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Commitments and Contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | 11. Commitments and Contingencies Legal Matters The Company is regularly involved in litigation and arbitration as well as examinations, inquiries and investigations by various regulatory bodies, including the SEC, involving its compliance with, among other things, securities laws, client investment guidelines, laws governing the activities of broker-dealers and other laws and regulations affecting its products and other activities. Legal and regulatory matters of this nature involve or may involve the Company’s activities as an employer, issuer of securities, investor, investment adviser, broker-dealer or taxpayer. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Company discusses matters with its regulators raised during regulatory examinations or is otherwise subject to their inquiry. These matters could result in censures, fines, penalties or other sanctions. The Company accrues for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In addition, in the event the Company determines that a loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, and it becomes possible to develop what the Company believes to be a reasonable range of possible loss, then the Company will include disclosures related to such matter as appropriate and in compliance with Accounting Standards Codification 450, Loss Contingencies. The disclosures, accruals or estimates, if any, resulting from the foregoing analysis are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. Other than as described herein, the Company believes, based on its current knowledge, that the outcomes of its legal and regulatory proceedings are not likely, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or its consolidated financial condition. However, in the event of unexpected subsequent developments and given the inherent unpredictability of these legal and regulatory matters, the Company can provide no assurance that its assessment of any claim, dispute, regulatory examination or investigation or other legal matter will reflect the ultimate outcome and an adverse outcome in certain matters could, from time to time, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in particular quarterly or annual periods. Regulatory Matter As previously disclosed, in December 2014 the SEC announced a settlement with F-Squared Investments (“F-Squared”), an unaffiliated former subadviser (see Note 14), which settled charges that F-Squared had violated the federal securities laws as described in Investment Advisers Act Release No. 3988. The settlement related to F-Squared’s inaccurate performance information for the period of April 2001 through September 2008, including indices that certain Virtus mutual funds tracked beginning in September 2009 and January 2011. As part of the SEC’s non-public, confidential investigation of this matter, the SEC staff informed the Company that it was inquiring into whether the Company had violated securities laws or regulations with respect to F-Squared’s historical performance information. Although the Company has not received a Wells Notice in connection with the investigation, the Company is in active discussions with the SEC staff with the objective of promptly resolving this matter. Based upon these circumstances, the Company has recorded a loss contingency pursuant to ASC 450 – Contingencies, of approximately $5.2 million in the first quarter 2015, in other operating expenses along with a related potential income tax benefit as a component of the Company’s income tax expense. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a loss greater than the amount accrued may be incurred, but the Company is unable to estimate the amount at this time. The discussions are ongoing, and the Company cannot provide any assurance that a resolution will be reached. Tom Cummins v. Virtus Investment Partners Inc. et al On February 20, 2015, a putative class action complaint alleging violation of the federal securities laws was filed by an individual shareholder against the Company and certain of the Company’s current officers (the “the defendants”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint was purportedly filed on behalf of all purchasers of the Company’s common stock between May 28, 2013 and December 22, 2014, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The complaint alleges that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and concealed material adverse facts relating to certain funds subadvised by F-Squared Investments. The complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5. The plaintiff seeks to recover unspecified damages on behalf of the class members. The Company believes that the suit is without merit and intends to defend it vigorously. On April 21, 2015, three plaintiffs, including the original plaintiff, filed motions to be appointed lead plaintiff. One of the motions has been withdrawn and on May 7, 2015 the other applicant filed a statement of non-opposition to the motion of Arkansas Teachers Retirement System to be appointed lead plaintiff. The Company believes that there is not a material loss that is probable and reasonably estimable related to this claim. Mark Youngers v. Virtus Investment Partners, Inc. et al On May 8, 2015, a putative class action complaint alleging violations of certain provisions of the federal securities laws was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by an individual who alleges he is a former shareholder of one of the Virtus mutual funds formerly subadvised by F-Squared Investments and formerly known as the AlphaSector Funds. The complaint purports to allege claims against the Company, certain of the Company’s officers and affiliates, and certain other parties (the “defendants”). The complaint was purportedly filed on behalf of purchasers of the AlphaSector Funds between May 8, 2010 and December 22, 2014, inclusive (the “Class Period’). The complaint alleges that during the Class Period the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and concealed or omitted material facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading. The Company has not been served with the complaint. The Company believes the plaintiff’s claims asserted in the complaint are without merit and intends to defend it vigorously.

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