1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): JULY 14, 2000 VECTOR GROUP LTD. ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE ------------------------------------------------------ (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-5759 65-0949535 - ------------------------ ------------------------------------ (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 100 S.E. SECOND STREET, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33131 - ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (305) 579-8000 ------------------------------------------------------ (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) BROOKE GROUP LTD. ------------------------------------------------------ (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. On July 14, 2000, the jury in the ENGLE smoking and health class action trial pending in state court in Dade County, Florida awarded punitive damages of $790 million against Liggett Group Inc. and Brooke Group Holding Inc. Liggett Group and Brooke Group Holding intend to pursue all available post-trial and appellate remedies. 3 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. VECTOR GROUP LTD. By: /s/ JOSELYNN VAN SICLEN ------------------------------------------ Joselynn Van Siclen Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: July 19, 2000