<p>A handful of law firms including, Brower Piven, Rigrodsky & Long, Wohl & Fruchter, have started investigations in connection with Dole CEO David Murdock’s offer to purchase all of the company’s outstanding shares for $12.00 per share in cash.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>According the Wall Street Journal, the firms are looking into whether the company is operating in the best interests of its shareholders and whether potential legal claims against the board of directors have occurred in connection with the proposal. The investigation is said to be focused on whether Murdock’s proposal undervalues the company’s shares.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">When AndNowUKnow inquired about the recent events, Dole responded that the company has nothing further in comment above what was in the release for the announcement of the receipt of proposal by David H. Murdocl to acquire all outstanding share of Dole Food Company, Inc. not already owned by Murdock or his family.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">In 2003, Murdock had taken the company private and in 2009, re-listed the company in an initial public offering. After Murdock’s offering, Dole stock opened at above $12.00 per share.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Interestingly, since the announcement, Dole’s stock has spiked by over 22 percent, suggesting that such a move may indeed be in the interests of its stockholders.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on the investigation.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130611-908023.html?mod=googlenews_wsj" target="_new">Dole Investigation </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">