NEW YORK, May 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a securities class action complaint has been filed on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased JBS S.A. (OTC:JBSAY) ("JBS" or the "Company") American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") between June 2, 2015 and May 19, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period") in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Investors who have incurred losses in JBS S.A ADRs are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action on our website, www.whafh.com.
If you have purchased JBS S.A ADRs shares and would like to assist with the litigation process as a lead plaintiff, you may, no later than July 21 , 2017 , request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class.
JBS, a Sao Paulo, Brazil food company, engages in the processing and trading of animal protein in Brazil and internationally. The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period the defendants made false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose that
- JBS executives bribed regulators and politicians to subvert food inspections of its plants and overlook unsanitary practices, such as processing rotten meat and running plants with traces of salmonella;
- Defendant Joesley Batista was providing monthly bribery payments to a former Brazilian government official and a lobbyist;
- there were irregularities with the loans JBS received from Brazilian state-owned development bank BNDES;
- the Company and other entities controlled by Defendants Wesley Batista and Joesley Batista made suspicious trades that exhibit signs of possible insider trading prior to the revelation of a plea deal by the Company's top executives; and
- as a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable bases at all relevant times.
On March 17, 2017, news outlets first reported that Brazilian police raided the offices of JBS and other meatpackers following an investigation into alleged bribery of health officials. The probe uncovered evidence that meatpackers bribed inspectors and politicians to overlook unsanitary practices and exports with traces of salmonella. Police arrested two JBS employees, and twenty public officials. On this news, shares of JBS fell nearly 10% on March 17, 2017.
Subsequently, in mid-May, media outlets reported that Brazilian police were investigating JBS' dealings with the state-run bank, that JBS' Chairman was recorded admitting to bribing public officials and that Brazil's securities regulator had launched investigations against the Company.
On May 31, 2017, J&F Investimentos SA ("J&F"), the family company of Brazilian meat tycoons Wesley and Joesley Batista, agreed to pay 10.3 billion reais ($3.16 billion) over 25 years as part of a settlement over graft and other crimes, in what prosecutors called the world’s biggest leniency deal.
J&F, which controls assets including meat giant JBS SA, will pay the fine to settle five probes named Greenfield, Sepsis, Cui Bono, Bullish and Weak Flesh, the press office of Brazil’s prosecutors said late in the day on May 30th. The fines are set to be levied exclusively on J&F and not its subsidiaries, with payments starting in December.
The fine corresponds to 5.6 percent of revenue earned by J&F companies last year, according to the prosecutors’ statement. Approximately 8 billion reais in penalties will be paid to Brazil’s development bank known as BNDES, pension funds Funcef and Petros, workers’ fund FGTS, Caixa Economica Federal, a state-run bank, and Brazil’s federal government. A payment of 2.3 billion reais will be paid indirectly through projects in education, health and compliance.
In their state testimony, the Batista brothers admitted to paying bribes in return for loans and capital injections from state-run banks and pension funds.
Wolf Haldenstein has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation.
If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com .
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Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Kevin Cooper, Esq. Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: gstone@whafh.com, kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774
