<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 1995
REGISTRATION NO. 33-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------------
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------------------
BROOKE GROUP LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE 100 S.E. SECOND STREET 51-0255124
(State or other jurisdiction MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131 (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or (305) 579-8000 Identification Number)
organization) (Address, including zip code,
and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant's
principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
---------------------------
MARC N. BELL
GENERAL COUNSEL
BROOKE GROUP LTD.
100 S.E. SECOND STREET
MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131
(305) 579-8000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
COPY TO:
MARK L. WEISSLER
MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & McCLOY
1 CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
(212) 530-5000
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From
time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered pursuant to dividend or reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. /x/
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the
following box and list Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
-----------
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. / /
-----------
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. / /
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED PROPOSED
AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER SECURITY OFFERING PRICE FEE
(1) (1)
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Common Stock, par 1,000,000 shares $8.75 $8,750,000 $3,017.25
value $.10 per share
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</TABLE>
(1) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON
SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE
REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE> 3
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
OCTOBER 2, 1995
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PROSPECTUS
1,000,000 SHARES
BROOKE GROUP LTD.
COMMON STOCK
(PAR VALUE $.10)
----------------------------
This Prospectus relates to 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock,
par value $.10 per share (the "Shares"), of Brooke Group Ltd. (the
"Company") which may be offered for sale from time to time by the
Selling Stockholder named herein, or by such Selling Stockholder's
pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest, to or
through underwriters or directly to other purchasers or through agents
in one or more transactions at varying prices determined at the time
of sale or at negotiated prices. The Company will not receive any of
the proceeds from any such sales. See "Selling Stockholder" and "Plan
of Distribution".
The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "BGL". The last reported sale price of the
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on October , 1995 was
$ per share.
----------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
----------------------------
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 1995
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC in Washington,
D.C., and at the SEC's Regional Offices at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New
York and 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois. Copies of such
information can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. In addition, reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Company may be inspected and
copied at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York. Any interested parties may inspect the Registration Statement,
without charge, at the public reference facilities at the SEC, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549-1004, and may obtain
copies of all or any part of it from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at
the above address upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC.
The Company has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act (together with any amendments thereto, the
"Registration Statement") with respect to the Shares being offered pursuant to
this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information,
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and the documents
incorporated herein by reference.
No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or
made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having
been authorized by the Company, the Selling Stockholder or any underwriter.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an
offer to buy, any securities other than the Shares or an offer to sell, or a
solicitation of an offer to buy, Shares in any jurisdiction in which, or to any
person to whom, such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. Neither the
delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the information herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to its date.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following Company documents filed with the SEC (File No. 1-5759)
are incorporated herein by reference: (1) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994; (2) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995, respectively; (3) Current
Report on Form 8-K dated January 13, 1995; (4) Current Report on Form 8-K dated
January 25, 1995; (5) the description of the Common Stock contained in a
registration statement filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or
reports filed for the purpose of updating such description; and (6) all other
documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Shares.
Any statement incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not
be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
The Company will provide without charge to each person including a
beneficial owner to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of such person, a copy
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of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference herein,
other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents). Written or telephone requests
should be directed to Marc N. Bell, Brooke Group Ltd., 100 S.E. Second
Street, Miami, Florida 33131, telephone (305) 579-8000.
THE COMPANY
The Company, a Delaware corporation founded in 1980, is principally
engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and the acquisition of
operating companies through a controlled subsidiary. The Company also has
investments in a number of additional companies engaged in a diverse group of
businesses. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 100 S.E.
Second Street, Miami, Florida 33131, and its telephone number is (305)
579-8000. The Company is a publicly held corporation with its common stock
listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BGL".
The Company's tobacco business is conducted principally through its
wholly owned subsidiary, Liggett Group Inc. ("Liggett"). Liggett is the fifth
largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States in terms of unit sales.
Liggett produces both full-price branded cigarettes (L&M, Chesterfield, Lark
and Eve) as well as price/value cigarettes in over 300 combinations of lengths,
styles and packaging.
Additionally, the Company holds indirectly (through its subsidiaries,
BGLS, Inc. and New Valley Holdings, Inc.) an approximately 42% voting interest
in New Valley Corporation ("New Valley"). New Valley emerged from bankruptcy
reorganization proceedings in January 1995 and currently holds primarily cash
and marketable securities which it is seeking to apply towards the acquisition
of operating companies. The Company also has interests in such diverse
businesses as computer output microfiche products and various businesses
located in the Russian Republic ("Russia"), including cigarette manufacturing
and real estate development. The Company is contemplating further investment
in Russia and other countries that were part of the former USSR.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
New Valley has recently received antitrust clearance to
purchase up to 15% of the voting securities of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be received by the
Selling Stockholder. None of the proceeds from any sales by the Selling
Stockholder will be received by the Company.
SELLING SECURITY HOLDER
The Shares registered pursuant to the Registration Statement are being
offered for the account of Howard M. Lorber (the "Selling Stockholder"). The
Selling Stockholder acts as a consultant to the Company and also serves as a
member of the Board of Directors and President and Chief Operating Officer of
New Valley. Pursuant to the two agreements described in the following
paragraph, the Selling Stockholder owns or has the right to acquire 1,000,000
shares of the Company's common stock and the Shares offered hereby and by any
applicable prospectus supplement represent all of such Company common stock.
The Selling Stockholder will own no shares of the Company's common stock after
completion of the offering.
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The Selling Stockholder acquired beneficial ownership of 500,000 of
the Shares pursuant to an agreement dated as of January 1, 1994, as amended
(the "Consulting Agreement"), between the Selling Stockholder and the Company.
The Selling Stockholder acquired beneficial ownership of the remaining Shares
pursuant to an agreement dated January 25, 1995 (the "Stock Option Agreement").
The Stock Option Agreement granted the Selling Stockholder options to purchase
500,000 Shares at $2.00 per share. The options granted to the Selling
Stockholder under the Stock Option Agreement are exercisable over a ten year
period, with the Selling Stockholder having the right to purchase up to 20% on
the grant date and up to an additional 20% on each of the four anniversaries of
the grant date.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Any distribution of the Shares by the Selling Stockholder, or by
pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest, may be effected
from time to time in one or more of the following transactions: (a) to
underwriters who will acquire the Shares for their own account and resell them
in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed
public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale (any
public offering price and any discount or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers may be changed from time to time); (b) through brokers, acting
as principal or agent, in transactions (which may involve block transactions)
on The New York Stock Exchange, in special offerings, exchange distributions
pursuant to the rules of the applicable exchanges or in the over-the-counter
market, or otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices or at
fixed prices; or (c) directly or through brokers or agents in private sales at
negotiated prices, or by any other legally available means. Unless otherwise
set forth in any prospectus supplement, (i) the obligations of any underwriter
to purchase any of the Shares will be subject to certain conditions precedent
and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such Shares, if any
are purchased and (ii) any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis
for the period of its appointment.
The Selling Stockholder and such underwriters, brokers, dealers or
agents, upon effecting the sale of the Shares, may be considered "underwriters"
as that term is defined by the Securities Act.
Underwriters participating in any offering made pursuant to this
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented from time to time) may receive
underwriting discounts and commissions, and discounts or concessions may be
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, and brokers or agents participating in
such transactions may receive brokerage or agent's commissions or fees.
At the time a particular offering of Shares is made, to the extent
required, a Prospectus Supplement will be distributed which will set forth the
amount of Shares being offered and the terms of the offering, including the
purchase price or public offering price, the name or names of any underwriters,
dealers or agents, the purchase price paid by any underwriter for Shares
purchased from the Selling Stockholder, any discounts, commissions and other
items constituting compensation
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from the Selling Stockholder and any discounts, commissions or concessions
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if
applicable, the Shares will be sold in such jurisdictions only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the
Shares may not be sold unless the Shares have been registered or qualified for
sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is
available and complied with.
All costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of
the Shares will be borne by the Company. Commissions and discounts, if any,
attributable to the sale of the Shares will be borne by the Selling
Stockholder. The Selling Stockholder may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer
or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving sales of the
Shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the
Securities Act. The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to
indemnify each other and certain other persons against certain liabilities in
connection with the offering of the Shares, including liabilities arising under
the Securities Act.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 1994 and 1993 and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's equity (deficit) and cash
flows of the Company for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1994 incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the report, which
includes explanatory paragraphs relating to uncertainty as to the ultimate
outcome of certain pending legislation against the Company and the Company's
change in accounting in 1993 for post-retirement benefits other than pensions
to conform with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, of Coopers
& Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated financial statements
of New Valley included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as of
December 31, 1993 and 1994 and for each of the three years in the period then
ended incorporated by reference herein have been so included in reliance on the
report of Price Waterhouse LLP given on the authority of said firm as experts
in auditing and accounting.
VALIDITY OF SHARES
The validity of the Shares offered hereby is being passed upon
for the Company by Marc N. Bell, Esq., General Counsel of the Company.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. - OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth various expenses, payable by Brooke
Group Ltd. (the "Company") on behalf of the Selling Stockholder in connection
with the offering. Other than the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") registration fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates:
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SEC registration fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,017.24
Legal fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,000.00
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,982.76
----------
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35,000.00
==========
</TABLE>
ITEM 15. - INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Article VI of
the Company's By-Laws provide for indemnification of the Company's directors
and officers in a variety of circumstances, which may include liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933.
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows a
corporation to eliminate the personal liability of a director of a corporation
to the corporation or to any of its stockholders for monetary damage for a
breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, except in the case where the
director (i) breaches his duty of loyalty, (ii) fails to act in good faith,
engages in intentional misconduct or knowingly violates a law, (iii) authorized
the payment of a dividend or approves a stock repurchase in violation of the
Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) obtains an improper personal benefit.
Article Ninth of the Company's Certificate in Incorporation includes a
provision which eliminates directors' personal liability to the full extent
permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended.
ITEM 16. - EXHIBITS.
The following documents are filed as a part of this Registration
Statement or incorporated by reference herein:
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EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
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5.1 Opinion of Marc N. Bell, Esq.
23.1 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
23.2 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
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EXHIBIT
NO. DESCRIPTION
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23.3 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
23.4 Consent of Marc N. Bell, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Power of Attorney (included in the signature page hereof).
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ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) The Company hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
events arising after the effective date of the registration
statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant
to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
statement.
(iii) To include any material information with
respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
by reference in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
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Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
undersigned registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Miami, and State of Florida, on the
2nd day of October, 1995.
BROOKE GROUP LTD.
By: /s/ BENNETT S. LeBOW
----------------------------
Bennett S. LeBow
Chairman of the Board of
Directors, President and
Chief Executive Officer
The registrant and each person whose signature appears below hereby
authorizes Marc N. Bell (the "Agent"), with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, to file one or more amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to the Registration Statement which amendments may make such
changes in the Registration Statement as such Agent deems appropriate and the
registrant and each such person hereby appoints each such Agent as
attorney-in-fact to execute in the name and on behalf of the registrant and
each such person, individually and in each capacity stated below, any such
amendments to the Registration Statement.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on October 2, 1995.
/s/ BENNETT S. LeBOW Chairman of the Board of
----------------------------- Directors, President and
Bennett S. LeBow Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ GERALD E. SAUTER Vice President, Chief Financial
----------------------------- Officer and Treasurer (Principal
Gerald E. Sauter Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ ROBERT J. EIDE Director
-----------------------------
Robert J. Eide
/s/ JEFFREY S. PODELL Director
-----------------------------
Jeffrey S. Podell
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT SEQUENTIALLY
NO. DESCRIPTION NUMBERED PAGE
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5.1 Opinion of Marc N. Bell, Esq.
23.1 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
23.2 Consent of Price Waterhouse LLP
23.3 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
23.4 Consent of Marc N. Bell, Esq. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1 Power of Attorney (included in the signature page hereof).
</TABLE>
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EXHIBIT 5.1
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EXHIBIT 5.1
October 2, 1995
Brooke Group Ltd.
100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am General Counsel of Brooke Group Ltd. (the "Company") and
have acted for the Company in connection with the preparation of the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") in respect of
1,000,000 shares of the common stock of the Company, par value $.10 per share
(the "Common Stock"), to be sold from time to time by Howard M. Lorber pursuant
to such Registration Statement. In connection therewith, I have reviewed (i)
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company as currently in
effect; (ii) the Registration Statement; (iii) certain resolutions adopted by
the Board of Directors of the Company; and (iv) such other documents, records
and papers as I have deemed necessary or appropriate in order to give the
opinion set forth herein. I am familiar with the proceedings heretofore taken
by the Company in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the
Common Stock. As to various questions of fact material to such opinion, I
have, when relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon
certifications by officers of the Company and other documents that I have
deemed appropriate.
Based on such examination and review, I am of the opinion that
the Common Stock has been legally issued and is fully paid and nonassessable.
I consent to the use of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me under the caption "VALIDITY
OF SHARES" in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ MARC N. BELL
----------------------
Marc N. Bell
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EXHIBIT 23.1
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EXHIBIT 23.1
Consent of Independent Accountants
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement on
Form S-3 of our report, which includes explanatory paragraphs relating to
uncertainty as to the ultimate outcome of certain pending litigation against
the Company and to the Company's change in accounting in 1993 for
postretirement benefits other than pensions to conform with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, dated April 3, 1995 on our audits of
the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of
Brooke Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and for
the years ended December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992, which reports are included
in the annual report on Form 10-K for 1994 of Brooke Group Ltd. and
Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts".
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Miami, Florida
September 29, 1995
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EXHIBIT 23.2
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EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of Independent Accountants
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Prospectus constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our
report dated March 24, 1995, which appears on page C-40 of Brooke Group Ltd's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1994. We also
consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
New York, New York
September 29, 1995
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EXHIBIT 23.3
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EXHIBIT 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
Brooke Group Ltd.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference to our report dated March 9, 1995
in the registration statement on Form S-3 of Brooke Group Ltd., relating to the
consolidated balance sheets of MAI Systems Corporation as of December 31, 1994
and 1993, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
deficiency and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993, the
three month period ended December 31, 1992 and the fiscal year ended September
30, 1992.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Orange County, California
September 29, 1995
