSDUWLDOLW\DIWHUKDYLQJ SUHVLGHGRYHU+RZDUGjVFRQYLFWLRQWKHILUVWWLPHDURXQGDQG 521$/' /(( *,/0$1 &LUFXLW sXGJH  sHUU\ /HH H[SUHVVLQJKLVRSLQLRQRXWVLGHRIWKHSUHVHQFHRIWKHMXU\ +RZDUGZDVFRQYLFWHGLQRIDJJUDYDWHGVH[XDODVVDXOW WKDW3RUWHUjVWHVWLPRQ\ZDVmKLJKO\FUHGLEOHl LQYLRODWLRQRI86&†DDQGILUVWGHJUHHZDQWRQ HQGDQJHUPHQWSXUVXDQWWR86&†ZKLFKDSSOLHVVWDWH 7KLV FRXUW ZLOO DIILUP D GLVWULFW MXGJHjV GHFLVLRQ QRW WR ODZWRLQGLYLGXDOVRQIHGHUDOSURSHUW\EDVHGRQDQDWWDFNWKDW UHFXVH KLPVHOI SXUVXDQW WR  86& † D XQOHVV LW WRRNSODFHDW)RUW.QR[.HQWXFN\,QDQHDUOLHUDSSHDOWKLV FRQVWLWXWHVDQDEXVHRIGLVFUHWLRQ6HH8QLRQ3ODQWHUV%DQN FRXUWFRQFOXGHGWKDW+RZDUGZDVKHOGIRUWRRORQJSULRUWR Y /  s 'HY &R  )G   WK &LU   ,Q WULDOLQYLRODWLRQRIWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FW86&†† 8QLWHG6WDWHVY/LWHN\86WKH6XSUHPH   ,W YDFDWHG WKH MXGJPHQW RI WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW DQG &RXUWH[SODLQHGWKDWmDVDSUDFWLFDOPDWWHUµH[WUDMXGLFLDO UHPDQGHG WKH FDVH IRU D GHWHUPLQDWLRQ RI ZKHWKHU WKH VRXUFH>V@j>DUH@WKHRQO\EDV>H@VIRUHVWDEOLVKLQJGLVTXDOLI\LQJ LQGLFWPHQWVKRXOGEHGLVPLVVHGZLWKRUZLWKRXWSUHMXGLFH ELDVRUSUHMXGLFHlXQGHU86&†D,GDW$ SUHGLVSRVLWLRQDFTXLUHGE\DMXGJHGXULQJWKHFRXUVHRIWKH 7KH GLVWULFW FRXUW GLVPLVVHG WKH LQGLFWPHQW ZLWKRXW SURFHHGLQJVZLOORQO\FRQVWLWXWHLPSHUPLVVLEOHELDVZKHQmLW SUHMXGLFH$VHFRQGLQGLFWPHQWZDVILOHGDQG+RZDUGZDV LV VR H[WUHPH DV WR GLVSOD\ FOHDU LQDELOLW\ WR UHQGHU IDLU DJDLQ FRQYLFWHG RI WKH VDPH FULPHV  +RZDUGjV SULPDU\ MXGJPHQWl,G+RZDUGPDGHQRVKRZLQJWKDWWKHGLVWULFW FRQWHQWLRQV LQ WKH SUHVHQW DSSHDO UHYROYH DURXQG DOOHJHG MXGJHLQWKHSUHVHQWFDVHZDVLQIOXHQFHGE\DQ\H[WUDMXGLFLDO YLRODWLRQVRIWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FWDQGKLV6L[WK$PHQGPHQW VRXUFHZKDWVRHYHURUWKDWWKHGLVWULFWMXGJHPDQLIHVWHGDFOHDU ULJKWWRDVSHHG\WULDOLQFRQQHFWLRQZLWKERWKKLVILUVWDQG LQDELOLW\WRUHQGHUIDLUMXGJPHQW)XUWKHUPRUHWKH6XSUHPH VHFRQG FRQYLFWLRQV  )RU WKH UHDVRQV VHW IRUWK EHORZ ZH &RXUWLQ/LWHN\H[SUHVVO\UHFRJQL]HGWKDWm>L@WKDVORQJEHHQ $)),50WKHMXGJPHQWRIWKHGLVWULFWFRXUW UHJDUGHGDVQRUPDODQGSURSHUIRUDMXGJHWRVLWLQWKHVDPH FDVHXSRQLWVUHPDQGl,G ,%$&.*5281' ,,,&21&/86,21 $ )DFWXDOEDFNJURXQG )RU DOO RI WKH UHDVRQV VHW IRUWK DERYH ZH $)),50 WKH 2Q0D\+RZDUGGURYH.DWLQD/\QQ3RUWHUWKH MXGJPHQWRIWKHGLVWULFWFRXUW JLUOIULHQGRIDPDOHIULHQGRIKLVWR&U\VWDO/DNHRQWKH)RUW .QR[ 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 0LOLWDU\ 5HVHUYDWLRQ  $IWHU  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

DUHDVRQDEOHGRXEWlsDFNVRQY9LUJLQLD86 XQVXFFHVVIXOO\SURSRVLWLRQLQJ3RUWHU+RZDUGEHDWKHUDQG HPSKDVLVLQRULJLQDO IRUFLEO\ SHUIRUPHG RUDO VH[ RQ KHU DW NQLIHSRLQW  3RUWHU HYHQWXDOO\PDQDJHGWRHVFDSHVHHNLQJWKHKHOSRIWKUHHPHQ +RZDUG DVVHUWV WKDW WKH VROH HYLGHQFH SURIIHUHG E\ WKH ZKRZHUHILVKLQJE\WKHVLGHRIWKHODNH7ZRRIWKHVHPHQ JRYHUQPHQWWRVXSSRUWWKHVH[XDODVVDXOWFKDUJHZDV3RUWHUjV KDSSHQHGWREHRIIGXW\SROLFHRIILFHUV$V+RZDUGVWDUWHG WHVWLPRQ\,WLVLQGHHGWUXHWKDWWKHJRYHUQPHQWZDVXQDEOH XS KLV YDQ /DPDU sRQHV RQH RI WKH RIILFHUV DSSURDFKHG WR SURGXFH DQ\ SK\VLFDO HYLGHQFHnVXFK DV KDLUV RU ERGLO\ +RZDUGjVYDQZLWKJXQDQGEDGJHGUDZQDQGRUGHUHG+RZDUG IOXLGVnWRFRUURERUDWHWKHFKDUJHVDJDLQVW+RZDUG%XWWKH WRVWRS,QVWHDG+RZDUGVSHGWRZDUGVsRQHVLQDQDWWHPSWWR JRYHUQPHQW SRLQWV RXW WKDW 3RUWHUjV WHVWLPRQ\ ZDV QRW WKH UXQ KLP RYHU  sRQHV PDQDJHG WR VWHS RXW RI WKH ZD\ DQG mVROH HYLGHQFHl RI +RZDUGjV JXLOW  6HYHUDO SLHFHV RI DYRLGLQMXU\+HWKHQMXPSHGLQKLVWUXFNWRSXUVXH+RZDUG VXSSRUWLQJDOEHLWFLUFXPVWDQWLDOHYLGHQFHZHUHLQWURGXFHGWR UDGLRLQJ IRU SROLFH DVVLVWDQFH  $IWHU D ILIWHHQPLOH FKDVH EROVWHUWKHJRYHUQPHQWjVFDVH7KLVHYLGHQFHLQFOXGHGSURRI +RZDUGZDVVWRSSHGDQGDUUHVWHG RI+RZDUGjVKXUULHGGHSDUWXUHIURPWKHODNHDQGKLVH[WHQGHG IOLJKWIURPWKHSROLFHDVZHOODVWHVWLPRQ\IURPH\HZLWQHVVHV % 3URFHGXUDOEDFNJURXQG ZKR REVHUYHG WKDW 3RUWHU ZDV QHDUO\ K\VWHULFDO DIWHU WKH DOOHJHGDWWDFNDQGWKDWVKHVKRZHGVLJQVRIKDYLQJEHHQEDGO\ 2Q0D\DJUDQGMXU\LQWKH:HVWHUQ'LVWULFWRI EHDWHQ .HQWXFN\ LQGLFWHG +RZDUG IRU DJJUDYDWHG VH[XDO DVVDXOW EDVHG RQ KLV DWWDFN RQ 3RUWHU DQG IRU ILUVWGHJUHH ZDQWRQ (YHQ DVVXPLQJ WKDW 3RUWHUjV WHVWLPRQ\ ZDV WKH RQO\ HQGDQJHUPHQWEDVHGRQKLVDWWHPSWWRUXQRYHUsRQHV7KH HYLGHQFHRI+RZDUGjVJXLOWKRZHYHUWKLVFRXUWKDVKHOGWKDW GLVWULFW FRXUW JUDQWHG WKH JRYHUQPHQWjV UHTXHVW WR GHWDLQ WKHWHVWLPRQ\RIDUDSHYLFWLPDORQHLVVXIILFLHQWWRVXSSRUWD +RZDUGSHQGLQJWULDOZKLFKZDVRULJLQDOO\VFKHGXOHGIRUsXO\ GHIHQGDQWjVFRQYLFWLRQ6HH*LOEHUWY3DUNH)G 7ULDOGLGQRWFRPPHQFHXQWLO$XJXVW  WK&LUVHHJHQHUDOO\8QLWHG6WDWHVY7HUU\ KRZHYHUEHFDXVHWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWJUDQWHGIRXUVXFFHVVLYH )G   WK &LU  m7KH WHVWLPRQ\ RI WKH FRQWLQXDQFHV7KHILUVWDQGIRXUWKFRQWLQXDQFHVZHUHVRXJKW SURVHFXWLQJZLWQHVVLIEHOLHYHGE\WKHMXU\LVVXIILFLHQWWR E\+RZDUGDQG+RZDUGMRLQHGWKHJRYHUQPHQWLQUHTXHVWLQJ VXSSRUWDYHUGLFWRIJXLOW\l3RUWHUjVWHVWLPRQ\LQWKLVFDVH WKH VHFRQG  7KH RQO\ GHOD\ WKDW ZDV QRW DW OHDVW SDUWO\ ZDV FOHDUO\ EHOLHYHG E\ WKH MXU\ DQG SURYLGHV DGHTXDWH DWWULEXWDEOH WR +RZDUG ZDV WKH WKLUG FRQWLQXDQFH IURP JURXQGVIRUDUDWLRQDOWULHURIIDFWWRKDYHIRXQGWKHHVVHQWLDO )HEUXDU\   WR 0D\   ZKLFK WKH JRYHUQPHQW HOHPHQWVRIDJJUDYDWHGVH[XDODVVDXOW VRXJKW LQ RUGHU WR FRPSDUH VDPSOHV RI +RZDUGjV EORRG VDOLYD DQG KDLU ZLWK VDPSOHV IRXQG RQ 3RUWHU DQG KHU +RZDUGDOVRFKDUJHVWKDWWKHJRYHUQPHQWGLGQRWDGGXFH FORWKLQJ VXIILFLHQW HYLGHQFH WR VXSSRUW WKH ZDQWRQ HQGDQJHUPHQW FKDUJH:HGLVDJUHH9LHZHGLQWKHOLJKWPRVWIDYRUDEOHWR 2Q0D\+RZDUGPRYHGWRGLVPLVVWKHLQGLFWPHQW WKHJRYHUQPHQWDUDWLRQDOWULHURIIDFWFRXOGHDVLO\KDYHIRXQG DJDLQVWKLPEHFDXVHKHKDGQRWEHHQEURXJKWWRWULDOZLWKLQ WKDW+RZDUGLQWHQWLRQDOO\WULHGWRUXQRYHUsRQHVZLWKKLVYDQ WKHWLPHOLPLWVSHFLILHGE\WKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FW7KHGLVWULFW 8QGHU .HQWXFN\ ODZ ZKLFK LV LQFRUSRUDWHG E\  86& FRXUWGHQLHGWKHPRWLRQILQGLQJWKDW+RZDUGjVmZDLYHUlRI †DWWHPSWLQJWRKLWDQRWKHUSHUVRQZLWKDPRWRUYHKLFOH WKH 6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW GHIHQVH ZKHQ VHHNLQJ KLV ILUVW PHHWV WKH GHILQLWLRQ RI ILUVW GHJUHH ZDQWRQ HQGDQJHUPHQW FRQWLQXDQFHLQsXO\RISUHFOXGHGKLPIURPUDLVLQJWKDW 6HH.\5HY6WDW$QQ†m$SHUVRQLVJXLOW\RI GHIHQVHWKHUHDIWHU$IWHUEHLQJWULHGDQGFRQYLFWHGRQERWK ZDQWRQ HQGDQJHUPHQW LQ WKH ILUVW GHJUHH ZKHQ XQGHU  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

FRXQWVRIWKHLQGLFWPHQW+RZDUGZDVVHQWHQFHGWRDWHUPRI GHIHQGDQWjV WULDO LV GHOD\HG  m3UHWULDO GHOD\ LV RIWHQ ERWK OLIHLPSULVRQPHQWSOXVVL[W\PRQWKV LQHYLWDEOH DQG ZKROO\ MXVWLILDEOHl  ,G DW   :KHQ WKH JRYHUQPHQW SURVHFXWHV D FDVH ZLWK UHDVRQDEOH GLOLJHQFH D ,QKLVDSSHDORIWKHFRQYLFWLRQ+RZDUGUDLVHGVHYHUDO GHIHQGDQW ZKR FDQQRW GHPRQVWUDWH KRZ KLV GHIHQVH ZDV VXEVWDQWLYHFKDOOHQJHVDQGUHLWHUDWHGKLVDOOHJDWLRQVWKDWKH SUHMXGLFHGZLWKVSHFLILFLW\ZLOOQRWPDNHRXWDVSHHG\WULDO ZDV GHQLHG D VSHHG\ WULDO  7KLV FRXUW QRWHG WKDW WKH FODLPQRPDWWHUKRZJUHDWWKHHQVXLQJGHOD\6HHLG SURYLVLRQV RI WKH 6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW DUH QRW ZDLYDEOH E\ D GHIHQGDQWDQGWKDWLQDQ\FDVH+RZDUGjVSXUSRUWHGZDLYHU :KHUHWKHUHLVHYLGHQFHRIQHJOLJHQFHRQWKHJRYHUQPHQWjV ZKHQ VHHNLQJ KLV ILUVW FRQWLQXDQFH GLG QRW EDU KLP IURP SDUWEXWQREDGIDLWKWKH6XSUHPH&RXUWKDVGHFODUHGWKDWD RSSRVLQJ D VXEVHTXHQW FRQWLQXDQFH VRXJKW E\ WKH SUHVXPSWLRQ RI SUHMXGLFH PD\ DULVH GHSHQGLQJ XSRQ WKH JRYHUQPHQW  6HH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV Y +RZDUG 1R  OHQJWKRIWKHGHOD\6HHLGDWm>7@RZDUUDQWJUDQWLQJ :/DW WK&LU1RY)RFXVLQJ UHOLHI QHJOLJHQFH XQDFFRPSDQLHG E\ SDUWLFXODUL]HG WULDO RQWKHWKUHHPRQWKFRQWLQXDQFHUHTXHVWHGE\WKHJRYHUQPHQW SUHMXGLFH PXVW KDYH ODVWHG ORQJHU WKDQ QHJOLJHQFH WKLV FRXUW FRQFOXGHG WKDW WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW KDG LPSURSHUO\ GHPRQVWUDEO\FDXVLQJVXFKSUHMXGLFHl,G,Q'RJJHWWWKH IDLOHGWRPDNHDQmHQGVRIMXVWLFHlILQGLQJDVUHTXLUHGE\WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUW QRWHG DQ mH[WUDRUGLQDU\   \HDU ODJ 6SHHG\7ULDO$FW6HH86&†K %HFDXVHPRUH EHWZHHQ 'RJJHWWjV LQGLFWPHQW DQG DUUHVWl LG DW  DQG WKDQ VHYHQW\ QRQH[FOXGHG GD\V HODSVHG IURP WKH WLPH RI FRQFOXGHG WKDW WKLV GHOD\ ZDV VXIILFLHQW WR FUHDWH D +RZDUGjVLQGLFWPHQWZLWKRXWDQ\VXFKILQGLQJWKHMXGJPHQW SUHVXPSWLRQRISUHMXGLFHWRWKHGHIHQGDQW7KH&RXUWDOVR RIWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWZDVYDFDWHGDQGWKHFDVHUHPDQGHGIRUD QRWHGWKDWmORZHUFRXUWVKDYHJHQHUDOO\IRXQGSRVWDFFXVDWLRQ GHWHUPLQDWLRQDVWRZKHWKHUWKHGLVPLVVDORXJKWWREHZLWKRU GHOD\µSUHVXPSWLYHO\SUHMXGLFLDOjDWOHDVWDVLWDSSURDFKHVRQH ZLWKRXWSUHMXGLFH \HDUl,GDWQ 8SRQ UHPDQG WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW FRQVLGHUHG WKH IDFWRUV 7KXVHYHQLIZHDVVXPHWKDWWKHJRYHUQPHQWZDVQHJOLJHQW JRYHUQLQJGLVPLVVDOVDVVHWIRUWKLQWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FWVHH LQ SURVHFXWLQJ +RZDUGjV FDVHV WKH OHQJWK RI WKH  86& † D  DQG FRQFOXGHG WKDW +RZDUGjV GHOD\VnWKUHHPRQWKVDQGILYHPRQWKVUHVSHFWLYHO\nZRXOG LQGLFWPHQWVKRXOGEHGLVPLVVHGZLWKRXWSUHMXGLFH2Q$SULO EH LQVXIILFLHQW WR FUHDWH D SUHVXPSWLRQ RI SUHMXGLFH LQ WKH +RZDUGZDVLQGLFWHGIRUDVHFRQGWLPHDQGWKHWULDO DEVHQFHRIDQ\HYLGHQFHRIDIILUPDWLYHPLVFRQGXFW%HFDXVH WHQWDWLYHO\VHWIRUsXQH7KHJRYHUQPHQWWKHQPRYHG WKHGHOD\VDWWULEXWDEOHWRWKHJRYHUQPHQWLQERWKRI+RZDUGjV IRU D FRQWLQXDQFH XQWLO 6HSWHPEHU   FODLPLQJ WKDW WULDOV ZHUH QHLWKHU H[FHVVLYHO\ ORQJ QRU PRWLYDWHG E\ EDG 3RUWHU WKH YLFWLP DQG FHQWUDO ZLWQHVV LQ WKH JRYHUQPHQWjV IDLWKZHFRQFOXGHWKDW+RZDUGj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mDQ\ UDWLRQDO WULHU RI IDFW FRPPHQFHG RQ 2FWREHU    +RZDUG ZDV DJDLQ FRXOGKDYHIRXQGWKHHVVHQWLDOHOHPHQWVRIWKHFULPHEH\RQG  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

Y+RO\ILHOG)GWK&LUKROGLQJWKDWDILYH FRQYLFWHGDQGVHQWHQFHGWRWKHVDPHWHUPDVEHIRUHnOLIHSOXV PRQWKGHOD\ZDVFRQVWLWXWLRQDOO\SHUPLVVLEOH VL[W\PRQWKVjLPSULVRQPHQW 7KHVHFRQGIDFWRUFRQVLGHUHGLQWKH%DUNHUDQDO\VLVLVWKH ,,$1$/<6,6 UHDVRQIRUWKHGHOD\m'HOD\VLQWHQGHGWRVHFXUHDWDFWLFDO DGYDQWDJHZHLJKKHDYLO\DJDLQVWWKHJRYHUQPHQWl6HH:KLWH 7KHSULPDU\WKUXVWRI+RZDUGjVDSSHDOLVWKDWWKHGHOD\V  )G DW   $V GLVFXVVHG DERYH WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW EHIRUHHDFKRIKLVWZRWULDOVYLRODWHGERWKWKH6SHHG\7ULDO GHWHUPLQHGWKDWWKHGHOD\VFDXVHGE\WKHJRYHUQPHQWLQWKLV $FWDQGKLV6L[WK$PHQGPHQWULJKWWRDVSHHG\WULDO)RUWKH FDVHZHUHQRWPRWLYDWHGE\EDGIDLWKRUDWWHPSWVWRVHHND UHDVRQVVHWIRUWKEHORZZHGLVDJUHH WDFWLFDODGYDQWDJH0RUHRYHUWKHIRXUPRQWKFRQWLQXDQFH VRXJKWE\WKHJRYHUQPHQWSULRUWR+RZDUGjVVHFRQGWULDOZDV $ 6SHHG\7ULDO$FW SURPSWHGE\WKHXQDYDLODELOLW\RIDZLWQHVVZKLFKKDVEHHQ H[SOLFLWO\ UHFRJQL]HG DV D OHJLWLPDWH MXVWLILFDWLRQ IRU D  +RZDUGjVILUVWWULDO FRQWLQXDQFH6HH%DUNHU86DWm>$@YDOLGUHDVRQ VXFKDVDPLVVLQJZLWQHVVVKRXOGVHUYHWRMXVWLI\DSSURSULDWH 7KH GLVWULFW FRXUW JUDQWHG IRXU FRQWLQXDQFHV SULRU WR GHOD\l +RZDUGjV RULJLQDO WULDO  7KUHH RI WKHVH FRQWLQXDQFHVnWKH ILUVWVHFRQGDQGIRXUWKnZHUHHLWKHUUHTXHVWHGE\+RZDUGRU 7XUQLQJ WR WKH WKLUG IDFWRU RI WKH %DUNHU WHVW +RZDUG MRLQWO\ UHTXHVWHG E\ +RZDUG DQG WKH JRYHUQPHQW  ,Q SURSHUO\SRLQWVRXWWKDWKHUHSHDWHGO\DVVHUWHGKLVULJKWWRD +RZDUGjV ILUVW DSSHDO KH WKHUHIRUH IRFXVHG RQ WKH WKLUG VSHHG\WULDODQGREMHFWHGWRWKHFRQWLQXDQFHVVRXJKWE\WKH FRQWLQXDQFHDWKUHHPRQWKGHOD\JUDQWHGDWWKHJRYHUQPHQWjV JRYHUQPHQW,QDGGLWLRQ+RZDUGPRYHGWRGLVPLVVERWKKLV UHTXHVW6HH8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG:/DW ILUVWDQGVHFRQGLQGLFWPHQWVIRUYLRODWLRQVRIWKH6SHHG\7ULDO   1RWLQJ WKDW WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW KDG QRW PDGH mHQGV RI $FWDQGVXFFHVVIXOO\SXUVXHGWKLVFODLPRQDSSHDOIURPKLV MXVWLFHl ILQGLQJV WR GHWHUPLQH ZKHWKHU WKLV SHULRG ZDV ILUVW WULDO  :H DJUHH WKDW +RZDUG SHUVLVWHQWO\ DVVHUWHG KLV H[FOXGDEOHIURPWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FWFRPSXWDWLRQWKLVFRXUW ULJKWWRDVSHHG\WULDODWDOOVWDJHVRIWKLVFDVH DJUHHGWKDWWKHWKUHHPRQWKFRQWLQXDQFHYLRODWHGWKH6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW DQG UHPDQGHG IRU D GHWHUPLQDWLRQ DV WR ZKHWKHU 7KHIRXUWKDQGILQDOIDFWRUVHWRXWLQ%DUNHULVWKHSUHMXGLFH GLVPLVVDOVKRXOGEHZLWKRUZLWKRXWSUHMXGLFH7KHGLVWULFW VXIIHUHGE\WKHGHIHQGDQWm7KHPRVWLPSRUWDQWIDFWRUXQGHU FRXUWGLVPLVVHG+RZDUGjVLQGLFWPHQWZLWKRXWSUHMXGLFH SUHMXGLFHLVSRVVLEOHLPSDLUPHQWRIWKHGHIHQVHl:KLWH )G DW   $V GLVFXVVHG DERYH +RZDUG KDV IDLOHG WR +RZDUGDUJXHVRQDSSHDOWKDWKLVLQGLFWPHQWVKRXOGKDYH LGHQWLI\DQ\VSHFLILFZD\LQZKLFKKLVGHIHQVHZDVSUHMXGLFHG EHHQ GLVPLVVHG ZLWK SUHMXGLFH WKXV IRUHFORVLQJ IXWXUH GXULQJHLWKHURIKLVWULDOV2QDSSHDO+RZDUGFLWHV'RJJHWW SURVHFXWLRQ  ,Q UHYLHZLQJ VXFK D GHFLVLRQ ZH HPSOR\ D Y8QLWHG6WDWHV86IRUWKHSURSRVLWLRQWKDW mPRGLILHG DEXVH RI GLVFUHWLRQ VWDQGDUGl  8QLWHG 6WDWHV Y GHOD\LQDQGRILWVHOIPD\FUHDWHDSUHVXPSWLRQRISUHMXGLFH 3LHUFH)GWK&LU7KLVUHYLHZGLIIHUV ,G DW  m>$@IILUPDWLYH SURRI RI SUHMXGLFH LV QRW IURP WKH W\SLFDO DEXVH RI GLVFUHWLRQ VWDQGDUG LQ WKDW LW HVVHQWLDOWRHYHU\VSHHG\WULDOFODLP>(@[FHVVLYHGHOD\ mUHTXLUHVWKHUHYLHZLQJFRXUWWRXQGHUWDNHPRUHVXEVWDQWLYH SUHVXPSWLYHO\FRPSURPLVHVWKHUHOLDELOLW\RIDWULDOLQZD\V VFUXWLQ\WRHQVXUHWKDWWKHMXGJPHQWLVVXSSRUWHGLQWHUPVRI WKDWQHLWKHUSDUW\FDQSURYHRUIRUWKDWPDWWHULGHQWLI\l WKHIDFWRUVLGHQWLILHGLQWKHVWDWXWHl8QLWHG6WDWHVY7D\ORU 86 7KH SUHVXPSWLRQ RI SUHMXGLFH GLVFXVVHG LQ 'RJJHWW KRZHYHU LV QRW DXWRPDWLFDOO\ DSSOLFDEOH ZKHQHYHU D  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

7KH6SHHG\7ULDO$FWGRHVQRWVSHFLI\ZKHWKHUGLVPLVVDO ULJKWWRDVSHHG\WULDOWKHOHJLVODWLRQGRHVQRWSXUSRUWWREH VKRXOG EH ZLWK RU ZLWKRXW SUHMXGLFH QRU GRHV LW FRQWDLQ D FRH[WHQVLYH ZLWK WKDW DPHQGPHQWl  8QLWHG 6WDWHV Y GHIDXOW SUHVXPSWLRQ RQH ZD\ RU WKH RWKHU  6HH  86& *RQ]DOH])GWK&LUVHHDOVR † D  7D\ORU  86 DW   &RQJUHVV GLG 86& †  m1R SURYLVLRQ RI WKLV FKDSWHU VKDOO EH KRZHYHUSURYLGHWKUHHIDFWRUVWKDWDFRXUWVKRXOGFRQVLGHU LQWHUSUHWHGDVDEDUWRDQ\FODLPRIGHQLDORIVSHHG\WULDODV ZKHQPDNLQJWKLVGHWHUPLQDWLRQ7KH\DUHmWKHVHULRXVQHVV UHTXLUHGE\DPHQGPHQW9,RIWKH&RQVWLWXWLRQl RIWKHRIIHQVHWKHIDFWVDQGFLUFXPVWDQFHVRIWKHFDVHZKLFK OHGWRWKHGLVPLVVDODQGWKHLPSDFWRIDUHSURVHFXWLRQRQWKH m,Q GHWHUPLQLQJ ZKHWKHU D GHIHQGDQWjV ULJKW WR D VSHHG\ DGPLQLVWUDWLRQRIWKLVFKDSWHUDQGRQWKHDGPLQLVWUDWLRQRI WULDOKDVEHHQYLRODWHGDQDSSHDOVFRXUWUHYLHZVTXHVWLRQVRI MXVWLFHl,G ODZGHQRYRDQGTXHVWLRQVRIIDFWXQGHUWKHFOHDUO\HUURQHRXV VWDQGDUGl8QLWHG6WDWHVY6PLWK)GWK&LU +RZDUG GRHV QRW GLVSXWH WKDW WKH ILUVW IDFWRU PLOLWDWHV 7KHODQGPDUNFDVHH[DPLQLQJWKHFRQVWLWXWLRQDOULJKW DJDLQVWGLVPLVVDOZLWKSUHMXGLFH7KHGLVWULFWFRXUWSURSHUO\ WRDVSHHG\WULDOLV%DUNHUY:LQJR86,Q GHWHUPLQHGWKDWm+RZDUGjVDOOHJHGFULPHVDJJUDYDWHGVH[XDO %DUNHUWKH6XSUHPH&RXUWOLVWHGWKHIROORZLQJIRXUIDFWRUV DEXVHDQGZDQWRQHQGDQJHUPHQWDUHVHULRXVDQGYLROHQW WKDWDFRXUWPXVWH[DPLQHWRGHWHUPLQHZKHWKHUDGHIHQGDQWjV RQHVl,QGHHGWKHDJJUDYDWHGVH[XDODEXVHFKDUJHFDUULHVD ULJKWWRDVSHHG\WULDOKDVEHHQYLRODWHGm/HQJWKRIGHOD\WKH PD[LPXP VHQWHQFH RI OLIH LPSULVRQPHQW XQGHUVFRULQJ WKH UHDVRQIRUWKHGHOD\WKHGHIHQGDQWjVDVVHUWLRQRIKLVULJKWDQG JUDYLW\ZLWKZKLFKLWZDVYLHZHGE\&RQJUHVV6HH8QLWHG SUHMXGLFHWRWKHGHIHQGDQWl,GDW7KUHHRIWKHVHIRXU 6WDWHVY.RRU\)GWK&LUORRNLQJWR IDFWRUVPLOLWDWHDJDLQVW+RZDUGjV6L[WK$PHQGPHQWFODLP WKHOHQJWKRIDVHQWHQFHWRGHWHUPLQHWKHVHULRXVQHVVRIDQ RIIHQVHIRUWKHSXUSRVHVRIWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FW )LUVW LQ FDOFXODWLQJ WKH OHQJWK RI WKH GHOD\ RQO\ WKRVH SHULRGVRIGHOD\DWWULEXWDEOHWRWKHJRYHUQPHQWRUWKHFRXUW +RZDUGDUJXHVKRZHYHUWKDWWKH GLVWULFWFRXUWIDLOHGWR DUHUHOHYDQWWR+RZDUGjVFRQVWLWXWLRQDOFODLP6HH%DUNHU SURSHUO\ FRQVLGHU WKH VHFRQG IDFWRUnmWKH IDFWV DQG  86 DW  m:H KDUGO\ QHHG DGG WKDW LI GHOD\ LV FLUFXPVWDQFHVZKLFKOHGWRGLVPLVVDOl,QKLVRSLQLRQm>W@KH DWWULEXWDEOHWRWKHGHIHQGDQWWKHQKLVZDLYHUPD\EHJLYHQ EXONRIWKHXQMXVWLILHGGHOD\WKDWYLRODWHGWKH6SHHG\7ULDO HIIHFW XQGHU VWDQGDUG ZDLYHU GRFWULQHl VHH DOVR 8QLWHG $FWZDVFDXVHGE\WKHJRYHUQPHQWjVIDLOXUHWRSUHSDUHDQG 6WDWHVY:KLWH)GWK&LUH[FOXGLQJ WHVWLWVHYLGHQFHLQDWLPHO\PDQQHUl IURPWKHWLPHFRXQWHGWRZDUGVD6L[WK$PHQGPHQWYLRODWLRQ WKHWLPHGXULQJZKLFKWKHGHIHQGDQWmH[SUHVVO\SDUWLFLSDWHG 7KH UHFRUG LQGLFDWHV RWKHUZLVH  2Q 0D\   ILYH LQWKHGHOD\l7KHILUVWVHFRQGDQGIRXUWKFRQWLQXDQFHV GD\VDIWHU+RZDUGZDVLQGLFWHGWKHJRYHUQPHQWPRYHGIRUDQ SULRUWR+RZDUGjVILUVWWULDOZHUHUHTXHVWHGHLWKHUVROHO\RU RUGHU UHTXLULQJ +RZDUG WR WHQGHU EORRG VDOLYD DQG KDLU MRLQWO\E\+RZDUG7KXVWKHUHOHYDQWGHOD\EHIRUH+RZDUGjV VDPSOHV7KDWPRWLRQZDVJUDQWHGRQsXO\$VRI ILUVWWULDOZDVWKHWKUHHPRQWKFRQWLQXDQFHGLVFXVVHGDERYHLQ 1RYHPEHU   KRZHYHU +RZDUG KDG VWLOO IDLOHG WR UHIHUHQFHWR+RZDUGjV6SHHG\7ULDO$FWFODLP7KHUHOHYDQW FRPSO\ ZLWK WKH GLVWULFW FRXUWjV RUGHU  7KH JRYHUQPHQW GHOD\ SULRU WR +RZDUGjV VHFRQG WULDOnH[FOXGLQJ WKH RQH XOWLPDWHO\ SURFXUHG WKH VDPSOHV ZLWK D VHDUFK ZDUUDQW LQ PRQWKFRQWLQXDQFHUHTXHVWHGE\+RZDUGnZDVILYHPRQWKV 'HFHPEHURI:KHQWKHVHFRQGFRQWLQXDQFHUHTXHVWHG $GHOD\RIILYHPRQWKVLVQRWSHUVHH[FHVVLYHXQGHUWKH6L[WK E\ERWKSDUWLHVH[SLUHGRQ)HEUXDU\WKHJRYHUQPHQW $PHQGPHQW6HH:KLWH)GDWILQGLQJWKDWDVL[ UHTXHVWHGDWKLUGFRQWLQXDQFHLQRUGHUWRFRPSOHWHWHVWVRQWKH DQGRQHKDOIPRQWKGHOD\ZDVQRWH[FHVVLYH8QLWHG6WDWHV VDPSOHVSURYLGHGE\+RZDUG  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

GLVWXUEHG XQOHVV LW FRQVWLWXWHV DQ DEXVH RI GLVFUHWLRQ  6HH *LYHQ WKHVH FLUFXPVWDQFHV WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW GHWHUPLQHG 8QLWHG 6WDWHV Y 0RQJHU  )G   WK &LU WKDWmWKHYLRODWLRQGLGQRWUHVXOWIURPSURVHFXWRULDOEDGIDLWK   +RZDUG LV XQDEOH WR SURGXFH DQ\ FDVH DXWKRULW\ QRUIURPDQ\DWWHPSWWRWDNHDGYDQWDJHRIWKHGHOD\1RU VXSSRUWLQJ WKH SURSRVLWLRQ WKDW WKH DIILGDYLW RI DQ DWWRUQH\ FDQ'HIHQGDQWVKRZDSDWWHUQRIQHJOLJHQFHRQWKHSDUWRIWKH XQGHUIDFWVVLPLODUWRWKRVHEHIRUHXVLVLQVXIILFLHQWHYLGHQFH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV $WWRUQH\jV 2IILFHl  :H VHH QR HYLGHQFH XSRQZKLFKWREDVHDFRQWLQXDQFH,QGHHGLQWKHRQHFDVH LQGLFDWLQJ WKDW WKLV GHWHUPLQDWLRQ ZDV FOHDUO\ HUURQHRXV FLWHGE\+RZDUGLQYROYLQJDQDOOHJHGO\XQDYDLODEOHZLWQHVV ,QGHHGKDGWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWFRQGXFWHGDQmHQGVRIMXVWLFHl WKHDSSHOODWHFRXUWH[SUHVVO\KHOGWKDWDGLVWULFWFRXUWSURSHUO\ LQTXLU\DQGH[FOXGHGWKHWLPHRIWKHWKLUGFRQWLQXDQFHIURP UHOLHGXSRQDQDIILGDYLWIURPWKHJRYHUQPHQWjVFRXQVHOWRILQG WKHFRPSXWDWLRQSHULRGDVLWSUHVXPDEO\ZRXOGKDYHGRQH WKDWWKHZLWQHVVZDVXQDYDLODEOHIRUWULDO6HH8QLWHG6WDWHV WKHUHZRXOGKDYHEHHQQRYLRODWLRQRIWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FWLQ Y.ROOHU)GWK&LUm:KHUHDVLQ WKH ILUVW SODFH  ,QVWHDG WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW PLVWDNHQO\ WKLV FDVH WKH DIILGDYLW VHW RXW IDFWV GHVFULELQJ WKH PHGLFDO FRQFOXGHG WKDW +RZDUGjV SULRU mZDLYHUl RI KLV ULJKW WR D FRQGLWLRQRIWKHZLWQHVVDQGWKHUHZDVQRHYLGHQFHWRVXJJHVW VSHHG\WULDOZKHQPRYLQJIRUDQHDUOLHUFRQWLQXDQFHLQsXO\RI WKDW WKH JRYHUQPHQW V DIILGDYLW ZDV XQWUXWKIXO RU LWV EDUUHGKLPIURP UDLVLQJWKDWGHIHQVHDWDVXEVHTXHQW LQIRUPDWLRQ XQUHOLDEOH WKH VKRZLQJ ZDV VXIILFLHQW IRU WKH VWDJH GLVWULFW MXGJH WR ILQG WKH ZLWQHVV XQDYDLODEOH GXH WR KLV PHGLFDO FRQGLWLRQ SXUVXDQW WR † K  RI WKH 6SHHG\ $OWKRXJKDSURWUDFWHGDQGLQH[FXVDEOHSHULRGRILQDFWLYLW\ 7ULDO$FWl RQWKHSDUWRIWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWPD\ZDUUDQWGLVPLVVDOZLWK SUHMXGLFHLQVRPHFDVHVVHH8QLWHG6WDWHVY0RVV1R 0RUHRYHU WKH GLVWULFW FRXUWjV JUDQW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQWjV  BB )G BB WK &LU sXQH   GLVPLVVLQJ D PRWLRQ ZLWKRXW WKH EHQHILW RI LQSXW IURP +RZDUG LV QRW GHIHQGDQWjVLQGLFWPHQWZLWKSUHMXGLFHZKHUHWKHGLVWULFWFRXUW UHYHUVLEOHHUURU6HH8QLWHG6WDWHVY*RHW])G VDW RQ D VXSSUHVVLRQ PRWLRQ IRU RYHU D \HDU ZLWKRXW WK&LUDIILUPLQJWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWjVJUDQWRI H[SODQDWLRQWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWjVHUURULQWKLVFDVHZDVDJRRG DQ H[WHQVLRQ WKDW ZDV EDVHG VROHO\ RQ WKH JRYHUQPHQWjV IDLWKPLVLQWHUSUHWDWLRQRIWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FWjVUHTXLUHPHQWV PRWLRQ1RWKLQJSUHYHQWHG+RZDUGIURPILOLQJDPRWLRQIRU WKDW UHVXOWHG LQ D UHODWLYHO\ VKRUW GHOD\ RI WKH WULDO  :H UHFRQVLGHUDWLRQDIWHUWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWLVVXHGLWVUXOLQJ&I WKHUHIRUH FRQFOXGH WKDW WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW GLG QRW DEXVH LWV 8QLWHG6WDWHVY%RXUQH)GWK&LU GLVFUHWLRQ LQ FRQFOXGLQJ WKDW WKH VHFRQG IDFWRU DOVR IDYRUV KROGLQJWKDWDGLVWULFWFRXUWjVJUDQWRIDFRQWLQXDQFHSXUVXDQW GLVPLVVDOZLWKRXWSUHMXGLFH WRDQH[SDUWHFRPPXQLFDWLRQZLWKWKHJRYHUQPHQWjVFRXQVHO ZDVQRWUHYHUVLEOHHUURUZKHUHWKHGHIHQGDQWZDVIUHHWRDQG 7KH WKLUG DQG ILQDO IDFWRU WKDW D FRXUW PXVW FRQVLGHU LQ LQGHHG GLG DUJXH WKDW WKH FRQWLQXDQFH ZDV LPSURSHU DW D HYDOXDWLQJZKHWKHUDGLVPLVVDOXQGHUWKH6SHHG\7ULDO$FW VXEVHTXHQWKHDULQJ VKRXOGEHZLWKSUHMXGLFHLVmWKHLPSDFWRIDUHSURVHFXWLRQRQ WKHDGPLQLVWUDWLRQRIWKLVFKDSWHUDQGRQWKHDGPLQLVWUDWLRQRI % +RZDUGjV6L[WK$PHQGPHQWULJKWWRDVSHHG\WULDO MXVWLFHl86&†D 7KHPDLQFRQVLGHUDWLRQV WKDW FRXUWV KDYH WDNHQ LQWR DFFRXQW ZKHQ H[DPLQLQJ WKLV ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR KLV 6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW FODLPV +RZDUG IDFWRUDUHZKHWKHUWKHGHIHQGDQWVXIIHUHGDFWXDOSUHMXGLFHDV FRQWHQGV WKDW WKH H[WHQGHG GHOD\V WKURXJKRXW KLV WZR DUHVXOWRIWKHGHOD\VHH3LHUFH)GDWDQGZKHWKHU SURVHFXWLRQVYLRODWHGKLV6L[WK$PHQGPHQWULJKWWRDVSHHG\ WKH JRYHUQPHQW HQJDJHG LQ mSURVHFXWRULDO PLVFRQGXFW WKDW WULDOm$OWKRXJKWKHSDVVDJHRIWKH>6SHHG\7ULDO@$FWZDVLQ PXVWEHGHWHUUHGWRHQVXUHFRPSOLDQFHZLWKWKH$FWl,G SDUWDQDWWHPSWE\&RQJUHVVWRTXDQWLI\WKHVL[WKDPHQGPHQW  8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 1R 1R 8QLWHG6WDWHVY+RZDUG 

7KH GLVWULFW FRXUW FRQFOXGHG WKDW ERWK RI WKHVH IDFWRUV REMHFWWRWKHH[FOXVLRQRIDSHULRGRIWLPHIURPWKH6SHHG\ ZHLJKHG LQ IDYRU RI GLVPLVVLQJ ZLWKRXW SUHMXGLFH  )LUVW 7ULDO$FWFRPSXWDWLRQZKHQGHIHQGDQWjVmFRXQVHOVSHFLILFDOO\ +RZDUGZDVXQDEOHWRLGHQWLI\DQ\SDUWLFXODUL]HGSUHMXGLFHWR FRQVHQWHG WR WKH H[FOXVLRQ RI WKLV WLPH LQ WKH LQWHUHVW RI KLV GHIHQVH WKDW UHVXOWHG IURP WKH JUDQW RI WKH WKLUG MXVWLFHDQGWKHUHE\ZDLYHGDQ\REMHFWLRQVWKHUHWRl FRQWLQXDQFH6HFRQGDVGLVFXVVHGDERYHWKHGLVWULFWFRXUW IRXQG QR HYLGHQFH RI HLWKHU EDG IDLWK RU D SDWWHUQ RI  +RZDUGjVVHFRQGWULDO QHJOLJHQFHRQWKHSDUWRIWKHJRYHUQPHQWWKDWZRXOGZDUUDQW GLVPLVVDOZLWKSUHMXGLFHIRUWKHVDNHRIGHWHUUHQFH $IWHU+RZDUGZDVLQGLFWHGIRUWKHVHFRQGWLPHLQ$SULORI KHKDGWRZDLWVL[PRQWKVEHIRUHKLVWULDOFRPPHQFHG 7KXVFRQVLGHULQJDOORIWKHIDFWRUVVHWRXWLQWKH6SHHG\ LQ2FWREHURIWKDW\HDU7KHSDVVDJHRIIRXURIWKRVHPRQWKV 7ULDO$FWZHFRQFOXGHWKDWWKHGLVWULFWFRXUWGLGQRWDEXVHLWV UHVXOWHGIURPDFRQWLQXDQFHUHTXHVWHGE\WKHJRYHUQPHQWRQ GLVFUHWLRQ LQ GLVPLVVLQJ +RZDUGjV LQGLFWPHQW ZLWKRXW WKHJURXQGWKDW3RUWHUKDGEHHQKRVSLWDOL]HGDIWHUJRLQJLQWR SUHMXGLFH+RZDUGFRQWHQGVWKDWm>L@IWKHRQO\UHSHUFXVVLRQ SUHPDWXUH ODERU DQG ZDV WKHUHIRUH XQDYDLODEOH WR WHVWLI\ WR WKH JRYHUQPHQW RI YLRODWLQJ WKH 6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW LV $WWDFKHG WR WKH JRYHUQPHQWjV PRWLRQ ZDV DQ DIILGDYLW LQ VXEMHFWLQJWKHGHIHQGDQWWRDQRWKHUWULDOWKH$FWKDVORVWLWV ZKLFKWKHJRYHUQPHQWjVFRXQVHOVWDWHGWKDWKHKDGUHFHLYHG PHDQLQJl7KH6XSUHPH&RXUWKDVFRQVLGHUHGDQGUHMHFWHG DPHVVDJHWDNHQE\KLVVHFUHWDU\IURP3RUWHURQ0D\ WKLVDUJXPHQWKRZHYHUUHFRJQL]LQJWKDWGLVPLVVDOZLWKRXW WRWKHHIIHFWWKDW3RUWHUZDVLQWKHKRVSLWDOGXHWRSUHPDWXUH SUHMXGLFHmIRUFHVWKH*RYHUQPHQWWRREWDLQDQHZLQGLFWPHQW ODERUDQGKDGEHHQWROGE\KHUGRFWRUWRmDYRLGVWUHVVl7KH LILWGHFLGHVWRUHSURVHFXWHDQGLWH[SRVHVWKHSURVHFXWLRQWR DIILGDYLWIXUWKHUUHODWHGWKHJRYHUQPHQWDWWRUQH\jV0D\ GLVPLVVDORQVWDWXWHRIOLPLWDWLRQJURXQGVl8QLWHG6WDWHVY FRQYHUVDWLRQZLWK3RUWHULQZKLFK3RUWHUDJDLQFDOOHG 7D\ORU86,QDQ\HYHQW&RQJUHVV IURPWKHKRVSLWDODQGVDLGWKDWKHUGRFWRUZDQWHGWRIRUHVWDOO PDGHWKHSROLF\GHFLVLRQWROHDYHWKLVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWRWKH GHOLYHU\RIKHUEDE\IRUmDWOHDVWDQRWKHUHLJKWZHHNVl,QLWV JXLGHGGLVFUHWLRQRIWKHGLVWULFWFRXUW PRWLRQWKHJRYHUQPHQWDUJXHGWKDWWKHFRQWLQXDQFHGXHWR 3RUWHUjV PHGLFDO FRQGLWLRQ VKRXOG EH H[FOXGHG IURP WKH ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR KLV FKDOOHQJH WR WKH WKLUG FRQWLQXDQFH FRXUWjV 6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW FDOFXODWLRQV XQGHU  86& +RZDUG DOVR PDLQWDLQV WKDW WKH JUDQW RI WKH IRXUWK †K  $ZKLFKSURYLGHVWKDWm>D@Q\SHULRGRIGHOD\ FRQWLQXDQFH SULRU WR KLV RULJLQDO WULDO YLRODWHG WKH 6SHHG\ UHVXOWLQJIURPWKHDEVHQFHRUXQDYDLODELOLW\RIDQHVVHQWLDO 7ULDO$FW$FFRUGLQJWR+RZDUG WKHJRYHUQPHQWZDVQRW ZLWQHVVlLVH[FOXGDEOH IRUWKFRPLQJZLWKLQIRUPDWLRQUHJDUGLQJ3RUWHUjVSV\FKLDWULF KLVWRU\7KLVIRUFHG+RZDUGWRVHHNDIRXUWKFRQWLQXDQFHRQ 7KHGLVWULFWFRXUWJUDQWHGWKHJRYHUQPHQWjVPRWLRQKROGLQJ 0D\ZKHQKHGLVFRYHUHGWKDW3RUWHUZDVWDNLQJDQWL WKDW WKH FRQWLQXDQFH ZRXOG VHUYH WKH HQGV RI MXVWLFH E\ GHSUHVVDQWVDWWKHWLPHRIWKHDOOHJHGDVVDXOW DOORZLQJDQHVVHQWLDOZLWQHVVWREHSUHVHQWDWWULDO+RZDUG DUJXHVRQDSSHDOWKDWWKHXQYHULILHGDIILGDYLWVXEPLWWHGE\WKH +RZDUGKLPVHOIVRXJKWWKLVIRXUWKFRQWLQXDQFHKRZHYHU JRYHUQPHQWGLGQRWSURYLGHDGHTXDWHHYLGHQWLDU\VXSSRUWIRU LQRUGHUWRFRQGXFWGLVFRYHU\UHJDUGLQJ3RUWHUjVSV\FKLDWULF WKHGLVWULFWFRXUWjVILQGLQJV+HIXUWKHUREMHFWVWRWKHIDFWWKDW KLVWRU\DQGWRWHVWWKHIOXLGVDPSOHVUHFRYHUHGIURP3RUWHUjV WKH GLVWULFW FRXUW JUDQWHG WKH JRYHUQPHQWjV PRWLRQ IRU D FORWKLQJRQWKHGD\RIWKHDWWDFN%HFDXVH+RZDUGUHTXHVWHG FRQWLQXDQFHRQHGD\DIWHUUHFHLYLQJLWEHIRUH+RZDUGHYHQ WKLVFRQWLQXDQFHKHLVEDUUHGIURPDUJXLQJWKDWLWZDVQRWLQ KDGDQRSSRUWXQLW\WRUHVSRQG WKHLQWHUHVWVRIMXVWLFH&I8QLWHG6WDWHVY0RQURH)G   WK &LU  KROGLQJ WKDW D GHIHQGDQW FRXOG QRW $GLVWULFWFRXUWjVGHWHUPLQDWLRQWKDWDGHOD\PHHWVWKHmHQGV RI MXVWLFHl H[FHSWLRQ WR WKH 6SHHG\ 7ULDO $FW ZLOO QRW EH