On March 26, Capital Ventures International and several UBS affiliates filed a stipulation of dismissal after reaching a settlement disposing of all claims in the action. The terms of the settlement are undisclosed. Capital Ventures had sued UBS for alleged violations of the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act in connection with $131 million in RMBS that Capital Ventures allegedly purchased from UBS. Stipulation.
Capital Ventures International
District of Massachusetts Denies in Part JP Morgan’s Motion to Dismiss RMBS Investor Suit
On February 13, Judge Rya W. Zobel of the District of Massachusetts dismissed in part, but largely sustained, an investor suit brought by Capital Ventures International (CVI) against J.P. Morgan and certain of its subsidiaries in connection with four RMBS offerings underwritten by J.P. Morgan and Bear Stearns. CVI brought the suit under the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act (MUSA), claiming that the defendants violated MUSA by making material misstatements in the offering materials. The court dismissed one of the claims against the RMBS sponsors, finding an insufficient relationship between the sponsors and CVI to support liability under section 410(a)(2) of MUSA. The court also dismissed one of the claims against the RMBS depositors for lack of control required under 410(b) of MUSA. The court otherwise denied the motion to dismiss with respect to all other parties and claims, finding (1) that there were sufficient allegations of material misstatements against the RMBS underwriters, including allegations concerning underwriting guidelines, appraisals and LTV/CLTV ratios, owner-occupancy status, and credit ratings, (2) the claims were not time-barred, (3) the depositors could be liable as issuers under SEC Rule 159A, and (4) sufficient allegations of control by the RMBS sponsors over the depositors. Decision.