UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 1, 2009
MONTEREY GOURMET FOODS, INC.
(Exact Name of
Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware
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001-11777
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77-0227341
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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1528 Moffett Street
Salinas, California 93905
(Address of principal
executive office, including zip code)
(Registrants telephone number, including area code): (831) 753-6262
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Check the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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On
October 14, 2009, a putative class action entitled
James Carrazza v. Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., et al.,
. C.A. No. 4992-CC, was filed in the Court of Chancery in Delaware. The defendants are Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the Company), and the members of the board of directors of the Company (together with the Company, the Monterey Defendants), and Pulmuone U.S.A., Inc., a California corporation (Parent), and
Pulmuone Cornerstone Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (Purchaser, and together with Parent, the Pulmuone Defendants). This action alleges that the Monterey Defendants breached their
fiduciary duties to Company stockholders by entering into the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 8, 2009, by and among Parent, Purchaser and the Company (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which, among other things,
on November 10, 2009, Purchaser commenced a tender offer (the Offer) for all of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a purchase price of $2.70 per share in cash, without interest
(less any applicable withholding taxes), and upon successful completion of the Offer, Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the Merger). The suit further
alleges that the Pulmuone Defendants aided and abetted those breaches of fiduciary duties. The Monterey Defendants filed an Answer on November 16, 2009, denying liability and asserting affirmative defenses.
On October 16, 2009, a putative class action entitled
Georg Thurmann, et al. v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M101914, was
filed in the Superior Court of California
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in and for Monterey County, alleging that the Monterey Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Company stockholders by entering into the Merger Agreement and that the Pulmuone Defendants aided
and abetted those breaches of fiduciary duties. On November 12, 2009, the plaintiff in this suit filed an amended complaint repeating the earlier allegations and adding allegations that the Monterey Defendants disclosures respecting the
Merger Agreement and the Offer and the Merger were deficient and in violation of the law of an unspecified state. On November 16, 2009 and November 17, 2009, the Monterey Defendants and the Pulmuone Defendants respectively filed Demurrers
or, In the Alternative, Motions to Stay, asserting that plaintiffs claims were precluded by the federal Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act (SLUSA) or, in the alternative, should be stayed in favor the earlier-filed action
in Delaware. On November 23, 2009, the plaintiff in this suit filed an Ex Parte Application seeking expedited discovery, and an order consolidating all three of the cases before the court (including this case,
Filtsch
(described
below), and
Figliozzi (described below)
) and appointing plaintiffs counsel and counsel for the plaintiffs in
Filtsch
as co-lead counsel for a putative class of Company stockholders. The court has not yet ruled on the Ex
Parte Application. On November 28, 2009, counsel for the plaintiff indicated that he would file an amended complaint asserting that his clients claims were governed by Delaware law. While the Company believes that the claims in this suit
are without merit, the Company has provided supplemental disclosures in the Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 14D-9 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2009 by the Company (the Amendment No. 1) in an
effort to moot any possible claim for injunctive relief and to avoid plaintiffs continuing efforts to interfere with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.
The First Amended Class Action Complaint, dated November 11, 2009, in
Georg
Thurmann, et al. v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M101914, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
On November 3, 2009,
a putative class action entitled
Stephen Filtsch, Custodian FBO Stephen G. Filtsch, Jr. and Julie E. Filtsch v. Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., et al.
Case No. M102250, was filed in the Superior Court of California, in and for Monterey County,
alleging that the Monterey Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Company stockholders by entering into the Merger Agreement and that the Pulmuone Defendants aided and abetted those breaches of fiduciary duties. On November 17, 2009, the
Monterey Defendants and the Pulmuone Defendants filed Demurrers or, In the Alternative, Motions to Stay, asserting that plaintiffs claims were barred by SLUSA or, in the alternative, should be stayed in favor the earlier-filed action in
Delaware. Plaintiffs counsel joined in the motion of the plaintiffs counsel in
Thurmann
to be appointed co-lead counsel for a putative class of Company stockholders.
The Class Action Complaint, dated November 3, 2009, in
Stephen Filtsch, Custodian FBO Stephen G. Filtsch, Jr. and Julie E. Filtsch
v. Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., et al.
Case No. M102250, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.
On November 12, 2009,
a putative class action entitled
Senio Figliozzi v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M102427, was filed in the Superior Court of California, in and for Monterey County, alleging that the Monterey Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to
Company stockholders by entering into the Merger Agreement and the Pulmuone Defendants aided and abetted those breaches of fiduciary duties. The plaintiff in this suit also claims that the Monterey Defendants disclosures respecting the Merger
Agreement and the Offer and the Merger were deficient and in violation of the law of an unspecified state. On November 17, 2009, the Monterey Defendants and the Pulmuone Defendants filed Demurrers or, In the Alternative, Motions to Stay,
asserting that plaintiffs claims were barred by SLUSA or, in the alternative, should be stayed in favor the earlier-filed action in Delaware. On November 19, 2009, the plaintiff in this suit filed an Ex Parte Application seeking expedited
discovery. The Monterey Defendants and the Pulmuone Defendants responded on November 20, 2009, and the court set a hearing for November 25, 2009. At the hearing, the court denied the plaintiffs Ex Parte Application, holding that the
plaintiffs claims were precluded by SLUSA. Also on November 25, 2009, the plaintiff in this suit filed an amended complaint asserting that these claims were governed by Delaware law. The plaintiffs Ex Parte Application was refiled
on November 30, 2009. While the Company believes that the claims in this suit are without merit, the Company has provided supplemental disclosures in the Amendment No. 1 in an effort to moot any possible claim for injunctive relief and to
avoid plaintiffs continuing efforts to interfere with the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.
The First Amended
Class Action Complaint, dated November 25, 2009, in
Senio Figliozzi v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M102427, is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3.
Among other relief, plaintiffs in each of these actions seek an order enjoining the Monterey Defendants and the Pulmuone Defendants from proceeding with the Offer and the Merger, as well as rescissionary
damages, restitution, and attorneys fees. The Monterey Defendants believe that the claims asserted in each of these actions are without merit, continue to deny that
any of them has committed any violation of law of any kind or engaged in any wrongful acts alleged in the above-referenced actions, and intend to defend them vigorously. Each Monterey Defendant
expressly maintains that it has diligently and scrupulously complied with its legal duties. Discovery has not commenced and no trial date has been set in any of these actions. The parties do not expect any of these lawsuits to have an impact on the
completion of the Offer or the Merger, however, even a meritless lawsuit may potentially delay consummation of the Offer and the Merger.
Additionally, on September 4, 2009, UTR, LLC, a bidder for the Company, filed an inspection action against the Company in Delaware Chancery Court, alleging that the Company failed to consider
breaking itself into pieces as opposed to selling the entire enterprise, failed to explain how the Committee was constituted, failed to explain what the Company had done to investigate whether Mr. Tunstall, who sat on the Committee, was
affiliated with another bidder. UTR, LLC v. Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., CA 4861-VCS (Del. Ch. filed Sept. 4, 2009). That action is proceeding. A trial date of January 6, 2010 has been scheduled for this action. The Company believes that the
claims asserted in this action are wholly without merit, continues to deny that it has committed any violation of law of any kind or engaged in any wrongful acts alleged in this action, and intends to defend it vigorously.
Forward Looking Statements
The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. More information about the Company and risks
related to the Company are detailed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and its most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to update the
disclosures made herein, and you are urged to read our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 9.01
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Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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99.1
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First Amended Class Action Complaint, dated November 11, 2009, in
Georg Thurmann, et al. v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M101914.
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99.2
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Class Action Complaint, dated November 3, 2009, in
Stephen Filtsch, Custodian FBO Stephen G. Filtsch, Jr. and Julie E. Filtsch v. Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., et al.
Case
No. M102250.
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99.3
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First Amended Class Action Complaint, dated November 25, 2009, in
Senio Figliozzi v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M102427.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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MONTEREY GOURMET FOODS, INC.
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Date: December 1, 2009
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By:
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S
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COTT
S.
W
HEELER
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Scott S. Wheeler
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Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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99.1
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First Amended Class Action Complaint, dated November 11, 2009, in
Georg Thurmann, et al. v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M101914.
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99.2
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Class Action Complaint, dated November 3, 2009, in
Stephen Filtsch, Custodian FBO Stephen G. Filtsch, Jr. and Julie E. Filtsch v. Monterey Gourmet Foods, Inc., et al.
Case No. M102250.
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99.3
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First Amended Class Action Complaint, dated November 25, 2009, in
Senio Figliozzi v. Eric Eddings, et al.,
Case No. M102427.
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