UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

November 12, 2014 (November 10, 2014)

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

C AESARS E NTERTAINMENT C ORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-10410   62-1411755

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

One Caesars Palace Drive

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(702) 407-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On November 10, 2014, Caesars Entertainment Corporation (the “Company”) announced the appointment of Eric Hession, the Company’s senior vice president and treasurer, as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2015. A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Hession’s appointment is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein. Mr. Hession will succeed Donald Colvin, who is retiring from the Company effective December 31, 2014. Mr. Hession’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval. Mr. Colvin’s departure from the Company is unrelated to the Company’s financial condition or financial reporting. There is no disagreement between Mr. Colvin and the Company.

Mr. Hession, 40, has served as the Company’s senior vice president and treasurer since November 2011 and is responsible for financial planning, treasury and investor relations. Prior to this role, Mr. Hession served as Vice President of Finance and Treasurer from February 2011 until November 2011, and served as Vice President of Corporate Finance from August 2009 until February 2011.

In connection with his retirement, Mr. Colvin and Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC (“CES”) are entering into a Consulting Agreement under which Mr. Colvin will provide transitional assistance to the Company and Mr. Hession for a period of 18 months. In exchange for these services, Mr. Colvin will receive $58,333 per month. Additionally, Mr. Colvin’s options and restricted stock units that are scheduled to vest on January 2, 2015 will vest, Mr. Colvin may participate in a performance bonus for 2014 in CES’ discretion and CES will reimburse Mr. Colvin his COBRA payments, if any. A copy of the Consulting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

On November 10, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), Mr. Hession entered into an employment agreement with CES. The terms and conditions of Mr. Hession’s employment agreement supersede any pre-existing employment agreements between the Company and Mr. Hession. The material terms of the employment agreements are set forth below.

Term

The term of the employment agreement with Mr. Hession is four years; provided that, on the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date thereafter, the employment period shall be extended by one year unless, at least six months prior to such anniversary, CES or Mr. Hession delivers a notice of non-renewal to the other party that the employment period shall not be extended.

Compensation and Benefits

Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Hession’s base salary will be $700,000, subject to periodic review and increases as approved by CES. Mr. Hession will participate in the annual incentive bonus program(s) and will be eligible to earn an annual bonus in accordance with the terms of the programs. Mr. Hession will be entitled to receive benefits and perquisites at least as favorable to those presently provided.

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason

Upon a termination without cause by CES or by Mr. Hession for good reason, CES will pay Mr. Hession: (i) his accrued obligations, subject to Mr. Hession signing a Release (as defined in the employment agreement); and (ii) a severance amount equal to his monthly rate of base salary for each of 18 months commencing on the 60th day following the date of termination, in accordance with CES’ regular payroll practices; provided that CES may cease making such payments: (y) if Mr. Hession is in breach of any of his obligations under the employment agreement and he has failed to cure such breach, if curable, within 10 days following CES’ notice to him of such breach; or (z) if Mr. Hession is in breach of any of the terms of the Release.


Restrictive Covenants

Mr. Hession has agreed not to: (i) compete with CES or its affiliates during the 18 month period following the termination of his employment; (ii) solicit or hire certain employees, or solicit customers or clients, during the 18 month period following the termination of his employment; or (iii) disparage CES or its subsidiaries or affiliates.

The foregoing summary of the employment agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the employment agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2, which is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Consulting Agreement dated November 10, 2014 between Donald Colvin and Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC.
10.2    Employment Agreement, made as of November 10, 2014, by and between Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC and Eric Hession.
99.1    Press release dated November 10, 2014.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
Date: November 12, 2014     By:  

/s/ S COTT E. W IEGAND

    Name:   Scott E. Wiegand
    Title:   Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel
      and Corporate Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

10.1    Consulting Agreement dated November 10, 2014 between Donald Colvin and Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC.
10.2    Employment Agreement, made as of November 10, 2014, by and between Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC and Eric Hession.
99.1    Press release dated November 10, 2014.

Exhibit 10.1

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

This Consulting Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of this 10 th day of November, 2014 by and between Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC (“CES” or the “Company”) and Donald Colvin ( “Colvin ”) (collectively the “ Parties ”) .

WHEREAS, on November 14, 2012, Colvin entered into a contract of employment with Caesars Entertainment Operating Company (“ CEOC ”) (the “ Employment Agreement ”), in which Colvin was engaged to serve as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) for Caesars Entertainment Corporation (“CEC”);

WHEREAS, as of October 1, 2014, and pursuant to Section 19.2 of the Employment Agreement, CEOC elected to perform all of its obligations under the Employment Agreement through CES (the “Transfer”); WHEREAS, pursuant to the Transfer, each reference to CEOC or any of its subsidiaries in the Agreement was replaced with a reference to CES; WHEREAS, CES has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Employment Agreement and to honor all other employment-related obligations to the Employee; and

WHEREAS, Colvin intends to resign his employment with the Company, effective December 31, 2014, and has agreed to make himself available to the Company thereafter and allow the Company to continue to use his services for a period of eighteen (18) months post-employment (the “Term”), and Colvin agrees to provide such services in a bona fide manner, on a consultancy basis with regard to and relating to matters and services and types of matters and services he handled and provided as CFO, and to assist in transitioning his duties to the new CFO of CEC and to provide assistance to the new CFO as needed (the “Services”).

THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

1. Employment Termination Date. Colvin’s last day of employment with the Company will be December 31, 2014 (“ Employment Termination Date ”). Colvin acknowledges that he is voluntarily resigning from the Company “Without Good Reason” as that term is defined in Paragraph 8.2 of the Employment Agreement. Colvin acknowledges that, except as expressly stated herein or required under applicable law, he is not entitled to any severance or other post-termination compensation or benefits from the Company resulting from such termination.

2. Acknowledgment and Release. As a condition precedent to the Company’s obligations under this Agreement taking effect, on the Employment Termination Date, Colvin will sign (i) an acknowledgment and agreement that the Company has paid him all compensation and benefits due under the terms of the Employment Agreement as of the Employment Termination Date in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Acknowledgement”), and (ii) a Release and Waiver of Claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. To the extent Colvin is entitled to any accrued or vested benefits, nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with those benefits.

 

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3. Consultancy Duties and Duration/Insurance . The Company desires Colvin to provide the Services to and at the direction of the new CFO of CEC or to his or her designees, beginning January 1, 2015. This Agreement shall expire on June 30, 2016, unless earlier terminated by the Company or Colvin, as set forth in Paragraph 7 below.

The Parties agree and understand that Colvin is solely responsible for obtaining insurance covering his provision of the Services. For the sake of clarification, this insurance requirement does not apply to any continuing D&O insurance coverage relating to Colvin’s employment as CFO with CEOC and CES.

4. Consideration/Benefits. In exchange for his provision of the Services, the Company shall pay Colvin the amount of $58,333.00 per month (the “Monthly Payments”). The Parties agree and understand that the Company will not withhold taxes or any other payroll withholdings from the Monthly Payments unless required to withhold under applicable law (in which case Colvin expressly acknowledges and agrees to any such requirement to withhold). Colvin shall be solely responsible for paying any and all taxes or other payments owed on the Monthly Payments. Colvin agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company Parties (as defined below) from any demands, losses, expenses, or other costs (including, but not limited to, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) in respect of any such taxes. Colvin shall not be reimbursed for expenses relating to the provision of the Services unless Colvin obtains written authorization from the CFO or his/her authorized designee(s) prior to incurring such expenses.

Effective January 1, 2015, Colvin will no longer be eligible to participate in the Company’s bonus, stock grant, or other benefit programs, except as follows:

 

  (i) Colvin’s RSU and stock options scheduled to vest on Jan 2, 2015, will vest. Colvin understands and agrees that no additional vesting will occur.

 

  (ii) Colvin may participate in and receive a performance bonus for calendar year 2014. The issuance and amount of such bonus shall be at the Company’s sole discretion.

 

  (iii) If, during the Term, Colvin elects to continue to participate in the Company’s health insurance plan pursuant to COBRA, the Company will reimburse the cost of participation to Colvin upon receipt of proof of payment of the premium. The Company’s obligation to reimburse Colvin’s premium costs shall end either at the end of the term or upon termination of this Agreement, whichever comes first.

5. Survival. The Parties agree and acknowledge that the following Sections (including all subparts) of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect following the Termination Date: Section 11 (“ Non-Competition Agreement ”), Section 12 (“ Confidentiality ”), Section 13 (“ Injunctive Relief ”), and Section 14 ( Post-Employment Cooperation) .

 

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6. Knowing/Voluntary Agreement.

(a) Colvin acknowledges that Colvin (a) has carefully read this Agreement and the Employment Agreement; (b) is competent to manage his own affairs; (c) fully understands the Agreement’s and Employment Agreement’s contents and legal effect; (d) has been advised to consult with an attorney of Colvin’s choosing prior to signing this Agreement, if Colvin so desires; and (e) has chosen to enter into this Agreement freely, without coercion, and based upon Colvin’s own judgment, and that Colvin has not relied upon any promises made by the Company, other than the promises explicitly contained in this Agreement.

(b) To execute this Agreement, Colvin must sign and date the Agreement below, and return a signed copy hereof to Attn: Corporate Compensation, Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC., One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, (phone):702-880-6829, compensationrequests@caesars.com, via nationally recognized overnight carrier or email. The Agreement shall be effective as of the date of execution by both parties.

7. Termination of Agreement.

a. Termination for Licensing/Suitability by Gaming Regulatory Agency . As a holder of a privileged gaming license, Company and certain Affiliates are required to adhere to strict laws and regulations regarding vendor and other business relationships. If at any time Company determines, in its sole discretion, that its association with Colvin could violate any statutes and regulations regarding prohibited relationships with gaming companies, or if Company determines in good faith, in its sole discretion, that it would be in its best interest to terminate its relationship with Colvin in order to protect any of its privileged gaming licenses, Company may immediately terminate this Agreement. If Colvin is or becomes required to be licensed by any federal, state, and/or local gaming regulatory agency, Colvin shall secure said licensing at his sole cost and expense, and if he fails to become so licensed or, once licensed, fails to maintain such license, Company may immediately terminate this Agreement. If any gaming regulatory agency requires approval of this Agreement or its terms, such approval shall be obtained prior to the performance of any part of this Agreement. If such gaming regulatory agency disapproves this Agreement in whole or in part, Company may immediately terminate this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, in the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.a., Company shall have no further liability to Colvin, except for any obligations pursuant to the Proposal outstanding on the date termination becomes effective, including any payment obligation of Company or any Affiliate, unless otherwise prohibited by a gaming regulatory agency.

b. Termination for Material Breach . In addition to all other rights of termination set forth in this Agreement, the Company may terminate this Agreement in the event of Colvin’s material breach of this Agreement on 30 days’ prior written notice to Colvin.

c. Termination for Breach of Confidentiality or Non-Compete . With respect to any material breach of Sections 11 or 12 of the Employment Agreement, no notice is required prior to termination of this Agreement.

 

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d. Termination upon Colvin’s Death . In the event of Colvin’s death, this Agreement shall immediately terminate, and Colvin’s estate or heirs shall be entitled solely to payment of the Monthly Payment for the month in which Colvin died.

8. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The section headings in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or the provisions hereof.

9. No Admission. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission that the Company, Colvin, or any other individual or entity has any liability to or acted wrongfully in any way with respect to Colvin, the Company, CEOC, or any other person.

10. Governing Law and Venue . This Agreement shall be governed, construed, performed and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada applicable to contracts to be performed therein. The federal and state courts located in Clark County, Nevada shall have sole and exclusive subject matter jurisdiction over any action brought to interpret, judge, decide, rule upon and enforce in any manner provided by Nevada law any of the terms, covenants, conditions, representations or warranties contained herein, and Colvin expressly consents to personal jurisdiction in Nevada for the purpose of resolving any dispute related to the making or interpretation of this Agreement.

11. Severability. It is the intention of the Parties that if any provision of the Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, all other provisions will remain in full force and effect, as if the void, illegal, or unenforceable provision is not part of the Agreement. If any court, agency or arbitration tribunal finds any term, restriction, or covenant herein unenforceable, then such terms, restriction or covenant shall be modified to the extent necessary to make it and this Agreement enforceable by such entity.

12. Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either Party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if evidenced in writing signed by each Party or an authorized representative of each Party.

13. Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties, and agreements between the Parties with respect to Colvin’s separation from the Company and all positions therewith; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall supersede the Sections in the Employment Agreement identified in Paragraph 5 (“ Survival ”) of this Agreement.

14. Acknowledgement of Independent Contractor. Colvin agrees that, in performing the Consultancy services to the Company, he is acting as an independent contractor and that he is not entitled to and shall not claim any of the rights, privileges or benefits of an employee of the Company or any or all of its subsidiaries or affiliates (together, with their respective principals, members, managers, officers, directors, employees, investors, representatives, and agents, the “ Company Parties ” and each a “ Company Party ”), except as specifically set forth in this

 

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Agreement. Furthermore, nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be deemed to create any employment relationship, partnership, agency or joint venture relationship between or among Colvin on the one hand and any or all of the Company Parties on the other. Colvin understands that in respect of his services hereunder he will not receive nor be entitled to any of the rights, privileges or benefits that any or all of the Company Parties may extend to their respective employees, including, but not limited to, pension benefits, welfare benefits, vacation, termination or severance pay or other perquisites or benefits, by virtue of this Agreement or by virtue of Colvin’s provision of the Services, except as specifically set forth in this Agreement. Colvin, on behalf of himself and all of his heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, hereby releases and waives any and all rights, claims, or interests in any such privileges or benefits, including, but not limited to, pension benefits, welfare benefits, vacation, termination or severance pay or other perquisites and benefits. Colvin further agrees that he will not be provided with a permanent office nor will he be required to keep set office hours. Rather, Colvin will make himself available to provide the Services on an as-needed basis.

15. Authorities. Colvin hereby acknowledges and agrees that he does not have authority to act on behalf of, or otherwise bind, any or all of the Company Parties (as herein defined). Accordingly, Colvin may not enter into any agreements on behalf of or purport to bind any or all of such Company Parties, or represent to any person that Colvin has the power to create any obligation, express or implied, on behalf of any or all of such Company Parties without the Company’s express prior written consent. Colvin shall not hold himself to any party as having such authority.

16. Subcontracts . Colvin may not subcontract for provision of any Services without the prior written consent of Company, which consent shall be within Company’s sole and absolute discretion.

17. No Use of Name or Marks . Colvin agrees that he shall have no right to, or interest in, the name “Caesars” or any registered service mark or trademark of Company or its Affiliates, and Colvin shall not, in any manner, use such words or marks, in the promotion of Colvin’s business.

18. Review by Counsel . Colvin acknowledges that he had the opportunity to be represented by counsel in the negotiation and execution of this Agreement. Accordingly, the rule of construction of contract language against the drafting party is hereby knowingly and voluntarily waived by Colvin.

19. Force Majeure . Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations due to (i) the occurrence of a force majeure event (including, without limitation, strikes, shortages, riots, insurrection, fires, flood, storm, explosions, acts of God, war, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, earthquakes, or any other similar event in the areas in which the Services are performed); (ii) or any material condition beyond such Party’s reasonable control (whether foreseeable or not), provided however, that this paragraph does not excuse any breach of the terms contained herein (a) governing the use, reproduction, disclosure or transfer of any Confidential Information of a Party; or (b) for failure to pay for Services rendered. If due to a force majeure event Colvin is unable to provide the Services or Company is unable to accept the Services for a period of thirty consecutive days, either Party may terminate this Agreement, and

 

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neither Party shall be deemed in default. In the event of any such delay or failure to perform, (A) the Party claiming such delay shall seek and use (to the extent available) economically reasonable and comparable substitutes or alternatives for performance reasonably approved by the other Party, and (B) the Party claiming such delay shall promptly give the other Party written notice of the occurrence of such delay, and upon the termination thereof, the termination of such delay. If the Party claiming such delay fails to give notice to the other Party of the occurrence and termination of such delay as provided herein within five business days from the date such Party has actual knowledge of such delay and/or the date of termination of such delay, as the case may be, the Party claiming such delay shall be deemed to have waived its right to an extension hereunder on account of such delay.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have knowingly and voluntarily executed the Agreement.

 

DONALD COLVIN     Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC

/s/ Donald Colvin

    By:  

/s/ Mary Thomas

Print Name:  

Donald Colvin

    Title:  

EVP, Human Resources

Date:  

November 10, 2014

    Date:  

November 10, 2014

 

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EXHIBIT A

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, Donald Colvin, hereby acknowledge that I have received all compensation and benefits due to me under the terms of my Employment Agreement with the Company, as defined in the Consulting Agreement to which this Acknowledgement is attached as Exhibit A. I acknowledge and understand that I am not entitled to any further salary payments, bonus payments, or business expense reimbursements not already paid to me as of the date I sign this Acknowledgement. To the extent I am entitled to any accrued or vested benefits pursuant to any benefit or stock options plans in which I participated while employed by the Company, nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with or otherwise alter those benefits.

 

DONALD COLVIN

 

Date:                       , 201    

 

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EXHIBIT B

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS (“RELEASE”)

Donald Colvin (“Colvin”), for himself, his spouse, and each of Colvin’s heirs, beneficiaries, representatives, agents, successors, and assigns (collectively, “ Colvin Releasors ”), irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC (“the Company”), each and all of its predecessors, parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions, successors, and assigns (collectively with the Company, the “ Company Entities ”), and each and all of the Company Entities’ current and former officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, attorneys, agents, and assigns (collectively, with the Company Entities, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all causes of action, claims, actions, rights, judgments, obligations, damages, demands, accountings, or liabilities of any kind or character, whether known or unknown, whether accrued or contingent, that Colvin has, had, or may have against them, or any of them, by reason of, arising out of, connected with, touching upon, or concerning Colvin’s employment with the Company, Colvin’s separation from the Company, and Colvin’s relationship with any or all of the Company Releasees, and from any and all statutory claims, regulatory claims, claims under the Employment Agreement, and any and all other claims or matters of whatever kind, nature, or description, arising from the beginning of the world up through the date Colvin signs this Release (collectively, the “ Released Claims ”). Colvin acknowledges that the Released Claims specifically include, but are not limited to, any and all claims for fraud, breach of express or implied contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference with contractual rights, violation of public policy, invasion of privacy, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional or negligent misrepresentation, defamation, libel, slander, or breach of privacy; claims for failure to pay wages, benefits, deferred compensation, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, expenses, severance pay, attorneys’ fees, or other compensation of any sort; claims related to stock options, equity awards, or other grants, awards, or warrants; claims related to any tangible or intangible property of Colvin that remains with the Company; claims for retaliation, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic or criteria protected by law; any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII, as amended), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq ., the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“ FMLA ”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq. , the Fair Labor Standards Act (“ FLSA ”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, et seq. , the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. §206(a) and interpretive regulations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ ADA ”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq. , the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“ COBRA ”), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) or any other health and/or safety laws, statutes, or regulations, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 301, et seq. , the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101, et seq. , or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; all claims arising under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-204), including whistleblowing claims under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1513(e) and 1514A; the Nevada Wage and Hour Laws, NEV. REV. STAT. § 608.005, et seq ., the Nevada Fair Employment Practices Act. NEV. REV. STAT. § 613.310 et seq ., and any and all other foreign, federal, state, or local laws, common law, or case law, including but not limited to all statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in place in Clark County, Nevada.

 

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As of the Separation Date, Colvin acknowledges and represents that Colvin has not been either directly or indirectly involved in, witnessed or asked or directed to participate in any conduct that could give rise to an allegation that the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has violated any laws applicable to its businesses or that could otherwise be construed as inappropriate or unethical in any way, even if such conduct is not, or does not appear to be, a violation of any law. Colvin confirms that Colvin has been given the opportunity to report such conduct to the Company and to third parties and that Colvin has not made such report. Colvin also confirms that Colvin has no charge, complaint or action against the Company or any Company Releasees in any forum or form.

Colvin acknowledges and agrees that if he should hereafter make any claim or demand or commence or threaten to commence any action, claim or proceeding against the Company Releasees with respect to any cause, matter or thing which is the subject of this Release (other than a charge brought to an administrative agency), this Release may be raised as a complete bar to any such action, claim or proceeding, and the applicable Company Releasee may recover from the Colvin all costs incurred in connection with such action, claim or proceeding, including attorneys’ fees.

Colvin understands that by signing this Agreement, Colvin waives any claims Colvin may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the ADEA) up to the time Employee signs this Agreement. Employee has, if Employee wishes, twenty-one (21) days to consider this Agreement prior to signing it, and seven (7) days after signing this Agreement to revoke his signature. Any revocation within this seven (7) day period must be submitted, in writing, to Tim Donovan, General Counsel of Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and state, “I hereby revoke my acceptance of the Release and Waiver of Claims attached at Exhibit B to my Consulting Agreement.” For this revocation to be effective, the written notice must be received by Tim Donovan not later than the close of business on the seventh (7th) calendar day after Colvin signs this Agreement. If Colvin revokes this Release, the Consulting Agreement to which this release is attached as Exhibit B shall not be effective or enforceable, and Colvin will not receive the Consideration set forth in Paragraph 4 of the Consulting Agreement.

 

Signed:
DONALD COLVIN

 

Date:                       , 201

 

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Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of the 10 th day of November, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC, with offices at One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”) and Eric Hession (“ Executive ”).

1. Term of Employment . The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive under this Agreement, and Executive hereby accepts such employment, for the Term of Employment. The Term of Employment shall commence as of January 1, 2015 (the “Start Date”), and shall end on the fourth (4 th ) anniversary of the Start Date, unless terminated earlier by either party in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement; provided that, on the fourth anniversary of the Start Date and each anniversary of the Start Date thereafter, the employment period shall be extended by one year unless, at least six (6) months prior to such anniversary, the Company or Employee delivers a written notice (a “ Notice of Non-Renewal ”) to the other party that the employment period shall not be so extended (the Initial Term as from time to time extended or renewed, the “ Employment Term ”).

2. Position, Duties, and Responsibilities .

(a) During the Term of Employment, Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, reporting to the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Company or such other party designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”), and shall perform such lawful duties as are specified from time to time by the Company.

(b) During the Term of Employment, Executive shall perform his duties faithfully and to the best of his abilities and shall devote all of his business time and attention, on a full time basis (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), to the business and affairs of the Company and shall use his best efforts to advance the best interests of the Company and shall comply with all of the policies of the Company, including, without limitation, such policies with respect to legal compliance, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, insider trading, code of conduct and business ethics, and other employment-related policies as are from time to time in effect (collectively, and as amended or modified from time to time by the Company, the “ Policies ”).

(c) During the Term of Employment, Executive hereby agrees that his services will be rendered exclusively to the Company, and Executive shall not, except as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto, directly or indirectly, render services to, or otherwise act in a business or professional capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of, any other Person (as defined below), whether as an employee, advisor, member of a board or similar governing body, sole proprietor, independent contractor, agent, consultant, volunteer, intern, representative, or otherwise, whether or not compensated. With respect to the positions listed on Exhibit A attached hereto, Executive may engage in such activities so long as such activities do not interfere with the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder and/or otherwise conflict with any of the Policies of the Company or otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement. During the Term of Employment, Executive further agrees that he shall not seek, solicit, or otherwise look for employment (whether as an employee, consultant, or otherwise) with any other Person (as defined below).


(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if after the date of execution of this Agreement Executive wishes to render services to, or otherwise act in a business or professional capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of, any other Person (as defined below), whether as an employee, advisor, member of a board or similar governing body, sole proprietor, independent contractor, agent, consultant, volunteer, intern, representative, or otherwise, whether or not compensated, Executive may do so only upon obtaining written permission of his direct supervisor, and subject to all of the remaining provisions herein.

(e) Executive’s services hereunder shall be performed by Executive in the Company’s principal executive offices located in Clark County, Nevada or such other location as serves as Executive’s primary office; provided , that , Executive may be required to travel for business purposes during the Term of Employment.

(f) Upon expiration of the Term of Employment, the delivery of a Notice of Non-Renewal or the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, upon the request of the Board or its designee, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned, in writing, from any positions he then holds with the Company and any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, including membership on any Company, Subsidiary or Affiliate boards unless otherwise determined by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) an “ Affiliate ” of the Company or any other Person (as defined below) shall mean a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified; (ii) a “ Subsidiary ” of any Person shall mean any Person of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, more than half of the equity ownership interests (measured either by value or by ability to elect or control the board of directors or other governing body); and (iii) a “ Person ” or “ person ” means any individual, partnership, limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, estate, cooperative, association, organization, proprietorship, firm, joint venture, joint stock company, syndicate, company, committee, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other entity, in each case, whether or not for profit.

3. Base Salary . During the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay Executive an annualized base salary of $700,000, minus applicable deductions and withholdings (“ Base Salary ”), payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices applicable to senior executives of the Company. During the Term of Employment, the Base Salary shall be subject to annual review by the Company, in its sole discretion, for possible increase and any such increased Base Salary shall constitute “Base Salary” for purposes of this Agreement. Executive shall not be entitled to receive any additional consideration for service during the Term of Employment as a member of the Board or the board of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

4. Bonus . During the Term of Employment, Executive shall participate in the Company’s annual incentive bonus program(s) applicable to Executive’s position (the “ AIP ”) and be eligible to receive a bonus (the “ Bonus ”) based upon the achievement of performance objectives as determined by the Board. The Bonus, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the AIP; provided , that , the Bonus shall not be considered earned for any purpose unless

 

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Executive is still employed by the Company on (and has not given or received a Notice of Termination (as defined below) prior to) the payment date. While payout of the bonus shall be discretionary under the terms described above, Executive shall have an annual bonus target of 75% of base salary.

5. Claw-Back . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to claw-back or disgorgement, to the extent applicable, under (A) the Policies or any clawback policy adopted by the Company, (B) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as amended, and rules, regulations, and binding, published guidance thereunder, which legislation provides for the clawback and recovery of incentive compensation in the event of certain financial statement restatements and (C) the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002. If pursuant to Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Act ”), the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) would not be eligible for continued listing, if applicable, under Section 10D(a) of the Act if it (or they) did not adopt policies consistent with Section 10D(b) of the Act, then, in accordance with those policies that are so required, any incentive-based compensation payable to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise shall be subject to claw-back in the circumstances, to the extent, and in the manner, required by Section 10D(b)(2) of the Act, as interpreted by rules of the Securities Exchange Commission. Nothing in this provision is intended to supersede any existing or future clawback provision adopted or amended by the company, including, but not limited to the provision set forth in the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.

6. Other Benefits .

(a) Employee Benefits . During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in such employee benefit plans and insurance programs made available generally to employees of the Company, or which it may adopt from time to time, for its employees, in accordance with the eligibility requirements for participation therein. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the ability of the Company to adopt, amend, or terminate any such plans, policies, or programs.

(b) Vacations . During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to five weeks of paid vacation per year to be accrued and taken in accordance with the normal vacation policies of the Company.

(c) Reimbursement of Business and Other Expenses . During the Term of Employment, Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all such expenses, subject to documentation and subject to the policies of the Company relating to expense reimbursement.

(d) D&O Insurance . During the Term of Employment, if applicable, the Company shall provide Executive with Directors and Officers indemnification insurance coverage in accordance with the terms of the Company’s policies as in effect from time to time, which policies may be subject to change during the Term of Employment.

 

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7. Termination of Employment . Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated prior to the end of the Term of Employment under the following circumstances, and any such termination shall not be, nor be deemed to be, a breach of this Agreement:

(a) Death . Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon Executive’s death.

(b) Disability . The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for Disability (as defined below). “ Disability ” shall mean Executive’s inability to perform his duties hereunder on a full-time basis for a period of ninety (90) days during any three hundred sixty-five (365) day period, as a result of physical or mental incapacity as determined by a medical doctor reasonably selected in good faith by the Company. Any action taken pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

(c) For Cause . The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause. Upon the reasonable belief by the Company that Executive has committed an act (or has failed to act in a manner) which constitutes Cause, the Company may immediately suspend Executive from his duties herein and bar him from its premises during the Company’s investigation of such acts (or failures to act) and any such suspension shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Agreement by the Company and/or otherwise provide Executive a right to terminate his employment for Good Reason (the “ Investigation Period ”); provided , however, that the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause immediately and nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company to provide an Investigation Period or otherwise provide advance notice of termination for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean (i) Executive’s commission or guilty plea or plea of no contest to a felony or a misdemeanor (or its equivalent under applicable law), (ii) conduct by Executive that constitutes fraud or embezzlement, or any acts of dishonesty in relation to his duties with the Company, (iii) Executive’s negligence, bad faith, or misconduct which causes either reputational or economic harm to the Company or its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, (iv) Executive’s refusal or failure to perform Executive’s duties hereunder as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, (v) Executive’s refusal or failure to perform any reasonable directive of the Company, (vi) Executive’s knowing misrepresentation of any material fact that the Company reasonably requests, (vii) Executive being found unsuitable for, or having been denied, a gaming license, or having such license revoked by a gaming regulatory authority in any jurisdiction in which the Company, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates conducts operations, (viii) Executive’s violation, as determined by the Company, of any securities or employment laws or regulations, or (ix) Executive’s breach of his obligations under this Agreement or the Policies as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

(d) Without Cause . The Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder without Cause, at any time and for any reason or no reason, by providing Executive with a Notice of Termination.

(e) By Executive . Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment hereunder without Good Reason (as defined below) by providing the Company with a Notice of

 

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Termination at least thirty (30) days prior to such termination. Executive also shall have the right to terminate his employment hereunder with Good Reason as set forth herein. For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall have “ Good Reason ” to terminate his employment if, (i) within thirty (30) days after he knows (or has reason to know) of the occurrence of any of the following events, Executive provides written notice to the Company requesting that it cure such events, (ii) the Company fails to cure, if curable, such events within sixty (60) days following such notice, and, (iii) within ten (10) days after the expiration of such cure period, Executive provides the Company with a Notice of Termination: (A) a material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary other than a reduction that applies to a similarly situated class of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (B) a material diminution in Executive’s duties or responsibilities for a period of more than forty-five (45) days (not including any Investigation Period); or (C) a material breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.

(f) Due to Expiration of the Term of Employment . The Term of Employment shall terminate upon the expiration of the then current Term of Employment in the event that either Party delivers a Notice of Non-Renewal to the other Party in accordance with Section 1 of this Agreement.

8. Termination Procedure .

(a) Notice of Termination . Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company or by Executive during the Term of Employment (other than termination pursuant to Section 7(a)), including a Notice of Non-Renewal pursuant to Section 1, shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination in accordance with Section 15 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Notice of Termination ” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.

(b) Date of Termination . “ Date of Termination ” shall mean (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 7(b), fifteen (15) days after Notice of Termination is delivered to Executive, (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by a Notice of Non-Renewal pursuant to Section 1, the last day of the then current Term of Employment (which shall be at least sixty (60) days after such Notice of Non-Renewal is delivered); and (iv) if Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date on which a Notice of Termination is given or any later date set forth in such notice (but within ninety (90) days after the giving of such notice); provided , however , that the notice period for a termination by Executive without Good Reason shall be at least thirty (30) days after the giving of such Notice of Termination.

9. Compensation Upon Termination . In the event Executive’s employment terminates prior to the expiration of the Term of Employment, the Company shall provide Executive with the payments and benefits set forth below. The payments described herein shall be in lieu of any other severance or termination benefits that Executive may otherwise have been eligible to receive under any severance policy, plan, or program maintained by the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or as otherwise mandated by law. To the extent that the Company

 

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and/or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates are required to pay Executive severance or termination pay under any such severance policy, plan, program, or applicable law, the amounts payable hereunder shall be reduced, but not below zero, on a dollar for dollar basis.

(a) Termination for Cause, Without Good Reason, or upon Expiration of the Term of Employment . If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, by Executive without Good Reason, or upon expiration of the Term of Employment:

(i) within ten (10) business days following such termination, the Company shall pay to Executive any unpaid Base Salary earned through the Date of Termination;

(ii) within thirty (30) days following such termination, the Company shall reimburse Executive pursuant to Section 6(c) for reasonable expenses incurred but not paid prior to such termination of employment; and

(iii) the Company shall provide to Executive other or additional benefits (if any), in accordance with the then-applicable terms of any then-applicable plan, program, agreement or other arrangement of any of the Company, or of any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, in which Executive participates (the rights described in sub-clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) are collectively referred to as the “ Accrued Obligations ”). Thereafter, the Company shall have no further obligation under this Agreement or otherwise to Executive or Executive’s legal representatives or estate except as required by any applicable law.

(b) Death . If Executive’s employment is terminated due to his death during the Term of Employment, Executive or his beneficiary, legal representative, or estate shall receive the Accrued Obligations. Thereafter, the Company shall have no further obligation under this Agreement to Executive or Executive’s beneficiaries, legal representatives or estate except as otherwise required by applicable law.

(c) Termination Without Cause, For Good Reason, or for Disability . In the event that Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated by the Company without Cause under Section 7(d) of this Agreement, by Executive with Good Reason under Section 7(e) of this Agreement, or for Disability during the Term of Employment, the Company shall pay or provide to Executive the Accrued Obligations and, subject to Executive’s signing a separation agreement and release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (with such changes as may be necessary due to applicable law) (the “ Release ”) within twenty-one (21) days or forty-five (45) days, whichever period is applicable under the ADEA (as defined in Exhibit B ) following the Date of Termination, and not revoking the Release within seven (7) days of signing it, the Company shall pay to Executive a severance amount equal to his monthly rate of Base Salary (i.e., 1/12 of his annual rate of Base Salary) for each of eighteen (18) months (the “Severance Period”) commencing on the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the Date of Termination, in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices; provided , that , the Company may cease making the payments under this Section 9(c) (in addition to asserting any other rights it may have in law

 

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of equity) (i) if Executive is in breach of any of his obligations under Section 10 of this Agreement and Executive has failed to cure such breach, if curable, within ten (10) days following the Board’s notice to Executive of such breach; or (2) if Executive is in breach of any of the terms of the Release. If applicable, Employee will be entitled to receive the benefits set forth on Exhibit C hereto during the Severance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive’s employment is terminated under this Section 9.(c) within the first twelve (12) months after the Start Date, the Severance Period shall be reduced from eighteen (18) months to twelve (12) months (the “Reduced Severance Period”), and the Company shall pay to Executive a severance amount equal to his monthly rate of Base Salary (i.e., 1/12 of his annual rate of Base Salary) for each month of the Reduced Severance Period, subject to all conditions set forth above.

(d) Offset . In the event of any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, the Company is specifically authorized to offset against amounts due to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise on account of any claim that any of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates may have against Executive. In addition, Executive shall be under a specific obligation to seek other employment and mitigate the obligations of the Company under this Section 9, it being understood that Executive’s compliance with Section 10 of this Agreement shall not relieve his obligations under this clause (d).

10. Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality .

(a) Acknowledgments . Executive acknowledges that: (i) as a result of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive has obtained and will obtain Confidential Information (as defined below); (ii) the Confidential Information has been developed and created by the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates at substantial expense and the Confidential Information constitutes valuable proprietary assets of the Company; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates will suffer substantial damage and irreparable harm which will be difficult to compute if, during the Term of Employment or thereafter, Executive should engage in or assist a Competitive Business (as defined herein) in violation of the provisions of this Agreement; (iv) the nature of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ and Affiliates’ business is such that it can be conducted anywhere in the world and is not limited to a geographic scope or region; (v) the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates will suffer substantial damage which will be difficult to compute if, during the Term of Employment or thereafter, Executive should solicit or interfere with the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ or Affiliates’ employees, clients, or customers or should divulge Confidential Information relating to the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (vi) the provisions of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates; (vii) the Company would not have hired or continued to employ Executive or grant the benefits contemplated under this Agreement unless Executive agreed to be bound by the terms hereof; and (viii) the provisions of this Agreement will not preclude Executive from other gainful employment following his termination from the Company. “ Competitive Business ” as used in this Agreement shall mean any business which competes, directly or indirectly, with the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ or Affiliates’ business of operating, managing, or providing goods or services to casinos, casino/resorts, casino/hotels, internet gaming, other gaming venture or entity, or any other material business line(s) engaged in by the Company of any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as of the Date of Termination. “ Confidential Information ” as used in

 

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this Agreement shall mean any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data, or information of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, including, without limitation, any: (A) food and beverage procedures, recipes, finances, financial management systems, player identification systems (Total Rewards), pricing systems, organizational charts, salary and benefit programs, or training programs, (B) trade secrets, drawings, inventions, methodologies, mask works, ideas, processes, formulas, source or object codes, data, programs, software source documents, data, film, audio and digital recordings, works of authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs or techniques, intellectual property or other work product of the Company or any Affiliate, whether or not patentable or registrable under trademark, copyright, patent, or similar laws; (C) information regarding plans for research, development, new service offerings and/or products, marketing, advertising, and selling, distribution, business plans, business forecasts, budgets, and unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices, costs, suppliers, customers, or distribution arrangements; (D) non-public information regarding and collected from employees, suppliers, customers, clients, suppliers, vendors, agents, and/or independent contractors of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; (E) concepts and ideas relating to the development and distribution of content in any medium or to the current, future, or proposed business opportunities, products or services of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate; or (F) any other information, data, or the like that is designated as confidential or treated as confidential by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(b) Confidentiality . In consideration of the compensation and other items of benefit provided for in this Agreement, Executive agrees not to, at any time, either during the Term of Employment or thereafter, divulge, post, use, publish, or in any other manner reveal, directly or indirectly, to any person, firm, corporation or any other form of business organization or arrangement and keep in the strictest confidence any Confidential Information, except (i) as may be necessary to the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, (ii) with the express written consent of the Company’s CEO or General Counsel, (iii) to the extent that any such information is in or becomes in the public domain other than as a result of Executive’s breach of any of obligations hereunder, or (iv) where required to be disclosed by court order, subpoena or other government process and in such event, provided that Executive notifies the Company in writing in accordance with Section 14 below within three (3) days of receiving such order, subpoena, or process, cooperates with the Company in seeking an appropriate protective order and in attempting to keep such information confidential to the maximum extent possible. Executive agrees to promptly deliver to the Company the originals and all copies, in whatever medium, of all such Confidential Information in his possession, custody or control.

(c) Non-Compete . In consideration of the compensation and other items of benefit provided for in this Agreement, Executive covenants and agrees that during the Term of Employment and for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Date of Termination of his employment for any reason, or from the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of a judgment enforcing this Section, whichever of the foregoing is last to occur (the “ Restricted Period ”), he will not, for himself, or in conjunction with any other Person (whether as a shareholder, partner, member, principal, agent, lender, director, officer, manager, trustee, representative, employee, intern, volunteer, consultant, or in another capacity), directly or indirectly, be employed by, provide services to, or in any way be connected, associated, or have any ownership or other interest in, or give advice or consultation to, any Competitive Business. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 10(c) shall not prevent Executive from: (i) acquiring

 

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securities representing not more than 1% of the outstanding voting securities of any entity the securities of which are traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter market; or (ii) obtaining employment in the hotel/resort industry for an entity that does not engage in the casino/gaming business so long as Executive does not otherwise breach any provision of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive’s employment is terminated under Section 9(c) within the first twelve (12) months immediately following the Start Date, the Restricted Period shall be reduced from eighteen (18) months to twelve (12) months.

(d) Non-Solicitation of Employees . In consideration of the compensation and other items of benefit provided for in this Agreement, Executive covenants and agrees that during the Term of Employment and for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Date of Termination of his employment for any reason, or from the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of a judgment enforcing this Section, whichever of the foregoing is last to occur, Executive shall not, without the prior written permission of the Company’s CEO or General Counsel, directly or indirectly (i) solicit, employ, or retain, or have or assist any other person or entity to solicit, employ, or retain, any person who is (A) employed by or providing services to the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or (B) was employed by or providing services to the Company (in any capacity) at the time of Executive’s termination of employment or at any time within the eighteen (18) month period before or after Executive’s termination of employment, or (ii) encourage, assist, entice, request and/or directly or indirectly cause any employee or consultant of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to breach or threaten to breach any terms of such employee’s or consultant’s agreements with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or to terminate his or her employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(e) Non-Solicitation of Clients and Customers . In consideration of the compensation and other items of benefit provided for in this Agreement, Executive covenants and agrees that during the Term of Employment and for a period of eighteen (18) months following the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, or from the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of a judgment or any appeal thereon, whichever of the foregoing is last to occur, he will not, for himself, or in conjunction with any other Person (whether as a shareholder, partner, member, lender, principal, agent, director, officer, manager, trustee, representative, employee, consultant or in another capacity), directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, engage or accept any business or services from any Person who, to Executive’s knowledge, was an existing or prospective customer, client, supplier, or vendor of the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates at the time of, or at the time during the eighteen (18) months preceding, his termination of employment; or (ii) request or cause any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ or Affiliates’ clients, customers, suppliers, or vendors to cancel, terminate, reduce or otherwise interfere with any business relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(f) Post-Employment Property . The Parties agree that any work of authorship, invention, design, discovery, development, technique, improvement, source code, hardware, device, data, apparatus, practice, process, method, or other work product whatever (whether patentable or subject to copyright, or not, and hereinafter collectively called “ discovery ”) that Executive, either solely or in collaboration with others, has conceived, created, made, discovered, invented, developed, perfected, or reduced to practice during the term of his employment, whether or not during regular business hours or on the Company’s or any

 

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Subsidiaries and Affiliates’ premises, shall be the sole and complete property of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates. More particularly, and without limiting the foregoing, Executive agrees that all of the foregoing and any (i) inventions (whether patentable or not, and without regard to whether any patent therefor is ever sought); (ii) marks, names, or logos (whether or not registrable as trade or service marks, and without regard to whether registration therefor is ever sought); (iii) works of authorship (without regard to whether any claim of copyright therein is ever registered); and (iv) trade secrets, ideas, and concepts (subsections (i) - (iv) collectively, “ Intellectual Property Products ”) created, conceived, or prepared on the Company’s or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates’ premises or otherwise, whether or not during normal business hours or on the Company’s premises, and related to the Company’s business, shall perpetually and throughout the world be the exclusive property of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, as shall all tangible media (including, but not limited to, papers, computer media, and digital and cloud-based of all types and models) in which such Intellectual Property Products shall be recorded or otherwise fixed. Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason whatsoever, and at any earlier time the Company so requests, Executive will immediately deliver to the custody of the person designated by the CEO or General Counsel of the Company all originals and copies of any documents and other property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates in Executive’s possession or under Executive’s custody or control.

(g) Works for hire . Executive agrees that all works of authorship created in whole or in part by Executive during his engagement by the Company shall be works made for hire of which the Company or its Subsidiaries and Affiliates is the author and owner of copyright. To the extent that any competent decision-making authority should ever determine that any work of authorship created by Executive during his engagement by the Company is not a work made for hire, Executive hereby assigns all right, title, and interest in the copyright therein, in perpetuity and throughout the world, to the Company. To the extent that this Agreement does not otherwise serve to grant or otherwise vest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates all rights in any Intellectual Property Product created in whole or in part by Executive during his engagement by the Company, Executive hereby assigns all right, title, and interest therein, in perpetuity and throughout the world, to the Company. Executive agrees to execute, immediately upon the Company’s reasonable request and without any additional compensation, any further assignments, applications, conveyances or other instruments, at any time after execution of this Agreement, whether or not Executive remains employed by the Company at the time such request is made, in order to permit the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, and/or their respective successors and assigns to protect, perfect, register, record, maintain, or enhance their rights in any Intellectual Property Product; provided , that , the Company shall bear the cost of any such assignments, applications, or consequences.

(h) Non-Disparagement . Executive agrees that he will not defame, denigrate, or publicly criticize the services, plans, methodologies, business, integrity, veracity or personal or professional reputation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, partners, executives, or agents in either a professional or personal manner at any time during or following the Term of Employment.

(i) Enforcement . If Executive commits a breach of any of the provisions of this Section 10, the Company shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions specifically

 

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enforced by any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed by Executive that he possesses considerable Confidential Information and that the services being rendered hereunder are of a special, unique, and extraordinary character and that any such breach will cause irreparable injury to the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and that money damages will not provide an adequate remedy to the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, at law or in equity. Accordingly, Executive consents to the issuance of a temporary and/or preliminary injunction, in aid of arbitration, consistent with the terms of this Agreement.

(j) Modification/Blue Pencil . If, at any time, a reviewing court of appropriate jurisdiction called upon to issue an injunction in accordance with Section 10(i) finds any of the provisions of this Section 10 to be invalid or unenforceable under any applicable law, by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to area, duration, or scope of activity, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and such court shall have authority to modify or blue pencil this Agreement to cover only such area, duration, and scope as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by the court. Executive and the Company agree that this Agreement, as so amended, shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.

(k) EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS SECTION 10 AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ITS PROVISIONS WITH ANY ADVISORS AS HE CONSIDERED NECESSARY, AND THAT EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THIS AGREEMENT’S CONTENTS AND SIGNIFIES SUCH UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT BY SIGNING BELOW.

11. Assignability; Binding Nature . The rights and benefits of Executive hereunder shall not be assignable, whether by voluntary or involuntary assignment or transfer by Executive or otherwise. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the successors and assigns of the Company, and the heirs, beneficiaries, executors, and administrators of Executive, and shall be assignable by the Company only to any entity acquiring substantially all of the assets of the Company, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or similar transactions. In the event of such an assignment, Executive shall receive $1,000, subject to applicable deductions and withholding taxes, in addition to Executive’s compensation hereunder as additional consideration for such assignment.

12. Representations . Executive represents and warrants to the Company, and Executive acknowledges that the Company has relied on such representations and warranties in employing Executive, that neither Executive’s duties as an employee of the Company nor his performance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will breach any other obligations of Executive, including under any other agreement to which Executive is a party, including, without limitation, any agreement limiting the use or disclosure of any information acquired by Executive prior to his employment by the Company. Executive represents and warrants that he has not willfully or knowingly misrepresented or withheld any material fact that the Company would reasonably need to make an informed decision regarding an offer of employment to Executive. In addition, Executive represents and warrants and acknowledges that the Company has relied on such representations and warranties in employing Executive, and that he has not entered into, and will not enter into, any agreement, either oral or written, in conflict herewith.

 

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13. Litigation And Regulatory Cooperation . During the Term of Employment and continuing thereafter upon termination of employment, Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates in the defense or prosecution of any claims or actions now in existence or that may be brought or threatened in the future against or on behalf of any of the Company, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions, successors, and assigns, about which the Company believes Executive may have relevant information. Executive’s cooperation in connection with such claims or actions shall include, but not be limited to, being available to meet with counsel to prepare for discovery or trial and to act as a witness on behalf of the Company, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, successors and assigns at mutually convenient times. Executive also shall cooperate fully with the Company in connection with any investigation or review by any federal, state, or local regulatory authority as any such investigation or review relates to events or occurrences that transpired while Executive was employed by the Company; provided , that , the Company will reimburse Executive for his reasonable travel expenses incurred with respect to such cooperation.

14. Resolution of Disputes . Any dispute arising in connection with the validity, interpretation, enforcement, or breach of this Agreement or arising out of Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the Company; under any statute, regulation, ordinance or the common law; or otherwise arising between Executive, on the one hand, and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, on the other hand, the Parties, shall (except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 10(i) with respect to certain requests for injunctive relief) be submitted to binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) for resolution. Such arbitration shall be conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the arbitrator will apply Nevada law, including federal law as applied in Nevada courts. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s Employment Arbitration Rules, as modified by the terms set forth in this Agreement. The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator, who shall be an attorney who specializes in the field of employment law and shall have prior experience arbitrating employment disputes. The Company will pay the fees and costs of the Arbitrator and/or the AAA, except that Executive will be responsible for paying the applicable filing fee not to exceed the fee that Executive would otherwise pay to file a lawsuit asserting the same claim in court. The arbitrator shall not have the authority to modify the terms of this Agreement except to the extent that the Agreement violates any governing statue, in which case the arbitrator may modify the Agreement solely as necessary to not conflict with such statute. The Arbitrator shall have the authority to award any remedy or relief that could a court of the State of Nevada or federal court located in the State of Nevada could grant in conformity with the applicable law on the basis of claims actually made in the arbitration. The Arbitrator shall render an award and written opinion which shall set forth the factual and legal basis for the award. The award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the Parties, and judgment on the award may be confirmed and entered in any state or federal court located in Clark County, Nevada. The arbitration shall be conducted on a strictly confidential basis, and Executive shall not disclose the existence of a claim, the nature of a claim, any documents, exhibits, or information exchanged or presented in connection with any such a claim, or the result of any arbitration (collectively, “ Arbitration Materials ”), to any third party, with the sole exception of Executive’s legal counsel, who Executive shall ensure adheres to all confidentiality terms in this

 

12


Agreement. In the event of any court proceeding to challenge or enforce an arbitrator’s award, the Parties hereby consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Nevada and agree to venue in that jurisdiction. The Parties agree to take all steps necessary to protect the confidentiality of the Arbitration Materials in connection with any such proceeding, agree to file all Confidential Information (and documents containing Confidential Information) under seal to the extent possible, and agree to the entry of an appropriate protective order encompassing the confidentiality terms of this Agreement. Each party agrees to pay its own costs and fees in connection with any arbitration of a dispute arising under this Agreement, and any court proceeding arising therefrom, regardless of outcome. To the extent any dispute is found not to be subject to this arbitration provision, both Executive and Company hereby waive their respective rights to trial by jury.

EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS SECTION 14, VOLUNTARILY AGREES TO ARBITRATE ALL DISPUTES, AND HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 14 WITH ANY ADVISORS AS HE CONSIDERED NECESSARY. BY SIGNING BELOW, EXECUTIVE SIGNIFIES HIS UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT TO SECTION 14.

15. Notices . Any notice, consent, demand, request, or other communication given to a Person in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to such Person (a) when delivered personally to such Person (with proof of such delivery) or (b) two days after being sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier, to the address (if any) specified below for such Person (or to such other address as such Person shall have specified by providing ten (10) days advance notice in accordance with this Section 14).

 

If to the Company:    Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
   One Caesars Palace Drive
   Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
   Phone:
   Attention: Vice President, Human Resources
If to Executive:    To the address of his principal residence as it appears in the Company’s records, with a copy to him (during the Term of Employment) at the Company’s principal executive office.
If to a beneficiary, heir or executor:   

To the address most recently specified by Executive, beneficiary, or executor through notice given in accordance with this Section 14.

16. Miscellaneous .

(a) Entire Agreement . This Agreement, including its Exhibit A and Exhibit B, contains the entire understanding and agreement among the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations, and undertakings, whether written or oral, among them with respect thereto, including, without limitation, the Prior Agreement.

 

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(b) Amendment or Waiver . No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is set forth in a writing that specifically identifies the provision being amended and that is signed by Executive and the CEO or Company General Counsel. No waiver by any Person of any breach of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time.

(c) Headings . The headings of the Sections and sub-sections contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

(d) Beneficiaries/References . Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit under this Agreement in the event of Executive’s death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executive’s death or a judicial determination of his incompetence, references in this Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.

(e) Survivorship . Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement.

(f) Withholding Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts or benefits payable under this Agreement, including its Exhibit A and Exhibit B, any taxes that are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

(g) 409A Provisions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement is intended to be interpreted and applied so that the payment of the benefits set forth herein either shall either be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), or shall comply with the requirements of such provision. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, any payments or benefits due upon a termination of Executive’s employment under any arrangement that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and which do not otherwise qualify under the exemptions under Treas. Regs. Section 1.409A-1 (including without limitation, the short-term deferral exemption and the permitted payments under Treas. Regs. Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), shall be delayed and paid or provided on the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months after Executive’s separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other published guidance thereunder) for any reason other than death, and (ii) the date of Executive’s death. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary, distributions upon termination of Executive’s employment may only be made upon a “separation from service” as determined under Section 409A of the Code and such date shall be the Termination Date for purposes of this Agreement. Each payment under this Agreement or otherwise shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement or otherwise if such designation would constitute a “deferral of compensation” within

 

14


the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any amounts or benefits otherwise payable to Executive following a termination of employment that are not so paid by reason of this Section 15(g) shall be paid or provided as soon as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days, after the date that is six (6) months after Executive’s separation from service (or, if earlier, from the date of Executive’s death). All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any reimbursements pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise are taxable to Executive, any reimbursement payment due to Executive shall be paid to Executive on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the related expense was incurred; provided , that , Executive has provided the Company written documentation of such expenses in a timely fashion and such expenses otherwise satisfy the Company’s expense reimbursement policies. Reimbursements pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise are not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit and the amount of such reimbursements that Executive receives in one taxable year shall not affect the amount of such reimbursements that Executive receives in any other taxable year. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the Company and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives make no guarantee that the terms of this Agreement complies with, or is exempt from, the provisions of Code Section 409A, and none of the foregoing shall have any liability for the failure of the terms of this Agreement to comply with, or be exempt from, the provisions of Code Section 409A.

(h) Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed, construed, performed and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada applicable to contracts to be performed therein.

(i) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

(j) Construction . This Agreement shall not be construed against either Party, and no consideration shall be given or presumption made on the basis of who drafted the Agreement or any particular provision hereof or who supplied the form of this Agreement. In construing the Agreement, (i) examples shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate, (ii) the connectives “and,” “or,” and “and/or” shall be construed either disjunctively or conjunctively so as to construe a sentence or clause most broadly and bring within its scope all subject matter that might otherwise be construed to be outside of its scope; (iii) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions, (iv) a defined term has its defined meaning throughout the Agreement, whether it appears before or after the place where it is defined, and (v) the headings and titles herein are for convenience only and shall have no significance in the interpretation hereof.

(k) Third Party Beneficiaries . The parties agree that each of the Company’s Affiliates and Subsidiaries are intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall have the authority to enforce the provisions applicable to them in accordance with the terms of hereof.

 

15


(l) Expenses . Each party shall pay all costs and expenses that it incurs with respect to the negotiation, execution, delivery, and performance of the Agreement.

(m) Confidentiality . Executive understands and acknowledges that this Agreement is a confidential document as are all of its terms and conditions. Executive shall maintain strictly the confidentiality of and shall not disclose the Agreement and/or its terms to anyone other than Executive’s spouse, attorney(s), and tax advisor(s), whom Executive shall ensure comply with these confidentiality terms. Any disclosure other than those authorized herein, shall constitute a breach of this Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

16


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mary Thomas

Name:  

Mary Thomas

Title:  

EVP, Human Resources

Executive

/s/ Eric Hession

Eric Hession

 

17


EXHIBIT A

[Other Service]

 

18


EXHIBIT B

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

In consideration of and in accordance with the [DATE] Employment Agreement by and between Executive and Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC, with offices at One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”) (“ Employment Agreement ”), of which this Exhibit A is part, Eric Hession (“ Executive ”) hereby agrees as follows. All terms not defined in this Separation Agreement and Release (“ Separation Agreement ”) shall have the same meanings as those set forth in the Employment Agreement.

1. Consideration. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the payments and benefits paid or granted to him under the Employment Agreement (the “ Consideration Amounts ”), including but not limited to Sections 9 and 13, thereof, represent good, valuable, and sufficient consideration for signing this Separation Agreement, and exceed any amounts or interests to which Executive otherwise would be entitled. Executive acknowledges and agrees that except as specifically provided in this Separation Agreement, the Company shall have no other obligations or liabilities, monetary or otherwise, to him following the date hereof (the “ Effective Date ”) and that the payments and benefits contemplated herein constitute a complete settlement, satisfaction, and waiver of any and all claims Executive may have against the Company.

2. Release of Claims .

(n) Executive, for himself, his spouse, and each of his heirs, beneficiaries, representatives, agents, successors, and assigns (collectively, “ Executive Releasors ”), irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Company, each and all of its predecessors, parents, Subsidiaries, Affiliates, divisions, successors, and assigns (collectively with the Company, the “ Company Entities ”), and each and all of the Company Entities’ current and former officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, attorneys, agents, and assigns (collectively, with the Company Entities, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all causes of action, claims, actions, rights, judgments, obligations, damages, demands, accountings, or liabilities of any kind or character, whether known or unknown, whether accrued or contingent, that Executive has, had, or may have against them, or any of them, by reason of, arising out of, connected with, touching upon, or concerning Executive’s employment with the Company, his separation from the Company, and his relationship with any or all of the Company Releasees, and from any and all statutory claims, regulatory claims, claims under the Employment Agreement, and any and all other claims or matters of whatever kind, nature, or description, arising from the beginning of the world up through the Separation Agreement Effective Date (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Released Claims ”). Executive acknowledges that the Released Claims specifically include, but are not limited to, any and all claims for fraud, breach of express or implied contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference with contractual rights, violation of public policy, invasion of privacy, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional or negligent misrepresentation, defamation, libel, slander, or breach of privacy; claims for failure to pay wages, benefits, deferred compensation, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, expenses,


severance pay, attorneys’ fees, or other compensation of any sort; claims related to stock options, equity awards, or other grants, awards, or warrants; claims related to any tangible or intangible property of Executive that remains with the Company; claims for retaliation, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic or criteria protected by law; any claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII, as amended), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq., the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Family and Medical Leave Act (“ FMLA ”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq., the Fair Labor Standards Act (“ FLSA ”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 201, et seq., the Equal Pay Act, 29 U.S.C. §206(a) and interpretive regulations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ ADA ”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (“ COBRA ”), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) or any other health and/or safety laws, statutes, or regulations, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“ USERRA ”), 38 U.S.C. §§ 4301-4333, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 301, et seq., the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101, et seq., or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; all claims arising under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-204), including whistleblowing claims under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1513(e) and 1514A; the Nevada Wage and Hour Laws, NEV. REV. STAT. § 608.005, et seq., the Nevada Fair Employment Practices Act. NEV. REV. STAT. § 613.310 et seq., and any and all other foreign, federal, state, or local laws, common law, or case law, including but not limited to all statutes, regulations, common law, and other laws in place in Clark County, Nevada.

(o) Executive acknowledges that there is a risk that after the execution of this Separation Agreement, he will incur or suffer damage, loss, or injury that is in some way caused by or connected with his employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or his separation from the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and any relationship with or membership or investment in the Company Releasees, but that is unknown or unanticipated at the time of execution of this Separation Agreement. Executive specifically assumes that risk, and agrees that this Separation Agreement and the Released Claims apply to all unknown or unanticipated, accrued or contingent claims and all matters caused by or connected with his employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates and/or his separation from the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as well as those claims currently known or anticipated. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this Separation Agreement constitutes a knowing and voluntary waiver of any and all rights and claims Executive does or may have as of the Separation Agreement Effective Date. Executive acknowledges that he has waived rights or claims pursuant to this Separation Agreement in exchange for consideration, the value of which exceeds payment or remuneration to which he otherwise would be entitled.

(p) To the extent permitted by law, Executive agrees never to file a lawsuit or other adversarial proceeding with any court or arbitrator against the Company or any other Company Releasee asserting any Released Claims. Executive represents and agrees that, prior to signing this Separation Agreement, he has not filed or pursued any complaints, charges, or lawsuits of any kind with any court, governmental or administrative agency, arbitrator, or other forum against the Company or any of the other Company Releasees, asserting any claims whatsoever. Executive understands and acknowledges that, in the event he files an administrative charge or commences any proceeding with respect to any Released Claim, or in

 

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the event another person or entity does so in whole or in part on his behalf, Executive waives and is estopped from receiving any monetary award or other legal or equitable relief in connection with any such proceeding.

(q) Executive represents and warrants that he has not assigned, transferred, or permitted the subrogation of any of his rights, claims, and/or causes of action, including any claims referenced in this Separation Agreement, or authorized any other person or entity to assert any such claim or claims on his behalf, and Executive agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any assignment, transfer, or subrogation of said rights, claims, and/or causes of action

3. Survival. The following Sections of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect following the Termination Date: Section 5 (“ Claw-Back ”), Section 9 (“ Compensation Upon Termination ”), Section 10 (“ Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality ”), Section 11 (“ Assignability; Binding Nature ”), Section 13 (“ Litigation And Regulatory Cooperation”), Section 14 (“ Resolution of Disputes ”), Section 15 (“ Notices ”), and Section 16 (“ Miscellaneous ”). Any disputes arising in connection with this Separation Agreement or otherwise arising between any of Executive Releasors, on the one hand, and any of the Company Releasees, on the other hand, shall be resolved in accordance with Sections 10 and 14 of the Employment Agreement.

4. Tax Liability . Executive expressly acknowledges that neither the Company nor its attorneys have made any representations to him regarding the tax consequences of the consideration provided to him pursuant to this Separation Agreement and Section 9 of the Employment Agreement. It is the intention of the parties to this Separation Agreement that no payments made under this Separation Agreement and/or Section 9 of the Employment Agreement be subject to the additional tax on deferred compensation imposed by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), but Company does not guarantee that any such payment complies with or is exempt from Code Section 409A. Each payment made under this Separation Agreement or Section 9 of the Employment Agreement will be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A and the right to a series of installment payments under this Separation Agreement is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.

5. Knowing/Voluntary Waiver .

(a) Executive is entitled to consider the terms of this Separation Agreement for twenty-one (21) days before signing it. If Executive fails to execute this Separation Agreement within this twenty-one (21) day period, this Separation Agreement will be null and void and of no force or effect. To execute this Separation Agreement, Executive must sign and date the Separation Agreement below, and return a signed copy hereof to Attn: Corporate Compensation, Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC, One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, (phone):702-880-6829, compensationrequests@caesars.com, via nationally recognized overnight carrier or email.

(b) Executive may revoke this Separation Agreement within seven (7) days of his signing it by delivering a written notice of such revocation to Attn: Corporate Compensation,

 

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Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC, One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, (phone): 702-880-6829, compensationrequests@caesars.com, via nationally recognized overnight carrier or email. If Executive revokes this Separation Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it, this Separation Agreement and the promises contained herein or in Section 9 of the Employment Agreement automatically will be null and void. If Executive signs this Separation Agreement and does not revoke this Separation Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it, this Separation Agreement shall become binding, effective, and irrevocable on the eighth (8th) day after the Separation Agreement is executed by both parties (the “ Separation Agreement Effective Date ”).

(c) Executive acknowledges that he (a) has carefully read this Separation Agreement and the Employment Agreement; (b) is competent to manage his own affairs; (c) fully understands the Separation Agreement’s and Employment Agreement’s contents and legal effect, and understands that he is giving up any legal claims he has against any of the Company Releasees, including but not limited to any and all legal rights or claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ ADEA ”) (29 U.S.C. § 626, as amended), and all other federal, state, foreign, and local laws regarding age discrimination, whether those claims are presently known or hereafter discovered; (d) has been advised to consult with an attorney of his choosing prior to signing this Separation Agreement, if he so desires; and (e) has chosen to enter into this Separation Agreement freely, without coercion, and based upon his own judgment, and that he has not relied upon any promises made by any of the Company Releasees, other than the promises explicitly contained in this Separation Agreement.

6. Miscellaneous.

This Separation Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The section headings in this Separation Agreement are provided for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Separation Agreement or the provisions hereof.

This Separation Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission that the Company, Executive, or any other individual or entity has any liability to or acted wrongfully in any way with respect to Executive, the Company, or any other person.

This Separation Agreement shall not be construed against either Party, and no consideration shall be given or presumption made on the basis of who drafted the Separation Agreement or any particular provision hereof or who supplied the form of this Separation Agreement. In construing the Separation Agreement, (i) examples shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they illustrate, (ii) the connectives “and,” “or,” and “and/or” shall be construed either disjunctively or conjunctively so as to construe a sentence or clause most broadly and bring within its scope all subject matter that might otherwise be construed to be outside of its scope; (iii) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative expressions, (iv) a defined term has its defined meaning throughout the Separation Agreement, whether it appears before or after the place where it is defined, and (v) the headings and titles herein are for convenience only and shall have no significance in the interpretation hereof.

 

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The parties agree that each of the Company Releasees is an intended third party beneficiary of this Separation Agreement and shall have the authority to enforce the provisions applicable to it, her, or him in accordance with the terms of hereof.

7. Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, this Separation Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties, and agreements between the Parties with respect to Executive’s separation from the Company and all positions therewith; provided, however , that nothing in this Agreement shall supersede the Sections in the Employment Agreement identified in Paragraph 3 (“Survival”) of this Separation Agreement. Any modification of this Separation Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by Executive and the Chief Executive Officer or General Counsel of the Company.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this General Release on this          day of                     .

 

Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Executive:

 

[Name]  


Exhibit C

 

    Medical Insurance (including health, dental and vision)

 

    Life Accident Insurance

 

    Accrued benefits under Savings and retirement plan

 

    D&O Insurance

 

2

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

Gary Thompson – Media    Jennifer Chen – Investors
Caesars Entertainment Corporation    Caesars Entertainment Corporation
(702) 407-6529    (702) 407-6407

Caesars Entertainment Names Eric Hession Chief Financial Officer;

Donald Colvin Announces Retirement

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 10, 2014 — Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR), the world’s most diversified gaming and entertainment company, today announced the appointment of Eric Hession, the company’s senior vice president and treasurer, as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2015. Hession will succeed Donald Colvin, who is retiring from the company effective December 31, 2014. Hession’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

Colvin’s departure from the company is unrelated to the company’s financial condition or financial reporting. There is no disagreement between Colvin and the company.

“Eric has been an invaluable member of the finance team at Caesars and I am pleased to welcome him to the senior management team. His tenure with the company coupled with his experience and leadership track record makes him ideally suited to assume the role of CFO. Eric is highly regarded inside and outside of the company and I have the upmost confidence in him to do a fantastic job,” said Gary Loveman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Caesars Entertainment Corporation.

As CFO, Hession, 40, will be responsible for Caesars’ finance functions and will report to Loveman. In his current capacity, Hession is responsible for financial planning, treasury and investor relations. He joined the company in 2002 after four years with Merck & Co. Hession has an undergraduate degree in engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

“I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to working with our team and our stakeholders to further strengthen Caesars’ financial position and drive greater value for our shareholders,” Hession said.

Loveman continued, “On behalf of the Board of Directors and management team, I would like to thank Donald for his contributions to Caesars. During this time, he has been a significant asset in helping to guide the expansion of our distribution network and improve the company’s capital structure. We wish him all the best.”


“I will leave the finance team in the very capable hands of Eric and with the confidence that Caesars is well positioned to achieve continued growth and success,” Colvin said.

About Caesars Entertainment

Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC) is the world’s most diversified casino-entertainment provider and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company. CEC is mainly comprised of the following three entities: the majority owned operating subsidiary Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, wholly owned Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties and Caesars Growth Properties, in which we hold a variable economic interest. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, 75 years ago, CEC has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions and its portfolio of subsidiaries now operate 50 casinos in 13 U.S. states and five countries. The Company’s resorts operate primarily under the Caesars ® , Harrah’s ® and Horseshoe ® brand names. CEC’s portfolio also includes the London Clubs International family of casinos. CEC is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. The Company is committed to environmental sustainability and energy conservation and recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. For more information, please visit www.caesars.com.

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