I have to agree with Mittleman (of course). I actually presumed...

I have to agree with Mittleman (of course). I actually presumed this was a "lay down misere" in that the Kirby & Burke show controlled enough of the stock, but I just did a little digging and now am not so sure.

The last published "top 20" showed 66m shares (34%) owned by VRC (Kirby / Burke) but then the next 3 holders also had around 66m - HSBC, JP Morgan and Citicorp.

If BGH pick up VRC and anything owned by the board, haven't they still got to collect the shares of the investment banks and the likes of Mittleman?

Mittleman didn't appear in the top 20 as at last annual report - appears they've been buying heavily since late January. Appears from their 603 notice that hey've thrown in around $1.5 billion USD.

Sounds like they could be a real ally for us retail plebs.