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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies.  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 19—Commitments and Contingencies

 

Leases The Company leases certain property and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases which expire at various dates through 2019. The leases require the Company to pay all taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities and are classified as operating leases in accordance with ASC Topic 840 “Leases”.

 

Total lease expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was $3,529 and $7,166, respectively, compared to $3,700 and $7,545 for the same periods in 2013.  The amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 included lease payments made to related parties of $383 and $763, respectively, and $398 and $797 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

 

Letters of credit At June 30, 2014, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $7,481 and at December 31, 2013, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of $7,696.  The outstanding amounts include the U.S. dollar equivalents for letters of credit issued in Canadian dollars.

 

Litigation — On February 7, 2012, the Company was sued in an action entitled North Texas Tollway Authority, Plaintiff v. James Construction Group, LLC, and KBR, Inc., Defendants, v. Reinforced Earth Company, Third-Party Defendant (the “Lawsuit”). The Lawsuit was brought in the District Court of Collin County, Texas, 401st Judicial District, Cause No. 401-01747-2012.  In the Lawsuit, the North Texas Tollway Authority (“NTTA”) is alleging damages to a road and retaining wall that were constructed in 1999 on the George Bush Turnpike near Dallas, Texas, due to negligent construction by JCG.  The Lawsuit claims that the cost to repair the retaining wall was approximately $5,400.  The NTTA also alleges that six other walls constructed on the project by JCG could have the same potential exposure to failure.  The Company has denied any liability, has tendered the claim to its insurance carriers and has cross-complained against its engineering subcontractor for potential design liability.  The extent of insurance coverage by the carriers of the Company and its subcontractor is undetermined at this time.  The Company is investigating all potential causes of the alleged loss, including design liabilities of the owner, owner’s engineers and/or the Company’s subcontractor.  The Company will vigorously defend the claims.  After discussion with our legal counsel, we have recorded loss contingencies which have not been material to the financial statements, to reflect the best estimate of the Company’s portion of the NTTA claim.  At this time, management does not believe it is possible to make a reasonably probable estimate of additional loss or a range of loss.

 

The Company is subject to other claims and legal proceedings arising out of its business. The Company provides for costs related to contingencies when a loss from such claims is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. In determining whether it is possible to provide an estimate of loss, or range of possible loss, the Company reviews and evaluates its litigation and regulatory matters on a quarterly basis in light of potentially relevant factual and legal developments. If we determine an unfavorable outcome is not probable or reasonably estimable, we do not accrue for a potential litigation loss. Management is unable to ascertain the ultimate outcome of other claims and legal proceedings; however, after review and consultation with counsel and taking into consideration relevant insurance coverage and related deductibles/self-insurance retention, management believes that it has meritorious defense to the claims and believes that the reasonably possible outcome of such claims will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a materially adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows of the Company.

 

Bonding— At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had bid and completion bonds issued and outstanding totaling approximately $1,407,201 and $1,458,744, respectively.

 

Withdrawal liability for multiemployer pension plan In November 2011, Rockford and ARB, along with other members of the Pipe Line Contractors Association (“PLCA”), withdrew from the Central States Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund multiemployer pension plan (the “Plan”).  The Company withdrew from the Plan in order to mitigate its liability in connection with the Plan, which is significantly underfunded.  The Company recorded a liability of $7,500 based on information provided by the Plan. However, the Plan has asserted that the PLCA members did not affect a proper withdrawal in 2011. The Company believes that a legally effective withdrawal occurred in November 2011 and has recorded the withdrawal liability on that basis. In May 2014, the Plan asserted that the liability was $11.7 million.  Without agreeing to the amount, the Company has made monthly payments totaling $159 through June 30, 2014.

 

Prior to the Company’s acquisition, Q3C had also withdrawn from the Plan.  In November 2012, Q3C estimated a withdrawal liability of $85.  In the first quarter of 2013, the Plan asserted that the liability was $119.  Without agreeing to the amount, Q3C has made monthly payments totaling $23 through June 30, 2014.

 

Contingent Consideration Earnouts related to acquisitions are discussed in Note 13 — “Contingent Earnout Liabilities”.