SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:SEAS) has revealed that the company is the subject of multiple federal investigations. Two federal agencies are reportedly investigating SeaWorld over statements about the 2013 “Blackfish” documentary “and trading in the Company’s securities.” SeaWorld has reported falling revenues for the last three years.
The theme-park company reported receiving subpoenas in June from the U.S. Department of Justice. The company also received similar subpoenas from the SEC, although it is unclear when those were received. The SEC filing says, “The Company has cooperated with these government inquiries and intends to continue to cooperate with any government requests or inquiries.”
According to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, the agencies subpoenaed statements made by the company and its executives on or before August 2014 regarding the impact of the anti-captivity documentary. In August 2014, SeaWorld shares fell 33 percent in a single day after the theme-park operator reported earnings that missed analysts’ estimates. The company blamed the fallout from the anti-captivity documentary for the earnings miss.
SeaWorld has been struggling in recent years due to the negative publicity brought by “Blackfish”. The documentary led to widespread criticism of the marine park operator. Since the release of the documentary, a series of campaigns and proposals have been launched regarding captive killer whales.
SeaWorld has since made changes to reflect the public’s concerns. In 2015, SeaWorld decided to end its killer whales show and to showcase them in their natural setting instead. SeaWorld also announced a decision to stop the breeding of orcas in captivity in 2016.
On June 16, two days after the company’s shareholder meeting, the company’s board of directors formed a special committee with legal counsel to determine the best course of action to handle the investigations. The company has declined to comment further, with a spokesman for the company saying that the filing itself “covers everything the company has to say regarding the government inquiries.”
SeaWorld Chairman David D’Alessandro, who was voted out by at a shareholder meeting this month, will continue as the board’s non-executive chairman till Dec. 31. While D’Alessandro offered to resign immediately, the board decided to postpone his departure in light of the challenges facing the company, including the federal investigations.
