A long-running shareholder dispute has reached its financial finish line, as the Wheeler REIT $7.125M Settlement promises cash relief to eligible investors who held or traded the company’s common stock during a defined two-year window.

Under the agreement, investors connected to Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust Inc. may qualify for payments from a $7.125 million class action settlement, resolving claims that company leaders breached their fiduciary duties under Maryland law.

Who Qualifies for the Settlement

Defining the Class

The settlement class covers investors who meet either of the following criteria:

• Held Wheeler common stock as of Aug. 16, 2021, or

• Purchased Wheeler common stock between Aug. 16, 2021, and Sept. 20, 2023.

Both individual investors and institutional funds are included. Importantly, claimants do not need to currently own Wheeler stock to be eligible.

Inside the $7.125 Million Fund

How Payments Will Be Calculated

The settlement pool totals $7,125,000, funded by individual and fund defendants tied to Wheeler. Payments will be allocated based on:

• The number of valid claims submitted

• Each claimant’s recognized loss, calculated under a court-approved plan

• Court-authorized deductions, including attorneys’ fees, expenses, taxes and administrative costs

Distributions will be made pro rata, meaning awards may be adjusted if total claims exceed available funds.

Only investors who experienced a net overall loss on Wheeler stock transactions during the class period are eligible for compensation. Claims resulting in calculated payments of less than $10 will not receive a distribution.

Fees, Costs and Service Awards

Where the Money Goes

From the $7.125 million fund:

• Attorneys’ fees may reach up to $1.995 million

• Attorneys’ expenses may total up to $665,000

• Service awards for class representatives may reach $50,000 combined

• Settlement administration costs are included, though not yet specified

The remaining balance will be distributed to eligible investors.

How to File a Claim

Deadlines and Documentation

Class members may submit claims online or by downloading and mailing a completed PDF form to the settlement administrator.

• Claim deadline: March 24, 2026

• Opt-out deadline: March 10, 2026

• Fairness hearing: March 31, 2026

Mailing address:
Wheeler REIT Settlement
c/o Verita Global LLC
P.O. Box 301170
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1170

To file a claim, investors must provide:

• The last four digits of a Social Security number or a full taxpayer identification number

• Detailed purchase, acquisition and sale records for Wheeler common stock, including trade dates, share counts and total prices

Supporting documents may include broker confirmations, account statements, or other records deemed acceptable by the claims administrator. Claims submitted on behalf of another party must include proof of legal authority.

When Will Payments Be Issued?

Final Approval Still Required

Settlement checks will be mailed after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. No exact payout date has been set.

Why the Lawsuit Was Filed

Allegations and Denials

The class action accused Wheeler’s directors and affiliated funds of breaching fiduciary duties by engaging in transactions that allegedly diluted or depressed the value of the company’s common stock.

Wheeler and the named defendants deny all wrongdoing, but agreed to the settlement to sidestep the expense, uncertainty and delay of prolonged litigation — a compromise that closes one chapter while opening another for investors seeking recovery.