Definitive Additional Materials

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14A-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant x   Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨  Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

¨  Definitive Proxy Statement

 

x  Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨  Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

WELLS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.

 


(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)

 

¨  No fee required

 

x  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
       Common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.

 

 
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
       19,568,641 shares of common stock of Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.

 

 
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
       The filling fee is based on (i) $8.9531, the negotiated per-share price for common stock of Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc., multiplied by (ii) 19,568,641, the number of shares of common stock of Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. to be issued, multiplied by (iii) 0.000107, the merger consideration multiplier in accordance with Section 14(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
       $175,200,000

 

 
  (5) Total fee paid:
       $18,746.40

 

 
x  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1)  Amount Previously Paid:
 
  (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration No.:
 
  (3)  Filing Party:
 
  (4)  Date Filed:
 



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 12, 2007

 


Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 


 

Georgia   0-25739   58-2328421

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

6200 The Corners Parkway, Norcross, Georgia   30092-3365
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (770) 449-7800

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 8.01 Other Events

On March 12, 2007, a stockholder filed a purported class action and derivative complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against, among others, Wells Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (the “Registrant”), the Registrant’s current and previous advisors (Wells Real Estate Funds, Inc., Wells Capital, Inc., Wells Management Company, Inc., Wells Advisory Services I, LLC, Wells Real Estate Advisory Services, Inc., and Wells Government Services, Inc.), and the officers and directors of the Registrant. The complaint attempts to assert class action claims on behalf of all persons who are entitled to vote on the proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2007, as amended or supplemented (the “proxy statement”), and derivative claims on behalf of the Registrant.

The complaint alleges, among other things, (i) that the consideration to be paid for the advisors as part of the proposed internalization transaction is excessive; (ii) that the proxy statement relating to the transaction violates Section 14(A), including Rule 14a-9 thereunder, and Section 20(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, based upon, allegations that the proxy statement contains false and misleading statements or omits to state material facts relating to the proposed internalization; (iii) that the directors and the current and previous advisors breached their fiduciary duties to the members of the class and to the Registrant; and (iv) that the proposed internalization transaction will unjustly enrich certain directors and officers of the Registrant.

The complaint seeks, among other things, (i) certification of the class; (ii) a judgment declaring the proxy statement false and misleading; (iii) unspecified monetary damages; (iv) nullification of any stockholder approvals obtained during the proxy process; (v) nullification of the merger proposal and the merger agreement; (vi) restitution for disgorgement of profits, benefits and other compensation for wrongful conduct and fiduciary breaches; (vii) the nomination and election of new independent directors and the retention of a new financial advisor to assess the advisability of the Registrant’s strategic alternatives; and (viii) the payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees and experts’ fees.

The Registrant believes the claims asserted against it in the complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

WELLS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, INC.
(Registrant)
By:  

/s/ Douglas P. Williams

  Douglas P. Williams
  Executive Vice President

Date: March 20, 2007