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Declaration Of Helen J. Hodges In Support Of Lead Counsel's ...

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65. After the motion was filed, The Regents was appointed <strong>Lead</strong> Plaintiff (Docket No.<br />

294). <strong>In</strong> light of the PSLRA discovery stay, <strong>Lead</strong> Plaintiff filed its Proposed Pretrial Scheduling<br />

Order on February 21, 2002, which included dates for discovery to commence (Docket No. 315).<br />

On February 25, 2002, the Court held a scheduling conference attended by all parties, at which time<br />

the Court held it would set forth a scheduling order governing the consolidated actions.<br />

5. Enjoining Andersen Proceeds<br />

66. On March 14, 2002, the DOJ charged Andersen with obstruction of justice, resulting<br />

from Andersen’s destruction of Enron-related evidence. Following the revelations about Andersen’s<br />

involvement with Enron and its document destruction, Andersen’s business declined rapidly in the<br />

first three quarters of 2002.<br />

67. Before Andersen was convicted of obstructing justice, <strong>Lead</strong> Plaintiff and <strong>Lead</strong><br />

Counsel, on April 5, 2002, sought to preserve Andersen’s proceeds to satisfy a future judgment<br />

(Docket No. 440). <strong>Lead</strong> Plaintiff had moved for an order enjoining the dissolution or sale of<br />

Andersen’s businesses. Andersen responded on April 22, 2002, by arguing it was “downsizing” to<br />

preserve its resources and continue as a going concern (Docket No. 533). <strong>In</strong> a May 16, 2002 ruling<br />

the Court denied the requested relief (Docket No. 743). The Court held injunctive relief was<br />

unwarranted because <strong>Lead</strong> Plaintiff had not sufficiently established irreparable injury and “[t]he<br />

evidence presented . . . indicates that Andersen is engaged in a legitimate effort to mitigate the losses<br />

suffered by its client exodus.” 5/16/02 Memorandum and Order at 7.<br />

68. One month later, on June 15, 2002, Andersen was convicted of obstructing justice in<br />

the Enron matter by interfering with the SEC’s Enron investigation. Shortly thereafter, <strong>Lead</strong><br />

Plaintiff learned Andersen intended to cease practicing by August 31, 2002. As part of its business<br />

wind down, Andersen intended to distribute capital to its qualified partners.<br />

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