-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, L7REUd3c2ngfVKOiJM6CWFd+r6eZ5+7m2ld6E+5Nq1riE2RfPj8o/JsbAehK1KDS LNGG+gkbZhUl/auprv1GZQ== 0001047469-03-020091.txt : 20030530 0001047469-03-020091.hdr.sgml : 20030530 20030530081243 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-03-020091 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC TO-T/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 20030530 GROUP MEMBERS: SIMON PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, INC. GROUP MEMBERS: WESTFIELD AMERICA, INC. SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TAUBMAN CENTERS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000890319 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 382933632 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MI FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC TO-T/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-42862 FILM NUMBER: 03724361 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 200 E LONG LAKE RD STREET 2: SUITE 300 P O BOX 200 CITY: BLOOMFIELD HILLS STATE: MI ZIP: 48303-0200 BUSINESS PHONE: 2482586800 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SIMON PROPERTY GROUP INC /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001063761 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798] IRS NUMBER: 046268599 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC TO-T/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 115 WEST WASHINGTON STREET CITY: INDIANAPOLIS STATE: IN ZIP: 46204 BUSINESS PHONE: 3176361600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 115 WEST WASHINGTON STREET STREET 2: - CITY: INDIANAPOLIS STATE: IN ZIP: 46204 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CORPORATE PROPERTY INVESTORS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980610 SC TO-T/A 1 a2112269zscto-ta.txt SC TO-T/A ================================================================================ OMB APPROVAL ======================== OMB Number: 3235-0515 ======================== Expires: April 30, 2005 ======================== Estimated average burden hours per response: 43.5 ======================== UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------- SCHEDULE TO/A TENDER OFFER STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(d)(1) OR 13(e)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (Amendment No. 31) TAUBMAN CENTERS, INC. (Name of Subject Company (Issuer)) SIMON PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, INC. SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC. WESTFIELD AMERICA, INC. (Names of Filing Persons (Offerors)) COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE (Title of Class of Securities) 876664103 (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities) James M. Barkley, Esq. Peter R. Schwartz, Esq. Simon Property Group, Inc. Westfield America, Inc. National City Center 11601 Wilshire Boulevard 115 West Washington Street 12th Floor Suite 15 East Los Angeles, CA 90025 Indianapolis, IN 46024 Telephone: (310) 445-2427 Telephone: (317) 636-1600 (Name, Address and Telephone Numbers of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications on Behalf of Filing Persons) ---------- Copies to: Steven A. Seidman, Esq. Scott V. Simpson, Esq. Robert B. Stebbins, Esq. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Willkie Farr & Gallagher One Canada Square 787 Seventh Avenue Canary Wharf New York, New York 10019 London, E14 5DS, England Telephone: (212) 728-8000 Telephone: (44) 20 7519 7000 ---------- CALCULATION OF FILING FEE ================================================================================ TRANSACTION VALUATION* AMOUNT OF FILING FEE** - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $1,160,416,360 $232,083.27 ================================================================================ * Estimated for purposes of calculating the amount of the filing fee only. Calculated by multiplying $20.00, the per share tender offer price, by 58,084,027 shares of Common Stock, consisting of (i) 49,298,965 outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) 2,270 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of 31,784,842 outstanding shares of Series B Non-Participating Convertible Preferred Stock, (iii) 7,202,785 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding partnership units of The Taubman Realty Group, Limited Partnership ("TRG") and (iv) 1,516,798 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding options (each of which entitles the holder thereof to purchase one partnership unit of TRG which, in turn, is convertible into one share of Common Stock), based on Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on February 25, 2003, the Registrant's Schedule 14D-9 filed on December 11, 2002 and the Registrant's Annual Report on Forms10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2002. ** The amount of the filing fee calculated in accordance with Regulation 240.0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, equals 1/50th of one percent of the value of the transaction. |X| Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. Amount Previously Paid: $248,745.11 Filing Party: Simon Property Group, Inc.; Simon Property Form or Registration Schedule TO (File No. 005-42862), Acquisitions, Inc.; Westfield America, Inc. No.: Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule TO Date Filed: December 5, 2002, December 16, 2002 and and Amendment No. 5 to the Schedule TO January 15, 2003
|_| Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |_| Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates. |X| third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1. |_| issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4. |_| going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3. |_| amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2. Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer: |_| ================================================================================ SCHEDULE TO This Amendment No. 31 amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on December 5, 2002, as amended and supplemented by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the Commission on December 16, 2002, by Amendment No. 2 thereto filed with the Commission on December 27, 2002, by Amendment No. 3 thereto filed with the Commission on December 30, 2002, by Amendment No. 4 thereto filed with the Commission on December 31, 2002, by Amendment No. 5 thereto filed with the Commission on January 15, 2003, by Amendment No. 6 thereto filed with the Commission on January 15, 2003, by Amendment No. 7 thereto filed with the Commission on January 16, 2003, by Amendment No. 8 thereto filed with the Commission on January 22, 2003, by Amendment No. 9 thereto filed with the Commission on January 23, 2003, by Amendment No. 10 thereto filed with the Commission on February 7, 2003, by Amendment No. 11 thereto filed with the Commission on February 11, 2003, by Amendment No. 12 thereto filed with the Commission on February 18, 2003, by Amendment No. 13 thereto filed with the Commission on February 21, 2003, by Amendment No. 14 thereto filed with the Commission on February 21, 2003, by Amendment No. 15 thereto filed with the Commission on February 27, 2003, by Amendment No. 16 thereto filed with the Commission on February 27, 2003, by Amendment No. 17 thereto filed with the Commission on February 28, 2003, by Amendment No. 18 thereto filed with the Commission on March 3, 2003, by Amendment No. 19 thereto filed with the Commission on March 6, 2003, by Amendment No. 20 thereto filed with the Commission on March 18, 2003, by Amendment No. 21 thereto filed with the Commission on March 21, 2003, by Amendment No. 22 thereto filed with the Commission on March 28, 2003, by Amendment No. 23 thereto filed with the Commission on March 31, 2003, by Amendment No. 24 thereto filed with the Commission on April 30, 2003, by Amendment No. 25 thereto filed with the Commission on May 2, 2003, by Amendment No. 26 thereto filed with the Commission on May 9, 2003, by Amendment No. 27 thereto filed with the Commission on May 12, 2003, by Amendment No. 28 thereto filed with the Commission on May 13, 2003, by Amendment No. 29 thereto filed with the Commission on May 21, 2003 and by Amendment No. 30 thereto filed with the Commission on May 27, 2003 (as amended and supplemented, the "Schedule TO") relating to the offer by Simon Property Acquisitions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Purchaser") and wholly owned subsidiary of Simon Property Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SPG Inc."), to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), of Taubman Centers, Inc. (the "Company") at a purchase price of $20.00 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated December 5, 2002 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and the Supplement to the Offer to Purchase, dated January 15, 2003 (the "Supplement"), and in the related revised Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any supplements or amendments, collectively constitute the "Offer"). This Amendment No. 31 to the Schedule TO is being filed on behalf of the Purchaser, SPG Inc. and Westfield America, Inc. ("WEA"). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Offer to Purchase, the Supplement and the Schedule TO, as applicable. The item numbers and responses thereto below are in accordance with the requirements of Schedule TO. Item 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. On May 29, 2003, the SPG Plaintiffs filed (i) an Emergency Motion (the "Motion") to Modify the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan's (the "Court") Order Granting Stay of Preliminary Injunction, issued May 20, 2003 (the "Order") and (ii) a Memorandum of Law in support of the Motion (the "Memorandum of Law") to seek a modification of the Order. Copies of the Motion and the Memorandum of Law are filed herewith as Exhibits (a)(5)(CCC) and (a)(5)(DDD), respectively. Item 12. EXHIBITS. (a)(5)(CCC) SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency Motion to Modify the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan's Order Granting Stay of Preliminary Injunction, issued May 20, 2003, filed by Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Acquisitions, Inc. on May 29, 2003. (a)(5)(DDD) Memorandum of Law in Support of SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency Motion to Modify the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan's Order Granting Stay of Preliminary Injunction, issued May 20, 2003, as well as certain exhibits thereto, filed by Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Acquisitions, Inc. on May 29, 2003. SIGNATURE After due inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and belief, the undersigned hereby certify as of May 30, 2003 that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC. By: /s/ JAMES M. BARKLEY ------------------------------------ Name: James M. Barkley Title: Secretary and General Counsel SIMON PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, INC. By: /s/ JAMES M. BARKLEY ------------------------------------ Name: James M. Barkley Title: Secretary and Treasurer After due inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, the undersigned hereby certifies as of May 30, 2003 that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. WESTFIELD AMERICA, INC. By: /s/ PETER R. SCHWARTZ ------------------------------- Name: Peter R. Schwartz Title: Senior Executive Vice President EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION - ----------- ------------------------------------------------------------- (a)(5)(CCC) SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency Motion to Modify the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan's Order Granting Stay of Preliminary Injunction, issued May 20, 2003, filed by Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Acquisitions, Inc. on May 29, 2003. (a)(5)(DDD) Memorandum of Law in Support of SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency Motion to Modify the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan's Order Granting Stay of Preliminary Injunction, issued May 20, 2003, as well as certain exhibits thereto, filed by Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Acquisitions, Inc. on May 29, 2003. EX-99.(A)(5)(CCC) 3 a2112269zex-99_a5ccc.txt EXHIBIT (A)(5)(CCC) EXHIBIT (a)(5)(CCC) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN ---------------------------------------------------x : : SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC., : SIMON PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, INC., AND RANDALL J. SMITH, : Plaintiffs, : - against - : TAUBMAN CENTERS, INC., A. ALFRED TAUBMAN, ROBERT S. TAUBMAN, LISA A. PAYNE, GRAHAM T. ALLISON, PETER KARMANOS, JR., WILLIAM S. : TAUBMAN, ALLAN J. BLOOSTEIN, JEROME A. CHAZEN, AND S. PARKER GILBERT, CIVIL ACTION NO. 02-74799 : JUDGE VICTORIA A. ROBERTS Defendants. : ----------------------------------------------------x SPG PLAINTIFFS' EMERGENCY MOTION TO MODIFY THE COURT'S MAY 20, 2003 ORDER Plaintiffs Simon Property Group, Inc. and Simon Property Acquisitions, Inc., ("SPG Plaintiffs") by and through their undersigned attorneys, and pursuant to this Court's letter of May 28, 2003, hereby request that this Court enter an order pursuant to Rule 62(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure modifying its Order Granting Stay of Preliminary Injunction, issued May 20, 2003 (the "Order"). On May 29, 2003, there was a conference between attorneys during which counsel for SPG Plaintiffs explained the nature of this motion and its legal basis and requested but did not obtain concurrence in the relief sought. 1. By this motion, SPG Plaintiffs seek a modification of the Order in the following manner. The Court should (a) continue its injunction, issued on May 8, 2003, enjoining the defendants from voting a 33.6% block of shares until disinterested shareholders of Taubman Centers, Inc. (the "Company") have conferred voting rights on those shares and from enforcing the December 20, 2002 bylaw amendment, and (b) modify the Order for the limited purpose of allowing the Company's shareholders to vote on whether to amend the Excess Share Provision in the Company's charter at a special meeting of the Company's shareholders. 2. The grounds for the relief sought in this Emergency Motion are more fully set forth in the accompanying Memorandum Of Law In Support Of SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency Motion To Modify The Court's May 20, 2003 Order. Put simply, defendants have flouted this Court's Order by causing legislation to be introduced in the Michigan legislature, the explicit purpose and effect of which is to overturn this Court's May 8, 2003 decision, moot the appeal in the Sixth Circuit, and render the SPG/Westfield tender offer virtually impossible to consummate. Defendants' conduct falls squarely within the conduct proscribed by the Order, namely, "any activity to impede Simon's tender offer." (Order at 10.) 3. The legislation being actively promoted and encouraged by the defendants may be enacted imminently by the Michigan legislature (it is scheduled to be reviewed by the House Commerce Committee as early as next week). Accordingly, time is of the essence. Given the potentially preclusive and draconian effect of the Taubman legislation, SPG Plaintiffs request that the Court order that (i) defendants serve and file, by fax, any response to SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency Motion to Modify the Stay Order by Monday June 2, 2003 at noon, and (ii) SPG Plaintiffs file reply papers, if any, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday June 3, 2003. SPG Plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court hold an expedited hearing on SPG Plaintiffs' Emergency -2- Motion as soon as practicable and grant the relief requested herein. Dated: May 29, 2003 MILLER, CANFIELD, PADDOCK & STONE, P.L.C. By: /s/ Carl H. von Ende ------------------------------- Carl H. von Ende (P21867) Todd Holleman (P57699) 150 West Jefferson, Suite 2500 Detroit, Michigan 48226-4415 Telephone: (313) 963-6420 Facsimile: (313) 496-7500 WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER 787 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10019 Telephone: (212) 728-8000 Facsimile: (212) 728-8111 Attorneys for SPG Plaintiffs -3- EX-99.(A)(5)(DDD) 4 a2112269zex-99_a5ddd.txt EXHIBIT (A)(5)(DDD) EXHIBIT (a)(5)(DDD) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN ----------------------------------------------------x : SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, INC., SIMON PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, INC., : AND RANDALL J. SMITH, Plaintiffs, : - against - : TAUBMAN CENTERS, INC., A. ALFRED TAUBMAN, : ROBERT S. TAUBMAN, LISA A. PAYNE, GRAHAM T. ALLISON, PETER KARMANOS, JR., WILLIAM S. TAUBMAN, : ALLAN J. BLOOSTEIN, JEROME A. CHAZEN, AND S. PARKER GILBERT. : CIVIL ACTION NO. 02-74799 Defendants. : JUDGE VICTORIA A. ROBERTS : : ----------------------------------------------------x MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF SPG PLAINTIFFS' EMERGENCY MOTION TO MODIFY THE COURT'S MAY 20, 2003 ORDER Carl H. von Ende (P21867) Todd A. Holleman (P57699) MILLER, CANFIELD, PADDOCK & STONE, P.L.C. 150 West Jefferson, Suite 2500 Detroit, Michigan 48226-4415 Telephone: (313) 963-6420 Facsimile: (313) 496-7500 WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER 787 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10019 Telephone: (212) 728-8000 Facsimile: (212) 728-8111 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF AUTHORITIES..........................................................ii STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE PRESENTED.............................................iii CONTROLLING OR MOST APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES...................................iv PRELIMINARY STATEMENT..........................................................1 ARGUMENT.......................................................................3 A. THIS COURT SHOULD MODIFY THE MAY 20 ORDER PENDING APPEAL..........................................................3 1. The Court's May 20 Order............................................3 2. Defendants' Scheme to Frustrate the SPG/Westfield Tender Offer, Nullify the Court's May 8 Decision and Render the Appeal Meaningless..................................................3 B. The Court Should Allow the SPG Plaintiffs to Call a Shareholder Vote To Amend the Excess Share Provision................................6 CONCLUSION.....................................................................9 i TABLE OF AUTHORITIES CASES IN RE HOLLY FARMS CORP. SHAREHOLDERS LITIGATION, Civ. A. No. 10350, 1989 WL 25810 (Del. Ch. Mar. 22, 1989).........................................7 NERKEN v. SOLAREX CORP., No. 6788, 1982 WL 8785 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 1982).......7 PLANT INDUSTRIAL INC. v. BERGMAN, 490 F. Supp. 265 (S.D.N.Y. 1980).............7 UNION PACIFIC CORP. v. SANTA FE PACIFIC CORP., Civ. A. Nos. 13778, 13587, 1994 WL 586924 (Del. Ch. Oct. 18, 1994)........................................7 COURT RULES Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(c)....................................................3, 6, 8 ii STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE PRESENTED 1. Whether defendants' violation of this Court's May 20, 2003 Order (the "Order") which prohibited defendants from engaging "in any activity to impede Simon's tender offer," compels the Court to modify the Order to allow SPG to call a special meeting of shareholders where the shareholders of Taubman Centers, Inc. (the "Company" or "TCO") will be permitted to vote on whether to amend the Excess Share Provision in the Company's Articles of Incorporation? The SPG Plaintiffs say: "Yes." iii CONTROLLING OR MOST APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(c) iv PRELIMINARY STATEMENT On May 8, 2003, the Court entered a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Taubman family and its associates and friends from voting their shares until a disinterested majority of the Company's shareholders had conferred voting rights on those shares. On May 20, 2003, this Court suspended the preliminary injunction on the proviso that, pending the appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, defendants "shall refrain from engaging in any activity to impede Simon's tender offer." (Order at 10.) At the same time that defendants' counsel were making representations to the Court regarding maintaining the STATUS QUO pending appeal, it appears that defendants were engaged in "activity to impede Simon's tender offer." Specifically, defendants are, and have been, blatantly fomenting support for legislation in the Michigan legislature for a bill that would overturn this Court's May 8, 2003 decision ("May 8 Decision"), moot the appeal in the Sixth Circuit, and render the SPG/Westfield tender offer virtually impossible to consummate. One can hardly imagine conduct that constitutes a greater impediment to the SPG/Westfield tender offer.(1) The legislation being sponsored by the defendants may be enacted imminently (it is scheduled to be reviewed by the House Commerce Committee as early as next week). Accordingly, in order to ensure that the Company's public shareholders are not forever foreclosed from voting on - ---------- (1) It is also ironic that the proposed legislation, which is plainly contrary to the interests of TCO's public shareholders and is designed to assist the Taubman family, is being promoted by the so-called "independent directors' advisor," Mr. Moscow. (SEE May 8 Decision at 10 n.15.) Mr. Moscow's Honigman Miller law firm distributed the attached "Supporting Memorandum" (Exhibit B) at the end of last week and he presumably was involved in drafting it as well as the bill itself. whether they wish to accept the SPG/Westfield tender offer -- and permanently lose the benefit of the Court's May 8, 2003 decision in which the Court vindicated shareholder voting rights -- plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court should (1) continue its injunction against the defendants from voting the 33.6% block of shares and from enforcing the December 20, 2002 bylaw amendment, and (2) modify the Order for the limited purpose of allowing the Company's shareholders to vote on whether to amend the Excess Share Provision at a special meeting of the Company's shareholders. The remaining restrictions in the Order would remain in effect and SPG would not "take down" the shares or effectuate the merger until after the Sixth Circuit rules. SPG Plaintiffs' proposed limited modification of the Order will not irreparably injure defendants, will preserve the May 8 Decision for appellate review, and will maintain the STATUS QUO pending the appeal. By contrast, failure to grant the limited relief requested threatens to work substantial injury on SPG Plaintiffs and the Company's shareholders, whose voting rights may be legislated out of existence by the Taubmans and their political supporters BEFORE the Sixth Circuit has an opportunity to resolve the appeal. The public interest, too, is served by allowing corporate democracy to run its course BEFORE shareholder voting rights vindicated by this Court's May 8 Decision are nullified. In short, SPG Plaintiffs' proposed modification of the Order is the only practical way to maintain the STATUS QUO pending appeal because SPG will not "take down" the shares or effectuate the merger, but the public shareholders of the Company -- who own 99% of the Company -- will have an opportunity to exercise their vote under the existing state of Michigan law before their voting rights are undermined by the defendants' legislative maneuvering. 2 ARGUMENT A. THIS COURT SHOULD MODIFY THE MAY 20 ORDER PENDING APPEAL 1. THE COURT'S MAY 20 ORDER This Court has the power to modify the Order. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(c) grants this Court discretion to suspend, modify, RESTORE, or grant an injunction during the pendency of the appeal. Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(c). On May 20, 2003 this Court granted, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(c), defendants' motion to suspend the preliminary injunction pending appeal to the Sixth Circuit. The Court explicitly provided (based upon representations and offers by defendants' counsel) that defendants "refrain from engaging in ANY ACTIVITY to impede Simon's tender offer, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO" certain specified actions. (Order at 10) (emphasis added). The Court found that "it is in the public interest to preclude efforts TO EITHER ADVANCE OR IMPEDE SPG's takeover bid until legal issues . . . are resolved by the Sixth Circuit." (Order at 9) (emphasis added). 2. DEFENDANTS' SCHEME TO FRUSTRATE THE SPG/WESTFIELD TENDER OFFER, NULLIFY THE COURT'S MAY 8 DECISION AND RENDER THE APPEAL MEANINGLESS Despite the explicit mandate from this Court to maintain the STATUS QUO, Defendants have, and are, embarked on a plan to preempt an unfavorable ruling by the Sixth Circuit and overturn this Court's decision by extra-judicial means and effectively kill the SPG/Westfield tender offer. Defendants have caused a bill to be introduced in the Michigan legislature, House Bill 4764, designed pointedly and explicitly to overrule the May 8 Decision and render the pending appeal in the Sixth Circuit completely meaningless. 3 Among other things, the Taubman legislation would amend the Michigan Control Share Acquisitions Act as follows: o to provide that "THE FORMATION OF A GROUP, before or after the date of the amendatory act . . . DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION of shares of an issuing public corporation held by members of the group." (Sec. 791(6)) (emphasis added). This, of course, would eviscerate the Court's ruling that the Control Share Act is triggered "when a group forms for the purpose of directing the exercise of voting power." (May 8 Decision at 42); and o to provide that voting rights for control shares acquired in a control share acquisition could be restored by a vote of a majority of disinterested shareholder OR BY THE "DIRECTORS OF THE ISSUING PUBLIC CORPORATION." (Sec. 798(1)) (emphasis added). Thus, for example, the Court's order that the Taubman family's 33.6% controlling block of shares "may not be voted without disinterested shareholder approval in accordance with the Control Share Act" (May 8 Decision at 48) would be nullified since the defendants themselves (the Company's current directors) could simply decide to give the Taubmans those voting rights even without shareholder approval. These amendments are directed specifically at this Court's May 8 ruling and the shareholder rights it secured. In an even more fundamental change to existing Michigan law, the proposed bill would also eliminate the ability of shareholders of Michigan public corporations to propose and adopt amendments to the company's articles of incorporation. SEE Sec. 611(3) ("the amendment to the articles of incorporation must be proposed to the shareholders BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS") (emphasis added). In other words, SPG's attempt to call a special meeting of shareholders to consider an amendment of the articles to eliminate the Excess Share Provision - -- the whole point of this litigation these past several months -- would be completely thwarted under the new law. 4 TCO would indeed be rendered virtually takeover-proof, even if the Taubman group members cannot vote their 33.6% position.(2) (A copy of House Bill 4764 is annexed as Exhibit A.) There is no doubt that defendants are behind House Bill 4764. For example, a memorandum supporting and explaining the legislation was prepared and distributed by one of defendants' counsel in this action, the Honigman Miller firm. (The Honigman Miller memorandum is attached as Exhibit B.) A copy of an article appearing in yesterday's New York Times (May 28, 2003) describing the defendants' efforts is also attached as Exhibit C. As reported, "Taubman Centers played a role in lobbying for and drafting the bill." Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) "met with Robert Taubman, and Taubman Centers' lawyers drafted a memorandum intended to provide supporting arguments for the legislation . . . . In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Mr. Huizenga suggested that the bill was being introduced, in part, to overrule the court's decision and to benefit Taubman Centers. `I want to make sure it doesn't happen in the future, and if it also helps them, I'm O.K. with that, too,' he said, according to the newspaper." (SEE Exhibit C.) Finally, it appears that the Taubman legislation is on a fast track and may be enacted imminently. Thus, the legislation could be rammed through the Michigan legislature and have immediate effect, while Taubman's public shareholders are, by virtue of the Order, stayed from holding a meeting, thereby irrevocably impeding those shareholders' voting rights - ---------- (2) The legislation also provides that directors on a classified board, such as TCO's, may only be removed for cause. Currently, the TCO board may be removed without cause by a vote of two-thirds of the shareholders. 5 and killing the Simon/Westfield offer. Plainly, that was not the intention and understanding of this Court when it issued the Order and ordered that the STATUS QUO be maintained pending appeal to the Sixth Circuit. Nor should defendants be allowed to use Rule 62(c) as a shield for actions that will render the appeal meaningless. Indeed, the purpose of Rule 62(c ) is precisely the opposite -- to preserve the STATUS QUO pending appeal. It is simply unfair for defendants to be able to take steps that will moot the appeal, and completely frustrate the SPG/Westfield offer, while requiring SPG alone to abide by the STATUS QUO. Defendants' current and ongoing efforts to overturn the Court's decision are also plainly contrary to the representations and understandings that underlay the Order. No mention was made by defendants' counsel during conference calls with the Court prior to the issuance of the Order about defendants' plan to seek legislative nullification of the Court's preliminary injunction ruling. It now appears clear that defendants' legislative efforts were ongoing at the time defendants sought a stay and were renewed immediately after they were ordered to do nothing to "impede" the tender offer. B. THE COURT SHOULD ALLOW THE SPG PLAINTIFFS TO CALL A SHAREHOLDER VOTE TO AMEND THE EXCESS SHARE PROVISION In light of defendants' maneuverings that are designed to undermine this Court's efforts to vindicate shareholder voting rights -- in blatant violation of the Court's Order -- SPG Plaintiffs suggest that the Court should modify the Order. Given the potentially preclusive effect of the Taubman legislation, a fair and appropriate response would be for the Court to allow SPG 6 to hold a shareholder vote to amend the Excess Share Provision and, if the vote is successful, allow SPG to "take down" the shares, but not "effectuate" the merger. However, SPG Plaintiffs are willing to accept the more modest relief that they be allowed to proceed with calling and holding a shareholder vote on amending of the Excess Share Provision in accordance with the bylaws as they existed on December 20, 2002, prior to the invalid amendment. SPG will not, consistent with its prior representations to the Court, "take down" any tendered shares or effectuate any merger until the Sixth Circuit resolves the appeal. This will allow SPG to call a special meeting, and permit Taubman shareholders - -- who own 99% of the Company -- to exercise the shareholder franchise to vote on whether to amend the Excess Share Provision in TCO's articles. Under this proposed modification, defendants would remain subject to the restraints imposed on them by the Order. Such a limited modification of the Order -- to allow a shareholder vote -- will work no irreparable injury on the defendants. As the Court has already indicated (Order at 7-8), a shareholder vote is not an irreversible act because the results of a shareholder vote can always be changed later if the Sixth Circuit reverses this Court's May 8 Order. SEE ALSO UNION PACIFIC CORP. V. SANTA FE PACIFIC CORP., Civ. A. Nos. 13778, 13587, 1994 WL 586924 at *1 (Del. Ch. Oct. 18, 1994) (refusing to enjoin shareholders from voting because "if a shareholder vote were taken and shareholders rejected [merger], no judicial action would be needed . . . [a]ssuming (arguendo) that the vote was tainted . . . then the shareholders' vote could be judicially nullified after the meeting. Any judicially nullified shareholder approval could not have the legal effect of `vesting' irremediable rights . . . ."); IN RE HOLLY FARMS CORP. SHAREHOLDERS LITIG., Civ. A. No. 10350, 1989 WL 25810 at *11 (Del. Ch. Mar. 22, 1989) ("I will enjoin completion of the merger 7 if it be approved, but will not enjoin holding of the vote."); PLANT INDUS. INC. V. BERGMAN, 490 F. Supp. 265, 271 (S.D.N.Y. 1980) (lack of irreparable injury where election can be voided after the fact); NERKEN V. SOLAREX CORP., No. 6788, 1982 WL 8785 at *2 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 1982) ("[T]here is considerable reluctance on the part of this Court to enjoin an actual meeting of shareholders itself as opposed to enjoining the consummation of some action taken at such a meeting in the event that it receives the necessary vote.") Indeed, given the prospect of imminent and potentially preclusive legislation introduced and sponsored by defendants, absence of a limited modification to the Order will not maintain the STATUS QUO as the Court originally intended in the Order, and threatens to work substantial and irreparable injury on the SPG Plaintiffs, the Company's public shareholders, and the SPG/Westfield tender offer. Defendants' conduct to impede the SPG/Westfield tender offer -- and alter the STATUS QUO -- has clearly tipped the balance of harms in SPG Plaintiffs' favor. (Compare Order at 7-8.) A limited modification of the Order to allow a shareholder vote -- prior to enactment of the legislation (which may well have immediate effect) -- is clearly reasonable and appropriate. Thus, shareholders should be allowed, as promptly as possible, to vote on amending the Excess Share Provision (and, if defendants so propose, to confer voting rights on the 33.6% block of shares that are the subject of the injunction) BEFORE the Taubman legislation is enacted and shareholder voting rights are irreversibly vitiated. The public interest, too, is served by allowing corporate democracy to run its course BEFORE defendants succeed in legislating those shareholder voting rights out of existence. (Compare Order at 9.) Put simply, modification of the Order in the form sought by SPG Plaintiffs will preserve the May 8 Decision 8 for appellate review, which was the intention of the Court when it issued the Order and is consistent with the purpose of Fed. R. Civ. P. 62(c). CONCLUSION For all the foregoing reasons, plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court should (1) continue its injunction against the defendants from voting the 33.6% block of shares and from enforcing the December 20, 2002 bylaw amendment, and (2) modify the Order for the limited purpose of allowing the Company's shareholders to vote on whether to amend the Excess Share Provision at a special meeting of the Company's shareholders. Dated: May 29, 2003 MILLER, CANFIELD, PADDOCK & STONE, P.L.C. By: /s/ Carl H. von Ende ---------------------------------- Carl H. von Ende (P21867) Todd A. Holleman (P57699) 150 West Jefferson, Suite 2500 Detroit, Michigan 48226-4415 Telephone: (313) 963-6420 Facsimile: (313) 496-7500 WILLKIE FARR & GALLAGHER 787 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10019 Telephone: (212) 728-8000 Facsimile: (212) 728-8111 Attorneys for SPG Plaintiffs 9 EXHIBIT A [Bracketed text is representative of deleted redline material and capitalized text is representative of newly inserted redline material] HOUSE BILL No. 4764 May 27, 2003, Introduced by Reps. Huizenga, Taub, Garfield, Amos, Tobocman, Wenke, Howell, Sheen, Brandenburg, Palmer, Hummel, Vander Veen, Ruth Johnson, Kooiman and Emmons and referred to the Committee on Commerce. A bill to amend 1972 PA 284, entitled "Business corporation act," by amending sections 511, 611, 791, and 798 (MCL 450.1511, 450.1611, 450.1791, and 450.1798), section 511 as amended by 1989 PA 121, section 611 as amended by 1997 PA 118, section 791 as amended by 1993 PA 91, and section 798 as added by 1988 PA 58. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT: Sec. 511. (1) The shareholders may remove 1 or more directors with or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed only for cause AND EXCEPT THAT, FOR A CORPORATION WHOSE BOARD IS DIVIDED INTO CLASSES UNDER SECTION 506(1), SHAREHOLDERS MAY REMOVE DIRECTORS ONLY FOR CAUSE UNLESS THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION ALLOW REMOVAL WITHOUT CAUSE. The vote [for removal shall be by] OF a majority of shares entitled to vote at an election of 2 directors IS REQUIRED FOR REMOVAL except that the articles may require a higher vote for removal without cause. This section [shall] DOES not invalidate any bylaw adopted before [the effective date of the act which added this sentence] OCTOBER 1, 1989 insofar as the bylaw applies to removal without cause. (2) In the case of a corporation [having] THAT HAS cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, [no 1 of the directors may be removed] THE SHAREHOLDERS MAY NOT REMOVE A DIRECTOR if the votes cast against his or her removal [would be] ARE sufficient to elect him or her if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there are classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which he or she is a part. (3) If holders of a class or series of stock or of bonds are entitled by the articles to elect 1 or more directors, this section applies, with respect to removal of a director [so] elected BY THOSE HOLDERS, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class or series of stock or the holders of those bonds. Sec. 611. (1) Before the first meeting of the board, the incorporators may amend the articles of incorporation by complying with [subsection (1) of] section [631] 631(1). (2) Unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the board may adopt 1 or more of the following amendments to the corporation's articles of incorporation without shareholder action: (a) Extend the duration of the corporation if it was 3 incorporated at a time when limited duration was required by law. (b) Delete the names and addresses of the initial directors. (c) Delete the name and address of the initial resident agent or registered office, if a statement of change is on file with the administrator. (d) Change each issued and unissued authorized share of an outstanding class into a greater number of whole shares if the corporation has only shares of that class outstanding. (e) Change the corporate name by substituting the word "corporation", "incorporated", "company", "limited", or the abbreviation "corp.", "inc.", "co.", or "ltd.", for a similar word or abbreviation in the corporate name, or by adding, deleting, or changing a geographical attribution for the corporate name. (f) Any other change expressly permitted by this act to be made without shareholder action. (3) Other amendments of the articles of incorporation, except as otherwise provided in this act, shall be [approved] ADOPTED by the shareholders as provided in this section. IF THE CORPORATION HAS SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, CHAPTER 404, 48 STAT. 892, 15 U.S.C. 78l, THE AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PROPOSED TO THE SHAREHOLDERS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (4) Notice of a meeting setting forth the proposed amendment or a summary of the changes to be effected by the proposed amendment shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled 4 to vote on the proposed amendment within the time and in the manner provided in this act for giving notice of meetings of shareholders. (5) At the meeting, a vote of shareholders entitled to vote shall be taken on the proposed amendment. [The] A proposed amendment [shall be] IS adopted [upon receiving] IF IT RECEIVES the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the proposed amendment and, in addition, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote on the proposed amendment as a class, the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of each [such] class or series ENTITLED TO VOTE. The voting requirements of this section are subject to greater requirements as prescribed by this act for specific amendments[,] or as [may be provided by] REQUIRED IN the articles of incorporation. (6) [Any] THE SHAREHOLDERS MAY ACT ON ANY number of amendments [may be acted upon at 1] AT A meeting. (7) Upon adoption, a certificate of amendment shall be filed as provided in section 631. Sec. 791. (1) As used in this chapter, "control share acquisition" means the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding control shares. (2) For purposes of this section, shares or the power to direct the exercise of voting power acquired within a 90-day period, or shares or the power to direct the exercise of voting 5 power acquired pursuant to a plan to make a control share acquisition, are considered to have been acquired in the same acquisition. (3) For purposes of this section, a person who acquires shares in the ordinary course of business for the benefit of others in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this chapter has voting power only of shares in respect of which that person would be able to exercise or direct the exercise of votes without further instruction from others. (4) For purposes of this section, the acquisition of any shares of an issuing public corporation does not constitute a control share acquisition if the acquisition is consummated in any of the following circumstances: (a) Before January 1, 1988. (b) Pursuant to a contract existing before January 1, 1988. (c) By gift, testamentary disposition, marital settlement, descent and distribution, or otherwise without consideration. (d) Pursuant to the satisfaction of a pledge or other security interest created in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this chapter. (e) Pursuant to a merger or share exchange effected in compliance with sections 701 to 735 if the issuing public corporation is a party to the agreement of merger or share exchange. (f) By a governmental official acting in an official or fiduciary capacity. (5) For purposes of this section, the acquisition of shares 6 of an issuing public corporation in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this chapter by any person whose voting rights previously had been authorized by shareholders in compliance with this chapter, or whose previous acquisition of shares of an issuing public corporation would have constituted a control share acquisition but for subsection (4), does not constitute a control share acquisition, unless the acquisition entitles a person, directly or indirectly, alone or as part of a group, to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power of the corporation in the election of directors in excess of the range of the voting power which the acquiring person was entitled to exercise or direct prior to [such] THE acquisition. (6) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FORMATION OF A GROUP, BEFORE OR AFTER THE DATE OF THE AMENDATORY ACT THAT ADDED THIS SUBSECTION, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION OF SHARES OF AN ISSUING PUBLIC CORPORATION HELD BY MEMBERS OF THE GROUP. Sec. 798. (1) Control shares acquired in a control share acquisition have the same voting rights as were accorded the shares before the control share acquisition only to the extent granted by resolution approved by the shareholders OR DIRECTORS of the issuing public corporation. (2) To be approved BY THE SHAREHOLDERS under [this section, the] SUBSECTION (1), A resolution shall be approved by [both] ALL of the following: (a) A majority of the votes cast by the [holders of shares] SHAREHOLDERS entitled to vote [thereon, and if the] ON THE 7 RESOLUTION. (B) IF A proposed control share acquisition would, if fully carried out, result in any action [which] THAT would require a vote as class or series, by a majority of the votes cast by the [holders of shares] SHAREHOLDERS of [each such] THAT class or series.[entitled to vote thereon.] (C) [(b)] A majority of the votes cast by the [holders of shares] SHAREHOLDERS entitled to vote and a majority of the votes cast by the [holders of shares] SHAREHOLDERS of each class or series entitled to vote as a class or series, excluding all interested shares. Exhibit B SUPPORTING MEMORANDUM PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MICHIGAN BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT MAY 2003 The Michigan Business Corporation Act has several provisions that provide protection to Michigan corporations and their shareholders facing hostile takeover bids. Chapters 7A and 7B of the Act allow the board of directors to consider whether a proposal to acquire shares from the public is in the best interests of the corporation and all of its shareholders. To provide stability, the Act permits a classified board of directors under which only one third of the board is elected in each year. In 2001, the legislature clarified the Act to expressly permit "poison pill" shareholder rights plans that give the board of directors an opportunity to resist takeovers and explore alternatives. Despite these provisions, Michigan corporations remain vulnerable to takeover tactics in several areas. Hostile tender offers now often are combined with proxy solicitations seeking to rapidly change the composition of the board of directors so that defenses can be removed, or to amend the corporate charter. Delaware law restricts removal of directors on classified boards and charter amendments without prior board approval. Even one of the protective statutes, the chapter 7B control share act, is being used by a raider as an offensive weapon in a takeover contest. The proposed amendments correct these vulnerabilities of Michigan public corporations. Senate Bill 218 addressed these problems in four sections, the main two of which followed the Delaware statute. Because of questions raised concerning Senate Bill 218 and a recent court decision, the proposed amendments have been revised and clarified. In summary, the revised proposal provides: 1. SEC. 506(2). Senate Bill 218 restricted changes to classified board provisions. Objectors argued that the protection was not in the Delaware statute and might limit shareholder rights. The amendment is deleted in the revised proposal. 2. SEC. 511(1). REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. This amendment provides that directors on a classified board may only be removed for cause. This change follows Delaware law. 3. SEC. 611(4). AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. This amendment provides that, for corporations with publicly traded securities, a proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation must be approved by both the shareholders and the directors. This change follows Delaware law for publicly traded corporations. The statutory language has been revised to make clear that shareholder approval remains necessary even if board approval is obtained. 4. CONTROL SHARE ACT. a. SEC. 791(6). This amendment corrects the decision of the district court that the mere agreement of shareholders to act together to oppose a tender offer causes the loss of their voting rights. b. SEC. 798. This amendment provides that a board of directors may restore voting rights lost in a control share acquisition. Delaware does not have a control share act so there is no corresponding problem in that state. This change allows a cure of inadvertent triggering of the control share act that causes a loss of voting rights that was not intended by the control share act. The directors of a target corporation would still have the fiduciary duty to consider the best interests of the corporation and all of its shareholders in approving restoration of voting rights. Shareholders would continue to have their existing right to approve voting rights. To meet objections, the proposal has been amended to delete a subsection that required that only continuing directors could vote to restore voting rights. In the pending Simon Properties attempt to take over Taubman Centers, Simon has claimed several "control share acquisitions" under different theories in an attempt to sterilize the votes of the opposition. In such situations, the proposed amendments reverse the unprecedented defensive of "group" interpretation of the federal district court and also would allow the board of directors to act without the expense, disruption and delay of a shareholder meeting of a public company when such perverse theories are proposed by the raider to gain a tactical advantage. 2 EXHIBIT C Business/Financial Desk; SECTC MICHIGAN LEGISLATION WOULD AID MALL OWNER By ANDREW ROSS SORKIN 413 words 28 May 2003 The New York Times Late Edition - Final 5 English (c) 2003 New York Times Company The takeover battle for A. Alfred Taubman's shopping mall empire took another twist yesterday when a bill was introduced in the Michigan Legislature that, if enacted, would effectively void a recent federal court decision and allow the Taubman family to block a hostile offer. The measure, proposed by Representative Bill Huizenga, a Republican from Zeeland, would help the Taubman family in its effort to thwart a $1.74 billion hostile takeover of Taubman Centers by the Simon Property Group, the nation's largest mall owner, and Westfield America. A federal judge ruled this month that Robert Taubman, Mr. Taubman's son and the chairman and chief executive of Taubman Centers, based in Bloomfield, Mich., violated a Michigan law in November by establishing a formal shareholder group to block Simon Property's offer without first receiving approval from other shareholders. The judge disqualified the family from voting any of its shares. The law, the Michigan Control Share Acquisitions Act, was created to protect Michigan companies from corporate raiders. The judge's decision, which has been suspended pending appeal, would be deemed moot if Representative Huizenga's bill were passed and signed into law. The proposal to protect Taubman Centers from a takeover is the second such effort this year; a similar proposal was made in the Michigan Senate and later withdrawn after protests that the legislation hurt shareholders. Mr. Huizenga's bill is expected to be reviewed by the House's judiciary or commerce committee as early as next week. Taubman Centers played a role in lobbying for and drafting the bill. Mr. Huizenga met with Robert Taubman, and Taubman Centers' lawyers drafted a memorandum intended to provide supporting arguments for the legislation. In an interview with The Detroit Free Press, Mr. Huizenga suggested that the bill was being introduced, in part, to overrule the court's decision and to benefit Taubman Centers. "I want to make sure it doesn't happen in the future, and if it also helps them, I'm O.K. with that, too," he said, according to the newspaper. "The proposed amendments," according to the memorandum that was written in support of the legislation by Taubman Centers' lawyers, "would allow the board of directors to act without the expense, disruption and delay of a shareholder meeting of a public company when such perverse theories are proposed by the raider to gain a tactical advantage." -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----