Batus, the Louisville firm trying to acquire...

Batus, the Louisville firm trying to acquire Farmers Group, disputed a claim by the Los Angeles insurance holding company that the Kansas Insurance Department found Batus’ solicitation of proxies from Farmers shareholders to violate Kansas law. Farmers quoted the department as saying, in a letter to Batus, that it would be “required to initiate the applicable administrative or legal action” if Batus does not “immediately” stop its solicitation. But Batus countered that the department had stated that the solicitation “appears to be in violation of” a Kansas law and “requested Batus” immediate reply.”