SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [ X ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ X ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
(as permitted By Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
--------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ ] No fee required.
[ X ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-
11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): In accordance
with Rule 0-11(c), the fee was calculated to be one-fiftieth of one percent
of the aggregate of the cash and value of the securities and other property
to be distributed to the security holders of Resort Income Investors, Inc.
Market values as of December 1, 1997 are used for all applicable securities
as defined in accordance with Rule 0-11(a)(4).
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $831,200
(5) Total fee paid: $166
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: N/A
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: N/A
(3) Filing Party: N/A
(4) Date Filed: N/A
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RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
150 South Wacker Drive
Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
312-683-3323
[JANUARY 5, 1998]
Dear Stockholder:
The Company will hold a special meeting of stockholders on [THURSDAY,
FEBRUARY 5, 1998] to consider and vote on a proposal to liquidate all of
the assets of the Company, satisfy all known Company obligations and
liabilities, and distribute the remaining cash pro-rata to the
stockholders. I have recommended this liquidation proposal to the members
of the Board of Directors, and they have unanimously approved it. The
Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the liquidation proposal.
Under the liquidation proposal, the Board of Directors will file a
certificate of dissolution for the Company, wind-up the Company's affairs,
endeavor to convert all of the assets of the Company into cash or cash
equivalents, pay from Company funds all Company liabilities, and
distribute all Company assets in one or more distributions to the Company's
stockholders. The first distribution is estimated to be in the third
quarter of 1998 and would be for approximately ninety to ninety-five
percent (90-95%) of the total funds available for distribution to the
Company's stockholders after payment of Company obligations and
liabilities. If additional Company funds (net of Company liabilities) are
available for distribution, the Company may make a second or final
distribution in late 1998 or early 1999.
The estimated pre-tax value of the total estimated cash distributions
to the Company's stockholders based on the number of shares of Company
common stock outstanding on [DECEMBER 19, 1997], ranges between $1,039,000
and $1,246,800.
This proposal is the final action designed to implement the orderly
self-liquidation of the Company's assets. The decision to liquidate the
Company was announced on June 29, 1995 and was projected to occur within a
24 to 36 month period.
The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. at The 410 Club, 410
North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611. The only business on the
agenda is the liquidation proposal. The official Notice of Special
Meeting, Proxy Statement and form of proxy are included with this letter.
The vote of every stockholder is particularly important for this
special meeting. Mailing your completed proxy will not prevent you from
voting in person at the meeting if you wish to do so.
Please sign, date and promptly mail your proxy. Your cooperation will
be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
/s/ JOHN R. YOUNG
------------------------------
John R. Young
Chairman of the Board and President
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RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
150 South Wacker Drive
Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
312-683-3323
[JANUARY 5, 1998]
____________________________________________
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
____________________________________________
This special meeting of stockholders (the "Special Meeting") of Resort
Income Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be
convened at The 410 Club, 410 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
60611 on [FEBRUARY 5, 1998, AT 10:00 A.M. (CENTRAL STANDARD TIME)] (the
"Special Meeting Date") to consider and vote on a proposal (the
"Liquidation Proposal") as more fully described in the attached Proxy
Statement. The Special Meeting may be adjourned by such further notice as
provided at the Special Meeting.
The Liquidation Proposal provides that the Company will be dissolved
and that the Board of Directors will convert all of the assets of the
Company into cash or cash equivalents, wind-up the Company's affairs, pay
or adequately provide for the payment of all Company obligations and
liabilities, and distribute pro-rata to or for the benefit of Company
stockholders, in one or more distributions, all of the Company's cash.
All stockholders of record at the close of business on [DECEMBER 19,
1997] are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting on the
Special Meeting Date or any adjournment or postponement thereof. The
Company is soliciting proxies, pursuant to the attached Proxy Statement,
for use at the Special Meeting on the Special Meeting Date. No business
other than the Liquidation Proposal will be considered at the Special
Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Daniel D. Lane
Secretary
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting in person,
please complete, sign and date the enclosed form of proxy, and mail it
promptly in the envelope provided. Thank you.
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RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
____________________________________
PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY
____________________________________
This summary is qualified by the more detailed information contained
elsewhere in this Proxy Statement which should be read in its entirety.
THE SPECIAL MEETING
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING. The special meeting of
stockholders (the "Special Meeting") of Resort Income Investors, Inc. (the
"Company") will be held at The 410 Club, 410 North Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois 60611 on [THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1998, AT 10:00 A.M.
(CENTRAL STANDARD TIME)] (the "Special Meeting Date").
PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING. The Special Meeting is being held to
consider and vote on a proposal (the "Liquidation Proposal") to dissolve
the Company and to begin implementation of a plan of liquidation and
distribution of the Company's assets. If the Liquidation Proposal is
approved, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") will file a
certificate of dissolution, wind-up the Company's affairs, endeavor to
convert all Company assets into cash or cash equivalents, pay or adequately
provide for the payment of all Company obligations and liabilities, and
distribute pro-rata in one or more liquidating distributions to or for the
benefit of all holders of common stock of the Company (the "Stockholders"),
as of the applicable record date, all of the Company's cash.
Stockholders are encouraged to read the Liquidation Proposal attached
as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement in its entirety.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD. The Board has unanimously approved the
Liquidation Proposal and recommends that the Stockholders vote FOR the
Liquidation Proposal. For a description of the reasons for the Liquidation
Proposal, see "Reasons for Liquidation -- Reasons for the Liquidation
Proposal".
SPECIAL MEETING RECORD DATE. [DECEMBER 19, 1997] (the "Special
Meeting Record Date").
VOTING. At the Special Meeting, each Stockholder of record as of the
Special Meeting Record Date will be entitled to one vote for each share of
common stock of the Company ("Share") held as of such date. The
Liquidation Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority
of outstanding Shares of the Company. Pursuant to the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the Board has the right to restrict the
voting rights of groups or individuals that hold more than 9.9% of the
outstanding Shares (the "Limit"). The Board also has the right to prohibit
any Stockholder who owns Shares in excess of the Limit from voting those
Shares in excess of the Limit, however, it is not currently believed that
any Stockholder's Share ownership exceeds the Limit.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL"), no appraisal rights or similar rights of dissenters are available
to Stockholders in connection with the Liquidation Proposal.
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REASONS FOR LIQUIDATION
REASONS FOR THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. The Company was organized for
the purpose of enabling Stockholders to participate in mortgage loans
primarily to entities affiliated with Christopher B. Hemmeter ("CBH"),
secured by real property or other qualifying assets owned or to be acquired
for the development of luxury destination resorts. The Company then
subsequently changed the focus for its mortgage loans to real property or
other qualifying assets owned or to be acquired for gaming-relating
developments. The Company has previously loaned money to CBH, his wife,
and entities affiliated with CBH, which loans have been in default. The
Company does not presently participate in any mortgage loans for any
gaming-related developments. With the exception of the subleasehold
interest in International Marketplace, a rental property located in
Honolulu, Hawaii ("International Marketplace"), the Company's assets
consist entirely of cash, cash equivalents, other securities and assets.
See "Reasons for Liquidation -- Description of the Company's Assets".
The Board has determined that the Company's current activities are not
sufficient to justify the Company's current administrative costs and
expenses, including professional fees and other expenses. The Board has
not received an alternate proposal which would provide for a greater
distribution to the Stockholders. The Board believes that the aggregate of
the pre-tax value of the liquidating distributions in the hands of the
Stockholders is likely to exceed the probable trading value of the Shares
in the foreseeable future.
ESTIMATED AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION. The amount of proceeds
received from the disposition of individual assets is dependent upon a
number of conditions, many of which are beyond the power of the Company to
control, including market conditions at the time of each sale. It is
currently estimated that the net proceeds from the orderly disposition of
the Company's assets would permit the Company to make distributions to
Stockholders aggregating approximately $.25 to $.30 per Share, after
allowing for the Company's satisfaction of its obligations (including those
related to the pending litigation) and its payment of liquidation expenses
(including administrative costs and substantial accounting and legal fees).
This estimate is a forward-looking statement within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and actual results could
be affected by many factors including the market for the securities held by
the Company, the demand and availability in the market for the type and
location of property owned by the Company, the assessment of liquidation
expenses and other contingent or unknown liabilities. See "Certain
Considerations".
THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. The Liquidation Proposal
provides that the Company will be dissolved and the Board will endeavor to
convert all of the assets of the Company into cash or cash equivalents,
wind-up the Company's affairs, pay or adequately provide for the payment of
all Company obligations and liabilities and distribute to or for the
benefit of Stockholders all of the Company's remaining cash in a
Preliminary Distribution and (to the extent additional funds are available)
a Final Distribution (as each term is defined herein). A copy of the
Liquidation Proposal is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement.
CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION AND NOTICE. Upon approval of the
Liquidation Proposal, the Board will cause a Certificate of Dissolution to
be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and will liquidate the assets
of the Company in accordance with the DGCL and the Liquidation Proposal.
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ASCERTAINMENT OF LIABILITIES. The Board and BDO Seidman, LLP, the
Company's independent accountants ("BDO Seidman"), will seek to ascertain
the Company's current and contingent expenses, obligations and liabilities
and, thereafter, the Company will establish a contingency reserve.
CONTINGENCY RESERVE. Under the DGCL, in the event the Company fails
to create an adequate contingency reserve for payment of its expenses and
liabilities, or should such contingency reserve be exceeded by the amount
ultimately found to be payable in respect of the Company's expenses,
obligations and liabilities, each Stockholder could be held liable for the
payment to the Company's creditors of such Stockholder's pro-rata share of
such excess, limited to the amounts theretofore received by such
Stockholder from the Company. Accordingly, in such event, a Stockholder
could be required to return all distributions previously made and thus,
would receive nothing from the Company as a result of the Liquidation
Proposal. Moreover, in the event a Stockholder has paid taxes on amounts
received, a repayment of all or a portion of such amount could result in a
situation in which a Stockholder may incur a net tax cost if the repayment
of the amount distributed does not cause a reduction in taxes payable in an
amount equal to the amount of the taxes paid on amounts previously
distributed. However, the Company will attempt to engage a liquidation
administrator who would indemnify the Stockholders to the extent of such
previous distributions received by such Stockholders.
CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY FOLLOWING ADOPTION OF LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. It
is anticipated that certain of the present directors and officers of the
Company may continue to serve in such capacity until December 1998. In
addition, the Board will attempt to appoint a liquidation administrator in
late 1998 to effect the dissolution, winding-up and liquidation of the
Company.
SALE OF THE COMPANY'S ASSETS. Approval of the Liquidation Proposal by
the Stockholders will constitute approval of the dissolution of the Company
and will authorize the Board, without further Stockholder approval, to take
any and all actions that may be necessary or convenient to dispose of the
assets of the Company and convert them into cash or cash equivalents to be
distributed to the Stockholders. The Board has reserved the right to
abandon the Liquidation Proposal under certain conditions. See "Conditions
to Distributions" below.
LIQUIDATION RECORD DATES. The "Preliminary Liquidation Record Date"
will be established by the Board shortly before the first liquidating
distribution to Stockholders and the "Final Liquidation Record Date" will
be established by the Board shortly before the Final Distribution, if any.
DISTRIBUTION DATES. The "Preliminary Distribution Date" will be
established by the Board and is expected to be in the third quarter of 1998
(the "Preliminary Distribution"). The "Final Distribution Date" will be
established by the Board and, if any such distribution is to be made, is
anticipated to occur in late 1998 or early 1999, but may be postponed in
the Board's discretion (the "Final Distribution"). There is no assurance
that any amounts will be available to the Stockholders in a Final
Distribution.
LIQUIDATING TRUST. It is the intention of the Board, if the
Liquidation Proposal is approved, to sell the Company's subleasehold
interest in the International Marketplace prior to the Final Distribution
Date, if any. If all of the Company's assets are not sold and converted
into cash or cash equivalents, prior to the Final Distribution Date, if
any, the Board may determine to transfer such remaining assets to an entity
which for tax purposes will be treated as a liquidating trust. The Company
will then be liquidated. No further Stockholder approval will be required
to authorize the sale or transfer of assets to a liquidating trust.
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<PAGE>
CONDITIONS TO DISTRIBUTIONS. The Board has reserved the right to
abandon the Liquidation Proposal in the event that the Board receives an
offer for the acquisition of the Company which would result in a greater
distribution to the Stockholders.
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS. The Liquidation Proposal is subject to
various risks including the following: the Board may not be successful in
disposing of the Company's assets; there may be decreased liquidity in the
market for the Shares and the Company's subleasehold interest in the
International Marketplace; the dissolution and liquidation of the Company
will jeopardize its value as an ongoing entity; and the Board will be
empowered to dispose of the assets of the Company without further
Stockholder approval. See "Certain Considerations".
TRADING MARKET. A limited number of Shares are traded over the
counter under the symbol RIIV and prices are listed on the NASDAQ
Electronic Bulletin Board. The Board may determine to permanently suspend
trading of the Shares after the Preliminary Distribution Date. In
addition, the NASDAQ may, at any time, determine to permanently suspend
trading of the Shares.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS. For federal income tax
purposes the Company is currently taxed as a real estate investment trust
("REIT") as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the Company anticipates that such status will continue during the
period of liquidation. However, there can be no assurances that the
qualification tests necessary to continue to be taxed as a REIT will be
met. To the extent that the Company ceases to qualify as a REIT, dividends
paid to the Stockholders would not be deductible by the Company, and could,
thus, result in the Company being liable for federal income taxes. In
addition, in order to be deductible by the Company, payments to
Stockholders, including liquidating distributions, must be treated as
dividends. Distributions in liquidation of a corporation may be treated as
dividends if certain conditions are met. It is anticipated that these
conditions will be met, and that distributions to Stockholders upon
liquidation will reduce the Company's income. In addition, to the extent
that the Company has any gain from the sale of assets on liquidation, the
Company has net operating loss carryforwards from previous years which may
offset a portion of the gain.
The Company believes that the distributions to Stockholders pursuant
to the Liquidation Proposal will be treated as distributions in complete
liquidation of the Company, which will result in the Stockholder being
treated as if he had sold his Shares in the Company. In such case, a
Stockholder will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference between
the Stockholder's basis in the Shares, and the total amount of cash and
fair market value of property received by the Stockholder pursuant to the
Liquidation Proposal. It is anticipated that any gain or loss recognized
by the Stockholder will be capital gain or loss provided these Shares are
held as a capital asset, and may be long-term capital gain or loss
depending upon the time period over which the Shares were held.
It is possible that the Company's assets may be distributed to a
liquidating trust. This is not expected to affect the taxation of the
transaction. In addition, non-United States Stockholders may be taxed
differently than United States Stockholders.
For a more detailed discussion of the federal income tax consequences
of the transaction, see "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations".
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RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
________________________________
PROXY STATEMENT
________________________________
THE SPECIAL MEETING
This Proxy Statement is furnished to Stockholders on or about
January 5, 1998 in connection with the solicitation of proxies by and on
behalf of the Board to be voted at the Special Meeting to be held on
February 5, 1998 at The 410 Club, 410 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago,
Illinois 60611. The Special Meeting will be convened at approximately
10:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time), and any adjournment or postponement
thereof will be announced at such meeting.
THE PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT
ARE SOLICITED FOR USE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING WHEN CONVENED ON THE SPECIAL
MEETING DATE AND ANY SUBSEQUENT ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF AND
MAY NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING THE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER A
QUORUM IS PRESENT, PRIOR TO THE SPECIAL MEETING DATE. THEREFORE, IT IS
ANTICIPATED THAT THE BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING, WITH RESPECT TO WHICH PROXIES ARE SOLICITED PURSUANT TO
THIS PROXY STATEMENT, WILL BE ADDRESSED ON THE SPECIAL MEETING DATE.
PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
The Special Meeting is being held to adopt the Liquidation Proposal.
The Liquidation Proposal is to dissolve the Company and to adopt a plan of
liquidation and distribution of the Company's assets after conversion into
cash, subject to the conditions described elsewhere in this Proxy
Statement. The Liquidation Proposal will result in a complete liquidation
of all of the Company's assets. If the Liquidation Proposal is approved,
the Board will file a certificate of dissolution, wind-up the Company's
affairs, endeavor to convert all Company assets into cash or cash
equivalents, pay or endeavor to adequately provide for the payment of all
of the Company's known obligations and liabilities and distribute pro-rata
in one or more liquidating distributions to or for the benefit of
Stockholders, as of the applicable record date, all of the Company's cash.
Stockholders are encouraged to read the Liquidation Proposal attached as
Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement in its entirety.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
APPROVAL OF THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. IN ADOPTING THE LIQUIDATION
PROPOSAL, THE BOARD RECOGNIZES THAT STOCKHOLDERS, DEPENDING ON THEIR TAX
BASIS IN THEIR SHARES, MAY BE REQUIRED TO RECOGNIZE GAIN FOR TAX PURPOSES
UPON RECEIPT OF DISTRIBUTIONS IN LIQUIDATION. SEE "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME
TAX CONSIDERATIONS".
The methods used by the Board in estimating the value of the Company's
assets do not result in an exact determination of value nor are they
intended to indicate the amount a Stockholder will receive in liquidation.
The prices at which the Company will be able to sell its assets depend
largely upon factors
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beyond the Company's control, including, without limitation, the rate of
inflation, changes in interest rates, the condition of financial markets
and the availability of financing to prospective purchasers. No assurance
can be given that the amount to be received in liquidation will equal or
exceed the price at which the Shares have generally traded or are expected
to trade in the future. Stockholders who disagree with the Board's
determination that the pre-tax value of the assets to be distributed to the
Stockholders may exceed the price at which the Shares have traded, should
vote AGAINST approval of the Liquidation Proposal.
This Proxy Statement contains certain forward looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including, statements based on the Board's estimate of the values of the
Company's assets and the Board's belief that the liquidation value per
share of the Shares in the hands of the Stockholders is likely to exceed
its probable trading value in the foreseeable future absent the proposed
liquidation. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "anticipates,"
"believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or circumstances. See "Certain
Considerations".
VOTING RIGHTS AND PROXY INFORMATION. The solicitation of proxies will
be by mail and the cost will be borne directly by the Company. The Company
has retained the services of ChaseMellon Shareholder Services in connection
with this solicitation at a fee payable by the Company of [_________], plus
out-of-pocket expenses. Upon request, the Company will reimburse banks,
brokers, nominees and related fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred
by them in sending the proxy materials to beneficial owners of Shares to
the extent required by Rule 14a-13(a-b) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Also, officers of the Company,
as yet undesignated, may request the return of proxies by telephone,
telegram or in person.
The Shares represented by properly executed proxies in the
accompanying form received by the Board on the Special Meeting Date will be
voted at the Special Meeting on the Special Meeting Date. Shares not
represented by properly executed proxies will not be voted. Where a
Stockholder specifies a choice in a proxy with respect to any matter to be
acted upon, the Shares represented by such proxy will be voted as
specified. When a Stockholder does not specify a choice, in an otherwise
properly executed proxy, the Shares represented by such proxy will be voted
FOR the Liquidation Proposal. A Stockholder who signs and returns a proxy
in the accompanying form may revoke it by: (i) giving written notice of
revocation to the Secretary of the Company before the proxy is voted at the
Special Meeting on the Special Meeting Date; (ii) executing and delivering
a later-dated proxy; or (iii) attending the Special Meeting on the Special
Meeting Date and voting his or her Shares in person.
The close of business on [December 19, 1997] has been fixed as the
Special Meeting Record Date for the determination of Stockholders entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. On such date, the Company
had outstanding 4,156,000 Shares, each of which entitled the holder thereof
to one vote at the Special Meeting. Only Stockholders of record as of the
Special Meeting Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting
or any postponements or adjournments thereof. Pursuant to the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any holder of record holding in
excess of the Limit will not be able to vote such Shares in excess of the
Limit without the prior consent of the Board. In order for valid
Stockholder action to be taken, a quorum, consisting of the holders of at
least a majority of the
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issued and outstanding Shares eligible to vote, must be present, in person
or by proxy, at the Special Meeting.
Assuming the presence of a quorum, the affirmative vote of a majority
of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company (whether present in
person or represented by proxy) is required for the adoption of the
Liquidation Proposal. Votes may be cast in favor, against or withheld;
votes that are withheld will have the same effect as votes against the
Liquidation Proposal. Broker non-votes (Shares not voted by brokers due to
the absence of instructions from street name holders) are not considered
voted, present or represented and thus, will have the same effect as votes
against the Liquidation Proposal.
Under the DGCL, Stockholders do not have any appraisal or similar
rights of dissenters with respect to the matters to be considered at the
Special Meeting.
The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Company
is 150 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2900, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
REASONS FOR LIQUIDATION
REASONS FOR THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. The Company was organized on
July 12, 1988 as a 12-year, self-liquidating REIT. The original business
plan of the Company contemplated the Company principally making mortgage
loans ("Mortgage Loans") which would generally be secured by either luxury
destination resorts or unimproved property anticipated to be developed into
luxury destination resorts. In light of the state of the real estate
market during the early 1990's in general, and the resort development
market in particular, the Company changed its focus to making Mortgage
Loans secured by gaming-related developments or unimproved property
anticipated to be developed into gaming-related developments. The Mortgage
Loans consisted primarily of: (i) loans made for the purpose of acquiring,
carrying out and engaging in pre-development activities with respect to
real property; and (ii) loans made for the purpose of developing,
constructing or refurbishing real property improvements. As of December
31, 1996, all of the Company's loans had been made to affiliates of the
Company or RII Advisors, Inc., the Company's former investment manager (the
"Former Investment Manager") (the "Affiliated Borrowers"). The Former
Investment Manager is an entity controlled by affiliates of CBH, who
resigned as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of
the Company on August 8, 1995. Mortgage Loans were collateralized by a
lien on the Affiliated Borrowers' real property or by other REIT-qualifying
collateral approved by the Board, including, without limitation, an
interest in the Affiliated Borrowers, or by similar collateral.
In late June 1995, CBH, then the Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, informed the Company that interest
and principal would not be paid when due on demand loans made by the
Company to him and his wife personally or to the Affiliated Borrowers.
Further, CBH informed the Company that he would not be able to make timely
payment of such interest and principal on behalf of the Affiliated
Borrowers pursuant to guarantees he had made in connection with the
Affiliated Borrowers' loans, thereby creating an event of default for each
of the loans. The affected loans constituted all of the demand loans to
related parties held by the Company, aggregating $36,605,000 of which CBH
and his wife, Patricia Hemmeter, were personally the borrowers of
$15,000,000 and the Affiliated Borrowers were the borrowers of $21,605,000,
as of the date of such announcement. On September 24, 1997, CBH and his
wife filed a joint voluntary petition pursuant to Chapter 7 of the
Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central
District of California (Doc. No.
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LA97-46624LF). The current carrying value of all of the affected loans has
been written down to zero and, based on current information, the Board does
not anticipate any significant amount of the aggregate indebtedness will be
satisfied.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY'S ASSETS. The Company does not own or
presently participate in any Mortgage Loans for luxury destination resorts
or gaming-related developments. With the exception of the subleasehold
interest in International Marketplace, and the above-mentioned pending
claims against CBH and his wife resulting from certain of the affected
loans, the Company's assets consist entirely of cash, cash equivalents and
other securities. As of December 1, 1997, the Company has the following
assets which it intends to convert into cash:
(i) a 12% senior secured pay-in-kind note due 2003 in the principal
amount of $601,702 issued by Colorado Gaming & Entertainment Co., the
successor to Hemmeter Enterprises, Inc. ("Colorado Gaming");
(ii) a 12% senior secured pay-in-kind note due 2003 in the principal
amount of $34,000 issued by Colorado Gaming;
(iii) 60,170 shares of common stock of Colorado Gaming, which entity
is not publicly traded. Colorado Gaming has entered into a letter of
intent to be acquired by Ladbroke Group PLC for $6.25 per share plus the
assumption of Colorado Gaming's debt. The transaction is expected to
become final late in the first quarter or the second quarter of 1998,
although there can be no assurance that such transaction will occur;
(iv) 34,002 shares of common stock of Casino America, Inc. ("Casino
America"), a publicly-held stock traded on the NASDAQ National Market under
the symbol "CSNO." In addition, the Company may be entitled to receive a
small number of warrants of Casino America. The value of this stock was 2-
15/16 per share as of December 1, 1997;
(v) the claim against CBH and his wife for approximately
$36,605,000 relating to loans made by the Company (on September 24, 1997,
CBH and his wife filed a joint petition pursuant to Chapter 7 of the
Bankruptcy Code). Based on currently available information, the Company
does not believe it will receive significant disbursements from the
bankrupts' estate; and
(vi) the subleasehold interest in International Marketplace.
International Marketplace is a retail center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The
Company holds a subleasehold interest in the property through March 2010.
The Company currently receives approximately $25,000 per month in net
rental income from the rental of International Marketplace. This is the
Company's only current income producing activity. The Board has determined
that this rental income is not sufficient to justify the administrative
costs and expenses, including professional fees and other expenses,
involved in continuing the operation of the Company.
The Company had cash or cash equivalents at December 1, 1997 in the
amount of approximately $1,200,000 invested in banks or institutional money
market funds.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY'S KNOWN LIABILITIES. The Company's
accounts payable amounted to $100,000 as of December 1, 1997. In addition,
the Company is required to make significant payments to an escrow account
pursuant to the Settlement Agreement (as defined herein). See "Litigation".
After reviewing the Company's prospects, the Board determined that the
Company's assets should be sold in an orderly liquidation of the Company.
In the Board's view, the Company has been unable to attract substantial
interest from the investment community. The average daily trading volume
for the Shares during the period of June 30, 1997 through September 30,
1997 (consisting of 65 trading days) was approximately 5,100 Shares and on
16 trading days there were no transactions whatsoever in the Shares. The
Board believes that the pre-tax value of the liquidating distributions in
the hands of the Stockholders is likely to exceed the probable trading
value of the Shares in the foreseeable future.
As a result of the foregoing factors, the aggregate market value of
the Company's Shares, approximately $831,200 as of December 1, 1997, did
not, in the Board's view, reflect the full value of the Company's assets.
The Board, therefore, believes that it is in the best interests of the
Stockholders to liquidate the assets of the Company.
In arriving at such determination, the Board evaluated alternatives to
adoption of the Liquidation Proposal for enhancing Stockholder value. One
alternative considered by the Board was the sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company (including the Company's net operating
losses) to a single buyer. In the second and third quarters of calendar
year 1997, the Company received unsolicited informal indications of
interest from third parties concerning possible acquisition of
substantially all of the Company's assets. The Board has not, however,
received a written offer, proposal or other commitment that would provide
for a greater distribution to the Stockholders. The Board currently
believes it is unlikely that a single buyer would wish to acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company for a price that would
result in consideration to the Stockholders in excess of that obtainable
through disposition of individual Company assets in an orderly liquidation.
The Board also elected not to rely on the possibility of a merger or
other combination of the Company with another company, based on the belief
that the interests of the Stockholders would more likely be better served
by the distribution of the net cash sale proceeds to the Stockholders
rather than by offering, in effect, a new investment alternative that holds
no guarantee of success.
ESTIMATED AMOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION. The Company has
established targeted sales prices for each of the Company's assets,
including a target sales price for International Marketplace of its
approximate carrying value on September 30, 1997 as set forth in the
Company's Statements of Net Assets in Liquidation as of such date (the
"Carrying Value"), which the Board believes reflects the approximate value
of International Marketplace; however, there can be no assurance that any
or all of the assets will be sold at the targeted sales prices established
by the Company, or will be sold at all. The amount of proceeds received
from the disposition of individual assets is dependent on a number of
conditions, many of which are beyond the power of the Company to control.
Therefore, assets of the Company may be sold at prices that may not
necessarily be equal to or greater than their book value. The Board has
not but may engage an independent appraiser to establish a value for
International Marketplace.
It is currently estimated that the net proceeds from the orderly
disposition of the Company's assets would permit the Company to make
estimated cash distributions to Stockholders aggregating approximately $.25
to $.30 per Share, after allowing for the Company's satisfaction of its
known
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liabilities and obligations (including those related to the pending
litigation) and its payment of liquidation expenses. However, there can be
no assurance of the amount or nature of the Company's contingent or unknown
liabilities and obligations, if any.
To estimate the amounts that may be available for distribution from
the estimated sale proceeds, the Board estimated selling costs of the
assets and assumed that net proceeds would be applied to satisfy
outstanding liabilities and obligations of the Company. The Board
estimated general and administrative costs for the Company during its
liquidation process and assumed the remaining balance of sale proceeds
would be applied to pay directors and officers liability insurance,
administrative costs, substantial accounting and legal fees and other known
and unknown liabilities and to make distributions to Stockholders. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate sufficient
net proceeds from the sale of the Company's assets to permit the Company to
make distributions in the range stated above, and the aggregate amount of
distributions ultimately made to Stockholders might vary materially from
such amounts.
The Liquidation Proposal contemplates disposition of all of the assets
of the Company and distribution of the net proceeds to Stockholders but
since the terms of such dispositions have not been determined, the Company
has concluded that pro forma financial information concerning the
Liquidation Proposal would not be meaningful. The financial statements
furnished in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the periods
ending March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997 are
incorporated herein by reference. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference".
The estimates contained in this section are forward-looking
statements, and actual results could be affected by many factors, including
the market for assets held by the Company and the assessment of liquidation
expenses. The estimates contained in this section also assume the
continuation of reasonably stable conditions during the entire liquidation
period and the consummation of the sale of Colorado Gaming. See "Certain
Considerations".
THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. The following is a summary
of the Liquidation Proposal and is qualified in its entirety by the
Liquidation Proposal itself attached as Exhibit A. The Liquidation
Proposal will become effective only upon the adoption thereof by the
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of the
Company. The Liquidation Proposal provides that the Company will be
dissolved and the Board will wind-up the Company's affairs, endeavor to
convert all of the assets of the Company into cash or cash equivalents, pay
or adequately provide for the payment of all known Company obligations and
liabilities and distribute pro-rata to or for the benefit of Stockholders
all of the Company's cash in a Preliminary Distribution and (to the extent
additional funds are available) a Final Distribution.
CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION AND NOTICE. Upon Stockholder approval of
the Liquidation Proposal, a Certificate of Dissolution will be filed with
the Secretary of State of Delaware dissolving the Company (the "Certificate
of Dissolution"). The dissolution of the Company will become effective, in
accordance with the DGCL upon proper filing of the Certificate of
Dissolution with the Secretary of State or upon such later date as may be
specified in the Certificate of Dissolution. Pursuant to the DGCL, the
Company will continue to exist for three years after the dissolution
becomes effective or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of
Chancery shall direct, for the purpose of prosecuting and defending
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suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against it, and
enabling the Company gradually to settle and close its business, to dispose
of and convey its property, to discharge its liabilities and to distribute
to Stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of continuing
the business for which the Company was organized. Following the filing of
the Certificate of Dissolution, the Board will cause notices of dissolution
to be sent to all known creditors and claimants of the Company, and will
publish notice of the Company's dissolution as required by and otherwise
comply with the DGCL. Except as provided above, the Company does not
believe any material state or federal regulatory approvals will be
necessary in connection with the Liquidation Proposal.
WINDING-UP; ASCERTAINMENT OF LIABILITIES. The Board shall proceed
to wind-up the affairs of the Company and shall carry on no business except
for the purpose of winding-up the Company's affairs. All of the powers of
the Board shall continue until the affairs of the Company shall have been
wound-up, including the power to fulfill or discharge the contracts of the
Company, collect its assets, sell, convey, assign, exchange, transfer or
otherwise dispose of all or any part of the remaining Company property to
one or more persons at public or private sale for consideration which
consists of cash or cash equivalents, discharge or pay the Company's
liabilities, and do all other acts appropriate to liquidate the Company's
assets. In late 1998, the Company will attempt to engage a liquidation
administrator to perform such acts as appropriate to liquidate the
Company's assets.
Claims, liabilities and expenses from operations (including operating
costs, salaries, income taxes, payroll and local taxes, miscellaneous
office expenses), will continue to occur following approval of the
Liquidation Proposal, and the Company anticipates that expense for
professional fees and other expenses of liquidation will be significant.
In addition, the Company must provide significant payments to an escrow
account pursuant to the Litigation Settlement (as defined herein). These
expenses will reduce the amount of assets available for ultimate
distribution to Stockholders. While the Company does not believe that a
precise estimate of these expenses can currently be made, the Board
believes that available cash and amounts received on the sale of assets
will be adequate to provide for the Company's obligations, liabilities,
expenses and claims (including contingent liabilities) and to make cash
distributions to Stockholders. However, no assurances can be given that
available cash and amounts received on the sale of assets will be adequate
to provide for the Company's obligations, liabilities, expenses and claims
and to make such distributions to Stockholders. If such available cash and
amounts received on the sale of assets are not adequate to provide for the
Company's obligations, liabilities, expenses and claims, the Stockholders
will not receive any distributions. See "The Liquidation Proposal --
Contingency Reserve".
CONTINGENCY RESERVE. The Company does not plan to satisfy all of its
liabilities and obligations prior to making the Preliminary Distribution to
Stockholders, but instead will reserve assets deemed by the Board to be
adequate to provide for any unsatisfied and contingent liabilities and
obligations. The Board and BDO Seidman, the Company's independent
accountants, thereafter, will seek to ascertain the Company's current and
contingent expenses, obligations and liabilities and the Company will
establish a contingency reserve (the "Contingency Reserve") in an amount
estimated by the Board to be sufficient to satisfy the liabilities,
expenses and obligations of the Company not otherwise paid, provided for or
discharged. The net balance, if any, of any such Contingency Reserve
remaining after payment, provision or discharge of all such liabilities,
expenses and obligations will also be distributed to the Stockholders pro-
rata in the Final Distribution.
If the Company were held by a court to have failed to make adequate
provision for its expenses, obligations and liabilities or if the amount
ultimately required to be paid in respect of such liabilities exceeded the
amount set aside in the Contingency Reserve and the assets of the
liquidating trust, if any,
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a creditor of the Company could seek an injunction against the making of
distributions under the Liquidation Proposal on the ground that the amounts
of cash to be distributed were needed to provide for the payment of the
Company's expenses, obligations and liabilities. Any such action could
delay or substantially diminish the cash distributions to be made to
Stockholders.
UNDER THE DGCL, IN THE EVENT THE COMPANY FAILS TO CREATE AN ADEQUATE
CONTINGENCY RESERVE FOR PAYMENT OF ITS EXPENSES, OBLIGATIONS AND
LIABILITIES, OR SHOULD SUCH CONTINGENCY RESERVE BE EXCEEDED BY THE AMOUNT
ULTIMATELY FOUND TO BE PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF THE COMPANY'S EXPENSES AND
LIABILITIES, EACH STOCKHOLDER COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE PAYMENT TO THE
COMPANY'S CREDITORS OF SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S PRO-RATA SHARE OF SUCH EXCESS,
LIMITED TO THE AMOUNTS THERETOFORE RECEIVED BY SUCH STOCKHOLDER FROM THE
COMPANY. ACCORDINGLY, IN SUCH EVENT A STOCKHOLDER COULD BE REQUIRED TO
RETURN ALL DISTRIBUTIONS PREVIOUSLY MADE AND THUS WOULD RECEIVE NOTHING
FROM THE COMPANY AS A RESULT OF THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. MOREOVER, IN THE
EVENT A STOCKHOLDER HAS PAID TAXES ON AMOUNTS THERETOFORE RECEIVED, A
REPAYMENT OF ALL OR A PORTION OF SUCH AMOUNT COULD RESULT IN A SITUATION IN
WHICH A STOCKHOLDER MAY INCUR A NET TAX COST IF THE REPAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT
DISTRIBUTED DOES NOT CAUSE A REDUCTION IN TAXES PAYABLE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL
TO THE AMOUNT OF THE TAXES PAID ON AMOUNTS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED. WHILE
THE POSSIBILITY OF THE OCCURRENCES SET FORTH ABOVE CANNOT BE EXCLUDED,
AFTER A REVIEW OF ITS ASSETS AND LIABILITIES THE COMPANY BELIEVES THAT THE
CONTINGENCY RESERVE WILL BE ADEQUATE AND THAT A RETURN OF AMOUNTS
PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED WILL NOT BE REQUIRED. IN ADDITION, THE COMPANY WILL
ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE A LIQUIDATION ADMINISTRATOR WHO WOULD INDEMNIFY THE
STOCKHOLDERS TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH PREVIOUS DISTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY SUCH
STOCKHOLDERS.
CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY FOLLOWING ADOPTION OF LIQUIDATING PROPOSAL. It
is anticipated that certain of the present directors and officers of the
Company may continue to serve in such capacity until December 1998. In
addition, the Board will attempt to appoint a liquidation administrator to
effect the dissolution, winding-up and liquidation of the Company. The
continuing officers and directors or liquidation administrator, if
applicable, will receive compensation for the duties then being performed
as determined by the Board. The Board has not established specific
guidelines for determination of the compensation to be paid to directors
and officers of the Company or any liquidation administrator following
approval of the Liquidation Proposal by the Stockholders. Following
approval of the Liquidation Proposal by the Stockholders, the Company shall
continue to indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents in
accordance with its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, by-laws and such
directors' and officers' insurance policies as shall be maintained in
effect by the Company from time to time, for actions taken in connection
with the Liquidation Proposal and the winding-up of the affairs of the
Company. The Company's obligation to indemnify such persons may be
satisfied prior to any distributions from the Contingency Reserve or out of
any liquidating trust. The Board and the trustees of any liquidating
trust, in their absolute discretion, are authorized to obtain and maintain
insurance as may be necessary to cover the Company's obligations under the
Liquidation Proposal.
SALE OF THE COMPANY'S ASSETS. Approval of the Liquidation Proposal by
the Stockholders will constitute approval of dissolution of the Company and
will authorize the Board to take any and all actions
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that may be necessary or convenient to dispose of the assets of the Company
and convert them into cash or cash equivalents to be distributed to the
Stockholders, including selling, conveying, transferring or otherwise
disposing of the assets when and on such terms and subject to such
conditions as are deemed by the Board to be in the best interests of the
Company and the Stockholders. The Company is currently engaged in
marketing International Marketplace. The Company does not intend to seek
Stockholder approval for the specific terms and conditions of the sale of
International Marketplace or any other Company asset. Any sales of the
Company's assets will be made, in private or public transactions, on such
terms as are approved by the Board.
LITIGATION. On July 3, 1995, a class action complaint captioned
"Sarnoff v. Resort Income Investors, Inc., et al., Doc. No. 95 B 1665" was
filed against the Company, CBH, Mark M. Hemmeter ("MMH") and Deloitte &
Touche LLP, the Company's independent auditors at that time, in U.S.
District Court for the District of Colorado alleging violations of Section
10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and other provisions
of the federal securities laws and the rules promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). On August 24, 1995, a second
class action suit captioned "Contract v. Resort Income Investors, Inc., et
al., Doc. No. 95 B 2184," alleging similar violations of the federal
securities laws, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of
Colorado against each of the defendants in the Sarnoff lawsuit and Daniel
D. Lane, ("DDL"), Christopher R. Hemmeter ("CRH"), Gregory Hooper ("GH")
and John R. Young ("JRY"). In November 1995, the two actions were
consolidated (collectively referred to as the "Class Action Litigation").
In June 1995, two derivative actions were filed in the Court of
Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, "Alpert v.
Hemmeter et al., Doc. No. 14839," and "Frank, et al. v. Hemmeter et al.,"
Doc. No. 14413. The Company is a nominal defendant in each of these cases.
The defendants in both cases are CBH, MMH, DDL and JRY. The complaints
allege that CBH, MMH, DDL and JRY breached their fiduciary duties to the
Company, wasted Company assets and that CBH stood in a conflict of interest
position. The complaints have been consolidated (collectively referred to
as the "Derivative Litigation"). The plaintiffs in the Derivative
Litigation, in October 1997, filed an action in the U.S. District Court in
Colorado in order to seek approval of the settlement of the derivative
actions in that Court concurrently with the securities class action
settlement, described below. The derivative complaint filed in Colorado
alleges substantially the same claims asserted in the complaints in the
Delaware litigation.
Pursuant to the Company's by-laws and Delaware law, the Company has
been advancing CBH's, MMH's, CRH's, GH's, DDL's and JRY's costs of defense
in the Class Action and Derivative Litigation. CBH, MMH, CRH, GH, DDL and
JRY have executed undertakings to repay the Company for the advances if it
is ever determined that they were not entitled to receive the advances.
On November 26, 1997, the parties to both the Class Action Litigation
and the Derivative Litigation in the U.S. District Court in Denver,
Colorado filed a Settlement Agreement.
The Class Action Litigation settlement provides that all investors,
other than the defendants, who purchased shares in the Company between
March 31, 1993 and June 29, 1995, will be eligible to participate in the
settlement proceeds. The settlement proceeds will consist of approximately
$5,050,000 to be paid by the Company's officers' and directors' insurer and
its former independent auditors, plus an amount equal to the greater of:
(i) 44% of the Company's net assets in liquidation as of: (a) December 31,
1997; or (b) the date the Company files its certificate of liquidation,
whichever is earlier;
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or (ii) $1,000,000 (the "Litigation Settlement"). $1,425,000 of the
approximately $5,050,000 will be contributed towards the settlement of the
Derivative Litigation.
The amount available for distribution to the class of investors
covered by the settlement will be determined after court-approved attorney
fees and expenses have been awarded. The amount that individual class
members may receive will be determined by the monies available after
expenses and attorneys' fees and the number and amount of claims filed.
Preliminary approval of the settlement by the court is expected during
December 1997. A court hearing for final approval of the settlement is
currently anticipated to take place during the first quarter of 1998. The
approval of the settlement should not be considered an admission of
liability by any defendant with respect to any of the claims asserted.
The contributions to the settlement by the Company's directors' and
officers' insurer and its former independent auditors have been placed in
escrow, pending court review and approval of the settlement. The Company's
contribution to the settlement will be funded as follows: (i) within one
business day of the notice of the court's preliminary approval of the
settlement, the Company will place in escrow $250,000; (ii) no later than
four business days prior to the hearing scheduled by the Court to determine
whether to finally approve the settlement, the Company will place an
additional $250,000 in escrow; and (iii) in addition to the payments
referenced in subparagraphs (i) and (ii), the Company shall, upon the sale
or liquidation of any assets contribute to the escrow 44% of the net
proceeds from such liquidation or sale within three business days after
such proceeds are received. The payments by the Company to the escrow
under subparagraph (iii) will not exceed $500,000. In any event, within
five days after both the filing of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-
KSB for the period ended December 31, 1997, or the Company's receipt of its
audited financial statements for the period ended December 31, 1997, and
the occurrence of the effective date of the settlement, the portion of the
payment by the Company described in subparagraph (iii) shall be paid by the
Company to the extent not previously tendered.
Notices which thoroughly address the settlement will be forwarded to
class members and current Stockholders from the Clerk of the Court after
preliminary approval of the Settlement by the court. Investors who
purchased shares in the Company during the class period will also receive
information regarding the procedures for filing claims.
In consideration for the settlement of the litigation, plaintiffs in
the Class Action Litigation on behalf of themselves and all class members
and plaintiffs in the Derivative Litigation on behalf of themselves and
derivatively on behalf of the Company will provide releases to the
defendants in the Class Action and Derivative Litigation. These releases
will, among other things, release the defendants from any claims, whether
known or unknown, that were or could have been asserted in the Class Action
and Derivative Litigation, or in any way related to the Company, including,
but not limited to, the sale or purchase of stock issued by the Company.
The Board believes that the proposed settlements are beneficial to the
Company because its liquidation will be more readily accomplished once the
Company is unencumbered by the expense and uncertainty of defending the
litigation.
On November 14, 1997, the Company was served a complaint in an action
pending in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, State of
Louisiana, entitled THE VENTURE INTERNATIONAL GROUP V.
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C.C. PARTNERS CORP., ET AL., No. 19 93-00870. The claims in the complaint
filed by the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority and the
City of New Orleans seek rescission and/or cancellation of any agreements
and consent judgments entered into between the Company, Canadian Pavilion
Limited Partnership, C.C. Partners Corp., Con Demmas, Venture International
Holding Company and Venture International Group M 1996. Management is
currently reviewing its options with regard to the lawsuit and at this time
is unable to make an assessment as to its strategy.
On October 25, 1995, the Commission issued a formal order of
investigation captioned In the Matter of Resort Income Investors, Inc.,
Case No. HO-5327. In connection with the investigation, the Company was
requested to produce certain documents and information. The Company has
complied with these requests. The Company has been advised that the
investigation should not be construed as an indication by the Commission or
its staff that any violation of law has occurred, or as a reflection upon
any person, entity or security. The Company cannot, at this time, predict
the outcome of the investigation or the financial impact, if any, to the
Company.
LIQUIDATION RECORD DATES. Subject to the payment or the provision for
payment of the Company's indebtedness and other obligations (including the
litigation settlement described above), the cash proceeds of any asset
sales together with other available cash will be distributed from time to
time pro-rata to the Stockholders on record dates selected by the Board
with respect to each such distribution. Only Stockholders of record on
each of the Preliminary and Final Distribution Dates will receive
distributions with respect to such distribution dates.
The Preliminary Liquidation Record Date will be established by the
Board shortly before the Preliminary Distribution to Stockholders and the
Final Liquidation Record Date will be established by the Board shortly
before the Final Distribution, if any.
DISTRIBUTION DATES. The actual nature, amount and timing of, and
record dates for any distribution will be determined by the Board, in its
sole discretion. The Preliminary Distribution Date is expected to be in
the third quarter of 1998. The Final Distribution Date is expected to
occur in late 1998 or early 1999, but may be delayed in the Board's
discretion. The Board is, however, currently unable to estimate the
precise nature, amount or timing of any distributions pursuant to the
Liquidation Proposal.
The Company will close its stock transfer books and discontinue
recording transfers of Shares on the Final Liquidation Record Date (or such
earlier date after the Preliminary Distribution Record Date as the Board
may determine), and thereafter certificates representing Shares will not be
assignable or transferable on the books of the Company except by will,
intestate succession or operation of law. After the Final Liquidation
Record Date (or such earlier date as the Board may determine), the Company
will not issue any new stock certificates, other than replacement
certificates. It is anticipated that no further trading of Shares will
occur on or after the Final Liquidation Record Date (or such earlier date
as the Board may determine). All liquidating distributions from the
Company (or a liquidating trust) on or after the Final Liquidation Record
Date will be made to Stockholders according to their holdings of Shares as
of the Final Liquidation Record Date. After the Final Liquidation Record
Date, the Company will require Stockholders to surrender the Shares to
receive the Final Distribution, if any.
All distributions otherwise payable by the Company to Stockholders in
respect of the Final Distribution will be held in trust by the Transfer
Agent, without interest, until surrender of the certificates. If a
Stockholder's certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the
Stockholder may be
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required to furnish the Company or the Transfer Agent with satisfactory
evidence of the loss, theft or destruction thereof, together with a surety
bond or indemnity, as a condition to the receipt of any distribution.
Preliminary Distributions and (to the extent additional funds are
available) Final Distributions will be paid pro-rata to the holders of
record of Shares at the close of business on record dates to be determined
by the Board. No distributions will be made unless, in the opinion of the
Board, adequate provision for a Contingency Reserve for all unknown and
contingent debts and liabilities and payment of all of the known debts and
liabilities of the Company, including all legal fees and expenses and
expenses of any liquidation administrator established, has been made. Any
net proceeds from sales not applied to satisfy indebtedness or other
obligations of the Company would be invested, pending distribution, in such
instruments as the Board deems appropriate. The Final Distribution would
be in complete redemption and cancellation of all of the outstanding
Shares, and upon such Final Distribution, if any, the Board will require
Stockholders to surrender their Share certificates to the Transfer Agent
and cause such Shares to be cancelled. If distributions cannot be made to a
Stockholder because mail is not deliverable to the last known address of
that Stockholder on the stockholders list maintained by the Company, such
funds will be held by the Transfer Agent subject to the "unclaimed funds"
or escheat statutes of the state of such last known address. If such state
does not have an escheat law, the law of Delaware will govern. If funds
are not claimed within the statutory periods, they may escheat to such
state.
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT FORWARD THEIR SHARE CERTIFICATES BEFORE
RECEIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO DO SO.
Upon termination of the Company and distribution to the Stockholders
as herein provided, a majority of the Board shall execute and lodge among
the records of the Company an instrument in writing setting forth the fact
of such termination, and the Board shall thereupon be discharged from all
further liabilities and duties, and the right, title and interest of all
Stockholders shall cease and be cancelled and discharged.
LIQUIDATION ADMINISTRATOR. The Company will attempt to utilize the
services of a liquidation administrator to accelerate and complete the
liquidation process in late 1998. The liquidation administrator, in
consideration of a fee to be negotiated between the Company and the
liquidation administrator, will assume, and will indemnify and hold the
Stockholders harmless from and against the Company's debts, obligations and
liabilities (except for claims by Stockholders, if any, attributable to
their ownership of Shares) in connection with the liquidating distributions
(the "Indemnity"). After the Preliminary Distribution and the appointment
of the liquidation administrator, assuming there are then illiquid assets
of the Company (such as the potential claim against CBH and his wife in the
pending bankruptcy) the Company, in consideration for the Indemnity, will
transfer those assets to the liquidation administrator in order to
accomplish a full and complete liquidation of the Company's assets.
The Board will require the indemnity of the liquidation administrator
to provide the Company and its Stockholders with protection against the
subsequent assertion of a claim against the Company which could or may
jeopardize each Stockholder's ability to retain their pro-rata portion of
such distributions. The Board may require the liquidation administrator to
post a bond or other surety so that if such a claim should arise, the
Company and the Stockholders could rely on the indemnity obligations of the
liquidation administrator to insulate them from potential liability
resulting from such claim.
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The Company will solicit proposals from persons or entities who may
wish to serve as the liquidation administrator. The Company cannot at this
time project the ultimate fee to be agreed upon between the Company and the
liquidation administrator for the liquidation administrator's services or
the duration of the performance of such services.
LIQUIDATING TRUST. If all of the Company's assets (other than the
Contingency Reserve) are not sold or distributed prior to the Final
Distribution or the appointment of a liquidation administrator, the Board
may transfer in final distribution such remaining assets to a liquidating
trust. The Board may also elect in its discretion to transfer the
Contingency Reserve, if any, to such a trust. Any of such trusts are
referred to herein as "liquidating trusts". In the event of a transfer of
assets to a liquidating trust, the Company would distribute, pro-rata to
the Stockholders, beneficial interests in any such liquidating trust. It
is anticipated that the interests in any such trust will not be
transferable except by operation of law.
It is the intention of the Board, if the Liquidation Proposal is
approved, to sell International Marketplace prior to the Final Distribution
Date. To that end, the Board is currently engaged in marketing
International Marketplace. There can be no assurance, however, that the
sale of International Marketplace can be completed as contemplated. The
Liquidation Proposal provides that at any time prior to the Final
Distribution Date, the Board concludes that additional marketing efforts by
the Company will not likely result in the receipt of any reasonable third
party offers to purchase International Marketplace at a price of at least
the Carrying Value, the Board may determine to transfer such remaining
property to an entity which for tax purposes will be treated as a
liquidating trust. The Company will then be liquidated. No further
Stockholder approval will be required to authorize transfer of assets to a
liquidating trust.
The transfer and assignment to the liquidating trust and the
distribution or allocation to the Stockholders would constitute a part of
the Final Distribution by the Company to the Stockholders of their pro-rata
interest in the remaining amount of cash assets held by or for the account
of the Company. Upon such transfer and assignment, certificates for Shares
would be deemed to represent certificates of interest in the liquidating
trust. From and after the date of the Company's transfer of assets to a
liquidating trust, the Company would have no interest of any kind in and to
any such assets, and all of such assets would thereafter be held by the
liquidating trust solely for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the
liquidating trust, subject to any unsatisfied debts, liabilities and
expenses.
The sole function of a liquidating trust would be to manage and own
remaining assets until and in order that they may be liquidated, to satisfy
all then-remaining claims and liabilities of the liquidating trust,
including fees, costs and expenses of the liquidating trust, and to
distribute any remaining assets to the beneficiaries of the liquidating
trust.
Any plan to transfer assets to a liquidating trust is only a
contingency plan to provide for the possibility that International
Marketplace is not sold during the liquidation period. Therefore, the
Board has not determined the detailed terms or structure for a liquidating
trust, the characteristics of which would be determined by the Board at a
future date. If any such liquidating trust is implemented, a copy of the
trust agreement shall be filed with the Commission prior to its use or
implementation.
CONDITIONS TO THE DISTRIBUTION. Under the Liquidation Proposal, the
Board may modify, amend or abandon the Liquidation Proposal,
notwithstanding Stockholder approval, if the Company receives a bona fide
offer for the purchase of substantially all of its assets, which would
result in the Stockholders receiving a distribution greater than the
aggregate of the anticipated distributions under the Preliminary
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Distribution and Final Distribution, if any, pursuant to the Liquidation
Proposal. In the event that approval of the Liquidation Proposal by
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares of the
Company is not obtained, the Company intends to continue to transact
business and to consider alternative courses of action.
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL EFFECTS OF THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. The Liquidation Proposal
substantially affects the outstanding Shares. Under the Liquidation
Proposal, each Stockholder is entitled to receive, in exchange for the
cancellation of his or her Shares, his or her pro-rata share of the assets,
if any, remaining after the payment of all the Company's liabilities and
appropriate provision for the Company's contingent and unknown liabilities.
There is no assurance that any amounts will be available for distribution
to the Stockholders in the Final Distribution. There is no assurance that
any amounts received in liquidating distributions will not ultimately be
claimed by the Company's creditors. In addition, even if the Final
Distribution were to occur, it could be delayed for several years pending
the resolution of the Company's contingent and unknown liabilities. See
"The Liquidation Proposal--Contingency Reserve".
NO ASSURANCES OF DISTRIBUTIONS. There can be no assurances that the
Company will be successful in disposing of properties for values equaling
or exceeding those currently estimated by the Company or that such
dispositions will occur as early as intended by the Board. If values of
the Company's assets including International Marketplace decline, the
liquidation may not yield distributions as great as or greater than the
recent market prices of the Shares.
POSSIBLE DECREASING LIQUIDITY. As assets of the Company are sold and
proceeds are distributed, the market capitalization and "float" will
diminish further and market interest in the Shares in the investment
community may diminish, thereby reducing or effectively eliminating the
market demand and liquidity for the Shares, which would adversely affect
the market price for the Shares.
LOSS OF PUBLIC ENTITY VALUE. Once the Stockholders vote to dissolve
the Company, it will be committed to winding-up. This fact jeopardizes any
value that a potential acquiror might place on the ability to acquire a
publicly-held entity, and it may preclude other possible courses of action
not yet identified by the Board.
LOSS OF LOSS CARRYFORWARDS. The dissolution of the Company will
prevent any potential acquiror from realizing certain loss carryforwards of
the Company. As of January 1, 1997, the loss carryforwards amounted to
approximately $3,000,000. The Company expects to generate significant loss
carryforwards for fiscal year 1997 of approximately $27,000,000. The
Company's loss carryforwards could be valuable to potential acquirors.
SALES OF ASSETS NOT SUBJECT TO FURTHER STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL. If the
Stockholders approve the Liquidation Proposal, the Board will have the
authority to sell all of the Company's assets on such terms as the Board
determines appropriate. Notably, the Stockholders will have no subsequent
opportunity to vote on such matters and will, therefore, have no right to
approve or disapprove the terms of any such sale.
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APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Under Delaware law, and the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, Stockholders who vote against the Liquidation
Proposal will not have any appraisal rights or similar dissenters' rights
for their Shares.
TRADING OF SHARES. The Company will close its stock transfer books
and discontinue recording transfers of Shares on the earlier to occur of:
(i) the close of business on the record date fixed by the Board for the
Final Distribution (the "Final Distribution Record Date"); or (ii) the date
on which the Board requests a Stop Trading Order be issued by the NASDAQ,
or NASDAQ issues such an order, and thereafter certificates representing
Shares will not be assignable or transferable on the books of the Company
except by will, intestate succession or operation of law. After the
earlier to occur of: (x) the Final Distribution Record Date; or (y) the
date of the Stop Trading Order, the Company will not issue any new stock
certificates, other than replacement certificates. On December 1, 1997,
the high bid, the low asked and the closing prices of the Shares on the
NASDAQ Electronic Bulletin Board were each $.20.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion is a summary of the material federal income
tax consequences to the Stockholders relevant to the Company's adoption and
implementation of the Liquidation Proposal. The discussion does not deal
with all of the tax consequences of the Liquidation Proposal that may be
relevant to every Stockholder. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD THEREFORE CONSULT THEIR
OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL TO
THEM UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS. The
discussion of tax consequences that follows is based upon the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations,
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") rulings, and judicial decisions now in
effect, all of which are subject to change at any time; any such changes
may be applied retroactively.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY. For federal income tax purposes, the
Company is taxed as a REIT. In order for the Company to continue to
qualify as a REIT, it must satisfy a number of asset, income and
distribution tests. First, at least 75% of the value of the Company's
assets at the close of each quarter of the Company's taxable year must be
represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items (including receivables
arising in the ordinary course of the Company's operations), and government
securities. The Company may not have more than 25% of its total assets
represented by non-government securities and, in connection with
investments in such non-government securities, not more than 5% of the
value of the Company's total assets may be invested in such securities of
any one issuer. In addition, the Company may not hold more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer unless it holds all of the
voting securities of such issuer.
The Company must also meet a threefold source of income test. First,
at least 75% of the Company's gross income must be derived from rents from
real property, interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real
property, and other sources directly related to its real estate activities.
Second, at least 95% of the Company's gross income must be derived from the
sources described above and from dividends, interest and gains from sales
or dispositions of stock or securities. Finally, the Company must
distribute 95% of its REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the
dividends paid deduction and by excluding any net capital gain) to its
Stockholders each taxable year.
The Company anticipates that it will remain qualified under the
foregoing tests throughout the period of the liquidation. However, given
the changes in the nature of the Company's assets and in the
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Company's sources of income which may result from sales of assets in the
liquidation, and the need to retain assets to meet liabilities, there can
be no assurance that the qualification tests will be met. If the Company
ceases to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, it would not be entitled
to deduct dividends paid to the Stockholders from its taxable income and
would, therefore, be liable for federal income taxes with respect to its
gains from sales of assets and its income from operations for that year and
for subsequent taxable years, although its substantial net operating loss
carryforwards would be available to offset most of such income. Net
operating loss carryforwards are, however, allowed to offset a maximum of
90% of a corporation's alternative minimum taxable income. In addition,
certain states, such as California, impose restrictions on a corporation's
use of net operating loss carryforwards. Thus, if the Company fails to
maintain its qualification as a REIT and has taxable income for a taxable
year, some federal and state tax will be owing in spite of the Company's
net operating loss carryforwards.
For purposes of calculating a REIT's taxable income for a given year,
Section 857(b) of the Code allows the REIT a deduction for dividends paid
to its shareholders during that taxable year and, therefore, a REIT
generally is not subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes
its taxable income to its shareholders as a dividend.
In order to be entitled to this deduction, a REIT's distributions to
shareholders must be "dividends", but distributions in liquidation of a
corporation are generally treated as being in full payment of a
shareholder's interest in the corporation. In the context of the
liquidation of a REIT, Section 562(b) of the Code provides a special rule
which will classify distributions in liquidation as dividends if certain
conditions are met. Section 562(b) provides that, if a REIT is liquidated
within the 24-month period following the adoption of a plan of liquidation,
distributions pursuant to such plan will, to the extent of the distributing
corporation's earnings and profits for the year of the distribution, be
treated as dividends for purposes of computing the corporation's dividends
paid deduction.
Adoption of the Liquidation Proposal by the Stockholders will
constitute adoption of a plan of liquidation for this purpose. It is
anticipated that the Company will completely liquidate within 24-months of
the adoption of the plan of liquidation so as to take advantage of Section
562(b), but no assurance can be provided that this timetable will, in fact,
be met. For instance, it may not be possible to sell the Company's assets
at acceptable prices during such period. As the end of the 24-month period
approaches, the Company will evaluate the then current situation and
consider whether distribution of its remaining assets and liabilities to a
liquidating trust (which would satisfy the complete liquidation
requirement) would be appropriate, or whether existing circumstances, taken
as a whole, indicate that the Stockholders would be better served by a
course of action which might forego the benefits of Section 562(b). If for
any reason a dividend paid deduction were not available to eliminate the
Company's taxable income, the Company's substantial net operating loss
carryforwards would offset such income, provided, as noted above, that such
net operating loss carryforwards may only offset a maximum of 90% of a
corporation's alternative minimum taxable income.
Although Section 562(b) of the Code may treat liquidating
distributions as dividends, it only does so "to the extent of the earnings
and profits of the corporation for the taxable year of the distribution".
Section 562(e) of the Code provides that, for purposes of determining a
REIT's dividends paid deduction, a REIT's earnings and profits for a
taxable year are to be increased by the total amount of gain recognized on
the sale or exchange of real property during that year. Thus, there should
be sufficient earnings and profits to allow distribution of such gain on
sale to qualify as a dividend. It is anticipated that the Company will
distribute sufficient amounts to the Stockholders each year so that it will
remain
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qualified as a REIT under the rules described above and that the Company
will have no REIT taxable income as a result of the proposed liquidation.
The Company is also subject to a 100% excise tax on any gain from a
"prohibited transaction". The term "prohibited transaction" means the sale
or other disposition of Company property which is held for sale to
customers in the ordinary course of the Company's trade or business. The
determination of whether property is held for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of the Company's trade or business is inherently factual in
nature and, thus, cannot be predicted with certainty. The Code does
provide a "safe harbor" which, if all its conditions are met, would protect
a REIT's property sales from being considered prohibited transactions, but
the Company may not be able to satisfy these conditions in every case,
either because its liquidation activity will result in more sales in a year
than are permitted under the safe harbor or because certain expenses
directly incurred by the Company may be too high. While, as noted above,
this determination is inherently factual, the Company does not believe that
any of its property is held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of
business, but rather that properties are all held for investment and the
production of rental income.
CONSEQUENCES TO STOCKHOLDERS. The Company believes that the
Preliminary Distribution and Final Distribution, if any, to Stockholders
pursuant to the Liquidation Proposal will be treated as distributions in
complete liquidation of the Company; that is, they will not be treated as
dividends, but rather as if the Stockholder had sold his or her Shares. In
such case, a Stockholder will recognize gain or loss with respect to each
Share held by the Stockholder, measured by the difference between: (i) the
Stockholder's basis in that Share; and (ii) the total amount of cash and
fair market value of other property, if any, received by the Stockholder
with respect to such Share pursuant to the Liquidation Proposal. (See
below, "Liquidating Trust" for consequences to Stockholders if the
Company's assets are dispersed to a liquidating trust.) If a Stockholder
holds more than one block of Shares (groups of Shares acquired at different
times or at different costs), each liquidating distribution will be
allocated ratably among the various blocks of Shares and gain or loss will
be computed separately with respect to each block of Shares.
Gain or loss recognized by a Stockholder will be capital gain or loss
provided the Shares are held by the Stockholder, as capital assets; capital
gain or loss will be long-term if the Shares were held for more than 18
months. Corporate stockholders may deduct capital losses recognized in a
taxable year only to the extent of capital gains recognized during such
year. Unused capital losses of a corporation may be carried back three
years and forward for five years, but may not be carried to any year in
which they would create or increase a net operating loss. On the other
hand, individual stockholders may deduct capital losses to the extent of
their capital gains, plus $3,000. Any unused capital loss may be carried
forward indefinitely until the individual taxpayer recognizes sufficient
capital gains to absorb them. Capital losses may not be carried back by an
individual.
The Liquidation Proposal may result in more than one liquidating
distribution to the Stockholders. Each liquidating distribution will be
first applied against the adjusted tax basis of each of a Stockholder's
Shares and gain will be recognized with respect to a Share only after an
amount equal to the adjusted tax basis of such Share has been fully
recovered. Any losses with respect to a Share may be recognized by a
Stockholder only after the Company has made its Final Distribution, if any,
or after the last substantial liquidating distribution is determinable with
reasonable certainty. As a consequence of the foregoing, Stockholders
incurring losses under the Liquidation Proposal will likely be prevented
from recognizing such losses until the receipt of the Final Distribution,
if any.
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LIQUIDATING TRUST. If the Company's assets are distributed to a
liquidating trust, such distribution would be treated, for federal income
tax purposes, as a distribution of the Company's assets to the Stockholders
followed by a contribution by the Stockholders of the assets to the
liquidating trust. As a result, each Stockholder would recognize gain or
loss upon the transfer of assets to the liquidating trust based upon the
value of the assets transferred, reduced by fixed liabilities assumed by
the liquidating trust. If gain is recognized by a Stockholder on the
transfer of assets to the liquidating trust, that Stockholder will be
liable for the payment of any resulting tax, whether or not any
distribution of cash has been made to the Stockholder. In addition, the
Stockholders would be taxed on all income earned by the liquidating trust,
whether or not such income is distributed. Further, if a contingent
liability of the Company is paid by the liquidating trust, the payment
would give rise to a capital loss to the Stockholders.
TAXATION OF NON-UNITED STATES STOCKHOLDERS. Because the liquidating
distributions pursuant to the Liquidation Proposal will be treated as paid
in exchange for a Stockholder's Shares and not as dividends, no withholding
on liquidating distributions will generally be required because of the
Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, commonly known as "FIRPTA",
unless a Stockholder who is not a U.S. citizen or resident owns, or has
owned within the prior five years, 5% or more of the Company's outstanding
Shares.
STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAX. Stockholders may also be subject to state
or local taxes with respect to distributions received by them pursuant to
the Liquidation Proposal and should consult their tax advisors regarding
such taxes.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING. Liquidating distributions will not be subject to
back-up withholding.
PENDING LEGISLATION. Stockholders should be aware that a variety of
tax-related legislation is under consideration before Congress, some of
which could affect the tax treatment of transactions described in this
Proxy Statement. Neither the Company nor its counsel can predict whether
any of these proposals will ultimately be enacted or whether any enactments
would have an adverse effect on the Company or any Stockholder.
Stockholders are urged to contact their own tax advisors regarding the
effect any proposed changes may have on their own individual situations.
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of Shares as of October 31, 1997 by: (i) each
Director of the Company who beneficially owns Shares; (ii) each Executive
Officer of the Company; (iii) each person that is known by the Company to
beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Shares; and (iv) all
Directors and Executive Officers of the Company as a group. The
Stockholders named below have sole voting and investment power with respect
to the Shares shown as beneficially owned by them, except as expressly
disclosed to the contrary.
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Amount and
Nature of
Name and Address of Beneficial Percent
Title of Class Beneficial Owner Ownership of Class
- -------------- ------------------- ---------- --------
Common Stock John R. Young . . . . . 500 Shares less than 1%
155 Walpole Street
Dover, MA 02030
Common Stock Daniel D. Lane. . . . . 13,000 Shares less than 1%
Lane/Kuhn Pacific, Inc.
14 Corporate Plaza
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Common Stock Thomas A. Ellsworth . . None None
PKF Investments
105 Belcher
Essex, MA 01920
Common Stock Neil D. Hansen. . . . . 2,000 Shares less than 1%
150 South Wacker Drive
Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60606
Common Stock Credit Research & . . . 192,000(1) 4.6%
Trading LLC. shares
One Fawcett Place
Greenwich, CT 06830
Common Stock Mr. John Levin. . . . . 29,147(1) .7%
c/o Credit Research & Shares
Trading LLC
One Fawcett Place
Greenwich, CT 06830
Common Stock All Directors and . . . 15,500 Shares less than 1%
Executive Officers
of the Company
as a group
- ----------
(1) As stated in the report on Schedule 13D under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, filed on May 22, 1997, as a group, Mr.
John Levin and Credit Research & Trading LLC beneficially own 221,147
Shares (5.3%). However, Mr. Levin and Credit Research & Trading LLC each
disclaims any beneficial interest in Securities owned by the other.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE.
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and regulations of the Commission
thereunder require the Company's executive officers and directors and
persons who one more than 10% of the Company's stock, as well as certain
affiliates of such persons, to file initial reports of ownership and
changes ownership with the Commission. Executive officers, directors and
persons owning more than 10% of the Company's stock are required by the
Commission's regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section
16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such
forms received by it and written representations that no other reports were
required for those persons, the Company believes
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<PAGE>
that, during the year ended December 31, 1996, all persons subject to
Section 16(a) were in compliance with all Section 16(a) filing
requirements.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. As of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
the Company's investment in loans had a carrying value of $0.00 and
$4,127,891, respectively. Additionally, at September 30, 1997, the Company
had advanced approximately $740,000 to the Affiliated Borrowers in an
effort to protect the Company's collateral positions.
The Company's near term capital requirements will be for ongoing
operating costs during the period of self-liquidation. The Company
believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents and investment securities
should be adequate to fund near-term capital requirements.
OUTSTANDING SHARES
In April 1996, the Shares were delisted from the American Stock
Exchange. The Shares are currently listed on the NASDAQ Electronic
Bulletin Board under the symbol RIIV. As of the Special Meeting Record
Date for the determination of persons entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting, there were 4,156,000 Shares outstanding.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
BDO Seidman has been appointed as the Company's independent auditors
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997 pursuant to the recommendation
of the Board. BDO Seidman has served as the Company's independent auditors
since December 1996. A representative of BDO Seidman is expected to be
present at the Special Meeting with an opportunity to make a statement if
he or she desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions with
respect to that firm's examination of the Company's financial statements
and records for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
As previously noted in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1996
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Stockholder proposals for the 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders will not be included in the Company's Proxy
Statement for that meeting unless received by the Company at its executive
offices in Chicago, Illinois, on or prior to January 12, 1998. Such
proposals must also meet the other requirements of the rules of the
Commission relating to shareholder proposals.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are
incorporated by reference herein:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996.
2. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly periods ended
March 30, 1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997.
3. Form 8-K dated December 2, 1997.
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy
of this Proxy Statement is delivered, on the written or oral request of any
such person, by first class mail or other equally prompt
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<PAGE>
means within one business day of receipt of such request, a copy of any or
all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other than
any exhibits to such documents which are not specifically incorporated
herein or into such documents by reference). Requests should be directed
to:
Resort Income Investors, Inc.
150 South Wacker Drive
Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (312) 683-3323
All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date
hereof and prior to the date of the Special Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein.
Any statements contained in a document incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to
the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently
filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein) modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall
be deemed to constitute a part hereof except as so modified or superseded.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board is not aware that any other matters will be brought before
the Special Meeting for action, but if any other matters shall properly
come before the meeting it is intended that the persons authorized under
proxies solicited on behalf of the Board may, in the absence of
instructions to the contrary, vote or act thereon in accordance with their
best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
Daniel D. Lane
Secretary
IMPORTANT
TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND
RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY.
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RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
150 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 2900
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606
312-683-3323
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints John R. Young, Don S. Hershman and
Neil D. Hansen, and each of them, as Proxies, with the power to appoint
their substitutes, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as
designated below, all the shares of common stock of Resort Income
Investors, Inc. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned on
[JANUARY 5, 1998,] at the Special Meeting of Stockholders when convened on
[FEBRUARY 5, 1998], or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Continued on the reverse side.
<PAGE>
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1.
1. PROPOSAL to approve the Liquidation Proposal of the Company as
specified in the Proxy Statement (check one box):
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to transact any other
business as may properly come before the Special Meeting, or any
adjournment thereof.
DATED:_______________________, 1998
____________________________________
Signature
____________________________________
Signature (if held jointly)
Sign exactly as name appears at left.
If joint tenant, both should sign. If attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign
corporate name by President or authorized officer. If a partnership, sign
in full partnership name by authorized person.
PLEASE PROMPTLY MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COMPANY'S PROXY SOLICITOR, CHASEMELLON
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, AT (800)667-6589, WITH ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE
ABOVE.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL
OF
RESORT INCOME INVESTORS, INC.
1. SCOPE OF LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL. This Liquidation Proposal (the
"Liquidation Proposal") provides for the complete liquidation and
dissolution of Resort Income Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), by providing for: (a) the sale or other disposition of all of
the assets of the Company; (b) the dissolution of the Company in accordance
with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"); and (c)
distribution to the Company's stockholders (the "Stockholders") in a
Preliminary Distribution and (to the extent additional funds are available)
Final Distribution (each term as defined below) of the net cash or cash
equivalent proceeds (after payment of liabilities, obligations and
expenses) to be realized from the sales or other dispositions of its assets
in complete cancellation of each Stockholder's stock. The liquidation,
dissolution and distributions shall be accomplished in the manner stated in
this Liquidation Proposal.
2. ADOPTION OF LIQUIDATION PROPOSAL BY STOCKHOLDERS. The Board of
Directors (the "Board") has determined that the Liquidation Proposal is
advisable for the Company and has adopted the Liquidation Proposal and
submitted it to the Stockholders for their vote in accordance with the
DGCL. The Liquidation Proposal shall be adopted and shall become effective
upon its adoption by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. The Liquidation
Proposal shall be voted upon by the Stockholders at the special meeting of
Stockholders to be held on [FEBRUARY 5, 1998] (the "Special Meeting")
pursuant to a notice and proxy statement.
3. DISSOLUTION. Upon adoption by the Stockholders of the
Liquidation Proposal, the Board shall cause a certification of dissolution
(the "Certificate of Dissolution") to be filed with the Delaware Secretary
of State as required by DGCL Section 275(d). At such time thereafter as
the Board shall determine, in its sole discretion, the Company shall: (a)
provide notice of dissolution to all its known creditors, via certified
mail, return receipt requested, as required by Section 280 of the DGCL; (b)
cause any documentation required by federal or state tax authorities to be
obtained, prepared, executed and filed; and (c) after the filing of
Certification of Dissolution and notice to the Company's known creditors,
provide notice of the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution by
publishing such notice at least once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks
in a newspaper of general circulation each in an applicable jurisdiction as
required by the Section 280 of DGCL.
4. SALE OF ASSETS. Following the adoption of the Liquidation
Proposal by the Stockholders, the Board shall cause the Company to sell,
convey, transfer and deliver or otherwise dispose of all of its assets, as
follows:
(a) The Board shall, or shall cause the officers of the
Company (or a person or entity responsible for administration of the
liquidation appointed by the Board (the "Liquidation Administrator")), to
negotiate the sale, conveyance, transfer and delivery or other disposition
of the real property of the Company which consists of the sub-leasehold
interest in International Marketplace, a retail center located in Honolulu,
Hawaii ("International Marketplace"). International Marketplace may be
sold or otherwise disposed of, to any one or more buyers, as the Board, the
officers of the Company (or a Liquidation Administrator) shall deem
advisable,
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in exchange for cash or cash equivalents, or any combination thereof,
and at public or private sale; provided that the Company receives
consideration of at least the approximate carrying value of International
Marketplace on September 30, 1997 as set forth in the Company's Statement
of Net Assets in Liquidation as of such date. The Board is authorized to
modify these guidelines or to establish additional guidelines pursuant to
which the Board, officers of the Company (or a Liquidation Administrator)
may sell, convey, transfer and deliver or otherwise dispose of
International Marketplace, including modification of the minimum acceptable
sale price. If the officers of the Company or a Liquidation Administrator
propose to sell, convey, transfer and deliver or otherwise dispose of any
real property upon terms and conditions which do not conform to the
guidelines established by the Board, any such sale may be consummated only
after the Board approves the material terms and conditions of such sale.
(b) The Board shall, or shall cause the officers of the
Company (or a Liquidation Administrator), to negotiate the sale,
conveyance, transfer and delivery or other disposition of all personal
property and other assets of the Company in exchange for cash, cash
equivalents or, any combination thereof, at public or private sale,
consistent with the orderly disposition of the Company's assets under this
Liquidation Proposal. The Board is authorized to establish guidelines
pursuant to which the Board, the officers of the Company (or a Liquidation
Administrator) may sell, convey, transfer and deliver or otherwise dispose
of the personal property of the Company without further approval of the
Board. If the officers of the Company (or a Liquidation Administrator)
propose to sell, convey, transfer and deliver any personal property upon
terms and conditions which do not conform to the guidelines established by
the Board, any such sale may only be consummated after the Board approves
the material terms and conditions of such sale.
(c) After adoption of the Liquidation Proposal, the Company
shall not engage in any business activities, except to the extent necessary
for preserving the values of the Company's assets, winding-up its business
and affairs, discharging and paying all Company liabilities and
distributing Company assets in accordance with this Liquidation Proposal.
(d) After adoption of the Liquidation Proposal by the
Stockholders, the Stockholders shall have no right to approve or disapprove
the terms of the sale of any Company assets.
5. PAYMENT OF AND RESERVE FOR LIABILITIES. The Board, the
officers of the Company (or a Liquidation Administrator) shall pay, or
shall make adequate provision for payment of, all known liabilities of the
Company which are attributable to the Company or its personal or real
property or other assets and which are not assumed by any buyer thereof.
After the time period for response to the Company's Notice of Dissolution
has elapsed, the Board or the officers of the Company (or a Liquidation
Administrator), at the direction of the Board, shall establish a reserve
account for all claims which are contingent, conditional or unmatured
claims known to the Company, and all claims which are known to the Company
but for which the identity of the claimant is unknown. The Board may in
its discretion also reserve from distribution cash or other assets of the
Company in such additional amount as the Board determines to be reasonably
necessary for payment of unknown, unascertained liabilities or expenses of
the Company (all such amounts reserved are collectively referred to as the
"Contingency Reserve"). Prior to the distribution of any assets to
Eligible Stockholders (as defined below), the Company shall satisfy its
obligations with respect to the Litigation Settlement (as defined in the
Company's Special Meeting Proxy Statement dated January 5, 1998).
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6. INVESTMENT OF CASH PROCEEDS. The cash proceeds of the sale or
other disposition of the personal or real property and assets of the
Company, shall, pending any liquidating distributions, be invested by the
Board in such manner as the Board deems appropriate, in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that any such proceeds will be invested in
highly-liquid investments and will be invested by the Board in such manner
that the Company will not be deemed an investment company under, and for
the purposes of, the Investment Company Act of 1940.
7. LIQUIDATING DISTRIBUTIONS. (a) The cash proceeds realized from
the sale or other disposition of real or personal property and other assets
of the Company, and any interest or other return thereon, shall be
distributed to the Stockholders in a preliminary liquidating distribution
and, to the extent additional funds are available, a final liquidating
distribution at such times and in such amounts as shall be determined by
the Board, in its sole discretion. The preliminary distribution shall be
for approximately ninety to ninety-five percent (90-95%) of the amounts
available for distribution (the "Preliminary Distribution") (after payment
of all known liabilities and claims). The Preliminary Distribution date
will be established by the Board at its discretion and is expected to occur
in the Company's third fiscal quarter of 1998 (the "Preliminary
Distribution Date"). The remaining amounts will be placed in the
Contingency Reserve. The final liquidating distribution (the "Final
Distribution"), if any, is expected to occur in late 1998 or early 1999,
but may, at the Board's discretion, be postponed in accordance with the
three-year period for winding up the Company's affairs under the DGCL (the
"Final Distribution Date"). Any liquidating distributions shall be made
through the agency of FCTC Transfer Services, L.P., the Company's transfer
agent, or such other agent as may be selected by the Board (the "Transfer
Agent"). At such time as the Board determines that any liquidating
distribution shall be made to the Eligible Stockholders, the Board shall
cause the officers of the Company to deposit with the Transfer Agent the
aggregate amount of funds or others assets to be distributed to Eligible
Stockholders as a liquidating distribution. For the purpose of making the
Preliminary Distribution and Final Distribution, if applicable, to the
Eligible Stockholders, the Board shall set record dates for determining the
Stockholders entitled to receive such liquidating distributions (any such
date to be a "Distribution Record Date"), and the Transfer Agent shall
distribute all funds or other assets deposited with it for such purpose to
the Stockholders of record on any such Distribution Record Date (the
"Eligible Stockholders").
(b) The Final Distribution, if any, shall be in complete redemption
and cancellation of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the
Company (the "Shares"). At such time as the Company makes the Final
Distribution, if any, to the Eligible Stockholders, all of the outstanding
Shares shall be deemed cancelled.
(c) As a condition to receipt of the Final Distribution, if any, to
the Eligible Stockholders, the Board, shall require Eligible Stockholders
to: (i) surrender their certificates evidencing the Shares to the Company
or the Transfer Agent; or (ii) furnish the Company or the Transfer Agent
with evidence satisfactory to the Board of the loss, theft or destruction
of their certificates evidencing the Shares, together with such surety
bonds of other security or indemnity as may be required by and satisfactory
to the Company or the Transfer Agent.
8. TRADING OF SHARES. At any time after the Preliminary
Distribution Date, the Board may, if the Board deems such action to be in
the best interests of the Company and the Stockholders, cause the Shares to
be delisted from any securities exchange on which they are traded or to no
longer be traded or completely prohibit the trading or other transfer of
the Company's common stock if and to the extent permitted by law (the "Stop
Trading Date"). The Board shall cause the officers of the Company to send
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<PAGE>
notice of any Stop Trading Date in advance of such date to all known
Stockholders and to such brokers and market makers as the Board deems
advisable. No trading of the Shares will be permitted after the
Distribution Record Date for the Final Distribution, if any.
9. LIQUIDATION ADMINISTRATOR. The Board shall attempt to
appoint a Liquidation Administrator to accelerate and complete the
liquidation process in late 1998. The Liquidation Administrator, in
consideration of a fee to be negotiated between the Board and the
Liquidation Administrator, will assume, and will indemnify and hold the
Company harmless from and against the Company's debts, obligations and
liabilities (except for claims by Stockholders, if any, attributable to
their ownership of Shares) in connection with the liquidating distributions
(the "Indemnity"). After the Preliminary Distribution and the appointment
of the Liquidation Administrator, assuming there are then illiquid assets
of the Company, the Company shall, in consideration for the Indemnity,
transfer those assets to the Liquidation Administrator to accomplish a full
and complete liquidation of the Company's assets. The Board shall require
an Indemnity of the Liquidation Administrator to provide the Company and
its Stockholders with protection against the subsequent assertion of a
claim against the Company which could jeopardize each Stockholder's ability
to retain his pro-rata distributions. The Board may require the
Liquidation Administrator to post bond or other surety to satisfy such
Indemnity obligations.
10. LIQUIDATING TRUST AGREEMENT. (a) If the Board deems it
advisable for any reason, it may at any time, in its sole discretion and on
behalf of the Stockholders, create a Liquidating Trust (the "Liquidating
Trust") by entering into a Liquidating Trust Agreement (the "Liquidating
Trust Agreement") for the purpose of: (a) completing the liquidation of the
real property and other assets of the Company; (b) providing for the
payment of all known, unknown, unascertained and contingent liabilities or
administration of the Contingency Reserve; and (c) making liquidating
distributions to the Eligible Stockholders in cash or cash equivalents.
(b) Concurrently with the execution of the Liquidating Trust
Agreement, the Company shall transfer and assign to the trustee of the
Liquidating Trust all of the Company's right, title and interest in and to
all of its assets, including without limitation, any real property or
personal property assets still owned by the Company, and any cash proceeds.
Effective upon the date of such transfer, each Stockholder as of the date
of such transfer, or any Record Date that may be established in connection
therewith, shall become a beneficial interest record holder of the
Liquidating Trust, and all outstanding Shares shall be deemed cancelled.
Each such Stockholder shall hold a proportion of the outstanding beneficial
interests in the Liquidating Trust equal to the proportion of Shares such
Stockholder held of the total outstanding Shares as of the date of such
transfer, or the record date established in connection therewith, as the
case may be.
(c) The Board is authorized to appoint one or more individuals or
corporate persons to act as trustees of the Liquidating Trust (the
"Liquidation Trustee") and to cause the Company to enter into the
Liquidating Trust Agreement with such Liquidation Trustee on such terms and
conditions as the Board shall determine in its sole discretion. Adoption
of the Liquidation Proposal will constitute the approval of the
Stockholders of any such appointment and the Liquidating Trust Agreement.
11. UNLOCATED ELIGIBLE STOCKHOLDERS. If any distribution to an
Eligible Stockholder cannot be made, whether because the Eligible
Stockholder cannot be located, has not surrendered its certificates
evidencing the Shares as required hereunder or for any other reason, the
distribution to which such Eligible Stockholder is entitled shall (unless
transferred to a Liquidating Trust established pursuant hereto) be
transferred at such time as the final liquidating distribution is made by
the Company to and deposited
4
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with the state official authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware to
receive the proceeds of such distribution; such transfer shall comply in
all respects with the laws of the State of Delaware and the DGCL. The
proceeds of such distribution shall thereafter be held solely for the
benefit of and for ultimate distribution to such Eligible Stockholder as
the sole equitable owner thereof and shall escheat to the State of Delaware
or be treated as abandoned property in accordance with the laws of the
State of Delaware. In no event shall the proceeds of any such distribution
revert to or become the property of the Company.
12. POWER OF BOARD. The Board and, if authorized by the Board, the
officers or any Liquidation Administrator appointed by the Board, shall
have authority to do or authorize any and all acts and things as provided
for in this Liquidation Proposal and any and all such further acts and
things as they may consider desirable to carry out the purposes of this
Liquidation Proposal, including the execution and filing of all such
certificates, documents, tax returns and other documents which may be
necessary or appropriate to implement the Liquidation Proposal. The Board
may authorize such variations from or amendments to the provisions of the
Liquidation Proposal as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
complete liquidation, dissolution and termination of existence of the
Company, and the distribution of its assets to the Eligible Stockholders in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. The death, resignation
or other disability of any Board member or officer of the Company shall not
impair the authority of the surviving or remaining Board member(s) or
officer(s) to exercise any of the powers provided for in the Liquidation
Proposal. Upon such death, resignation or other disability, the surviving
or remaining Board member(s) shall have authority to fill the vacancy or
vacancies so created, but the failure to fill such vacancy or vacancies
shall not impair the authority of the surviving or remaining Board
member(s) or officer(s) to exercise any of the powers provided for in the
Liquidation Proposal.
13. AMENDMENTS. Notwithstanding adoption of the Liquidation
Proposal by the Stockholders at the Special Meeting, the Board may modify
or amend the Liquidation Proposal without further action by the
Stockholders, to the extent permitted under then current Delaware law.
Prior to the filing of Certificate of Dissolution, the Board may abandon
the Liquidation Proposal without the further approval of the Stockholders
if the Company receives a bona-fide offer for the purchase of substantially
all of its assets that would result in the Stockholders receiving a
distribution greater than the aggregate value of the expected Preliminary
and Final Distributions under the Liquidation Proposal.
14. CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY FOLLOWING ADOPTION OF LIQUIDATING
PROPOSAL. Certain of the present directors and officers of the Company may
continue to serve in such capacity until December 1998. The continuing
officers and directors or Liquidation Administrator (if applicable), will
receive compensation for the duties then being performed as determined by
the Board. The Board has not established specific guidelines for
determination of the compensation to be paid to directors and officers of
the Company or any Liquidation Administrator following approval of the
Liquidation Proposal by the Stockholders.
15. INDEMNIFICATION/INSURANCE. The Board shall have the power and
authority after the effective date of this Liquidation Proposal to purchase
and/or continue and maintain insurance as it deems necessary to cover the
Company's indemnification obligations, including insurance which shall
remain in effect subsequent to the dissolution of the Company. The
Company's obligation to provide such indemnification may be satisfied out
of the Contingency Reserve or any Liquidating Trust. All indemnification
agreements to which the Company is a party shall remain in full force and
effect after the effective date of this Liquidation Proposal.
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16. COSTS AND EXPENSES. Without limiting the authority of the
Board to authorize the payment of the Company's expenses, the Board is
authorized, empowered and directed to pay any and all fees, costs and
expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Liquidation
Proposal and the sale of assets and liquidating distributions contemplated
thereunder, including, but not limited to, all legal, accounting, printing,
appraisal, brokerage, agency and other fees, costs and expenses of persons
rendering services to the Company.
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