XML 30 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.2
COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

14.            COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Working Capital Dispute

 

On September 27, 2019, the Company filed a notice of motion in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York against Air Industries in connection with a working capital dispute. The motion sought, among other things, (i) an order of specific performance requiring Air Industries to comply with its obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement entered into between the Company and Air Industries on March 21, 2018 and the Escrow Agreement entered into between the Company and Air Industries on December 20, 2018, and (ii) a judgment against Air Industries in the amount of approximately $3.5 million (representing the $4.1 million working capital deficiency less approximately $619,000 which Air Industries previously agreed to release from escrow to cover undisputed items of working capital deficiency). On October 1, 2020, the court denied the Company’s motion on procedural grounds, holding that the Company must commence a special proceeding to obtain the relief sought. The court’s decision was made without prejudice and does not resolve the working capital dispute. We are evaluating whether to appeal the decision or commence a new proceeding, among other options.

 

Class Action Lawsuit

As previously disclosed, a consolidated class action has been filed against the Company, Messrs. McCrosson and Palazzolo, and the two underwriters of the Company’s October 16, 2018 offering of common stock, Canaccord Genuity LLC and B. Riley FBR. The Amended Complaint in the action asserts claims on behalf of two plaintiff classes: (i) purchasers of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to and/or traceable to the Company’s offering conducted on or about October 16, 2018; and (ii) purchasers of the Company’s common stock between March 22, 2018 through February 14, 2020. The Amended Complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act by negligently permitting false and misleading statements to be included in the registration statement and prospectus supplements issued in connection with its October 16, 2018 securities offering. The Amended Complaint also alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated by the SEC, by making false and misleading statements in the Company’s periodic reports filed between March 22, 2018 through February 14, 2020. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages, including interest; rescission or a rescissory measure of damages; unspecified equitable or injunctive relief; and costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees and expert fees.

 

Shareholder Derivative Actions

Two shareholder derivative actions have been filed against current members of our board of directors and certain of our current and former officers. The first action was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and purports to assert derivative claims against the individual defendants for violations of Section 10(b) and 21(d) of the Exchange Act and breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and contribution, and seeks to recover on behalf of the Company for any liability the Company might incur as a result of the individual defendants’ alleged misconduct. The second action was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York (Suffolk County), purports to assert derivative claims against the individual defendants for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment, and seeks to recover on behalf of the Company for any liability the Company might incur as a result of the individual defendants’ alleged misconduct, along with declaratory, equitable, injunctive and monetary relief, as well as attorneys’ fees and other costs. Both derivative actions are based substantially on the same facts alleged in the class action complaint summarized above. On November 10, a third shareholder derivative action was filed against current and former members of our board of directors, and certain of our current and former officers, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint, which is based on the shareholder’s inspection of certain corporate books and records, purports to assert derivative claims against the individual defendants for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment, and seeks to implement reforms to the Company’s corporate governance and internal procedures and to recover on behalf of the Company an unspecified amount of monetary damages. While the outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain and the class action and derivative lawsuits are each still at an early stage, the Company and its officers and directors intend to vigorously defend against the claims and believe the claims are without merit.

 

SEC Investigation

As previously disclosed, on May 22, 2020, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC Division of Enforcement (the “Division”) seeking documents and information relating, among other things, to previously disclosed errors in and restatement of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s October 16, 2018 equity offering and the recent separation of the Company’s former Chief Financial Officers. The Company intends to fully cooperate with the Division’s requests. We cannot predict the length, scope, or results of the investigation or the impact, if any, of the investigation on our results of operations.