imbruce v. asym capital investors counterclaim
DESCRIPTION
ASYM Capital investors legal claims of fraud and misconduct against hedge fund manager Greg Imbruce. The investors won their claims against Imbruce and were awarded $7.8 million along with attorney fees.TRANSCRIPT
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GREGORY IMBRUCE, GIDDINGS : American Arbitration Association
INVESTMENTS, LLC, GIDDINGS GENPAR
LLC, HUNTON OIL GENPAR LLC, ASYM
CAPITAL III LLC, GLENROSE HOLDINGS
LLC AND ASYM ENERGY INVESTMENTS
LLC,
Claimants,
v.
CHARLES HENRY III, JOHN P. VAILE, AS : Case No: 12 198 0058 13
TRUSTEE OF JOHN P. VAILE LIVING : Commercial Division
TRUST, JOHN PAUL OTIENO,
SOSVENTURES LLC, BRADFORD HIGGINS,
WILLIAM MAHONEY, EDWARD M.
CONRADS, ROBERT J. CONRADS, AHMED
AMMAR, ANDREW LEE, GIDDINGS OIL &
GAS LP, HUNTON OIL PARTNERS LP, AND
ASYM ENERGY FUND III LP,
Certain Respondents,
and
SIGMA GAS BARBASTELLA FUND,
SIGMA GAS ANTROZOUS FUND,
RUBICON RESOURCES, LLC, NICHOLAS
P. GAROFOLO, WILLIAM F. PETTINATI,
JR., SEAN O’SULLIVAN, KING LEE,
MICHAEL RIHNER, SCOTT DECKER,
ANDREW GILLICK, BRIANA GILLICK,
STEVE HEINEMANN, STANLEY
GOLDSTEIN, SIDNEY ORBACH, JAMES P.
ASHMAN AND PATRICIA R. ASHMAN,
Relief Respondents : March 11, 2015
AMENDED COUNTERCLAIMS OF
CERTAIN RESPONDENTS/COUNTERCLAIMANTS
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The Certain Respondents (hereinafter, “Certain Respondents” or “Counterclaimants”), by
and through their undersigned counsel, hereby amend their Counterclaims,1 originally filed on
September 23, 2014, as follows:
STATEMENT OF FACTS
1. In early 2009, the oil and gas production industry in Texas and Oklahoma was
suffering due to the economic calamities of 2008. The price of a barrel of oil had fallen by
approximately 50% from previous levels. Oil and gas production properties purchased at prices
supported by projections based on higher prices per barrel, were no longer generating sufficient
revenue to support debt service on the acquisition loans. Owners in financial distress sought to
salvage a portion of their equity with quick sales. Opportunities existed to purchase at bargain
prices oil and gas assets whose value was likely to appreciate as the economy recovered.
Recognizing the opportunity was not difficult, but the challenge in that economic environment
was accessing the capital necessary to realize it.
2. Imbruce, who had managed privately owned oil and gas investments for a number
of years, recognized the opportunity. He, however, had no funds to invest. After negotiations
with one potential funding source foundered, Imbruce approached Bradford Higgins (“Higgins”)
about a potential deal.
3. At that time, Higgins was the Managing Partner - US Investments of
SOSventures, LLC (“SOSv”), a European based venture capital firm with over $160 million
under management. Higgins had had a distinguished career, having spent 20 years on Wall
Street in investment banking and asset management, including as a Managing Director at CS
1 Said Amended Counterclaim incorporates by references the facts, denials and affirmative defenses contained in
Certain Respondents’ Answer and Affirmative Defenses and any amendments thereto.
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First Boston and head of its Public Power and Infrastructure Banking Group, and having served
as United States Assistant Secretary of State for Resource Management and Chief Financial
Officer. In February 1994, Higgins had hired Imbruce, then fresh out of college, as an analyst in
the CS First Boston public power group.
4. Imbruce had founded Glenrose Holdings LLC (“Glenrose”) with Certain
Respondent, and Counterclaimant, Andrew Lee (“Lee”), who had an engineering degree from
MIT, had worked as a senior drilling operator at Exxon and had recently obtained an MBA from
Wharton Business School. Imbruce and Lee pitched Higgins and his SOSv colleagues to
become the lead investor in several investment partnerships which would acquire oil production
properties. Imbruce claimed that with appropriate support he could easily bring in $100 million
of investment funds from his contacts. Imbruce asserted that finding potentially profitable
investments in the oil and gas industry at that time was not hard work, as long as one had access
to sufficient capital.
5. Effective November 5, 2009, Glenrose and SOSv entered into an agreement
denominated “Term Sheet” (the “Term Sheet”). In material part, the Term Sheet provided:
a. SOSv is denominated as “Lender and Special Investor”;
b. Glenrose is denominated as “Borrower”;
c. Imbruce is denominated as “Operating Member”;
d. That the parties’ intended to “jointly to establish a business to invest in the
energy industry. To bring this to fruition, Glenrose has been formed with
[SOSv] and Imbruce as its members. Imbruce will serve as CEO and will
run…Glenrose with the assistance and oversight of [SOSv]. [SOSv] will
make available to Glenrose a revolving line of credit to fund operating
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expenses and organizational expenses. Glenrose will be the exclusive
vehicle through which Imbruce will engage in investing and advisory
activities in the energy industry…” during the period of the agreement;
e. That transactions would be effected through limited partnerships which
Glenrose would manage and for which additional investors would be
sought;
f. That SOSv would provide Glenrose a revolving credit facility of
$1,120,000.00;
g. That SOSv and its investors and affiliates “as Special Investor(s)” would
make available to Glenrose or the limited partnerships up to $5 million
“for co-investment opportunities generated by Glenrose and approved by
[SOSv]”;
h. That SOSv and Glenrose would “jointly determine the amounts to be
invested in each opportunity,” and SOSv would have the right of
reasonable approval of any additional investor;
i. That SOSv would own 25% of the economic interest of Glenrose until the
revolver was fully repaid at which time SOSv’s economic interest would
be reduced to 12% with Imbruce owning the remainder;
j. That Glenrose would be governed by a board of managers with SOSv and
Imbruce each having one board seat. Voting would be based on economic
interests but approval of “Fundamental Decisions” required a unanimous
vote of the board;
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k. That the term “Fundamental Decisions” included: “Engaging in the…sale,
lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of assets constituting all or
substantially all of the assets of Glenrose…in a single transaction or series
of coordinated or related transactions… .”;
l. That Higgins would serve as Chairman of the Board of Glenrose
“providing management oversight…. To facilitate that oversight and
support…” Glenrose would provide Higgins with office space and
technical support.
6. On or about December 15, 2009, Glenrose, Imbruce and SOSv entered into an
“Addendum Agreement” which in material part provided:
a. The Term Sheet is denominated as the “Agreement”;
b. That an affiliated company denominated “ASYM Capital LLC"
(“ASYM”) or a derivative thereof would be created;
c. That the Term Sheet would be equally applicable to ASYM and to
Glenrose;
d. That “ASYM and its affiliates [would] raise one or more investment
funds, the sole purpose of which [would be] to pool investment funds from
third party investors (as well as from [SOSv, Glenrose and Imbruce]) and
to invest such investment in funds energy related companies [sic], energy
properties and/or energy assets.”
7. Imbruce’s observation that identifying investments in the oil and gas market in
Texas and Oklahoma in 2009 would not be hard work as long as he had access to capital proved
prophetic. Imbruce was able to identify investments for Glenrose/ASYM to pursue. His boasts
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of ability to raise millions of dollars from friends and acquaintances, however, proved idle.
Glenrose/ASYM ultimately formed the three Partnerships: Hunton Oil Partners LP (“Hunton”);
Giddings Oil and Gas LP (“GOGLP”); and ASYM Energy Fund III LP (“ASYM III”)
(collectively, the “Partnerships”). Of the $15.5 million raised for the Partnerships,
approximately $11.45 million or 74% came from SOSv and its contacts, approximately $1.4
million came from investors brought in by paid finders, and Imbruce’s contacts provided only
approximately $2.6 million. Imbruce personally did not invest a nickel despite his repeated
claims to investors to the contrary. He never had “skin in the game,” an important benchmark to
sophisticated investors.
8. Materials marketing investments in the Partnerships touted Higgins’ role.
Higgins’ name was the first listed in describing company management. The marketing
documents prominently mentioned Higgins’ investment and government experience, and
frequently referred to financial backing which only SOSv provided. Higgins’ role in the
enterprise gave Glenrose/ASYM credibility it otherwise would not have had and was the
primary, if not sole, reason motivating a majority of the investors (75%) to come on board.
9. Hunton was established in September 2009.
10. The general partner of Hunton was Hunton Oil Genpar LLC ("Hunton Genpar"),
of which Glenrose was the beneficial owner. At all relevant times, Hunton Genpar was the
General Partner of Hunton, was the purported owner and/or managing member of Hunton, was
exclusively controlled by Imbruce, and was the alter ego of Imbruce.
11. Hunton Genpar is an issuer, investment adviser and/or investment adviser agent
and is subject to the laws and regulations of the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act (“CUSA”),
the Delaware Securities Act (“DSA”) and the Texas Securities Act (“TSA”).
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12. Glenrose, a Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Connecticut, is
the manager of Hunton Genpar, is the alter ego of Imbruce, is an investment adviser and/or
investment adviser agent and is otherwise subject to the laws and regulations of CUSA, DSA and
TSA.
13. Unbeknownst to the Hunton investors, on or before November 10, 2008, the
Market Regulation Department of FINRA began conducting a review of a secondary offering in
ATP Oil & Gas Corporation that originally priced on November 14, 2007. On November 10,
2008, FINRA requested that Imbruce's then employer, Madoff Investment Securities LLC,
provide FINRA with the total number of shares it was allocated and a list of its customers who
received shares in connection with the secondary offering(“FINRA Investigation”).
14. On August 12, 2009, the Market Regulation Department of FINRA sent a letter to
Imbruce indicating that they were conducting a review of compliance with SEC Rule 105 of
Regulation M related to the public secondary offering in ATP Oil & Gas Corporation. The letter
requested information related to the offering and Imbruce's involvement. The letter requested
that the documents be provided to FINRA on or before August 27, 2009.
15. On October 10, 2009, Imbruce provided a letter response to FINRA in which he
acknowledged his prior receipt of the August 12, 2009 letter and noted that he appreciated
FINRA's patience in revising the August 27, 2009, deadline.
16. Imbruce did not disclose the FINRA Investigation to investors in Hunton or the
other Partnerships.
17. Imbruce had previously acquired an option to invest in producing wells,
conditioned on obtaining funding, which would have expired but for SOSv’s agreement to
provide the funding. As Imbruce claimed to SOSv that he would have no trouble raising $3.5
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million from investors, SOSv invested $1 million assuming that sum would be less than half of
the fund. However, Imbruce was able to raise less than $300,000.00, so that Higgins and SOSv
together provided over 75% of the $1.3 million Hunton invested. Hunton could have acquired
more working interests in the producing properties if Imbruce had fulfilled his boasts.
18. Imbruce marketed investments in Hunton by way of oral representations and
promises and by way of written literature, which included, among other things, a fourteen-page
presentation prepared under his direction, a subscription agreement, and a limited partnership
agreement (“Hunton LP Agreement”).
19. Imbruce represented to SOSv and other investors that he would invest personal
funds in Hunton. Notwithstanding these representations, he did not invest any of his own
money.
20. Imbruce and his affiliates acted as aforesaid under CUSA, DSA and TSA, to
promote Hunton as a security investment to the Certain Respondents and/or solicited the Limited
Partners.
21. An investment in Hunton is a “security” as defined in CUSA, General Statutes
Section 36b-3(19). In marketing investment interests in Hunton for sale, and in subsequently
managing Hunton through Hunton Genpar, Imbruce acted as an “Investment Adviser” and/or
“Investment Adviser Agent” and/or “Issuer” for the sale of a security as defined in CUSA
Sections 36b-3(11), (12) and (13), respectively.
22. In reliance, in whole or in part, upon the written literature and documents, and the
statements and representations therein, as well as the express oral promises and representations
made by the Claimants, nine individuals or entities, including an SOSv affiliate, invested and
became limited partners in Hunton.
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23. The investors were, for a significant time, unable to verify, despite due diligence,
the veracity and accuracy of Claimants’ representations, including whether the Claimants had
actually invested in Hunton.
24. Pursuant to the Hunton LP Agreement, Imbruce and his affiliates charged to the
Hunton limited partners various fees and expenses, and they presently claim entitlement to
ongoing fees, including fees based upon capital gains to be realized by the Limited Partners,
which are illegal under Connecticut law (CUSA).
25. Aside from being illegal under CUSA, some of the fees and expenses charged and
claimed by Imbruce are not authorized under the Hunton LP Agreement.
26. From the time immediately prior to the formation of Hunton to at least August 25,
2014, Imbruce and his affiliates failed to register as Investment Advisers and/or Investment
Advisor Agents with the State of Connecticut in violation of CUSA.
27. In the fall of 2009, Imbruce identified an investment opportunity involving the
assets of South Texas Oil Company, formerly a publicly traded entity that had filed for
bankruptcy protection (“STXX”). A group of investment partnerships operated by Summerline
Asset Management LLC (“Summerline”) were the principal creditors in the STXX bankruptcy.
In November 2009, Imbruce was in negotiations with Summerline to form a bidding partnership
to acquire the STXX assets in a bankruptcy auction. GOGLP was formed as the Glenrose/ASYM
vehicle to participate in this investment. The general partner of GOGLP was Giddings Genpar
LLC ("Giddings Genpar"), of which Glenrose was the beneficial owner. As a key part of the
deal, Glenrose/ASYM was required to provide debtor in possession (“DIP”) financing of $1.5
million for STXX. As Imbruce once again had no source for these funds, he asked SOSv to fund
the entire $1.5 million DIP loan, and SOSv did so. The DIP financing was funneled through an
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entity named Giddings Investments LLC ("GI") which subsequently assigned the DIP financing
claim to GOGLP.
28. GI, is a Delaware limited liability company and is purportedly owned by Imbruce,
or Giddings Genpar, or one of his other affiliates and is subject to the laws and regulations of
CUSA, DSA and TSA.
29. At all relevant times, Imbruce, exercised complete control over GI with respect to
all aspects of its business and its finances, including as to all dealings with GOGLP, the Giddings
Limited Partners, Starboard, and non-parties, Impetro Resources, LLC and Summerline,
described infra.
30. At all relevant times, Giddings Genpar was the General Partner of GOGLP, was
the purported owner and/or Managing Member of GI, was exclusively controlled and owned by
Imbruce, and was the alter ego of Imbruce.
31. Giddings Genpar is an issuer, investment adviser and/or investment adviser agent
and is subject to the laws and regulations of CUSA, DSA and TSA.
32. Glenrose is the manager of Giddings Genpar, is the alter ego of Imbruce, is an
investment adviser and/or investment adviser agent and is otherwise subject to the laws and
regulations of CUSA, DSA and TSA.
33. GOGLP and Summerline formed an entity named Impetro Resources LLC
(“Impetro”). Summerline made a successful credit bid for the STXX assets subject to the
GOGLP DIP financing. GOGLP invested $4.5 million in Impetro (including the DIP financing),
and received an approximately 40% equity interest in Impetro and a $4.5 million senior secured
note. Summerline received an approximately 60% equity interest in Impetro and a $6.5 million
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second lien note. While Imbruce undertook to raise another $3 million, he was unable to do so.
SOSv provided or raised all of the new cash for GOGLP.
34. Imbruce marketed investments in GOGLP by way of oral representations and
promises, and by way of written literature, which included, among other things, a Confidential
Private Placement Memorandum (“GOGLP PPM”) prepared under his direction, a subscription
agreement, and a limited partnership agreement (“GOGLP LP Agreement”)
35. Imbruce represented to Higgins and other investors that he would invest personal
funds into the GOGLP deal, but he never did.
36. Imbruce and his affiliates acted as aforesaid under CUSA, DSA and TSA to
promote GOGLP as a security investment to the Certain Respondents and/or solicited the
Limited Partners.
37. An investment in GOGLP is a “security” as defined in Section 36b-3(19) of
CUSA. In marketing investment interests in GOGLP for sale, and in subsequently managing
GOGLP through Giddings Genpar, Imbruce acted as an “Investment Advisor” and/or
“Investment Advisor Agent” and/or “Issuer” for the sale of a security as defined in CUSA
Sections 36b-3(11), (12) and (13) respectively.
38. In reliance, in whole or in part, upon the written literature and documents
provided to them by Imbruce, the statements and representations therein and the express oral
promises and representations made by the Claimants, thirteen individuals or entities, including
SOSv, invested and became limited partners in GOGLP.
39. The investors were, for a significant time, unable to verify, despite due diligence,
the veracity and accuracy of Claimants' representations, including whether the Claimants had
actually invested in GOGLP.
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40. Pursuant to the GOGLP LP Agreement, Imbruce and his affiliates charged to the
GOGLP limited partners various fees and expenses, and they presently claim entitlement to
ongoing fees, including fees based upon capital gains to be realized by the Limited Partners,
which are illegal under Connecticut law (CUSA).
41. Aside from being illegal under CUSA, some of the fees and expenses charged and
claimed by Imbruce are not authorized under the GOGLP Partnership agreement.
42. From the time immediately prior to the formation of GOGLP to at least August
31, 2014, Imbruce and his affiliates failed to register as Investment Advisers and/or Investment
Adviser Agents with the State of Connecticut in violation of CUSA.
43. On or about February 25, 2010, FINRA filed a complaint against Imbruce for
willfully violating the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and FINRA Conduct Rule 2110.
44. Imbruce did not disclose the FINRA Complaint to investors in Hunton or the
Partnerships.
45. In connection with Impetro’s acquisition of the STXX assets in March 2010,
Imbruce directed that certain valuable oil and gas drilling participation rights would be held in
GI. The cash to pay for these assets came from GOGLP, and the partnership documents and
marketing materials described these participation rights as GOGLP assets, indicating a clear
intent on Imbruce’s part to personally benefit from the participation rights outside GOGLP,
despite being paid sizeable fees as general partner of GOGLP.
46. GOGLP is the rightful owner of the Starboard equity held in the name of GI,
and/or any drilling participation rights held in GI and/or contributed to Starboard.
47. In the spring and summer of 2010, Glenrose/ASYM developed plans to raise a
third fund which became ASYM III.
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48. The general partner of ASYM III was ASYM Capital III LLC ("ASYM Genpar").
ASYM Genpar is a Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Connecticut.
49. ASYM Genpar is an issuer, investment adviser and/or investment adviser agent
and is subject to the laws and regulations of CUSA, DSA and TSA.
50. ASYM Energy Investments LLC (“ASYM LLC”), a Delaware limited liability
company, headquartered in Connecticut, is the manager of ASYM Genpar, is the alter-ego of
Imbruce, is an investment adviser and/or investment adviser agent and is otherwise subject to the
laws and regulations of CUSA, DSA and TSA. At all relevant times, ASYM Genpar was the
General Partner of ASYM III, was exclusively controlled by Imbruce, and was the alter ego of
Imbruce.
51. Imbruce’s target was to raise $20 million with an August 1, 2010 closing date.
ASYM III was to acquire drilling rights on properties adjacent to the properties in which Hunton
and GOGLP had interests. SOSv agreed to put up 25% of the money, up to a maximum of $5
million of an anticipated $20 million total. Imbruce later represented that he actually had raised
only approximately $11 million, so SOSv reduced its commitment to $3.75 million or 25% of the
anticipated total of $15 million. When the ASYM III deal finally closed in December 2010,
Imbruce admitted to Higgins that he had actually raised only approximately $10 million. SOSv
thereupon reduced its commitment to $2.5 million.
52. Imbruce marketed investments in ASYM III by way of oral representations and
promises, and by way of written literature, which included, among other things, a Confidential
Private Placement Memorandum (“ASYM III PPM”) prepared under his direction, a subscription
agreement, and a limited partnership agreement.
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53. Imbruce represented to the limited partners that he would invest personal funds in
ASYM III. Notwithstanding these representations, he did not invest any of his own money.
54. Imbruce and his affiliates acted as aforesaid under CUSA, DSA and TSA to
promote ASYM III as a security investment to the Certain Respondents and/or solicited the
Limited Partners.
55. An investment in ASYM III is a “security” as defined in Section 36b-3(19) of
CUSA. In marketing investment interests in GOGLP for sale, and in subsequently managing
GOGLP through Giddings Genpar, Imbruce acted as an “Investment Advisor” and/or
“Investment Advisor Agent” and/or “Issuer” for the sale of a security as defined in CUSA
Sections 36b-3(11), (12) and (13) respectively
56. In reliance, in whole or in part, upon the written literature and documents
provided to them by Imbruce, the statements and representations therein and the express oral
promises and representations made by the Claimants, eighteen individuals or entities, including
SOSv, invested and became limited partners in ASYM III.
57. At the time that the Claimants were soliciting investors for ASYM III, Imbruce
was being sued by FINRA and failed to disclose this material fact to certain investors.
58. At the time that the Claimants were soliciting investors for ASYM III, Imbruce
was under investigation by FINRA and failed to disclose this material fact to the investors.
59. Pursuant to the ASYM III LP Agreement, Imbruce and his affiliates charged to
the ASYM III limited partners various fees and expenses, and they presently claim entitlement to
ongoing fees, including fees based upon capital gains to be realized by the Limited Partners,
which are illegal under Connecticut law (CUSA).
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60. Aside from being illegal under CUSA, some of the fees and expenses charged and
claimed by Imbruce are not authorized under the ASYM III LP Agreement.
61. From immediately prior to the formation of ASYM III to at least August 25, 2014,
Imbruce and his affiliates failed to register as Investment Advisers and/or Investment Adviser
Agents with the State of Connecticut in violation of CUSA.
62. In the spring of 2011 Imbruce revealed for the first time that the total capital
raised for ASYM III was only approximately $7.3 million of which SOSv had contributed $2.5
million, William Mahoney had contributed $1 million, and other SOSv contacts had contributed
$500,000, for a total SOSv related investment of $4 million, over half the fund. It was not until
November, 2011, when SOSv finally obtained the investor list from Imbruce, that it discovered
that only $6.7 million had been raised, contrary to Imbruce’s prior statements.
63. On or about January 7, 2011, after a hearing before FINRA in connection with its
investigation of Imbruce, FINRA issued a decision, finding that Imbruce willfully violated Rule
105 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act and FINRA Conduct Rule 2110. Imbruce was
ordered censured, suspended from associating with any FINRA member firm in any capacity for
30 days, and fined. Imbruce then appealed the FINRA decision.
64. In early 2011, Imbruce urged Higgins and SOSv to convert SOSv’s revolving
loan to Glenrose into equity and to invest an additional $1 million in Glenrose/ASYM. Higgins
declined. The relationship between Imbruce and SOSv began to erode.
65. In February 2011, Higgins became aware that Imbruce was working on another
acquisition. When Higgins sought information on the investment, which was subject to SOSv's
approval, Imbruce precluded a Glenrose employee from providing it.
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66. On March 22, 2011, Imbruce sent an email to Glenrose/ASYM employees stating
that no information was to be provided to SOSv or Higgins without Imbruce’s approval, despite
provisions in the Term Sheet and the description of Higgins’ role in fund marketing materials.
According to Imbruce’s email, Higgins was “Chairman as a title only and [he] has no authority
in our operations and is not authorized to access our confidential information.” Higgins did not
learn of this email until November 2011.
67. In the spring of 2011, as part of his effort to persuade SOSv to convert its loan to
Glenrose into equity, Imbruce permitted SOSv’s Chief Financial Officer to review
Glenrose/ASYM’s financial information, but not the financials of the partnerships. SOSv
discovered that Imbruce had spent $12,000 of Glenrose/ASYM funds to buy a sail for his
sailboat. Imbruce claimed it was an advertising expense because he had put the ASYM logo on
it. Imbruce had also caused ASYM to lease a Cadillac Escalade that he claimed was needed for
transportation to the airport, though it was subsequently learned that the vehicle was for his
wife’s personal use. While these expenses were relatively modest, SOSv’s confidence in
Imbruce continued to waiver.
68. Imbruce and SOSv had contemplated that the exit strategy for the investors in the
Partnerships would be a combination of the Partnerships’ assets into an entity that could achieve
a larger scale and ultimately go public. To that end, in the spring of 2011, Imbruce began
discussions with Summerline about a “roll-up” transaction, which would combine the assets of
Impetro (which included GOGLP), Hunton and ASYM III into a single entity (“Newco”) with
the ultimate goal of taking Newco public.
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69. On May 9, 2011, Imbruce sent Higgins Summerline’s proposed term sheet for a
roll-up transaction dated May 6, 2011 (the “Roll-Up Term Sheet”), along with a transmittal email
inviting Higgins’ “thoughts” on the Roll-Up Term Sheet.
70. Higgins responded the next day, raising a number of concerns including:
a. The Roll-Up Term Sheet contemplated the formation of Newco as a
Delaware corporation (as distinguished from an LLC) which would
acquire all of Summerline’s interest in Impetro in return for 6.57% of
Newco’s stock and an $800,000 cash payment. Higgins raised concerns
about the source of the cash.
b. The Roll-Up Term Sheet contemplated that Newco would become a public
entity through a reverse merger into a public shell company (“Reverse
Merger Obligation”) within 90 days following the closing of the Roll-Up
(“Closing Date”) or as soon thereafter as practicable. Higgins expressed
the concern that because of the need for audited financial statements for a
public company and the time required for the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) to review and comment on the transactional
documents, such a short time frame was unrealistic.
c. The Roll-Up Term Sheet provided that if Newco failed to use its best
efforts to complete the Reverse Merger Obligation within six months of
the Closing Date, Summerline could require Newco, upon 20 days’ prior
written notice, to buy back Summerline’s Newco stock for $18.4 million
(the “Summerline Put”). Higgins objected to the Put concept raising
concerns as to the potential for a dispute over “best efforts” and the
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potential consequences if Newco was not able to pay the Summerline Put
price, since Newco was not anticipated to have that amount of cash
available.
d. The Roll-Up Term Sheet also contemplated that if the Reverse Merger
Obligation was not satisfied within 150 days of the Closing Date, Newco
would pay Summerline a “Going Public Delay Fee” of $25,000 per month
until the Reverse Merger Obligation was satisfied. Higgins expressed
serious concerns about funding such an obligation.
71. While the Roll Up negotiations were ongoing with Summerline, Imbruce on May
18, 2011, caused ASYM to enter into a so-called “Consulting Agreement” ("Consulting
Agreement") with David Kattay (“Kattay”) and Robert Brantman (“Brantman”), two principals
of Summerline. Pursuant to this agreement, Kattay and Brantman were to provide “non-
discretionary advisory services” with respect to a Newco going public transaction and Newco’s
prospective purchase of additional oil and gas properties. For these services, ASYM
contractually committed to pay a non-refundable fee of $225,000 to each of Kattay and
Brantman and an unspecified additional fee upon Newco’s becoming a publicly traded entity.
72. The Term Sheet required an approving vote of both Imbruce and SOSv for an
expenditure of this magnitude. However, Imbruce did not seek SOSv’s approval for the
Consulting Agreement and told SOSv only that he had signed a consulting deal with
Summerline. At that time, Imbruce instructed Higgins not to communicate with Summerline.
SOSv only learned the details of this agreement when an ASYM employee gave Higgins a copy
of the agreement in or about November 2011.
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73. Imbruce’s response to Higgins’ objections with respect to the proposed Roll-Up
terms was, in essence, “Don’t worry, I will take care of it.” Higgins repeatedly asked Imbruce
for drafts of the Roll-Up transaction documents, as the Term Sheet required SOSv’s consent to
the transaction. Imbruce ignored Higgins’ requests. In addition to the Term Sheet provisions,
the Roll-Up required SOSv’s consent for a separate reason. The LP Agreements incorporated by
reference the agreements by which investors had subscribed for limited partnership interests.
Each of the subscription agreements contained a provision to the effect that: “This Agreement or
any interest herein may not be assigned by either party without the written consent of the other
party.” [Emphasis added.] Since the Roll-Up assigned the Partnerships’ assets to Newco, the
Roll-Up transaction in effect assigned “any interest” in the LP Agreements to Newco, thereby
invoking the consent provision in the subscription agreements. Accordingly, the Roll-Up
required the consent of all of the investors who had purchased limited partnership interests in the
Partnerships.
74. Imbruce intentionally concealed from SOSv the details of the Roll-Up transaction
and drafts of the underlying documents, claiming the transaction was still up in the air. SOSv
told Imbruce that a roll-up of three distinctly separate hard asset investment partnerships into less
secure equity interests in a new limited liability company converted limited partners’ interests
into a very different security, which would require normal investor protections and investor
consents for major corporate actions. That was particularly so here, where the investors had
provided 100% of the funding and Imbruce had not invested any of his own money.
75. In a June 1, 2011 email to Higgins, Imbruce represented that in connection with
the Roll-Up, GOGLP would receive $365,000. Imbruce separately told Higgins this money
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would be distributed to limited partners in GOGLP. This sum was never distributed to GOGLP
Limited Partners, however, Imbruce wrongfully paid himself 20% thereof.
76. On June 7, 2011, Imbruce emailed Higgins asking if he could set up “a call for
midweek next week to review [the] roll up” with SOSv principals. A meeting was scheduled for
June 16, 2011. Based on prior practice and the Term Sheet, Higgins and his SOSv colleagues
understood the purpose of this meeting to be to review the deal documents, discuss concerns, and
obtain SOSv’s approval for the Roll-Up.
77. The meeting on June 16, 2011 began with a financial review of the Roll-Up which
appeared favorable. What had previously been generically denominated “Newco” now was
Starboard Resources LLC. The basic structure of the transaction was that Summerline and
GOGLP received Starboard membership units in exchange for cash and their interests in
Impetro, and Hunton and ASYM III received Starboard membership units in exchange for cash
and their oil and gas assets.
78. The SOSv representatives participating in the June 16, 2011 meeting asked for the
proposed Operating Agreement for Starboard. Upon review, they were shocked to see that
instead of giving investors a vote in major transactions, Imbruce had structured the Starboard
Operating Agreement to give him total control of Starboard. In particular:
a. The Starboard Operating Agreement designated ASYM as Starboard’s
manager with full managerial control over the “property, business or
affairs” of Starboard.
b. Starboard would be under the direction of a board of directors consisting
of three members, two of whom would be designated by Glenrose, and
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one of whom would be designated by a vote of a majority in interest of
Starboard’s members.
c. The member designating each director had the authority to remove such
person from the board.
d. As the Partnerships owned a majority of the Starboard membership
interests, and Imbruce controlled the general partners of each of the
Partnerships, he effectively controlled the Partnerships’ vote of their
Starboard membership interests. Moreover, as Imbruce also controlled
Glenrose, he effectively controlled the membership of the Starboard
board.
e. The three initial members of the Starboard board were Imbruce (as
Chairman), Higgins, purportedly designated by Glenrose, and Michael
Pawelek, Starboard’s Chief Executive Officer. Per the Operating
Agreement, Imbruce, through his control of ASYM as manager of
Starboard, controlled Pawelek’s contrived employment. Thus, Imbruce
effectively controlled the Starboard board.
f. An amendment to the Starboard Operating Agreement could be effected
only with the approval of the Starboard board.
79. When the SOSv representatives at the June 16, 2011 meeting expressed vigorous
objection to the terms of the Starboard Operating Agreement, Imbruce informed them, for the
first time, that the Roll-Up transaction had already closed on June 11, 2011, and it was therefore
a done deal which could not be changed. He also refused to approach Summerline to make any
changes. Imbruce had thus concluded the Roll-Up without SOSv’s knowledge or consent in
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blatant violation of the Term Sheet commitment to partner with SOSv in significant investment
decisions.
80. As a consequence, SOSv refused to fund its $2.2 million share of a capital call in
GOGLP and ASYM III, demanding first that the Starboard Operating Agreement be amended to
provide standard investor protections. Imbruce immediately threatened forfeiture of SOSv’s
entire $7.5M investment in the two Partnerships, and SOSv timely funded the capital call under
protest.
81. Higgins, on behalf of SOSv, demanded to see the other transaction documents.
As Imbruce initially refused to provide them, SOSv did not become aware of many of the Roll-
Up terms until November 2011.
82. The dispute over the Starboard Operating Agreement, Imbruce’s having acted
unilaterally, and Imbruce’s refusal to provide the Roll-Up transaction documents led to heated
discussions between Imbruce and Higgins, and acerbic, angry communications between Imbruce
and other SOSv representatives. In these confrontations, Imbruce repeatedly expressed the view
that he was in charge of the investments, that no one could tell him what to do, that he had total
discretion notwithstanding SOSv’s having invested the great majority of the money used to
acquire the Partnerships’ assets that Starboard now held, and that he had total discretion as to
whether or not SOSv would ever receive any return on its investment. He stated that SOSv’s
investment was his risk capital to invest as he saw fit.
83. In subsequent discussions, Imbruce indicated a willingness to make changes to the
Starboard Operating Agreement, but only in return for some concession from SOSv. Initially he
sought to induce SOSv to convert its debt investment in Glenrose/ASYM to equity in Starboard.
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He then falsely claimed that he had a buyer for SOSv’s interest. SOSv responded that it would
maintain its investment position and its rights under the Term Sheet.
84. While these disputes were ongoing, Imbruce prepared a presentation for the
limited partners on Starboard and the Roll-Up (the “July 2011 Roll-Up Presentation”). Among
other things, this presentation:
a. Indicated that the Partnerships owned 87.4% of Starboard, while
Summerline owned 12.6% and had received $1.25 million in the
transaction;
b. Stated that the exit strategy for the limited partners was a reverse merger
into a public entity;
c. Estimated that a merger between Starboard and a publicly traded entity
would occur in the first quarter of 2012;
d. Identified Higgins as Chairman of Starboard’s board (notwithstanding the
provision in the Starboard Operating Agreement that Imbruce was
Chairman);
e. Inaccurately stated that investor rights were “Standard under Delaware
Law”;
f. Contained excessively inflated valuations of the oil and gas assets
contributed to Starboard in the Roll-Up that had no basis in fact because,
inter alia, no contemporaneous reserve valuation had been done;
g. Depicted GI’s assets as part of GOGLP’s contribution to Starboard;
h. Stated that GOGLP had received $350,000 in connection with the Roll-
Up, consisting of a bond call premium and accrued bond interest;
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i. Summarized Higgins’ distinguished credentials followed by biographical
paragraphs on Imbruce and Pawelek;
j. Stated that “ASYM expects to distribute each [limited partner’s]
respective shares upon [Starboard’s] merging with the SPAC [special
purpose acquisition company] and the expiration of any restricted period,
which will allow each investor the opportunity to sell, hold and/or borrow
against the stock and consider their own tax issues. It is anticipated that
the [Partnerships] will thereafter be dissolved”; and
k. Stated that Imbruce would not receive any fees in connection with the
Starboard Roll-Up.
85. Imbruce convened a conference call with the limited partners on July 22, 2011, to
inform them about the Roll Up and plans for Starboard. In that call, Imbruce stated that he
expected a Starboard going public merger to occur in the first quarter of 2012, that Starboard
stock would be actively trading by the second quarter of 2012, that any restrictions on the free
trading of Starboard stock would be removed within a year, and that he would thereafter dissolve
the Partnerships and distribute their Starboard stock to the limited partners. During this
conference call and other calls, Imbruce claimed his entities would not receive any fees in
connection with the roll up, did not disclose the existence of the Summerline Put, the Going
Public Delay Fees or the fact that GI was purportedly owned by Claimant, Giddings Genpar, and
not GOGLP. Moreover, again, the Claimants misrepresented and inflated the valuation of the
Starboard Assets. Imbruce also did not disclose the FINRA investigation and FINRA’s adverse
findings against him, which ultimately were discovered by the Limited Partners.
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86. Thus, as of mid-July 2011, Imbruce conveyed to the limited partners a clear
strategy, to wit: manage Starboard so it could effect a merger which would convert the
Partnerships’ assets into stock of a publicly traded entity, then distribute the stock to limited
partners and dissolve the Partnerships which at that point would no longer have any reason to
exist.
87. As heated and contentious discussions concerning necessary revisions to the
Starboard Operating Agreement and Imbruce’s refusal to provide transaction documents to SOSv
continued, Imbruce in August 2011 purported to remove Higgins from the Starboard board of
directors. Imbruce also barred Higgins from ASYM’s offices and from access to Higgins’
ASYM email account.
88. In or about August 2011, SOSv learned that in connection with the Roll-Up,
Glenrose/ASYM had purchased from Summerline certain overriding royalty interests (“ORRIs”)
in the Impetro assets at a very favorable price, without having offered the purchase to Starboard.
Imbruce had made this investment without the consent or knowledge of SOSv, once again in
violation of the Term Sheet. Even though SOSv ostensibly benefitted from this acquisition by
virtue of its interest in Glenrose/ASYM, SOSv insisted that Imbruce offer it to Starboard or to
the Partnerships. Imbruce falsely claimed that the Partnerships did not have the requisite funds
to make the acquisition.
89. Also in August 2011, SOSv learned that Imbruce was negotiating for Starboard’s
acquisition of two oil and gas entities. Instead of structuring these transactions as a direct
purchase by Starboard, Imbruce planned to acquire the assets through separate entities in which
he or an affiliate would have a controlling interest so that he could then sell the acquired
26
properties at above market valuations to Starboard for his own personal profit and charge the
Partnerships hidden fees. Imbruce's self-dealing and deception continued.
90. In late August or early September of 2011, Higgins learned that Imbruce was
negotiating an $11 million line of credit for Starboard operating capital with Mutual of Omaha
Bank (“MOB”). On September 2, 2011, Imbruce gave Higgins a proposed credit agreement with
MOB and sought his approval both “as a director of Starboard as well as on behalf of” SOSv.
Apparently, Imbruce had withdrawn or overlooked his earlier purported dismissal of Higgins
from the Starboard board.
91. In a conversation with Starboard’s CEO, Mike Pawelek, in late September 2011,
Higgins learned that an Imbruce entity, at Imbruce’s direction, had been charging Starboard
$24,000 a month for the assistance of its employees, including Lee. Glenrose/ASYM, however,
was already earning fees of more than $300,000 per year from the Partnerships pursuant to the
LP Agreements, and purportedly providing its employees a salary from those funds. In short,
Imbruce was double dipping. Even though SOSv indirectly benefitted from this conduct by
virtue of its 25% interest in Glenrose/ASYM, SOSv demanded that Imbruce cease this double
payment and reimburse such amounts to Starboard immediately.
92. In connection with Starboard, Imbruce charged the Partnerships fees and expenses
despite falsely claiming they would not receive any fees in connection with the Roll Up. To this
date, Imbruce is wrongfully claiming fees generated through the Roll Up in connection with
acreage acquired by Starboard and not the Partnerships.
93. SOSv refused to participate in approval of the MOB credit agreement without (a)
amendments to the Starboard Operating Agreement to give limited partners some control and
oversight, and (b) review of the documents by which the Roll-Up had been effected. Heated
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exchanges continued. In November 2011, an ASYM employee gave Higgins a copy of the Roll-
Up transaction documents, apparently without Imbruce’s permission. As a result, SOSv for the
first time learned all of the terms of the deal.
94. The primary transaction document was the Securities Purchase and Exchange
Agreement dated as of June 10, 2011 (“SPEA”). SOSv was surprised and angered to find that
the SPEA contained a number of provisions to which Higgins had objected in May, including:
a. The SPEA provided for the Summerline Put, that is, if Starboard failed “to
use its commercially reasonable efforts to consummate” a merger by
which Starboard would become a public entity within six months of the
Closing Date, each of the Summerline funds on 20 days’ notice could
require Starboard to repurchase all of their membership interests in
Starboard, (an aggregate purchase price of $18.4 million if all Summerline
funds exercised the Summerline Put);
b. The SPEA also provided for a going public delay fee such that if
Starboard did not complete a merger within 150 days of the Closing Date,
the Company would pay to each of Summerline and GOGLP a going
public delay fee of approximately $28,000 and $36,000 per month,
respectively.
95. These provisions were a ticking time bomb planted within Starboard.
a. There was no reasonable prospect that Starboard could accomplish a
merger within the specified time periods. The necessary steps, including
identifying an appropriate and interested candidate, preparing audited
financial statements, negotiating a transaction, completing the
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counterpart’s due diligence, preparing appropriate SEC filings, and
obtaining SEC approval simply could not be accomplished within the
stated time limitations. In fact, (i) Imbruce's July 2011 Roll-Up
Presentation estimated public status for Starboard no earlier than the first
quarter of 2012, and (ii) Starboard’s financial statements for the three
months ended September 30, 2011 stated that Starboard expected to
achieve a public listing in September 2012, both estimates well after the
date on which Summerline could exercise its Put.
b. Starboard had limited cash resources and payment of the going public
delay fee would drain resources needed for operations and acquisitions,
placing its continued functioning at risk.
c. Starboard did not have $18.4 million to pay the aggregate Summerline Put
price. As of September 30, 2011, Starboard’s cash balance was $3.2
million, and its total current assets were $4.4 million against total current
liabilities of $2.2 million. As SOSv later discovered, Imbruce had falsely
inflated the balance sheet value of Starboard’s oil and gas assets. Thus, if
Summerline exercised the Summerline Put, Starboard’s other investors,
primarily SOSv, would be faced with the choice of investing substantial
additional funds so that Starboard could pay the Put price, or allowing
Starboard to file for bankruptcy, in which case the entire investment would
likely be lost.
d. To the extent the going public delay fee provided compensation to
Summerline and GOGLP for the delay in converting their private interest
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in Starboard into publicly traded securities, it discriminated against
Hunton and ASYM III, as the SPEA had no similar mechanism for the
investors in those partnerships.
96. The Claimants stood on both sides of the SPEA and Roll-Up transaction.
Claimants controlled Starboard as the managing member, sole officer, and effectively, sole board
member. Through the Claimant General Partners, they also controlled the Partnerships who were
selling their assets to Starboard in exchange for equity therein and/or buying Starboard equity for
cash.
97. No matter what happened, Imbruce would receive fees. If a reverse merger
occurred, Imbruce would purportedly receive a fee under the Limited Partnership Agreements. If
a reverse merger did not occur, Imbruce would continue to receive Management and other fees
purportedly under the Partnership Agreements, and going public delay fees under the SPEA.
Unlike the Limited Partners, he couldn't lose.
98. In addition to keeping SOSv in the dark about the Summerline Put and the going
public delay fee, Imbruce concealed this critical information from the other limited partners as
well. The July 2011 Roll-Up Presentation contained no mention of either obligation, effectively
portraying the Roll-Up to limited partners as an exchange of first lien debt and producing oil
wells for a secure, debt free company.
99. The Roll-Up transaction documents, including the Kattay/Brantman Consulting
Agreement (¶ 71 above), revealed that Imbruce had improperly used Partnership funds without
authorization and exposed SOSv and the other limited partners to excessive risk in order to
induce Summerline to effect the Roll-Up. While a sophisticated party like Summerline would
normally insist on standard investor protections such as a board of directors elected by a vote of
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investors, the Starboard Operating Agreement gave Imbruce virtually complete control over
Starboard. In return for relinquishing control of Summerline’s assets to Imbruce, Summerline‘s
principals personally received the up front $450,000 "Consulting Agreement" payment made
with Partnership funds, plus a guaranteed minimum return of $18.4 million on exercise of the
Summerline Put. (The payment was secure since the Partnership assets conveyed to Starboard in
the Roll-Up could be sold to pay the Summerline Put price if necessary.)
100. SOSv then discovered that Imbruce had not disclosed anything about the
Summerline Put in the financial information he had given MOB in support of the Starboard line
of credit application. The Summerline Put was a significant contingent liability of Starboard,
obviously material to any prospective lender, which had to be disclosed in Starboard’s financial
statements. SOSv further learned that Imbruce had not even told Starboard’s lawyers about the
Summerline Put. If the MOB line of credit application had proceeded without disclosure of the
Summerline Put, Imbruce could have exposed Starboard and the individuals involved in the
application, including SOSv whose approval of the application Imbruce aggressively sought, to
civil and criminal penalties which likely would have resulted in the collapse of Starboard and the
loss of the Partnerships' entire investment. SOSv demanded that Imbruce immediately disclose
the Summerline Put to MOB.
101. At that point, given Imbruce's persistent pattern of deception and dishonesty,
SOSv decided to pursue legal remedies. In December 2011, SOSv and an affiliate filed suit
against Imbruce, Glenrose and ASYM in Connecticut Superior Court. The complaint alleged
breaches of the Term Sheet, fraudulent conduct by Imbruce, self-dealing, usurpation of corporate
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opportunities, fraudulent concealment of material information, and other breaches of fiduciary
duty.
102. The lawsuit was resolved through a series of agreements dated January 20, 2012,
(hereinafter collectively the "2012 Settlement Agreements") including:
a. An Agreement Regarding Starboard Resources LLC between and among
SOSv and the three Imbruce owned limited liability companies that served
as the general partners of the Partnerships (the “Starboard Agreement”);
b. A Mutual Release Agreement between and among SOSv, an SOSv
affiliate, Higgins, and Imbruce (the “Release”);
c. The Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating
Agreement of Starboard Resources LLC (the “Amended Starboard
Operating Agreement”);
d. An Agreement Regarding the Purchase and Sale of Overriding Royalty
Interests (“ORRI Agreement”); and
e. An Agreement Regarding Certain Relationships between ASYM LLC and
SOSventures LLC (“Relationship Agreement”).
103. The Starboard Agreement, among other things:
a. Confirmed the Roll-Up;
b. Amended the LP Agreements to provide that in situations where the
Amended Starboard Operating Agreement would require consent or
approval of the members of Starboard, the general partner of each
Partnership (Imbruce controlled each general partner entity) would submit
such matters to the Partnerships’ respective limited partners for a vote, and
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each Partnership’s approval would require affirming votes from limited
partners holding collectively 87.5% of the Partnerships’ interests;
c. Contractually committed Imbruce and his general partner entities to the
strategy he had conveyed to limited partners in July, 2011 (paragraphs 84-
86 above) by providing that upon “Monetization” of Starboard, each of the
partnerships would be dissolved and defining “Monetization” as “the
receipt of a liquidating distribution in cash from Starboard or its
successors, including a corporate successor formed for the purpose of
effecting a public offering, or the receipt of unrestricted and freely
transferable securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, in connection with a going public transaction at Starboard . . .
however effected.” This provision was incorporated into each of the
Partnership agreements by amendment.
104. In the Release, each of the parties granted the other a release from liability on any
claims that could result from conduct prior to January 20, 2012. The Release, however, excluded
“the respective rights and obligations of the parties” set forth in the Release and the other
January 20, 2012 agreements.
105. The Relationship Agreement, which Imbruce signed on behalf of Glenrose and
ASYM, contained a representation by ASYM that it had used “commercially reasonable efforts”
to negotiate a merger by which Starboard would become publicly traded. In connection with the
2012 Settlement Agreements, the Claimants also represented that they had not diverted any oil
and gas opportunities from Asym or Starboard. These representations were false and misleading,
33
and did not satisfy conditions precedent to the binding effect of any release from SOSv to the
Claimants.
106. These representations were material to SOSv’s decision to enter into the January
20, 2012 agreements. The representations were false and Imbruce knew they were false.
Imbruce had presented potential counterparties falsely inflated reserve valuations as a basis for
demanding unreasonable transaction terms. As of January 20, 2012, SOSv and other limited
partners were not aware of Imbruce’s efforts to mislead potential counterparties.
107. By fraudulently inflating the valuation of the Starboard assets, inter alia, the
Claimants diverted oil and gas opportunities from Starboard and did not use commercially
reasonable efforts to "consummate the merger" as defined under the SPEA.
108. If the Claimants had not fraudulently inflated the valuation of the Starboard
assets, it is likely that a merger as defined under the SPEA, or an asset sale, would have been
consummated, thereby avoiding the going public delay fees. The Claimants’ breach of these
representations renders SOSv's release under the 2012 Settlement Agreements null and void.
109. Moreover, the false representations contained in the settlement are also actionable
and not subject to the release.
110. Aside from the exceptions and conditions precedent to the Release, because the
Claimants were, at the time the Settlement Agreement was executed, in violation of CUSA, DSA
and TSA, they are precluded from enforcing the 2012 Settlement Agreements to their benefit
under CUSA §36b-29h, DSA §73-605(f) and TSA §581-33(k).
111. In the ORRI Agreement, Glenrose conveyed the ORRIs (¶88 above) to Starboard
at Glenrose’s cost.
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112. The Amended Starboard Operating Agreement provided, in material part, as
follows:
a. Starboard’s property, business and affairs would be conducted and
managed by a board of directors provided, however, its Chief Executive
Officer would manage its day-to-day administrative operations.
b. The board of directors would consist of six members: the CEO, a director
designated by ASYM, a director designated by SOSv, a director
designated by Summerline, and two independent directors. As of the
effective date of the Amended Starboard Operating Agreement, the board
consisted of CEO, Michael Pawelek, ASYM designee Imbruce, SOSv
designee William Liao, Summerline designee Peter Benz, and independent
directors William Mahoney and Charles Henry III.
c. All board action required the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors
then in office, but in the event of a vacancy, no board actions could occur
until there were at least four directors.
d. A director could be removed from the board by a unanimous
determination by all the other directors that the offending director had
failed to perform his duties and responsibilities and had failed to remedy
his behavior after notice, had committed an act of dishonesty with respect
to Starboard, had committed a felony or any act of misappropriation,
embezzlement, fraud or moral turpitude which adversely affected
Starboard, or had violated a federal or state law or regulation applicable to
Starboard.
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113. Following January 20, 2012, the principal activities of the Starboard board
included negotiating a resolution of the Summerline Put, which MOB and other potential lenders
required as a condition of granting a line of credit, and pursuing a going public transaction. In a
meeting of the Starboard board on February 9, 2012 in which Imbruce participated, the board
established an Acquisition/Transaction Committee (“ATC”) composed of Messrs. Liao and
Henry, and approved a resolution empowering the ATC to “determine what is appropriate to
release and what non-compete and non-disclosure agreements are needed” with respect to any
discussions with third parties.
114. The Starboard board subsequently learned that, notwithstanding the foregoing
resolution, Imbruce had engaged in an unauthorized disclosure of Starboard confidential
information to a third party, Gastar, as part of a unilateral effort to attract potential acquirors.
When the unauthorized conduct was called to his attention, Imbruce claimed that he thought he
was a member of the ATC, even though he plainly knew he was not as he had participated in the
meeting that had established the ATC and its membership as Messrs. Liao and Henry.
Accordingly, Starboard’s then counsel, William Farah, on February 29, 2012, sent Imbruce a
letter stating that Imbruce was not authorized to disclose Starboard confidential information to
anyone and demanding on Starboard’s behalf that Imbruce “immediately cease and desist your
unauthorized disclosure of Starboard information to any individuals or companies and
immediately return to Starboard or destroy all Starboard information in your possession. . . . .”
115. In a meeting of the Starboard board conducted on April 20, 2012, the board voted
unanimously to ask Imbruce to resign as a director and to remove him as a director. Among the
reasons for this decision were:
36
a. On February 27, 2012, the board, including Imbruce, had voted to proceed
with an underwriting with Aegis Capital (“Aegis”). As part of its due
diligence, Aegis had learned that FINRA had, in or about January 2011,
determined after a hearing that Imbruce had willfully violated certain
FINRA regulations, and had disciplined him therefor. Aegis determined
that Imbruce’s presence on the Starboard board would impede a successful
public offering, and concluded it would therefore not proceed with the
underwriting as long as he remained on the board.
b. Summerline’s personnel had concluded that Imbruce had been dishonest
with them on a number of occasions. Summerline designee to the
Starboard board, Peter Benz, stated that if Imbruce remained on the board,
Summerline would exercise the Summerline Put and thereby liquidate its
investment in Starboard. Starboard did not then have the cash necessary
to make the Put payment, and Summerline’s exercise of the Summerline
Put would likely have required Starboard’s liquidation.
c. Starboard was in the process of converting from a limited liability
company to a corporation in order to facilitate a going public transaction.
Imbruce had delayed the conversion process, and thereby lengthened the
period during which Starboard was obligated to pay the going public delay
fee, by not providing comments on relevant documentation and
withholding necessary consents. Imbruce was personally motivated to
delay a going public transaction for Starboard because Starboard’s
becoming a public entity would result in the liquidation of the
37
Partnerships, thereby ending the illegitimate fees the Imbruce-controlled
general partners were charging the limited partners, and the going public
delay fee that GOGLP claimed pursuant to the SPEA.
d. In April 2012, Imbruce had impermissibly shared confidential Starboard
information with Summerline and had misrepresented material facts about
Starboard to Summerline, thereby committing an act of dishonesty with
respect to Starboard.
116. Acting selfishly and without regard to the interests of the Partnerships’ limited
partners whose investments were now completely committed to Starboard, Imbruce initially
refused to resign thereby putting at risk Starboard’s strategy and the interests of the Partnerships’
limited partners. Despite his refusal, the Starboard board made his removal effective. Imbruce
then sent a letter to the board purportedly resigning, but conditioning his resignation on
Starboard’s agreement to retain him as an advisor. Starboard rejected Imbruce’s conditions.
Imbruce then appointed Craig Dermody to replace him as the ASYM designee on the Starboard
board.
117. In retaliation, Imbruce, acting through ASYM III’s general partner which he
controlled, issued a capital call to ASYM III limited partners dated April 30, 2012, pursuant to
the ASYM III LP Agreement, purportedly to fund an investment in a public company. After
protest by the ASYM III limited partners, Imbruce withdrew the capital call.
118. In mid May 2012, SOSv funded an emergency $900,000 bridge loan to Starboard.
119. Also in May 2012, limited partners in the Partnerships demanded that Imbruce
personally compensate Summerline to effect the waiver of the Summerline Put. Imbruce offered
to Summerline the equity of GI, thereby informing limited partners for the first time that
38
GOGLP’s general partner, Giddings Genpar, which he owned, not GOGLP, owned GI.
Contemporaneously, investors learned that Imbruce had told Summerline that he (or an affiliate)
owned GI, and that GI had been his contribution to Starboard. These statements contradicted the
July 2011 Roll-Up Presentation and a January 2012 newsletter to limited partners in which
Imbruce had described GI as owned by GOGLP.
120. SOSv also discovered audit documents containing Imbruce’s representations to
auditors that Giddings Genpar, the general partner of GOGLP, owned GI, without any indication
that Giddings Genpar held GI for the benefit of GOGLP, as Imbruce had previously represented.
121. The limited partners perceived this as an effort by Imbruce to use their assets as
consideration for the waiver of the Summerline Put, in order to avoid using a portion of his own
fee. In short, it appeared that Imbruce was trying to appropriate GI for his own benefit.
122. GOGLP’s limited partners formally demanded that Imbruce convey to GOGLP
the Starboard equity GI held.
123. Imbruce told Lee that he would retain GI’s assets to use as a bargaining chip with
SOSv and the limited partners.
124. On or about May 7, 2012, FINRA rejected Imbruce's appeal of its adverse
decision against him and affirmed said decision, again finding that Imbruce willfully violated the
Securities Act of 1934 and FINRA Conduct Rule 2110.
125. On or about June 28, 2012, Starboard converted from a Delaware limited liability
company to a Delaware corporation. As a result of the conversion, the Partnerships’ interests in
Starboard were converted from membership interests to shares of Starboard common stock.
126. Imbruce sent the limited partners a notice dated July 12, 2012 purporting to
distribute to each limited partner a pro rata share of 30% of each Partnership’s interest in
39
Starboard. If Imbruce had distributed all of the Partnerships’ Starboard interests to the limited
partners, the Partnerships, per the LP Agreements, would have been dissolved, thereby depriving
Imbruce’s general partner entities of a myriad of fees, some of which were unauthorized under
the Partnership Agreements. As a result of the conversion, Imbruce was no longer performing
substantial management services for the Partnerships, and there was no business reason for the
Partnerships to continue to exist. Imbruce, however, wanted his controlled general partner
entities to continue receiving lucrative fees. In any event, notwithstanding the July 12, 2012
notice, no distribution to limited partners of shares in Starboard was effected at that time.
127. On or about July 20, 2012, Starboard and Summerline entered into agreements
resulting in the waiver of the Summerline Put. In return, Summerline received an additional 5%
of Starboard’s equity, increasing its total equity position to approximately 17.6%.
128. In late July 2012, Starboard repaid the SOSv bridge loan. SOSv agreed to forego
interest.
129. As a result of the Summerline Put waiver, in late August 2012, Starboard finally
secured a bank line of credit.
130. By letter dated December 13, 2012, Imbruce informed the limited partners of the
Partnerships that: GI’s assets then consisted of 550,000 shares of Starboard common stock; GI
had been holding its assets for the benefit of both GOGLP and ASYM III; the allocation of those
assets between GOGLP and ASYM III had been unclear; and the Partnerships’ general partners
(i.e. Imbruce) had decided to allocate 330,503 shares, or 60.1% of the total, to GOGLP, and
219,497 shares, or 39.9% of the total, to ASYM III. Imbruce offered no basis for this allocation.
131. The letter’s statement that both GOGLP and ASYM III “had rights under a certain
participation agreement between” GI and Impetro made no sense. ASYM III was formed well
40
after GOGLP participated with Summerline in the acquisition of the Impetro assets, and the July
2011 Roll-Up Presentation had clearly shown GI as part of GOGLP’s contribution to Starboard.
In all prior communications about GI, including those in connection with the waiver of the
Summerline Put, neither Imbruce nor his counsel had asserted that ASYM III had any interest in
GI.
132. In December 2012, the Connecticut Department of Banking, Securities and
Business Investment Division (the “Division”) opened an investigation into whether Imbruce had
acted as an investment advisor in connection with the Partnerships without being registered as
required by CUSA, inter alia. On or about December 19, 2012, the Division sent a letter to
counsel for the Claimants. In said letter, the Division informed the Claimants of the following:
"[S]ince the General Partners did not manage funds exceeding $25,000,000,… [they were not]
exempt… from investment adviser registration under State law."
133. In an effort to avoid potential liability under the Connecticut securities laws,
Imbruce in January 2013 caused the Partnerships’ general partners to offer to refund limited
partners’ investments plus interest. The offer, however, was a sham, as Imbruce and his general
partner entities did not have the money necessary to make good on the offer. The aggregate
investment in the Partnerships was approximately $15.5 million.
134. By early 2013, it had become clear to the limited partners that since January 2012,
Imbruce had continued acting dishonestly with respect to the Partnerships, that he had attempted
to appropriate Partnership assets for his own benefit, that he had been acting solely in his own
interests with regard to the Partnerships’ investments in Starboard, and that he had damaged the
Partnerships’ investment in Starboard by his misuse of Starboard confidential information and by
deliberately delaying Starboard’s efforts to become a public entity.
41
135. Per the January 20, 2012 amendments to the LP Agreements, a vote of limited
partners holding 87.5% of the interest in each Partnership was necessary to remove the Imbruce-
owned entity as the Partnership’s general partner. In February 2013, the requisite majority in
interest of each of the Partnerships voted for the removal of each Partnership’s general partner.
136. On or about February 6, 2013, Giddings Genpar received formal notice of its
removal as general partner of GOGLP.
137. On or about February 7, 2013, Hunton Genpar received formal notice of its
removal as general partner of Hunton.
138. On or about February 28, 2013, ASYM Genpar received formal notice of its
removal as general partner of ASYM III.
139. Each of the notices of removal identified Charles Henry III, a limited partner and
Starboard director, as the successor general partner of each Partnership.
140. By no later than April 29, 2013, each of the notices of removal became effective
and Henry became the general partner of each Partnership.
141. As of early 2013, the Partnerships had no business purpose. They simply held
Starboard stock for the benefit of the limited partners. Imbruce, however, contested removal of
his general partner entities, solely as a basis to maintain a claim to entitlement to various fees for
which the general partners were performing no meaningful service as the Partnerships simply
held stock in a company that was being effectively managed by its own board of directors and
management team.
142. In mid-May 2013, Starboard filed a Form 10 with the SEC. The Starboard Form
10 stated, accurately, that more than 80% of Starboard’s common stock was owned either by the
Partnerships or the limited partners, and control of the stock was in litigation in Connecticut
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Superior Court. The Form 10 stated that while the lawsuit was pending, Starboard was “likely to
have corporate governance issues in shareholder meetings due to possible conflicts as to who can
vote the majority” of the common stock. The Form 10 further noted continuing accrual of the
going public delay fee which exceeded $700,000 on an annual basis. Imbruce’s contesting the
removal of his general partner entities was adversely affecting Starboard’s ability to pursue its
business plan while giving him a basis to continue claiming management and going public delay
fees.
143. On or about October 25, 2013, Starboard filed with the SEC a form S-1/A
Registration Statement of its common stock (“Registration Statement”). The Registration
Statement became effective on or about November 12, 2013. As a result, a monetization event
as defined in the January 20, 2012 Starboard Agreement had occurred. In February 2014,
Starboard delivered to its transfer agent stock certificates that had been issued to the Partnerships
with directions to remove the restrictive legends on the certificates. The transfer agent did so.
Accordingly, the Partnerships received unrestricted and freely transferrable securities registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, thereby satisfying the Partnership Agreements’
definition of monetization.
144. Accordingly, in February 2014, Henry, acting in his capacity as general partner of
the Partnerships, effected the distribution of the Starboard common stock the Partnerships then
held to the Partnerships’ limited partners on a pro rata basis, while escrowing sufficient shares to
satisfy any claim by Imbruce and his entities for fees pursuant to the LP Agreements.
145. On December 17, 2013, the Connecticut Banking Commissioner, following a
lengthy and detailed investigation, issued an “Order to Cease and Desist, Notice of Intent to Fine
and Notice of Right to Hearing” (“Order”) against Imbruce, the Partnerships, their Imbruce
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owned general partners and their Imbruce-owned managers, finding violations of the anti-fraud,
securities registration and investment adviser registration provisions of CUSA. In essence, the
Commissioner found that with respect to the Partnerships, Imbruce had acted as an unregistered
investment adviser in violation of CUSA, and engaged in deceitful conduct in connection with
the sale of securities. The Commissioner further found that in the course of the investigation
Imbruce had made a material misleading statement to the Division.
146. The Commissioner issued an amendment to the Order on June 14, 2014
(“Amendment”), finding that Imbruce had made misleading statements during sworn testimony
taken in connection with the Division’s investigation, and that he had made other misleading
statements during the Division’s investigation.
147. Imbruce sought a hearing with respect to the Order and Amendment. Prior to the
hearing, on August 27, 2014, Imbruce, his three general partner entities and the Commissioner
agreed to a Consent Order resolving the matter. In the Consent Order, Imbruce agreed, among
other things, not to deny, directly or indirectly “any allegation set forth” in the Order and
Amendment “relating to” him or the general partner entities. He was further required to
immediately register with the Commissioner as an investment advisor agent, and the Imbruce
entities were required to register as investment advisors.
148. On December 22, 2014, Imbruce instituted a legal malpractice action in the
Connecticut Superior Court against his former attorneys, Cheryl Johnson, Esq. and Levett
Rockwood, P.C., wherein Imbruce admits that he failed to comply with CUSA; that he and his
entities needed to be registered as investment advisers and investment adviser agents under
CUSA, but failed to do so; that the Partnerships needed to be registered under CUSA in order to
offer and sell their units to investors, but failed to do so; that the Partnerships were selling real
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estate investments under Connecticut law; and that “[Imbruce’s] Partnerships, Hunton LP,
Giddings LP, Asym LP, Hunton Genpar, Giddings Genpar, Asym Genpar …” offered and sold
units of securities to investors that were not registered under CUSA. Imbruce filed an amended
complaint in said action on January 29, 2015, in which Imbruce also admits that Partnership
Agreements failed to contain a "full waiver of the general partners' fiduciary duties to the
Partnerships, and rather only provided a limited waiver of the general partners' liability to the
Partnerships."
SUMMARY OF WRONGFUL ACTS OF CLAIMANTS/COUNTERCLAIM
RESPONDENTS
149. The Claimants committed the following wrongful acts, in connection with
Hunton, GOGLP, and ASYM III:
a. Falsely representing to the Limited Partners that Imbruce had invested in
the Partnerships as an LP and/or General Partner;
b. Falsely representing to the Limited Partners that Claimants would not
receive fees in connection with the Starboard Roll-Up transaction;
c. Indemnifying themselves in violation of the Partnership Agreements;
d. Charging fees and expenses to the Limited Partners in violation of the
Partnership Agreements;
e. Assigning contract rights to others without the consent of the Limited
Partners in violation of the Partnership/Subscription Agreements;
f. Issuing Capital Calls in violation of the Asym III Partnership Agreement;
g. Usurping drilling participation rights and other assets or funds in
connection with GI;
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h. Engaging in the fraudulent charging of fees and expenses;
i. Falsely representing to the Limited Partners that the Partnerships had more
money under management than they actually had;
j. Falsely representing the value of assets under management;
k. Falsely representing the type of assets owned by the Partnerships;
l. Falsely representing the amount of assets owned by the Partnerships;
m. Falsely representing to prospective lenders the value of the three
Partnerships and/or the Starboard assets;
n. Falsely representing to prospective SPACs or purchasers of Starboard the
value of the three Partnerships and/or the Starboard assets;
o. Failing to obtain an independent valuation of the three Partnerships and/or
the Starboard assets;
p. Failing to negotiate in good faith with prospective SPACS or other
purchasers in connection with the sale of the Partnership assets;
q. Failing to use commercially reasonable efforts in consummating a merger
as defined under the SPEA;
r. Falsely representing to the Limited Partners that Claimants were not acting
as investment advisers, when they in fact were;
s. Falsely representing to the Limited Partners that Claimants were exempt
from registration as investment advisers under Blue Sky Laws;
t. Falsely representing to the Limited Partners that Claimants were exempt
from or otherwise had complied with the securities registration
requirements of Connecticut Blue Sky Laws;
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u. Diverting the Limited Partners’ rights to others outside of the Partnerships
in violation of the Partnership Agreements and January 20, 2012
Agreements;
a. Failing to disclose to the Limited Partners and actively concealing an
$18,500,000 put right (“Put”) issued to Summerline. The Summerline Put
and Imbruce’s failure to disclose it to the limited partners and to MOB
placed Starboard and the limited partners’ investment and reputations at
significant risk, and the entire investment would have been lost but for the
actions of SOSv and other limited partners. The Summerline Put,
Imbruce’s failure to disclose it, his implementation of an initial Starboard
Operating Agreement that gave him control of the Company, the extended
negotiations necessary to resolve the operating agreement dispute in which
Imbruce acted entirely in his own interest and without regard for the
interests of the limited partners, the negotiations necessary to resolve the
Summerline Put, and Imbruce’s deliberately acting to create and
perpetuate a cloud over voting control of a majority of the Starboard
shares, significantly impeded Starboard’s ability to secure a lending
facility and other third party financing, and thereby its efforts to
commence a drilling program and commercialize its interest in oil bearing
properties, with resulting financial loss;
v. Failing to disclose to the Limited Partners and actively concealing that
Summerline and Imbruce entities had rights to a going public delay fee at
the time of the Starboard Roll-Up transaction;
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w. Being on multiple sides of the Starboard roll-up transaction and creating
fees for itself and/or affiliates to the detriment of the Limited Partners;
x. Negligently and fraudulently causing delays in going public or
consummating a merger under the SPEA;
y. Withholding the distribution of all the shares to the Limited Partners;
z. In failing to disclose Imbruce's FINRA violations, the FINRA
investigation, the FINRA Complaint and the adverse FINRA decision to
certain Limited Partners. The failure to disclose such investigation,
complaint and adverse decision were material omissions;
aa. In breaching common law fiduciary duties;
bb. In that Imbruce fraudulently offered rescission to all of the Limited
Partners when he did not have the financial ability to make such payments
in violation of CUSA, DSA and TSA and the common law in Connecticut,
Delaware and Texas;
cc. In purchasing the Summerline ORRI for Claimants’ own account when it
was a corporate opportunity of the Partnerships;
dd. In failing to disclose the Summerline Put to a lender until such bank fraud
was discovered by the Limited Partners;
ee. Causing GOGLP the loss of drilling participation rights and equity in GI,
and in turn equity in Starboard, by conversion, mismanagement and
negligence;
ff. Falsely representing to the GOGLP Limited Partners that they would be in
a senior secured position and ultimately collect dividends and/or interest;
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gg. Falsely representing to the GOGLP Limited Partners that the purpose of
the Partnership was primarily a debt deal not subject to dilution or
subordination;
hh. Assigning and conveying substantial equity of GOGLP to ASYM III
without the consent of the GOGLP Limited Partners, as evidenced by
Claimants’ notice dated December 13, 2012;
ii. Attempting to convert the going public delay fees to Claimants’ own use
when Claimants negligently and fraudulently caused the delays in going
public;
jj. Engaging in multiple violations of CUSA, DSA and TSA, including but
not limited to, the failure to register with Connecticut and Texas as an
investment adviser, and the continuous making of materially false and
misleading statements and omissions in connection with the sale and
management of securities. These false statements include, but are not
limited to, representations that the Claimants were in compliance with
applicable Blue Sky Laws, that Imbruce had personally invested in the
partnerships, omitting his FINRA history and most recently, falsely
representing the Claimants' financial ability to pay restitution plus
statutory interest to all investors;
kk. The disclosure of confidential Starboard information to Gastar, without
confidentiality agreements in place, resulting in Gastar’s using that
information to bid on properties contiguous to properties for which
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Starboard had drilling rights, further impeding Starboard's execution of its
business plan to the detriment of its shareholders;
ll. Usurping $350,000, payable to GOGLP and failing to make an appropriate
distribution to the limited partners of GOGLP in connection therewith; and
mm. Double charging management and other fees to the Partnerships.
150. The Certain Respondents, on multiple occasions, have demanded that the
Claimants engage in corrective and remedial measures, to no avail.
151. The Claimants, in their multiple roles in multiple corporate structures as
Investment Adviser, Issuer, Officer, General Partner, Director, Board Member, Chairman of the
Board, Member and/or Managing Member, are not disinterested, and are involved in all
contested transactions.
152. At all relevant times, Imbruce exercised complete control over all of the Claimant
General Partners, and Claimant Managers, with respect to all aspects of their business and
finances, including as to all dealings with the Partnerships, the Limited Partners, non-party
Starboard Resources, Inc. f/k/a Starboard Resources LLC, and non-party, Summerline.
153. The Claimants, inter alia, controlled, to the exclusion of Certain Respondents, the
following: the operations and finances of the Claimant General Partners, the Partnerships and
Starboard (until January 20, 2012); the drafting of all relevant transactional documents; the
drafting and dissemination of all marketing materials; the representations made to the Certain
Respondents to induce their investment and/or other actions; the drafting and dissemination of
financial reports; and the compliance and/or non-compliance with all applicable statutes and
regulations.
154. Until January 20, 2012, Starboard was exclusively controlled by the Claimants.
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155. Certain Respondents will fairly and adequately represent the interests of the
Partnerships in enforcing and prosecuting their rights.
156. Relative to Certain Respondents' derivative claims, demand futility exists.
157. The Limited Partners bring this action on behalf of themselves and derivatively
on behalf of GOGLP, Hunton and ASYM III.
158. The Claimants have engaged in a continuous course of fraudulent and wrongful
conduct, and have fraudulently concealed certain acts and causes of action from the Certain
Respondents.
159. Indeed, Imbruce continues with his campaign of concealment and wrongful
conduct to this date, e.g. pursuing rights under unenforceable investment advisory contracts,
issuing unauthorized capital call notices, issuing fraudulent rescission notices, as well as
concealing relevant financial information from the Certain Respondents.
COUNT I
Breach of Fiduciary Duties Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC, Hunton
Oil Genpar LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC and Glenrose Holdings LLC
160. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶1-159 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
161. Hunton Genpar was, prior to April 29, 2013, the general partner of Hunton. As
the general partner of Hunton, Hunton Genpar owed fiduciary duties to the limited partners of
Hunton.
162. Giddings Genpar was, prior to April 29, 2013, the general partner of GOGLP. As
the general partner of GOGLP, Giddings Genpar owed fiduciary duties to the limited partners of
GOGLP.
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163. ASYM Genpar was, prior to April 29, 2013, the general partner of ASYM III. As
the general partner of ASYM III, ASYM Genpar owed fiduciary duties to the limited partners of
ASYM III.
164. Glenrose was the beneficial owner of each of Hunton Genpar, Giddings Genpar,
and ASYM Genpar and controlled each of those entities. Accordingly, Glenrose owed fiduciary
duties to the limited partners of each of the Partnerships.
165. Imbruce owned 75% of Glenrose and exclusively controlled Glenrose.
Accordingly, Imbruce owed fiduciary duties to the limited partners of each of the Partnerships.
166. The limited partnership agreements of each of the Partnerships contained only
limited waivers of fiduciary responsibility for the Partnerships’ respective general partners and
did not contain a general waiver of fiduciary duties, including the fiduciary duty of loyalty.
Accordingly, each of the Claimants/Counterclaim Respondents owed to the Partnerships
fiduciary duties, including, but not limited to, the fiduciary duty of loyalty, including the
obligation to conduct the Partnerships’ business fairly for the benefit of all limited partners and
not in the self-interest of the Counterclaim Respondents.
167. The Counterclaim Respondents engaged in conduct that benefitted them to the
detriment of the Partnerships and the limited partners, thereby damaging each of the Partnerships
and the interests of the limited partners. Such conduct included, but was not limited to:
a. Structuring the Roll-Up to give Imbruce virtually complete control over
the Partnerships’ assets;
b. Putting the Partnerships’ assets at risk by agreeing to the Summerline Put
and the going public delay fees, and by submitting the false and
misleading line of credit application to MOB;
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c. Refusing to agree to modifications to the Starboard Operating Agreement
to provide limited partners with usual and customary investor protections;
d. Knowingly acting to delay Starboard’s efforts to obtain financing for its
business operations in order to maintain Imbruce’s control over Starboard
and lengthen the time during which Counterclaim Respondents could
extract fees and expenses from the Partnerships, many of which were
unauthorized under the Partnership Agreements;
e. Imbruce’s unauthorized disclosure of confidential Starboard information
to third parties;
f. Fraudulently inflating the value and ownership of Starboard’s and/or the
Partnerships’ assets;
g. Knowingly acting to delay a Starboard monetization event in order to
extend the time during which Counterclaim Respondents could extract
fees and expenses from the Partnerships, some of which were
unauthorized under the Partnership Agreements.
168. These breaches of fiduciary duties have damaged the limited partners.
COUNT II
Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing Against Imbruce, Giddings
Genpar LLC, Hunton Oil Genpar LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC,
Glenrose Holdings LLC, and Giddings Investments LLC
169. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶1-159 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
170. Implied in the Partnership agreements were contractual covenants of good faith
and fair dealing to the effect that Imbruce, Glenrose, and the Imbruce general partner entities and
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GI would manage the Partnerships for the benefit of all investors and would not act in a manner
knowingly detrimental to the business development of the Partnerships’ assets in order to serve
solely their own interests.
171. Claimants/Counterclaim Respondents breached this implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing in at least the following respects:
a. Structuring the Roll-Up to give Imbruce virtually complete control over
the Partnerships’ assets;
b. Putting the Partnerships’ assets at risk by agreeing to the Summerline Put
and the going public delay fees, and by submitting the false and
misleading line of credit application to MOB;
c. Refusing to agree to modifications to the Starboard Operating Agreement
to provide limited partners with usual and customary investor protections;
d. Knowingly acting to delay Starboard’s efforts to obtain financing for its
business operations in order to maintain Imbruce’s control over Starboard
and lengthen the time during which Counterclaim Respondents could
extract fees and expenses from the Partnerships, many of which were
unauthorized under the Partnership Agreements;
e. Imbruce’s unauthorized disclosure of confidential Starboard information
to third parties;
f. Fraudulently inflating the value and ownership of Starboard’s and/or the
Partnerships’ assets;
a. Knowingly acting to delay a Starboard monetization event in order to
extend the time during which Counterclaim Respondents could extract
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fees and expenses from the Partnerships, some of which were
unauthorized under the Partnership Agreements.
172. These breaches of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing have
damaged the limited partners.
COUNT III
Partnership Dissolution Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC,
Hunton Oil Genpar LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC,
Glenrose Holdings LLC, and Giddings Investments LLC
173. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶1-159 by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
174. Since on or about January 2012, when the Partnership Assets came to be managed
by the Board of Directors at Starboard, there has been no business reason for the Partnerships to
continue to exist.
175. Since in or about February 2014, the Partnerships no longer had any assets.
176. The purpose of each of the Partnerships, as set forth in Article III of the
Partnership agreements was to acquire and develop certain oil and gas assets and to engage in all
appropriate activities incident thereto. That purpose no longer exists as the subject assets are
owned and being developed by Starboard.
177. In February 2014, a "Majority in Interest" of the limited partners of each of the
Partnerships, as that term is defined in the Partnership agreements, and including General Partner
Henry, approved an agreement that included among other provisions the commitment of each to
“take all steps necessary and within [the] power” of each to dissolve the Partnerships.
Accordingly, the Partnerships have been dissolved according to the terms of the Partnership
agreements.
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178. Alternatively, it is no longer reasonably practicable to carry on the business of
each of the Partnerships in conformity with the Partnership agreements and the Partnerships
should, therefore, be dissolved pursuant to 6 Del. C. §17-802.
COUNT IV
Unjust Enrichment Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC,
Hunton Oil Genpar LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC,
Glenrose Holdings LLC, and Giddings Investments LLC
179. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶1-159 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
180. Imbruce deliberately frustrated and delayed the efforts of Starboard management
to effect a Starboard monetization event solely to enable Imbruce, Glenrose, Hunton Genpar,
Giddings Genpar, ASYM Genpar and GI to continue to extract fees pursuant to the Partnership
and other Agreements, many of which were unauthorized thereunder.
181. To the extent the Claimants/Counterclaim Respondents received fees as a result of
their efforts to frustrate and delay a Starboard monetization event or obtained other
compensation and benefits by virtue of their improper conduct, including charging the
Partnerships unauthorized fees and expenses, they have been unjustly enriched and
Counterclaimants have been correspondingly impoverished.
182. There is a relationship between the enrichment and the impoverishment.
183. The Claimants/Counterclaim Respondents had no justification for their conduct.
184. Accordingly, the Claimants/Counterclaim Respondents should be required to
make restitution to Counterclaimants of any and all fees, compensation and other benefits
improperly obtained.
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COUNT V
Breach of Contract Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC, Hunton Oil Genpar
LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC, Giddings Investments, LLC, Glenrose Holdings, LLC
185. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶ 1-184 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
186. The Claimants/Counterclaim Respondents, by virtue of their aforesaid wrongful
conduct, have materially breached some or all of the LP Agreements and the 2012 Settlement
Agreements.
187. As a direct and proximate result of the aforementioned breaches of contract, the
Counterclaimants have suffered damages.
COUNT VI
Accounting Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC,
ASYM Capital III LLC, Glenrose Holdings, LLC and Giddings Investments LLC
188. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶ 1-159 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
189. Imbruce and his affiliates have given Limited Partners inconsistent and
incomplete explanations concerning fees and expenses charged to the Partnerships by Imbruce
affiliates and the assets and finances exclusively controlled by Imbruce, including the role of GI.
190. The Counterclaim Respondents had fiduciary obligations to the limited partners
concerning their management of the assets of the Partnerships.
191. The Counterclaim Respondents should be required to account to the
Counterclaimants with regard to the sources and uses of all funds and other assets of Hunton,
GOGLP and ASYM III received, and the disposition of all assets of those Partnerships during the
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time Hunton Genpar, Giddings Genpar and ASYM Genpar were the general partners of GOGLP
and ASYM III, respectively, as well as fully account to the Counterclaimants the financial role of
GI.
COUNT VII
Breach of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act Against Imbruce, Giddings
Genpar LLC, Hunton Oil Genpar LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC,
Giddings Investments, LLC, Glenrose Holdings, LLC
192. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶1-159 above
by reference, as if fully set forth herein.
193. Counterclaim Respondents’ aforementioned actions constitute unfair or
deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce in violation of § 42-110b, et seq.,
of the Connecticut General Statutes.
194. The aforementioned conduct of the Counterclaim Respondents, including but
not limited to Imbruce's wrongful charging of expenses and fees, constitutes unfair or deceptive
acts or practices in violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, General Statutes §
42-110b, et seq.
195. As a result of the aforementioned unfair and deceptive acts and practices in
violation of General Statutes § 42-110b, et seq., the Counterclaimants have suffered an
ascertainable loss.
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COUNT VIII
Civil Theft Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC, Hunton Oil Genpar LLC,
ASYM Capital III LLC, Giddings Investments, LLC, Glenrose Holdings, LLC
196. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶1-159 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
197. By virtue of their aforementioned wrongful conduct, Counterclaim Respondents
have intentionally and wrongfully deprived, and continue to intentionally and wrongfully
deprive, Counterclaimants of their money without justification, right or entitlement.
198. Counterclaim Respondents intentionally and wrongfully accepted monies under
false pretenses and converted said monies.
199. By virtue of their conduct as alleged herein, the Counterclaim Respondents have
engaged in civil theft in violation of General Statutes § 52-564.
200. As a result, the Counterclaimants have been damaged.
COUNT IX
Piercing the Corporate Veil / Alter Ego Against Imbruce, Giddings Genpar LLC,
Hunton Oil Genpar LLC, ASYM Capital III LLC, Giddings Investments, LLC,
Glenrose Holdings, LLC
201. Counterclaimants incorporate the allegations of Counterclaim ¶¶ 1-159 above by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
202. Based on the foregoing, it is clear that Imbruce dominated all Claimant entities
such that the independence thereof ceased or never existed.
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203. Based on the foregoing, it is clear that the Claimant entities had no separate
business mind, will or existence of their own.
204. Imbruce and the Claimant entities have a unity of interest such that independence
of said entities has ceased or never existed.
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WHEREFORE, Counterclaimants demand the following:
1. Compensatory damages;
2. Restitution or disgorgement;
3. A declaration that the Partnerships are or must be dissolved;
4. A declaration that the removal of Hunton Genpar, Giddings Genpar and ASYM
Genpar, as general partners of the subject limited partnerships, was legally proper
and in accordance with the LP Agreements;
5. A declaration that there was a monetization event under the Partnership
Agreements and proper distribution of Starboard shares to the Limited
Partnerships, and, in turn, a proper transfer of shares from the Partnerships to the
individual limited partners;
6. Treble damages pursuant to General Statutes § 52-564;
7. Attorneys’ fees pursuant to General Statutes § 42-110g;
8. Punitive damages pursuant to General Statutes § 42-110g;
9. Attorneys’ fees under contract;
10. Costs;
11. Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; and
12. Such other and further relief as the Arbitrator deems just and proper.
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RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
THE RESPONDENTS,
BY:_/s/ Jonathan P. Whitcomb________
Jonathan P. Whitcomb, Esq.
Scott S. Centrella, Esq.
Jonathan J. Kelson, Esq.
Richard E. Castiglioni, Esq.
DISERIO MARTIN O'CONNOR &
CASTIGLIONI LLP
One Atlantic Street
Stamford, CT 06901
Tel.: (203) 358-0800
Fax: (203) 348-2321
OF COUNSEL:
Norman M. Monhait, Esq.
ROSENTHAL MONHAIT & GODDESS, P.A.
919 Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tel: 302-656-4433
Fax: 302-658-7567
Counsel for SOS Ventures, LLC and Bradford Higgins
Daniel Viola, Esq.
Sadis & Goldberg, LLP
551 Fifth Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10176
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true copy of the foregoing was served on March 11, 2015 to all
counsel and pro se parties of record:
Richard S. Gora
Gora LLC
Tresser Boulevard
Stamford, CT 06905
Michael L. Zuppone
Paul Hastings LLP
75 East 55th Street
New York, NY 10022
Sigma Gas Barbastella Fund
Sigma Gas Antrozous Fund
Rubicon Resources, LLC
Nicholas P. Garofolo
William Pettinati, Jr.
King Lee
Michael Rihner
Scott Decker
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Andrew and Briana Gillick
Steve Heinemann
Stanley Goldstein
Sidney Orbach
James P. Ashman
Patrick R. Ashman
/s/Jonathan P. Whitcomb
Jonathan P. Whitcomb