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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Restricted Cash—Under certain management and debt agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2020, escrow payments are required for insurance, real estate taxes and debt service. In addition, for certain properties based on the terms of the underlying debt and management agreements, we escrow 4% to 5% of gross revenues for capital improvements.
Management Fees—Under hotel management agreements for our hotel properties existing at March 31, 2020, we pay a monthly hotel management fee equal to the greater of approximately $14,000 (increased annually based on consumer price index adjustments) or 3% of gross revenues, or in some cases 2.5% to 7.0% of gross revenues, as well as annual incentive management fees, if applicable. These management agreements expire from December 2023 through December 2065, with renewal options. If we terminate a management agreement prior to its expiration, we may be liable for estimated management fees through the remaining term, liquidated damages or, in certain circumstances, we may substitute a new management agreement.
Income Taxes—We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the federal jurisdiction and various states. Tax years 2015 through 2019 remain subject to potential examination by certain federal and state taxing authorities.
Litigation—On October 24, 2019, the Company provided notice to Accor of the material breach of its responsibilities under the Accor management agreement for the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile at 20 East Chestnut Street in Chicago, Illinois. On November 7, 2019, Accor filed a complaint against Ashford TRS Chicago II in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, seeking a declaratory judgment that no breach has occurred. Accor’s complaint was dismissed on or about February 27, 2020. On January 6, 2020, Ashford TRS Chicago II filed a complaint against Accor in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, alleging breach of the Accor management agreement and seeking declaration of its right to terminate the Accor management agreement.
One of the Company's hotel management companies is currently involved in litigation regarding its employment policies and practices at multiple California hotels, including one of the Company's hotels. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the litigation could result in an unfavorable outcome, in which case the Company could experience a loss. The litigation commenced in 2016 and is currently scheduled to go to trial in the first quarter of 2021. The litigation may be settled before trial, in which case the Company estimates that the Company’s potential loss could range between $300,000 and $500,000. If the litigation is resolved at trial, the Company does not believe the potential loss is reasonably estimable at this time. As of March 31, 2020, no amounts have been accrued.
We are engaged in other various legal proceedings which have arisen but have not been fully adjudicated. The likelihood of loss from these legal proceedings are based on definitions within the contingency accounting literature. Based on estimates of the range of potential losses associated with these matters, management does not believe the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, the final results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and if we fail to prevail in one or more of these legal matters, and the associated realized losses exceed our current estimates of the range of potential losses, our consolidated financial position or results of operations could be materially adversely affected in future periods.