Eastman Kodak says New York preparing insider-trading lawsuit
https://www.reuters.com/business/eastman-kodak-says-new-york-preparing-insider-trading-lawsuit-2021-05-17/
The New York attorney generals office is preparing an insider-trading lawsuit against Eastman Kodak Co (KODK.N) and its top executive, focusing on stock purchases that preceded an ill-fated deal with the Trump administration to finance a pharmaceutical venture during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the company and people familiar with the matter.
The emerging civil case centers on Executive Chairman Jim Continenzas June 23, 2020, purchase of nearly 47,000 Kodak shares, Kodak said in a quarterly Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday. Continenza, the company chairman starting in September 2013 and executive chairman since February 2019, took on the additional role of CEO in July 2020.
The trades occurred weeks before the Trump administration unveiled a tentative agreement to lend the company $765 million backing production of pharmaceutical components for help fighting the pandemic. Kodaks stock experienced a roller coaster following the late-July announcement, skyrocketing more than 1,000% before falling.
A spokesman for New York Attorney General Letitia James had no immediate comment.
The investigators are seizing on Continenzas alleged knowledge of material nonpublic information surrounding negotiations for the government loan when he purchased Kodak shares, according to the company and people familiar with the matter.
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