corresp
[Akerman Letterhead]
June 10, 2010
VIA EDGAR AND COURIER
Jay Ingram
Legal Branch Chief
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
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RE: |
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The GEO Group, Inc.
Form S-4 filed May 5, 2010
File No. 333-166525 |
Dear Mr. Ingram:
On behalf of The GEO Group, Inc. (GEO), we hereby respond to the Staffs comment letter,
dated June 1, 2010, regarding the above referenced Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the
Registration Statement). Please note that we are simultaneously filing Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement (Amendment No. 1). Please find enclosed three copies of Amendment No. 1
marked to show changes from the Registration Statement. The changes reflected in Amendment No. 1
include those made in response to the comments of the Staff in the comment letter and other changes
that are intended to update, clarify and render the information complete. Please note that, for
the Staffs convenience, we have recited the Staffs comments in boldface type and provided our
response to each comment immediately thereafter.
Form S-4
General
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1. |
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Your disclosure indicates that Cornell shareholders owning approximately 18.4%
of Cornells outstanding shares have entered into voting agreements to vote all shares
of Cornell in favor of the merger and that these parties executed irrevocable proxies
to vote their shares in favor of the merger. Please consider Interpretation 239.13 of
the Divisions Securities Act Sections Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations and
explain why you believe it is appropriate to register the issuance of such shares on
this Form S-4 at this time. We will permit the registration of offer and sales of an
acquirors securities where lock-up agreements have been signed under limited
circumstances, one of which requires that the lock-ups involve only executive officers,
directors, affiliates, founders and their family members, and holders of 5% or more of
the voting equity securities of the company being acquired. In this regard, it is not
clear whether the North Star Partners entities were, at the time the parties executed
the voting agreement, eligible participants. Annex 1 to the Voting Agreement, filed as
Exhibit 10.43 to GEOs Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2010, indicates that the North Star
Partners Entities beneficially owned less than 5% of Cornell outstanding securities.
Please advise. |
Response:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 2
Notwithstanding the beneficial ownership percentages referenced in Annex 1 to the Voting
Agreement, the North Star Partners entities beneficially own, currently and at the time the parties
executed the voting agreement, 5% or more of the voting equity securities of Cornell. As reflected
in the Form 4 filed on April 9, 2010 by Mr. Andrew R. Jones, a director of Cornell and the sole
managing member of NS Advisors, LLC which is the General Partner of both North Star Partners
entities, and the Schedule 13D filed by Mr. Jones on May 17, 2010, the beneficial ownership of Mr.
Jones and the North Star Partners entities is as follows:
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Stockholder |
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Beneficial Ownership of Cornell Common Stock |
Mr. Jones
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12,703 shares owned directly |
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28,750 shares covered by options exercisable as of May 14, 2010 |
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North Star Partners, L.P.
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339,599 shares |
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North Star Partners II, L.P.
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369,264 shares |
This results in aggregate beneficial ownership of 750,316 shares of Cornell common stock or
5.03% of the outstanding shares of Cornell common stock. As indicated in the Schedule 13D, Mr.
Jones has sole voting power and sole dispositive power over the 750,316 shares of Cornell common
stock. Under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act),
voting power or investment power over securities constitutes beneficial ownership by a holder.
Therefore, with respect to the North Star Partners entities, the lock-up agreement involves a
holder of 5% or more of the voting equity securities of Cornell and a director of Cornell in his
capacity as the sole managing member of the General Partner of both North Star Partners entities.
Based on the above, we believe that we comply with the requirements of Interpretation 239.13 of the
Divisions Securities Act Sections Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations and it is therefore
appropriate to register the issuance of shares of GEO common stock on the Registration Statement at
this time.
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2. |
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We note that each share of GEO Group common stock carries with it one preferred
share purchase right. Please note that Geo Group is required to register the offer and
sale of rights issued under an existing shareholder rights plan when it files a new
registration statement under the Securities Act for the common stock to which the
rights relate. See Question 116.16 in the Securities Act Forms section of the Division
of Corporation Finances Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations that are available
on the Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, counsel must
provide an opinion on the preferred share rights that are required to be covered by the
registration statement. See Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K. Please revise. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on the facing sheet of
Amendment No. 1. Additionally, we will file by an amendment to the Registration Statement Akerman
Senterfitts legal opinion which will include an opinion on the preferred share purchase rights.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 3
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3. |
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Please provide in the forepart of your prospectus a brief statement comparing
the percentage of outstanding shares entitled to vote held by GEOs and Cornells
directors, executive officers, and affiliates. See Item 3(h) of Form S-4. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 7 of Amendment No. 1.
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4. |
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Please provide us with all analyses, reports, representations, and similar
materials, including projections and board books, provided to or prepared by the
advisors in connection with rendering the fairness opinions. In addition, please
provide us with a copy of each engagement letter. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, the materials that each of GEO and Cornell provided to the
financial advisors in connection with rendering their respective
opinions are being provided by GEO
and Cornell to the Staff under separate cover on a confidential and supplemental basis pursuant to
Rule 12b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 418 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act). In accordance with such rules, we respectfully request that these materials be
returned to the appropriate parties promptly following completion of the Staffs review thereof.
By separate letter, we also request confidential treatment of these materials pursuant to the
provisions of 17 C.F.R. §200.83.
The presentation materials prepared by Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch in connection
with rendering their respective opinions to GEOs board of directors at its April 18, 2010 meeting
summarized under the caption Opinion of GEOs Financial Advisors, and their respective engagement
letters with GEO, are being provided to the Staff under separate cover by counsel for Barclays
Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch on a confidential and supplemental basis pursuant to Rule 12b-4
under the Exchange Act and Rule 418 under the Securities Act. In accordance with such rules,
counsel for Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch has requested that these materials be returned
promptly following completion of the Staffs review thereof. By separate letter, counsel for
Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch also has requested confidential treatment of these
materials pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. § 200.83.
The presentation materials prepared by Moelis in connection with rendering its opinion to Cornells
board of directors at its April 18, 2010 meeting summarized under the caption Opinion of Cornells
Financial Advisor, and its engagement letter with Cornell, are being provided to the Staff under
separate cover by counsel for Moelis on a confidential and supplemental basis pursuant to Rule
12b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 418 under the Securities Act. In accordance with such rules,
counsel for Moelis has requested that these materials be returned promptly following completion of
the Staffs review thereof. By separate letter, counsel for Moelis also has requested confidential
treatment of these materials pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. § 200.83.
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5. |
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Please revise to fill in all blank spaces, except for information which may be
omitted in reliance upon an available rule. You may wish to use brackets to indicate
information that is subject to change prior to effectiveness. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure throughout Amendment No. 1
to fill in blank spaces except for information which is omitted in reliance upon an available rule
or where such information is not known at this time but will be determined and filled in prior to
going effective on the Registration Statement. Additionally, we have used brackets to indicate
information that is omitted in reliance upon an available rule or that is subject to change prior
to effectiveness.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 4
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Please provide us with copies of the election form and letter of transmittal
that is being sent to Cornell stockholders along with the joint proxy
statement/prospectus. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have filed as Exhibit 99.6 to Amendment No. 1 the form
of Election Form and Letter of Transmittal.
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7. |
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Please update the financial statements and corresponding financial information
included and incorporated by reference to comply with Rule 3-12 of Regulation S-X. This
should include the pro forma financial information provided pursuant to Rule 11- 02(c) of
Regulation S-X. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 14-17 and 107-124
of Amendment No. 1 to update the financial statements and corresponding financial information
included and incorporated by reference.
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Please provide the equivalent pro forma per share information required by Item
3(f) of Part I.A. of the Form S-4. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 18 of Amendment No.
1 to provide the equivalent pro forma per share information.
Inside Front Cover Page
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9. |
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Please clearly state that to obtain timely delivery, security holders must
request the information incorporated by reference into your Form S-4 no later than five
days before the date they must make their investment decision. See Item 2(2) of Form
S-4. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the inside front cover page of Amendment
No. 1.
Summary, page 1
The Merger, page 1
Merger Consideration, page 2
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10. |
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We note if cash elections are made such that the aggregate cash consideration
would exceed $100.0 million, then GEO may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay such
excess amount in shares of GEO common stock or in cash. Please identify the objective
standards that GEO may consider in determining to pay the excess consideration in stock
or cash. |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 5
Response:
As noted in the Staffs comment, if Cornell stockholders make cash elections in an amount that
would cause the aggregate cash consideration to exceed $100.0 million, GEO may elect, in its sole
discretion, to pay such excess amount in shares of GEO common stock or in cash. The Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) does not provide that GEOs exercise of its sole discretion
is contingent upon the satisfaction of any objective standards in determining whether to pay the
excess consideration in stock or cash nor did GEO formulate any objective standards to determine
whether it would pay the excess consideration in stock or cash during the negotiations or
subsequent to signing the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, GEO intends to pay such excess amount in cash and we have revised the
disclosure on the joint notice and pages 2, 30 and 73 of Amendment No. 1 to reflect GEOs intention.
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11. |
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To the extent certain shareholders have indicated how they intend to proceed
insofar as electing cash or stock, we would expect to see appropriate disclosure that
would assist Cornell shareholders in mitigating the uncertainty associated with
contingent nature of the merger consideration. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment. No Cornell stockholders have indicated to GEO or Cornell
how they intend to proceed regarding their election of cash or GEO common stock. If GEO or Cornell
receives any indication of how Cornell stockholders will proceed regarding their election of cash
or GEO common stock prior to going effective on the Registration Statement, we will add appropriate
disclosure that would assist Cornell stockholders in mitigating the uncertainty associated with the
contingent nature of the merger consideration.
Interests of GEO and Cornell Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger, page 5
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12. |
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Quantify in dollars the aggregate amount of change in control, compensatory
and severance payments, and all other benefits that all executive officers, directors,
key employees, and affiliates of both companies will receive or have received as a
result of this transaction. Provide this information on a group and individual basis
for directors and executive officers and ensure that you file all agreements evidencing
such interests. Consider whether a tabular presentation might be helpful. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure under the headings
Summary-Interests of GEO and Cornell Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger on pages 5-7
of Amendment No. 1 and Interests of Cornell Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger That are Different Than Yours
Equity-Based Awards Non-qualified Deferred Compensation
Plan on page 61 of Amendment No. 1. We confirm that
all agreements evidencing such interests have been filed.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences, page 5
13. Since it is a condition to the completion of the merger that each party shall
have received an opinion from their respective counsel that the transaction will qualify as
a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, please disclose that you
will recirculate and resolicit if one or both of the tax opinions to be delivered at closing
are
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 6
not delivered. Are we correct in presuming that you will also provide executed opinions of
counsel as Exhibits 8.1 and 8.2, prior to the desired effective date?
Response:
In response to the Staffs comments, each of GEO and Cornell acknowledges and agrees that it
will recirculate the proxy statement and resolicit proxies if one or both of the tax opinions to be
delivered at closing by counsel to each party are not delivered. We have revised the disclosure on
page 7 to reflect this.
Additionally, in response to the Staffs comments, we will file executed versions of the tax
opinions of Akerman Senterfitt and Hogan Lovells US LLP as Exhibits 8.1 and 8.2, respectively,
with the final amendment to the Registration Statement.
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14. |
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Revise to remove the word generally wherever it appears. Use of the term may
imply that investors cannot rely on the disclosure. Alternatively, describe the basis
for any uncertainty of the federal income tax consequences for United States holders. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comments, we have revised the disclosure on pages 8 and 65-68 of
Amendment No. 1.
Recent Developments, page 17
Litigation Relating to the Merger, page 17
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15. |
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Please describe to us supplementally the factual basis alleged to underlie the
complaint filed by Cornell Companies shareholder. |
Response:
On or about April 27, 2010, Todd Shelby, who purports to be a stockholder of Cornell, filed a
putative class action complaint in the District Court for Harris County, Texas against Cornell,
each of its directors, and GEO. Shelby alleges that the director defendants breached their
fiduciary duties by initiating a process that he claims would result in the sale of Cornell for
inadequate consideration, by failing to engage in an auction process for the sale of Cornell, and
by agreeing to certain terms, including the termination fee payable to GEO in the event the
agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, that he claims will depress the value received
by stockholders. Shelby also alleges that Cornell and GEO aided and abetted the claimed breach
of fiduciary duty by the director defendants. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive
relief to invalidate the merger agreement and to prevent the consummation of the proposed
transaction. On or about May 28, 2010, Shelby filed an amended complaint in which he added new
allegations contending that the Preliminary Joint Proxy/Prospectus omitted allegedly material
information pertaining to (i) additional details concerning earlier, unsuccessful discussions
between Cornell and GEO and/or between Cornell and other industry participants regarding a possible
merger transaction, (ii) additional details concerning the process employed by the directors in
evaluating the current proposed transaction, (iii) additional details concerning the negotiation of
particular provisions of the merger agreement, (iv) additional details concerning the analysis by
Moelis & Company underlying its fairness opinion, and (v) additional details concerning the
analysis conducted for GEO by its financial
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 7
advisors, Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch. The amended complaint did not contain any
new or altered causes of action, nor did it alter the relief sought from that of the original
complaint. The defendants initial responses to the amended complaint are currently due to be
filed by June 21, 2010.
We have revised the disclosure on page 21 of Amendment No. 1 to specify that the plaintiff
filed an amended complaint on May 28, 2010.
The Merger, page 26
Background of the Merger, page 27
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We note your disclosure on page 29 that no other potential strategic acquirers
had any interest in holding substantive discussions with Cornell as of April 5, 2010.
Please elaborate on all other strategic alternatives, including any non-acquisition
strategies, considered by Cornells board of directors beginning in July 2009, and
provide its reasons for not pursuing such other alternatives. |
Response:
In
response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure
on page 32 of Amendment No. 1.
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17. |
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Please explain GEOs rationale for offering and Cornells rationale for
agreeing to a combination of cash and shares of common stock as consideration in the
merger transaction. |
Response:
In
response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure
on pages 37 and 51 of
Amendment No. 1.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 8
GEO Reasons for the Merger and the Recommendation of GEOs Board of Directors Relating to
the Merger, page 32
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18. |
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Please indicate whether GEO or Barclays Capital and/or BofA Merrill Lynch
recommended the consideration to be offered by GEO to Cornells shareholders. See Item
1015(b)(5) of Regulation M-A and Item 4(b) of Form S-4. |
Response:
We respectfully believe that the disclosure appearing on page 33 of the Registration Statement
addresses the Staffs comment. Specifically, such disclosure indicates that, The terms of the
merger were determined through negotiations between GEO and Cornell, rather than by any financial
advisor, and the decision to enter into the merger agreement was solely that of GEOs board of
directors. Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch did not recommend any specific form of
consideration to GEOs board of directors or that any specific form of consideration constituted
the only appropriate consideration for the merger. In light of the Staffs comment, however, we
have added disclosure on page 38 of Amendment No. 1 to add a reference to the consideration as one
of the terms determined through negotiations between GEO and Cornell.
Integration Considerations, page 33
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19. |
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We note your disclosure that GEOs board of directors also considered a
variety of risks and other factors. Please describe in greater detail these risks and
other factors. |
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 37 of Amendment No. 1.
Opinion of GEOs Financial Advisors, page 33
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20. |
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Please describe GEOs method of selecting Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill
Lynch as its financial advisors. See Item 1015(b)(3) of Regulation M-A and Item 4(b) of
Form S-4. |
Response:
We respectfully believe that the disclosure appearing on pages 35 and 38 of the Registration
Statement addresses the Staffs comment. Specifically, with respect to Barclays Capital, such
disclosure on page 35 of the Registration Statement indicates that, GEO selected Barclays Capital
because of its qualifications, reputation and experience in the valuation of businesses and
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions generally. Also, with respect to BofA
Merrill Lynch, such disclosure on page 38 of the Registration Statement indicates that, GEO
selected BofA Merrill Lynch to act as GEOs financial
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 9
advisor in connection with the merger on the basis of BofA Merrill Lynchs experience in
transactions similar to the merger, its reputation in the investment banking community and its
familiarity with GEO and its business. In light of the Staffs comment, however, we have added
disclosure on pages 40 and 43 of Amendment No. 1 to further clarify the description of GEOs
selection of Barclays Capital and BofA Merrill Lynch.
Summary of Barclays Capitals Opinion. page 34 |
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21. |
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Please supplementally provide us with copies of the financial and operating
information provided to Barclays Capital by GEO with respect to GEOs business and by
GEO and Cornell with respect to Cornells business. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, GEO and Cornell are providing the materials responsive to
this request to the Staff under separate cover on a confidential and supplemental basis pursuant to
Rule 12b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 418 under the Securities Act. In accordance with such
rules, we respectfully request that these materials be returned to the appropriate parties promptly
following completion of the Staffs review thereof. By separate letter, we also request
confidential treatment of these materials pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. §200.83.
Summary of BofA Merrill Lynchs Opinion, page 36
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22. |
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Please supplementally provide us with copies of the internal financial and
operating information provided to BofA Merrill Lynch by GEOs management with respect
to the business, operations, and prospects of GEO and by Cornells management with
respect to the business, operations, and prospects of Cornell. Please also supply us
with copies of GEOs alternative version of the Cornell forecasts that GEO furnished to
BofA Merrill Lynch. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, GEO and Cornell are providing the materials responsive to
this request to the Staff under separate cover on a confidential and supplemental basis pursuant to
Rule 12b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 418 under the Securities Act. In accordance with such
rules, we respectfully request that these materials be returned to the appropriate parties promptly
following completion of the Staffs review thereof. By separate letter, we also request
confidential treatment of these materials pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. §200.83.
Barclays Capital Financial Analyses, page 39
Cornell Selected Company Analysis, page 39
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23. |
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Please describe how Barclay Capital selected the comparable companies that it
considered in its financial analysis. |
Response:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 10
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 44 of
Amendment No. 1.
Cornell Selected Transactions Analysis, page 40
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24. |
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Please explain whether any comparable transactions were excluded from Barclay
Capitals analysis and, if so, the reasons for its exclusion of such transactions. |
Response:
We supplementally advise the Staff that Barclays Capital did not exclude from its selected
transactions analysis any transactions for which information was publicly available that Barclays
Capital identified as meeting its selection criteria. We note for the Staff, however, as indicated
in the disclosure appearing on page 40 of the Registration Statement, that no selected transaction
or company used in Barclays Capitals analysis is identical to Cornell or the merger and that
Barclays Capitals analysis necessarily involves judgment. In light of the foregoing and the
Staffs comment, we have added disclosure on page 45 of Amendment No. 1 to indicate that Barclays
Capitals selected transactions analysis may not necessarily utilize all transactions that could be
deemed comparable to Cornell or the merger.
Cornell Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, page 41
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25. |
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Please explain how Barclays Capital determined the range of terminal value
multiples and discount rates inputted into its discounted cash flow analysis. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 46 of Amendment
No. 1.
BofA Merrill Lynch Financial Analyses, page 41
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26. |
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Please describe how BofA Merrill Lynch selected the comparable companies that
it considered in its financial analysis. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 46 of Amendment No.
1.
Cornell Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Page 43
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27. |
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Please explain how BofA Merrill Lynch determined the range of terminal value
multiples and discount rates inputted into its discounted cash flow analysis. |
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In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 48 of Amendment No.
1. |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 11
Cornell Reasons for the Merger and the Recommendation of the Cornell Board of
Directors, page 45
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28. |
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We note that GEO sought to enter into a business combination transaction with
Cornell in prior years but that the two companies never entered into any definitive
agreements. As such, please explain the reasons why Cornells board of directors
determined that a merger with GEO was advisable at this time. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 50-51 of Amendment No.
1.
Opinion of Cornells Financial Advisor, page 48
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29. |
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Please supplementally provide us with copies of the internal information
provided by Cornell to Moelis & Company relating to Cornells past and current
business. Please also supply us with copies of the internal information provided by GEO
to Moelis & Company. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, GEO and Cornell are providing the materials responsive to
this request to the Staff under separate cover on a confidential and supplemental basis pursuant to
Rule 12b-4 under the Exchange Act and Rule 418 under the Securities Act. In accordance with such
rules, we respectfully request that these materials be returned to the appropriate parties promptly
following completion of the Staffs review thereof. By separate letter, we also request
confidential treatment of these materials pursuant to the provisions of 17 C.F.R. §200.83.
Cornell Analyses, page 50
Comparable Public Companies Analysis, page 51
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30. |
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Please describe how Cornell selected the comparable companies that it
considered in its financial analysis. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on pages 56-57 of
Amendment No. 1.
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, page 52
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31. |
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Please explain how Moelis & Company determined the multiples and discount
rates inputted into its discounted cash flow analysis. |
Response:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 12
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 58 of
Amendment No. 1.
Other Information, page 53
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32. |
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Please describe Cornells method of selecting Moelis & Company as its
financial advisors. See Item 1015(b)(3) of Regulation M-A and Item 4(b) of Form S-4. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have provided additional disclosure on page 59 of
Amendment No. 1.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger. page 58
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33. |
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We note that you intend to obtain and file a tax opinion regarding the
material U.S. federal income tax consequences resulting from the transaction. Because
it appears that you intend the tax discussion section to set forth counsels opinion,
and the tax opinion to be filed as an exhibit to be a short-form tax opinion, please: |
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revise the discussion under the Material Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger to
clearly state that the discussion and each of the conclusions are the opinion of counsel; |
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ensure that counsel presents its full opinion under the Material Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Merger and clearly identify each matter upon which counsel is opining. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 65 of Amendment No.
1.
Consequences if the Merger is a Taxable Transaction, page 61
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34. |
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We note the disclosure under this heading. Please disclose the reasons for
your uncertainty regarding whether or not the merger will constitute a taxable
transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes or, in the alternative, remove any
language that suggests uncertainty in counsels opinion. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 67 of Amendment No.
1.
Representations and Warranties, page 69
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35. |
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We note your inclusion of a disclaimer regarding the accuracy of, and investor
use of, the information in the merger agreement, which has been filed as part of your
registration statement. Please tell us how you determined that disclaimers such as this
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Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 13
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are consistent with your disclosure obligations or amend your disclosure as
appropriate. We would not to a statement that the merger agreement should not be relied
upon as
disclosure about GEO or Cornell without consideration to the entirety of public
disclosure by these parties as set forth in all of their respective public reports. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have amended the disclosure on pages 75-76 of Amendment
No. 1.
Comparison of Stockholder Rights, page 93
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36. |
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For ease of comparison, please provide GEOs authorized capital information
under the GEO Shareholder Rights column. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 99 of Amendment No.
1.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements, page 101
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheets, page 103
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37. |
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Please present the historical and pro forma shares authorized, issued and
outstanding on the face of your pro forma balance sheet. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 109 of Amendment
No. 1 to include both historical and pro forma shares authorized, issued and outstanding.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income, page 104
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38. |
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Given the nonrecurring charges identified in note (I), please revise your pro
forma statement of income to present income (loss) from continuing operations before
nonrecurring charges or credits attributable to the transaction as the last line item
on the statement. Refer to Rule 11-02(b)(5) of Regulation S-X. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the pro forma statement of income to
present Income from Continuing Operations Before Nonrecurring Charges Related to the Transaction
Attributable to the Combined Company on pages 17, 18, 110, 111, 121-122 of Amendment No. 1.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 14
Note 3. Preliminary Estimated Acquisition Consideration, page 105
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39. |
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We note that the table which shows the preliminary estimated acquisition
consideration is based on Cornells estimated shares of common stock and equity awards
outstanding as of April 29, 2010. We have the following comments in this regard: |
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Separately quantify the number of shares of common stock and the number of outstanding
equity awards. |
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Disclose what consideration you gave to ASC 718 in accounting for the exchange of any
equity awards, including whether the replacement awards should be accounted for as part of the
purchase price, compensation, or a combination of both. |
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|
Disclose whether or not the original awards were vested and whether any new awards will or
will not be vested, if applicable. |
|
|
Disclose how you will account for any new awards subsequent to the acquisition. Refer to
ASC 805-30-30-9 through 13. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment in the first bullet, we have separately quantified the
number of shares of common stock and the number of outstanding equity awards on page 113 of
Amendment No. 1. In response to the Staffs comment in the second bullet, the Company will account
for the replacement awards as part of the allocation of purchase price in accordance with ASC
805-30-30-9. Any awards issued that are unrelated to the transaction will be expensed in
accordance with FASB ASC 718. In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure
on pages 113 of Amendment No. 1 to include a discussion of the replacement awards. In response to
the Staffs comment in the third bullet, we have revised the disclosure on page 113 of Amendment
No. 1 to provide how the original awards and new awards vest. In response to the Staffs comment
in the fourth bullet, we have revised the disclosure on page 113 of Amendment No. 1 to provide for
how we will account for any new awards subsequent to the acquisition.
|
40. |
|
Please expand your table to more clearly show how you arrived at the total
estimated acquisition consideration by presenting the calculations used to arrive at
the cash consideration amount as well as the stock consideration amount. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 113 of Amendment
No. 1.
|
41. |
|
The share price used to calculate the estimated cash payout was based on the
closing price of GEOs common stock on April 29, 2010 which was $21.59. Please provide
a sensitivity analysis based on the possible changes in the closing price of your
common stock if the range of possible outcomes could have a material impact on the
amount of goodwill to be recorded. |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 15
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure on page 114 of Amendment
No. 1. to include a discussion and a sensitivity analysis reflecting the impact on the total
consideration and goodwill if the market value of GEOs common stock increases or decreases by 10%
compared to the closing price of GEO common stock on May 28, 2010.
|
42. |
|
Please discuss the extent to which the total purchase price consideration
could increase and the events or circumstances that would result in the amount
increasing. Please also disclose the maximum amount of any additional potential
payments, if applicable. |
Response:
GEO cannot estimate the maximum amount of the purchase price since this is contingent on the
fluctuation in the price of GEOs common stock; however, based on the terms and conditions of the
merger agreement, the exchange ratio is fixed. We have also revised note (A) on page 112 of
Amendment No. 1 to reflect that in the scenario where the elections made by Cornell stockholders
would result in the aggregate cash consideration to exceed $100.0 million, GEO may elect, in its
sole discretion, to pay such excess amount in shares of GEO common stock or in cash. There are no
other potential payments in addition to the purchase price consideration.
Note 5. Preliminary Pro Forma and Acquisition Accounting Adjustments, Page 107
|
43. |
|
Please disclose the nature and terms of any contractual agreements, including
management, cost sharing, or service agreements, which will be in place subsequent to
the acquisition. Please give pro forma effect to these arrangements in your pro forma
financial statements, if applicable. |
Response:
There are no contractual agreements,
including management, cost sharing, or service agreements, that will be in place subsequent to the acquisition that were
entered into in connection with the acquisition. As a result, no pro forma disclosure is applicable.
|
44. |
|
Your pro forma financial statements assume that 20% of the shares of Cornell
common stock will be exchanged for cash. For note (A), if true, please clarify in your
note that cash and cash equivalents would decrease by the cash consideration amount of
$85.3 as disclosed in Note 3. This decrease will be entirely offset by additional debt
which you will incur to pay this cash consideration amount. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (A) on page 115 of
Amendment No. 1 to clarify that the cash and cash equivalents would decrease by the cash
consideration of $82.9 million and that this decrease would be entirely offset by an increase in
debt incurred to pay for the cash consideration amount.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 16
|
45. |
|
Please expand note (B) to clearly show the total purchase price and how this
purchase price was allocated to each balance sheet line item. You should show the
specific tangible and intangible assets and liabilities the purchase price has been
allocated to. You should also clearly disclose the methodology used to determine the
estimated fair value of the assets and liabilities, including any significant estimates
and assumptions used. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure as Note (C) on pages 115-116 of Amendment No. 1. The preliminary purchase price allocation relative to intangible
assets is a preliminary estimate. The percentage of 37.5% was applied upon the exercise of managements judgment based on information
obtained from analysis performed in prior attempts to merge with Cornell. The final fair value of
the intangible assets will be prepared at closing by management using a third party financial
valuation service. GEO has disclosed this calculation for informational purposes and has also
included a statement as to the preliminary nature of this calculation in Note (C). Additionally,
the methodology used to determine the fair value of the other assets, liabilities and
noncontrolling interest is based on Cornells carrying values at March 31, 2010. GEO has not yet
determined the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and has updated the disclosure in
Amendment No. 1 in Note (C) to that effect.
|
46. |
|
Please help us understand why there does not appear to be a fair value
adjustment to the property and equipment of Cornell to arrive at the preliminary
acquisition date fair value pursuant to ASC 805-20-30-1. If you have yet to determine
the fair value adjustment, disclose this fact and provide a sensitivity analysis as to
how such adjustments might impact depreciation expense. |
Response:
GEO has not yet performed a detailed valuation analysis to determine the fair value of
Cornells assets and liabilities to be assumed in the transaction and as such has not yet
established the fair value of Cornells property. In light of this and the Staffs comment, we
have added a new Note (B) on page 115 of Amendment No. 1 to clarify that GEO has not yet
determined the fair value adjustment of Cornells property and equipment and provide a table
demonstrating the impact to pro forma depreciation and amortization expense for the thirteen weeks
ended April 4, 2010 and for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 of a 10% increase or decrease in
the final determination of the fair value of property and equipment.
|
47. |
|
Note (D) indicates that the $26.6 million adjustment to accounts payable,
accrued expenses and accrued payroll includes estimated non-recurring transaction
expenses, including $7.6 million of automatic change in control payments relative to
certain executive employee agreements. Please address why the $19 million pro forma
retained earnings adjustment discussed in note (I) does not include the $7.6 million
change in automatic change in control payments. |
Response:
As part of certain of Cornells existing employment agreements with its executives, certain of
its executives are entitled to change of control payments which will become liabilities to Cornell
at the close
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 17
of the merger with GEO. As a result, these payments are included as liabilities for
the purposes of Cornells closing balance sheet and recorded as a reduction of Cornells net
assets. The expense related to the establishment of the change in control liability is an expense
to Cornell and therefore has been excluded from the Pro Forma Unaudited Condensed Combined
Statements of Income. This treatment is consistent with ASC 805-20-25-3 and 805-10-25-20 through
805-10-25-23 which provides guidance to distinguish the accounting for items exchanged as part of
the business combination versus transactions outside of the business combination. In light of the
foregoing and the Staffs comment, we have revised
the disclosure in Note (E) (previously Note (D) in the Registration Statement) on page 117 of
Amendment No. 1.
|
48. |
|
Please expand your disclosures to show how you arrived at the amount of the
adjustment in note (E). This note should include a discussion of any significant
assumptions and estimates used to arrive at this amount. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (F) (previously
Note (E) in the Registration Statement) on page 117 of Amendment No. 1.
|
49. |
|
In regards to your intent to finance additional borrowings for the acquisition
under the accordion feature of your senior credit facility, the disclosures beginning
on page 12 of your Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2010 indicate that there
may be specific purposes for which the credit facility can only be used. In addition,
the senior credit facility contains certain customary representations and warranties,
and certain customary covenants that restrict your ability to be party to certain
transactions. Please confirm that there are no restrictions which may prevent you from
being able to use this facility for this purpose. |
Response:
BNP Paribas has provided us with an executed commitment letter for $150.0 million of
additional financing under the accordion feature in direct connection with the acquisition. We
confirm that there are no restrictions or limitations under the Credit Agreement or the commitment
letter which would prohibit us from using any borrowings under the senior credit facility,
including borrowings under the accordion feature of the senior credit facility, to consummate the
merger.
|
50. |
|
Note (F) indicates that the $85.3 million pro forma adjustment to long-term
debt reflects the cash payoff of $85.3 million (financed from additional borrowings
under the accordion feature of GEOs Senior Credit facility). Please clarify how the
additional items set forth in this note, including the $70 million repayment of
Cornells revolver, the intention to redeem GEOs 103/4 Senior Notes for $112 million
and GEOs expectation to fund these payments under its Senior Credit Facility and
supplemental borrowings under the $150 million committed financing under the according
feature of GEOs Senior Credit Facility are presented in your pro forma balance sheet. |
Response:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 18
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (G) (previously
Note (F) in the Registration Statement) on page 117 of Amendment No. 1.
|
51. |
|
It appears that the note (L) contains multiple components. Please separately
present and discuss each component in the note. Please show precisely how you arrived
at each component amount. You should disclose the specific asset categories the
adjustment relates to and the corresponding useful lives. Please advise how you
determined that all intangible assets should have an estimated useful life of 7 years.
Refer to ASC 350-30-35-1 through 5. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (M) (previously
Note (L) in the Registration Statement) on page 118 of Amendment No. 1.
|
52. |
|
It appears that note (M) contains multiple components. Please separately
present and discuss each component in the note. Please show precisely how you arrived
at each component amount, including the principal debt amount and the corresponding
interest rate. For debt that incurs interest at a variable rate, you should disclose
whether you used the average variable rate that this debt would have incurred over the
appropriate historical period for which you are giving pro forma effect or the rate as
of a given date. If you used the rate as of a given date, please disclose the date
used. Please also disclose the interest rate used for each period and the indexed rate
(LIBOR+x% or prime +x%) as well as the effect on income of a 1/8 percent variance in
interest rates. Refer to Rule 11-02(b)(8) of Regulation S-X. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (N) (previously
Note (M) in the Registration Statement) on pages 118-119 of Amendment No. 1. The pro forma interest
expense reflects an increase of 0.25% which would have been the interest rate charged to GEO as a
result of the pro forma borrowings as noted in Note (N). Since GEO was able to use historical
interest rates to present the pro forma interest expense, it was not necessary to include a
sensitivity analysis to disclose the impact of an increase or decrease in interest rates of .125%.
|
53. |
|
For note (O), please provide a clear reconciliation between the historical and
pro forma weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted EPS in the note
to the pro forma financial statements. Please also disclose any shares not included for
anti-dilution reasons. In a similar manner, please expand your disclosures in note
(vii) on page 109. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (P) (previously
Note (O) in the Registration Statement) on pages 119-120 and the disclosure in Note (viii)
(previously Note (vi) in the Registration Statement) on page 122 of Amendment No. 1.
Note 6. Selected Financial Statement Balances All-Stock Scenario, page 108
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 19
|
54. |
|
Please show the calculation used to arrive at the value of the total all-stock
consideration purchase price in the note. This should include how you determined the
total number of shares to be issued, the stock price used in determining the amount,
and the date as of which these assumptions were based. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note 6, beginning on
page 120 of Amendment No. 1 to include a table which sets forth the calculation in the all-stock
scenario.
|
55. |
|
The $50.6 million pro forma adjustment to Total liabilities for the all-stock
scenario is cross-referenced to note (ii). Note (ii) however refers to the $85.3
million reduction to pro forma Total liabilities that would not be necessary in the
all-stock scenario. Please revise to clarify. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note (ii) on page 122 of
Amendment No. 1 to more clearly reflect that the cash consideration needed for the cash/stock
consideration is not necessary in the all-stock scenario.
|
56. |
|
The pro forma adjustments to Common stock and additional paid in capital that
are cross-referenced to notes (iii) and (iv) appears to be include both the issuance of
GEOs common stock and the elimination of Cornells common stock and additional paid in
capital. Please separately present and discuss each component in the note. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in Note 6, under Selected
balance sheet captions to separately present the pro forma adjustments to common stock and
additional paid in capital as a result of the issuance of GEOs common stock and the elimination of
Cornells common stock on page 121 of Amendment No. 1.
|
57. |
|
Provide a discussion of the $151.2 million pro forma adjustment to Total
shareholders equity attributable to the GEO Group Inc. and Total shareholders equity. |
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure to add a new Note (v) on
page 123 of Amendment No. 1 to set forth the adjustments of $138.5 million (previously $151.2
million) made to pro forma Total Shareholders Equity and to Total Shareholders Equity
Attributable to the GEO Group Inc.
|
58. |
|
Based on your description of adjustment (v), it is not clear how you arrived
at a pro forma adjustment of $3.9 million. Please clearly reconcile between the
adjustment amount reflected on the pro forma statement of income on page 104 and this
adjustment amount of $3.9 million under an all-stock scenario. |
Response:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 20
In response to the Staffs comment, we have revised the disclosure in note (vi) (previously
note (v)) on page 123 of Amendment No. 1 to include a table which sets forth the detail of the pro
forma adjustments to interest expense, including weighted average interest rates, made in the
all-stock scenario.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. page 11-2
|
59. |
|
Please furnish as exhibits all reports, opinions, and appraisals discussed in
your prospectus as required by Item 21(c) of Form S-4. |
Response:
We will file by subsequent amendment to the Registration Statement Akerman Senterfitts legal opinion
and executed versions of the tax opinions of Akerman Senterfitt and Hogan Lovells US LLP. We believe
that, taking into account these and the other exhibits or annexes previously filed, we have furnished or will furnish by subsequent amendment all exhibits required under Item
21(c) of Form S-4.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 2010
|
60. |
|
Where a comment below requests additional disclosures or other revisions to be
made, please show us in your supplemental response what the revisions will look like.
These revisions should be included in your future filings, including interim filings,
if applicable. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment. Please see our responses below to Staff Comments #61-77,
as applicable.
Facility Design. Construction and Finance, page 8
|
61. |
|
We note your table which sets forth your current expansion and development
projects at January 3, 2010. Based on notes (1) and (3), you currently do not have a
customer for your North Lake Correctional Facility and your Aurora ICE Processing
Center. Until you have a customer, your Customer column should be revised to better
clarify this fact. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and we will revise the table regarding current expansion
and development projects to clarify that we currently do not have customers at the North Lake
Correctional Facility and the Aurora ICE Processing Center. In future filings, the table will be
presented as follows:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capacity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Following |
|
Estimated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
Expansion/ |
|
Completion |
|
|
|
|
Facilities Under Construction |
|
Beds |
|
Construction |
|
Date |
|
Customer |
|
Financing |
North Lake Correctional Facility,
Michigan |
|
|
1,225 |
|
|
|
1,755 |
|
|
|
Q2 2010 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
GEO |
Aurora ICE Processing Center, Colorado |
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,532 |
|
|
|
Q2 2010 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
GEO |
Broward Transition Center, Florida |
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
Q3 2010 |
|
|
Federal (3) |
|
GEO |
Blackwater River Correctional
Facility, Florida |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
Q2 2010 |
|
|
DMS (4) |
|
Third party |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
4,325 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
We currently do not have a customer for this facility but are marketing these beds to various
federal and state agencies. |
|
(2) |
|
We do not yet have customers for these expansion beds. |
|
(3) |
|
We are currently operating this facility and have a management contract for 700 beds. The
ongoing construction at this facility is for a new administration building and other renovations to
the existing structure. |
|
(4) |
|
We have recently secured a management contract to operate this facility. |
Note 1. Summary of Business Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, page 72
General
|
62. |
|
In the interest of providing readers with a better insight into managements
judgments in accounting for goodwill, please disclose the following: |
|
|
The reporting unit level at which you test goodwill
for impairment and your basis for that determination; |
|
|
|
How you weight each of the methods used to value
goodwill, including the basis for that weighting; |
|
|
|
How the methodologies used for valuing goodwill in
the current year have changed since the prior year;
and |
|
|
|
To the extent that any of your reporting units have
estimated fair values that are not substantially in
excess of the carrying value and to the extent that
goodwill for these reporting units, in the aggregate
or individually, if impaired, could materially impact
your operating results, please provide the following
disclosures for each of these reporting units:
|
|
o |
|
Identify the reporting unit; |
|
|
o |
|
The percentage by which fair value exceeds the carrying value as of the
most-recent step-one test; |
|
|
o |
|
The amount of goodwill; |
|
|
o |
|
A description of the assumptions that drive the estimated fair value; |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 22
|
o |
|
A discussion of the uncertainty associated with the key assumptions. For
example, to the extent that you have included assumptions in your discounted cash flow
model that materially deviates from your historical results, please include a
discussion of these assumptions; and |
|
o |
|
A discussion of any potential events and/or circumstances that could have a
negative effect to the estimated fair value. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and we will revise our disclosure regarding managements
judgments in accounting for goodwill. In future filings of our Form 10K, under Note 1 Summary of
Business Operations and Significant Accounting Policies, we will expand the 2nd
paragraph of our existing disclosure as follows (proposed revisions are underlined):
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Companys goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment annually and
whenever events or circumstances arise that indicate impairment may have occurred. Impairment
testing is performed for all reporting units that contain goodwill. For the purposes of
impairment testing, the Company determines the recoverability of goodwill by comparing the carrying
value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit,
which is the same as the operating segment. The Company has
identified the reporting unit as the operating segment based on the
criteria management uses to make key decisions about the business. If the fair value is determined to be less than
the carrying value, the Company computes the impairment charge as the excess of the carrying value
of the reporting unit goodwill over the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. For
the purposes of the goodwill impairment test, the Company determined fair value
of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow model. Growth rates for sales and profits are
determined using inputs from the Companys long term planning process. The Company also makes
estimates for discount rates and other factors based on market conditions, historical experience
and other environmental factors. Changes in these forecasts could significantly impact the fair value of the reporting unit. During the year, management monitors the actual performance of the
business relative to the fair value assumptions used during the annual impairment test.
For the interim periods in the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010, the Companys management
did not identify any triggering events that would require an update to the annual impairment test.
The Company performed its annual impairment test, on the measurement date of October 1, 2009 which
is on or about the first day of the Companys fourth fiscal quarter and did not identify any
impairment in the carrying value of its goodwill. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit
significantly exceeded the carrying value of the goodwill. A 10% decrease in the fair value of any
of our reporting units as of January 3, 2010 would have had no impact on the carrying value of our
goodwill. In the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008, the Company wrote off goodwill of $2.3
million associated with the termination of its transportation services business in the United
Kingdom. There were no impairment charges recorded in the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007
and there were no changes since the prior year to the methodology the Company applies to
determine the fair value of the reporting unit used in its goodwill test.
See Notes 4 and 9.
We do not have any reporting units with fair values not substantially in excess of the
carrying value of goodwill and as such, we have not included the disclosures requested above.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 23
|
63. |
|
If you have determined that the estimated fair value substantially exceeds the
carrying value for all of your reporting units, please disclose this determination.
Please also provide the above disclosures, as applicable, for any long-lived assets or
asset groups for which you have determined that undiscounted cash flows is not
substantially in excess of the carrying value and to the extent that the asset amounts,
in the aggregate or individually, could materially impact your operating results or
total shareholders equity. We note that this information may be best disclosed within
your critical accounting policy section of your filing. Please refer to Item 303 of
Regulation S-K and Sections 216 and 501.14 of the SECs Codification of Financial
Reporting Policies for guidance. |
Response:
Please see our response to Staff comment #62 above. We will revise our disclosure in future
filings on Form 10-K under Note 1 Summary of Business Operations and Significant Accounting
Policies, as indicated above, to disclose that the estimated fair value of the reporting unit,
including goodwill, significantly exceeds its carrying value, as applicable. We have not revised
our disclosure relating to any long-lived assets or asset groups as we do not have any long-lived
assets or asset groups for which we have determined that undiscounted cash flows are not
substantially in excess of the carrying value and we are not aware of any circumstances which would
indicate that the carrying value of our long-lived assets is not recoverable.
Noncontrolling interest in Subsidiary, page 75
|
64. |
|
Expand your disclosure to clarify where you have included the income
attributable to the noncontrolling interest in your Consolidated Statements of Income. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and we will revise our disclosure to clarify where we have
included the income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in our Consolidated Statements of
Income. We will expand our disclosure in the 1st paragraph of the footnote relative to
our noncontrolling interest in our future interim and annual filings as follows (proposed revisions
are underlined):
Noncontrolling interest in Subsidiary
On December 29, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting standards related to the reporting of
noncontrolling interests. These standards clarify the classification of noncontrolling interests in
the consolidated statements of financial position and the accounting for and reporting of
transactions between the reporting entity and the holders of noncontrolling interests. The Company
has applied these standards retrospectively in the presentation of its consolidated balance sheets
for all periods presented by reflecting its noncontrolling interest, discussed further below, as a
separate component of equity. The income attributable to the noncontrolling interest is not
material to the Companys results of operations and is not presented separately. This amount
is included in operating expenses for all periods presented.
Revenue Recognition, page 76
|
65. |
|
You indicate that certain of your contracts have provisions upon which a
portion of the revenue is based on the performance of certain targets. Please expand
your disclosures |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 24
|
|
|
to clarify the nature of those targets and provide better insight into your revenue
recognition policy for these contracts. Specifically, clarify how and when you determine
that amounts are fixed and determinable as well as what you mean by the time period
over which the conditions have been satisfied has lapsed. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and we will revise our disclosure to clarify the nature of
the targets and provide additional insight into GEOs revenue recognition policy for these
contracts. In future filings, we will expand our disclosure in the 1st paragraph of the
disclosure as follows (proposed revisions are underlined):
Revenue Recognition
Facility management revenues are recognized as services are provided under facility management
contracts with approved government appropriations based on a net rate per day per inmate or on a
fixed monthly rate. Certain of the Companys contracts have provisions upon which a portion of the
revenue is based on the performance of certain targets, as defined in the specific contract. These
performance targets are based on specific criteria to be met over set periods of time. Such
criteria includes our ability to achieve certain contractual benchmarks relative to the quality of
service GEO provides, effectiveness of GEOs quality control programs and GEOs responsiveness to
customer requirements and concerns. GEO may also earn additional revenue through the
non-occurrence of certain disruptive events. In some cases, the fees are fixed and determinable and
are recognized pro rata or when the conditions for recognition have been satisfied. In other
instances, these fees are indeterminable and as such, are not recognized until the amount of the
revenue can be reasonably estimated, the service has been rendered and the conditions for
recognition have been satisfied. In many instances, the Company is a party to more than one
contract with a single entity. In these instances, each contract is accounted for separately.
Note 2. Business Acquisition, page 83
|
66. |
|
Please provide all of the required disclosures related to business
combinations required by ASC 805-10-50, ASC 805-20-50, and ASC 805-30-50. |
Response:
The disclosures required by ASC 805-10-50, ASC 805-20-50 and ASC 805-30-50 are applicable to business combinations that occur during the period in
which a business combination is completed. In order to determine if the acquisition of Just Care Inc. (Just Care) was material to its financial statements, GEO
considered the guidance outlined in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99 (SAB 99) which requires consideration of quantitative and qualitative factors that may require disclosure
of adjustments to financial statements. In Note 2 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K, GEO included certain disclosures relative to the total purchase price of Just Care as well as
an allocation of the purchase price; however, omitted other disclosures which it deemed quantitatively and qualitatively immaterial. The omitted disclosures that are applicable to the
Companys acquisition of Just Care include: disclosure of amount of revenue and earnings of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated financial statement for
the reporting period, the revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the current reporting period as though the acquisition date for this business combination had occurred at the
beginning of the annual reporting period and revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the comparable prior reporting period as though the business combination had occurred
at the beginning of that reporting period. GEO concluded that the omitted disclosures were not quantitatively material by considering the following factors:
Revenues and operating income for Just Cares fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 were less than 3% and 3%, respectively, of GEOs consolidated revenues
and operating income for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010.
Revenues and operating income, calculated on a pro rata basis from Just Cares audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009,
for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2009 were less than 3% and 3%, respectively, of GEOs revenues and operating income for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2009.
Revenues and operating income for Just Care for the period since the acquisition date of September 30, 2009 to GEOs fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 were less than
3% and 3%, respectively of GEOs consolidated revenues and operating income for its thirteen weeks ended January 3, 2010.
Revenues and operating income for the fiscal year ended 2008 for Just Care were less than 3% and 3% of GEOs revenues and operating income.
The acquired assets, including goodwill, of Just Care were less than 5% of GEOs consolidated net assets for the year ended January 3, 2010.
GEO also considered several qualitative factors with respect to the omitted disclosures and concluded that the omission of the disclosures discussed above was not
qualitatively material. Such qualitative considerations include consideration that the information omitted from the disclosure would have changed or influenced an investors decision,
that the omission affects loan covenants or compliance with regulatory requirements, conceals an unlawful transaction, changes management compensation, concerns a segment or
other portion of GEOs business which plays a significant role in operations and profitability, whether the omission masks a trend of earnings or losses and whether the information omitted
might have influenced expectations for GEOs performance.
The Company has determined that it has included quantitatively and qualitatively material disclosures in Note 2. to its Annual Report on Form 10-K in sufficient detail
and has elected to not expand its disclosures based on its assessment of materiality. GEO also considered the requirements of Regulation S-X, Article 3 Rule 3-05 (2)(ii)(a) as
an additional measurement of materiality to aid in the decision of determining materiality and concluded that these disclosures were not required as the acquisition did not meet the
definition of a significant subsidiary as defined in Regulation S-X Rule 1-02(w). There were no other acquisitions during the period which would have required an analysis in the
aggregate.
Note 4. Discontinued Operations, page 86
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67. |
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The termination of any of your management contracts by expiration or
otherwise, may result in the classification of the operating results of such management
contract, net of taxes, as a discontinued operation. You present such events as
discontinued operations so long as the financial results can be clearly identified, the
operations and cash flows are completely eliminated from ongoing operations, and so
long as you do not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the
component after the disposal or termination transaction. On page 100, you disclose
various contract terminations which do not appear to be reflected in discontinued
operations. Please further clarify |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 25
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your disclosures to address how you determined that these terminations should not be
reflected in discontinued operations. |
Response:
In accordance with ASC 205-20-45-1, GEO reports discontinued operations when the operations
and cash flows of the component have been (or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations
of GEO as a result of the disposal transaction or contract termination and when GEO will not
have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal
transaction.
Historically, we have followed the practice of aggregating contracts by customer to evaluate
reporting responsibilities relative to discontinued operations. This practice has been supported
by the nature of our customer relationships where prisoners may move among contracted facilities
and where a number of our customers have contracts for multiple facilities. If the continuing cash
flows from the customer are significant, then the cash flows and results of the component unit are
reported as continuing operations. As such, the State of Florida is the component unit for the
terminated contracts related to Moore Haven Correctional Facility and Graceville Correctional
Facility (together, the Florida contracts). The State of Florida is the level at which cash
flows would be analyzed for treatment as discontinued operations. Since the Company has continuing
cash flows which are significant with the State of Florida, these contracts were not reported as
discontinued operations. Also terminated during the thirteen weeks ended April 4, 2010 was our
contract with Melbourne Custody Centre, operated by our wholly-owned Australian subsidiary on
behalf of the Victoria Police to house prisoners, escort and guard prisoners for the Melbourne
Magistrate Courts and to provide primary healthcare. The Companys wholly-owned Australian
subsidiary no longer does business with this customer; however, the
operating income and revenues generated from this contract were less
than 1% of consolidated revenues and operating income and considered not significant for any of the periods presented. To
clarify our policy for the reporting of discontinued operations, we will revise our disclosure in
future filings as follows (proposed revisions are underlined):
4. Discontinued Operations
The termination of any of the Companys management contracts by expiration or otherwise, may
result in the classification of the operating results of such management contract, net of
taxes, as a discontinued operation. The Company presents such events as discontinued
operations so long as the financial results can be clearly identified, the operations and
cash flows are completely eliminated from ongoing operations, and so long as the Company
does not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component
after the disposal or termination transaction. The component unit for which cash flows
are considered to be completely eliminated exists at the customer level. Historically,
the Company has classified operations as discontinued in the period they are announced as
normally all continuing cash flows cease within three to six months of that date. During
the fiscal year 2008, the Company discontinued operations at certain of its domestic and
international subsidiaries. Where significant, the results of operations, net of
taxes, and the assets and liabilities of these operations, each as further described below,
have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as discontinued
operations for all periods presented. Assets, primarily consisting of accounts receivable,
and liabilities have been presented separately in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets for all periods presented.
Note 18. Income Taxes. page 108
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68. |
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During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009, the IRS completed its examination of
your U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2002 through 2005. Following the
examination, the IRS notified you that it proposes to disallow a deduction that you
realized during the 2005 tax year. Please expand your disclosures to address your
consideration of this |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 26
IRS notification in determining the appropriate accounting for this tax position. Refer
to ASC 740-10-25-5 through 17.
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and we will revise our disclosure in future filings to
address our consideration of the IRS notification in determining the appropriate accounting for
this tax position. In future filings, we will expand our disclosure
as indicated in the last paragraph (underlined). The language that
has been stricken below appears in the expanded disclosure.
All amounts in the reconciliation are reported on a gross basis and do not reflect a federal
tax benefit on state income taxes. Inclusive of the federal tax benefit on state income
taxes the ending balance as of January 3, 2010 is $5.6 million. Included in the balance at
January 3, 2010 is $0.5 million related to tax positions for which the ultimate
deductibility is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such
deductibility. Under deferred tax accounting, the timing of a deduction does not affect the
annual effective tax rate but does affect the timing of tax payments. Absent a decrease in
the unrecognized tax benefits related to the reversal of these timing related tax positions,
the Company does not anticipate any significant increase or decrease in the unrecognized tax
benefits within 12 months of the reporting date. Additions for tax positions of prior years
reported in the reconciliation for 2009 include amounts related to proposed federal audit
adjustments for the years 2002 through 2005, which the Company has appealed. The balance at
January 3, 2010 includes $5.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits which, if ultimately
recognized, will reduce the Companys annual effective tax rate.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states
and foreign jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the
interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to
apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and
local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2002.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the Companys U.S. income
tax returns for 2006 through 2008 in the fourth quarter of 2009 that is anticipated to be
completed by the end of 2011.
During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) completed its
examination of the Companys U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2002 through
2005. Following the examination, the IRS notified the Company that it proposes to disallow
a deduction that the Company realized during the 2005 tax year. The Company has appealed
this proposed disallowed deduction with the IRSs appeals division and believes it has valid
defenses to the IRSs position. However, if the disallowed deduction were to be sustained
on appeal, it could result in a potential tax exposure to the Company of up to $15.4
million. The Company believes in the merits of its position and intends to defend its
rights vigorously, including its rights to litigate the matter if it cannot be resolved
favorably at the IRSs appeals level. If this matter is resolved unfavorably, it may have a
material adverse effect on the Companys financial position, results of operations and cash
flow.
The calculation of the Companys provision (benefit) for income taxes requires the use
of significant judgment and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of
complex tax laws and regulations. In determining the adequacy of the Companys provision
(benefit) for income taxes, potential settlement outcomes resulting from income tax
examinations are regularly
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 27
assessed. As such, the final outcome of tax examinations,
including the total amount payable or the timing of any such payments upon resolution of
these issues, cannot be estimated with certainty. Due to the Companys receipt of the proposed IRS audit adjustment for the
years 2002-2005, the Company reassessed the probability of potential settlement outcomes
with respect to the proposed adjustment, which is now under review by the IRSs appeals
division. Based on this reassessment, the Company has provided an additional accrual. The
additional accrual is reported in the reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits in 2009 as
additions for tax positions for prior years which increased by $4.9 million.
Note 20. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information, 114
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69. |
|
Please revise your disclosures to clarify, if true, that your guarantor
subsidiaries are 100% owned. In this regard, please note the definition of wholly-owned
as set forth in Rule 1-02(aa) of Regulation S-X. If your guarantor subsidiaries are not
100% owned, tell us how you comply with the financial statement requirements set forth
in Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and we will revise our disclosure to clarify that our
guarantor subsidiaries are 100% owned. In future filings, we will expand the disclosure in the
2nd paragraph of the disclosure as follows (proposed revisions underlined):
21. |
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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information |
The following condensed consolidating financial information, which has been prepared in
accordance with the requirements for presentation of Rule 3-10(d) of Regulation S-X promulgated
under the Securities Act, presents the condensed consolidating financial information separately
for:
(i) The GEO Group, Inc., as the issuer of the 73/4% Senior Notes;
(ii) The Subsidiary Guarantors, on a combined basis, which are wholly owned by The GEO
Group Inc., and which are guarantors of the 7 3/4% Senior Notes;
(iii) The Companys other subsidiaries, on a combined basis, which are not guarantors of the
73/4% Senior Notes (the Subsidiary Non-Guarantors);
(iv) Consolidating entries and eliminations representing adjustments to (a) eliminate
intercompany transactions between or among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the
Subsidiary Non-Guarantors and (b) eliminate the investments in the Companys subsidiaries; and
(v) The Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Item 15. Exhibits, and Financial Statement Schedules, page 125
Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2
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70. |
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In future filings, please file your certifications exactly as set forth in
Item 601(b)(31)(i) of Regulation S-K, without modifying the language in paragraphs 4(d)
and 5(b). |
Response:
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 28
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and confirm that in future filings we will file our
certifications exactly as set forth in Item 601(b)(31)(i) of Regulation S-K.
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71. |
|
It appears that you have omitted the schedules and exhibits referenced in your
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2007. Please file with
your next Exchange Act report, a complete copy of this credit agreement, which should
include all schedules and exhibits referenced therein. See Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and confirm that we will file a complete copy of our Third
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated January 24, 2007, including the previously omitted
schedules and exhibits, with our next Form 10-Q.
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A Filed March 24,
2010
Board Leadership Structure, page 15
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72. |
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In future filings, please disclose the effect on the boards leadership
structure of the boards role in performing its risk oversight function. See Item
407(h) of Regulation S-K. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment and confirm that in future filings of our proxy statement
we will disclose the effect on the boards leadership structure of the boards role in performing
its risk oversight function by adding the following disclosure under Board Leadership Structure
(proposed revisions are underlined):
Board Leadership Structure
Our CEO also serves as the Chairman of the board of directors. We do not have a lead director;
however, we believe that there is an adequate balance in the leadership structure between the
independent directors and the Chairman and CEO. Each of the key board of director committees is
chaired by an independent director. All discussions at the board of director meetings are led by
the chair of the relevant committee. Additionally, the independent directors often meet in
executive session to discuss appropriate GEO matters. We believe that this structure is appropriate
for GEO because it allows one person to speak for and lead GEO and the board of directors, while
also providing for effective oversight by an independent board of directors. Since GEO has operated
successfully without an official lead director in the past, we continue to believe that this
leadership structure is appropriate for GEO. As a company that is focused on its core business, we
believe the CEO is in the best position to direct the independent directors attention on the
issues of greatest importance to GEO and its shareholders. Since our CEO knows GEOs business, is a
pioneer in the industry and has over twenty five years of experience in our business, we believe
that our CEO is the appropriate person to lead the board of directors. Our overall corporate
governance policies and practices combined with the strength of our independent directors and our
internal controls minimize any potential conflicts that may result from combining the roles of
Chairman and CEO.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 29
We believe the current leadership structure of the Board of Directors supports the risk
oversight functions described below by providing independent leadership at the committee level with
ultimate oversight by the full Board of Directors led by our Chairman and CEO. The Board of
Directors periodically reviews and considers whether the current Board leadership structure
continues to be appropriate for our company.
Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion & Analysis, page 19
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73. |
|
We note your disclosure on page 20 in response to Item 402(s) of Regulation
S-K. Please describe the process you undertook to reach the conclusion that disclosure
is not necessary. |
Response:
As part of its annual review of GEOs compensation policies and practices, the Compensation
Committee of GEO undertook a risk assessment review in connection with its determination that the
risks arising from GEOs compensation policies and practices for GEOs employees are not reasonably
likely to have a material adverse effect on GEO as disclosed in our Definitive Proxy Statement on
Schedule 14A filed on March 24, 2010 (the 2010 Proxy Statement) in compliance with Item 402(s) of
Regulation S-K. Specifically, the Compensation Committee reviewed the three primary components of
our compensation program: salary, annual cash incentive compensation and equity compensation. The
Compensation Committee concluded that base salaries do not create risks that are reasonably likely
to have a material adverse effect on GEO. With respect to our annual cash incentive compensation,
the Compensation Committee noted that this element of compensation, other than the discretionary
component, is formulaic and tied to the performance of GEO as a whole on a consolidated basis with
respect to the two performance measures of revenue and net income after tax. Because these two
performance measures are broad-based in nature and linked to companywide performance, the
Compensation Committee concluded that the annual cash incentive compensation component does not
incentivize employees to take on unnecessary risk that is reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on GEO. With respect to our equity compensation program, the Compensation Committee
noted in its review that since the adoption of its 2006 Plan, GEO has also granted shares of
restricted stock which vest over a four year period instead of solely granting stock options. The
Compensation Committee also noted that there is no set amount of options or restricted stock that
will be granted annually, and awards are made on a subjective basis using the Compensation
Committees business judgment, after taking into account numerous factors and considerations,
including the recommendation of the CEO, the overall performance of GEO and the individual
performance of officers. As a result of this review, the Compensation Committee concluded that the
equity compensation component does not incentivize employees to take on unnecessary risk that is
reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on GEO. In addition to considering each of
these compensation program components individually, the Compensation Committee considered them in
the aggregate and determined that collectively they did not incentivize employees to take on
unnecessary risk that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on GEO. As a result of
this review process, GEO concluded that the risks arising from our compensation policies and
practices for our employees are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on GEO.
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74. |
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With respect to the annual cash and long-term equity incentive programs,
please revise to include a detailed analytical discussion of the actual payouts awarded
to each of the named executive officers. For the annual cash incentive program,
describe how you used the achievement of the applicable performance objectives to
derive actual payouts and discuss in reasonably complete detail how the committee
determined payouts for the portion of the program that comprises a discretionary
payout. For your equity compensation awards, describe how the committee determined that
the awards were appropriate in light of the factors it considered. |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 30
Response:
In response to the Staffs comment,
we believe that the
disclosure under the heading Proposal 3 Approval of Senior Management Performance Award Plan beginning on page 35 of the 2010
Proxy Statement addresses the Staffs comment regarding the annual cash incentive program. As discussed in the Compensation Discussion &
Analysis Section of our 2010 Proxy Statement, there were no discretionary awards made under the annual cash incentive
program in 2009. In light of the Staffs comment, in future filings we will provide the required disclosure regarding
our annual cash incentive program in the Compensation Discussion & Analysis Section of our proxy statement.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 31
With respect to its equity compensation awards, the Compensation Committee does not have a set
equity pool amount of options or restricted stock that it must grant to the named executive
officers annually and instead the amount it may issue in the aggregate or to any named officer is
within its discretion. Additionally as disclosed in our 2010 Proxy Statement, the Compensation
Committee does not use any set formulas or objective company or individual performance goals in
determining equity compensation awards. The Compensation Committee instead grants equity
compensation awards on a subjective basis in its business judgment, after taking into account
various factors, including whether there are awards available for granting in any particular fiscal
year under our equity compensation plans, the total number of equity compensation grants
outstanding for us at any given time as compared to the total number of issued and outstanding
shares of common stock at such time, whether an individual has received equity compensation awards
in prior years and in what amounts, the overall performance of GEO in terms of revenue and net
income after tax during the preceding fiscal year, and the overall performance of the individual
during the preceding fiscal year. The Compensation Committee then determines that equity
compensation awards are appropriate by taking into account a number of factors, including the
recommendations of the CEO, the availability of awards for issuance companywide, the overall
performance of GEO and the individual performance of the officers.
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75. |
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We note that your compensation committee uses peer group data to help it guide
your compensation policy and procedure. Please discuss in more detail how the
committees use of peer group data influences, its compensation decisions, including
whether it engages in benchmarking. If so, please discuss where it targets your
executives compensation relative to the peer group data you collect, and indicate
where actual compensation fell with respect to that target. See Item 402(b)(2)(xiv) of
Regulation S-K. |
Response:
The Compensation Committee does not engage in benchmarking as described in Question
118.05 of the Staffs Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations relating to Regulation S-K. The
Compensation Committee does not use peer group data as a reference point, either wholly or in part,
to base, justify or provide a framework for its compensation decisions. Further, the Compensation
Committee does not target any element of executive compensation to be at the median or any specific
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 32
percentile of the peer group data. The Compensation Committee uses peer group data to obtain
a general understanding of current compensation practices and therefore ensure that it is acting in
an informed and responsible manner to make sure GEOs executive compensation program is
competitive. The Compensation Committee views peer group data as one factor in assisting its
compensation decisions, but does not rely wholly or in part on this information. The Compensation
Committee uses its experience and judgment to make final compensation decisions. Thus, the Company
does not utilize benchmarking as defined by the Staff for determining levels of individual
components of executive compensation or total executive compensation. In light of the Staffs
comment, in future proxy statements we will expand our disclosure in the Compensation Discussion &
Analysis section of the proxy statement regarding how we utilize peer group data. Additionally, in
future proxy statements, to the extent GEO uses compensation data about other companies to base,
justify or provide a framework for a compensation decision, and such analysis is material, GEO will
provide a list of the peer group companies and describe how such information affected compensation
decisions.
Form 8-K Filed May 11, 2010
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76. |
|
You believe that pro forma income from continuing operations. Adjusted EBITDA,
and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are important operating measures that supplement the
discussion and analysis of your financial results derived in accordance with GAAP.
Please expand your disclosures to separately address why you believe the presentation
of each of these measures provides useful information to investors. Please also
disclose any additional purposes for which you use each of these non-GAAP financial
measures. Refer to Instruction 2 of Item 2.02 of the Form 8-K and Item 10(e)(1)(i)(d)
and (e) of Regulation
S-K. |
Response:
As disclosed in
our Form 8-K for our first quarter 2010 earnings results, we believe pro forma income from
continuing operations, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are important measures
that are useful to investors to provide them with disclosures of GEOs operating
results on the same basis as that used by GEOs management. Additionally, GEOs
management believes that these adjusted financial measures provide useful information to
investors about the performance of GEOs overall business because such financial
measures eliminate the effects of unusual or non-recurring charges that are not directly
attributable to GEOs underlying operating performance. GEOs management believes
that because it has historically provided similar non-GAAP financial information in its earnings
releases, continuing to do so provides consistency in its financial reporting and continuity to
investors for comparability purposes. In light of the Staffs comment, we will provide
in future filings why we believe each individual non-GAAP measure is useful to investors.
We also disclosed in
our Form 8-K for our first quarter 2010 earnings results, that GEOs management uses these
non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP financial measures to monitor and
evaluate its operating performance and to facilitate internal and external comparisons of the
historical operating performance of GEO and its business units. In future filings,
to the extent material, we will disclose any additional purposes for which GEO uses non-GAAP
financial measures.
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77. |
|
Given your reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow to Income from Continuing
Operations, it appears that you view Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a performance
measure. Given that free cash flow is widely understood to be a liquidity measure,
there is a concern that investors may not fully understand your basis for
characterizing adjusted free cash flow as a performance measure. Also, the use of the
words cash flow in the measures title is confusingly similar to the GAAP financial
measures included in the Statements of Cash Flows. If you maintain that Adjusted Free
Cash Flow is indeed not a liquidity measure, then please prospectively change the
title of this measure to delete the words cash flow. Alternatively, if you conclude
that this measure is useful as a liquidity measure, then the presentation should be
revised to include the GAAP operating, investing and financing cash flow amounts, and
to delete the Adjusted Free Cash Flow Per Diluted Share disclosure. See the
corresponding |
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 33
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guidance in C&DI sections 102.05-.07 available at
http://sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/guidance/nongaapinterp.htm. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment. We confirm that we use Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a
performance measure. In light of the Staffs comment, in future earnings press releases and
filings, we will change the title of this measure to Adjusted Funds From Operations.
Jay Ingram, Legal Branch Chief
June 10, 2010
Page 34
We believe the responses provided above fully address the Staffs comments. If you have any
questions, please call the undersigned at
305-755-5812.
Sincerely,
AKERMAN SENTERFITT
/s/ Jose Gordo
Jose Gordo
For the Firm
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Securities and Exchange Commission
Hagen Ganem, Esq., Staff Attorney
Jeanne Baker, Assistant Chief Accountant
Nudrat Salik, Staff Accountant
The GEO Group, Inc.
John J. Bulfin, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Cornell Companies, Inc.
Cathryn L. Porter, Esq., General Counsel
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Daniel Keating, Esq.
Akerman Senterfitt
Stephen K. Roddenberry, Esq.
Esther L. Moreno, Esq.
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