ARCP Issues Statement about Cole Capital Non-Traded REITs
The publicly traded REIT that’s caused a stir in the non-traded space has again declared the innocence of its private capital business that sponsors non-traded REITs.
American Realty Capital Properties (ARCP) recently issued a statement reinforcing Cole Capital’s purity as it relates to the accounting scandal that’s sending shock waves through the direct investment industry.
ARCP issued an announcement explaining that Cole Corporate Income Trust, Inc., Cole Credit Property Trust IV, Inc., Cole Real Estate Income Strategy (Daily NAV), Inc., Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT II), Inc., and Cole Credit Property Trust V, Inc. are managed by affiliates of ARCP.
The company clarifies, “In answer to inquiries, ARCP notes that the independent investigation being conducted by its Audit Committee was not initiated in response to any allegations concerning the Non-traded REITs and that, to date, nothing has come to the Audit Committee’s attention that would indicate any financial improprieties at or affecting the Non-traded REITs.”
The statement comes amid a time of change.
The company’s co-founder, Nicholas Schorsch resigned last week as Executive Chairman and Director of ARCP and certain company-related entities, which include the non-traded REITs managed by Cole Capital. Mr. Schorsch has now been accused of directing the accounting cover-up that has led to the company’s reorganization.
Former Chief Accounting Officer, Lisa McAlister, filed a defamation suit in New York state court last Thursday indicating that Schorsch directed former CFO of ARCP, Brian Block, to adjust numbers in order to hide an accounting mistake that overstated the REIT’s adjusted funds from operations.