Vector Group Ltd.
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 31, 2006
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Vector Group Ltd.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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65-0949535 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. employer identification
number) |
100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131
(305) 579-8000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Joselynn D. Van Siclen
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Vector Group Ltd.
100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131
(305) 579-8000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Douglas Tanner
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, NY 10005
(212) 530-5000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after
the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.
þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box: þ
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box: o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Title of Securities to |
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Amount to be |
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Offering Price Per |
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Aggregate Offering |
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Amount of |
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be Registered |
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Registered(1) |
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Share(2) |
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Price(1) |
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Registration Fee |
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Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per share |
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7,000,000 |
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$17.72 |
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$124,040,000 |
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$13,272 |
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(1) |
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This registration statement relates to the resale by the selling shareholders named herein of
the shares of the common stock listed above. |
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(2) |
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee under Rule
457(c) of the Securities Act. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price is based on the
number of shares of common stock listed above and $17.72, the average of the high and low
sales prices per share of Vector Group Ltd. common stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on January 24, 2006. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vector Group Ltd.
Common Stock
This prospectus relates to 7,000,000 shares of common stock of Vector Group Ltd. that may be
offered for sale from time to time by some of our current shareholders.
The selling shareholders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of shares under this
prospectus; we will not receive any proceeds from those sales.
After registration, the selling shareholders may sell the shares of common stock at various
times and in various types of transactions, including sales in the open market, sales in negotiated
transactions and sales by a combination of these methods. The shares of common stock may be sold at
the market price at the time of such sale, at prices relating to the market price over a period of
time or at prices negotiated with the buyers of the shares.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VGR. On January
30 , 2006, the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $18.07 per
share.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR ANY OTHER
REGULATORY BODY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED WHETHER THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JANUARY 31, 2006.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, the selling
shareholders may from time to time sell the shares of Vector Group Ltd. common stock described in
this prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. We have not, and the selling shareholders have not, authorized anyone to provide you
with information different from that contained in this prospectus. The selling shareholders are
offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock only in jurisdictions where
it is lawful to do so. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this
prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of our common stock.
Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances,
create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this
prospectus or that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any
accompanying prospectus supplement is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such
information.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC,
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that registers the offer and sale of Vector Group
Ltd. common stock by the selling shareholders. This prospectus constitutes part of the registration
statement. The registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules attached to the
registration statement and the information incorporated by reference, contains additional relevant
information about us and the securities not included in this prospectus. The rules and regulations
of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus certain information included in the registration
statement. In addition, Vector Group Ltd. files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC.
You may read and copy this information and the registration statement at the SECs Public
Reference Room, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also
obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F
Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 800-SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains an Internet worldwide web site that contains reports, proxy statements
and other information about issuers of securities, like us, who file such material electronically
with the SEC. The address of that web site is http://www.sec.gov. You also can inspect such
reports, proxy statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Our common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange.
INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus. This means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with
the SEC. The information incorporated is considered part of this prospectus, except for any
information that is superseded by information that is included in this document or in a later filed
document.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that Vector Group Ltd.
previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about us.
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COMPANY SEC FILINGS |
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PERIOD |
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended
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Year ended December 31, 2004 |
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
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Periods ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 |
Current Reports on Form 8-K
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Filed on January 11, 2005, February 2, 2005, February 17, 2005,
February 24, 2005, March 3, 2005, March 7, 2005, March 17, 2005,
March 21, 2005, April 1, 2005, April 14, 2005, May 10, 2005, June
20, 2005, July 22, 2005, August 9, 2005, September 28, 2005,
November 9, 2005, November 14, 2005, November 17, 2005, December
15, 2005, December 19, 2005, January 3, 2006, and January 27,
2006. |
The description of Vector Group Ltd.
common stock set forth in our
prospectus dated June 3, 2005 filed
on Form 424B3
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Filed on June 3, 2005. |
We also incorporate by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 between the date of
this prospectus and the termination of this offering. Any report, document or portion thereof that
is furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC is not incorporated by reference.
You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from us
without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically
incorporated by reference in the document. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference by
requesting them from us, either orally or in writing. Requests for such documents should be
directed to:
Vector Group Ltd.
Attention: Investor Relations
100 S.E. Second Street
32nd Floor
Miami, Florida 33101
(305) 579-8000
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
In addition to historical information, this prospectus contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the federal securities law. Forward-looking statements include information
relating to our intent, belief or current expectations, primarily with respect to, but not limited
to:
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economic outlook; |
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capital expenditures; |
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cost reduction; |
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new legislation; |
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cash flows; |
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operating performance; |
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litigation; |
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impairment charges and cost savings associated with restructurings of our tobacco operations; and |
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related industry developments (including trends affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations). |
We identify forward-looking statements in this prospectus by using words or phrases such as
anticipate, believe, estimate, objective, plan, seek, predict, project, and will
be and similar words or phrases in the negatives.
The forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could cause
our actual results , performance or achievements to differ materially from our anticipated results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, the following:
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general economic and market conditions and any changes therein, due to acts of war and terrorism or otherwise; |
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governmental regulation and policies; |
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effects of industry competition; |
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impact of business combinations, including acquisitions and divestitures, both
internally for us and externally in the tobacco industry; |
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impact of restructurings on our tobacco business and our ability to achieve any
increases in profitability estimated to occur as a result of these restructurings; |
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impact of new legislation on our competitors payment obligations, results of operations
and product costs, i.e., the impact of recent federal legislation eliminating the federal
tobacco quota system; |
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uncertainty related to litigation and potential additional payment obligations for us
under the Master Settlement Agreement and other settlement agreements with the states; and |
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risks inherent in our new product development initiatives |
VECTOR GROUP LTD.
IN THIS PROSPECTUS, REFERENCES TO VECTOR GROUP LTD., WE AND US REFER TO VECTOR GROUP LTD
AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, ITS SUBSIDIARIES ON A CONSOLIDATED BASIS.
We are a holding company for a number of businesses. We are engaged principally in:
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the manufacture and sale of cigarettes in the United States through our subsidiary
Liggett Group LLC; |
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the development and marketing of the low nicotine and nicotine-free QUEST cigarette
products and the development of reduced risk cigarette products through our subsidiary
Vector Tobacco Inc.; and |
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the real estate business through our subsidiary, New Valley LLC, which is seeking to
acquire additional operating companies and real estate properties. New Valley owns 50%
of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC, which operates the largest residential brokerage company
in the New York metropolitan area. |
Our principal executive offices are located at 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida 33131,
and the telephone number is (305) 579-8000.
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS; PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information about the beneficial ownership of each
selling shareholder. The tabular information below assumes that all of the shares listed below will
be offered and sold by the selling shareholders to unaffiliated third parties. However, because the
selling shareholders may offer all or a portion of the shares covered by this prospectus at any
time and from time to time hereafter, the exact number of shares that each selling shareholder may
hold after completion of the offering cannot be determined at this time. Information concerning the
selling shareholders may change from time to time and, to the extent required, will be set forth
in supplements or amendments to this prospectus or in information incorporated by reference into
this prospectus.
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NUMBER OF |
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SHARES OF COMMON STOCK |
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SHARES |
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BENEFICIALLY OWNED |
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BEING |
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SHARES BENEFICIALLY |
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS |
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BEFORE OFFERING |
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OFFERED |
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OWNED AFTER OFFERING |
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NUMBER |
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PERCENT(1) |
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NUMBER |
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PERCENT(1) |
Andover Capital
Offshore Partners
Ltd. |
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12,000 |
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* |
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12,000 |
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0 |
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Andover Capital
Partners LP |
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188,000 |
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* |
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188,000 |
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0 |
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Marc N. Bell |
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72,003 |
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* |
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5,000 |
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67,003 |
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Jefferies Group,
Inc. |
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3,020,750 |
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6.1 |
% |
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3,020,750 |
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0 |
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Jefferies Paragon
Master Fund, Ltd. |
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1,770,563 |
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3.5 |
% |
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1,500,000 |
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270,563 |
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Highbridge
International LLC |
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2,164,252 |
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4.2 |
% |
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250,000 |
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1,914,252 |
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3.7 |
% |
J. Bryant Kirkland
III |
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111,919 |
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* |
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4,250 |
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107,669 |
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Richard J. Lampen |
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325,071 |
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* |
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20,000 |
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305,071 |
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Howard M. Lorber |
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4,015,360 |
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7.9 |
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500,000 |
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3,515,360 |
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6.9 |
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Steel Partners II,
L.P. |
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1,622,552 |
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3.2 |
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1,500,000 |
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122,552 |
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* |
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Less than 1%. |
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Calculated based on Rule 13-3(d)(i) of the Exchange Act using the 49,865,936 shares
of common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2006. |
Andover Capital. David Glancy as managing director of Andover Capital Partners, L.P. and
president of Andover Capital Offshore Partners Ltd. exercises voting and dispositive power over the
shares held of record by these two selling shareholders.
Marc N. Bell. Mr. Bell is the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Vector. The
shares shown in the above table as owned by Mr. Bell include 67,003 shares acquirable by Mr. Bell
upon exercise of currently exercisable options, which expire November 4, 2009, to purchase shares
at $11.52 per share.
Jefferies Group, Inc. Jefferies Group, Inc. is a publicly-traded Delaware corporation that is
managed by its Board of Directors. Richard Handler is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Jefferies Group, Inc.
Jefferies Paragon Master Fund, Ltd. Jefferies Paragon Master Fund, Ltd. is managed by
Jefferies Asset Management, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jefferies Group, Inc. Michael
Handler and Joseph Contorinis are the portfolio managers at Jefferies Asset Management, LLC and
exercise voting control and dispositive power over these securities. The shares shown in the above
table include 270,563 shares issuable upon conversion of $5,000,000 principal amount of Vectors 5%
Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes 2011 issued in November 2004, which are held by
Jefferies Paragon Master Fund, Ltd.
Highbridge International LLC. Each of Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, Glenn Dubin and
Henry Swieca disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities. Highbridge Capital Management,
LLC is the trading manager of Highbridge International LLC and exercises voting control and
dispositive power over these securities. Glenn Dubin and Henry Swieca control Highbridge Capital
Management, LLC. Highbridge International LLC has informed us that (i) it is an affiliate of
Highbridge Capital Corporation, a registered broker-dealer, (ii) it purchased the securities in the
ordinary course of business, and (iii) at the time of purchase, Highbridge International LLC had no
agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the securities.
The shares shown in the above table include 1,886,797 shares issuable upon conversion of
$34,868,000 principal amount of Vectors 5% Variable Interest Senior Convertible Notes due 2011
issued in November 2004, which are held by Highbridge International LLC.
J. Bryant Kirkland III. Mr. Kirkland is a Vice President of Vector and, effective April 1,
2006, will become the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vector. The shares shown in
the above table as owned by Mr. Kirkland include 60,301 shares acquirable by Mr. Kirkland upon
exercise of currently exercisable options, which expire November 4, 2009, to purchase shares at
$11.52 per share.
Richard
J. Lampen. Mr. Lampen is the Executive Vice President of
Vector. The shares shown in the
above table as owned by Mr. Lampen include 134,008 shares acquirable by Mr. Lampen upon exercise of
currently exercisable options, which expire November 4, 2009, to purchase shares at $11.52 per
share.
Howard M. Lorber. Mr. Lorber is President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Vector.
The shares shown in the table above as owned by Mr. Lorber include (i) 1,108,296 shares held by Mr.
Lorber, (ii) 1,817,872 shares held by Lorber Epsilon 1999 Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited
partnership, including the 500,000 shares offered hereby, (iii) 64,800 shares of common stock held
by Lorber Alpha II Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership, and (iv) 1,024,393 shares
acquirable by Mr. Lorber upon exercise of currently exercisable options. Lorber Epsilon 1999 LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of Lorber Epsilon 1999 Limited
Partnership. Lorber Alpha II Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited partnership, is the sole member
of, and Mr. Lorber is the manager of, Lorber Epsilon 1999 LLC. Lorber Alpha II, Inc., a Nevada
corporation, is the general partner of Lorber Alpha II Limited Partnership. Mr. Lorber is a
director, officer and controlling shareholder of Lorber Alpha II Limited Partnership.
Pursuant to the stock options held by Mr. Lorber, Mr. Lorber has the right, which expires
November 4, 2009, to purchase 670,045 shares at $11.52 per share, the right, which expires January
22, 2011, to purchase 319,069 shares at $14.98 per share, and the right, which expires July 1,
2006, to purchase 35,279 shares at $10.51 per share.
Mr. Lorber disclaims beneficial ownership of 11,910 shares held by Lorber Charitable Fund.
Lorber Charitable Fund is a New York not-for-profit corporation, of which family members of Mr.
Lorber serve as directors and executive officers.
Mr. Lorber was the Chairman of Hallman & Lorber in 2003 and 2004 and, since January 2005, has
served as a consultant to such company. During the past three years, Mr. Lorber and Hallman &
Lorber and its affiliates received ordinary and customary insurance commissions on various
insurance policies issued for Vector and its subsidiaries and investees. Mr. Lorber and Hallman &
Lorber and its affiliates have continued to provide such services in 2006.
Mr. Lorber is a shareholder and registered representative in Aegis Capital Corp., a
broker-dealer to which New Valley Corporation, a majority-owned subsidiary of Vector until December
2005 when it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vector, paid brokerage commissions and other
income during the past three years.
On April 13, 2005, in connection with the private offering of Vectors 5% Variable Interest
Senior Convertible Notes due 2011 (the Notes), Jefferies & Company, Inc. (Jefferies), as the
initial purchaser of the Notes, Mr. Lorber and Lorber Epsilon 1999 Limited Partnership (Lorber
Epsilon) entered into agreements, pursuant to which Jefferies was granted the right to borrow from
time to time up to 315,000 shares of common stock of Vector Group Ltd. (the Shares) from Mr.
Lorber or Lorber Epsilon. Under the agreements, Lorber Epsilon has agreed, through the period
ending May 18, 2007, to lend Jefferies the Shares for the purpose of allowing Jefferies, in turn,
to lend such Shares to its customers.
In consideration for Mr. Lorber, as one of Vectors principal stockholders, agreeing to lend
the Shares in order to facilitate Vectors offering of the Notes and accepting the resulting
liquidity risk, Vector and Mr. Lorber entered into a Letter Agreement (the Letter Agreement) on
April 13, 2005 whereby Vector agreed to pay Mr. Lorber or an affiliate designated by him an annual
fee, payable on a quarterly basis in cash or, by mutual agreement of Vector and Mr. Lorber, in
shares of common stock, equal to 1% of the aggregate market value of the Shares. In addition,
Vector agreed to hold Mr. Lorber harmless on an after-tax basis against any increase, if any, in
the income tax rate applicable to dividends paid on the Shares as a result of the Letter Agreement.
Steel Partners II, L.P. Steel Partners, L.L.C., the general partner of Steel Partners II,
L.P. and Warren G. Lichtenstein, the sole executive officer and managing member of Steel Partners,
L.L.C., are also beneficial owners of these securities.
In 1995, New Valley Corporation invested $2.5 million in Steel Partners II, L.P.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
As used below, selling shareholders includes the individuals listed in the table above and
donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest selling shares received from a
selling shareholder (including the named selling shareholders) after the date of this prospectus.
Selling shareholders from time to time may sell the shares being offered hereby on the New York
Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.
The shares may be sold by the selling shareholders by one or more of the following methods, without
limitation:
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block trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as
agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction; |
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purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its
account pursuant to this prospectus; |
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an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such exchange; |
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; |
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privately negotiated transactions; |
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short sales; |
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through the writing of options on the shares; |
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in one or more underwritten offerings on a firm commitment or best efforts basis; and |
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a combination of any such methods of sale. |
The shares may be sold at fixed prices, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at
prices related to such market prices or at negotiated prices. Such transactions may or may not
involve brokers or dealers. The selling shareholders may effect
such transactions by selling shares
directly to purchasers or to or through broker-dealers, which may act as agents or principals. Such
broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from
the selling shareholders or the purchasers of shares for whom such broker-dealers act as agent or
to whom they sell as principal, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might
be in excess of customary commissions). In effecting sales, brokers and dealers engaged by the
selling shareholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate. Broker-dealers may
agree with the selling shareholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price
per share, and to the extent such
broker-dealer is unable to do so, acting as agent for a selling shareholder, such
broker-dealer may purchase, as principal, any unsold shares at the stipulated price. Broker-dealers
who acquire shares as principals may thereafter resell such shares from time to time in
transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at prices and on terms then prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to the then-current market price or in negotiated transactions.
Broker-dealers may use block transactions and sales to and through broker-dealers, including
transactions of the nature described above.
From time to time, one or more of the selling shareholders may pledge, hypothecate or grant a
security interest in some or all of the shares owned by them. The pledges, secured parties or
persons to whom such securities have been hypothecated will, upon foreclosure in the event of
default, be deemed to be selling shareholders. The number of a selling shareholders shares offered
under this prospectus will decrease as and when it takes such actions. The plan of distribution for
such selling shareholders shares will otherwise remain unchanged. In addition, a selling
shareholder may, from time to time, sell short Vector Group Ltd. common stock, and in such
instances, this prospectus may be delivered in connection with such short sales and the shares
offered under this prospectus may be used to cover such short sales.
A selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the
broker-dealers may engage in short sales of Vector Group Ltd. common stock in the course of hedging
the positions they assume with such selling shareholder, including, without limitation, in
connection with distributions of the common stock by such broker-dealers. A selling shareholder may
enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers. A selling shareholder may enter into
option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the shares offered
hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer such shares. A selling
shareholder may also loan or pledge the shares offered hereby to a broker-dealer, and the
broker-dealer may sell the shares offered hereby so loaned or upon a default may sell or otherwise
transfer the pledged shares offered hereby.
Any selling shareholders who are directors or officers of Vector Group Ltd. are subject to
restrictions on the sale or transfer of the shares beneficially owned by them pursuant to the
short-swing profit rule set forth in Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or agents that act in connection with the sale
of shares might be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the
Securities Act, and any commissions received by such broker-dealers and any profit on the resale of
the shares sold by them while acting as principals might be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. The selling shareholders may agree to indemnify any agent,
dealer or broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against
certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
Costs, expenses and fees to be incurred by the selling shareholders in connection with the
sale of the shares offered hereby, including all brokerage commissions and similar selling
expenses, if any, attributable to the sale of shares will be borne by the selling shareholders. We
will pay the fees and expenses relating to the registration with the SEC of the sale of the shares
by the selling shareholders.
USE OF PROCEEDS
All shares of common stock sold pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the selling
shareholders and Vector Group Ltd. will not receive any of the proceeds from such sales.
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the shares of common stock described in this prospectus will be passed upon
for us by Marc N. Bell, General Counsel of Vector Group Ltd.
EXPERTS
The financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting) of Vector Group Ltd. incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the
Vector Group Ltd. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have
been so
incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
an independent registered certified
public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm in auditing and accounting.
The financial statements for Douglas Elliman LLC incorporated in this Prospectus by reference
to the Vector Group Ltd. Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended December
31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm in auditing and
accounting.
The financial statements for Koa Investors, LLC incorporated in this Prospectus by reference
to the Vector Group Ltd. Annual Report on Form 10-K/A Amendment No. 1 for the year ended December
31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Weisser LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm in auditing and accounting.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The aggregate estimated (other than the registration fee) expenses to be paid by us in
connection with this offering are as follows:
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|
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Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
|
$ |
13,272 |
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
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|
30,000 |
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Legal fees and expenses |
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|
50,000 |
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Miscellaneous |
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|
6,728 |
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Total |
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$ |
100,000 |
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|
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|
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a
corporations Board of Directors to grant, indemnity to officers and directors in terms
sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities
(including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. Article VI of
our By-Laws provides for indemnification of our directors and officers to the maximum extent
permitted by law.
Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows a corporation to eliminate the
personal liability of a director of a corporation to the corporation or to any of its stockholders
for monetary damages for a breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, except in the case where the
director (i) breaches his duty of loyalty, (ii) fails to act in good faith, engages in intentional
misconduct or knowingly violates a law, (iii) authorizes the payment of a dividend or approves a
stock repurchase in violation of the Delaware General Corporation Law or (iv) obtains an improper
personal benefit. Article Eighth of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation includes
a provision which eliminates directors personal liability to the full extent permitted under the
Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
Item 16. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein:
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Exhibit Title |
3.1
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vector (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 in Vectors Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999). |
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3.2
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Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Vector (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 in Vectors Form 8-K dated May 24, 2000). |
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3.3
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|
By-Laws of Vector (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in Vectors Form 8-K dated January 1, 2006). |
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5
|
|
Opinion of Marc N. Bell, General Counsel. |
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23.1
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered certified public accounting firm. |
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23.2
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. |
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23.3
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Consent of Weiser LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. |
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23.4
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Consent of Marc N. Bell, General Counsel (included in Exhibit 5). |
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24
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Power of Attorney (included on signature page). |
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
(a) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933,
(b) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered
(if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective
registration statement,
(c) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in
the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that:
(i) paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form
S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by such
clauses is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement;
and
(ii) paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) do not apply if the registration statement is on
Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule
424(b) that is part of the Registration Statement.
(iii) Provided further, however, that paragraphs (a) and (b) do
not apply if the registration statement is for an offering of asset backed securities
on Form S-1 or Form S-3, and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment is provided pursuant to Item 1100(c) of Regulation AB.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act:
(a) each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed
to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part
of and included in the registration statement; and
(b) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7)
as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made
pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information
required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and
included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus
is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in
the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of
the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to
be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the
registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided,
however, that no statement made in a registration statement or incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective
date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such effective date.
(2) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in Miami, Florida, on the 31st day of January, 2006.
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VECTOR GROUP LTD.
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By: |
/s/ Joselynn D. Van Siclen
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Joselynn D. Van Siclen |
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Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer |
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Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Richard J. Lampen, Marc N. Bell,
Joselynn D. Van Siclen and J. Bryant Kirkland III and each of them individually (the Agent), with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, to file one or more amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement which amendments may make such changes in
the Registration Statement as such Agent deems appropriate and each such person hereby appoints
each such Agent as attorney-in-fact to execute in the name and on behalf of each such person,
individually and in each capacity stated below, any such amendments to the Registration Statement.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on January 31, 2006.
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/s/ Howard M. Lorber
Howard M. Lorber
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President and Chief
Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
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|
/s/ Joselynn D. Van Siclen
Joselynn D. Van Siclen
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Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer) |
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/s/ Henry C. Beinstein
Henry C. Beinstein
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Director |
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/s/ Ronald J. Bernstein
Ronald J. Bernstein
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Director |
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/s/ Robert J. Eide
Robert J. Eide
|
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Director |
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/s/ Bennett S. LeBow
Bennett S. LeBow
|
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Director |
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/s/ Jeffrey S. Podell
Jeffrey S. Podell
|
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Director |
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/s/ Jean E. Sharpe
Jean E. Sharpe
|
|
Director |
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