Hamstreet & Associates will use this page to answer questions as information becomes available. Because we are actively working to better understand certain questions, answers will evolve over time. We’ve added date stamps to some answers so you can easily find the latest information.
What is a receivership?
It’s a legal process in which a court-appointed official – the receiver – takes custody and control of a company’s assets and operations for purposes set forth by the court. The receiver is an officer of the court and has an obligation to act in the best interests of the receivership and for the benefit of creditors.
Why are the AEM LLCs in receivership?
Lawsuits were brought against certain AEM funds. Because the AEM funds were insolvent and could not meet their obligations, the funds’ manager – American Equities, Inc. – made the decision to put the assets into receivership.
Who is Hamstreet & Associates?
Hamstreet & Associates is a nationally recognized firm that specializes in working with troubled companies to manage difficult situations, improve results, and preserve value.
How much longer will the receivership be in place?
Currently, the Receiver is engaged in selling property in Mexico, supporting ongoing litigation, and managing administrative functions. The Mexican property will hopefully be liquidated by 2024 but is dependent on the market. The litigation is scheduled for trial in February 2023. The administrative functions will cease at the close of the Receivership.
What are the funds’ assets?
The Receiver has liquidated almost all of the domestic real estate assets. As of April 15, 2022, there is one pending sale and one parcel in Montana being cleaned up for listing later this spring. The contract portfolio is being held and serviced by Evergreen Note Servicing. In Mexico, there are two pending sales, two condos listed, and 3 tracts of bare land. Two tracts are in the process of being developed into rustic subdivisions, and the first lots will be available for sale by the end of April 2022.
The Receiver anticipates the remaining value of the estate, approximately $3 to $5 million, to be realized over the next 2 years.
How did the funds become insolvent?
The investigation into the mismanagement and decline of the AEM pools has been completed. Please visit the documents section for a detailed recounting of the Receiver’s findings, contained in the following documents:
October 21, 2019 – Declaration of Michael Ueltzen
November 13, 2019 – Summary of October 2 Investor Meeting and related slides
Information can also be found in the Receiver’s most recent complaint
January 12, 2022 – Receiver’s 2nd Amended Complaint
What costs are associated with the receivership, and who pays?
Costs for the receiver, attorneys, forensic accounts, ongoing staff, insurance, office rent, property taxes, and foreclosure expenses will be paid from the funds’ assets.
How do I contact the receiver?
Hamstreet & Associates can be reached by phone at (971) 279-5546, or by email at AEMReceiver@hamstreet.net. You can also fill out the information on the Contact page.
Are investors in other entities, like AEI or Ridgecrest, able to join the receivership?
Hamstreet & Associates was appointed the Receiver by the Clark County Court, and our authority is limited to the 15 AEM Pools named in the Receivership Order. We do not have the jurisdiction to include any other LLCs.
Claims Questions
What is MIMO?
The MIMO calculation (also called the net investment approach) used to determine allowed claim amounts looks at cash in and cash out of the Pools from January 31, 2007 to May 19, 2019. The difference between the money put into the pools and the cash payments received from the Pools during that time is the balance of your claim. If the difference is negative, the Receiver has proposed that it be disallowed.
More information on MIMO and the claims calculation can be found on the documents page:
May 28, 2021 – Motion
What is the distribution schedule?
The Receiver will make interim distributions periodically when enough cash has been collected to make a significant distribution. The first distribution of $3 million was made on July 8, 2021. The Receiver anticipates a similar distribution in 2022, in both value and timing
Can I file a claim for theft loss on taxes I’ve previously paid on my investment?
Whether an investor claims a theft loss is a decision each investor must make individually with their tax advisor. Generally, there need to be at least criminal charges and ideally a criminal conviction in order to claim a theft loss. The Receiver cannot bring criminal charges but can cooperate with agencies who might. No charges have been made to date. The Receiver does not recommend taking a left loss based on the information currently available. The relevant IRS rulings are Rev Proc 2009-20, Rev Proc 2011-58, and Rev Rul 2009-9.
Will distributions be subject to taxation?
Distributions from the receivership will be considered a return of principal. The Receiver is not planning to issue 1099s for the distributions. If you are invested through a traditional IRA, then your custodian may issue a 1099 related distributions received or claims transferred out of your IRA.
What am I supposed to do about taking my Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
The receivership does not change the rules about RMDs, but you may be able to reduce the amount of your required minimum distribution by asking your trust company to revise the value of your AEM investment.
I have both IRA and non-IRA claims. How will my distribution be paid out?
The distribution will be paid pro-rata to your IRA and to you personally. If your IRA is serviced through a custodial service, such as Forge Trust, the payment will be sent to the custodian directly.
The Receivership records of IRA ownership are incomplete. If you receive a distribution addressed to you personally that you believe should be directed to your IRA at an external custodian, you will be responsible for forwarding the payment onwards. If you would like to contact the receivership to ensure that the custodian address and account number on record are correct, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
Can I move my claim out of my IRA?
Yes. All legally performed transfers of claims are recognized in the Receivership, including a re-assignment of an IRA. Please contact the Receiver directly for more information on this process.
Settlement FAQ
Background
- Hamstreet & Associates is the Receiver. The Oregon and Washington investors are dealing with the same Ponzi scheme and the same set of facts. One of the purposes of a Receivership is to have a single party responsible for the administration of the estate and payment of the claims. If every investor hired their own lawyer, there would be higher costs and confusion. The law gives the Receiver the power to act on behalf of all investors but requires that the Receiver treat all investors the same way and not play favorites.
- The Receiver worked with the Miller Nash law firm to obtain a $19 million settlement from the banks for both Washington and Oregon investors. This settlement was the fruit of years of hard work and significant investment of funds from the Receivership estate. The settlement has been approved by Judge Gregerson overseeing the Receivership and, if the settlement moves forward, then all investors will get back their original investment plus more.
- OR 7 lawsuit: Oregon attorneys Mike Esler and Chris Kayser represent seven Oregon investors. Additionally, Esler and Kayser would like to represent all of the Oregon investors, but they do not represent them yet. The OR 7 also have a lawsuit against the banks in Oregon federal court. The seven investors are: Diane Anderson, Bonnie Buckley, Carl and Kirby Dyess, Peter Koubeck, Michael Peterson, and Ed Wilson.
- Davis Wright Tremaine (DWT) lawsuit: The OR 7 included DWT in their Oregon federal lawsuit too. DWT negotiated a $4.5 million settlement for Oregon investors (finalized, but funds not yet distributed). This settlement has no connection to the Receiver’s settlement, except that the Receiver required Pacific Premier Bank to drop its opposition to it as a condition of settlement.
Why did the Receiver settle instead of going to trial?
The settlement with the banks gives investors cash now instead of facing the risks, delays, and uncertainties of trial. Even if the Receiver won at trial, the appeal process that would come after would be lengthy and expensive. Instead, this settlement is a “sure thing” that pays off all MIMO claims and follows Judge Gregerson’s recommendation of mediated settlement.
We believe that the settlement will also result in the most money for investors. The banks can offer more settlement money to investors because the amounts available from their insurance and other funds have not been spent on defense at trial. The nature of the global settlement allows the banks to make their highest offers.
Why isn’t the Receiver’s $19 million settlement moving forward? (Rev. 2/7/24)
The settlement is moving forward. The Receiver has already completed the first step by getting the Washington court to approve the deal. The OR 7 then filed an appeal that is preventing the Receiver’s $19 million settlement from being finalized. If the OR 7 attorneys are successful in their appeal, then the $19 million settlement will be terminated and the Receiver would prepare to go to trial against the banks, which would lead to more delays, more expense, and more risk. If the OR 7’s appeal is unsuccessful, then the settlement will continue to move forward.
What’s the status of the appeal? (Rev. 2/7/24)
To date, only procedural motions have been filed. The OR 7’s opening merits brief is due February 12, 2024, after which the Receiver will file a response. Copies of court filings in this case are available on the AEM investors’ website under “Settlement Approval Appeal.”
Who are the OR 7 and what do they want?
The OR 7 (see above) includes seven Oregon investors working with attorneys Esler and Kayser who have brought civil litigation in Oregon against the banks. They are also appealing the Receiver’s $19 million settlement, which is blocking it from moving forward. Esler and Kayser claim they can obtain higher recoveries for their clients in Oregon (not Washington), though there are no guarantees in a trial.
When can I get my money? And how much will I get? (Rev. 2/7/24)
The Receiver’s $19 million settlement would return 100% of investors’ original investment plus some additional money. Once the settlement is funded, distribution could occur within two weeks. Currently, the OR 7 appeal is the only obstacle blocking the $19 million settlement from being funded. If the settlement is terminated, then going to trial could take years with no guaranteed outcome.
Does the Receiver (Hamstreet & Associates) make money regardless of whether the settlement moves forward?
The Receiver, along with the other professionals, works on an hourly basis and will not receive a percentage of the $19 million settlement.
What is the “break-up fee” in the settlement agreement?
If the settlement is terminated, then (subject to certain limitations) the banks will pay a combined $500,000 to the Receivership estate as a “break-up fee”. This payment will fund a portion of the additional legal expense to restart preparations for the trial that was postponed while pursuing the settlement. Going to trial would not be necessary if the $19 million settlement already negotiated on behalf of all investors moves forward unimpeded.
Investors report being told they will get nothing while Oregon investors get paid in full. Is this true?
This is false. The $19 million settlement negotiated by the Receiver will allow all investors in Oregon and Washington to get back 100% of their original investment plus more. If the settlement continues to be blocked, then the Receiver and the OR 7 will have to go to trial against the banks. However, it is impossible to predict the outcome of a trial, either the Receiver’s case or the OR 7 case. Going to trial could take years with no guaranteed outcome.
Can I support the settlement for $19 million with the banks AND support the OR 7 class action?
No. A key term of the $19 million settlement is that the OR 7’s case must end.
Can I receive payment from the Davis Wright Tremaine settlement and still support the Receiver’s $19 million settlement with the banks? (Rev. 2/7/24)
Yes. This settlement is completely separate from the Receivership settlement with the banks.
We understand that OR investors have received documents from the settlement administrator, Transeth & Associates. Please direct any questions regarding the DWT settlement to the administrator.
Transeth & Associates LLC
Norm Transeth, Claims Administrator
5331 S Macadam Avenue, Ste 258 PMB 1024
Portland, OR 97239-3871
norm@ntranseth.com
Telephone: (503) 708-8030
What communications have occurred between the OR 7 attorneys and the Receiver’s team?
The Receiver’s team was in communication with the OR 7’s attorneys for years and provided them with information, documents, and research that the Receiver had collected and created to help them with their case against Davis Wright Tremaine.
Why didn’t you invite the OR 7 attorneys to the settlement mediations with the banks?
We did. Prior attempts at mediations in 2020 and 2021 that involved the OR 7 attorneys and the banks failed. The Receiver’s case moved forward much more quickly, and the OR 7 case was years behind. Only the Receiver and the banks were in the courtroom when the judge advised mediation. The Receiver was able to negotiate a $19 million settlement that would get money back to the investors more quickly.
Why don’t you call the OR 7 attorneys and make a deal? (Rev. 2/7/24)
We tried. We had a call with them on June 12, 2023, and asked them to propose a resolution. As of February 7, 2024, we still have not heard back from them. However, at this point the Receiver has spent significant funds to reach this settlement on behalf of all investors. We do not want to show favoritism to one group of investors over another because they have engaged attorneys on a contingency basis.
In November 2023, Pacific Premier Bank sent a letter proposing global settlement to the Receiver and the OR 7 and invited all interested parties to discuss its proposal. The OR 7 rejected this proposal.
Whose idea was it to sue the banks? Hamstreet or Esler and Kayser?
In a legal situation such as this, it is standard practice to investigate and, if appropriate, to bring litigation claims against banks in order to help reimburse investors. It is not a unique idea.
Why not renegotiate with the banks and include the OR 7 attorneys?
We fought hard to get a $19 million settlement that would reimburse all investors over 100% of their original investment. Reopening negotiations or going to trial creates uncertainty, i.e., we don’t know if we could get a better deal and we don’t know how long it would take. The current settlement gets money back to all investors faster.
Why doesn’t the Receiver just offer the OR 7 class action group a larger portion of the $19 million settlement? Or offer some of the money to the class action attorneys to resolve this?
That would be unfair to all of the investors. The basis of the Receivership is equitable treatment to all investors and diverting more money to some means others get less. Similarly, it is not ethical to “pay off” the OR 7 attorneys.
This case has been several years of hard work in the making and has been expensive. The Receiver has worked for years on the analysis of the various investment pools to build a strong case against the banks—this included over 700,000 pages of written discovery and over 20 depositions. The Receiver shared much of its research and work with the OR 7 lawyers for their case against Davis Wright Tremaine and the banks. All investors paid those costs. It would not be fair to put settlement money in the OR 7’s lawyers’ pockets when it is rightfully due to all investors.
Can we ignore the OR 7 and the rest of us move forward?
No. They have exercised their legal right to appeal thereby blocking the $19 million settlement until that appeal is resolved. If they succeed in their appeal, then we will prepare for trial and continue to advocate on behalf of all investors. Going to trial could take years with no guaranteed outcome.
What happens if the OR 7 refuse to drop their suit? (Rev. 2/7/24)
By continuing their suit in Oregon and attempting to attack the settlement outside the proper appeals process in Washington, the OR 7 violated a court order. The Receiver asked the Washington court to enforce its order by filing a motion for contempt against the OR 7. On November 22, 2023 the Court held that they were in contempt, and on February 2, 2024, the Court ruled that the OR 7 must pay the Receiver and Pacific Premier for their attorneys’ fees totaling $100,000, i.e. $50,000 each, which were incurred as a result of the OR 7’s contempt.
I heard the OR 7 asked the Oregon federal court to stop the settlement. What will happen then? (Rev. 2/7/24)
The OR 7 did attempt to attack the settlement in the Oregon federal court by asking the court to let them supplement their complaint to include an action against the Receiver. The judge in that case denied the OR 7’s request to supplement their complaint on November 1, 2023. They filed a second request, the judge again denied on December 26, 2023, after which the OR 7 stayed their case in Oregon federal court as against the Banks effective January 11, 2024.