Settlement in Beazer Homes case gets preliminary court approval

A federal court in Atlanta granted preliminary approval to the settlement of a class action lawsuit against Beazer Homes USA and some of its directors and officers that alleged they breached their fiduciary duties  by continuing to allow investment of a 401(k) plan's assets in the Beazer Stock Fund from July 2005 to May 2008 .

The deal provides for a payment of $5.5 million to settle all claims and goes to members of the class whose accounts suffered alleged losses as a result of investing in the fund.

The plaintiffs said Beazer Homes stock was an imprudent investment due to mismanagement and improper business practices . The defendants denied the allegations.