CEO Loses Battle With Cancer, Ex-Oppenheimer Broker Sued Over Musical

Bloomberg reports that his death was confirmed Saturday in a statement by the New York-based company, which didn’t provide additional details.

Farrell, Annaly’s chairman and CEO, was receiving chemotherapy for cancer that 'was caught early' and was considered treatable, according to a company statement in January. In May, the firm disclosed it was in remission, while this month, it said Wellington Denahan-Norris, Annaly’s co-founder, was appointed joint CEO to allow Farrell to focus on his 'ongoing treatment'.

In the meantime, the producers of “Rebecca: The Musical” sued a Long Island, New York, man charged with inventing bogus investors who were purportedly prepared to save the Broadway musical.

Bloomberg reports that the lawsuit was filed Saturday by Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. They seek more than $100m from Mark Christopher Hotton and his wife, Sherri, who the producers claim sabotaged their roughly $12m musical with an elaborate fraud.

Mark Hotton, a 46-year-old former Oppenheimer & Co. broker, was arrested October 15th at his West Islip home and charged with wire fraud. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan said Hotton made up the promise of a $4.5m investment and a possible $1.1m loan to get tens of thousands of dollars in purported expenses and fees from the producers.

Annaly Says Michael Farrell Dies After Cancer Diagnosed

‘Rebecca’ Musical Producers Sue Former Oppenheimer Broker