WizKids parent Topps has taken off the gloves in its long-running battle with hedge fund Pembridge Capital Management.  In a statement released today, Topps argued that the charter and bylaw amendments proposed by Pembrdge are contrary to Delaware law.  The Topps statement also included a shot at Pembridge for the gaffe.  'We are surprised that Pembridge would offer these defective proposals when its President, who announced them, spent six years as a corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions attorney,' the statement said. 'We believe that these defective proposals may be indicative of the level of care that Pembridge has applied to its understanding of our Company.'

Topps also noted that one of Pembridge's nominees to its board had served as EVP and corporate secretary of a corporation that filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition within two years of his departure from the company.  Topps argues that this is material information that should have been included in the nomination, and that the nomination may not be proper as a result.  'We believe that this information is material to an evaluation of the ability or integrity of Mr. Jones to be a director of the Company, particularly in light of Pembridge's disparaging claims in its solicitation materials regarding the abilities of the Company's management and its Board,' the statement said.