While not tied to the moves directly by the company, officials said in the statement that an "affiliate of a Bucksbaum family trust" advanced unsecured loans to Michaels and former director and CFO Bernard Freibaum, who was let go by the company earlier this month. The loans were for the purpose of repaying personal margin debt relating to company stock. "The loan to Michaels, which totaled $10 million, has been repaid in full," according to a company spokesman. "The loan to Freibaum, whose employment was terminated prior to the Board's knowledge of these loans, totaled $90 million, and has $80 million presently outstanding." The spokesman refused further comment.

Company officials said in the statement that no laws or SEC rules were broken by the loans and no company assets or resources were involved. The loans did violate company policy, the officials said.

Metz, 47, is a founding partner of Polaris Capital LLC. Nolan was a managing director of Trefethen & Co., and has experience with troubled debt restructuring as a former employee of AEW Capital Management LP. Analysts have said that the "interim" titles suggest GGP is still shopping for a buyer of the company, but are skeptical that another company would want to take on so much debt. "We continue to believe that the M&A option is an unlikely rescue for GGP investors, given the potential suitors unlikely willingness to incur nearly $30 billion of debt, much of which matures in the next few years," said Paul Morgan with FBR Capital Markets.

The Las Vegas properties for sale include Fashion Show Mall, Grand Canal Shoppes and the Palazzo. The company bought the 407,000-sf Grand Canal from Las Vegas Sands in 2004 for $776 million, and the 450,000-sf retail piece of the Palazzo, which was built for $580 million. Morgan said in a statement that GGP must be having trouble meeting the Nov. 28 maturity deadline for Fashion Show and Palazzo. "We are disappointed that this sale alternative is just now being considered, given that these debt maturities have been looming ominously on the horizon for months," he said. Mall REITs Simon Property Group and Taubman, both which have property in Las Vegas, will likely be interested in the GGP properties, Morgan said.

General Growth will hold its earnings call at 9 a.m. EST on Oct. 31. "We recognize that we are facing unprecedented challenges in this economic environment, and we are committed to working with all our stakeholders to achieve a successful outcome to our strategic review process," Metz said in a statement.

Bucksbaum talked to GlobeSt.com in an interview for today's edition. The company's stock was up 16 cents for the day just past noon, at $2.33, though the price has dropped significantly since the first of the year's per share cost of $40.

Instant Insights /

GGP Moves Top Execs, Offers Vegas Properties

Related Stories

Recommended For You