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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

22. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Contingencies

 

Litigation Matters

 

The Company is involved in litigation arising from other matters in the ordinary course of business. The Company is regularly subject to claims, suits, regulatory and government investigations, and other proceedings involving labor and employment, commercial disputes, and other matters. Such claims, suits, regulatory and government investigations, and other proceedings could result in fines, civil penalties, or other adverse consequences.

 

Certain of these outstanding matters include speculative, substantial or indeterminate monetary amounts. The Company records a liability when it believes that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the Company determines that a loss is reasonably possible and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, the Company discloses the reasonably possible loss. The Company evaluates developments in its legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued, and the matters and related reasonably possible losses disclosed, and makes adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both likelihood of there being and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters.

 

Arena Litigation

 

Arena Investors, LP (ROI Litigation)

 

On May 30, 2024, Arena Investors, LP (“Arena”), in its capacity as collateral agent for five noteholders, filed a filed a Complaint (the “ROI Complaint”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York against the Company and ROI, in action captioned Arena Investors, LP v. Ault Alliance, Inc. and RiskOn International, Inc., Index No. 652792/2024.

 

The ROI Complaint asserts a cause of action for breach of contract against the Company based on a Guaranty, dated April 27, 2023, and entered into, amongst others, the Company and Arena, and seeks damages in the amount of in excess of $3.75 million, plus interest, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses, and disbursements.

 

The ROI Complaint also asserts a cause of action for breach of contract against ROI based on an alleged breach of that certain Security Agreement, dated April 27, 2023, and entered into among ROI and Arena. In connection with this cause of action, Arena seeks, among other things, costs and expenses from the Company and ROI.

 

On July 31, 2024, the Company and ROI filed a motion to dismiss seeking to partially dismiss the ROI Complaint, as against the Company, and to dismiss the Compliant, in its entirety, as against ROI.

 

The Motion has been fully briefed and is currently pending before the Court.

 

Based on the Company’s assessment of the facts underlying the claims, the uncertainty of litigation, and the preliminary stage of the case, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss or range of loss that may result from this action. Notwithstanding, the Company has recorded the unpaid portion of the notes. An unfavorable outcome may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Arena Investors, LP (Gresham Litigation)

 

On June 6, 2024, Arena, in its capacity as collateral agent for Arena and Walleye Opportunities Master Fund Ltd. (“Walleye”), filed a Complaint (the “Complaint”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York against the Company and GIGA, in action captioned Arena Investors, LP v. Gresham Worldwide, Inc. f/k/a Giga-Tronics Incorporated and Ault Alliance, Inc., Index No. 652898/2024.

 

On July 8, 2024, Arena filed an Amended Complaint (the “Amended Complaint”) in the above-referenced action.  The Amended Complaint asserts a cause of action against the Company for declaratory and injunctive relief seeking an injunction enjoining the Company, and its agent, affiliates, servants, and employees from taking actions in breach of that certain Subordination Agreement, dated January 9, 2023, and entered into among Walleye, Arena, and the Company.

 

The Amended Complaint also asserts causes of action for breach of contract against GIGA based on two discrete convertible promissory notes (the “Notes”) that GIGA entered into with each of Arena and Walleye, as well as a claim for breach duty of good faith and fair dealing, against GIGA, and seeks, among other things, monetary damages in excess of $4.2 million, with interest thereon, attorneys’ fees, costs, and disbursements.  The Amended Complaint further asserts another cause of action against GIGA for breach of contract seeking declaratory and injunctive relief based on alleged inspection rights contained in a Security Agreement, dated January 9, 2023 (the “Security Agreement”), and entered into between the Walleye, Arena, and GIGA, which seeks the issuance of an injunction related to such alleged inspection rights, plus the costs and out-of-pocket expenses associated with the enforcement of same.

 

On July 12, 2024, the Court granted injunctive relief to Arena and ordered GIGA to comply with the inspection rights provision of the Security Agreement by July 17, 2024.

 

On July 19, 2024, Arena voluntarily discontinued its cause of action for breach duty of good faith and fair dealing claim against GIGA.

 

On July 29, 2024, the Company and GIGA filed a motion to dismiss, strike, and for sanctions (the “Motion”), in response to the Amended Complaint, on the grounds that, amongst other things, the underlying Notes are criminally usurious under New York.

 

On August 14, 2024, GIGA filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy laws.

 

On November 12, 2024, GIGA removed the state court action to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

 

Based on the Company’s assessment of the facts underlying the claims, the uncertainty of litigation, and the preliminary stage of the case, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss or range of loss that may result from this action. Notwithstanding, the Company has recorded the unpaid portion of the Notes. An unfavorable outcome may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Other Litigation Matters

 

With respect to the Company’s other outstanding matters, based on the Company’s current knowledge, the Company believes that the amount or range of reasonably possible loss will not, either individually or in aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the outcome of such matters is inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. 

 

The Company had accrued loss contingencies related to litigation matters of $2.4 million and $2.3 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.