XML 82 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies

NOTE 14: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are involved from time to time in litigation on various matters, including disputes with tenants of owned properties, disputes arising out of agreements to purchase or sell properties and disputes arising out of our loan portfolio. Given the nature of our business activities, these lawsuits are considered routine to the conduct of our business. The result of any particular lawsuit cannot be predicted, because of the very nature of litigation, the litigation process and its adversarial nature, and the jury system. We do not expect that the liabilities, if any, that may ultimately result from such routine legal actions will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On March 13, 2012, the staff of the SEC notified us that the SEC had initiated a non-public investigation concerning one of our investment adviser subsidiaries, Taberna Capital Management, LLC, or TCM. Based on the notice and other communications with SEC staff, we believe this matter concerns TCM’s compliance with securities laws in connection with transactions since January 1, 2009 involving various Taberna securitizations for which TCM served as collateral manager. The SEC staff has subpoenaed testimony and information and we are cooperating fully. Because this matter is ongoing, we cannot predict the outcome at this time and, as a result, no conclusion can be reached as to what impact, if any, this matter may have on TCM or us.