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Commitments and Contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings India Credit Fund Closure Matters. During the three months ended December 31, 2024, there were no significant changes from the disclosure in the Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Western Asset Management Investigations. As previously disclosed, the Company launched an internal investigation into certain trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select Western Asset Management (“WAM”) managed accounts. WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”). WAM also received notice of an investigation into these trading activities by the CFTC. As previously disclosed, Ken Leech, the former co-Chief Investment Officer of WAM, received a “Wells Notice” from the staff of the SEC in August 2024 and is now on administrative leave. On November 25, 2024, the SEC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Mr. Leech alleging violations of certain laws related to trade allocations. Concurrently, the DOJ filed an indictment with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Mr. Leech for similar allegations and for false statements made to the SEC. The Company and WAM have fully cooperated, and will continue to fully cooperate with these investigations. Blockchain Litigation. The Company, two of its subsidiaries, the Company’s CEO, and an individual employee (collectively the “Defendants”) are named as defendants in litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The action was filed in November 2021 by Blockchain Innovation, LLC (the “Plaintiff”) and relates to a startup entity in which the Company subsidiary Defendant previously owned all voting shares. The Plaintiff asserts it acquired the assets of the startup entity and claims that the Defendants improperly wound down the startup and misappropriated its intellectual property. The action asserts claims for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and misappropriation of trade secrets. The Plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief, including, among other things, compensatory damages, punitive and exemplary damages, and an injunction including to prevent the Defendants from using any allegedly misappropriated trade secrets and technology. The trial is scheduled to begin in March 2025. The Defendants believe the claims are without merit and are vigorously defending against the action. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this lawsuit and is unable to estimate any reasonably possible loss or range of loss (including with respect to indemnification of the individual Defendants) that may potentially result if the Plaintiff were to prevail on any of its claims. Other Litigation and Regulatory Matters. The Company is from time to time involved in other litigation relating to claims arising in the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of such claims will not materially affect the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. In management’s opinion, an adequate accrual has been made as of December 31, 2024 to provide for any probable losses that may arise from such matters for which the Company could reasonably estimate an amount. Indemnifications and Guarantees In the ordinary course of business or in connection with certain acquisition agreements, the Company enters into contracts that provide for indemnifications by the Company in certain circumstances. In addition, certain Company entities guarantee certain financial and performance-related obligations of various Franklin subsidiaries. The Company is also subject to certain legal requirements and agreements providing for indemnifications of directors, officers and personnel against liabilities and expenses they may incur under certain circumstances in connection with their service. The terms of these indemnities and guarantees vary pursuant to applicable facts and circumstances, and from agreement to agreement. Future payments for claims against the Company under these indemnities or guarantees could negatively impact the Company’s financial condition. In management’s opinion, no material loss was deemed probable or reasonably possible pursuant to such indemnification agreements and/or guarantees as of December 31, 2024. Other Commitments and Contingencies At December 31, 2024, there were no other material changes in the other commitments and contingencies as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2024.

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