Business Bankruptcy Articles and Information
Political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica announced last week that it was planning to cease its operations and file for bankruptcy. The announcement follows growing concerns of its business practices and its work during the 2016 presidential campaign. The company offered tools and tests that could supposedly identify the personalities of American voters, and could also influence their behavior. These techniques were utilized for the Trump campaign as well as for other candidates in 2014 and 2016. Cambridge Analytica came under major scrutiny this year for its methods of profiling American voters and also because of allegations that it improperly gathered…Read More
Last month, I wrote about The Weinstein Co. seeking bankruptcy protection after revelations of serious sexual assault and misconduct on the part of board member, Harvey Weinstein. This misconduct occurred over decades, and remained a well-kept secret due to a document known as a Nondisclosure Agreement, or NDA. Victims of Harvey Weinstein were required to sign nondisclosure agreements in return for receiving monetary settlements arising from claims of sexual misconduct against Mr. Weinstein. Because the victims were required to stay silent after receiving settlements from the Weinstein Co., per the nondisclosure agreements, the actions of Harvey Weinstein were never brought…Read More
The Weinstein Co. bankruptcy has now endangered the continued existence of one of its marquis properties: Project Runway. According to reporting in Page Six, A&E Network cancelled its distribution deal with The Weinstein Co. for Project Runway based upon a breach of contract. The television network claims Harvey Weinstein “failed to operate a workplace within the bounds of the law, failed to notify A&E of potential legal claims, and failed to abide by A& E standards and practices.” Why Is the Loss of Project Runway an Issue? As one of the premiere series on cable television, A&E’s decision to cancel the next…Read More
For my generation, no middle school trip to the mall was complete without a visit to Claire’s to pick up some jewelry, gifts, or maybe even get your ears pierced. In fact, Claire’s says it has pierced more than 100 million ears around the world! Last week, the company became the last retailer to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Financial State of Claire’s Claire’s held $2.1 billion in debt at the close of 2017, and is seeking to reduce its debt by $1.9 billion through the bankruptcy. The company earned $29 million in profit and $1.3 billion in revenue…Read More
If you grew up in Chicago or in the Chicago Suburbs in the late 70s and early 80s, chances are good that you will recognize this iconic symbol: While those who came of age in the same era in other parts of the country may point to the movie Dazed and Confused as representative of what it was like to grow up during this time period, WLUP (“The Loop”) was that same type of thing for young people in Chicago. I don’t know anyone from my era in the Chicago area who did not have and constantly wear a black…Read More
Last month, we wrote about Nashville, Tennessee based Gibson Guitar’s financial troubles and the possibility of them filing for bankruptcy. Well, it appears that more troubles are brewing. Bloomberg reported that a group of the company’s largest bond holders are pushing for a change in the company’s leadership. A New Plan…with Some Backlash The bondholders, who are being advised by the investment bank PJT Partners Inc., are wanting to restructure the company; giving them a majority ownership in the company and removing Gibson’s long-time president and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. According to unnamed sources, the bondholders do not believe that Gibson’s…Read More
The Weinstein Co. has announced it will seek bankruptcy protection after a proposed sale of the business to an investment company fell apart over the weekend. In the fall of 2017 the once lucrative film and television studio began a death spiral after allegations surfaced of serious sexual assault and misconduct on the part of board member, Harvey Weinstein. How Did This Occur? Leading to the #MeToo movement, Ronan Farrow’s expose’ in the New Yorker entitled “From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories” outed Mr. Weinstein’s decades long sexual misconduct and led to the company…Read More
I know this article will strike a “chord” with a lot of my friends. But, it would appear that Gibson Brands, makers of Gibson and Les Paul guitars, has a lot to “fret” about. Ok, I’ll stop. Seriously though, it does appear that Gibson Brands is on the brink of bankruptcy. How Did This Happen? According to numerous articles, including CNBC, the Nashville, TN based guitar company is drowning in debt. Bill Lawrence, the company’s former Chief Financial Officer, abruptly left Gibson six months ago. Now Gibson has $375 million in senior notes that are maturing, with another $145 million…Read More
After much speculation, one of the largest American manufacturers of ammunition and firearms, Remington Outdoor Company, announced that it is planning to file bankruptcy in the state of Delaware. Remington has reached a Restructuring Support Agreement with creditors that will be effectuated through a reorganization plan filed in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The restructuring deal will reduce the company’s debt by around $700 million and will add $145 million in new capital. The deal will give lenders ownership in the firearms maker. Why Did Remington File Bankruptcy? Some have speculated that the election of Donald Trump affected Remington’s gun sales,…Read More
The largest oil refinery on the East Coast has filed for bankruptcy. Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC is the owner of the biggest oil refinery that serves the New York Harbor diesel and gasoline market. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday, January 21. The bankruptcy petition listed its debt between $1 billion and $10 billion. The company will seek to restructure its debt and continue with operations. Behind the Scenes of Philadelphia Energy Solutions In 2012, private equity firm Carlyle Group and Sunoco Inc. saved Philadelphia Energy Solutions from financial distress. It received government aid and tax…Read More
