Analytical Surveys, Inc. v. Tonga Partners, L.P.,, No. 09-2622 (2d Cir. 2012)
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Defendants held ASI notes that could be converted into shares of stock at either a pre-set price-per-share or a floating price that depended on share price over a defined period prior to conversion. A note was converted into shares, all of which were sold in the week following conversion. ASI, seeking to recoup the profits earned on the sale, sued under the Securities Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 78p(b), which prohibits statutory insiders such as defendant from profiting on the trade of securities on a short-swing basis. The district court found defendants liable for profits of $4,965,898.95 earned in short-swing insider trading. The Second Circuit affirmed. Rejecting an argument that the relevant transactions were not “purchases” of securities for purposes of the act, but were within the scope of the “debt” and “borderline transaction” exceptions to liability, and that the scope of any liability found should be limited to defendant Cannell’s pecuniary interest in the profits at issue.
This opinion or order relates to an opinion or order originally issued on June 4, 2012.
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