MI Developments rejects dissident shareholders' action
AURORA, ON, July 8 /CNW/ - MI Developments Inc. ("MID") (TSX: MIM.A, MIM.B; NYSE: MIM) today announced that it has learned through the media of the filing of a Statement of Claim (commenced by a Notice of Action) against it and certain of its current and former directors and officers with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice by certain shareholders alleging, among other things, that directors of MID breached their duties in connection with certain transactions with Magna Entertainment Corp. MID has not been served with this Statement of Claim or Notice of Action.
"We believe that this claim is entirely without merit," stated Dennis Mills, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MID. "It appears that these shareholders filed their claim weeks ago, on May 21, 2010, but decided not to serve it upon MID or any of the other Defendants, to guard against the expiry of a limitation period. This is the second claim of this nature commenced against MID by dissident shareholders. The first claim was determined by the courts to be entirely without merit and was dismissed both at trial and on appeal. The shareholders were admonished by the courts for their conduct in pursuing those claims, and were required to pay the costs of MID on a substantial indemnity basis. If and when the shareholders who have commenced this new claim decide to pursue it, MID will defend the claim vigorously and will once again seek the highest cost award possible in the circumstances."
About MID: MID is a real estate operating company engaged primarily in the acquisition, development, construction, leasing, management and ownership of a predominantly industrial rental portfolio leased primarily to Magna International Inc. and its automotive operating units in North America and Europe. MID also acquires land that it intends to develop for mixed-use and residential projects. Additionally, MID owns Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park (including an interest in The Village at Gulfstream Park, a joint venture with Forest City Enterprises, Inc.), The Maryland Jockey Club, Portland Meadows, AmTote and XpressBet, and through some of these assets, is a supplier, via simulcasting, of live horseracing content to the inter-track, offtrack and account wagering markets. For further information about MID, please visit www.midevelopments.com or call 905-713-6322. At www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov you can also find MID's filings.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements may include statements regarding MID's future plans, goals, strategies, intentions, beliefs, estimates, costs, objectives, economic performance or expectations, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate" and similar expressions are used to identify forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future events, performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or the times at or by which such future performance will be achieved. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time and/or management's good faith assumptions and analyses made in light of our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances, and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond MID's control, that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth in the "Risk Factors" section in MID's Annual Information Form for 2009, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and attached as Exhibit 1 to MID's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2009, which investors are strongly advised to review. The "Risk Factors" section also contains information about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, MID expressly disclaims any intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise.
For further information: about this press release, please contact Dennis Mills, MID's Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, at 905-726-7614
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