NEW YORK, May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Advertising -- Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Whitestone REIT (“Whitestone” or the “Company”) (NYSE: WSR) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Whitestone securities between May 9, 2018 and February 27, 2019, both dates inclusive. Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm’s site: www.bgandg.com/wsr.

This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

On February 27, 2019, post-market, Whitestone announced that “the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018 (collectively, the ‘Prior Period Financial Statements’) included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively, should be restated . . . and should no longer be relied upon.”  Whitestone specifically cited certain accounting errors relating to derecognition of nonfinancial assets.”  On this news, Whitestone’s stock price fell $2.07 per share, or 14.53%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $12.18 per share on March 1, 2019. 

Then, on March 15, 2019, post-market, Whitestone filed an annual report announcing the Company’s financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.  Therein, Whitestone disclosed that “[t]he Company identified a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018.  As a result of the material weakness, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2018 and determined that its disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018.  The Company has implemented and continues to implement measures to remediate the material weakness.” 

The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, it is alleged that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company lacked effective internal control over financial reporting; (2) Whitestone was incorrectly recognizing assets and liabilities associated with its contribution to Pillarstone Capital REIT Operating Partnership LP; (3) the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year 2018 were overstating revenues; (4) the Company's financial statements for the fiscal year 2018 could no longer be relied upon; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm’s site: www.bgandg.com/wsr or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Whitestone you have until June 17, 2019 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff.  A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique.  Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients.  In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm’s expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration.   Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz
212-697-6484 | info@bgandg.com