Asset Management Archive » March, 2022

Asset Management - March, 2022

344 articles

• Wall Street Giants Beat Treasury Auction Rigging MDL, Again
• SEC Refreshes Fraud Suit Against Ex-Wilmington Trust Execs
• Barnes & Thornburg Taps Ex-Apollo Global Private Funds Pro
• Despite New Name, Compliance Still Key To SEC Exams Unit
• Ex-Nikko Execs' Stock Dispute Heads To Trial In New York
• SPACs Could Face More Litigation Risks Under SEC Proposal
• Deutsche Bank Gets Suit Over $155M Ponzi Scam Trimmed
• OCC Chief Sees 'Elevated' Bank Risks Amid Ukraine Invasion
• Crypto Bosses Deny Charges Of $40M Fraud And Obstruction
• SEC Staff Outline Disclosure Best Practices For Crypto Cos.
• Fenwick-Led App Development Biz Valued At $2.1B In Series C
• Safestore Pays $75M For Carlyle's Stake In Property JV
• Ulta Defeats Investor Suit Alleging Resale Of Used Items
• Deals Rumor Mill: Hasbro, Ascent Resources, NPD Group
• Gensler Says Climate Rule Part Of SEC's Disclosure Mandate
• Real Estate Rumors: Blackstone, ESI, Big Move Properties
• Norton Rose, Travers Smith Rep £1.6B Wealth Manager Buy
• Unrepentant Priest Faces 5-Year Injunction In SEC Fraud Case
• Russia Sanctions Usher In New Age Of Economic Warfare
• 5 Mediation Mistakes That Create Obstacles To Settlement
• $60M Morgan Stanley Breach Deal Not Enough, Objectors Say
• 200,000-Plus Class Recertified Against Fringe Benefit Group
• SEC Warns Brokers To Act In Retail Investors' Best Interest
• 1MDB Testimony Is All But Over In Ex-Goldman Exec's Trial
• FDIC Floats Big-Bank 'Principles' For Managing Climate Risk
• Former Tilton-Run MD Helicopters Opens Del. Ch. 11 For Sale
• The Problem With GOP Attack On Jackson Immigration Ruling
• SEC Warns Of 'Greenwashing' In 2022 Exam Priorities Report
• A Reminder On Retaining Records Of Staff's Communications
• High Court Urged To Review SEC Judges Alongside FTC Case
• SEC Proposes New Requirements To Rein In SPACs
• Icahn Says Southwest Gas Cheated With $400M Stock Offering
• K&L Gates Nabs Former Trilliant Counsel In Raleigh
• Real Estate Rumors: LXP Industrial, Peloton, Marsh
• 'COVID Ate My Homework' Excuses Aren't Flying In Appeals
• Feds Grill Ex-Goldman Exec's Wife At 1MDB Trial
• No New Trial For Gigamon After EDTX Jury Axed Data Patents
• Ex-Compliance Chief Pleads Guilty In NY Ponzi Scheme Case
• House Passes Retirement Bill As Senate Drafts Legislation
• Democrats' Digital-Cash Bill Emphasizes Financial Privacy
• CFTC Back In Full Force After Senate Confirms 4 Biden Picks
• Investment Manager Must Face DOL's 401(k) Plan Suit
• Proskauer-Led Yellow Wood Partners Clinches $750M Fund
• Chinese Internet Of Things Biz Wuxin Files For $41M IPO
• Boston Global Lands $543M In Financing For Mixed-Use Tower
• Detroit Edison Co. Inks $5.5M Deal To End ERISA Suit
• Tech-Focused Hiring Biz HackerRank Lands $60M Series D
• Last Of Biden's Fed Picks Advanced To Senate Floor
• Data Co. Nielsen Inks $16B Go-Private Deal Led By 7 Firms
• House Oversight Committee Opens Credit Suisse Inquiry
• CFPB Chief Slams 'Rinse-Repeat' Enforcement For Big Firms
• Ex-Goldman Sachs Exec's 1MDB Defense Case Takes Shape
• SEC Seeks $2.1B, 400 New Staffers In 2023 Budget
• Democrats' Bill Would Require Treasury To Test Digital Cash
• White House Seeks $2.7B Budget Bump For US Treasury
• NY Banking Regulator Aims To Speed Up Crypto Licensing
• Ex-Trump Official Can't Duck $10M Fraud Suit, Court Told
• SEC Proposal Would Expand Oversight Of Securities Dealers
• Exchanges Defeat Revived 'Flash Boys'-Inspired Suits
• Time May Not Solve Compliance Issues With NY Lending Law
• Orsted Sells 50% Stake In Offshore Wind Project For £3B
• Catching Up With Delaware's Chancery Court
• Citibank Says Tipster Fails On 'Barebones' Award Claim
• Chamber Tells 7th Circ. To Toss Northwestern ERISA Case
• Firms To Seek Up To $6M For $31.5M Schwab Suit Deal In Del.
• Southwest Gas Slams Icahn's $5B Bid Amid Delaware Fight
• Urban Logistics REIT Drops £72M On Real Estate Portfolio
• Schulte Roth Bulks Up Deals Bench In NY With 3 Partners
• JD.com Property Unit To Raise $800M In Series B
• Law360 Reveals Titans Of The Plaintiffs Bar
• Ethics Principles Call For Justice Thomas Recusal On Election
• FDIC Ready To Push Forward On Bank Merger Policy Review
• SEC's SF Chief Latest To Exit In String Of Departures
• Fed Rate Hikes Add Twists To Uncertain Debt Markets
• XPO Logistics' $710M Divestment Handled By 3 Firms
• Del. Judge Slams Door On Tilton Ch. 11 Subordination Suit
• NY's Top Bank Cop Vows To Target 'Kitchen Table' Concerns
• Commerzbank Can't Reopen RMBS Suit
• FinCEN Head Says AML Compliance Is Key Amid Ukraine War
• Chancery Fast-Tracks Hearing On Icahn Southwest Gas Offer
• ERISA Trumps Radiology Co.'s Arbitration Pact
• Rx Startup Co-Founders Beat Investor's Suit Over $30M Stake
• Bed Bath & Beyond Expands Board And Explores A Spinoff
• UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London
• Kirkland-Led Huntsman Beats Starboard At The Election Box
• 3D Lauds Shareholder Rejection Of Toshiba's Separation Plan
• 5 Ways Law Firm Leaders Can Prioritize Strategic Thinking
• Taxation With Representation: Latham, Paul Hastings
• 3 Firms Shape Brookfield Unit's $1.2B Hibernia REIT Buy
• 3 Firms Assemble $820M Deal For Telenet's Mobile Tower Biz
• Ex-Goldman Exec Says FCPA Charge Misapplied In 1MDB Trial
• SEC's Acting Exam Chief Leaving Agency After 2 Decades
• Ex-Georgeson Adviser Cites 'Varsity Blues' In Bid To Skirt Trial
• $140M USAA Deal Shows How A Bank Got Too Big, Too Fast
• FINRA Boots Alpine Over 'Deplorable' Treatment Of Clients
• Chancery Tells GPB To Restore Indicted Exec's Legal Fees
• Regulators Get Ready To Propose New SPAC Rules
• Florida Finance Pro Cops To Ecuador Insurance Bribe Scheme
• Ballard Spahr Attracts 4 Private Client Attys From Troutman
• Olam's Food Ingredients Unit Delays UK IPO Over Ukraine War
• Deals Rumor Mill: Prologis, Telecom Italia, Kohl's
• Rental Car Delivery Co. Kyte Nabs $200M In Financing
• How Law Schools Can Navigate Toward Equity And Inclusion
• CFPB Warns Against Trying To Manipulate Customer Reviews
• Kidney Care Co. Mismanaged Retirement Plan, Suit Says
• Kimberly-Clark Can't Wipe Out Workers' 401(k) Fee Suit
• Tilton Accused Of Balk On Cleanup Of Ch. 11 Complaint
• Bank Fired Compliance Officer Who Blew Whistle, Suit Says
• NAIC's Climate Survey Proposals Draw Insurer Concerns
• Judge Won't Revive Attempt To Force Navient Into Ch. 11
• Where Judge Jackson Stands On Key Civil Procedure Issues
• Swedish Developer's IPO Soars In Otherwise Chilly Market
• Ropes & Gray Adds New Co-Lead For Securitization Practice
• Atty Caught In FBI Shootout Sued For $300M Ponzi Scheme
• Thorofare Loans $69.2M To Build Phoenix Apartments
• Fail-Safe Definition Dooms Hilton Workers Class Cert. Bid
• Creditor Row Belonged In Bankruptcy Court, 3rd Circ. Told
• China's First Carbon Futures ETF Debuts In Hong Kong
• Cloud Security Biz TokenEx Grabs $100M In Series B
• Feds Trace $35M 1MDB Kickback Trail To Ex-Goldman Exec
• SEC Climate Plan Would Unleash Flood Of Demands On Cos.
• 3rd Circ. Backs Kleinbard's Win In Malpractice Suit
• FinCEN Alerts On Sanctions Evasion Signal Shifting Approach
• SEC Wins Atlanta Trial Over $1.7M Retirement Savings Scam
• Ballard Lands Consumer Finance Services Pair From Alston & Bird
• Latham-Led Cancer Treatment Co. Wraps Up $175M Financing 
• Damage Calculations And Other Trends In SPAC Litigation
• Olshan-Led Activist Takes Aim At Gaming Accessories Maker
• 7 Firms Build $1.25B SPAC Deal For Japanese Crypto Biz 
• Skadden Lands Ex-SEC Enforcer Who Led 1st SPAC Action
• Zohar Funds Project Big Losses In Amended Del. Ch. 11 Docs
• Windstream Seeks FCC OK To Exceed Foreign Ownership Cap
• DOL Tells 7th Circ. To Revive Northwestern ERISA Battle
• 3 Firms Rep $1.1B Purchase Of Wealth Management Tools
• Unsatisfied With Fixes, UK Watchdog Deepens Auction Probe
• Real Estate Rumors: Norland, KABR Group, Pulte Homes
• Int'l Securities Watchdog Mulls Stronger Investor Protections
• K&L Gates Adds Derivatives And Finance-Focused Atty In DC
• Kohl's Draws Attention From Several Potential Suitors
• 'Fearless Girl' Artist Can't Take New Depositions In TM Suit
• Investcorp Drops $141M On Rome Office Building
• What High Court Vaccine Ruling Could Mean For Crypto Regs
• Catching Up With Delaware's Chancery Court
• SEC Unveils Long-Awaited Climate Disclosure Proposal
• How To Avoid Prematurely Publicizing A Case Outcome
• Willkie, Munger Tolles Mold Berkshire's $11.6B Alleghany Buy
• Ex-SEC Assistant Chief Litigator Joins Arnold & Porter
• NY High Court Backs Credit Suisse Unit In RMBS Appeal
• New Chief Investor Advocate Wants A Crackdown On Conflicts
• Russian Banks Expand Digital Services To Counter Sanctions
• Big 3 Credit Bureaus To Drop Most Medical Debt From Reports
• SEC's Cybersecurity Proposal Leaves Cos. Less Wiggle Room
• 3 Firms Steer Debut Of Hong Kong's First Blank-Check Firm
• CFTC Tipster Gets $10M, Providing Original Info With 'Color'
• 401(k) Fiduciaries Must Heed DOL's Warnings On Crypto Risks
• Shareholders Say Pa. Bank Lent $8M Based On Fake Ferrari
• SEC's Ripple Case Shows Limits Of Outdated Securities Test
• Logistics Investor To Nab German Dietz Asset For $84M
• Rulings Offer Insight On Interim Remedies For Asset Recovery
• New York Jury Finds Ex-Crypto Exec Guilty Of Wire Fraud
• Ex-SEC Official Warns That Global M&A Could Be In Trouble
• NY Nurses' $140M Pension Plan Arbitration Award Wins OK
• Robinhood Settles With Vermont Regulator Over 2020 Outages
• FinCEN Puts $5M Bounty On Assets 'Stolen' By Russian Elites
• Loeb & Loeb, Ellenoff Steer Goldenstone Acquisition's IPO
• FINRA Notice Aims To Clarify Compliance Chief Liability
• Aon Hewitt, Transport Co. Agree To Class Status In ERISA Suit
• Chinese Investors Seek $11M Over Luxury Condo Investment
• Regulating Crypto Shouldn't Hinge On Securities Status
• It's Time To Hold DC Judges Accountable For Misconduct
• Metals SPAC Inks $1.1B Deal For Aussie Copper Mine
• 5 Firms Guide KKR's Japanese REIT Buy
• Wachtell, Schulte Rep Asset Manager's $750M CarVal Buy
• Senate Banking Panel Backs Powell, Other Biden Fed Picks
• Smartsheet Says Insurers Must Cover Securities Dispute
• In A Democracy, ESG Efforts Should Take A Global Outlook
• Ex-Crypto Exec Charged With Fraud Spars With Feds At Trial
• Consumer Services-Focused SPAC Backs Out Of $250M IPO
• Executive Order Is First Step In Supporting Digital Assets
• CFTC Chair Warns Of 'Unknowns' As Ukraine Crisis Continues
• Computing Biz SiFive Lands Over $2.5B Valuation In Series F
• Latest Compliance Hires Reflect Surging ESG Pressures
• 2nd Circ. Doubts Madoff Investor Can Avoid $3M Clawback
• 5 Firms Shape EQT's €6.8B PE Merger With Baring Asia Unit
• Mid-Trial Report: An Ex-Goldman Exec And 1MDB
• Regulators Aim To Keep 'Qualitative' Element In CRA Overhaul
• Payment Co. Asks To Exit 'Bare-Bones' $75M Forex Fraud Suit
• Consumer Claims Unlicensed Lender Faked Tribal Ownership
• CFTC Fines UK Firm $3.25M Over Swaps Biz Reporting
• Southwest Gas Calls Icahn's Special Meeting Idea 'Flawed'
• London Exchange Eyes Streamlined Path Into Private Markets
• Raskin Withdraws As Biden's Pick For Fed Supervision Chief
• What Tighter Sanctions Against Russia Mean For Companies
• 4 Ways To Preserve Confidentiality Of Litigation Funding Docs
• Top FinCEN Crypto Adviser Heads To Venture Capital Firm
• Fraudulent Rental App Detection Biz Nabs $100M Series A
• Ex-Georgeson Adviser Must Face 3rd Fraud Trial, Feds Say
• SEC Commissioner Lee Plans To Step Down As Term Expires
• Fugitive 1MDB Financier Made Off With $1.42B, Feds Say
• Judge Orders Expert 'Hot Tub' In Robinhood Outage Suit
• Judge OKs Alpha Latam Ch. 11 Releases, Bondholder Fee Deal
• Finance Co. Accused Of Fraud By SEC Agrees To $4.5M Deal
• 5 Legal Tips For SPACs Facing Looming Acquisition Deadlines
• Davis Polk, V&E Rep $950M Sale Of Natural Gas Assets
• Six Flags, Travelers Settle Investor Suits Coverage Row
• New Judge Assigned In Foreign Gov't Bond-Rigging Case
• Remote Hearings Are Ill-Suited Default For Litigation Realities
• Fintech's $2.5B Deal Latest De-SPAC Axed Over Foggy Market
• Alston & Bird, Pierce Atwood Guide $72M Florida Hotel Loan
• IRS Seeks Comments On Tax Returns For Estates, Trusts
• SEC Pays $14M To Tipster Who Beat Initial Claim Denial
• JPMorgan Hit With Investor Suit Over $200M Records Fine
• Fate Of Alpha Latam's Ch. 11 Plan To Be Determined Monday
• IRS Proposal May Create Legal Friction For Retirement Plans
• Investors Accuse Wrigley Heir Of Fraud Over Cannabis SPAC
• Funds Say Boeing's 737 Max Cover-Ups Caused Stock Losses
• Virtu Stockholder Seeks Docs In Del. On 'Up-C' Fairness
• Deutsche Bank Says It Violated $80M Deal With DOJ
• ABA's New Anti-Bias Curriculum Rule Is Insufficient
• DOL Warns Against Crypto In ERISA Plans
• Don't Miss It: Davis Polk, Paul Weiss Guide Week's Hot Deals
• Ex-SEC Official Urges Regulators To Counter SPAC 'Myths'
• UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London
• How FinCEN Shell Co. Rules Differ From Past BSA Standards
• Another Toshiba Investor Says Spinoff Plan Is No Good
• 1MDB Financier Raised Red Flags At Goldman, Jury Hears
• 5 Russian, Ukrainian Patent Updates You May Have Missed
• Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs Archegos-Tied Suits Merged
• SEC Schedules Vote On Climate Change Disclosure Plan
• Neobank Lunar Raises $77M To Fuel Nordic Expansion
• Credit Suisse Swept Into SEC's Employee Messaging Probe
• Lee Ruling Highlights Notice Rules For Director Nominations
• Ex-Apollo CEO Can't Take Discovery In Federal Court For Now
• Fenwick-Led Real Estate Investment Biz Hits $2B Valuation
• Simpson Thacher-Led Fintech Raises $225M For Its Credit Biz
• Consumer Finance Biz Lendable Valued At More Than £3.5B
• Barings Drops $92M On London Office Property
• 4 Takeaways For Asset Managers From SEC's Cyber Rule Plan
• ERISA Considerations In Using Brokerage Window Investing
• Dutch Maritime, Dredging Co. Valued At $4.6B In Takeover Bid
• Software Provider Beats Retiree Challenge To Pension Denial
• Libor Transition Measure Makes Way Into $1.5T Spending Bill
• GGP-Brookfield Dividend Issue Drives Del. Justices In Circles
• Biden Order Grapples With Crypto's Rise
• Chancery Fast-Tracks PE Trustee Ouster Case
• Fidelity Asks Justices To Skip Account Transfer Dispute
• SEC Under Fire Over Shorter Rule Proposal Comment Periods
• SEC Wants Companies To Beef Up Cybersecurity Disclosures
• Keys Facets Of Retooled Minority Biz Investment Program
• Latham, Weil Shape Carlyle's $787M Deal For CBAM Assets
• Warren, Porter Slam FINRA Reply To Arbitration Bias Claims
• GPB Affiliate Exec Contests Legal Fee Cutoff
• Tim Hortons China's Go-Public Deal Revised Down To $1.4B
• DOJ's Crypto Team Signals New Era Of Enforcement
• NHL Player's Creditors Say Team Change Can't Nix Ch. 11 Ask
• Personal Finance App Acorns Lands Nearly $2B Valuation
• Remote Hearings Should Be The Default In Civil Litigation
• 2nd Circ. Will Hear Goldman's 3rd Bite In Class Cert. Battle
• DWS Usurps National Express With £595M Stagecoach Buy
• Biden Orders Wide-Ranging Studies Of Cryptocurrency Risks
• 1MDB: Ex-Goldman Exec Posed As Wife To Fool Future Wife
• 6 Firms Vie To Lead Investor Suit Over Insurer COVID Costs
• Chancery Denies Stay In Lordstown Motors-SPAC Merger Suit
• Top Banking GOP Rep. Vows To Turn Up Heat On Regulators
• SEC Says Adviser Overcharged Teachers In Million-Dollar Deal
• Crypto Execs Charged With Stealing $40M, Obstructing Probe
• SEC Developing More Rules Aimed At Shareholder Proposals
• Attorneys Today Need To Depose Like There's No Tomorrow
• Lone Star Drops $401M On UK Student Housing Portfolio
• FINRA Fines Deutsche Bank $2M Over Order Routing Issues
• 5th Circ. Punts On Fannie, Freddie Investors' FHFA Suit
• Catching Up With Delaware's Chancery Court
• Madoff Trustee Says 2nd Circ. Ruling Revives $265M Clawback
• NFT Platform Immutable Valued At $2.5B In Series C
• Private Equities Seek Chancery Ouster Of Conflicted Trustees
• Investor Suit Says AI Co. Concealed 'Struggling' Partnership
• Real Estate Rumors: Hector Fernandez, 3650 REIT, Publix
• FinCEN Urges Firms To Help Thwart Russia Sanctions Evasion
• CBD Co. Gets Claims Trimmed Over Failed Biz Transaction
• NY Adviser Fights SEC's Proposed $1.9M Fine
• Judge Denies Trading Firm Exec's Request To Toss Receiver
• Digital Logistics Biz Forto Valued At $2.1B In Funding Round
• Market Fog Dooms Weather Tech Co.'s $1.2B SPAC Deal
• Ga. Judge Hands Off $140M Home Depot ERISA Action
• DOJ Taps SDNY Art Sleuth In Hunt For Hidden Russian Assets
• Getty Trust Says Allianz Cost It $71M As COVID Shook Markets
• NYC Lender Sues Billionaire Bros. In $2.5B LA Hotel Project
• US Trustee Says Alpha Latam Plan Releases Go Too Far
• S&P Accused Of Monopolizing Use Of Securities ID Numbers
• UK Watchdog Concerned Over $1B Auction Services Co. Deal
• Judge's Bank Stock Prompts Call To Revive Rigging Claims
• SEC's Lee Wants Regulators To Step Up Scrutiny Of Lawyers
• Activist Investor Seeks Ericsson Shakeup After DOJ Rebuke
• Troutman Pepper Lands Banking Regs, M&A Attorney
• How Fund Industry Can Prepare For SEC's Cyber Proposal
• Citigroup Seeks New CCO Amid Fed-Mandated Risk Reorg
• Real Estate Rumors: One Health, Apollo, Sunny Isles Beach
• Robinson & Cole Grows In NY With 3-Atty SPAC Team
• Car Parts Co. Workers Seek Class Status In 401(k) Suit
• 2 SPACs Led By Same Team Withdraw IPOs Totaling $600M
• SEC Strikes $5.5M Deal With VC Firm, CEO Over Fund Fees
• Anticipating SEC's Final Exec Compensation Disclosure Rule
• How Crypto Cos. Might Move Forward After BlockFi Settlement
• Holland & Knight Adds Kirkland Private Equity Pro In LA
• Creditors Blast Tilton Ch. 11 Suit To Subordinate Zohar Claims
• Ex-Goldman Exec Says Boss Faked Relationships For Gain
• Labaton Sucharow Beats Texas Atty's Bid For Referral Fees
• Wilmington Trust Administration Suit Falls Short At 3rd Circ.
• Rabina Lands $540M In Financing For NYC Tower Project
• Bottling Co. Says It Was Swindled By Bogus $55.3M Loan
• Powell Calls For 'Strong' Crypto Regs Amid Sanctions Worries
• Class Seeks Bond-Rigging Suit Redo After Judge's Recusal
• Ukraine's PrivatBank Gets Chancery Filing Delay Due To War
• ​​​​​​​Del. Justices Affirm Coverage Denial In Jarden Appraisal Suit
• Deals Rumor Mill: Fanatics, Life Insurance Corp., Amazon
• Beauty Tech Developer Perfect Corp Inks $1B SPAC Merger
• SEC, NY Adviser Strike $30M Deal Over Fee Disclosure Issues
• CFTC Nominees Sail Through Senate Confirmation Hearing
• Treasury Urges Crypto Exchanges To Get In Line With BSA
• 8 Firms Guide Blank-Check Co. Trio For $525M In IPOs
• BNY Mellon Can't Escape Fund 'Channeling' Suit
• Workforce Management Platform Connecteam Nabs $120M
• NY Seeks Blockchain Analytics To Combat Sanctions Evasion
• Cornell Capital Rakes In $1.7B For 2nd PE Fund
• Talent Scout Claims He Got Swindled By $4M NFT Sale
• Sens. Urge US Treasury To Monitor Russia's Crypto Use
• Powell Says Fed Is On 'High Alert' For Cyberattacks
• Coin And Metal Dealer Hits Ch. 11 In Del. Under Legal Cloud
• Workspace Group Bids £272M For UK Property Co. McKay
• BlockFi Account Holders File Suit In Wake Of $100M SEC Deal
• Insurer Says Bank Swept Out $1.5M Meant For Subcontractors
• IPO Market Appears Stalled For The Near Future
• Ex-Goldman Exec Says Pal Urged Kushner To Nix 1MDB Probe
• Oportun Says Its Banking Platform Faces CFPB Probe
• 3 Firms Rep $200M Life Sciences, Sustainable Tech SPAC IPO
• Tesla Blasts JPMorgan's Bid For Early Win In $162M Suit
• CFPB Chief Warns Of 'Weaponized' Medical Debt Reporting
• Timing Of Trump Adviser Indictment Not Political, Feds Say
• FINRA Says Broker Earned 'Secret' Comp On $10M Fundraise
• How Attorneys Can Ethically Terminate A Client Relationship
• Land O'Lakes Reaches $1.8M Deal To End ERISA Class Action
• Aussie Bank Sells 10% Stake In Chinese Peer For $1.3B
• Cravath-Led Martin Marietta Inks $250M Divestiture
• Blake Cassels, Torys Rep On $9B Natural Gas JV Formation