WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court reacted skeptically Tuesday to arguments that banks, lawyers, accountants and suppliers should be held liable for helping publicly held companies deceive investors.
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Antonin Scalia suggested that federal law imposes strict limits on shareholders who want to sue companies and firms other than the one in which the investors hold stock.
The two conservative justices subjected a lawyer for corporate investors to tough questioning during arguments as the justices try to set boundaries in stockholder lawsuits for securities fraud.
Investors in Charter Communications Inc., one of the country’s largest cable-TV companies, are suing two suppliers that allegedly schemed with Charter executives to mislead stockholders.
The outcome of the case will determine the fate of a separate suit by Enron shareholders who are seeking over $30 billion from banks accused of colluding with the energy company to hide debts.
If the court rules against investors, “it will mean the end of the case” for Enron shareholders and the banks that were primarily liable, attorney Patrick Coughlin, representing Enron stockholders, said outside the Supreme Court after the arguments.
In the case before the court, suppliers Scientific-Atlanta Inc. and Motorola Inc. “were not passive bystanders facilitating a fraud by Charter,” said investor attorney Stanley Grossman. “Their deceptive conduct was integral to the scheme to create fictitious advertising revenues for Charter to report to investors.”
Why shouldn’t the court be guided by its 1994 ruling that sharply restricted liability by saying investors cannot sue for aiding and abetting a securities fraud? the chief justice asked. “You’re asking us to extend that liability,” Roberts said.
Outside the courthouse later, Grossman said, “We are not asking for an expansion. The other side is asking for a cutback.”
Earlier this year, Roberts and Justice Stephen Breyer did not participate when the court decided to hear the case. On Tuesday, Roberts was back, but Breyer was still out. As of last year, both owned stock in Cisco Systems Inc., which now owns Scientific-Atlanta.
