Legal Action News

Your news source for lawsuits and other civil legal matters

Legal Action Recently...

April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004


Legal Action News RSS Feed
RSS Feed



 

Shareholder Lawsuit Filed Against Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V., Berman DeValerio Pease Tabacco Burt & Pucillo Announces

20 March 2006

An investor sued Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, N.V. ("CBI" or the "Company") (NYSE: CBI) today in federal court, accusing the Company of securities law violations, Berman DeValerio Pease Tabacco Burt & Pucillo announced.


Berman DeValerio (http://www.bermanesq.com) filed the class action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The complaint seeks damages for violations of federal securities laws on behalf of all investors who purchased CBI common stock from March 9, 2005 through and including February 14, 2006 (the "Class Period").


To receive a copy of the complaint, you may contact the court, call the firm at (800) 349-4612 or go to http://www.bermanesq.com/pdf/ChicagoBridge-Cplt.pdf.


The lawsuit claims that CBI and a number of individual defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), 15 U.S.C. Sections 78j(b) and 78t, and SEC Rule 10b-5, 17 C.F.R. Section 240.10b-5, promulgated there under.


CBI designs, builds and maintains processing, treatment and storage facilities worldwide for clients in the energy and water industries.


According to plaintiff's complaint, the Company issued materially false and misleading statements during the Class Period. Specifically, plaintiff alleged that CBI failed to disclose that it had improperly recognized revenue on two projects for which it was unable to collect payment; that CBI lacked adequate internal controls to ensure the accuracy of its reported results and guidance; and, that CBI's financial results were not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and revenue and earnings were therefore materially overstated.


The Company's stock price plummeted when the truth emerged in a series of public disclosures beginning in the fall of 2005, the complaint says. Among them:


* On October 26, 2005, CBI announced a delay in the release of its third


quarter financial results. In reaction to the news, the stock dropped


approximately 21% from $29.68 to $23.47.


* On October 31, 2005, CBI disclosed that the delay "was precipitated by a


memo from a senior member of the Company's accounting department


alleging accounting improprieties, including the determination of claim


recognition on two projects and the assessment of costs to complete two


projects." As a result, the stock fell another $1.02 per share to


close at $21.25.


* On January 27, 2006, in a current report filed with the SEC on a Form


8-K, the Company disclosed that it had entered into a lucrative "Stay


Bonus Agreement" with the Company's Vice President and Controller,


Tommy Rhodes, valued at over $1.8 million. The complaint alleges that


Rhodes was being paid over $1.8 million for releasing claims arising


out of his accusations that the Company, among other things, was


improperly recording revenue and earnings.


* On February 3, 2006, CBI announced, without explanation, the termination


of Defendant Gerald M. Glenn, the Company's chairman, president and


chief executive officer, and Defendant Robert B. Jordan, the Company's


executive vice president and chief operating officer. The stock dropped


23% to $22.33 per share from $29.00.


* Finally, before the market opened on February 15, 2006, the Company


announced that it was slashing its 2005 guidance and that the Company


was in communication with the SEC regarding the audit committee


investigation. The stock dropped an additional $0.77 per share from


its prior close of $22.95.


If you purchased CBI common stock from March 9, 2005 through and including February 14, 2006, you may wish to contact the following attorneys at Berman DeValerio Pease Tabacco Burt & Pucillo to discuss your rights and interests.


Michael J. Pucillo, Esq.


Jay W. Eng, Esq.


Esperante Building


222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 900


West Palm Beach, FL 33401


(800) 349-4612


lawfla@bermanesq.com


If you wish to apply to be lead plaintiff in this action, a motion on your behalf must be filed with the court no later than April 18, 2006. You may contact the attorneys at Berman DeValerio to discuss your rights regarding the appointment of lead plaintiff and your interest in the class action, or you may submit information online at http://www.bermanesq.com/Securities/Signup1.asp?caseid=566. Please note, you may also retain counsel of your choice and need not take any action at this time to be a class member.


Berman DeValerio Pease Tabacco Burt & Pucillo prosecutes class actions nationwide on behalf of institutions and individuals, chiefly victims of securities fraud, antitrust law violations, and consumer fraud. The firm has 34 lawyers in Boston, San Francisco and West Palm Beach.


Contact: Jay W. Eng, Esq., (800) 349-4612

Source: prnewswire


All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.


Related Articles


 
Law News



A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z