Plantro has ramped up calls for chair Arnaud Ajdler to leave the company’s board, citing whistleblower complaints that Ajdler and audit chair Tracey Keates ordered the firm’s former CFO to misrepresent financial statements to show the company had stronger performance than it did. Plantro, which owns 11 per cent of the legal software firm and is controlled by former Dye & Durham CEO Matthew Proud, also urged Keates to resign immediately. (The Logic)
Talking point: Dye & Durham’s board said the allegations were motivated by Proud’s self-interest, and that the claims were “yet another attempt by Plantro to disparage and distract … and disrupt the turnaround progress that is underway from legacy issues created under the leadership of Matt Proud.” It’s the latest development in a prolonged power struggle between Proud and Ajdler’s firm Engine Capital, which took over the board and forced out Proud last year. Both sides have accused the other of undermining the company’s value. Plantro has pressed Dye & Durham to put itself up for sale to restore its value. Earlier this month, Plantro said the current board has thwarted promising take-private bids, including one from Plantro itself.