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NovaStar Settles Stock Drop Suit for $925K
In the suit, Jennifer Jones, on behalf of a class of participants in NovaStar’s 401(k) plan, alleges that fiduciaries of the plan allowed the imprudent investment of the plan’s assets in NovaStar common stock when they knew or should have known the investment was unduly risky and imprudent due to the company’s “serious mismanagement and improper business practices.” (See NovaStar Faces 401(k) Company Stock Suit over Lending Practices)
Those improper business practices include, among other things:
- relying on originating, purchasing, securitizing, selling, investing in and servicing subprime residential mortgages for revenue;
- manipulation
of its mortgage origination process; and
- failing to abide by its stated mortgage underwriting process and criteria.
Jones alleged NovaStar also failed to abide by proper risk management processes, used improper financial accounting for its portfolio of mortgages, and engaged in practices that endangered, and ultimately eliminated, its ability to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT).
Attorneys for the class were awarded more than $330,000 of the settlement amount.
The case is Jones v. NovaStar Financial Inc., W.D. Mo., No. 4:08-cv-490-NKL.