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Micron Technology Securities Class Action

This document is a class action complaint filed against Micron Technology Inc. and several of its executives. It alleges that during 2001-2003, Micron conspired with other DRAM manufacturers to illegally fix DRAM prices, misleading investors and artificially inflating its revenue and stock price. The complaint cites the DOJ's investigation and fines against other companies as evidence of the price fixing scheme. It asserts that Micron concealed its involvement in this antitrust violation from investors, resulting in financial harm. The plaintiffs seek damages for losses suffered from purchasing Micron stock at inflated prices during the period of the alleged fraud.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
745 views29 pages

Micron Technology Securities Class Action

This document is a class action complaint filed against Micron Technology Inc. and several of its executives. It alleges that during 2001-2003, Micron conspired with other DRAM manufacturers to illegally fix DRAM prices, misleading investors and artificially inflating its revenue and stock price. The complaint cites the DOJ's investigation and fines against other companies as evidence of the price fixing scheme. It asserts that Micron concealed its involvement in this antitrust violation from investors, resulting in financial harm. The plaintiffs seek damages for losses suffered from purchasing Micron stock at inflated prices during the period of the alleged fraud.

Uploaded by

sabatino123
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 1 of 29

Philip Gordon, ISBN 1996


Bruce S. Bistline, ISBN 1988
GORDON LAW OFFICES
623 West Hays Street
Boise, ID 83702
Telephone: 208/345/7100
Facsimile: 208/345-0050
Attorneys for Plaintiff

[additional counsel appear on signature page]

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF IDAHO

Arthur S.K. Fong, On Behalf of Himself and No. ___________________


All Others Similarly Situated,

Plaintiff, CLASS ACTION

vs. COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATION OF THE


FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
MICHAEL W. SADLER; WILBUR G.
STOVER, JR.; STEVEN R. APPLETON and
MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.,

Defendants. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Plaintiff alleges the following based upon the investigation of his counsel, which

included, among other things, a review of the Defendants’ public documents, conference calls

and announcements, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, wire

and press releases published by and regarding Micron Technologies, Inc. (“Micron” or the

“Company”) securities analysts’ reports and advisories about the Company, and information

readily obtainable on the Internet.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 2 of 29

INTRODUCTION

1. This is an action on behalf of purchasers of Micron Technology, Inc. publicly

traded securities during the period from February 24, 2001 to February 13, 2003 (the “Class

Period”), seeking relief under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

2. Micron is a manufacturer and marketer of semiconductor devices throughout the

world. Micron’s product line includes a series of dynamic random access memory products

(hereinafter “DRAM”), which provide data storage and retrieval. Micron's products are utilized

in a variety of electronic applications including: personal computers, workstations, network

servers, mobile phones, flash memory cards, USB storage devices, digital still cameras, MP3

players, and other consumer electronics products. These products are offered to original

equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) through a network of direct sales forces, independent sales

representatives, distributors, and Micron’s Web-based customer direct sales division.

3. At the beginning of the Class Period, without the knowledge of investors, Micron

and its employees (along with others in its industry) were engaged in a scheme to manipulate the

price of their computer memory semiconductor chip, DRAM. Throughout 2001, while the

market for personal computers was plummeting, the prices for DRAM and double data rate

DRAM - the type of memory found in the vast majority of personal computers - were soaring. In

fact, some types of DRAM tripled in price in only a few months. Micron and various other

DRAM manufacturers coordinated and engaged in an illegal conspiracy to increase prices by

mutually agreeing to maintain inflated prices.

4. In June of 2002, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) charged Rambus

Inc. (“Rambus”), a Los Altos, California-based company, with violating federal antitrust laws by

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 3 of 29

“deliberately engaging in a pattern of anticompetitive acts and practices that served to deceive an

industry-wide standard-setting organization resulting in adverse effects on competition and

consumers.” Specifically, the FTC charged that Rambus “fail[ed] to make required patent

related disclosures, convey[ing] a materially false and misleading impression that Rambus was

not seeking patents related to proposed standards upon which is could later base infringement

claims.” The FTC charged that by its silence, while a member of a chip industry standards-

setting body, Rambus, by its silence, tricked the other DRAM makers into including technology

for which it had filed patents for DRAM standards.

5. Once those standards were adopted, Rambus made moves to either collect on

royalties or sue those companies that refused to comply, which included other DRAM industry

companies such as Toshiba, Samsung, Hitachi, NEC, Infineon, Hyundai and Micron. It has

recently come to light that Micron, along with its co-conspirators, engaged in a retaliatory price-

fixing scheme. Each company denied their complicity in the DRAM price-fixing scheme

throughout the Class Period.

6. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a federal grand jury subpoena to

Micron in June of 2002 seeking information concerning pricing and sales of DRAM chips. In

January of 2004, Micron employees plead guilty and admitted to withholding and altering

responsive documents requested by the DOJ.

7. In September 2004, Infineon, a competitor of Micron, admitted to conspiring to

fix DRAM prices. Infineon’s $160 million fine, one of the largest in the DOJ Antitrust

Division’s history, was the product of a one count charge for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 4 of 29

by conspiring with other DRAM manufacturers, between July 1999 and June 2002, to fix prices

on DRAM sold to computer and server vendors.

8. In November 2004, Micron confirmed that it was cooperating with DOJ

investigations into DRAM price fixing charges and that Micron’s cooperation was given in

return for prosecutorial leniency pursuant to DOJ policy. Following this disclosure, Defendant

Steven R. Appleton (“Appleton”), Micron's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, publicly

withdrew his earlier statements that it was “not possible to control prices in this industry” and

that the DOJ’s investigation was merely “theoretical”; admitting that “neither [was] the case.”

Instead, Appleton conceded that the “DOJ's investigation revealed evidence of price fixing by

Micron employees and its competitors on DRAM sold to certain computer and server

manufacturers.”

9. During the Class Period, Defendant Micron concealed from the public, by

falsifying public statements and financial reports, the following material information:

a. That Micron and its co-conspirators agreed to, conspired to, and did carry

out a combination and conspiracy in the United States and abroad to fix prices of DRAM, which

were to be sold to certain OEMs, by suppressing and eliminating competition.

b. That the combination and conspiracy agreed to, conspired to, and carried

out by Micron and its co-conspirators constituted an unreasonable restraint of interstate and

foreign trade and commerce in violation of § I of the Sherman Act (15 U.S.C. § 1).

c. That the combination and conspiracy agreed to, conspired to, and carried

out by Micron, in which it willingly participated, consisted of a continuing agreement,

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 5 of 29

understanding, and concert of action among Micron and its co-conspirators, the substantial

terms of which were to agree to fix the prices for DRAM to be sold to certain OEMs.

d. That in furtherance of the combination and conspiracy, Micron and its co-

conspirators undertook those certain actions that they combined and conspired to do, including,

among other things:

(i) actively participating in a variety of communications including

meetings and conversations in the United States and abroad to discuss the prices of DRAM to be

sold to certain OEMs;

(ii) willingly agreeing during those various communications to charge

prices for DRAM at certain levels to be sold to certain OEMs;

(iii) abiding by the agreements by issuing price quotations at the fixed

price level agreed upon;

(iv) sharing, disclosing, and exchanging information on sales of

DRAM to certain OEMs for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing adherence to the agreed-

upon prices; and

(v) artificially inflating the Company's revenue and profits by issuing

misleading statements and reporting false profitability.

e. That Micron’s publicly-reported sales and earnings had been improperly

inflated due to their involvement, participation, and activity in an illegal price-fixing scheme

during the Class Period.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 6 of 29

f. That as a result of Defendants' willful and active participation in the

illegal price-fixing activities, Micron's sales and earnings reports and forward-looking stock

price forecasts issued during the Class Period were false and misleading.

10. During the Class Period, the Company’s shares traded at inflated prices as a result

of Defendants' false and misleading statements, enabling the Company to issue more than $632

million worth of debt, and sell over $480 million worth of warrants and complete numerous

stock-for-stock acquisitions using the Company's inflated shares as acquisition currency. In

addition to these transactions, during the Class Period insiders sold approximately $4.5 million

worth of their own personally held Micron stock at inflated prices.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

11. The claims asserted herein arise under and pursuant to §§ 10 (b) and 20(a) of the

Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. §§78j(b) and 78t(a)) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the

SEC (17 C.F.R. §240.10b-5).

12. The Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28

U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1337, and §27 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. §78aa).

13. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to §27 of the Exchange Act and 28 U.S.C.

§1391 (b). Many of the acts alleged herein occurred and/or are occurring in substantial part in

this District.

14. In connection with the acts alleged in this Complaint, Defendants, directly or

indirectly, used the means and instrumentalities of interstate commerce, including, but not

limited to, the mails, interstate telephone communications and the facilities of the national

securities markets.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 7 of 29

THE PARTIES

15. Plaintiff Arthur S.K. Fong purchased Micron publicly traded securities as detailed

in the attached Certification and was damaged thereby.

16. Defendant Micron engages in the manufacture and marketing of semiconductor

devices throughout the United States and the world. Micron's principal place of business is

located at 8000 S. Federal Way, Boise, Idaho. Micron has approximately 617 million shares of

stock issued and outstanding.

17. Defendant Steven R. Appleton is, and was at all relevant times during the Class

Period, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Micron.

18. Defendant Michael W. Sadler (“Sadler”) is, and was at all relevant times during

the Class Period, Micron's Vice President of Worldwide Sales. During the Class Period, Sadler

sold approximately 22,000 shares of Micron stock at inflated prices receiving approximately

$936,000 in proceeds.

19. Defendant Wilbur G. Stover, Jr. (“Stover”) is, and was at all relevant times during

the Class Period, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Vice President of

Finance of Micron. During the Class Period, Stover sold approximately 110,000 shares of

Micron stock at inflated prices receiving approximately $3.6 million in proceeds.

20. Defendants Appleton, Sadler and Stover are referred to hereinafter as the

“Individual Defendants.” The Individual Defendants, because of their positions within the

Company, possessed the power and authority to control the contents of Micron’s quarterly

reports, press releases and presentations to securities analysts, money and portfolio managers

and institutional investors, i.e., the market. Each Defendant was provided with copies of the

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 8 of 29

Company’s reports and press releases alleged herein to be misleading prior to or shortly after

their issuance and had the ability and opportunity to prevent their issuance or cause them to be

corrected. Because of their positions and access to material non-public information available to

them, each of these Defendants knew that the adverse facts specified herein had not been

disclosed to and were being concealed from the public and that the positive representations

which were being made were materially false and misleading. The Individual Defendants are

liable for the false statements pleaded herein, as those statements were each “group-published”

information, the result of the collective actions of the Individual Defendants.

CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS

21. Plaintiff brings this action as a class action pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal

Rules of Civil Procedure on behalf of all persons who purchased Micron publicly traded

securities on the open market during the Class Period (the “Class”). Excluded from the Class are

Defendants, directors and officers of Micron and their families and affiliates.

22. The members of the Class are so numerous that joinder of all members is

impracticable. The disposition of their claims in a class action will provide substantial benefits to

the parties and the Court. During the Class Period, Micron had more than 617 million shares

outstanding, owned by thousands of persons.

23. There is a well-defined community of interest in the questions of law and fact

involved in this case. Questions of law and fact common to the members of the Class which

predominate over questions which may affect individual Class members include:

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 9 of 29

a. Whether the Exchange Act was violated by Defendants;

b. Whether Defendants omitted and/or misrepresented material facts;

c. Whether Defendants' statements omitted material facts necessary to make

the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

and

d. Whether Defendants knew or recklessly disregarded that their statements

were false and misleading.

24. Plaintiff’s claims are typical of the claims of the other members of the Class.

Plaintiff and all members of the Class purchased Micron securities at artificially inflated prices

established by the actions of Defendants in connection with the acts described herein. Plaintiff

and the members of the Class have all sustained damage in that they paid inflated prices for the

securities at issue due to Defendants’ conduct in violation of federal law as complained of

herein.

25. Plaintiff will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the member of the Class

and has retained counsel competent and experienced in class action, antitrust and securities

litigation.

26. A class action is superior to all other available methods for the fair and efficient

adjudication of this controversy since joinder of all members is impracticable. Furthermore, as

the damages suffered by individual Class members may be relatively small, the expense and

burden of individual litigation make it impossible for members of the Class to individually

redress the wrongs done to them. There will be no difficulty in the management of this action as

a class action.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 10 of 29

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

27. Prior to and during 1998, the semiconductor business was unstable and prone to

large market swings. During this time the vast majority, over 90%, of semiconductor sales were

for memory chips for personal computers. Seeking market expansion for their business, in 1998,

Appleton expended $800 million of Micron's common stock, a 10% stake at the time, to buyout

Texas Instruments' then money-losing memory unit. This acquisition took place shortly

following one of the periodic downward swings in the DRAM industry market. Following this

activity, Appleton secured additional cash from one of Micron’s main clients, Intel, who gave

Micron $500 million in exchange for ensuring Intel would have access to the memory chips it

needed for its microprocessors. Micron’s market share increased from 7%-22% virtually

overnight.

28. In the late 1990’s, Rambus was a small firm which claimed to own critical

memory chip bit retrieval technology. Rambus charged Micron and others in the DRAM

industry royalties for use of this technology. Micron and others claimed that these royalty

payments cut deeply into their profits and they accused Rambus of illegally obtaining the

intellectual “rights,” to the technology at issue. Micron and others argued the rights asserted by

Rambus were improperly derived from Rambus' earlier involvement in an industry standards-

setting group.

29. Micron filed a lawsuit against Rambus on August 28, 2000, alleging violations of

federal antitrust laws, and invalidity, non-infringement and non-enforceability of certain Rambus

patents. Hyundai Electronics (“Hyundai”) also filed a lawsuit, one day later, seeking a

declaratory judgment that Hundai’s products did not infringe on certain patents owned by

10
Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 11 of 29

Rambus. Rambus responded in September of 2000 by filing patent infringement suits in

Germany and France against Hyundai and Micron. Rambus also requested that the U.S.

International Trade Commission investigate what it deemed “unlawful importation” of memory

products which Rambus said were covered by its patents. Those lawsuits sought to halt the sale,

manufacture and use of Micron and Hyundai memory devices which Rambus said infringed

upon Rambus’ European patent.

30. Rambus' aggressive actions had some unintentional consequences. As a result of

their posture, a meaningful network and a coordinated response by others in the DRAM industry

developed. Defendants began conspiring with others in the DRAM industry in an effort to offset

cyclical price declines by agreeing to set DRAM prices -- the major motivation for this action

was to offset the royalty demands made by Rambus, which in times of price and sales decline

had a significant impact on their business.

31. Beginning by at least 1999 and continuing until at least 2002, Defendants, along

with others in the DRAM industry, engaged in a continuing agreement, understanding and

conspiracy in restraint of trade, to artificially raise, fix, maintain or stabilize prices for computer

memory products in the United States in violation of § 1 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § I.

32. The Defendants intentionally agreed to and did fix, raise and maintain, or stabilize

prices for computer memory products in the United States.

33. In developing and bringing the aforesaid contract, combination or conspiracy to

fruition, Micron and its co-conspirators did those things that they combined and conspired to do,

including, among other things:

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 12 of 29

a. participated in communication including meetings and conversations in

the United States and abroad to discuss the prices of DRAM to be sold to certain OEMs;

b. agreed, during those communications to charge prices for DRAM at

certain levels to be sold to certain OEMs;

c. issued price quotations in accordance with the agreements reached; and

d. shared, disclosed, and exchanged information on sales of DRAM to

certain OEM customers for the purpose of monitoring and enforcing adherence to the agreed-

upon prices -- and artificially inflating the Company's revenue and profits.

34. Throughout the Class Period, Defendants intentionally, purposefully and

fraudulently concealed this unlawful conduct from Plaintiff and the investing public in violation

of Federal Securities law.

35. Defendants' illegal activities were effective. For the fiscal year ending August 31,

2000, the Company posted a significant earning, reporting $1.5 billion in earnings on sales of

$7.3 billion after two consecutive annual losses. These earning were made in spite of losses

suffered by the personal computer industry.

36. In Micron’s first quarter of 2001 reporting, made on December 20, 2000, President

and CEO Appleton acknowledged declining DRAM prices and increasing inventory levels, but

in spite of this stated that he was “very pleased with the Company's performance,” commenting

that “[d]espite declining market conditions, Micron had a very strong quarter” and added that

Micron was “well positioned with leading edge process technology, low-cost manufacturing

expertise and strong financials.”

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 13 of 29

FALSE AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS


DURING THE CLASS PERIOD

37. Throughout the Class Period, Micron, issued various false and misleading

statements to the public and investors regarding the Company’s profitability, including failing to

acknowledge Micron’s involvement in a price-fixing investigation by the DOJ’s Antitrust

Division.

38. On March 29, 2001, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc. Reports Consolidated Results for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2001.” The release

stated in relevant part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today confirmed its March 21, 2001, announcement
that the pretax results of its Semiconductor Operations were slightly profitable for
the second fiscal quarter ended March 1, 2001, on net sales of $1,051 million. The
Company's consolidated net loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2001 was $88
million (or $0.15 per diluted share) which includes the effects of the net loss from
the Micron Electronics, Inc. (MEI), discontinued PC operations of $84 million (or
$0.14 per diluted share) and the net loss from MEI's continuing Web hosting
operation. The Company's consolidated financial information presents the net
effect of discontinued operations separate from the results of the Company's
continuing operations. Historical financial information of the Company has been
restated to present consistently the discontinued operations.

The Company's loss from continuing operations, net of taxes, for the second
quarter of fiscal 2001 was $4 million (or $0.01 per diluted share) on consolidated
net sales of $1,066 million. Income from continuing operations, net of taxes, for
the first quarter of fiscal 2001 was $359 million (or $0.59 per diluted share) on
net sales of $1,572 million.

Net sales from the Company's Semiconductor Operations decreased


approximately 33% in the second quarter of fiscal 2001 compared to the
immediately preceding quarter primarily due to the effect of an approximate 50%
decrease in average selling prices for the Company's semiconductor memory
products, partially offset by an approximate 33% increase in megabits shipped.
Gross margin on sales of semiconductor products decreased to 18% for the
second quarter of fiscal 2001 from 49% for the first quarter, primarily reflecting
the lower average selling prices for the Company's semiconductor memory

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 14 of 29

products. Net sales from the Semiconductor Operations for the first quarter of
fiscal 2001 were $1.558 million.

39. On June 21, 2001, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc., Reports Consolidated Results for Third Fiscal Quarter 2001.” The release

stated in part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced an after-tax net loss from continuing
operations for the third quarter of $301 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, on
$818 million of net sales. The third quarter loss from continuing operations
includes a pre-tax inventory write down of approximately $260 million. For the
first nine months of fiscal 2001, the Company reported net income from
continuing operations of $54 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on $3,456
million of net sales.

Net sales from the Company's semiconductor operations for the third quarter of
fiscal 2001 decreased 24% compared to the immediately preceding quarter as a
result of an approximate 35% decline in the Company's overall average selling
price per megabit, partially offset by an approximate 20% increase in megabit
shipments. The Company's aggregate work in process and finished goods
inventories, as measured in megabits, were considerably higher at the end of the
third quarter, principally due to the acquisition of the KMT wafer fab.

40. On September 25, 2001, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology. Inc., Reports Consolidated Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2001.” The

release stated in part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced a net loss for the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2001 of $576 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, on $480 million of net
sales. For the fiscal year ended August 30, 2001, the Company had a net loss
from continuing operations of $521 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, on $3,936
million of net sales. For fiscal year 2000, the Company had net income from
continuing operations of $1,548 million, or $2.63 per diluted share, on net sales of
$6,362 million.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company recorded an aggregate charge of
$191 million ($118 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, net of taxes) for the write-
down of its equity investment in Interland, Inc. (formerly Micron Electronics,
Inc.), and subsequent contribution of its Interland shares to the Micron
Technology Foundation. In addition, the loss for the fourth quarter includes the

14
Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 15 of 29

effect of a write-down of work in process and finished goods inventories of $466


million ($289 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, net of taxes) to reduce the
carrying value of inventories to their lower of cost or market value.

Average selling prices for the Company's semiconductor memory products in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2001 decreased approximately 55% compared to the third
quarter and decreased approximately 85% compared to the fourth quarter of the
prior year. This precipitous drop in average selling prices led to a 79% drop in the
Company's net sales when comparing the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001 to the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2000. The effect of the lower average selling prices on the
Company's net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001 was partially offset by a
higher level of megabit shipments. Megabit shipments in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2001 increased approximately 30% compared to the third quarter and
approximately 45% compared to the fourth quarter of the prior year. The
Company's megabit shipments for fiscal year 2001 increased approximately 50%
compared to fiscal 2000. Megabit inventories in work in process and finished
goods increased slightly in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter of
fiscal 2001.

“The global economy is facing stiff challenges from which our industry is
certainly not exempt,” said Steve Appleton, Micron's Chief Executive Officer.
“However, Micron is poised with one of the strongest balance sheets in the
industry, an excellent complement of people resources, an industry leading
process technology and a resolve to emerge from these troubled times as the
strongest semiconductor memory manufacturer in the world. Our manufacturing
implementation of 0.13: process technology should position us very positively for
2002.”

41. On December 18, 2001, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc., Reports Consolidated Results for First Quarter 2002.” The release stated in

part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal
2002 of $266 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, on $424 million of net sales.
These results compare to a net loss of $576 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, on
$480 million of net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001 and income from
continuing operations of $360 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, on $1,572
million of net sales for the first quarter a year ago.

. . . Average selling prices for the Company's semiconductor memory products for
the first quarter of fiscal 2002 decreased 24% when compared to the preceding
quarter and decreased 88% when compared to the first quarter a year ago.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 16 of 29

Megabit shipments in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 increased approximately


20% compared to the immediately preceding quarter and approximately 130%
compared to the first quarter of the prior year. Megabit inventories in work in
process and finished goods decreased approximately 20% at the end of the first
quarter of fiscal 2002 compared to their levels at the end of the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2001.

42. On March 21, 2002, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc., Reports Consolidated Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2002.”

The release stated in part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced a net loss for the second quarter of
fiscal 2002 of $30 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, on net sales of $646
million. These results compare to a net loss of $266 million, or $0.44 per diluted
share, on net sales of $424 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 and a net
loss from continuing operations of $4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, on net
sales of $ 1.066 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2001.

Net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 were 52% higher compared to the
first quarter of fiscal 2002 as a result of an approximate 70% increase in average
selling prices for the Company's products, partially offset by an approximate 10%
decrease in megabit shipments. The Company's finished goods inventories
declined significantly during the quarter, and reached minimum levels at quarter
end. Megabit production in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 was approximately
30% lower than the first quarter, attributable to the Company's efforts to reduce
its manufacturing cycle times and the effects of scheduled holiday downtime.

43. On June 18, 2002, Micron issued a press release entitled “Micron Technology,

Inc. Confirms Industry-Wide Investigation.” Therein, the Company, in relevant part, stated:

Micron Technology, Inc., (NYSE:MU) today confirmed that the Antitrust


Division of the Department of Justice has undertaken an industry-wide
investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices among DRAM manufacturers.
Micron confirmed that it received a grand jury subpoena yesterday from the
United States District Court for the Northern District of California seeking
information relating to the investigation.

The Company informed the Antitrust Division that it will cooperate fully with the
Division’s investigation. “Micron does not believe it has violated U.S. antitrust
laws,” said Micron VP of Corporate Affairs, Kipp Bedard. “The DRAM business

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 17 of 29

is highly competitive and subject to extreme volatility. Competitive forces in


today’s market have led to DRAM prices reaching unprecedented lows.”

44. On June 25, 2002, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc. Reports Consolidated Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2002.” The

release stated in part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal
2002 of $24 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, on net sales of $771 million.
These results compare to a net loss of $30 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, on
net sales of $646 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2002 and a net loss from
continuing operations of $301 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, on net sales of
$818 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2001.

Net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 were 19% higher compared to the
immediately preceding quarter ended February 28, 2002 due to 44% higher
average selling prices. Although average selling prices were higher for the third
quarter of fiscal 2002, prices declined from early April through the end of the
quarter due to adverse market conditions. Megabits sold by the Company in the
third quarter of fiscal 2002 were 17% lower than in the second quarter, and
megabits of finished goods inventories increased significantly as compared to the
end of the second quarter.

45. On September 24, 2002, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc., Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2002.” The release

stated in part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced results of operations for its fourth
quarter and fiscal year ended August 29, 2002, with operating losses of $468
million and $ 1,025 million, respectively, on net sales of $748 million and $2,589
million, respectively. Operating results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002
include a write-down of $174 million to record inventories of semiconductor
products at their estimated market values.

Average selling prices for the Company's semiconductor products decreased


approximately 30% in the fourth quarter compared to the immediately preceding
quarter ended May 30, 2002. The decrease in average selling prices was
substantially offset by an approximate 40% increase in the Company's megabit
shipments during the fourth quarter resulting in only slightly lower net sales for
the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 18 of 29

Despite adverse market conditions, the Company is executing successfully with


respect to its products and technology. In the fourth quarter the Company
completed its transition from the 256 Meg Sync DRAM to the 256 Meg DDR
DRAM as its primary product. Finished goods inventory levels of DDR products
are minimal as demand for DDR memory remains strong.

46. On December 17, 2002, the Company issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc., Reports Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2003.” The release stated

in part:

Micron Technology, Inc., today announced results of operations for the first
quarter of its 2003 fiscal year which ended November 28, 2002. The Company
recognized an operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 of $297 million
and a net loss of $316 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, on sales of $685
million. These results compare to an operating loss of $468 million on sales of
$748 million for the immediately preceding quarter and an operating loss of $452
million on sales of $424 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002. These
operating results include charges for write-downs of inventories to their estimated
market values of $91 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003, $174 million for
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 and $173 million for the first quarter of fiscal
2002. Absent the effect of the first quarter of fiscal 2003 write-down and the
effects of previous write-downs of products sold in the first quarter, the
Company's operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 would have been
$345 million.

Average selling prices per megabit for the Company's semiconductor products
decreased approximately 12% in the first quarter compared to the immediately
preceding quarter ended August 29, 2002, principally as a result of lower selling
prices for the Company's synchronous DRAM products partially offset by higher
selling prices for DDR products. Megabit sales volumes were modestly higher
comparing the first quarter to the immediately preceding quarter. Synchronous
DRAM products constituted approximately 60% of the first quarter sales as
measured in megabits, as demand allowed the Company to reduce inventories of
these devices. The Company's production in the first quarter was slightly more
than 50% DDR memory.

47. Defendants’ statements described above were materially false and misleading

when made because Defendants failed to disclose the following: (1) that Micron engaged in

illegal anti-competitive behavior to suppress and eliminate competition by fixing the prices of

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 19 of 29

DRAM sold to OEMs in violation of § 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act; (2) that Micron’s

financial results throughout the Class Period were materially inflated as a direct result of the

price-fixing conspiracy due to the Company’s illegal behavior of price-fixing; and (3) that the

Company’s financial projections during the Class Period lacked a reasonable basis because they

were issued while the Company involved itself in an illegal price-fixing scheme.

48. On November 11, 2004, Micron issued a press release entitled “Micron

Technology, Inc. Responds to Recent Article.” Therein the Company, in relevant part, stated:

Micron Technology, Inc. today clarified and corrected a recent story about the
company that appeared in the November 3, 2004, issue of Electronics Weekly
regarding the pending U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into pricing
in the DRAM industry.

Since the beginning of the investigation, Micron has indicated it is cooperating


fully and actively with the DOJ. Micron’s cooperation is pursuant to the terms of
the DOJ’s Corporate Leniency Policy, which provides that in exchange for
Micron’s full, continuing and complete cooperation in the pending investigation,
Micron will not be subject to prosecution, fines, or other penalties. Micron’s
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Steve Appleton stated,
“Today’s business environment demands broad company awareness and
adherence to the principles of good corporate governance and legal compliance.
It also requires cooperation with government agencies in investigations of
possible wrongdoing.”

Appleton continued, “Although a recent Electronics Weekly article suggested that


I believe it is not possible to control prices in this industry and that the DOJ’s
investigation is theoretical, neither is the case. The DOJ’s investigation revealed
evidence of price fixing by Micron employees and its competitors on DRAM sold
to certain computer and server manufacturers. Nevertheless, if Micron fully
complies with the Corporate Leniency Policy, Micron will not be subject to
criminal sanctions or fines, notwithstanding Micron’s involvement in the
misconduct.”

Appleton stated further, “Micron deplores any effort to fix or stabilize prices and
is committed to rectifying past behavior and ensuring any misconduct will not
recur. Micron is dedicated to strong governance practices and comprehensive
compliance programs. These efforts include global programs to ensure our
employees understand how to interact appropriately with competitors, suppliers

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 20 of 29

and customers. Our believe in these principles guides the company’s long-
standing commitment to strong governance practices and our implementation of
up-to-date, comprehensive compliance programs. Micron continues to cooperate
fully and actively with the DOJ in its investigation.”

49. The market for Micron’s securities was open, well-developed and efficient at all

relevant times. As a result of these materially false and misleading statements and failures to

disclose as set forth herein, Micron’s securities traded at artificially inflated prices during the

Class Period. Plaintiff and other members of the Class purchased or otherwise acquired Micron

securities relying upon the integrity of the market price of Micron’s securities and market

information relating to Micron, and have been damaged thereby.

50. During the Class Period, Defendants materially misled the investing public,

thereby inflating the price of Micron’s securities, by publicly issuing false and misleading

statements and omitting to disclose material facts necessary to make Defendants’ statements, as

set forth herein, not false and misleading. Said statements and omissions were materially false

and misleading in that they failed to disclose material adverse information and misrepresented

the truth about the Company, its business and operations, as alleged herein.

51. At all relevant times, the material misrepresentations and omissions particularized

in this Complaint directly or proximately caused or were a substantial contributing cause of the

damages sustained by Plaintiff and other members of the Class. As described herein, during the

Class Period, Defendants made or caused to be made a series of materially false or misleading

statements about Micron’s business, prospects and operations. These material misstatements and

omissions had the cause and effect of creating in the market an unrealistically positive

assessment of Micron and its business, prospects and operations, thus causing the Company’s

securities to be overvalued and artificially inflated at all relevant times. Defendants’ materially

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 21 of 29

false and misleading statements during the Class Period resulted in Plaintiff and other members

of the Class purchasing the Company’s securities at artificially inflated prices, thus causing the

damages complained of herein.

LOSS CAUSATION

52. During the Class Period, as herein alleged, Defendants knowingly and willfully

participated in a concerted ruse to deceive the market that artificially inflated Micron's stock

price by misrepresenting the Company’s business success and future business prospects which

resulted in fraud or deceit on Class Period purchasers of Micron stock. Initially Defendants were

successful in carrying out their designed market hoax of purposefully misrepresenting the

Company’s business prospects which resulted in short term success, growth and strong future

business prospects. Later, however, when Defendants' veneer of success- made possible by

misrepresentations and fraudulent conduct- was disclosed and became known to the market,

Micron stock fell meteorically as the artificial price inflation came out of Micron’s stock price.

As a result of their purchases of Micron stock during the Class Period, Plaintiff and other

members of the Class suffered economic loss, i.e., damages, under the federal securities laws.

SCIENTER

53. As alleged herein, Defendants acted with scienter in that Defendants knew that

the public documents and statements issued or disseminated in the name of the Company

pleaded herein were materially false and misleading; knew that such statements or documents

would be issued or disseminated to the investing public; and knowingly and substantially

participated or acquiesced in the issuance or dissemination of such statements or documents as

primary violations of the federal securities laws. As set forth elsewhere herein in detail,

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Defendants, by virtue of their receipt of information reflecting the true facts regarding Micron,

their control over, and/or receipt and/or modification of Micron's allegedly materially misleading

misstatements and/or their associations with the Company which made them privy to

confidential proprietary information concerning Micron, participated in the fraudulent scheme

alleged herein.

54. During the Class Period, and with the Company's stock trading at artificially

inflated prices, Company insiders sold 132,000 shares of Micron stock for gross proceeds of

$4,536,000. Additionally, during the Class Period, the Company issued more than $632 million

worth of debt and sold over $480 million worth of warrants and completed numerous stock-for-

stock acquisitions.

Applicability of Presumption of Reliance:


Fraud-On-The-Market Doctrine

55. At all relevant times, the market for Micron's securities was an efficient market

for the following reasons, among others:

a. Micron's stock met the requirements for listing, and was listed and

actively traded on the NYSE, a highly efficient and automated market;

b. As a regulated issuer, Micron filed periodic public reports with the SEC

and the NYSE;

c. Micron regularly communicated with public investors via established

market communication mechanisms, including through regular disseminations of press releases

on the national circuits of major newswire services and through other wide-ranging public

disclosures, such as communications with the financial press and other similar reporting

services; and

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 23 of 29

d. Micron was followed by several securities analysts employed by major

brokerage firms who wrote reports which were distributed to the sales force and certain

customers of their respective brokerage firms. Each of these reports was publicly available and

entered the public marketplace.

56. As a result of the foregoing, the market for Micron's securities promptly digested

current information regarding Micron from all publicly available sources and reflected such

information in Micron's stock price. Under these circumstances, all purchasers of Micron's

securities during the Class Period suffered similar injury through their purchase of Micron's

securities at artificially inflated prices and a presumption of reliance applies.

NO SAFE HARBOR

57. The statutory safe harbor provided for forward-looking statements under certain

circumstances does not apply to any of the allegedly false statements pleaded in this Complaint.

Many of the specific statements pleaded herein were not identified as "forward-looking

statements" when made. To the extent there were any forward-looking statements, there were no

meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to

differ materially from those in the purportedly forward-looking statements. Alternatively, to the

extent that the statutory safe harbor does apply to any forward- looking statements pleaded

herein, Defendants are liable for those false forward-looking statements because at the time each

of those forward-looking statements was made, the particular speaker knew that the particular

forward-looking statement was false, and/or the forward-looking statement was authorized

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 24 of 29

and/or approved by an executive officer of Micron who knew that those statements were false

when made.

FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF

For Violation of §10(b) of the Exchange Act


and Rule 10b-5 Against All Defendants

58. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained above as if

fully set forth herein.

59. During the Class Period, Defendants disseminated or approved the false

statements specified above, which they knew to be, or recklessly disregarded as, materially false

and misleading as those statements contained material misrepresentations and Defendants failed

to disclose material facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading.

60. Defendants violated §10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 in that they:

a. Employed devices, schemes, and artifices to defraud;

b. Made untrue statements of material facts or omitted to state material facts

necessary in order to make statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were

made not misleading; or

c. Engaged in acts, practices, and a course of conduct that operated as a

fraud or deceit upon Plaintiff and others similarly situated in connection with their purchases of

Micron publicly traded securities during the Class Period.

61. These Defendants employed devices, schemes and artifices to defraud, while in

possession of material adverse non-public information and engaged in acts, practices, and a

course of conduct as alleged herein in an effort to assure investors of Micron's value and

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 25 of 29

performance and continued substantial growth, which included the making of, or the

participation in the making of, untrue statements of material facts and omitting to state material

facts necessary in order to make the statements made about Micron and its business operations

and future prospects in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not

misleading, as set forth more particularly herein, and engaged in transactions, practices and a

course of business which operated as a fraud and deceit upon the purchasers of Micron's

securities during the Class Period.

62. The Defendants had actual knowledge of the misrepresentations and omissions of

material facts set forth herein, or acted with reckless disregard for the truth in that they failed to

ascertain and to disclose such facts, even though such facts were available to them. Such

Defendants' material misrepresentations and/or omissions were done knowingly or recklessly

and for the purpose and effect of concealing Micron's operating condition and future business

prospects from the investing public and supporting the artificially inflated price of its securities.

As demonstrated by Defendants' overstatements and misstatements of the Company's business,

operations and earnings throughout the Class Period, Defendants, if they did not have actual

knowledge of the misrepresentations and omissions alleged, were reckless in failing to obtain

such knowledge by deliberately refraining from taking those steps necessary to discover whether

those statements were false or misleading.

63. As a result of the dissemination of the materially false and misleading

information and failure to disclose material facts, as set forth above, the market prices of

Micron's securities were artificially inflated during the Class Period. In ignorance of the fact that

market prices of Micron's publicly-traded securities were artificially inflated, and relying directly

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 26 of 29

or indirectly on the false and misleading statements made by Defendants, or upon the integrity of

the market in which the securities trade, and/or on the absence of material adverse information

that was known to or recklessly disregarded by Defendants but not disclosed in public statements

by Defendants during the Class Period, Plaintiff and the other members of the Class acquired

Micron securities during the Class Period at artificially high prices and were damaged thereby.

64. At the time of said misrepresentations and omissions, Plaintiff and other members

of the Class were ignorant of their falsity, and believed them to be true. Had Plaintiff and the

other members of the Class and the marketplace known the truth regarding Micron's financial

results, which were not disclosed by Defendants, Plaintiff and other members of the Class would

not have purchased or otherwise acquired their Micron securities, or, if they had acquired such

securities during the Class Period, they would not have done so at the artificially inflated prices

which they paid.

65. By virtue of the foregoing, Defendants have violated Section 10(b) of the

Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.

66. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' wrongful conduct, Plaintiff and

the other members of the Class suffered damages in connection with their purchases and sales of

the Company's securities during the Class Period.

SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF

For Violation of §20(a) of the Exchange Act


Against All Individual Defendants

67. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained above as if

fully set forth herein.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 27 of 29

68. Each of the Individual Defendants’ primary liability, and controlling person

liability, arises from the following facts: (i) the Individual Defendants were high-level

executives and/or directors at the Company during the Class Period and members of the

Company’s management team or had control thereof; (ii) each of these Defendants, by virtue of

his responsibilities and activities as a senior officer and/or director of the Company was privy to

and participated in the creation, development and reporting of the Company’s internal budgets,

plans, projections and/or reports; (iii) each of these Defendants enjoyed significant personal

contact and familiarity with the other Defendants and was advised of and had access to other

members of the Company’s management team, internal reports and other data and information

about the Company’s finances, operations, and sales at all relevant times; and (iv) each of these

Defendants was aware of the Company’s dissemination of information to the investing public

which they knew or recklessly disregarded was materially false and misleading.

69. The Individual Defendants acted as controlling persons of Micron within the

meaning of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act as alleged herein. By virtue of their high-level

positions, and their ownership and contractual rights, participation in and/or awareness of the

Company's operations and/or intimate knowledge of the false financial statements filed by the

Company with the SEC and disseminated to the investing public, the Individual Defendants had

the power to influence and control and did influence and control, directly or indirectly, the

decision-making of the Company, including the content and dissemination of the various

statements which Plaintiff contends are false and misleading. The Individual Defendants were

provided with or had unlimited access to copies of the Company's reports, press releases, public

filings and other statements alleged by Plaintiff to be misleading prior to and/or shortly after

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 28 of 29

these statements were issued and had the ability to prevent the issuance of the statements or

cause the statements to be corrected.

70. In particular, each of these Defendants had direct and supervisory involvement in

the day-to-day operations of the Company and, therefore, is presumed to have had the power to

control or influence the particular transactions giving rise to the securities violations as alleged

herein, and exercised the same.

71. As set forth above, Micron and the Individual Defendants each violated Section

10(b) and Rule 10b-5 by their acts and omissions as alleged in this Complaint. By virtue of their

positions as controlling persons, the Individual Defendants are liable pursuant to Section 20(a) of

the Exchange Act. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' wrongful conduct, Plaintiff

and other members of the Class suffered damages in connection with their purchases of the

Company's securities during the Class Period.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for judgment as follows:

1. declaring this action to be a proper class action;

2. awarding damages, including interest, to the Plaintiff and the members of the

class;

3. awarding reasonable costs, including attorneys' fees, to the Plaintiff and the

members of the class; and

4. for such equitable, injunctive or other relief as the Court may deem proper.

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Case 1:06-cv-00124-WFD Document 1 Filed 03/24/06 Page 29 of 29

JURY DEMAND

Plaintiff demands a trial by jury.

Dated: March 24, 2006 GORDON LAW OFFICES

By: /s/
Philip Gordon, ISBN 1996
Bruce S. Bistline, ISBN 1988
623 West Hays Street
Boise, ID 83702
Tel: (208) 345/7100
Fax: (208) 345-0050

Richard A. Lockridge
Karen H. Riebel
LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P.
100 Washington Avenue South, Suite 2200
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Tel: (612) 339-6900
Fax: (612) 339-0981

James T. Capretz
CAPRETZ & ASSOCIATES
5000 Birch Street, Suite 2500
Newport Beach, CA 92660-2139
Tel: (949) 724-3000
Fax: (949) 757-2635

Diane Nygaard
NYGAARD LAW FIRM, P.A.
Two Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., Suite 150
Kansas City, MO 64112
Tel: (913) 469-5544
Fax: (913) 469-9370

Attorneys for Plaintiff

29

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