Article: UK Subsidiary of Russian State Bank VTB Reported to Serious Fraud Office Over Vivacom Sale

Article - Media, Publications

UK Subsidiary of Russian State Bank VTB Reported to Serious Fraud Office Over Vivacom Sale

GLOBE NEWSWIRE, 09 February 2016

Empreno Ventures, the owner of the largest Bulgarian telecommunications company Vivacom has reported VTB Capital, the UK arm of the state owned Russian bank, to the Serious Fraud Office for the alleged illegal seizure and sale of the company to a connected party.

The criminal complaint was filed with the Serious Fraud Office last week by lawyers representing InterV and its owner Dmitry Kosarev, who is the principle shareholder in Vivacom.

In a separate legal action Mr Kosarev is suing VTB Capital in London for damages in excess of 143m euros for allegedly selling Vivacom for a price that significantly under represented the true value of the company. Continue reading “Article: UK Subsidiary of Russian State Bank VTB Reported to Serious Fraud Office Over Vivacom Sale”

Article: Amidst Allegations of Financial Misconduct, Osiris CEO Resigns

Article - Media, Publications

Amidst Allegations of Financial Misconduct, Osiris CEO Resigns

Mark Terry, 05 February 2016

Columbia, Md.-based Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that Lode Debrabandere, president and chief executive officer, has resigned for personal reasons. Dwayne Montgomery, currently the company’s chief business officer, will act as interim chief executive officer. Frank Czworka, presently vice president and general manager of wound care, will step up as chief operating officer.

The board of directors will start a search for a permanent chief executive officer and has hired an executive search firm to assist in the process. The company indicates it will consider both internal and external candidates. The company has had some problems lately. The company is currently transitioning from research to a commercial company. A Seeking Alpha report published on Jan. 15 cited several red flags. One was that the company’s chief financial officer, Phil Jacoby, resigned in September, replaced by Gregory Law.
Continue reading “Article: Amidst Allegations of Financial Misconduct, Osiris CEO Resigns”

Article: Overstock and Merrill Lynch settle for $20 million

Article - Media

Overstock and Merrill Lynch settle for $20 million

Mark Dugdale

Securities Lending Times, 3 February 2016

Overstock.com has ended its long legal battle with a group of broker-dealers after securing a $20 million settlement from the remaining defendant.
Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corporation was the last defendant standing in the litigation over allegations of naked short selling, which were first brought in 2007. Merrill Lynch agreed to pay $20 million to Overstock and co-plaintiffs on 28 January to settle the claims, without admitting any liability.

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