Berkshire Hathaway news

[Sniper]

Wells notices from SEC...

NEW YORK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. on Friday said securities regulators may sue the chief executive of its General Re Corp. unit over his role in a 2000 transaction that helped American International Group Inc. inflate reserves.


Omaha, NE (BRK.A; BRK.B) – Berkshire Hathaway Inc. announced today that on September 8, 2005, Joseph Brandon, CEO of General Reinsurance Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, received a “Wells notice” from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its ongoing investigation of non-traditional insurance products. The Wells notice states that the staff is considering recommending that the Commission bring a civil injunctive action alleging that Mr. Brandon violated or aided and abetted violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The notice further states that in connection with such action it may seek permanent injunctive relief, an order barring Mr. Brandon from serving as an officer or director of a public company, disgorgement, and civil penalties against Mr. Brandon. Under the Commission’s procedures, the recipient of a Wells notice has the opportunity to respond to the staff before the staff makes its formal recommendation on whether any civil action should be brought by the Commission.

Omaha, NE (BRK.A; BRK.B) – Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was informed today by counsel representing Christopher Garand, a former Senior Vice President of General Reinsurance Corporation who retired on August 31, 2005, and counsel representing Robert Graham, a current Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of General Reinsurance Corporation, that Mr. Garand and Mr. Graham each received a “Wells notice” on September 8, 2005 from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its ongoing investigation of non-traditional insurance products. The Wells notices state that the staff is considering recommending that the Commission bring a civil injunctive action alleging that Mr. Garand and Mr. Graham violated or aided and abetted violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The notices further state that in connection with such action it may seek permanent injunctive relief, an order barring Mr. Garand and Mr. Graham from serving as an officer or director of a public company, disgorgement, and civil penalties against them. Under the Commission’s procedures, the recipient of a Wells notice has the opportunity to respond to the staff before the staff makes its formal recommendation on whether any civil action should be brought by the Commission. It should be noted that a Wells notice issued to an individual such as Mr. Garand or Mr. Graham is not sent to Berkshire Hathaway or General Reinsurance Corporation and Berkshire Hathaway and General Reinsurance Corporation only become aware of such notices when advised by the individual or their counsel.