Exhibit 10.9
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
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)
IN RE PROFIT RECOVERY ) CIVIL ACTION FILE
GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. ) NO. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
SECURITIES LITIGATION )
)
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STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT
This Stipulation of Settlement dated as of February 8, 2005 (the
"Stipulation"), is made and entered into by and among the following Settling
Parties: (i) the Lead Plaintiffs (on behalf of themselves and each of the Class
Members), by and through their counsel of record in the Litigation; and (ii) the
Defendants identified below, by and through their counsel of record in the
Litigation. The Stipulation is intended by the Settling Parties to fully,
finally and forever resolve, discharge and settle the Released Claims, upon and
subject to the terms and conditions hereof.
I. THE LITIGATION
On or after June 6, 2000, the following actions were filed in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division
(the "Court"), as class actions on behalf of persons who purchased the common
stock of Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. ("Profit Recovery," "PRG" or
the "Company"): Schmiedberg v. Profit Recovery Group International, Inc., et
al., Civil Action No. 1:00-CV-1416; Charles v. Profit Recovery Group
International, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 1:00-CV-1529; and Malobecki v.
Profit Recovery Group International, Inc., et al., Civil Action No.
1:00-CV-1887. By order of the Court, these three actions were consolidated and
styled In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Sec. Litig., Civil Action
No. 1:00-CV-1416-CC (the "Litigation"). On September 27, 2000 Plaintiffs
Jeanette Roberts, Stephen Haynes, and Fernando Melendez (the "Lead Plaintiffs")
were appointed Lead Plaintiffs and their choice of counsel was approved by the
Court.
The operative Complaint in the Litigation is the Consolidated and Amended
Class Action Complaint for Violation of Federal Securities Laws, filed on
November 13, 2000 (the "Complaint"). The Complaint alleges claims for violation
of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder against
Profit Recovery, John M. Cook, Scott L. Colabuono, and Michael Lustig and for
violation of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against John M. Cook, Scott L.
Colabuono, and Michael Lustig (the "Individual Defendants").
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The Court, by Order dated December 3, 2002, has certified the Litigation to
proceed as a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased common stock of
Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. between July 19, 1999 and July 26,
2000, inclusive, and were allegedly damaged thereby. Excluded from the Class are
Defendants, members of the immediate families of the Individual Defendants, any
entities in which any Defendant has a controlling interest or is a parent or
subsidiary of or is controlled by the Company, and the legal representatives,
heirs, successors, predecessors in interest, affiliates or assigns of any
Defendant.
II. DEFENDANTS' DENIALS OF WRONGDOING AND LIABILITY
Defendants have denied and continue to deny each and all of the claims and
contentions alleged by Lead Plaintiffs in the Litigation. Defendants expressly
have denied and continue to deny all charges of wrongdoing or liability against
them arising out of any of the conduct, statements, acts or omissions alleged,
or that could have been alleged, in the Litigation. Defendants also have denied
and continue to deny, inter alia, the allegations that Lead Plaintiffs or the
Class have suffered damage or that Lead Plaintiffs or the Class were harmed by
the conduct alleged in the Litigation.
Defendants' decision to settle the Litigation was based on the conclusion
that further conduct of the Litigation would be protracted and expensive, that
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it is desirable that the Litigation be fully and finally settled in the manner
and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Stipulation, the uncertainty
and risks inherent in any litigation, especially in complex cases like this
Litigation, and the determination that it is desirable and beneficial that the
Litigation be settled in the manner and upon the terms and conditions set forth
in this Stipulation.
III. CLAIMS OF LEAD PLAINTIFFS AND BENEFITS OF SETTLEMENT
Lead Plaintiffs believe that the claims asserted in the Litigation have
merit. Counsel for Lead Plaintiffs, however, recognize and acknowledge the
expense and length of continued proceedings necessary to prosecute the
Litigation against Defendants through trial and appeals. Counsel for Lead
Plaintiffs also have taken into account the uncertain outcome and the risk of
any litigation, especially in complex actions such as this Litigation, as well
as the difficulties and delays inherent in such litigation. Counsel for Lead
Plaintiffs also are mindful of the inherent problems of proof under and possible
defenses to the violations asserted in the Litigation. Counsel for Lead
Plaintiffs believe that the settlement set forth in this Stipulation confers
substantial benefits upon the Class. Based on their evaluation, counsel for Lead
Plaintiffs have determined that the settlement set forth in the Stipulation is
in the best interests of the Lead Plaintiffs and the Class.
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IV. TERMS OF STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED by and among Lead
Plaintiffs (for themselves and the Class Members) and Defendants, by and through
their respective counsel of record, that, subject to the approval of the Court,
the Litigation and the Released Claims shall be finally and fully compromised,
settled, and released, and the Litigation shall be dismissed with prejudice, as
to all Settling Parties, upon and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Stipulation, as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
As used in the Stipulation, the following terms have the meanings specified
below:
1.1 "Profit Recovery," "PRG," or the "Company," means Profit Recovery Group
International, Inc. (n/k/a PRG-Schultz International, Inc.).
1.2 "Authorized Claimant" means any Class Member whose claim for recovery
has been allowed pursuant to the terms of the Stipulation.
1.3 "Claimant" means any Class Member who files a Proof of Claim in such
form and manner, and within such time, as the Court shall prescribe.
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1.4 "Claims Administrator" means the firm of The Garden City Group, Inc.,
P.O. Box 9000 #6143, Melville, New York 11566-9000.
1.5 "Defendants" means Profit Recovery, John M. Cook, Scott L. Colabuono
and Michael Lustig.
1.6 "Individuals Defendants" means John M. Cook, Scott L. Colabuono, and
Michael Lustig.
1.7 "Effective Date" means the first date by which all of the events and
conditions specified in P. 7.1 of the Stipulation have been met and have
occurred.
1.8 "Escrow Agent" means the law firm of Chitwood & Harley LLP.
1.9 "Final" means: (i) the date of final affirmance on an appeal of the
Judgment, the expiration of the time for a petition for or a denial of a writ of
certiorari to review the Judgment and, if certiorari is granted, the date of
final affirmance of the Judgment following review pursuant to that grant; or
(ii) the date of final dismissal of any appeal from the Judgment or the final
dismissal of any proceeding on certiorari to review the Judgment; or (iii) if no
appeal is filed, the expiration date of the time for the filing or noticing of
any appeal from the Court's Judgment approving the Stipulation substantially in
the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, i.e., thirty (30) days after entry of the
Judgment, such that the Judgment represents a final and binding judgment with
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respect to the Litigation. Any proceeding or order, or any appeal or petition
for a writ of certiorari pertaining solely to any plan of allocation and/or
application for attorneys' fees, costs or expenses, shall not in any way delay
or preclude the Judgment from becoming Final.
1.10 "Judgment" means the judgment to be rendered by the Court,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
1.11 "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability
corporation, professional corporation, limited liability partnership,
partnership, limited partnership, association, joint stock company, estate,
legal representative, trust, unincorporated association, government or any
political subdivision or agency thereof, any business or legal entity and all of
their respective spouses, heirs, beneficiaries, executors, administrators,
predecessors, successors, representatives, or assignees.
1.12 "Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel" means Chitwood & Harley LLP, Wolf
Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP, and Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman LLP.
1.13 "Lead Plaintiffs" means Jeanette Roberts, Stephen Haynes, and Fernando
Melendez.
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1.14 "Plan of Allocation" means a plan or formula of allocation of the
Settlement Fund whereby the Settlement Fund shall be distributed to Authorized
Claimants after payment of expenses of notice and administration of the
settlement, Taxes and Tax Expenses and such attorneys' fees, costs, expenses and
interest as may be awarded by the Court. Any Plan of Allocation is not part of
the Stipulation and Defendants shall have no responsibility or liability with
respect thereto.
1.15 "Released Claims" means all claims (including, but not limited to,
Unknown Claims), demands, losses, rights, and causes of action of any nature
whatsoever, whether known or unknown, whether suspected or unsuspected, whether
concealed or hidden, whether accrued or unaccrued, by any Lead Plaintiff or
Class Member against the Released Persons, whether under state or federal law,
based upon or arising out of, or related to the purchase or sale of Profit
Recovery common stock during the Class Period and any acts, facts, transactions,
events, occurrences, disclosures, statements, omissions, or failures to act, at
anytime during the Class Period, including without limitation those which were
alleged in the Litigation, or those which could or might have been alleged in
the Litigation based upon such acts, facts, transactions, events, occurrences,
disclosures, statements, omissions, or failures to act alleged in the
Litigation.
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1.16 "Released Persons" means each and all of the Defendants and their
respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees, partners,
members, principals, agents, underwriters, insurers (including Federal Insurance
Company and St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company), co-insurers, reinsurers,
controlling shareholders, attorneys, law firms, (including Alston & Bird LLP),
accountants or auditors, banks or investment banks, associates, personal or
legal representatives, predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries,
divisions, joint ventures, assigns, spouses, heirs, related or affiliated
entities, any entity in which any Defendant has a controlling interest, any
members of their immediate families, or any trust of which any Defendant is the
settlor or which is for the benefit of any Defendant and/or member(s) of his
family.
1.17 "Plaintiffs" means all of the Plaintiffs that have appeared in the
Litigation.
1.18 "Plaintiffs' Counsel" means counsel who have appeared for any of the
Plaintiffs in the Litigation.
1.19 "Settled Defendants' Claims" means all claims (including, but not
limited to, Unknown Claims), demands, losses, rights, and causes of action of
any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, whether suspected or
unsuspected, whether concealed or hidden, that have been or could have been
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asserted in the Action or any forum by the Defendants or any of them or the
successors and assigns of any of them against any of the Lead Plaintiffs, Class
Members or Plaintiffs' Counsel, which arise out of or relate in any way to the
institution, prosecution, assertion, settlement, or resolution of the Litigation
(except for claims to enforce the Settlement).
1.20 "Class" means all Persons who purchased the common stock of Profit
Recovery between July 19, 1999 and July 26, 2000, inclusive. Excluded from the
Class are Defendants, members of the immediate families of the Individual
Defendants, any entities in which any Defendant has a controlling interest or is
a parent or subsidiary of or is controlled by the Company, and the legal
representatives, heirs, successors, predecessors in interest, affiliates or
assigns of any Defendant. Also excluded from the Class are those Persons who
timely and validly request exclusion from the Class pursuant to the "Notice of
Pendency of Class Action and Proposed Settlement, Motion for Attorneys' Fees and
Settlement Fairness Hearing" to be sent to potential Class Members.
1.21 "Class Member" or "Member of the Class" means a Person who falls
within the definition of the Class.
1.22 "Class Period" means the period commencing on July 19, 1999 and ending
on July 26, 2000, inclusive.
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1.23 "Settlement Fund" means the principal amount of six million seven
hundred fifty thousand dollars ($6,750,000.00), plus any interest that may
accrue thereon as provided for herein.
1.24 "Settling Parties" means, collectively, each of the Defendants and the
Lead Plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and the Members of the Class.
1.25 "Unknown Claims" means any Released Claims that any Lead Plaintiff or
Class Member does not know or suspect to exist in his, her, or its favor at the
time of the release of the Released Persons, and any Settled Defendants' Claims
that any Defendant does not know or suspect to exist in his or its favor, which,
if known by him, her, or it, might have affected his, her, or its decisions(s)
with respect to the settlement. With respect to any and all Released Claims and
Settled Defendants' Claims, the Settling Parties stipulate and agree that, upon
the Effective Date, Lead Plaintiffs and the Defendants shall expressly waive,
and each of the Class Members shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the
Judgment shall have, expressly waived the provisions, rights, and benefits
conferred by any law of any state or territory of the United States, or
principle of common law, which is similar, comparable or equivalent to
California Civil Code ss. 1542, which provides:
A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does
not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the
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release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement
with the debtor.
The Lead Plaintiffs and Class Members may hereafter discover facts in
addition to or different from those that any of them now knows or believes to be
true related to the subject matter of the Released Claims, but each Lead
Plaintiff shall expressly and each Class Member, upon the Effective Date, shall
be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally,
and forever settled and released any and all Released Claims, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed
or hidden, which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or
equity now existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not
limited to, conduct that is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a
breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or
existence of such different or additional facts. Similarly, the Defendants and
Released Persons may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from
those that any of them now knows or believes to be true related to the subject
matter of the Settled Defendants' Claims, but each Defendant shall expressly and
each Released Person, upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed to have, and by
operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and forever settled and
released any and all Settled Defendants' Claims, known or unknown, suspected or
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unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed or hidden,
which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or equity now
existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not limited to,
conduct that is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a breach of
any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence
of such different or additional facts. The Settling Parties acknowledge, and the
Class Members and Released Persons shall be deemed by operation of the Judgment
to have acknowledged, that the inclusion of "Unknown Claims" in the definition
of Released Claims and Settled Defendants' Claims was separately bargained for
and is a key element of the settlement of which these releases are a part.
2. THE SETTLEMENT
A. THE SETTLEMENT FUND
2.1 The principal amount of $6,750,000.00 (plus any interest that may
accrue thereon as provided for herein) shall constitute the Settlement Fund and
shall be paid or caused to be paid by Defendants into an interest bearing escrow
account maintained by the Escrow Agent on or before the expiration of ten (10)
business days from the date of entry of the order preliminarily approving the
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settlement by wire transfer of the funds pursuant to written instructions from
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel, which have already been provided in writing to
counsel for Defendants.
B. THE ESCROW AGENT
2.2 The Escrow Agent shall invest the Settlement Fund deposited pursuant to
P. 2.1 above in short-term instruments backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States Government or fully insured by the United States Government or
an agency thereof (or in a mutual fund invested solely in such instruments) and
shall reinvest the proceeds of these instruments as they mature in similar
instruments and/or funds at their then current market rates.
2.3 The Escrow Agent shall not disburse the Settlement Fund except as
provided in the Stipulation, by an order of the Court, or with the prior written
agreement of counsel for Defendants, counsel for Defendants' Insurer, and
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel.
2.4 Subject to further order and/or direction as may be made by the Court,
the Escrow Agent is authorized to execute such transactions on behalf of the
Class Members as are consistent with the terms of the Stipulation.
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2.5 All funds held by the Escrow Agent shall be deemed and considered to be
in custodia legis, and shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Court,
until such time as such funds shall be distributed pursuant to the Stipulation
and/or further order(s) of the Court.
2.6 The Escrow Agent may pay up to $100,000 from the Settlement Fund,
without further approval from the Defendants or the Court, for the costs and
expenses reasonably and actually incurred in connection with providing notice to
the Class, locating Class Members, soliciting Class claims, assisting with the
filing of claims, administering and distributing the Settlement Fund to
Authorized Claimants, processing Proof of Claim and Release forms, and paying
escrow fees and costs, if any.
C. TAXES
2.7 The Settling Parties and their counsel agree that the Settlement Fund
is intended to be a "qualified settlement fund" within the meaning of Treas.
Reg. ss.1.468B-1. The Settling Parties and their counsel agree that the
Settlement Fund should be treated as being at all times a "qualified settlement
fund" within the meaning of Treas. Reg. ss.1.468B-1. In addition, the Escrow
Agent shall timely make such elections as necessary or advisable to carry out
the provisions of this P. 2.7, including the "relation-back election" (as
defined in Treas. Reg. ss.1.468B-1) back to the earliest permitted date. Such
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elections shall be made in compliance with the procedures and requirements
contained in such regulations. It shall be the responsibility of the Escrow
Agent to timely and properly prepare and deliver the necessary documentation for
signature by all necessary parties, and thereafter to cause the appropriate
filing to occur.
(a) For the purpose of ss. 468B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the "administrator" shall
be the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall timely and properly file all
informational and other tax returns necessary or advisable with respect to the
Settlement Fund (including, without limitation, the returns described in Treas.
Reg. ss. 1.468B-2(k)). Such returns (as well as the election described in this
P. 2.7) shall be consistent with this P. 2.7 and in all events shall reflect
that all Taxes as defined in subsection (b) below (including any estimated
Taxes, interest or penalties) on the income earned by the Settlement Fund shall
be paid out of the Settlement Fund as provided in P. 2.7(b) hereof.
(b) All (i) Taxes (including any estimated Taxes, interest or penalties)
arising with respect to the income earned by the Settlement Fund, including any
Taxes or tax detriments that may be imposed upon the Defendants with respect to
any income earned by the Settlement Fund for any period during which the
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Settlement Fund does not qualify as a "qualified settlement fund" for federal or
state income tax purposes ("Taxes"), and (ii) expenses and costs incurred in
connection with the operation and implementation of this P. 2.7 (including,
without limitation, expenses of tax attorneys and/or accountants and mailing and
distribution costs and expenses relating to filing (or failing to file) the
returns described in this P. 2.7) ("Tax Expenses"), shall be paid out of the
Settlement Fund; in all events neither Defendants nor the Released Persons
(including without limitation Defendants' insurer) shall have any liability or
responsibility for the Taxes or the Tax Expenses. The Escrow Agent shall
indemnify and hold each of the Defendants and the Released Persons harmless for
Taxes and Tax Expenses (including, without limitation, Taxes payable by reason
of any such indemnification). Further, Taxes and Tax Expenses shall be treated
as, and considered to be, a cost of administration of the Settlement Fund and
shall be timely paid by the Escrow Agent out of the Settlement Fund without
prior order from the Court, and the Escrow Agent shall be obligated
(notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary) to withhold from distribution
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to Authorized Claimants any funds necessary to pay such amounts, including the
establishment of adequate reserves for any Taxes and Tax Expenses (as well as
any amounts that may be required to be withheld under Treas. Reg.
ss.1.468B-2(1)(2)); neither Defendants nor the Released Persons are responsible
nor shall they have any liability therefore. The Settling Parties hereto agree
to cooperate with the Escrow Agent, each other, and their tax attorneys and
accountants to the extent reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of
this P. 2.7.
D. TERMINATION OF SETTLEMENT
2.8 In the event that the Stipulation is not approved, or is terminated,
canceled, or fails to become effective for any reason, including, without
limitation, in the event the Judgment is reversed or vacated following any
appeal taken therefrom, or is successfully collaterally attacked, the Settlement
Fund (including accrued interest) less reasonable expenses actually incurred or
due and owing from the Settlement Fund for the notice and administration of the
Settlement pursuant to P. 2.6 above, shall be refunded to Defendants' Insurer
contributing to the Settlement Fund by wire transfer in accordance with the
instructions to be provided by the Insurer or defense counsel within three (3)
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business days of the availability of the monies from the investments authorized
herein or as otherwise agreed upon in writing by Defendants' Insurer.
3. NOTICE ORDER AND SETTLEMENT HEARING
3.1 Promptly after execution of the Stipulation, the Settling Parties shall
submit the Stipulation together with its Exhibits to the Court and shall jointly
apply for entry of an order (the "Notice Order"), substantially in the form and
content of Exhibit A attached hereto, requesting, inter alia, the preliminary
approval of the settlement set forth in the Stipulation, and approval for the
mailing of a settlement notice (the "Notice") and publication of a summary
notice, substantially in the forms of Exhibits A-1 and A-3 attached hereto. The
Notice shall include the general terms of the settlement set forth in the
Stipulation, the proposed Plan of Allocation, the general terms of the Fee and
Expense Application as defined in P. 6.1 below and the date of the Settlement
Hearing as defined below.
3.2 The Settling Parties request that, after Notice is given, the Court
hold a hearing (the "Settlement Hearing") and approve the settlement of the
Litigation as set forth herein. At or after the Settlement Hearing, Plaintiffs'
Co-Lead Counsel also will request that the Court approve the proposed Plan of
Allocation and the Fee and Expense Application.
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3.3 Except for their obligation to pay or cause payment of the Settlement
Amount, and to cooperate in the production of information with respect to the
identification of Class Members from Profit Recovery's shareholder transfer
records, as provided herein, Defendants shall have no liability, obligation or
responsibility for the administration of the Settlement or disbursement of the
Net Settlement Fund.
4. RELEASES
4.1 Upon the Effective Date, the Lead Plaintiffs, and each of the Class
Members shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have,
fully, finally, and forever released, relinquished and discharged all Released
Claims against the Released Persons, regardless of whether such Class Member
executes and delivers a Proof of Claim and Release.
4.2 Upon the Effective Date, each of the Defendants, on behalf of
themselves and the Released Persons, shall be deemed to have, and by operation
of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and forever released, relinquished
and discharged all Settled Defendants' Claims, and shall forever be enjoined
from prosecuting the Settled Defendants' Claims.
5. ADMINISTRATION AND CALCULATION OF CLAIMS, FINAL AWARDS, AND
SUPERVISION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SETTLEMENT FUND
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5.1 The Claims Administrator, subject to such supervision and direction of
the Court and/or Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel as may be necessary or as
circumstances may require, shall administer and calculate the claims submitted
by Class Members and shall oversee distribution of the Net Settlement Fund
(defined below) to Authorized Claimants. The Settlement Fund shall be applied as
follows:
(a) to pay all the costs and expenses reasonably and actually incurred in
connection with providing Notice, locating Class Members, soliciting Class
claims, assisting with the filing of claims, administering and distributing the
Settlement Fund to Authorized Claimants, processing Proof of Claim and Release
forms, and paying escrow fees and costs, if any;
(b) to pay the Taxes and Tax Expenses described in P. 2.7 above;
(c) to pay to Plaintiffs' Counsel attorneys' fees, expenses, and costs with
interest thereon (the "Fee and Expense Award"), if and to the extent allowed by
the Court; and
(d) to distribute the balance of the Settlement Fund (the "Net Settlement
Fund") to Authorized Claimants as allowed by the Stipulation, the Plan of
Allocation, or the Court.
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5.2 Upon the Effective Date and thereafter, and in accordance with the
terms of the Stipulation, the Plan of Allocation, or such further approval and
further order(s) of the Court as may be necessary or as circumstances may
require, the Net Settlement Fund shall be distributed to Authorized Claimants,
subject to and in accordance with the following:
(a) Within ninety (90) days after the mailing of the Notice or such other
time as may be set by the Court, each Person claiming to be an Authorized
Claimant shall be required to submit to the Claims Administrator a completed
Proof of Claim and Release, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 attached
hereto, signed under penalty of perjury and supported by such documents as
specified in the Proof of Claim and Release and as are reasonably available to
the Authorized Claimant.
(b) Except as otherwise ordered by the Court, all Class Members who fail to
timely submit a Proof of Claim and Release within such period, or such other
period as may be ordered by the Court, or otherwise allowed, shall be forever
barred from receiving any payments pursuant to the Stipulation and the
settlement set forth herein, but will in all other respects be subject to and
bound by the provisions of the Stipulation, the releases contained herein, and
the Judgment.
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(c) The Net Settlement Fund shall be distributed to the Authorized
Claimants substantially in accordance with a Plan of Allocation described in the
Notice and approved by the Court.
5.3 Except for their obligation to pay or cause payment of the Settlement
Amount, and to cooperate in the production of information with respect to the
identification of Class Members from Profit Recovery's shareholder transfer
records, as provided herein, Defendants and the Released Persons shall have no
responsibility for, interest in, or liability whatsoever with respect to the
investment or distribution of the Settlement Fund, the Plan of Allocation, the
determination, administration, or calculation of claims, the payment or
withholding of Taxes, or any losses incurred in connection therewith.
5.4 No Person shall have any claim against Plaintiffs' Counsel or any
claims administrator, or Defendants or their counsel based on distributions made
substantially in accordance with the Stipulation and the settlement contained
herein, the Plan of Allocation, or further orders of the Court.
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5.5 If there is any balance remaining in the Net Settlement Fund after six
months from the date of distribution of the Net Settlement Fund (whether by
reason of tax refunds, uncashed checks, or otherwise), then, after the Claims
Administrator has made reasonable and diligent efforts to have Class Members who
are entitled to participate in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund cash
their distributions, any balance remaining shall be re-distributed among
Authorized Claimants in an equitable and economic manner and any remainder
donated to an appropriate non-profit organization.
5.6 It is understood and agreed by the Settling Parties that any proposed
Plan of Allocation of the Net Settlement Fund including, but not limited to, any
adjustments to an Authorized Claimant's claim set forth therein, is not a
necessary term of the Stipulation and is to be considered by the Court
separately from the Court's consideration of the fairness, reasonableness, and
adequacy of the settlement set forth in the Stipulation, and any order or
proceedings relating to the Plan of Allocation shall not operate to terminate or
cancel the Stipulation or affect the finality of the Court's Judgment approving
the Stipulation and the settlement set forth herein, or any other orders entered
pursuant to the Stipulation.
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6. PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL'S ATTORNEYS' FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
6.1 Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel may submit an application or applications
(the "Fee and Expense Application") for distributions to them from the
Settlement Fund for: (a) an award of attorneys' fees to be paid from the
Settlement Fund; plus (b) reimbursement of expenses and costs incurred in
connection with prosecuting the Litigation, plus any interest on such attorneys'
fees, costs, and expenses at the same rate and for the same periods as earned by
the Settlement Fund. Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel reserve the right to make
additional applications for fees and expenses incurred.
6.2 The attorneys' fees, expenses and costs, including the fees of experts
and consultants, as awarded by the Court, shall be paid to Plaintiffs' Co-Lead
Counsel from the Settlement Fund, as ordered, immediately after the Court
executes an order awarding such fees and expenses. Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel
shall thereafter allocate the attorneys' fees amongst Plaintiffs' Counsel in a
manner in which they in good faith believe reflects the contributions of such
counsel to the prosecution and settlement of the Litigation. In the event that
the Effective Date does not occur, or the Judgment or the order making the Fee
and Expense Award is reversed or modified, or the Stipulation is cancelled or
terminated for any other reason, and in the event that the Fee and Expense Award
has been paid to any extent, then Plaintiffs' Counsel, including their law firm,
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partners, and/or shareholders, shall within ten (10) days from receiving notice
from Defendants' Counsel or from a court of appropriate jurisdiction, refund to
the Settlement Fund, the fees, expenses and costs previously paid to them from
the Settlement Fund plus interest thereon at the same rate as earned on the
Settlement Fund in an amount consistent with such reversal or modification. Each
such Plaintiffs' Counsel's law firm, as a condition of receiving such fees and
expenses, on behalf of itself and each partner and/or shareholder of it, agrees
that the law firm and its partners and/or shareholders are subject to the
jurisdiction of the Court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this
paragraph.
6.3 Any appeal from any order relating to the Fee & Expense Application or
reversal or modification thereof, shall not operate to terminate or cancel the
Stipulation, or affect or delay the finality of the Judgment approving the
Stipulation and the settlement of the Litigation set forth herein.
6.4 Defendants and the Released Persons shall have no responsibility for,
and no liability whatsoever with respect to, any payment to Plaintiffs' Counsel
from the Settlement Fund.
26
7. CONDITIONS OF SETTLEMENT, EFFECT OF DISAPPROVAL, CANCELLATION OR
TERMINATION
7.1 The Effective Date of the Stipulation shall be conditioned on the
occurrence of all of the following events:
(a) Defendants have made or caused the contributions to be made to the
Settlement Fund as required by P. 2.1 above;
(b) the Court has entered the Notice Order, or an order substantially in
the form of Exhibit A attached hereto;
(c) the Court has entered the Judgment, or a judgment substantially in the
form of Exhibit B attached hereto, or a judgment in a form other than that
provided above ("Alternative Judgment") acceptable to all of the Settling
Parties;
(d) the Settlement shall not have been terminated pursuant to P. 7.3;
(e) the Judgment or Alternate Judgment has become Final; and
(f) a Final order has been entered by the Court approving the Stipulation
and settlement.
7.2 Upon the occurrence of all of the events referenced in P. 7.1 above,
any and all remaining interest or right of Defendants in or to the Settlement
Fund, if any, shall be absolutely and forever extinguished.
27
7.3 Defendants' Counsel or Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel shall have the right
to terminate the Settlement and this Stipulation by providing written notice of
their election to do so ("Termination Notice") to all other parties hereto
within thirty (30) days of: (a) the Court's declining to enter the Notice Order
in any material respect; (b) the Court's refusal to approve this Stipulation or
any material part of it; (c) the Court's declining to enter the Judgment in any
material respect; (d) the date upon which the Judgment is modified or reversed
in any material respect by the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court; or (e) the
date upon which an Alternative Judgment is modified or reversed in any material
respect by the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court.
7.4 A hearing (the "Settlement Hearing") shall be held at a date and time
convenient to the Court, at the United States District Court for the Northern
district of Georgia, Atlanta Division, 75 Spring Street, Atlanta, GA 30303, to
determine whether the proposed settlement of the litigation on the terms and
conditions provided for in this stipulation is fair, just, reasonable, and
adequate as to the Class and should be approved by the Court; whether a Judgment
as provided in P. 1.10 should be entered herein; whether the proposed Plan of
Allocation should be approved; and to determine the amount of fees and expenses
that should be awarded to Plaintiffs' Counsel. If prior to the Settlement
Hearing, Persons who otherwise would be Members of the Class have submitted
timely requests for exclusion ("Requests for Exclusion") from the Class in
accordance with the provisions of the Notice Order and the notice given pursuant
thereto, and if the aggregate number of shares of Profit Recovery common stock
purchased by such Class Members during the Class Period equals or exceeds the
28
amount specified in a separate supplemental agreement ("Supplemental Agreement")
between the parties, then, unless unanimously agreed to in writing by all
Defendants and their insured, Defendants shall terminate the Stipulation in
accordance with the procedures set forth in the Supplemental Agreement. The
Supplemental Agreement and all of its terms are hereby incorporated into this
Stipulation (and vice versa); however, the Supplemental Agreement will not be
filed with the Court unless and until a dispute among the parties concerning its
interpretation or application arises. Copies of all Requests for Exclusion
received and copies of all written revocations of Requests for Exclusion
received shall be sent to counsel for Defendants and to Plaintiffs' Co-Lead
Counsel within a reasonable time of receipt.
7.5 Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, in the event the Stipulation
shall terminate, or be cancelled, or shall not become effective for any reason,
within five (5) business days after written notification of such event is sent
by counsel for Defendants or Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel to the Escrow Agent,
the Settlement Fund (including accrued interest), less any expenses and any
costs that have either been properly disbursed pursuant to P. 2.6 or P. 2.7
29
herein, or are determined to be chargeable to the Settlement Fund for the notice
and administration of the Settlement pursuant to P. 2.6 herein, shall be
refunded by the Escrow Agent on to the Defendants' Insurer pursuant to written
instructions from counsel for Defendants. At the request of counsel for
Defendants, the Escrow Agent or its designee shall apply for any tax refund owed
to the Settlement Fund and pay the proceeds, after deduction of any fees or
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such application(s) for refund
to the Defendants' Insurer.
7.6 In the event that the Stipulation is not approved by the Court or the
settlement set forth in the Stipulation is terminated or fails to become
effective in accordance with its terms, the Settling Parties shall be restored
to their respective positions in the Litigation immediately prior to the
execution of this Stipulation. In such event, the terms and provisions of the
Stipulation, with the exception of P. P. 7.4-7.6 herein, shall have no further
force and effect with respect to the Settling Parties and shall not be used in
the Litigation or in any other proceeding for any purpose, and any judgment or
order entered by the Court in accordance with the terms of the Stipulation shall
be treated as vacated, nunc pro tunc. No order of the Court or modification or
reversal on appeal of any order of the Court concerning the Plan of Allocation
or the amount of any attorneys' fees, costs, expenses, and interest awarded by
the Court to the Plaintiffs or any of their counsel shall constitute grounds for
cancellation or termination of the Stipulation. If the Effective Date does not
occur, or if the Stipulation is terminated pursuant to its terms, neither the
30
Lead Plaintiffs nor any of their counsel shall have any obligation to repay any
amounts actually and properly disbursed from the Settlement Fund for the notice
and administration of the Settlement pursuant to P. 2.6 hereof. In addition, any
expenses already incurred and properly chargeable to the Settlement Fund for the
notice and administration of the Settlement pursuant to P. 2.6 hereof at the
time of such termination or cancellation but which have not been paid, shall be
paid by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of the Stipulation prior
to the balance being refunded in accordance with P. 7.5 above.
8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
8.1 If a case is commenced in respect of any Defendant (or any insurer
contributing funds to the Settlement Fund on behalf of any Defendant) under
Title 11 of the United States Code (Bankruptcy), or a trustee, receiver or
conservator is appointed under any similar law, and in the event of the entry of
a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction determining the transfer of
money to the Settlement Fund, or any portion thereof, by or on behalf of such
Defendant to be a preference, voidable transfer, fraudulent transfer or similar
transaction and any portion thereof is required to be returned, and such amount
is not promptly deposited to the Settlement Fund by other Defendants, then, at
31
the election of Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel, the parties shall jointly move the
Court to vacate and set aside the releases given and Judgment entered in favor
of the Defendants pursuant to this Stipulation, which releases and Judgment
shall be null and void, and the parties shall be restored to their respective
positions in the litigation immediately prior to the execution of this
Stipulation and any cash amounts in the Settlement Fund shall be returned as
provided in P. 7.5 above.
8.2 The Settling Parties: (a) acknowledge that it is their intent to
consummate this agreement; and (b) agree to cooperate to the extent reasonably
necessary to effectuate and implement all terms and conditions of the
Stipulation and to exercise their best efforts to accomplish the foregoing terms
and conditions of the Stipulation.
8.3 The Settling Parties intend this settlement to be a final and complete
resolution of all disputes between them with respect to the Litigation. The
settlement compromises all claims that were contested and shall not be deemed an
admission by any Settling Party as to the merits of any claim or defense. The
Judgment will contain a statement that, during the course of the Litigation, the
Settling Parties and their respective counsel at all times complied with the
requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11. The Settling Parties agree
32
that the amount paid to the Settlement Fund and the other terms of the
settlement were negotiated in good faith by the Settling Parties, and reflect a
settlement that was reached voluntarily after consultation with competent legal
counsel.
8.4 Neither the Stipulation nor the settlement, nor any act performed or
document executed pursuant to or in furtherance of the Stipulation or the
settlement: (a) is or may be deemed to be or may be used as an admission of, or
evidence of, the validity of any Released Claim, or of any wrongdoing or
liability of the Defendants; or (b) is or may be deemed to be or may be used as
an admission of, or evidence of, any fault or omission of any of the Defendants
in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding in any court,
administrative agency, or other tribunal. Defendants may file the Stipulation
and/or the Judgment in any action that may be brought against them in order to
support a defense or counterclaim based on principles of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, release, good faith settlement, judgment bar or reduction,
or any other theory of claim preclusion or issue preclusion or similar defense
or counterclaim.
33
8.5 All agreements made and orders entered during the course of the
Litigation relating to the confidentiality of information shall survive this
Stipulation.
8.6 All of the Exhibits to the Stipulation are material and integral parts
hereof and are fully incorporated herein by this reference.
8.7 The Stipulation may be amended or modified only by a written instrument
signed by or on behalf of all Settling Parties or their respective
successors-in-interest.
8.8 This Stipulation supersedes and extinguishes any and all other
promises, representations or agreements, whether written or oral, made at any
time prior to the date of this Stipulation by and between the Settling Parties
or any of their current and former officers, directors, stockholders, partners,
principals, employees, agents, parent corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates,
predecessors, estates, successors, assigns, and attorneys, regarding the
resolution of the Litigation. The Settling Parties agree that this Stipulation
and the Supplemental Agreement contain the entire agreement between the Settling
Parties with respect to the Litigation and that the terms of this Stipulation
are contractual and not mere recitals.
34
8.9 Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel, on behalf of the Class, are expressly
authorized by Lead Plaintiffs to take all appropriate actions required or
permitted to be taken by the Class pursuant to the Stipulation to effectuate its
terms and also are expressly authorized to enter into any modifications or
amendments to the Stipulation on behalf of the Class that they deem appropriate.
8.10 Each counsel or other Person executing the Stipulation or any of its
Exhibits on behalf of any party hereto hereby warrants that such Person has the
full authority to do so.
8.11 The Stipulation may be executed in one or more counterparts. All
executed counterparts and each of them shall be deemed to be one and the same
instrument. A complete set of executed counterparts shall be filed with the
Court.
8.12 The Stipulation shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
the successors and assigns of the Settling Parties.
8.13 The Court shall retain jurisdiction with respect to implementation and
enforcement of the terms of the Stipulation, and the Settling Parties submit to
the jurisdiction of the Court for purposes of implementing and enforcing the
settlement embodied in the Stipulation.
8.14 The Stipulation and the Exhibits attached hereto and the Supplemental
Agreement shall be considered to have been negotiated, executed and delivered,
and to be wholly performed, in the State of Georgia, and the rights and
35
obligations of the parties to the Stipulation shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with, and governed by, the internal, substantive laws of the State of
Georgia without giving effect to that State's choice of law principles.
8.15 After the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund to Authorized
Claimants and upon request from counsel for Defendants, Plaintiffs' Co-Lead
Counsel shall furnish reasonable written assurances to counsel for Defendants of
destruction of discovery material produced in the Litigation, including inter
alia, transcripts, documents, CD-ROMs, interrogatory responses, and all other
materials provided by Defendants during discovery consistent with the Stipulated
Order Regarding Confidential Information dated July 25, 2001.
36
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the Stipulation to be
executed, by their duly authorized attorneys, dated as of February 8, 2005.
CHITWOOD & HARLEY, LLP
Martin D. Chitwood
Georgia State Bar No. 124950
David J. Worley
Georgia State Bar No. 776665
Krissi T. Gore
Georgia State Bar No. 687020
/s/ Martin D. Chitwood
---------------------------------------
Martin D. Chitwood
Promenade II, Suite 2300
1230 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: (404) 873-3900
Fax: (404) 876-4476
WOLF HALDENSTEIN ADLER
FREEMAN & HERZ LLP
Daniel W. Krasner
Mark C. Rifkin
Robert Abrams
Matthew Guiney
/s/ Mark C. Rifkin
---------------------------------------
Mark C. Rifkin
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (212) 545-4600
Fax: (212) 686-0114
37
MILBERG WEISS BERSHAD & SCHULMAN LLP
/s/ David Brower
---------------------------------------
David Brower
One Pennsylvania Plaza, 49th Floor
New York, NY 10119
Telephone: (212)594-5300
Fax: (212)868-1229
R. Timothy Vannatta
Tower One
5200 Town Center Circle, Suite 600
Boca Raton, FL 33486
Telephone: (561) 361-5000
Fax: (561) 367-8400
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel
38
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
Todd R. David
Georgia Bar No. 206526
Susan E. Hurd
Georgia Bar No. 379628
Kelly C. Wilcove
Georgia Bar No. 185682
/s/ Todd R. David
---------------------------------------
Todd R. David
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Telephone: (404) 881-7000
Fax: (404) 881-7777
Counsel for Defendants
39
EXHIBIT A
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
- ----------------------------------------------------
)
IN RE PROFIT RECOVERY ) CIVIL ACTION FILE
GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. ) NO. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
SECURITIES LITIGATION )
)
- ----------------------------------------------------
[PROPOSED] ORDER PRELIMINARILY APPROVING
SETTLEMENT AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE
WHEREAS, a putative class action is pending in this Court styled In re
Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action
No. 1:00-CV-1416-CC (the "Litigation"); and
WHEREAS, the parties, having made application pursuant to Rule 23 of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for an order approving the settlement of this
action, in accordance with a Stipulation of Settlement dated February 8, 2005
(the "Stipulation"), which, together with the Exhibits annexed thereto sets
forth the terms and conditions for a proposed settlement of the Litigation and
for dismissal of the Litigation with prejudice upon the terms and conditions set
forth therein;
1
WHEREAS, pursuant to Rules 23(a) and 23(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure and by Order dated December 3, 2002, the Court has certified the
Litigation to proceed as a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased
common stock of Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. between July 19, 1999
and July 26, 2000, inclusive, and were allegedly damaged thereby. Excluded from
the Class are Defendants, members of the immediate families of the Individual
Defendants, any entities in which any Defendant has a controlling interest or is
a parent or subsidiary of or is controlled by the Company, and the legal
representatives, heirs, successors, predecessors in interest, affiliates or
assigns of any Defendant; and
WHEREAS, the Court having read and considered the Stipulation and the
Exhibits annexed thereto; and
WHEREAS, all defined terms contained herein shall have the same meanings as
set forth in the Stipulation;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
1. A hearing (the "Settlement Hearing") shall be held before this Court on
___________, 2005 at __:__ __.m., at the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, 75 Spring Street, Atlanta,
Georgia 30303, to determine whether the proposed settlement of the Litigation on
the terms and conditions provided for in the Stipulation is fair, just,
reasonable, and adequate as to the Class and should be approved by the Court;
2
whether a Judgment as provided in the Stipulation should be entered herein;
whether the proposed Plan of Allocation should be approved; and to determine the
amount of fees and expenses that should be awarded to Plaintiffs' Counsel. The
Court may adjourn the Settlement Hearing without further notice to Members of
the Class.
2. The Court reserves the right to approve the Settlement with or without
modification and with or without further notice of any kind. The Court further
reserves the right to enter its Judgment approving the Stipulation and
dismissing the Litigation on the merits and with prejudice regardless of whether
it has approved the Plan of Allocation or awarded attorneys' fees and expenses.
3. The Court approves, as to form and content, the Notice of Pendency of
Class Action and Proposed Settlement, Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Settlement
Fairness Hearing (the "Notice"), the Proof of Claim and Release form (the "Proof
of Claim"), and Summary Notice annexed as Exhibits A-1, A-2 and A-3 hereto, and
finds that the mailing and distribution of the Notice and publishing of the
Summary Notice substantially in the manner and form set forth in this Order meet
the requirements of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and due
3
process, and is the best notice practicable under the circumstances and shall
constitute due and sufficient notice to all Persons entitled thereto.
4. Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel are hereby authorized to retain the firm of
The Garden City Group, Inc. ("Claims Administrator") to supervise and administer
the notice procedure as well as the processing of claims as more fully set forth
below:
(a) Not later than ____________, 2005 (the "Notice Date"), Plaintiffs'
Co-Lead Counsel shall cause a copy of the Notice and the Proof of Claim,
substantially in the forms annexed as Exhibits A-1 and A-2 hereto, to be mailed
by first class mail to all Class Members who can be identified with reasonable
effort;
(b) Not later than ten days from the Notice Date, Plaintiffs' Co-Lead
Counsel shall cause the Summary Notice to be published once in the national
edition of Investor's Business Daily; and
(c) Prior to the Settlement Hearing, Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel shall
serve on Defendants' counsel and file with the Court proof, by affidavit or
declaration, of such mailing and publishing.
5. The Defendants shall cause Profit Recovery's transfer records and
shareholder information to be made available to the Claims Administrator for the
purpose of identifying and giving notice to the Class. The Claims Administrator
shall use reasonable efforts to give notice to nominee owners such as brokerage
4
firms and other persons or entities who purchased Profit Recovery common stock
during the Class Period as record owners but not as beneficial owners. Nominees
who purchased the common stock of Profit Recovery for the benefit of another
Person during the Class Period shall be requested to send the Notice and the
Proof of Claim to all such beneficial owners within ten (10) days after receipt
thereof, or to send a list of the names and addresses of such beneficial owners
to the Claims Administrator within ten (10) days of receipt thereof in which
event the Claims Administrator shall promptly mail the Notice and Proof of Claim
to such beneficial owners.
6. The form and content of the Notice, and the method set forth herein of
notifying the Class of the Settlement and its terms and conditions, meet the
requirements of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Section
21D(a)(7) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u-4(a)(7) as
amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and due
process, constitute the best notice practicable under the circumstances, and
shall constitute due and sufficient notice to all persons and entities entitled
thereto.
7. Any Person falling within the definition of the Class shall be bound by
all determinations and judgments in the Litigation concerning the settlement,
including, but not limited to, the releases provided for therein, whether
5
favorable or unfavorable to the Class, unless such Persons request exclusion
from the Class in a timely and proper manner, as hereinafter provided. A Class
Member wishing to make such request shall mail the request in written form by
first class mail postmarked no later than _______________, 2005 to the address
designated in the Notice. Such request for exclusion shall clearly indicate the
name, address and telephone number of the person seeking exclusion, that the
sender requests to be excluded from the Class in the In re Profit Recovery
International, Inc. Securities Litigation, and must be signed by such person.
Such persons requesting exclusion are also directed to state: the date(s),
price(s), and number(s) of shares of all purchases and sales of Profit Recovery
common stock during the Class Period. The request for exclusion shall not be
effective unless it provides the required information and is made within the
time stated above, or the exclusion is otherwise accepted by the Court. Class
Members requesting exclusion from the Class shall not be entitled to receive any
payment out of the Net Settlement Fund as described in the Stipulation and
Notice.
8. Class Members who wish to participate in the settlement shall complete
and submit Proof of Claim forms in accordance with the instructions contained
therein. Unless the Court orders otherwise, all Proof of Claim forms must be
submitted no later than ______________, 2005 [ninety (90) days from the Notice
6
Date]. Any Class Member who does not timely submit a Proof of Claim within the
time provided for shall be barred from sharing in the distribution of the
proceeds of the Settlement Fund, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
9. Any Member of the Class may enter an appearance in the Litigation, at
their own expense, individually or through counsel of their own choice. If they
do not enter an appearance, they will be represented by Plaintiffs' Co-Lead
Counsel.
10. All proceedings in the Litigation are stayed until further order of the
Court, except as may be necessary to implement the settlement or comply with the
terms of the Stipulation. Pending final determination of whether the settlement
should be approved, neither the Lead Plaintiffs, nor any Class Member, either
directly, representatively, or in any other capacity, shall commence or
prosecute against any of the Released Persons, any action or proceeding in any
court or tribunal asserting any of the Released Claims.
11. Any Member of the Class may appear and show cause, if he, she, or it
has any reason why the proposed settlement of the Litigation should or should
not be approved as fair, reasonable, and adequate, or why a judgment should or
should not be entered thereon, why the Plan of Allocation should or should not
be approved, or why attorneys' fees and expenses should or should not be awarded
7
to counsel for the Plaintiffs; provided, however, that no Class Member or any
other Person shall be heard or entitled to contest the approval of the terms and
conditions of the proposed settlement, or, if approved, the judgment to be
entered thereon approving the same, or the order approving the Plan of
Allocation, or the attorneys' fees and expenses to be awarded to counsel for the
Plaintiffs, unless written objections and copies of any papers and briefs are
filed with the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, on or before __________, 2005; and copies
of said objections, papers, and briefs are also served upon Martin D. Chitwood,
Esq., Chitwood & Harley LLP, 1230 Peachtree Street, 2300 Promenade Two, Atlanta,
Georgia 30309; Mark C. Rifkin, Esq., Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP,
270 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016; David Brower, Esq., Milberg Weiss
Bershad & Schulman LLP, One Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10119-0165;
and Todd R. David, Esq., Alston & Bird LLP, 1201 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta,
Georgia 30309. Any Member of the Class who does not make his, her, or its
objection in the manner provided shall be deemed to have waived such objection
and shall forever be foreclosed from making any objection to the fairness,
justness, reasonableness, or adequacy of the proposed settlement, to the Plan of
8
Allocation, or to the award of attorneys' fees and expenses to counsel for the
Plaintiffs, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
12. The passage of title and ownership of the Settlement Fund to the Escrow
Agent in accordance with the terms and obligations of the Stipulation is
approved. No Person that is not a Class Member or counsel to the Plaintiffs
shall have any right to any portion of, or in the distribution of, the
Settlement Fund unless otherwise ordered by the Court or otherwise provided in
the Stipulation.
13. All funds held by the Escrow Agent shall be deemed and considered to be
in custodia legis, and shall remain subject to the jurisdiction of the Court,
until such time as such funds shall be distributed pursuant to the Stipulation
and/or further order(s) of the Court.
14. All motions and papers in support of the settlement, the Plan of
Allocation, and any application by counsel for the Plaintiffs for attorneys'
fees or reimbursement of expenses shall be filed and served seven (7) calendar
days prior to the Settlement Hearing.
15. Neither Profit Recovery, the Individual Defendants, nor the Related
Parties shall have any responsibility for the Plan of Allocation or any
application for attorneys' fees or reimbursement of expenses submitted by
9
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel, and such matters will be considered separately from
the fairness, justness, reasonableness, and adequacy of the settlement.
16. At or after the Settlement Hearing, the Court shall determine whether
the Plan of Allocation proposed by Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel and any
application for attorneys' fees or reimbursement of expenses shall be approved.
17. All reasonable costs incurred in identifying and notifying class
members, as well as in administering the Settlement Fund, shall be paid as set
forth in the Stipulation. In the event the settlement is not approved by the
Court, or otherwise fails to become effective, neither the Plaintiffs nor any of
their counsel shall have any obligation to repay to Defendants or their Insurer
the reasonable and actual costs of class notice and of administration.
18. The Court reserves the right to adjourn the date of the Settlement
Hearing without further notice to the Members of the Class and retains
jurisdiction to consider all further applications arising out of or connected
with the proposed settlement. The Court may approve the settlement, with such
modifications as may be agreed to by the Settling Parties, if appropriate,
without further notice to the Class.
19. If: (a) the Settlement is terminated by Defendants pursuant to [P. 7.4]
of the Stipulation; or (b) any specified condition to the Settlement set forth
in the Stipulation is not satisfied and Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel or Counsel
10
for the Defendants elects to terminate the Settlement as provided in [P. 7.3] of
the Stipulation, then, in any such event, the Stipulation, including any
amendment(s) thereof, and this Order shall be null and void, of no further force
or effect, and without prejudice to any party, and may not be introduced as
evidence or referred to in any actions or proceedings by any person or entity,
and each party shall be restored to his, her or its respective position as it
existed prior to the execution of the Stipulation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: _____________, 2005
----------------------------------
THE HONORABLE CLARENCE COOPER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
11
EXHIBIT A-1
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
- ------------------------------------------x
) CIVIL ACTION FILE
IN RE PROFIT RECOVERY ) NO. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
GROUP INTERNATINAL, INC. SECURITIES )
LITIGATION )
)
- ------------------------------------------x
NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF CLASS ACTION AND PROPOSED
SETTLEMENT, MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND SETTLEMENT
FAIRNESS HEARING
IF YOU BOUGHT PROFIT RECOVERY GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. COMMON STOCK
BETWEEN JULY 19, 1999 AND JULY 26, 2000, INCLUSIVE, THEN YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO
PAYMENT FROM A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT.
A federal court authorized this notice. This is not a solicitation from a
lawyer.
o The settlement will provide a $6.75 million settlement fund for the
benefit of investors who bought shares of Profit Recovery Group
International, Inc. ("Profit Recovery") common stock between July 19,
1999 and July 26, 2000, inclusive (the "Class Period").
o The settlement resolves a lawsuit over whether Profit Recovery misled
investors about its future earnings.
o Your legal rights are affected whether you act or do not act. Read
this notice carefully.
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM The only way to get a payment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
EXCLUDE YOURSELF Get no payment. This is the only option
that allows you to ever be part of any
other lawsuit against Profit Recovery
and the other Released Persons about
the Released Claims.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBJECT Write to the Court about why you do not
like the settlement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GO TO A HEARING Ask to speak in Court about the
fairness of the settlement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DO NOTHING Get no payment. Give up rights.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o These rights and options - AND THE DEADLINES TO EXERCISE THEM - are
explained in this notice.
o The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to
approve the settlement. Payments will be made if the Court approves
the settlement and after appeals are resolved. Please be patient.
SUMMARY NOTICE
Statement of Plaintiff Recovery
- -------------------------------
Pursuant to the settlement described herein, a Settlement Fund consisting of
$6.75 million in cash, plus interest, has been established. Plaintiffs estimate
that there were approximately 21.7 million shares of Profit Recovery common
stock traded during the Class Period which may have been damaged. Plaintiffs
estimate that the average recovery per damaged share of Profit Recovery common
stock under the settlement is $0.31 per damaged share before deduction of
Court-awarded attorneys' fees and expenses. A Class Member's actual recovery
will be a proportion of the Net Settlement Fund determined by his, her or its
Recognized Claim as compared to the total Recognized Claims of all Class Members
who submit acceptable Proofs of Claim. Depending on the number of claims
submitted, when during the Class Period a Class Member purchased shares of
Profit Recovery common stock, and whether those shares were held at the end of
the Class Period or sold during the Class Period, and if sold, when they were
sold, an individual Class Member may receive more or less than this average
amount. See the Plan of Allocation on page [___] for more information on your
Recognized Claim.
2
Statement of Potential Outcome of Case
- --------------------------------------
The parties disagree on both liability and damages and do not agree on the
average amount of damages per share that would be recoverable if plaintiffs were
to have prevailed on each claim alleged. The Defendants deny that they are
liable to the plaintiffs or the Class and deny that plaintiffs or the Class have
suffered any damages.
Statement of Attorneys' Fees and Costs Sought
- ---------------------------------------------
Plaintiffs' Counsel are moving the Court to award attorneys' fees not to exceed
one third (33-1/3%) of the Gross Settlement Fund, and for reimbursement of
expenses incurred in connection with the prosecution of this Action in the
approximate amount of $700,000. The requested fees and expenses would amount to
an average of $0.136 per damaged share in total for fees and expenses.
Application may also be made for reimbursement to the Lead Plaintiffs for an
amount not to exceed $_____ for reimbursement of their reasonable costs and
expenses directly relaing to their representantion of the Class. Plaintiffs'
Counsel have expended considerable time and effort in the prosecution of this
litigation on a contingent fee basis, and have advanced the expenses of the
litigation, in the expectation that if they were successful in obtaining a
recovery for the Class they would be paid from such recovery. In this type of
litigation it is customary for counsel to be awarded a percentage of the common
fund recovery as their attorneys' fees.
Further Information
- -------------------
Further information regarding the Action and this Notice may be obtained by
contacting Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel: Martin D. Chitwood, Esq., Chitwood &
Harley LLP, 1230 Peachtree Street, 2300 Promenade Two, Atlanta, Georgia 30309,
Telephone (404) 873-3900; Mark C. Rifkin, Esq., Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman &
Herz LLP, 270 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016, Telephone (212)
545-4600; or David Brower, Esq., Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman LLP, One
Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10119-0165, Telephone (212) 594-5300.
3
Reasons for the Settlement
- --------------------------
The principal reason for the settlement is the benefit to be provided to the
Class now. This benefit must be compared to the risk that no recovery might be
achieved after a contested trial and likely appeals, possibly years into the
future.
[END OF COVER PAGE]
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT THIS NOTICE CONTAINS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SUMMARY NOTICE....................................................................................................2
- --------------
Statement of Plaintiff Recovery..........................................................................2
Statement of Potential Outcome of Case...................................................................3
Statement of Attorneys' Fees and Costs Sought............................................................3
Further Information......................................................................................3
Reasons for the Settlement...............................................................................3
BASIC INFORMATION.................................................................................................7
1. Why did I get this notice package?.....................................................7
2. What is this lawsuit about?............................................................7
3. Why is this a class action?............................................................8
4. Why is there a settlement?.............................................................8
WHO IS IN THE SETTLEMENT..........................................................................................8
5. How do I know if I am part of the settlement?..........................................8
6. Are there exceptions to being included?................................................8
7. What if I am still not sure if I am included?..........................................9
4
THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS -- WHAT YOU GET...........................................................................9
8. What does the settlement provide?......................................................9
9. How much will my payment be?...........................................................9
HOW YOU GET A PAYMENT -- SUBMITTING A CLAIM FORM.................................................................10
10. How can I get a payment?..............................................................10
11. When would I get my payment?..........................................................10
12. What am I giving up to get a payment or stay in the Class?............................10
EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT...........................................................................12
13. How do I get out of the proposed settlement?..........................................12
14. If I do not exclude myself, can I sue Profit Recovery and the other Released
Parties for the same thing later?.....................................................13
15. If I exclude myself, can I get money from the proposed settlement?....................13
THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU.....................................................................................13
16. Do I have a lawyer in this case?......................................................13
17. How will the lawyers be paid?.........................................................14
OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT......................................................................................14
18. How do I tell the Court that I do not like the proposed settlement?...................14
19. What is the difference between objecting and excluding?...............................15
THE COURT'S FAIRNESS HEARING.....................................................................................16
20. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the proposed
settlement?...........................................................................16
5
21. Do I have to come to the hearing?.....................................................16
22. May I speak at the hearing?...........................................................16
IF YOU DO NOTHING................................................................................................17
23. What happens if I do nothing at all?..................................................17
GETTING MORE INFORMATION.........................................................................................17
24. Are there more details about the proposed settlement?.................................17
25. How do I get more information?........................................................17
PLAN OF ALLOCATION OF NET SETTLEMENT FUND AMONG CLASS MEMBERS....................................................18
SPECIAL NOTICE TO SECURITIES BROKERS AND OTHER NOMINEES..........................................................21
6
BASIC INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Why did I get this notice package?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You or someone in your family may have purchased shares of Profit Recovery
common stock between July 19, 1999 and July 26, 2000, inclusive.
The Court directed that this Notice be sent to Class Members because they have a
right to know about a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit, and about
all of their options, before the Court decides whether to approve the
settlement. If the Court approves the settlement, and after objections and
appeals are resolved, an administrator appointed by the Court will make the
payments that the settlement allows.
This package explains the lawsuit, the settlement, Class Members' legal rights,
what benefits are available, who is eligible for them, and how to get them.
The Court in charge of the case is the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, and the case is known as the In
re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation, Civil Action
File No. 1:00-CV-1416-CC. This case was assigned to United States District Judge
Clarence Cooper. The people who sued are called plaintiffs, and the company and
the persons they sued, Profit Recovery and John M. Cook, Scott L. Colabuono, and
Michael Lustig, are called the Defendants.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. What is this lawsuit about?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Profit Recovery is engaged in the business of providing accounts payable and
other recovery audit services to large businesses and certain governmental
agencies that have numerous transactions with many vendors. Profit Recovery
identifies overpayments by their clients and receives a negotiated percentage of
any monies they recover. Plaintiffs alleged that Profit Recovery and certain of
its officers and directors, John M. Cook, Scott L. Colabuono, and Michael
Lustig, misled investors by intentionally making materially false and misleading
statements about purported changes to Profit Recovery's revenue recognition
policies and materially overstating the profits that the company expected to
earn in the future. Plaintiffs also alleged that Profit Recovery issued press
7
releases and financial statements that had materially false and misleading
information about the post-acquisition earnings of a newly-acquired subsidiary.
The Defendants deny they did anything wrong.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Why is this a class action?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a class action, one or more Class Representatives (in this case Jeanette
Roberts, Stephen Haynes, and Fernando Melendez), sue on behalf of people who
have similar claims. All these people are a Class or Class Members. One court
resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude
themselves from the Class. The Court certified this case as a class action on
December 3, 2002.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Why is there a settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiffs or Defendants. Instead, both
sides agreed to a settlement. That way, they avoid the risks and cost of a
trial, and the people affected will get compensation. The Class Representative
and the attorneys think the settlement is best for all Class Members.
WHO IS IN THE SETTLEMENT
To see if you will get money from this settlement, you first have to decide if
you are a Class Member.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. How do I know if I am part of the settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Court decided that everyone who fits this description is a Class Member: all
Persons who purchased the common stock of Profit Recovery between July 19, 1999
and July 26, 2000, inclusive.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Are there exceptions to being included?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Defendants, members of the immediate families of the Individual Defendants,
any entities in which any Defendant has a controlling interest or is a parent or
subsidiary of or is controlled by Profit Recovery, and the legal
representatives, heirs, successors, predecessors in interest, affiliates or
assigns of any Defendant are not members of the Class.
8
If one of your mutual funds purchased shares of Profit Recovery common stock
during the Class Period, that alone does not make you a Class Member. You are a
Class Member only if you directly purchased shares of Profit Recovery common
stock during the Class Period. Contact your broker to see if you purchased
Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period.
If you SOLD Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period, that alone
does not make you a Class Member. You are a Class Member only if you PURCHASED
your shares during the Class Period.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. What if I am still not sure if I am included?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are still not sure whether you are included, you can ask for free help.
You can call 1-800-_____-_________ or visit [WWW.__________.COM] for more
information. Or you can fill out and return the claim form described on page
[___], in question [10], to see if you qualify.
THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS -- WHAT YOU GET
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. What does the settlement provide?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In exchange for the Settlement and dismissal of the Action, Defendants have
agreed to create a $6.75 million fund to be divided, after fees and expenses are
paid, among all Class Members who send in a valid Proof of Claim form.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. How much will my payment be?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your share of the fund will depend on the total Recognized Claims represented by
the valid Proof of Claim forms that Class Members send in, how many shares of
Profit Recovery common stock you bought, and when you bought and whether or when
you sold them.
By following the instructions on page [___] of this Notice, you can calculate
what is called your Recognized Claim. It is unlikely that you will get a payment
for all of your Recognized Claim. After all Class Members have sent in their
Proof of Claim forms, the payment you get will be a part of the Net Settlement
Fund equal to your Recognized Claim divided by the total of everyone's
Recognized Claims. See the Plan of Allocation on page [___] for more information
on your Recognized Claim.
9
HOW YOU GET A PAYMENT -- SUBMITTING A CLAIM FORM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. How can I get a payment?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To qualify for a payment, you must send in a Proof of Claim form. A Proof of
Claim form is being circulated with this Notice. You may also get a Proof of
Claim form on the Internet at [WWW.__________.COM]. Read the instructions
carefully, fill out the Proof of Claim form, include all the documents the form
asks for, sign it, and mail it postmarked no later than _______________, 2005.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. When might I get my payment?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Court will hold a hearing on _______________, 2005, to decide whether to
approve the settlement. If the Court approves the settlement after that, there
may be appeals. It is always uncertain whether these appeals can be resolved,
and resolving them can take time, perhaps more than a year. It also takes time
for all the Proofs of Claim to be processed. Please be patient.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. What am I giving up to get a payment or stay in the Class?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless you exclude yourself, you are staying in the class, and that means that,
upon the "Effective Date," you will release all "Released Claims" (as defined
below) against the "Released Persons" (as defined below).
"Released Claims" means all claims (including, but not limited to, Unknown
Claims), demands, losses, rights, and causes of action of any nature whatsoever,
whether known or unknown, whether suspected or unsuspected, whether concealed or
hidden, whether accrued or unaccrued, by any Lead Plaintiff or Class Member
against the Released Persons, whether under state or federal law, based upon or
arising out of, or related to the purchase or sale of Profit Recovery common
stock during the Class Period and any acts, facts, transactions, events,
occurrences, disclosures, statements, omissions, or failures to act, at anytime
during the Class Period, including without limitation those which were alleged
in the Litigation, or those which could or might have been alleged in the
10
Litigation based upon such acts, facts, transactions, events, occurrences,
disclosures, statements, omissions, or failures to act alleged in the
Litigation.
"Released Persons" means each and all of the Defendants and their respective
past, present and future directors, officers, employees, partners, members,
principals, agents, underwriters, insurers (including Federal Insurance Company
and St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company), co-insurers, reinsurers, controlling
shareholders, attorneys, law firms, (including Alston & Bird LLP), accountants
or auditors, banks or investment banks, associates, personal or legal
representatives, predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, divisions,
joint ventures, assigns, spouses, heirs, related or affiliated entities, any
entity in which any Defendant has a controlling interest, any members of their
immediate families, or any trust of which any Defendant is the settlor or which
is for the benefit of any Defendant and/or member(s) of his family.
"Unknown Claims" means any Released Claims that any Lead Plaintiff or Class
Member does not know or suspect to exist in his, her, or its favor at the time
of the release of the Released Persons, and any Settled Defendants' Claims that
any Defendant does not know or suspect to exist in his or its favor, which, if
known by him, her, or it, might have affected his, her, or its decisions(s) with
respect to the settlement. With respect to any and all Released Claims and
Settled Defendants' Claims, the Settling Parties stipulate and agree that, upon
the Effective Date, Lead Plaintiffs and the Defendants shall expressly waive,
and each of the Class Members shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the
Judgment shall have, expressly waived the provisions, rights, and benefits
conferred by any law of any state or territory of the United States, or
principle of common law, which is similar, comparable or equivalent to
California Civil Code ss. 1542, which provides:
A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not
know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release,
which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement with the
debtor.
The Lead Plaintiffs and Class Members may hereafter discover facts in addition
to or different from those that any of them now knows or believes to be true
related to the subject matter of the Released Claims, but each Lead Plaintiff
shall expressly and each Class Member, upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed
to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and
forever settled and released any and all Released Claims, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed
or hidden, which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or
equity now existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not
limited to, conduct that is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a
breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or
11
existence of such different or additional facts. Similarly, the Defendants and
Released Persons may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from
those that any of them now knows or believes to be true related to the subject
matter of the Settled Defendants' Claims, but each Defendant shall expressly and
each Released Person, upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed to have, and by
operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and forever settled and
released any and all Settled Defendants' Claims, known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed or hidden,
which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or equity now
existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not limited to,
conduct that is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a breach of
any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence
of such different or additional facts. The Settling Parties acknowledge, and the
Class Members and Released Persons shall be deemed by operation of the Judgment
to have acknowledged, that the inclusion of "Unknown Claims" in the definition
of Released Claims and Settled Defendants' Claims was separately bargained for
and is a key element of the settlement of which these releases are a part.
The "Effective Date" will occur when an Order entered by the Court approving the
Settlement becomes final and not subject to appeal.
If you remain a member of the Class, all of the Court's orders will apply to you
and legally bind you.
EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT
If you do not want a payment from this settlement, but you want to keep any
right you may have to sue or continue to sue Profit Recovery and the other
Released Persons, on your own, about the Released Claims, then you must take
steps to get out. This is called excluding yourself -- or is sometimes referred
to as "opting out" of the settlement Class. Defendants may withdraw from and
terminate the Settlement if in excess of a certain amount of claimants exclude
themselves from the Class.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. How do I get out of the proposed settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
To exclude yourself from the settlement Class, you must send a letter by mail
stating that you "request exclusion from the Class in the In re Profit Recovery
Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation." Your letter should state the
date(s), price(s), and number(s) of shares of all your purchases and sales of
Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period. In addition, be sure to
include your name, address, telephone number, and your signature. You must mail
your exclusion request postmarked no later than _______________, 2005 to:
In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation Exclusions
c/o The Garden City Group, Inc., Claims Administrator
P.O. Box 0000
City, ST 00000-0000
You cannot exclude yourself by telephone or by e-mail. If you ask to be
excluded, you will not get any settlement payment, and you cannot object to the
settlement. You will not be legally bound by anything that happens in this
lawsuit, and you may be able to sue (or continue to sue) Profit Recovery and the
other Released Persons in the future.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. If I do not exclude myself, can I sue Profit Recovery and the other
Released Persons for the same thing later?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. Unless you exclude yourself, you give up any rights to sue Profit Recovery
and the other Released Persons for any and all Released Claims. If you have a
pending lawsuit speak to your lawyer in that case immediately. You must exclude
yourself from this Class to continue your own lawsuit. Remember, the exclusion
deadline is _______________, 2005.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. If I exclude myself, can I get money from the proposed settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. If you exclude yourself, do not send in a claim form to ask for any money.
But, you may exercise any right you may have to sue, continue to sue, or be part
of a different lawsuit against Profit Recovery and the other Released Persons.
THE LAWYERS REPRESENTING YOU
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Do I have a lawyer in this case?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13
The Court ordered that the law firms of Chitwood & Harley LLP in Atlanta,
Georgia, Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP in New York, New York 10016,
and Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman LLP in New York, New York and Boca Raton,
Florida will represent all Class Members. These lawyers are called Plaintiffs'
Co-Lead Counsel. You will not be separately charged for these lawyers. If you
want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. How will the lawyers be paid?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel are moving the Court to award attorneys' fees from
the Settlement Fund in an amount not greater than one third (33-1/3%) of the
Gross Settlement Fund and for reimbursement of their expenses in the approximate
amount of $700,000, plus interest on such expenses at the same rate as earned by
the Settlement Fund. Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel, without further notice to the
Class, may subsequently apply to the Court for fees and expenses incurred in
connection with administering and distributing the settlement proceeds to the
members of the Class and any proceedings subsequent to the Settlement Fairness
Hearing.
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel may also move the Court to award a payment of up to
$______ to the Class Representatives, Jeanette Roberts, Stephen Haynes, and
Fernando Melendez, for the reasonable costs and expenses directly relating to
their representation of the Class.
OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT
You can tell the Court that you do not agree with the settlement or some part of
it.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. How do I tell the Court that I do not like the proposed settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are a Class Member, you can object to the proposed settlement if you do
not like any part of it. You can give reasons why you think the Court should not
approve it. The Court will consider your views. To object, you must send a
signed letter saying that you object to the proposed settlement in the In re
Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation. Be sure to
include your name, address, telephone number, and your signature, identify the
date(s), price(s), and number(s) of shares of all purchases and sales of Profit
Recovery common stock you made during the Class Period, and state the reasons
14
why you object to the proposed settlement. Your objection must be filed with the
Court and served on all the following counsel on or before _______________,
2005:
COURT PLAINTIFFS' CO-LEAD COUNSEL DEFENDANTS' COUNSEL
Clerk of the Court Martin D. Chitwood, Esq. Todd R. David, Esq.
United States District Court for the Chitwood & Harley LLP Alston & Bird LLP,
Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta 2300 Promenade II 1201 West Peachtree Street
Division 1230 Peachtree Street, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
Richard B. Russell Federal Building Atlanta, Georgia 30309
and Courthouse Mark Rifkin, Esq.
75 Spring Street, SW Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman &
Atlanta, GA 30303 Herz LLP
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
David Brower, Esq.
Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman LLP
One Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10119-0165
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. What is the difference between objecting and excluding?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Objecting is simply telling the Court that you do not like something about the
proposed settlement. You can object only if you stay in the Class. Excluding
yourself is telling the Court that you do not want to be part of the Class. If
you exclude yourself, you have no basis to object because the case no longer
affects you.
15
THE COURT'S SETTLEMENT FAIRNESS HEARING
The Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed
settlement. You may attend and you may ask to speak, but you do not have to.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. When and where will the Court decide whether to approve the proposed
settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Court will hold a Settlement Fairness Hearing at ___:_____ __.m. on ____day,
_______________, 2005, at the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Richard B. Russell Federal Building and
Courthouse, 75 Spring Street, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. At this hearing the
Court will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate. If
there are objections, the Court will consider them. The Court will listen to
people who have asked to speak at the hearing. The Court may also decide how
much to pay to Plaintiffs' Counsel. After the hearing, the Court will decide
whether to approve the settlement. We do not know how long these decisions will
take.
You should be aware that the Court may change the date and time of the hearing.
Thus, if you want to come to the hearing, you should check with Plaintiffs'
Co-Lead Counsel before coming to be sure that the date and/or time has not
changed.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. Do I have to come to the hearing?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. Plaintiffs' Counsel will answer questions the Court may have. But, you are
welcome to come at your own expense. If you send an objection, you do not have
to come to Court to talk about it. As long as you mailed your written objection
on time, the Court will consider it. You may also pay your own lawyer to attend,
but it is not necessary. Class Members do not need to appear at the hearing or
take any other action to indicate their approval.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22. May I speak at the hearing?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you object to the Settlement, you may ask the Court for permission to speak
at the Settlement Fairness Hearing. To do so, you must include with your
objection (see question [18] above) a statement saying that it is your "Notice
of Intention to Appear in the In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc.
16
Securities Litigation." Persons who intend to object to the Settlement, the Plan
of Allocation, and/or counsel's application for an award of attorneys' fees and
expenses and desire to present evidence at the Settlement Fairness Hearing must
include in their written objections the identity of any witnesses they may call
to testify and exhibits they intend to introduce into evidence at the Settlement
Fairness Hearing. You cannot speak at the hearing if you excluded yourself.
IF YOU DO NOTHING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. What happens if I do nothing at all?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you do nothing, you will get no money from this settlement. But, unless you
exclude yourself, you will not be able to start a lawsuit, continue with a
lawsuit, or be part of any other lawsuit against Profit Recovery and the other
Released Persons about the Released Claims in this case, ever again.
GETTING MORE INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24. Are there more details about the proposed settlement?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice summarizes the proposed settlement. More details are in a
Stipulation of Settlement dated ___________, 2005 (the "Stipulation"). You can
get a copy of the Stipulation by visiting [WWW.__________.COM], or by writing to
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel.
You also can call the Claims Administrator at 1-800-_____-_________ toll free;
write to Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation
Settlement, P.O. Box _______, _______, ___ _________; or visit the website at
[WWW.__________.COM], where you will find answers to common questions about the
settlement, a claim form, plus other information to help you determine whether
you are a Class Member and whether you are eligible for a payment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. How do I get more information?
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For even more detailed information concerning the matters involved in this
Action, reference is made to the pleadings, to the Stipulation, to the Orders
17
entered by the Court and to the other papers filed in the Action, which may be
inspected at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Richard B. Russell Federal
Building and Courthouse, 75 Spring Street, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, during
regular business hours.
PLAN OF ALLOCATION OF NET SETTLEMENT FUND AMONG CLASS MEMBERS
The $6.75 million Cash Settlement Amount and the interest earned thereon shall
be the Gross Settlement Fund. The Gross Settlement Fund, less all taxes,
approved costs, fees and expenses (the "Net Settlement Fund") shall be
distributed to members of the Class who submit acceptable Proofs of Claim
("Authorized Claimants").
The Claims Administrator shall determine each Authorized Claimant's pro rata
share of the Net Settlement Fund based upon each Authorized Claimant's
"Recognized Claim." The Recognized Claim formula is not intended to be an
estimate of the amount of what a Class Member might have been able to recover
after a trial; nor is it an estimate of the amount that will be paid to
Authorized Claimants pursuant to the settlement. The Recognized Claim formula is
the basis upon which the Net Settlement Fund will be proportionately allocated
to the Authorized Claimants.
The following proposed Plan of Allocation reflects the proposition that the
price of Profit Recovery common stock was inflated artificially by reason of the
allegedly false and misleading statements made by Defendants during the Class
Period. The alleged artificial inflation commenced with the Company's
announcement that it was using conservative invoice-based accounting conventions
with regard to its revenue and earnings recognition that led to a $2.125
increase in Profit Recovery's common stock price on July 19, 1999. For purposes
of the allocation of the settlement proceeds, the maximum claim recognized per
share will be this $2.125 per share increase for claimants who purchased during
the Class Period and who still owned those shares at the end of the Class
Period. The alleged inflation, and more, was eliminated on July 26, 2000 when
corrective disclosures were revealed, and the price of Profit Recovery common
stock dropped approximately $4.19 per share from its prior closing price. Class
Members who sold shares before the disclosures at the end of the Class Period
(in-and-out traders) presumably received an artificially inflated price on their
sales and have a more difficult claim to prove that their losses were caused by
the Defendants' allegedly misleading statements. To reflect the greater
18
difficulty in-and-out traders' Recognized Claims are limited to 10% of their
loss or, 10% of the $2.125 alleged inflation, whichever is less.
For shares of Profit Recovery common stock purchased during the Class Period
"Recognized Claims" will be calculated for purposes of the Settlement as
follows:
(a) For shares purchased during the period July 19, 1999 through July 26, 2000
(including any shares purchased on July 26, 2000 prior to PRG's announcement(1))
that were sold at a loss prior to PRG's announcement on July 26, 2000, an
Authorized Claimant's "Recognized Claim" from such shares shall mean THE LESSER
OF (X) $0.21 per share, OR (Y) 10% of the difference between the purchase price
paid (including commissions, etc.) (the "PPP") and the sales proceeds received
(net of commissions, etc.) (the "SPR").
(b) For shares purchased during the period July 19, 1999 through July 26, 2000
(including any shares purchased on July 26, 2000 prior to PRG's announcement)
that were sold at a loss following PRG's announcement on July 26, 2000 through
the close of trading on October 23, 2000, an Authorized Claimant's "Recognized
Claim" from such shares shall mean THE LESSER OF (X) $2.12 per share, OR (Y) the
difference between the PPP and THE GREATER OF (I) the SPR OR (II) $9.06 per
share (the average closing price for the 90 days following the end of the Class
Period).
(c) For shares purchased during the period July 19, 1999 through July 26, 2000
(including any shares purchased on July 26, 2000 prior to PRG's announcement)
that were still held at the close of trading on October 23, 2000, an Authorized
Claimant's "Recognized Claim" from such shares shall mean THE LESSER OF (X)
$2.12 per share, OR (Y) the difference between the PPP and $9.06 per share.
In the event a Class Member has more than one purchase or sale of Profit
Recovery common stock, all purchases and sales shall be matched on a First In
First Out ("FIFO") basis, Class Period sales will be matched first against any
Profit Recovery shares held at the beginning of the Class Period and then
against purchases in chronological order. A purchase or sale of Profit Recovery
common stock shall be deemed to have occurred on the "contract" or "trade" date
as opposed to the "settlement" or "payment" date. The receipt or grant by gift,
devise or operation of law of Profit Recovery common stock during the Class
Period shall not be deemed a purchase or sale of Profit Recovery common stock
_________________
(1) PRG shares traded on July 26, 2000 for $12.25 or more will be presumed to
have been purchased prior to the announcement, and shares traded for less than
that price will be presumed to have been purchased after the announcement.
19
for the calculation of an Authorized Claimant's Recognized Claim nor shall it be
deemed an assignment of any claim relating to the purchase of such shares unless
specifically provided in the instrument of gift or assignment. The receipt of
Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period in exchange for securities
of any other corporation or entity shall not be deemed a purchase or sale of
Profit Recovery common stock.
To the extent a Claimant had a gain from his, her or its overall transactions in
Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period, the value of the
Recognized Claim will be zero. To the extent that a Claimant suffered an overall
loss on his, her or its overall transactions in Profit Recovery common stock
during the Class Period, but that loss was less than the Recognized Claim
calculated above, then the Recognized Claim shall be limited to the amount of
the actual loss.
For purposes of determining whether a Claimant had a gain from his, her or its
overall transactions in Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period or
suffered a loss, the Claims Administrator shall: (i) total the amount paid for
all Profit Recovery common stock purchased during the Class Period by the
claimant (the "Total Purchase Amount"); (ii) match any sales of Profit Recovery
common stock during the Class Period first against the Claimant's opening
position in the stock (the proceeds of those sales will not be considered for
purposes of calculating gains or losses); (iii) total the amount received for
sales of the remaining shares of Profit Recovery common stock sold during the
Class Period (the "Sales Proceeds"); and (iv) ascribe a [$_____]] per share
holding value for the number of shares of Profit Recovery common stock purchased
during the Class Period and still held at the end of the Class Period ("Holding
Value"). The difference between (x) the Total Purchase Amount ((i) above) and
(y) the sum of the Sales Proceeds ((iii) above) and the Holding Value ((iv)
above) will be deemed a Claimant's gain or loss on his, her or its overall
transactions in Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period.
Each Authorized Claimant shall be allocated a pro rata share of the Net
Settlement Fund based on his, her or its Recognized Claim as compared to the
total Recognized Claims of all Authorized Claimants.
Class Members who do not submit acceptable Proofs of Claim will not share in the
settlement proceeds. Class Members who do not either submit a request for
exclusion or submit an acceptable Proof of Claim will nevertheless be bound by
20
the settlement and the Order and Final Judgment of the Court dismissing this
Action.
Distributions will be made to Authorized Claimants after all claims have been
processed and after the Court has finally approved the settlement. If any funds
remain in the Net Settlement Fund by reason of un-cashed distributions or
otherwise, then, after the Claims Administrator has made reasonable and diligent
efforts to have Class Members who are entitled to participate in the
distribution of the Net Settlement Fund cash their distributions, any balance
remaining in the Net Settlement Fund six months after the initial distribution
of such funds shall be re-distributed to Class Members who have cashed their
initial distributions and who would receive at least $10.00 from such
re-distribution, after payment of any unpaid costs or fees incurred in
administering the Net Settlement Fund for such re-distribution. If after six
months after such re-distribution any funds shall remain in the Net Settlement
Fund, then such balance shall be contributed to non-sectarian, not-for-profit,
501(c)(3) organization(s) designated by Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel.
Plaintiffs, Defendants, their respective counsel, and all other Released Persons
shall have no responsibility for or liability whatsoever for the investment or
distribution of the Settlement Fund, the Net Settlement Fund, the Plan of
Allocation or the determination, administration, calculation, or payment of any
Proof of Claim or non-performance of the Claims Administrator, the payment or
withholding of taxes owed by the Settlement Fund or any losses incurred in
connection therewith.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO SECURITIES BROKERS AND OTHER NOMINEES
If you purchased common stock of Profit Recovery during the period between July
19, 1999 and July 26, 2000, inclusive, for the beneficial interest of a person
or organization other than yourself, the Court has directed that, WITHIN TEN
(10) DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF THIS NOTICE, you either (a) provide to the Claims
Administrator the name and last known address of each person or organization for
whom or which you purchased such stock during such time period or (b) request
additional copies of this Notice and the Proof of Claim form, which will be
provided to you free of charge, and within ten (10) days mail the Notice and
Proof of Claim form directly to the beneficial owners of the securities referred
to herein. If you choose to follow alternative procedure (b), the Court has
directed that, upon such mailing, you send a statement to the Claims
Administrator confirming that the mailing was made as directed. You are entitled
21
to reimbursement from the Settlement Fund of your reasonable expenses actually
incurred in connection with the foregoing, including reimbursement of postage
expense and the cost of ascertaining the names and addresses of beneficial
owners. Those expenses will be paid upon request and submission of appropriate
supporting documentation. All communications concerning the foregoing should be
addressed to the Claims Administrator:
In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation
c/o The Garden City Group, Inc.
Claims Administrator
P.O. Box ______
____________, ___ _________
(800) ___ - _____
Dated: Atlanta, Georgia
_______________, 2005
By Order of the Court
CLERK OF THE COURT
22
EXHIBIT A-2
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
- ----------------------------------------------------
)
IN RE PROFIT RECOVERY ) CIVIL ACTION FILE
GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. ) NO. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
SECURITIES LITIGATION )
)
- ----------------------------------------------------
PROOF OF CLAIM AND RELEASE
I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. To recover as a Member of the Class based on your claims in the action
entitled In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation,
Civil Action No. 1:00-CV-1416-CC (the "Litigation"), you must complete and, on
page ____ hereof, sign this Proof of Claim and Release. If you fail to file a
properly addressed (as set forth in paragraph 3 below) Proof of Claim and
Release, your claim may be rejected and you may be precluded from any recovery
from the Settlement Fund created in connection with the proposed settlement of
the Litigation.
2. Submission of this Proof of Claim and Release, however, does not assure
that you will share in the proceeds of settlement in the Litigation.
1
3. YOU MUST MAIL YOUR COMPLETED AND SIGNED PROOF OF CLAIM AND RELEASE
POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE __________, 2005, ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Sec. Litig.
c/o The Garden City Group, Inc.
Claims Administrator
P.O. Box ________
__________, ______ _____
4. If you are NOT a Member of the Class (as defined in the Notice of
Pendency of Class Action and Proposed Settlement, Motion for Attorneys' Fees and
Settlement Fairness Hearing (the "Notice")), DO NOT submit a Proof of Claim and
Release Form.
5. If you are a Member of the Class and you did not timely request
exclusion in connection with the proposed settlement, you are bound by the terms
of any judgment entered in the Litigation, including the releases provided
therein, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU SUBMIT A PROOF OF CLAIM AND RELEASE.
II. CLAIMANT IDENTIFICATION
1. If you purchased Profit Recovery common stock and held the
certificate(s) in your name, you are the beneficial purchaser as well as the
record purchaser. If, however, you purchased Profit Recovery common stock and
2
the certificate(s) were registered in the name of a third party, such as a
nominee or brokerage firm, you are the beneficial purchaser and the third party
is the record purchaser.
2. Use Part I of this form entitled "Claimant Identification" to identify
each purchaser of record ("nominee"), if different from the beneficial purchaser
of Profit Recovery common stock which forms the basis of this claim. THIS CLAIM
MUST BE FILED BY THE ACTUAL BENEFICIAL PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS, OR THE LEGAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF SUCH PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS, OF THE PROFIT RECOVERY COMMON
STOCK UPON WHICH THIS CLAIM IS BASED.
3. All joint purchasers must sign this claim. Executors, administrators,
guardians, conservators, and trustees must complete and sign this claim on
behalf of persons represented by them and their authority must accompany this
claim and their titles or capacities must be stated. The Social Security (or
taxpayer identification) number and telephone number of the beneficial owner may
be used in verifying the claim. Failure to provide the foregoing information
could delay verification of your claim or result in rejection of the claim.
3
III. CLAIM FORM
1. Use Part II of this form entitled "Schedule of Transactions in Profit
Recovery common stock" to supply all required details of your transaction(s) in
Profit Recovery common stock. If you need more space or additional schedules,
attach separate sheets giving all of the required information in substantially
the same form. Sign and print or type your name on each additional sheet.
2. On the schedules, provide all of the requested information with respect
to ALL of your purchases and ALL of your sales of Profit Recovery common stock,
which took place at any time beginning July 19, 1999 through and including July
26, 2000, whether such transactions resulted in a profit or a loss. Failure to
report all such transactions may result in the rejection of your claim.
3. List each transaction separately and in chronological order, by trade
date, beginning with the earliest. You must accurately provide the month, day,
and year of each transaction you list.
4. The date of covering a "short sale" is deemed to be the date of purchase
of Profit Recovery common stock. The date of a "short sale" is deemed to be the
date of sale of Profit Recovery common stock.
5. Copies of broker confirmations or other documentation of your
transactions in Profit Recovery common stock should be attached to your claim.
4
Failure to provide this documentation could delay verification of your claim or
result in rejection of your claim.
5
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Securities Litigation
Civil Action No. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
PROOF OF CLAIM AND RELEASE
Must be Postmarked No Later Than:
__________, 2005
Please Type or Print
PART I: CLAIMANT IDENTIFICATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beneficial Owner's Name (First, Middle, Last)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Street Address
- ---------------------------------------- --------------------- -----------------
City State Zip Code
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Foreign Province Foreign Country
Individual
- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------
Social Security Number or
Taxpayer Identification Number Corp./Other
----------------------
6
- --------- ---------------------
Area Code Phone Number (Work)
- ---------- ---------------------
Area Code Telephone Number (Home)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Record Owner's Name (if different from beneficial owner listed above)
7
PART II: SCHEDULE OF TRANSACTIONS IN PROFIT RECOVERY COMMON STOCK
A. Number of shares of Profit Recovery common stock held at the opening
of trading on July 26, 1999: _______________
B. Purchases (July 26, 1999 - July 19, 2000 inclusive) of Profit Recovery
common stock
Trade Date Number of Shares Purchased Total
Mo. Day Year Purchase Price
1. ________________________ __________________ ______________
2. ________________________ __________________ ______________
3. ________________________ __________________ ______________
IMPORTANT: Identify by number listed above all purchases in which you
covered a "short sale":_________________
C. Sales (July 26, 1999 - July 19, 2000 inclusive) of Profit Recovery
common stock
Trade Date Number of Shares Total
Mo. Day Year Sold Sales Price
1. ________________________ __________________ ______________
2. ________________________ __________________ ______________
3. ________________________ __________________ ______________
D. Number of shares of Profit Recovery common stock held at close of
trading on July 26, 2000:
If you require additional space, attach extra schedules in the same format as
above.
Sign and print your name on each additional page.
YOU MUST READ AND SIGN THE RELEASE ON PAGE ___.
8
IV. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION OF COURT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I submit this Proof of Claim and Release under the terms of the Stipulation
of Settlement described in the Notice. I also submit to the jurisdiction of the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia with respect
to my claim as a Class Member and for purposes of enforcing the release set
forth herein. I further acknowledge that I am bound by and subject to the terms
of any judgment that may be entered in the Litigation. I agree to furnish
additional information to the Claims Administrator to support this claim,
including transactions in other Profit Recovery securities, such as options, if
requested to do so. I have not submitted any other claim covering the same
purchases or sales of Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period and
know of no other person having done so on my behalf.
V. RELEASE
1. I (We) hereby acknowledge full and complete satisfaction of, and do
hereby fully, finally, and forever settle, release, and discharge all Released
Claims against the Released Persons
2. "Released Claims" means all claims (including, but not limited to,
Unknown Claims), demands, losses, rights, and causes of action of any nature
whatsoever, whether known or unknown, whether suspected or unsuspected, whether
concealed or hidden, whether accrued or unaccrued, by any Lead Plaintiff or
9
Class Member against the Released Persons, whether under state or federal law,
based upon or arising out of, or related to the purchase or sale of Profit
Recovery common stock during the Class Period and any acts, facts, transactions,
events, occurrences, disclosures, statements, omissions, or failures to act, at
anytime during the Class Period, including without limitation those which were
alleged in the Litigation, or those which could or might have been alleged in
the Litigation based upon such acts, facts, transactions, events, occurrences,
disclosures, statements, omissions, or failures to act alleged in the
Litigation.
3. "Released Persons" means each and all of the Defendants and their
respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees, partners,
members, principals, agents, underwriters, insurers (including Federal Insurance
Company and St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company), co-insurers, reinsurers,
controlling shareholders, attorneys, law firms, (including Alston & Bird LLP),
accountants or auditors, banks or investment banks, associates, personal or
legal representatives, predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries,
divisions, joint ventures, assigns, spouses, heirs, related or affiliated
entities, any entity in which any Defendant has a controlling interest, any
members of their immediate families, or any trust of which any Defendant is the
10
settlor or which is for the benefit of any Defendant and/or member(s) of his
family.
4. "Unknown Claims" means any Released Claims that any Lead Plaintiff or
Class Member does not know or suspect to exist in his, her, or its favor at the
time of the release of the Released Persons, and any Settled Defendants' Claims
that any Defendant does not know or suspect to exist in his or its favor, which,
if known by him, her, or it, might have affected his, her, or its decisions(s)
with respect to the settlement. With respect to any and all Released Claims and
Settled Defendants' Claims, the Settling Parties stipulate and agree that, upon
the Effective Date, Lead Plaintiffs and the Defendants shall expressly waive,
and each of the Class Members shall be deemed to have, and by operation of the
Judgment shall have, expressly waived the provisions, rights, and benefits
conferred by any law of any state or territory of the United States, or
principle of common law, which is similar, comparable or equivalent to
California Civil Code ss. 1542, which provides:
A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does
not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the
release, which if known by him must have materially affected his settlement
with the debtor.
The Lead Plaintiffs and Class Members may hereafter discover facts in addition
to or different from those that any of them now knows or believes to be true
11
related to the subject matter of the Released Claims, but each Lead Plaintiff
shall expressly and each Class Member, upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed
to have, and by operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and
forever settled and released any and all Released Claims, known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed
or hidden, which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or
equity now existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not
limited to, conduct that is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a
breach of any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or
existence of such different or additional facts. Similarly, the Defendants and
Released Persons may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from
those that any of them now knows or believes to be true related to the subject
matter of the Settled Defendants' Claims, but each Defendant shall expressly and
each Released Person, upon the Effective Date, shall be deemed to have, and by
operation of the Judgment shall have, fully, finally, and forever settled and
released any and all Settled Defendants' Claims, known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, contingent or non-contingent, whether or not concealed or hidden,
12
which now exist, or heretofore have existed upon any theory of law or equity now
existing or coming into existence in the future, including, but not limited to,
conduct that is negligent, intentional, with or without malice, or a breach of
any duty, law or rule, without regard to the subsequent discovery or existence
of such different or additional facts. The Settling Parties acknowledge, and the
Class Members and Released Persons shall be deemed by operation of the Judgment
to have acknowledged, that the inclusion of "Unknown Claims" in the definition
of Released Claims and Settled Defendants' Claims was separately bargained for
and is a key element of the settlement of which these releases are a part.
5. This release shall be of no force or effect unless and until the Court
approves the Stipulation of Settlement and the Stipulation becomes effective on
its Effective Date.
6. I (We) hereby warrant and represent that I (we) have not assigned or
transferred or purported to assign or transfer, voluntarily or involuntarily,
any matter released pursuant to this release or any other part or portion
thereof.
7. I (We) hereby warrant and represent that I (we) have included
information about all of my (our) transactions in Profit Recovery common stock
which occurred during the Class Period as well as the amount of Profit Recovery
common stock held by me (us) at the opening of trading on July 19, 1999, and at
the close of trading on July 26, 2000.
13
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Request for Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") and Certification
PART I
NAME:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check appropriate box:
[_] Individual/Sole Proprietor [_] Pension Plan
[_] Corporation [_] Partnership [_] Trust
[_] IRA [_] Other
Enter TIN on appropriate line.
For individuals, this is your social security number ("SSN").
For sole proprietors, you must show your individual name, but you may also
enter your business or "doing business as" name. You may enter either your
SSN or your Employer Identification Number ("EIN").
For other entities, it is your EIN.
_ _ _-_ _-_ _ _ _ or _ _-_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Social Security Number Employer Identification Number
PART II
For Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding
If you are exempt from backup withholding, enter your correct TIN in Part I and
write "exempt" on the following line:____________________.
14
PART III
Certification
UNDER THE PENALTY OF PERJURY, I (WE) CERTIFY THAT:
1. The number shown on this form is my correct TIN; and
2. I (We) certify that I am (we are) NOT subject to backup withholding
under the provisions of Section 3406 (a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue
Code because: (a) I am (we are) exempt from backup withholding; or (b)
I (we) have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that I
am (we are) subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to
report all interest or dividends; or (c) the Internal Revenue Service
has notified me (us) that I am (we are) no longer subject to backup
withholding.
NOTE: If you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that you are
subject to backup withholding, you must cross out item 2 above.
SEE ENCLOSED FORM W-9 INSTRUCTIONS
The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of
this document other than the certification required to avoid backup withholding.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of
America that the foregoing information supplied by the undersigned is true and
correct and that this Proof of Claim and Release form was executed this _____
day of (month) (year) in (City, State, Country).
15
---------------------------------------
(Sign your name here)
---------------------------------------
(Type or print your name here)
---------------------------------------
(Capacity of person(s) signing, e.g.,
Beneficial Purchaser, Executor or
Administrator)
ACCURATE CLAIMS PROCESSING TAKES A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
REMINDER CHECKLIST:
l. Please sign the above release and declaration.
2. Remember to attach supporting documentation, if available.
3. Do not send original or copies of stock certificates.
4. Keep a copy of your claim form for your records.
5. If you desire an acknowledgment of receipt of your claim form, please
send it Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested.
6. If you move, please send us your new address.
16
EXHIBIT A-3
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
- ----------------------------------------------------
)
IN RE PROFIT RECOVERY )
GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. ) CIVIL ACTION FILE
SECURITIES LITIGATION ) NO. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
)
- ----------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF CLASS ACTION,
PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AND SETTLEMENT HEARING
TO: ALL PERSONS WHO PURCHASED THE COMMON STOCK OF PROFIT RECOVERY GROUP
INTERNATIONAL, INC. BETWEEN JULY 19, 1999 AND JULY 26, 2000, INCLUSIVE, AND
WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY DAMAGED THEREBY.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that, pursuant to an Order of the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, a hearing
will be held on _________, 2005 at __:__ __.m., before the Honorable Clarence
Cooper, at the United States Courthouse, 75 Spring Street, Atlanta, Georgia
30303, for the purpose of determining: (1) whether the proposed settlement of
the above-captioned Litigation for the sum of $6,750,000.00 in cash plus any
interest that may accrue thereon should be approved by the Court as fair,
reasonable, and adequate; (2) whether, thereafter, this Litigation should be
dismissed with prejudice; (3) whether the Plan of Allocation is fair,
reasonable, and adequate and therefore should be approved; and (4) the
1
reasonableness of the application of counsel for the Plaintiffs for payment of
attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with this
Litigation.
If you purchased the common stock of Profit Recovery during the period
beginning July 19, 1999 through July 26, 2000, your rights may be affected by
this Litigation and the settlement thereof. If you have not received a copy of
the Notice of Pendency of Class Action and Proposed Settlement, Motion for
Attorneys' Fees and Settlement Fairness Hearing and a copy of the Proof of Claim
and Release, you may obtain copies by writing to the Claims Administrator:
In re Profit Recovery Group International, Inc. Sec. Litig.
c/o The Garden City Group
Claims Administrator
P.O. Box ________
__________, ______ _____
(800) ____-________
www.gardencitygroup.com
If you are a Class Member, in order to share in the distribution of the
Settlement Fund, you must submit a Proof of Claim and Release no later than
____________, 2005, establishing that you are entitled to a recovery. You will
be bound by any judgment rendered in the Litigation unless you request to be
excluded, in writing, to the Claims Administrator at the above address,
postmarked by ________________, 2005.
2
Any objection to the settlement, the Plan of Allocation, or the application
for attorneys' fees and expenses must be filed with the Clerk of Court at the
address below no later than _____________, 2005:
CLERK OF THE COURT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
75 Spring Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
and copies received by the following counsel no later than ____, 2005:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin D. Chitwood, Esq. Mark Rifkin, Esq.
CHITWOOD & HARLEY LLP WOLF HALDENSTEIN ADLER FREEMAN & HERZ LLP
2300 Promenade II 270 Madison Avenue
1230 Peachtree Street, N.E. New York, NY 10016
Atlanta, GA 30309 Telephone: (212) 545-4600
Telephone: (404) 873-3900
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Brower, Esq. Todd R. David, Esq.
MILBERG WEISS BERSHAD & SCHULMAN LLP ALSTON & BIRD LLP
One Pennsylvania Plaza 1201 West Peachtree Street
New York, NY 10119-0165 Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: (212) 594-5300 Telephone: (404) 881-7000
Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel Defendants' Counsel
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE CLERK'S OFFICE REGARDING THIS
NOTICE.
DATED:_______________, 2005
BY ORDER OF THE COURT
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
4
EXHIBIT B
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATLANTA DIVISION
- ----------------------------------------------------
)
IN RE PROFIT RECOVERY ) CIVIL ACTION FILE
GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. ) NO. 1:00-CV-1416-CC
SECURITIES LITIGATION )
)
- ----------------------------------------------------
[PROPOSED] FINAL JUDGMENT AND
ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE
On the ______ day of ____________________, 2005, a hearing having been held
before this Court to determine: (1) whether the terms and conditions of the
settlement set forth in the Stipulation of Settlement dated February 8, 2005
(the "Stipulation") are fair, reasonable, and adequate for the settlement of all
claims asserted by the Class against the Defendants in the complaint now pending
in this Court under the above caption, including the release of the Defendants
and the Released Parties, and should be approved; (2) whether judgment should be
entered dismissing the complaint on the merits and with prejudice in favor of
the Defendants and as against all persons or entities who are members of the
Class herein who have not requested exclusion therefrom; (3) whether to approve
the Plan of Allocation as a fair and reasonable method to allocate the
settlement proceeds among the members of the Class; and (4) whether and in what
amount to award Plaintiffs' Counsel fees and reimbursement of expenses. The
Court having considered all matters submitted to it at the hearing and
otherwise; and it appearing that a notice of the hearing substantially in the
1
form approved by the Court was mailed to all persons or entities reasonably
identifiable, who purchased the common stock of Profit Recovery Group
International, Inc. ("Profit Recovery") between July 19, 1999 and July 26, 2000,
inclusive (the "Class Period"), except those persons or entities excluded from
the definition of the Class, as shown by the records of Profit Recovery's
transfer agent, at the respective addresses set forth in such records, and that
a summary notice of the hearing substantially in the form approved by the Court
was published in the national edition of Investor's Business Daily pursuant to
the specifications of the Court; and the Court having considered and determined
the fairness and reasonableness of the award of attorneys' fees and expenses
requested; and all capitalized terms used herein having the meanings as set
forth and defined in the Stipulation, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND
DECREED that:
1. This Judgment incorporates by reference the definitions in the
Stipulation and all terms used herein shall have the same meanings as set forth
in the Stipulation.
2
2. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of the Litigation
and over all parties to the Litigation, including all Class Members.
3. Pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, this Court
hereby approves the settlement set forth in the Stipulation and finds that the
contributions to the Settlement Fund are fair and that said settlement is, in
all respects, fair, reasonable, and adequate to the Class.
4. Except as to any individual claim of those Persons (identified in
Exhibit 1 attached hereto) who have validly and timely requested exclusion from
the Class, this Court hereby dismisses with prejudice and without costs (except
as otherwise provided in the Stipulation) the Litigation against the Defendants.
5. The Court finds that the Stipulation and the settlement are fair,
reasonable, and adequate as to each of the Settling Parties, and that the
Stipulation and the settlement are hereby finally approved in all respects, and
the Settling Parties are hereby directed to perform the terms of the
Stipulation.
6. Upon the Effective Date hereof, the Lead Plaintiffs and each of the
Class Members shall be deemed to have, and by operation of this Judgment shall
have, fully, finally, and forever released, relinquished, and discharged all
claims (including, but not limited to, Unknown Claims), demands, losses, rights,
and causes of action of any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, whether
suspected or unsuspected, whether concealed or hidden, whether accrued or
3
unaccrued, by any Lead Plaintiff or Class Member against the Released Persons,
whether under state or federal law, based upon or arising out of, or related to
the purchase or sale of Profit Recovery common stock during the Class Period and
any acts, facts, transactions, events, occurrences, disclosures, statements,
omissions, or failures to act, at anytime during the Class Period, including
without limitation those which were alleged in the Litigation, or those which
could or might have been alleged in the Litigation based upon such acts, facts,
transactions, events, occurrences, disclosures, statements, omissions, or
failures to act alleged in the Litigation (the "Released Claims") against each
and all of the Defendants and their respective past, present and future
directors, officers, employees, partners, members, principals, agents,
underwriters, insurers (including Federal Insurance Company and St. Paul Mercury
Insurance Company), co-insurers, reinsurers, controlling shareholders,
attorneys, law firms, (including Alston & Bird LLP), accountants or auditors,
banks or investment banks, associates, personal or legal representatives,
predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, joint ventures,
assigns, spouses, heirs, related or affiliated entities, any entity in which any
Defendant has a controlling interest, any members of their immediate families,
or any trust of which any Defendant is the settlor or which is for the benefit
of any Defendant and/or member(s) of his family (the "Released Persons"),
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regardless of whether such Class Member executes and delivers a Proof of Claim
and Release.
7. Upon the Effective Date hereof, each of the Released Persons shall be
deemed to have, and by operation of this Judgment shall have, fully, finally,
and forever released, relinquished and discharged each and all claims
(including, but not limited to, Unknown Claims), demands, losses, rights, and
causes of action of any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, whether
suspected or unsuspected, whether concealed or hidden, whether accrued or
unaccrued, that have been or could have been asserted in the Action or any forum
by the Defendants or any of them or the successors and assigns of any of them
against any of the Lead Plaintiffs, Class Members or Plaintiffs' Counsel, which
arise out of or relate in any way to the institution, prosecution, assertion,
settlement, or resolution of the Litigation (except for claims to enforce the
Settlement) (the "Settled Defendants' Claims").
8. Pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, this Court
hereby finally certifiers this action as a class action on behalf of all Persons
who purchased the common stock of Profit Recovery between July 19, 1999 and July
26, 2000, inclusive. Excluded from the Class are Defendants, members of the
immediate families of the Individual Defendants, any entities in which any
Defendant has a controlling interest or is a parent or subsidiary of or is
controlled by the Company, and the legal representatives, heirs, successors,
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predecessors in interest, affiliates or assigns of any Defendant. Also excluded
from the Class are those Persons who timely and validly request exclusion from
the Class pursuant to the Notice of Pendency of Class Action and Proposed
Settlement, Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Settlement Fairness Hearing (the
"Notice") sent to potential Class Members, as listed on Exhibit 1 annexed
hereto.
9. With respect to the Class, this Court, having previously found that this
action meets the requirements of Rule 23(a) and 23(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure for certification as a class action, now finds again and finally
confirms that the prerequisites for class action under Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure 23(a) and 23(b)(3) have been satisfied in that: (a) the Members of the
Class are so numerous that joinder of all Class Members in the Litigation is
impracticable; (b) there are questions of law and fact common to the Class which
predominate over any individual questions; (c) the claims of the Lead Plaintiffs
are typical of the claims of the Class; (d) the Lead Plaintiffs and their
counsel have fairly and adequately represented and protected the interests of
all of the Class Members; (e) the questions of law and fact common to the
members of the Class predominate over any questions affecting only individual
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members of the Class; and (e) a class action is superior to other available
methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the controversy.
10. The notice provided to the Class was the best notice practicable under
the circumstances, including the individual notice to all Members of the Class
who could be identified through reasonable effort. The form and method of
notifying the Class of the pendency of the action as a class action and of the
terms and conditions of the proposed Settlement met the requirements of Rule 23
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Section 21D(a)(7) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u-4(a)(7) as amended by the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, due process, and any other applicable law,
constituted the best notice practicable under the circumstances, and constituted
due and sufficient notice to all persons and entities entitled thereto.
11. The Plan of Allocation as set forth in the Notice is approved as fair
and reasonable, and Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel and the Claims Administrator are
directed to administer the Stipulation in accordance with its terms and
provisions.
12. Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel are hereby awarded __________% of the Gross
Settlement Fund in fees, which the Court finds to be fair and reasonable, and
$_____ in reimbursement of expenses. The attorneys' fees and expenses awarded
shall be paid to Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel from the Settlement Fund with
interest from the date such Settlement Fund was funded to the date of payment at
the same net rate that the Settlement Fund earns. The award of attorneys' fees
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shall be allocated among Plaintiffs' Counsel in a fashion which, in the sole
discretion of Plaintiffs' Co-Lead Counsel, fairly compensates Plaintiffs'
Counsel for their respective contributions in the prosecution of the Litigation.
13. Lead Plaintiff Jeanette Roberts is hereby awarded $________________,
Lead Plaintiff Stephen Haynes is hereby awarded $________________ and Lead
Plaintiff Fernando Melendez is hereby awarded $________________. Such awards are
for reimbursement of these Lead Plaintiffs reasonable costs and expenses
(including lost wages) directly related to their representation of the Class.
14. In making this award of attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses
to be paid from the Gross Settlement Fund, the Court has considered and found
that:
(a) the settlement has created a fund of $6.75 million in cash that is
already on deposit, plus interest thereon, and that numerous Class Members who
submit acceptable Proofs of Claim will benefit from the Settlement created by
Plaintiffs' Counsel;
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(b) Over _______ copies of the Notice were disseminated to putative Class
Members indicating that Plaintiffs' Counsel were moving for attorneys' fees in
the amount of up to _________% of the Gross Settlement Fund and for
reimbursement of expenses in an amount of approximately $_____________ and
[________] objections were filed against the terms of the proposed Settlement or
the ceiling on the fees and expenses requested by Plaintiffs' Counsel contained
in the Notice;
(c) Plaintiffs' Counsel have conducted the litigation and achieved the
Settlement with skill, perseverance and diligent advocacy;
(d) The action involves complex factual and legal issues and was actively
prosecuted over 4.5 years and, in the absence of a settlement, would involve
further lengthy proceedings with uncertain resolution of the complex factual and
legal issues;
(e) Had Plaintiffs' Counsel not achieved the Settlement there would remain
a significant risk that Lead Plaintiffs and the Class may have recovered less or
nothing from the Defendants;
(f) Plaintiffs' Counsel have devoted over ________ hours, with a lodestar
value of $___________, to achieve the Settlement; and
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(g) The amount of attorneys' fees awarded and expenses reimbursed from the
Settlement Fund are consistent with awards in similar cases.
15. Neither the Stipulation nor the settlement contained therein, nor any
act performed or document executed pursuant to or in furtherance of the
Stipulation or the settlement: (a) is or may be deemed to be or may be used as
an admission of, or evidence of, the validity or lack thereof of any Released
Claim, or of any wrongdoing or liability of Profit Recovery or the Individual
Defendants; or (b) is or may be deemed to be or may be used as an admission of,
or evidence of, any fault or omission of Profit Recovery or any of the
Individual Defendants in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding in
any court, administrative agency, or other tribunal. Profit Recovery or any of
the Individual Defendants may file the Stipulation and/or this Judgment in any
other action that may be brought against it or them in order to support a
defense or counterclaim based on principles of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, release, good faith settlement, judgment bar or reduction, or any
other theory of claim preclusion or issue preclusion or similar defense or
counterclaim.
16. The Court finds that during the course of the Litigation, the Settling
Parties and their respective counsel at all times complied with the requirements
of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.
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17. Without affecting the finality of this Judgment in any way, this Court
hereby retains continuing jurisdiction over: (a) implementation of this
settlement and any award or distribution of the Settlement Fund, including
interest earned thereon; (b) disposition of the Settlement Fund; (c) hearing and
determining applications for attorneys' fees, costs, interest, and expenses
(including fees and costs of experts and/or consultants) in the Litigation; and
(d) all parties hereto for the purpose of construing, enforcing, and
administering the Stipulation.
18. In the event that the settlement does not become effective in
accordance with the terms of the Stipulation, then this Judgment shall be
rendered null and void to the extent provided by and in accordance with the
Stipulation and shall be vacated and, in such event, all orders entered and
releases delivered in connection herewith shall be null and void to the extent
provided by and in accordance with the Stipulation.
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19. There is no just reason for delay in the entry of this Order and Final
Judgment and immediate entry by the Clerk of the Court is expressly directed
pursuant to Rule 54 (b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: _____________, 2005
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THE HONORABLE CLARENCE COOPER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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