Opinion ID: 1384382
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellants' relationship to Blackwell and other co-defendants

Text: Blackwell is a former professor at the Ohio State University's School of Business. Hughes first worked for him while she was still in college, grading papers for the professor. She started her professional career working for him at Roger Blackwell Associates, Inc. [3] (RBA) in 1990 as an administrative assistant. Eventually she became the Director of Marketing, and was responsible for all of RBA's finances, accounting and marketing. Most years, Hughes met with Blackwell during the month of August to discuss the company's finances. On August 31, 1999, Hughes had such a meeting with Blackwell, just days before her various purchases of WF stock. Hughes had a close relationship with Blackwell. She was said to be devoted to him. Blackwell also valued Hughes as a friend, stating at his birthday party in 2003 that he could not have gotten through all this [4] without her help and support. He also added that he valued her husband Stacy's support. In addition to her duties at RBA, Hughes was responsible for the investment decisions for the Roger Blackwell Pension Plan (Pension Plan). Her first investment for the Pension Plan was in September of 1999 with the purchase of WF stock. At that time, only two employees of RBA, Stephans-Blackwell and Hughes, were vested in the Pension Plan. Stacy, a surveyor by trade, married Hughes in 1990. He also had a close relationship with Blackwell and was an usher at Blackwell's wedding. Stacy and Hughes socialized many times with Blackwell and his wife, along with Blackwell's friends and family. Stacy even thought of Jack, one of Blackwell's closest friends, as his attorney.