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		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>175000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AMC ENTMT HLDGS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A COM</titleOfClass><cusip>00165C104</cusip><value>9297</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>336709</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
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		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>40700</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BANK OF THE OZARKS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>063904106</cusip><value>208</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>600000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><putCall>Put</putCall><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>600000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BLACKHAWK NETWORK HLDGS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>09238E104</cusip><value>10850</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>323990</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>323990</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BP PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SPONSORED ADR</titleOfClass><cusip>055622104</cusip><value>1776</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>50000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>50000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BUFFALO WILD WINGS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>119848109</cusip><value>4863</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>35000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>35000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CALATLANTIC GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>128195104</cusip><value>8921</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>243000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>243000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CENTRUE FINL CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>15643B205</cusip><value>5513</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>316855</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>316855</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CHENIERE ENERGY INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>16411R208</cusip><value>221</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>294700</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><putCall>Call</putCall><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>294700</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CHEVRON CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>166764100</cusip><value>5766</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>55000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>55000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CONSTELLATION BRANDS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>21036P108</cusip><value>15663</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>94697</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>94697</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CONTINENTAL BLDG PRODS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>211171103</cusip><value>4318</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>194264</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>194264</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CORDIA BANCORP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>218513109</cusip><value>1174</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>232940</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>232940</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DANAHER CORP DEL</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>235851102</cusip><value>25250</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>250000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>250000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SHS</titleOfClass><cusip>G27823106</cusip><value>11297</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>180460</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>180460</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DISH NETWORK CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>25470M109</cusip><value>5030</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>96000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>96000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>FORTRESS INVESTMENT GROUP LL</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>34958B106</cusip><value>19488</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>4408988</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>4408988</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL B</titleOfClass><cusip>35671D857</cusip><value>93</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>500000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><putCall>Put</putCall><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>500000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>442487203</cusip><value>5862</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>3489483</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>3489483</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>INTERVAL LEISURE GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>46113M108</cusip><value>3180</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>200000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>200000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>IRSA INVERSIONES Y REP S A</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>GLOBL DEP RCPT</titleOfClass><cusip>450047204</cusip><value>5050</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>300400</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>300400</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ISHARES TR</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>IBOXX HI YD ETF</titleOfClass><cusip>464288513</cusip><value>36</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>200000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><putCall>Put</putCall><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>200000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>LYON WILLIAM HOMES</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>552074700</cusip><value>11821</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>733333</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>733333</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ON DECK CAP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>682163100</cusip><value>4196</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>814713</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>814713</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ONEMAIN HLDGS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>68268W103</cusip><value>35833</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1570239</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>1570239</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>RAIT FINANCIAL TRUST</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>749227609</cusip><value>20728</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>6622380</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
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		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>68000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SPDR SERIES TRUST</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>S&amp;P OILGAS EXP</titleOfClass><cusip>78464A730</cusip><value>2287</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>65688</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>65688</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TIPTREE FINL INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>88822Q103</cusip><value>26483</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>4832661</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>4832661</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TOWNSQUARE MEDIA INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>892231101</cusip><value>5452</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>690963</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>690963</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VALERO ENERGY CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>91913Y100</cusip><value>100</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>35000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><putCall>Put</putCall><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>35000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WEBSTER FINL CORP CONN</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>947890109</cusip><value>10725</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>315905</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>315905</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WHITING PETE CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>966387102</cusip><value>1667</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>180000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>DFND</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>0</Sole><Shared>180000</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable></informationTable>
