Hagens Berman Announces Lead Plaintiff Deadline In Groupon Class Actions

CHICAGO, April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, an investor-rights law firm, today announced that multiple class actions have been filed against Groupon (NASDAQ GS: GRPN) starting the time for investors with large losses to select and interview counsel and, if so desired, to move to be the lead plaintiff.

There is no need to join any Groupon securities fraud class action at this time. Hagens Berman expects that most, if not all of the actions, will be consolidated by the courts into one in front of the same judge in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Hagens Berman is willing to discuss these actions and representation with investors who would like to consider joining as a lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff is the person or group of persons the court appoints to represent the interests of the class members.

Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Groupon common stock between November 4, 2011, and March 30, 2012 (the "class period"), and who have suffered substantial financial losses are encouraged to contact Hagens Berman Partner Reed Kathrein by calling [phone]. Investors may also contact the firm via email at [e-mail] or by visiting www.hbsslaw.com/GRPN. The deadline to move the court for lead plaintiff is June 4, 2012.

The suits, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on April 3, 2012, allege that Groupon and several of its underwriting banks issued false and misleading statements to investors at the time they went public in November.

Groupon initially priced its stock at $20.00 per share. The stock price rose as high as $26.19 during the class period.

Each of the suits is based upon the March 30, 2012, Groupon announcement that it would be revising its fourth quarter, 2011 financial results, to reflect a reduction in revenue and an increase in operating expenses. A press release issued by Groupon noted that "In conjunction with the completion of the audit of Groupon's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 by its independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, the Company included a statement of a material weakness in its internal controls over its financial statement close process in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2011."

Following Groupon's announcement, the company's stock declined in after-hours trading and on Monday, April 2, 2012, closed down nearly 17 percent at $15.27. It closed down an additional $.25 on April 3, 2012, at $15.02.

While the complaints filed today allege various misrepresentations and omissions, the core complaint relates to Groupon's failure to disclose that its financial reports were materially misleading and that its internal controls were so poor and inadequate that Groupon's reported results were not reliable.

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