v3.19.2
Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies
Contingencies
Legal matters
From time to time we are involved in regulatory, governmental and law enforcement inquiries, investigations and subpoenas, as well as legal proceedings, that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Each reporting period, we evaluate whether or not a loss contingency related to such matters is probable and reasonably estimable under the provisions of the authoritative guidance that addresses accounting for contingencies. If a loss is probable and the potential estimate of the loss is a range, we evaluate if there is a point within the range that appears at the time to be a better estimate than any other point in the range, and if so, that amount is accrued. If we conclude that no amount in the range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we accrue the minimum amount in the range. We monitor developments in legal matters that could affect estimates we have previously accrued and update our estimates as appropriate based on subsequent developments.
In March 2016, we learned of an investigation by the Marin County, California District Attorney’s Office regarding the clarity and conspicuousness of our automatic renewal disclosures and the mechanism by which we obtain informed consent when members purchase premium subscriptions on our website. In September 2016, we learned of an investigation by the San Francisco County, California District Attorney’s Office regarding the accuracy and clarity of our disclosures about the sex offender registry search available to consumers through our website. In 2017, the District Attorneys’ Offices proposed a joint settlement that would include a payment by us of approximately $4.9 million to resolve both investigations. We are in discussions with the District Attorneys’ Offices regarding a proposed settlement and continue to cooperate with the investigations. We have determined that it is probable that we will incur a loss in connection with these matters and have accrued an amount based on the low end of the range of our reasonable estimate of this loss.
In addition, on April 3, 2019, a complaint was filed against the Company and two of our officers, Sheila Lirio Marcelo, our chief executive officer, and Michael Echenberg, our chief financial officer, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The lawsuit purports to be brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of our stock during the period from March 27, 2015 to April 1, 2019, and alleges violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, related to the Company’s disclosures about the screening of certain member information for criminal or other inappropriate inactivity. The complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages, fees, interest, costs and other appropriate relief. A lead plaintiff has been appointed, and on July 23, 2019 the court set a schedule for the completion of certain pretrial events.  Plaintiffs are to file an amended complaint by September 16, 2019. The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this litigation, and therefore cannot estimate possible losses or ranges of losses, if any.
We also are currently involved in other pending regulatory and government inquiries and investigations and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. Although the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe they will have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of the outcome, legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.