U.s. Government seeks to preclude defendant from cross-examining a Government witness. Government intends to call Lloyd Blankfein to testify on the subject of Raj at Gupta's service on the Goldman Sachs Board of Directors. Government wants to know whether Goldman Sachs bears responsibility for the 2008 financial crisis.
U.s. Government seeks to preclude defendant from cross-examining a Government witness. Government intends to call Lloyd Blankfein to testify on the subject of Raj at Gupta's service on the Goldman Sachs Board of Directors. Government wants to know whether Goldman Sachs bears responsibility for the 2008 financial crisis.
U.s. Government seeks to preclude defendant from cross-examining a Government witness. Government intends to call Lloyd Blankfein to testify on the subject of Raj at Gupta's service on the Goldman Sachs Board of Directors. Government wants to know whether Goldman Sachs bears responsibility for the 2008 financial crisis.
U.s. Government seeks to preclude defendant from cross-examining a Government witness. Government intends to call Lloyd Blankfein to testify on the subject of Raj at Gupta's service on the Goldman Sachs Board of Directors. Government wants to know whether Goldman Sachs bears responsibility for the 2008 financial crisis.
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Southern District of New York
Dre Silvio}. Molo Building
(One Saint indo Placa
‘New York Mew York 10007
March 21, 2011
By Hand Delivery
‘The Honorable Richard J. Holwell
United States District Judge
Souther District of New York
500 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10007
Re: United States v. Raj Rajaratnam,
$2.09 Cr. 1184 (RH)
Dear Judge Holwell:
‘The Government respectfully submits this letter in order to move to preclude the
defendant from cross-examining a Government witness, Lloyd Blankfein, on (i) whether
Goldman Sachs bears responsibility for the 2008 financial crisis, and (ji) whether Goldman Sachs
is presently the subject of any pending investigations by cither the Department of Justice (“DOJ”)
or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Government makes this
application pursuant to Federal Rules of Evidence 402 and/or 403,
‘The Government intends to call Lloyd Blankfein, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, to
testify on the subjects of Rajat Gupta’s service on the Goldman Sachs Board of Directors, the
duties of confidentiality that Gupta owed to Goldman Sachs, and certain confidential information
that Gupta obtained through his service on Goldman’s Board in 2008.
On March 7, 2010, Raj Rajaratnam served a trial subpoena on Goldman Sachs
requesting, among other things, “documents sufficient to show currently active investigations
being conducted by” the DOJ, SEC and the U.S. Attomey’s Office for the Southern District of
New York that concern Goldman Sachs. A copy of this subpoena is attached hereto as Exhibit
A. The Government’s understanding is that Goldman Sachs conferred with Rajaratnam
regarding the subpoena and responded by referring Rajaratnam to its Annual Report on Form 10»
K for Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010, which was filed on February 28, 2011, The
relevant portions of this Form 10-K (pages 191-201) are attached hereto as Exhibit B.
‘The Form 10-K contains references to approximately 20 different “legal proceedings,”
among them “Financial Crisis-Related Matters,” “Mortgage-Related Matters,” and “Fannie MaeHonorable Richard J. Holwell
March 21, 2011
Page 2
Litigation.” Importantly, not one of the 20 different legal proceedings concerns Raj Rajaratnam,
the Galleon Group, or Rajat Gupta. Nor does the Form 10-K indicate that any of the various
“legal proceedings” bears upon the credibility of Mr. Blankfein,
On March 20, 2011, Rajaratnam sent a letter to the Government (attached as Exhibit
) requesting the production of documents sufficient to identify all “open investigations” of
Goldman Sachs by the DOJ or SEC. In furtherance of this request, Rajaratnam cites United
States v. Chitty, 760 F.2d 425, 428 (2d Cir. 1985), a case in which prosecutors failed to notify the
defense that one of the Government's witnesses had been notified that he was the target of an
investigation by the United States Attomey’s office. This case is wholly inapposite for the
following reason: This Office has not notified Mr. Blankfein or Goldman Sachs that either is a
target (or, for that matter, a subject) of any pending criminal investigation. There is simply no
risk that Mr. Blankfein might alter his testimony to affect the outcome of an investigation since
Goldman Sachs has received no such notification from this Office.
Pending Legal Proceedings. Second, this Court should preclude cross-examination
of Mr. Blankfein on the various legal proceedings described in the Form 10-K. Those
proceedings are of no relevance to this matter, sinee those proceedings do not relate to
Rajaratnam, Galleon, Gupta, or Mr, Blankfein’s credibility. The only conceivable relevance
would be general impeachment of Mr, Blankfein, Rajaratnam might suggest, for example, that
because Goldman Sachs is tied up in many different legal proceedings, the firm — and by
extension its CEO, Mr. Blankfein ~ is not to be trusted. But this claim is totally unfounded and
‘would threaten confusion of the issues, since the legal proceedings described in the Form 10-K
relate to the conduct of Goldman Sachs, and not Mr. Blankfein personally. Moreover, the Form
10-K states (at pg. 191) that “many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages.” The very
fact that the proceedings are ongoing means that Goldman Sachs’s conduct (or potential
misconduct) is as yet undetermined,
Alternatively, Rajaratnam might attempt to imply that Mr. Blankfein is testifying in
this matter in hopes of obtaining a better resolution of some separate, ongoing legal proceeding
involving Goldman Sachs, ‘There is absolutely no support for such a claim, itis entirely false,
and the limited probative value of any cross-cxamination along these lines would be substantially
outweighed by its prejudice. The Government has made no promise, explicit or implicit, direct
ot indirect, express or implied, that Mr, Blankfein or Goldman Sachs will receive anything at all
in exchange for his testimony, Indeed, Mr, Blankfein has been subpoenaed to testify and is
therefore legally required to appear. Mr. Blankfein’s testimony is limited in scope. Were Mr.
Blankiein’s testimony regarding the actions of one Board member, Rajat Gupta, to become the
vehicle through which he is called upon to answer questions regarding any number of unrelated
pending proceedings, there would be a serious danger of prejudice and confusion,Honorable Richard J, Holwell
March 21, 2011
Page 3
Goldman Sachs? Role in the 2008 Financial Crisis. Second, this Court should
preclude the defendant from suggesting to the jury through questions or otherwise that Goldman
Sachs or Mr. Blankfein was responsible for the 2008 financial crisis. Any such attempt to
impeach Mr, Blankfein in this manner should be precluded pursuant to Federal Rules of
Evidence 402 and 403. Whether Goldman Sachs played any role in that crisis is wholly
irrelevant to Mr, Blankfein’s testimony about Mr. Gupte. Moreover, even if such issues were
somehow relevant, the probative value of such evidence is substantially outweighed by the
danger of unfair prejudice, Many individuals, including, potentially, the jurors, have strong,
feelings about that crisis. 1 was for this very reason that defense counsel requested that the
Government not put on evidence that Rajaratnam was in any way responsible for the crisis (and
the Government agreed that it would not do so), Were defense counsel to suggest through eross-
examination or otherwise that Mr. Blankfein or his firm was responsible for the fiscal crisis,
there would be a risk of undue, unwarranted juror prejudice against Mr. Blankfein’s testimony.
Goldman Sachs is not on trial in this matter. ‘The cross-examination of Mr. Blankfein is simply
not the appropriate forum to delye into the highly complex causes of the 2008 financial erisis or
the ensuing economic recession.
Respectfully submitted,
PREET BHARARA
United States Attorney for the
of New York
by:
JONATHAN STREE
REED BRODSKY
Assistant United States Attorneys
ANDREW MICHAELSON
Special Assistant United States Attorney
ER
cc (by email): John M. Dowd, Esq.
‘erence J. Lynam, Esq.AQ 89 (Rev. 08/09 Subpoena to Testify at a Hearing Til ina Criminal Case
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
for the
Southern District of New York
United States of America )
ve )
RAJ RAJARATNAM ) Case No. $2.09 Cr, 1184 (RH)
aa 3
SUBPOENA TO TESTIFY AT A HEARING OR TRIAL IN A CRIMINAL CASE
‘To: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Glo Stove Poikin
Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP
125 Broad Siroot New York, New York 10004-2498,
YOU ARE COMMANDED to appear in the United States district court at the time, date, and place shown
in this criminal case. When you arrive, you must remain at the court until the judge or a court officer
allows you to leave.
[Place of Appearance: United States District Court Courtroom No! 475,
Southor Distrit of New York Dace Tin
500 Pearl Street me: 93/15/2014 9:00 am
You must also bring with you the following documents, electronically stored information, or objects blank not
applicable)
‘As described in the attached Exhibit A
(SEAL) . :
a i
aise RUBY J. KRAJICK
a CLERK'OF COURT
Coaiurcnss Ro. Ou,
Signo of Clerk cr Deputy Clerk
Date:
‘The name, address, e-mail, and telephone number of the attorney representing (name ofpary) __ Ra] Rejaratnam
Who requests this subpoena, are:
John M, Dowd (idowd@akingump.com)
Terence J. Lynam (ynam@akingump.com)
Wiliam E. White (wwhite@ekingump.com)
‘Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
1933 New Hampshire Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
202,887 4386‘AO 9 (Rev. 0805 Subpoons to Tostiy ata Hering or ina Criminal Case (Page 2)
Case No, $2.09 Cr. 1184 (RJM)
PROOF OF SERVICE
‘This subpoena for (name of nividua ad tie, ary)
was received by me on (dat)
1 I served the subpoena by delivering a copy to the named person as follows:
(on (date)
G Tretumed the subpoena unexecuted because:
Unless the subpoena was issued on behalf of the United States, or one of its officers or agents, 1 have also
tendered to the witness fees for one day’s attendance, and the mileage allowed by law, in the amount of
8
My fees are $ for travel and § for services, foratotalofS 0.00
I declare under penalty of perjury that this information is true.
Date: i ‘ s
‘Server's signature
Printed name and ile
Server's address
‘Additional information regarding attempted service, ete:EXHIBIT A1.
3.
RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
Any term that references a corporation, partnership, proprietorship, association,
organization, governmental entity, group of Persons, or any other business or legel entity
shall be deemed to include reference to its agents, accountants, advisors, employees,
attomeys, officers, directors, direct or indirect shareholders, members, representatives,
affiliates, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, assigns, or any other Person acting or
purporting to act on its behalf,
The terms (a) “and” and “or” shall be construed either disjunctively or conjunctively as
to bring within the scope of the discovery request all responses that might
otherwise be construed to be outside of its scopes and (b) “each” and “all” shall be
construed as all and each,
‘The use of (a) any singular noun shall be construed to include the plural, and vice versa,
and (b) a verb in any tense shall be construed as the use of the verb in all other tenses.
DEEINITIONS
“Communication” means the transmittal of information (in the form of facts, ideas,
inquiries or otherwise).
"Document" means every writing or record of whatever type and description in the
possession, custody or control of the Company or any of its directors, officers,
employees, or agents, however made, and inciudes all handwritten, typed, printed,
recorded, transcribed, taped, filmed, graphic or sound reproduction material, magnetic
cards or cartridges, optical storage devices, and computer records, printouts, runs, cards,
tapes, or disks (together with all programming instruetions and other material necessary
{for their use), "Document" includes every copy of every document where such copy is
not identical to the original because of any addition, deletion, alteration, or notation.
"Document" specifically includes, but is not limited to, electronic mail, handwritten
notes; statements or chatis of organization; telephone and personnel directories; press
releases; announcements; notices; statements of procedure and policy; biographies and
personnel files; individual appointment calendars and schedules; card files; diaries;
calendar and diary entries; telephone logs; routing slips; records or evidence of incoming
and outgoing telephone calls; itineraries; activity reports; travel vouchers and accountin,
‘bank records; accounting and bookkeeping records and materials; financial records and
statements; external or internal correspondence; cables; telexes; toletypes; telegrams;
telecopies; labeling; photographs; slides; verbal or written communications; word
processing system memory in any form; guidelines; standards; memoranda; letters;
_messages; reports; plans; forecasts; summaries; briefing materials; studies; notes;
‘working papers; graphs; maps; charts; diagrams; agendas; minutes; transcripts, records,
or summaries of any meeting, conversation, conference or communication; and all
attachments to any of the items set forth in this paragraph,
“Identify” (with respect to persons). When referring to a person, “to identify” means to
give, to the extent known, the person's full name, present or last known address, and
1when referring to a natural person, additionally, the present or last known place of
employment. Once a person has been identified in accordance with this subparagraph,
only the name of that person need be listed in response to subsequent discovery
requesting the identification of that person.
4, “Identify” (with respect to documents), When refetting to documents, “to identify”
means to give, to the extent known, the (i) type of document; (ii) general subject matter;
(ii) date of the document; and (iv) author(s), addressee(s) and recipient(s).
5, “Parties.” With respect to “parties,” the term “defendant” as well as a party's full or
abbreviated name or a pronoun referring to a party mean the party and, where applicable,
its officers, directors, employces, partners, corporate parent, subsidiaries or affiliates.
This definition is not intended to impose a discovery obligation on any person who is not
aa party to the litigation.
6. “Person” is defined as any natural person or any business, legal or governmental entity or
association,
7. “Concerning” means relating to, referring to, describing, evidencing or constituting.
8. “You" or “Your” or “Goldman Sachs” shall mean The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc,, their
subsidiaries, afliliates, and joint ventures, and any and all of their predecessors,
successors, and assigns, and ali such entities” past or prosent officers, employees,
directors, partners, members, managers, represntatives, attorneys, or agents,
9. "Galleon" is the Galleon Group of hedge funds, Galleon Management, LP, and any
affiliated entity.
10. “Berkshire Hathaway” shall mean Berkshire Hathaway Inc, their subsidiaries, affiliates,
and joint ventures, and any and all of their predecessors, successors, and assigns, and all
such entities’ past or present officers, employees, directors, partners, members, managers,
representatives, attorneys, or agents.
11. "SEC," “DOJ,” and “FBI,” shall mean, respectively, the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission, the United States Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, ineluding but not limited to any of their divisions, subdivisions, officers,
directors, representatives, trustees, agents, employees, affiliates, predecessors, or
successors,
12. “Security” or “securities” means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond,
debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-
sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, pre-organization certificate or subscription,
transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust cortificate, certificate of deposit for a
security, any put, call, straddle, option, or any privilege on any security, certificate of
deposit, or group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the
value thereof), or any pat, cal, straddle, option, or in general any interest or instrument
commonly known as a “security,” or any certificate of interest or partemporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to
subscribe or purchase, any of the foregoing.
13, "Earnings" means earnings, revenues, guidance, margins, sales, orders, or other financial
information regularly compiled and reported on a quarterly and/or annual basis 10
shareholders, the SEC, or other regulatory or self-regulatory entity,
14, “NASDAQ,” “NASD,” “NYSE,” and “FINRA” shall mean, respectively, the NASDAQ
Stock Market, the National Associate of Securities Dealers, the New York Stock
Exchange, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, their subsidiaries, affiliates,
and joint ventures, and any and all of their predecessors, successors, and assigns, and all
such entities’ past or present officers, employees, directors, partners, members, managers,
representatives, or agents.
INSTRUCTIONS
1, These requests for production apply to all information in your possession, custody, or
control, including information to which you have access or the reasonable ability to
obtain.
2, All documents and tangible things are to be produced in their original file folders, file
jackets, envelopes, or covers, or an accurate reproduction thereof.
3. Should a claim be made that any requested document or tangible thing is not subject to
discovery by reason of privilege or otherwise, you are requested to identify separately
each document or thing for which such a privilege is claimed, the particular request to
which such a document or thing is responsive, and a statement of the basis on which the
document is withheld sufficient to assess the claim of privilege.
4, Asto any document or thing previously destroyed, specify the author thereof, its date, its
content, the identity of persons who received copies, and when and under what
circumstances the document was destroyed.
5. The Relevant Time Period for these document requests, unless otherwise specified, shall
be from April 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
6. Bach request seeks production of all documents and things described along with any
attachments, drafts, or non-identical copies.
7. Allclectronic documents, including but not limited to emails, shall be produced in native
format,
8. Ifany portion of any document is responsive, the entire document shall be produced, If
only part of a document is protected by any privilege, the document shall be produced
with only the privileged matter redacted,
9. Documents shall be produced in the order in which they are ordinarily kept and shall not
be rearranged in any way.DOCUMENT REQUESTS
Minutes of meetings of the Goldman Sachs board of directors or of any sub-group thereof
that ocourred on July 17, 2008 and/or October 23, 2008.
Documents or other materials distributed to Goldman Sachs board members before or
during meetings that occurred on Tuly 17, 2008 and/or October 23, 2008,
Interview memoranda or notes of interviews of Rajat K. Gupta, Lloyd C. Blankfein, Gary
D. Cohn, and David A. Viniar related to any investigation by Goldman Sachs concerning
the disclosure of non-public information to Raj Rajaratnam.
Documents sufficient to show currently active investigations being conducted by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission that concern Goldman Sachs.
Documents sufficient to show currently active investigations being conducted by the
Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York that concern
Goldman Sachs.
Documents sufficient to show currently active investigations being conducted by the
United States Department of Justice (except those in the Southern District of New York)
that concern Goldman Sachs.UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 Commission File Number: 001-14965
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as epectiod tn is charter)
Delaware 19-4019460
(State or othor jurisdiction of (RS. Employer
Incorporation of organiztlon) ‘nication No)
200 West Street 10282
New York, N.Y. ip Code)
(Adaress of principal executive oices)
(212) 902-1000
(Registrants talephona number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Tile of each clas 2 of each exchange on which regetare:
Common stock, par valuo $.01 por share ‘New York Stock Exchange
Depositary Shares, Each Representing 1/1,000th Interest In a Share of Floating Rata Now York Stock Exchange
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
Depositary Shares, Each Representing 1/,000th Interest Ina Share of 6.20% Now Vork Stock Exchango
Non-Cumblative Proferred Stock, Serles 8
Depositary Shares, Each Representing 1/,000th Interest In a Shara of Floating Rat New York Stock Exchange
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
Depositary Shares, Each Ropresonting 1/,000th Interest in a Shara of Floating ato ‘Now York Stock Exehango
Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Serlos D
709% Flxad-to-Foating Rato Normal Automatic Preferred Enhariced Capital Socurities of "Now York Stock Exchange
Goldman Sachs Capital lt (and Rogistant’s guarantee with respect thereto)
Floating Rate Normal Automalio Proterrod Enhancod Capital Securities of Goldman Sachs Now York Stock Exehango
Capita i (and Registrants guarantee with respect thereto)
Hodlurm-Torm Notes, Serie B, Index-Linkod Notes due February 2013; Indox-Linkod Notas NYSE Amex.
‘due April 2019; I Index-Linked Notes cue 2011
Hodlum-Term Notes, Series B, Floating Rate Notes cue 2011 Now York Stock Exehange
‘Modlum-Torm Notes, Series 2097 of GS Finance Corp. NYSE Arca
(and Registrant's quaranteo wi
Mediun-Term totes, Seles B, NYSE Arca
Medlum-Term Notes, Serie D, 7.50% Notes duo 2019 ‘York Stock Exchange
8.125% Notes dup 2060, Now York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Inleat by chock mark the ragiskant Isa wolHkrown seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 ofthe Securios Ack.
ves Ne LT
Ingeate by chock mark to roses not requ othe opts pursuant to Secon 13 0156 of ho At
ves TO Ne
Indcate check makwhther th rita (1 hes ld el ports equced ote fled by Sat 19 or 1) of he Secures Exchange At of 1904
“during the proveding 12 months (or for such shorter pared that he regiseanl was fequled fle such reports), and (2) has bson eubjoct to such flog
{eau ropa 0 ca
Yon EN
Indcate by check ma nbotor tho relat has submited eloronicaly and posted an ls corporate Web ste ny, ever lratve Da Fle
requredie be aubmited anaposted pursuant o Rule 4050! Regulation dug Ina precoding 12 mor (fr such shocarporod that tho registrant was
{agate unm an post sven Ha)
i oa.
inleae by chock markt ielosure of delinquent exe pursuent to lle 405 of Regulton &-K isnot containesheren, andi not be contalnog, othe
best of ragistant's knowl, in doa proxy or information slalerments incorporated by relerence In Patil the Aatusl Report on Fou 10-K or ay
Amonmont to the Anrwal Report on Ferm 10K. EL
Inaleao by check markwhetnorheregltvaile alate acelertod fer, an accooraed lta ncn-accoleraledr or asmalereportng company. Soo
the dotintons of "ergo accelerated tle” “accelerated iter ane “smallrepering company” ih Mule 122 ofthe Exchange Ac.
oroe acderaad ter Acoltedifer "Non-acneraeaer Go nother fa spate epeing company) Smalerregeringcomeany C
Insite by check mark whether the registrants a shell compary (as defined In ule 120-2 ofthe Exchange AD), Yes"
Fe ef tne 30, 2070, he aggroato has! va of th concn soos Oe regan held by novallats of he regan wes approximately
$86.7 bien.
‘As of Fotruary 11,2011, thoro wero 820,507,295 shares ofthe rogisrante common stock oustanding,
Documents Incorporated reterenee’ Porionso! The Glsmen Sues Grou, e's en Salmo 2011 Arqual Mean of Sharhotore
to be hei on May 8, 2071 ate Inearpariod by ference inthe Anal Report on Form 0K in response to Patil, eens 10,1, 12,18 and I‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
INDEX
Form 10-K item Number
PARTI
Item 4
itom 44
item 18
item 2
Item 3
PARTI
item 5
item 6
item 7
item 7
item 8
itom 9
tem 9A
tem 98
PART ill
Hem 10
tem tt
Wem 12
item 13
tem 14
PART iv
Item 18
Business
Introduction
‘Our Business Segments and Segment Operating Resuits
investment Banking
institutional Cllent Services.
Investing & Lending
Investment Management
Business Continuity and information Security
Employees,
Competition
Regulation
Available Information
Cautionary Statement Pursuant io the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995,
Risk Factors
Unresolved Stati Comments
Propertios
Legal Proceadings
Executive Otticers of The Godman Sachs Group, Inc.
‘Market for Ragistrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockhoider Maiters and Issuer
Purchases of Equily Securttios
‘Selected Financial Data
‘Management's Discussion and Anaiysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,
Quantitaiive and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
‘Changos in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
isclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Direotors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
‘Security Gwnership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Gertain Relationships and Related Transac
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
is, and Director independence
Exhibits and Financial Siatement Schedules
SIGNATURES
35
96
97
213,
213
213.
213,
213
213
214
214
214
215
218
tit‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Note 30. Legal Proceedings
‘The fitm is involved ina number of judicial, regulatory and
arbitration procesdings (including those described
below) concerning mattors arising In connection with
the conduct of th firm’s businesses, Many of these
proceedings are at proliminary stages, and many of
these cases seok an indeterminate amount of damages.
With respect to mattors doscribed below, management
has estimated the upper end of the range of reasonably
possiblo loss as being equal to (i) the amount of money
damagos claimed, where applicable, (I the amount of
soouritios that the firm sold in’ cases. involving
Uunderwritings where the firm is being sued by
purchasers and is not being Indemnified by a party
that the firm believes will pay any |udgment, or (Ii) in
cases where the purchasers are demanding that the
firm repurchase securities, the price that purchasors
paid for tho eocuritios loss the estimated valuo, itany, as
of December 2010 of the relevant securitios. As of
December 2010, the firm has ostimated the
aggregate amount of reasonably possible losses for
these matters to be approximately $3.4 billion.
Under ASC 450 an event Is “reasonably possible’ i “the
chance of the future event or events occurring Is more
than remote but loss than likely" and an event is,
“remote” If “the chanco of tho future event or events:
‘occurring is slight". Thus, roforoncesto the upper end of
the rango of reasonably possible loss for cases in which
the firm is ablo to estimate a range of reasonably
possiolo oss moan the upper end of the range of
loss for cases for which the firm bolioves the risk of
loss is more than slight, The amounts reserved against
such matters are not significant as compared to the
Upper end of the range of reasonably possible loss.
Management is unable to estimate a range of
reasonably possible loss for cases deseribed below in
which damages have not been specified and (!) the
proceedings are in early stages, (i) there is
Uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class. being
certified or the ultimate size of the class, (il) there is
Uncertainty as to the outoomo of ponding appeals or
motions, (Wv) thore aro significant factual Issues to bo
Tosolvod, andlor (v) there are novel legal Issues
presented. However, for these cases, management
does not believe, ‘based on currently evallable
information, that the outcomes of these proceedings
will have a material advorse offect on the firm’ financial
condition, though the outcomes could be material tothe
firm's operating results for any particular period,
depending, in part, upon the operating results for
such period
191
IPO Process Matters. Group Inc. and @S&Co. are
‘among the numerous financial sorvices companies that
have been named as defendants in a varialy of lawsuits
alleging improprieties in the process by which those
‘companies participated in the underwriting of public
offerings in recent years.
GS&Co. has, together with other underwriters in certain
offerings as well as the Issuers and cortain of thelr
officers and directors, been named as a defendant in a
number of related lawsuls filed in the U.S. District Court
for tho Southom District of New York alleging, among
ther things, that the prospectuses for the offerings
violated the federal securities laws by failing to
disclose the existence of alleged arrangements tying
allocations in certain offerings to higher customer
brokerage commission rates as well as purchase
‘orders In the aftermarket, and that the alleged
‘arrangements resulted in market manipulation, On
October 5, 2009, the district court approved a
settlement agroomont ontered into by the parties. Tho
tir has paid into a settlement fund the full amount that
‘@S&Co. would contribute in the proposadsottlement. On
October 23, 2009, certain objectors filed a pottion in tho
U.S. Court'of Appeals for the Second Circuit secking
review of the district courts certification of a class for
purposes of the settlement, and various objectors
appealed cortain aspects of the seltlement’s approval.
Certain of the appeals have been withdrawn, and on
December 8, 2010, January 14, 2011 and
February 3, 2011, plaintifs moved to dismiss the
remaining appeals,
GSACo. is among numerous underwriting rms named
as dofondants in a number of complaints tiled
‘commencing October 3, 2007, in the U.S. District
Court for the Western District of Washington alleging
violations of Section 16 of the Exchango Act in
‘connection with offerings of secutiies for 15 issuers
‘during 1999 and 2000, The compiaints gonorally assert
that the underwriters, together with each issuer's
directors, officers and principal shareholders, entered
into purported agreements to tie allocations in tho
offerings to increased brokerage commissions and
aftermarket purchase orders. The complaints further
allege that, based upon these and other purported
agreements, the underwriters violated the reporting
provisions of, and are subject to short-swing profit
recovery under, Section 16 of the Exchange Act. The
district court granted defendants’ motfons to dismiss by
‘a decision dated March 12, 2008. On
December 2, 2010, ‘the appellate court affirmed in
part and reversed in part, upholding the dismissal of‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
seven of the actionsin which GS&Co. is a defendant but
remanding the remaining eight actions in which GS&Co.
is a defendant for consideration of other bases for
dismissal. On December 16, 2010, the underwriters
and the plaintif fled petitions for rehearing andior
rehearing en banc, which were denied on
January 18, 201. The Issuance of the mandate has
been stayed to permit the parlies to sesk Supreme
Court review.
GSACo. has been named as a defendant in an action
commenced on May 15, 2002 in New York Supreme
Court, New York County, by an official committee of
‘unsecured creditors on behalf of eToys, inc., alleging
that the frm intentionally underpriced eToys, Inc's intial
public offering. The action seeks, among other things,
‘unspecified compensatory damages resulting rom the
alleged lower amount of offering proceeds. The court
granted GS&Co's motion to dismiss as to five of the
Claims; plainif appealed from tho dismissal ofthe fivo
claims, and GS&Co, appealed from the denial of its
motion as to the remaining claim. The New York
Appellate Division, First Department affirmed in part
andreversedin part the lower court's ruling on the firm's
motion to dismiss, permitting all claims to proceed
except the claim for fraud, as to which the appellate
‘court granted leave to replead, and the New York Court
‘of Appoals affirmed In part’ and reversed in part,
dismissing claims for broach of contract, professional
malpractica and unjust enrichment, but permitting
dlaims for breach of fiduciary duty and fraud 10
‘continue. On romand to tho lower court, GS&Co.
moved to dismiss the surviving claims or, in the
alternative, for summary judgment, but the motion
was denied by a decision dated March 21, 2008, and
the court subsequently permitted plant to amend the
complaint again. On November 8, 2010, GS&Co's
motion for summary judgment was granted by the
lower court; plaintiff has appealed.
Group Inc, and certain of te affitates have, together with
various underwriters In certain offerings, recalved
subpoenas and requests for documents and
information from various governmental agencies and
self-regulatory organizations in connection with
Investigations relating to the public offering process.
Goldman Sachs has cooperated with these.
Investigations.
World Online Litigation. In March 2001, a Dutch
shareholders association initiated legal proceedings
for an unspecified amount of damages against GSI
and others In Amsterdam District Court In connection
with the initial public offering of World Online in
March 2000, alleging misstatements and omissions in
192
the offering materials and that the market was artificially
inflated by improper public statements and stabiliz
activities. Goldman Sachs and ABN AMRO Rothschild
served as joint global coordinators of the approximately
€2.9bllion offering, GSI underwrote 20,268,846 shares
and GS&Co. underwrote 6,756,282 shares for a total
offering price of approximately €1.16 billion
The distriat court refected the claims against GS! and
ABN AMRO, but found World Online labie in an amount
to be determined. On appeal, the Netherlands Court of
Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part the
decision of the district court holding that certain of the
alleged disclosure deficiencies were actionable as to
@SI and ABN AMRO. On further appeal, the
Netherlands Supreme Court on November 27, 2003
affirmed the rulings of the Court of Appeals, except
found certain additional aspects of the offering
matorials actionable and hold that GSI and ABN
AMRO could potentially bo held responsible for
certain public statements and pross roleases by
World Online and its former CEO. On
November 18, 2010, the parties reached a settlement
in principle, subject to documentation, pursuant 10
which GSI’ will contribute up to €48' millon to a
settlement fund, The firm has reserved the ful
amount of GSI's proposed contribution to the
sottlomont
Research Matters. GS&Co. Is one of several
investment firms that have been named as
dofendants in substantively identical purported class
actions fied in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of Now York alleging violations of the federal
socurities laws in connection with research coverage of
‘certain Issuers and seeking compensatory damages.
‘One such action, relating to coverage of RSL
Communications, Inc., commenced on July 15, 2003.
The parties ontored into a sottiomont agrooment on
‘August 23, 2010, which recolved final court approval
‘on February 23, 2011. Undor tho sottlomont agraomont,
GS&Co. paid approximately $3.98 milion.
Group Inc. and GS&Co. were named as defendantsin a
purported class action filed on July 18, 2003.0n behalf of
purchasers of Group inc. stock from July 1, 1999
through May 7, 2002. The complaint in the
US, District Court for the Southern District of New
‘York, alleged that defendants breached thelr fiduciary
duties and violated the federal securities Jaws in
connection with the firm's research activites and
sought, among other things, unspecified
compensatory damages and/or rescission. On
July 12, 2040, the parties entered into a settlement
agreement pursuant to which the seillement has‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
been funded by the firm's insurers, The settlement
received court approval on December 15, 2010 and
has become final.
Group Inc. and certain of its afflates are subject to @
number of Investigations and reviews by various
governmental and regulatory bodies and
self-regulatory organizations rolating to research
practices, including communications among research
analysts, sales and trading personnel and clients.
Goldman Sachs is cooperating with the investigations
and roviows.
‘Adelphia Communications Fraudulent Conveyance
Litigation. GS&Co. is among numerous. ontitios
named as defendants in two adversary proceodings
commenced in the US. Bankruptoy Court for the
Southern District of New York, one on July 6, 2008 by
a creditors commities, and the second on or about
July 31, 2008 by an equity commitioe of Adelphia
Communications, inc. Those proceedings have now
been consolidated in a single amended complaint
filed by the Adelphia Recovery Trust _ on
October 31, 2007. The complaint seeks, among other
things, to’ recover, as. fraudulent conveyances,
payments made' allegedly by Adelphia
Communications, Ine. and its affilates 10 cortain
brokerage firms, including approximately $62.9 milion
allegedly paid to GS&Co,, In rospoct of margin calls
‘made in the ordinary course of businoss on accounts
‘owned by mombers ofthe femily that formerly controlled
‘Adelphia Communications, Inc. By a decision dated
June 15, 2009, the district court required plaintif to
amend ts complaint to specity the source of the
margin paymenis to GS&Co. By a decision dated
July 80, 2008, tho district court held that the
sufficiency. of | the amended claim would bo
determined at the summary judgment stage. On
March 2, 2010, GS&Co. moved for summary judgment.
Specialist Matters. Spear, Losds & Kellogg
‘Specialists LLC (SLKS) and cortain affiliates have
ecelved requests for information from various
governmental agencies and —_ self-regulatory
organizations as part of an industry-wide investigation
relating to activities of floor specialists in recent years.
Goldman Sachs has cooperated with the requests.
193
(On March 90, 2004, certain specialist firms on the
NYSE, including SLKS, without admiting or denying
the allegations, entered into a final global settlement
with the SEC and the NYSE covering certain activities
during the years 1999 through 2003, The SLKS
settlement Involves, among other things, () findings
by the SEC and the NYSE that SLKS viotated certain
federal securities laws and NYSE rules, and in some
cases failed fo supervise certain individual specialists,
in connection with trades that allegedly cisacvantaged
customer orders, (i) a cease and desist order against
SLKS, (ii) @ censure of SLKS, (iv) SLKS’ agreement to
pay an aggregate of $45.3 milion indisgorgement anda
penalty to be used to compensate customers,
(v) cortain undertakings with respect to SLKS'
systems and procedures, and! (vi) SLKS' retention of
fan independent consultant to review and evaluate
certain of SLKS’ compliance systems, policies and
procedures. Comparable findings were made and
sanctions. imposed in the settlements with other
specialist firms, The settlement did not resolve the
rolated private civil actions against SLKS and other
firms or regulatory Investigations involving individuals
‘or conduct on other exchanges.
SLKS, Spear, Leads & Kellogg, L.P. and Group Ine. are
‘among numerous defendants named in purported class
actions brought beginning in October 2003 on behalt of
Investors in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York alleging violations of the federal
securities laws and state common law in connection
with NYSE floor specialist activlies. The actions, which
have been consolidated, seek unspecifiod
‘compensatory damages, restitution and disgorgement
(on behalf of purchasers and sellers of unspecified
secu between October 17, 1998 and
Ociober 15, 2003. By a decision dated
March 14, 2009, the district court granted plaintiffs’
motion for class cerifeation. The defendants’ petition
‘with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
‘seeking roviow of the certification ruling was denicd by
fan order dated October 1, 2009. The specialist
defendants" petition for a rehearing and/or rehearing
‘en bane was denied on February 24, 2010.‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Treasury Matters. GS&Co. has been named as a
defendant in a purported class action filed on
March 10, 2004 in the US. District Court for the
Northern District of Mlinois on behalf of holders of
short posiions in 30-year U.S. Treasury fulures and
options on the moming of October 31, 2001. Tho
complaint alleges that the firm purchased 90-yoar
bonds and futures prior to a forthcoming Treasury
refunding announcement that morning based on
non-public information about that announcement, anc
that such purchases increased the costs of covering
such short positions. The complaint also names as
defendants the, Washington, 0.C.-based_poltcal
consultant who’ allegedly was the sourco of tho
information, a former GS&Co. cconomist who
allegedly feceived the information, and another
company and one of its employees who also
allegedly recelved and traded on tho information prior
to ils pubic announcement. The complaint alleges
Violations of tho federal commosities. and antitrust
laws, a3 well as Mlinols statutory and common law,
‘and Seeks, among othor things, unspecified damages
including teeble damages under the antitrust laws. The
district court dismissed the antitrust and Minois state
Jaw clalms but permitted the fodoral commodities law
claims to proceed. Plaintit's motion for class
certiicaon was denied by a decision dated
‘August 22, 2008, GS&Co. moved for summary
judgment, and tho district court granted the motion
but only insofar as the claim relates to the trading of
treasury bonds. On October 13, 2009, the parties floc
an offer of judgment and notice of acceptance with
respect to plaintl's individual claim, On
Docombor 11, 2009, tho plaintif purported to appeal
‘with respect to the district court's prior donial of class
cetication, and GS&Co, moved to dismiss the appoal
con January 25, 2010. By an order dated April 13, 2010,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled
that GS&Co's motion would be entertained together
with the meris of the appeal.
Mutual Fund Matters. GS&Co. and certain mutual
{und affiliates have received subpoenas and requests
{or Information from various governmental agencies
and self-regulatory organizations including the SEC
as part of the industry-wide investigation rolating to
the practices of mutual funds and thelr customers.
GS&Co, and its affiliates have cooperated with such
requests.
194
Retco Securities Litigation. GS&Co. and the othor
lead underwriters for the August 2005 initial public
offering of 26.5 milion shares of common stock of
Refco Inc. are among the defendants in various
Dutave class actions filed In the U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York beginning in
October 2006 by investors in Rofco Inc. in rosponso
{ocertain publicly reported events that culminatedin tho
October 17, 2005 fling by Refco Ine. and certain
afiiates for protection under US. bankruptcy laws.
The actions, which have been consolidated, allege
violations of the disclosure requiremonts of tho
federal secures laws and scek compensatory
damages. In addition to tho undorwritors, the
consolidated complaint namos as defendants Refeo
Inc. and certain of its affiliates, certain officers and
directors of Refco Inc., Thomas H. Lee Partners, LP.
(which held a majority of Refco Inc's equity through
certain unds it manages), Grant Thornton (Refeo Inc's
outside auctor), and BAWAG PS.K. Bankfur Arbeltund
Wirschaft und Osterreichische Postsparkasse
Aktiengosellschatt (BAWAG). Lead plaintifs entered
into @ settlement with BAWAG, which was approved
following certain amendments on June 29, 2007.
GS&Co. underwrote 5,639,200 shares of common
siock at a price of $22 per share for a total offering
price of approximately $124 milion. On April 20, 2010,
cortain underwriting defendants Including GS&Co.
‘tered into a seltiement of the action, pursuant to
which they wil contibute $49.5 milion to a
sottioment fund. The seitlement received court
approval on October 27, 2010 and has become final
GS&Co. has, together with other underwriters of the
Reico inc. intial public offering, recolved requests for
information from various governmental agencies and
self-regulatory organizations. GS&Co. has cooperated
with those requests,
Fannie Mae Litigation. GS&Co. was ackled as a
defendant in an amended complaint filed on
‘August 14, 2008 in a purported class action pending
Inthe U.S. District Cour for the District of Columbia, The
complaint asserts violations of the federal securities
laws generally atising trom allegations concerning
Fannie Mae’s accounting practices in connection with
certain Fannie Mae-sponsored REMIC. transactions
that were allegedly arranged by GS&Co. The
complaint does not specify @ dollar amount of
damages. The othor defendants include Fannie Me,
certain ofits pastand present officers and directors, and
accountants, By @ decision dated May 8, 2007, the‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cor
district court granted GS&Co's motion to dismiss the
claim against it. The time for an appeal will not begin to
run until disposition of the claims against other
defendants.
Beginning in September 2006, Group Inc. and/or
GS&Co. were named as defendants in four Fannie
Mao shareholdor derivative actions in the U.S, District
Court for the District of Columbia. The complaints
generally allege that the Goldman Sachs defendants
aided and abetted a breach of fiduciary duty by Fannie
Mae's directors and officers in connection with certain
Fannie Mae-sponsored REMIC transactions and one of
the complaints also asserts a breach of contract claim,
‘The complaints also name as defendants certain former
officers and dlrectors of Fannie Mae as well as an
‘outside accounting firm. The complaints seek, inter
alla, unspecified damages. The Gokiman Sachs
defendants were dismissed without prejudice from tho
first fled of these actions, and the remaining claims in
that action were dismissed for allure to make a demand
‘on Fannie Mae's board of directors. That dismissal has
been attitmned on appeal. The district court dismissed
‘ne romaining threo actions on July 28, 2010. The
plaints filed motions for reconsideration, wich were
deniod on October 22, 2010, and have revised their
notices of appeal in these actions.
Compensation Related Litigation, OnJanuary 17,2008,
Group Inc,, its Board, executive officers and members
of is management committee were named as
Gfendanis in a_ purported. shereholder derivative
action In the US. District Court for the Eastern
District of New York predicting that the fm’s 2008
Proxy Statement will vioiato tho fodoral securities
laws by undervaluing cortain stock option awards and
alleging that senior managomont received excessive
‘compensation for 2007. The complaint seeks, among
‘other things, an injunction against the dstiouion of the
2008 Proxy Statement, the voiding of any election of
directors In the absence of an injunction and an
‘oquitablo accounting for the allegedly. excassive
compensation. On January 25, 2008, the plaint
moved for preliminary Injunction to provent the
2008 Proxy Statement from using options valuations
thatthe plaintiff alleges are incorrect and to require the
amendment of SEC Form 4s filed by certain of the
executive officars named in the complaint to reflect
the stock option valuations alleged by the plain
Plaintif’s motion for a proliminary Injuncton was
donied, and plaintif’s appeal from this denial was
dismissed, On February 13, 2009, the plant fled an
195
ued)
amended complaint, which added purported direct
{(e,, non-derivative) claims based on substantially the
same theory. The plaintiff fled @ further amended
complaint on March 24, 2010, and the defendants’
motion to dismiss this’ turlher amended complaint
was granted on Soptombor 30, 2010. On
Octobor 22, 2010, the plaintif fled a notice of appeal
‘rom the dismissal of his complaint
On March 24, 2009, the same plaintiff filed an action in
Now York Supreme Court, New York County against
Group Ine, its drectors and certain senior executives
alleging violation of Delaware statutory and common
law i connection wth substantively similar allegations
regarding stock option awards. On April 14, 2009,
Group Inc. removed the action to the U.S. District
Coun for the Southern District of Now York and has
moved to transfer to the dlstict court judge presiding
‘over the athor actions dosorbod inthis section and to
dismiss. The action was transferred on consent to the
US, District Cour forthe Eastern District of Neve Yor,
vwhere defendants moved to cismiss on April 23, 2008,
On July 10, 2009, plant moved to remand the action to
state court, and this motion was granted on
daly 28, 2010, On January 7, 2011, the plant fled
an amended complaint,
Purported shareholder derivative actions have been
commenced in Now York Supreme Court, New York
County and Delaware Court of Chancery beginning on
December 14, 2008, alleging that the Board breached its
fiduciary duties in connection with setting compensation
levels for the year 2009 and that such levels are
excessive. The complaints name as defendants
Group inc., the Board and certain senior executives.
The complaints seek, inter alfa, unspecified damages,
restitution of certain compensation paid, and an order
requiring the firm to adopt corporate reforms. In the
actions in New York state court, on April 8, 2010, the
plainlffs fled @ motion indicating that they no longer
intend to pursue their claims but are seeking an award
of attorney's fees in connection with bringing the sult,
Which the defendants have opposed. In the actions
brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the
defendants moved to aismiss on March 9, 2010, and
the plaints amended their complaint on Apri'28, 2010 0
Include, among other things, the allegations included in
the SEC's action described in the "Morlgage-Related
Mattors’ soction below. The defendants moved to
dismiss this amended complaint on May 12, 2010. In
lieu of responding to defendants’ motion, plantifs moved
(on December 8, 2010 for permission to fle a further‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
amended complaint, which the defendants had opposed.
The court granted plaintifs' motion to amend on
January 19, 2011, and the defendants moved to
dismiss the second amended complaint on
Fobruary 4, 2011,
Group Inc. and certain of is atfilates aro subject to a
number of Investigations and reviews from various
governmental agencies and __self-egulatory
Organizations regarding the firm's compensation
processes. Tho fim is cooporating with tho
investigations and reviews.
Mortgage-Related Matters. On April 16, 2010, the
SEG brought an action (SEC Action) under’ the
US. federal securities iaws in tho U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York against GS&Co.
and Fabrice Tourre, one ofits employees, in connection
with a CDO offering made in early 2007 (ABACUS
2007-AC transaction), alleging that the defendants
made materially faiso and misleading statements to
Investors and seeking, among other things,
Uunspecitiod monotary penalties, Investigations of
GS&Co. by FINRA and of GSI by the U.K. Financial
Services Authority (FSA) were subsequently Iniiated,
and Group inc. and certain ofits afliates have received
requests for information from other regulators,
fogarding CDO offerings, including the ABACUS
2007-AC1 transaction, and related matters.
On July 14, 2010, GS&Co. entered into a consent
agreement with the SEC, settling all claims made
against GS&Co. in the SEC Action (SEC Settlement),
Pursuant 10 which, GS&Co. paid $550 milion of
disgorgement and civil penalties, and which was
approved by the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York on July 20, 2010.
On September 9, 2010, the FSA announced a
settlement with GSI pursuant to which the FSA found
that GSI violated certain FSA principles by falling to
(0) provide notiication about the SEC Wells. Notice
issued to Mr. Tourre (who worked on the ABACUS
2007-AC1 transaction but subsequently transferred to
GSI and became registered with the FSA) and (i) have
procedures and conttols to ensure thal GSls
‘Compliance Dopariment would be alerted to vatious
aspects oi the SEC investigation sos o beina position
to determine whether any aspects were reportable to
tho FSA. The FSA assessed a fine of £17.5 milion.
(On November 9, 2010, FINRA announced a settlement
‘with @S&Co. relating to GS&Co’'s failure to file Form U4
Updates within 20 days of learning ofthe receipt of Wells
198
Notices by Mr. Tourte and another employee as well as
deficiencies inthe firm's systems and controls for such
flings. FINRA assessed a fine of $850,000 and GS&Co.
agreed to undertake a review and remediation of the
applicable systems and controls.
On January 6, 2011, ACA Financial Guaranty Corp.
filed an action against GS&Co. in respect of the
ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction in New York
Supreme Court, Now York County. The complaint
Includes allegations of fraudulent inducement,
fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment and
‘se0ks at Joast $30 milion in compensatory damages,
at least $90 million in punitive damages and unspecified
disgorgement,
Since April 22, 2010, a number of putative shareholder
‘derivative actions havo been fled in New York Supreme
Court, New York County, and the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of Now York against Group Inc.,
the Board and certain officers and employees of
Group Inc. and ts alfilates in connection with
mortgage-related matters between 2004 and 2007,
including the ABACUS 2007-AC1 transaction and
other CDO offerings. These derivative complaints
generally include allegations of breach of fiduciary
duty, corporate waste, abuse of control,
mismanagement, unjust enrichment, misappropriation
finformation, secures fraud and insider trading, and
challenge the accuracy and adequacy of Group ine’s
disclosure, These derivate complaints seok, among
other things, declaratory relief, unspecified
compensatory damages, restitution and certain
corporate governance reforms. The New York
Supreme Court has consolidated the two actions
pending In that court. Certain plains In the federal
‘court cases have moved to consolidate theso actions
‘and to appoint lead plaintit and lead counsol. in
addition, as described in the “Compensation-Related
Litigation’ section above, the plaints in the
compensation-olated Delaware Court of Chancery
actions have amended their complaint to assert,
among other things, allegations similar to those in the
orivative claims roferred to above, the defendants
moved to dismiss this amended complaint, and the
plainttfs then sought permission to amend further,
‘hich the court granted on January 19, 2011. The
defendants moved to dismiss the second amended
‘complaint on February 4, 2011THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Since April 23, 2010, the Board has received lelters
from shareholders demanding that the Board take
action to address alleged misconduct by GS&Co., the
Board and certain officers and empioyaes of Group Inc.
and its affiliates, The demands generally allege
misconduct in connection with the ABACUS
2007-AC1 transaction, tho alleged allure by
Group Inc. to adequately disclose the SEC
investigation that led to the SEC Action, and
Group Inc's 2009 compensation practices. The
demands include a letter from a Group Inc.
shareholder, which previously made a demand that
the Board investigate and take action in connection
with auction producis matters, and has now
expanded Its demand to address the foregoing
matters. The Board previously rejected the demands
relating to auction products matters.
In addition, beginning April 26, 2010, a number of
purported securiies law class actions have been filed
Inthe U.S, District Court for the Souther District of Now
York challenging the adequacy of Group Inc:s public
disclosure of, among other things, the firr’s activiies in
the CDO market and tho SEC investigation that led to
the SEC Action. The purported class action complaints,
which name as defendants Group Inc. and certain
officers and employees of Group Inc. and its
afiliates, generally allege violations of Sections 10(b)
‘and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and seek unspecified
damages. On Juno 25, 2010, certain shareholders and
groups of shareholders moved to consolidate these
actions and to appoint lead plaintiffs and lead counsel.
GS8Co., Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company and GS
Mortgage Securities Corp. and three current or former
Goliman Sachs employees are defendants in a putative
lass action commoneed on December 11, 2008 in the
US. District Court for the Southern District of Now York
brought on behalf of purchasers of varlous mortgage
pass-through certificates and asset-backed certilicates
Issuad by various socuritization trusts in 2007 and
underwritten by GS&Co. The second amended
complaint gonorally alleges that tho registration
statement and prospectus supplements for the
certificates violated the federal securities laws, and
seeks unspecified compensatory damages and
rescission or recassionary damages. Defendants’
motion to dismiss the second amended complaint
was granted on January 28, 2010 with leave to
ropioad cortain claims. On March 31, 2010, the
plaintiff fed a third amended complaint relating to
‘wo offerings, which the defendants moved to dismiss
‘on June 22, 2010. This motion to dismiss was deniedas
197
to the plant's Seotion 12(a)(2) claims _ on
September 22, 2010, and granted as to the plainti's
Section 11 claims on October 15, 2010, and the
plaints motion for reconsideration wes denied on
November 17, 2019. On December 9, 2010, the
plaintiff fled a motion for entry of final judgment or
corttication of an interiocutory appeal as to plaintif’s
Section 11 clams, which was denied on
January 11, 2011. On Juno 3, 2010, another investor
{who had unsuccessfully sought to Intervene in the
action filed a separate putative class action asserting
substantively similar allegations relating to an adaiional
offering pursuant to the 2007 registration statement.
The dofendants moved to dismiss this separate
action on November 1, 2010. GS&Co. underwrote
approximately $951 milion. principal amount of
certificates to all purchasors in tho offorings at Issue
inthe complaint (exciuaing those offerings for which the
clalms have been aismissed).
Group inc, GS&Co, Goldman Sachs Mortgage
Company and GS Mortgage Securities Corp. are
among the defendants in a separate putative class
action commenced on February 6, 2009 in the
US. District Court for the Southem District of Now
York brought on behalf of purchasers of various
mortgage pass-through certificates and assot-backed
certificates issued by various securlizetion trusts in
2006 and underwritten by GS&Co. The other
defendants include three current or former Goldman
Sachs employees and various rating agencies. The
second amended complaint generally alieges that the
registration statement and prospectus supplements for
the cortficates violated the federal securities laws, and
‘seeks unspecified compensatory and rescissionary
damages. Defendants moved to dismiss the second
amended complaint. On January 12, 2011, the district
court granted the motion to dismiss with’ respect 10
offerings in which plaintiff had not purchased
securities, but denied the motion to dismiss with
respect to a single offering in which the plaintitt
allegedly purchased securities, GS&Co. undonwrote
approximately $698 millon principal amount of
certificates to all purchasers in the offerings at issue
in he complaint (excluding those offerings for which the
claims have been dismissed),
(On September 30, 2010, a putative class action was
filedin the U.S, District Court for the Southern District of
New York against GS&Co., Group Ine. and two former
GS&Co. employees on behalf of investors in notes
issued in 2008 and 2007 by two synthetic CDOs
(Hudson Mozzanine 2008-1 and 2006-2). The‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC, and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
complaint, which was amended on February 4, 2011,
assorts federal securities law and common law claims,
and seeks unspecified compensatory, punitive and
other damages.
Various alleged purchasers of, and counterparties
involved in transactions relating to, mortgage
pass-through certlicates, CDOs and other
‘mortgage-related products (inoluding the Federal Home
Loan Banks of Seale, Chicago and Indianapols, the
Charles Schwab Corporation, Cambridge Place
Investment Management Inc., Basis Yield Alpha Fund
(Master) and Landesbank Badon-Warttemborg, among
thers) have filed complaints in state and federal court
against firm affilates, generally alleging that the offering
documents for the’ secures that they purchased
‘contained untrue statements of material facts and
material omissions and generally seeking rescission
and damages. Certain of these complaints also name
‘other firms as defendants. Adcitionally, the National
Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has stated thal it
Intends to pursue similar claims on behall of certain credit
tunions for which it acts as conservator, and the firm anc
the NCUA have ontorod into an- agreement tolling the
rolovant statutes of Imitation. A number of othr entitios
have threatened to assort claims against the fitm in
‘connection with vatious mortgage-related. offerings,
and the firm has entered into agreements with a
number of these entities to toll the relevant statute of
limitations. The firm estimates, based on currently
available Information, that the ‘aggregate cumulative
losses experienced by the plaintifs with respect to the
securities at Issue in active cases brought agains! the firm
where purchasers are seoking rescission of mortgage
‘olatod socuritios was approximately $487 milion as of
Docomber 2010, This amount was calculated as the
aggregate amount by which the initial purchase price
for the securities allegedly purchased by the plaintits
exceeds the eslimated Decomber 2010 value of those
securilles. This estimate does not include the potential
NQUA claims or any claims by other purchasers in the
same of olher morigage-elated offerings that have not
actually brought claims against the firm.
‘The firm has also received requests for information from
regulators relating to the mortgage-related securitization
process, subprime mortgages, CDOs, synthetic
‘mortgage-related products, particular transactions, and
servicing and foreclosure activities, and is cooperating
with the requests.
The firm expects to be the subject of additional putative
sharoholder derivative actions, purported class actions,
rescission and "put back" claims and other Itigation,
198
additional investor and shareholder demands, and
additional regulatory and other investigations and
actions with respect to mortgage-related offerings,
loan sales, CDOs, and servicing and foreclosure
actives. Soe Noto 18. for further information
regarding mortgage-retated contingencies.
GS&Co,, along with numerous other financial institutions,
isadoferdantin an action broughtby the City of Cievelanc
alleging thatthe defendanis’ actives in connection wih
securizations of subprimo mortgages created a “public
nuisance" in Cleveland. The action is ponding In tho
USS, District Court forthe Norther District of Ohio, and
tho complaint seeks, among other things, unspectiod
‘compensatory damages. The dlrict court granted
defendants’ motion to clstniss by a decision dated
May 15, 2009. The Gity appealed on May 18, 2008.
The appellate court affirmed the complaints dismissal
by a decision dated July 27, 2010 and, on
October 14, 2010, denied the ‘Cilys pettion for
rehearing en banc. On January 12, 2011, the City fled
-apattion for wit of certiorari withthe U.S. Supreme Court
‘Auction Products Matters. On August 21, 2008,
GSRCo, entered info a settlement in principlo with the
Office of the Attorney General of the Stale of New York
and the liino's Securities Department (on behalf of the
NorihAmorican Secutifes Administrators Association)
regarding auction rate socurios. Under the agreement,
Goldman Sachs agreed, among other things, ()t0 offer to
Tepurchase at par tho outstanding auction rate securities
that its privato wealth management clients purchased
through the firm prior to February 11, 2008, with the
‘exception of those auction rate securities where auctions
are clearing, {i) to continuo to work with issuers and other
interested partie, including regulatory and governmental
entities, 10 expeditiously provide liquidity solutions for
institutional investors, and (li) to pay 2 $22.5 millon fine.
‘The settlement is subject to definitive documentation and
approval by the various states. On Juno 2, 2008, GS&Co.
‘entered Info an Assurance of Discontinuance withthe Now
‘York State Attorney General. On March 19, 2010, GS&Co.
‘entered into an Administratve Consent Order with the
llingis Secretary of State, Securities Department, which
hhad conducted an investigation on behalf of states other
than New York, GS&Co has eniered into similar consent
‘orders with most states and is in tho process of doing s0
with the remaining states,
(On August 28, 2008, a putative shareholder derivative
action was filed in the U.S, District Court for the
‘Southern District of New York naming as defendants
Group Inc., the Board, and certain senior officers. The
‘compiaint alleges generally that the Board breached its‘THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
fiduciary duties and committed mismanagement in
connection with its oversight of auction rate securitios
marketing and trading operations, that certain individual
defendants engaged in insider selling by selling shares
of Group inc., and thatthe firm's public flings were false
and misleading in violation ofthe federal securities laws,
by failing to acourately disclose the alleged practices
Involving auction rate securities. The complaint sooks
damages, injunctive and declaratory reliel, restitution,
and an order requiring the firm to adopt corporate
roforms. On May 19, 2009, the district court granted
dofondants’ motion to dismiss, and on July 20, 2008