Brockton Retirement Board Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Oppenheimer Fund of Private Equity Funds and Executive Officers for Allegedly False Claims Relating to Fund Performance and Investment Valuations Contained in Fund Marketing Materials

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act may portend good news for hedge funds that seek to raise capital from investors.  However, hedge fund managers should approach their investor solicitation efforts with caution, particularly in light of the increasing scrutiny from both regulators and investors with respect to fund performance and valuation.  A recent example of this scrutiny is a class action lawsuit initiated on March 26, 2012 by a Massachusetts retirement fund, Brockton Retirement Board (Brockton), against a private equity fund of funds manager and related entities.  The Complaint generally alleges that the Defendants made false and misleading statements in marketing materials.  This article summarizes the factual allegations in the Complaint, the causes of action and the remedies sought by Brockton.  For a similar story of alleged failure by a fund of funds manager to perform claimed due diligence, see “Federal Court Decision Holds That a Fund of Funds Investor May Sue a Fund of Funds Manager That Fails to Perform Specific Due Diligence Actions Promised in Writing and Orally,” Hedge Fund Law Report, Vol. 4, No. 27 (Aug. 12, 2011).

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