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LEGAL MATTERS
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
LEGAL MATTERS  
LEGAL MATTERS

NOTE 9. LEGAL MATTERS

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On August 30, 2019, PCL Construction Services, Inc. (“PCL”) filed a complaint in District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado, against the Company and its Colorado subsidiaries, in connection with the Company’s now completed expansion of the Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk (the “Project”). The case is captioned

PCL Construction Services, Inc. v. Monarch Growth Inc., et al., Case No. 2019CV33368 (the “First Denver Lawsuit”). The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants breached the construction contract with PCL and certain implied warranties. On December 5, 2019, the Company filed its answer and counterclaim, which alleges, among other items, that PCL breached the construction contract, duties of good faith and fair dealing, and implied and express warranties, made fraudulent or negligent misrepresentations on which the Company and its Colorado subsidiaries relied, and included claims for monetary damages as well as equitable and declaratory relief.

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On March 26, 2021, PCL filed a mechanics’ lien foreclosure action in the District Court, County of Gilpin, Colorado, against the Company and its Colorado subsidiaries, in connection with the Company’s now completed expansion of the Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk. The case is captioned PCL Construction Services, Inc., v. Monarch Growth Inc., et al., Case No. 2021CV30006 (the “Gilpin Lawsuit”). The complaint essentially mirrors the claims and allegations made by PCL in the First Denver Lawsuit, as described above. The Gilpin Lawsuit includes an additional claim, however, for foreclosure of PCL’s purported mechanics’ lien against the property on which the Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk is situated (the “Property”). PCL also joined additional parties who may claim a purported lien against the Property, as defendants. Effective May 10, 2021, PCL filed its second amended complaint, joining more such parties as defendants. Many of the Company’s co-defendants have filed cross claims against Monarch for foreclosure of mechanics’ liens and related claims, including unjust enrichment.

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Monarch filed its answer and counterclaims to PCL’s second amended complaint in the Gilpin Lawsuit on July 15, 2021, but a trial of the matter has not been set. Monarch has also filed answers to all cross claims due to date, denying the claimants’ rights to relief. Monarch anticipates filing further answers to additional cross claims, also denying the claimants’ rights to relief. The case remains stayed, however, pending the outcome of the First Denver Lawsuit, Case No. 2019CV33368. We are currently unable to determine the probability of the outcome or reasonably estimate the loss or gain, if any.

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On February 9, 2023, Monarch Growth, Inc., Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. and Monarch Black Hawk, Inc. filed a complaint in District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado, against PCL, in connection with the Company’s now completed expansion of the Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk. The case is captioned Monarch Growth Inc., et al., v. PCL Construction Services, Inc., Case No. 2023CV30458 (the “Second Denver Lawsuit”). The complaint alleges, among other things, that PCL breached the construction contract, duties of good faith and fair dealing, and implied and express warranties based on defective and/or nonconforming construction work at the project, and includes claims for monetary damages as well as equitable and declaratory relief.

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On April 18, 2023, at the parties’ joint request, the Court ordered the Second Denver Lawsuit stayed for ninety days from the date of the stay order until July 17, 2023. Following the expiration of the stay and the filing of a motion to dismiss by PCL, Monarch amended its complaint in the Second Denver Lawsuit. On January 22, 2025, the Court granted Monarch’s motion to file a second amended complaint and set the trial of the matter for a 7-day trial beginning on August 18, 2025.

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On September 5, 2023, trial commenced in the First Denver Lawsuit in the District Court for the City and County of Denver, Colorado. The bench trial concluded on November 22, 2023, after 28 total court days. PCL and the Company each submitted proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order for the Court’s consideration on February 7, 2024.

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On February 14, 2025, the Court, issued its decision in the litigation between the Company and PCL. The Court awarded damages in favor of PCL of $74,772,551 for its claims of breach of contract, breach of implied warranty, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing and $144,894 to the Company for its negligence and gross negligence counterclaims against PCL. The Court entered a single judgment in the amount of the net difference between the cross-judgment and awarded PCL a principal judgment amount of $74,627,657 (the “Judgment”). On February 28, 2025, PCL filed with the court a motion to supplement the Judgment with prejudgment interest. Monarch plans to dispute the computation and amount of interest sought by PCL and has filed an opposition to the motion. PCL also filed a bill of costs and a motion for attorneys’ fees. Monarch has filed an opposition, challenging PCL’s entitlement to such fees and costs, as well as the computation and amount of the fees and costs PCL seeks. Monarch anticipates appealing the Judgment and has posted a bond to stay enforcement of the Judgment pending any such appeal.

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The Company recognized $0.4 million and 0.5 million in construction litigation expense relating to these lawsuits for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which is included in Other operating items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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From time to time, we may be subject to other legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that the amount of any reasonably possible or probable loss for such other known matters would not have a material adverse impact on our financial conditions, cash flows or results of operations; however, the outcome of these actions is inherently difficult to predict.

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