NorthPoint's Trustee, Ms. E. Lynn Schoenmann Briefs NPNTQ's Shareholder's group
November 11, 2001
NorthPoint's Trustee, Ms. E. Lynn Schoenmann, gave the NorthPoint Shareholder's Group a 20 minute briefing today on NorthPoint's lawsuit against Verizon plus other information. Here is what we learned:
(1) For those of us who got a virus-infected Email from Ms. Schoenmann a couple of weeks ago: Ms. Schoenmann received a computer virus in an Email. Her Norton Anti-virus program was not updated. Before she became aware of it, the virus got into her Email address book and sent itself to everyone in her address book - several hundred people. She said it shut her operation down for 2 days. She felt bad about it.
(2) Verizon did file a Creditor Claim against NorthPoint's Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Ms. Schoenmann has seen the claim. She said it was filed after the normal time for filing claims had expired and she thought it was some kind of legal maneuver in which she could see no value. Same opinion on Verizon's motion for relief from the "stay" and Verizon's motion to file a counterclaim. She thought the whole package could just be delay maneuvers.
(3) Verizon has not made any settlement offers to Ms. Schoenmann. She said that verizon's people had spoken to some of her people - normal routine - but she has not personally spoken to anyone from Verizon.
(4) If there ever is a settlement offer and if Ms. Schoenmann decides to either accept the offer or reject the offer, "interested parties" are notified and any interested party, including our Shareholder's Group, can file a motion with Judge Carlson expressing opinions on Ms. Schoenmann's decision. Judge Carlson has the final say in the matter.
(5) Ms. Schoenmann does not expect a settlement. She thinks the case will go to trial. If there is a trial, Ms. Schoenmann will be present as Plaintiff, representing the Estate of NorthPoint. She would not litigate her own case, but Michael Kahn, Doug Sullivan and Samuel Miller will litigate the case.
(6) She thinks there is a good chance that a trial date will be set at the December 7 Status hearing, but she noted that the Status hearing has already been delayed twice and she conceded that it could get delayed again.
(7) Even though NorthPoint vs. Verizon is a "track # 1" case (expedited) it could still take another year, or even longer, to conclude. She emphasized that she thinks it will conclude much sooner than 2 years.
|