UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

 

OR

 

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

 

Commission File Number 001-15409

 

PARAGON REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Maryland   39-6594066
(State or other jurisdiction of   (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)

 

10011 Valley Forge Drive

Houston, Texas 77042

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(440) 283-6319

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X]           No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [  ]           No [X]

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]   Accelerated filer [  ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]   Smaller reporting company [X]

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [X]           No [  ]

 

The number of the registrant’s Common Shares outstanding as of November 4, 2014, was 405,096.

 

 

 

 
 

 

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

Part I. Financial Information    
     
Item 1. Financial Statements    
     
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013     F-1
     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and September 30, 2013 (unaudited)  

F-2

     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Three months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and September 30, 2013 (unaudited)  

F-3

     
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine months ended September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and September 30, 2013 (unaudited)  

F-4

     
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)     F-5
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   3
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   7
     
Part II. Other Information    
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   8
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   8
     
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities   8
     
Item 5. Other Information   8
     
Item 6. Exhibits   8
     
Signatures   9

 

- 2 -
 

 

Part I. Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements 

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

    September 30, 2014     December 31, 2013  
    (unaudited)        
Assets                
                 
Cash   $ 12,227     $ 9,643  
Marketable securities     35,377       77,374  
Other assets     3,261       8,826  
                 
Total Assets   $ 50,865     $ 95,843  
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity                
Liabilities:                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   $ 1,367     $ 833  
Total liabilities     1,367       833  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies                
                 
Shareholders’ equity:                
Preferred A Shares – $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 authorized: 258,236 Class A cumulative convertible shares issued and outstanding, $10.00 per share liquidation preference     2,583       2,583  
Preferred C Shares – $0.01 par value, 300,000 authorized: 244,444 Class C cumulative convertible shares issued and outstanding, $10.00 per share liquidation preference     2,444       2,444  
Common Shares – $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 authorized: 443,226 shares issued and 405,096 outstanding.     4,051       4,051  
Additional paid-in capital     28,146,971       28,146,971  
Accumulated deficit     (27,305,816 )     (27,260,304 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 38,130 shares     (800,735 )     (800,735 )
Total shareholders’ equity     49,498       95,010  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   $ 50,865     $ 95,843  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 1
 

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

    For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2014     2013  
Revenues                
Interest/dividend income   $ 4     $ 451  
Total revenues     4       451  
Expenses                
General and administrative     45,515       45,422  
Total expenses     45,515       45,422  
Income (loss) from operations     (45,511 )     (44,971 )
Gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities           2,773  
Net income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders     (45,511 )     (42,198 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders per Common Share: Basic and Diluted   $ (.11 )   $ (.10 )
Weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding: Basic and Diluted     405,096       405,096  
                 
Comprehensive income (loss):                
Net income (loss)   $ (45,511 )   $ (42,198 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss on sale of marketable securities           (2,773 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities           7,794  
Net comprehensive income (loss)   $ (45,511 )   $ (37,177 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 2
 

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

    For the three months ended September 30,  
    2014     2013  
Revenues                
Interest/dividend income   $ 1     $ 2  
Total revenues     1       2  
Expenses                
General and administrative     11,492       12,537  
Total expenses     11,492       12,537  
Income (loss) from operations     (11,491 )     (12,535 )
Gain (loss) on sale of marketable securities            
Net income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders     (11,491 )     (12,535 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Common Shareholders per Common Share: Basic and Diluted   $ (.03 )   $ (.03 )
Weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding: Basic and Diluted     405,096       405,096  
                 
Comprehensive income (loss):                
Net income (loss)   $ (11,491 )   $ (12,535 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):                
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss on sale of marketable securities            
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities            
Net comprehensive income (loss)   $ (11,491 )   $ (12,535 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 3
 

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

    For the nine months ended September 30,  
    2014     2013  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income (loss)   $ (45,511 )   $ (42,198 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in continuing operations:                
(Gain) loss on sale of marketable securities           (2,773 )
Net change in operating assets and liabilities:                
Other assets     5,566       6,570  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses     533       4,533  
Net cash from (used for) continuing operations     (39,412 )     (33,868 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Cash used for the purchase of marketable securities     (4 )     (43,972 )
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities     42,000       76,341  
Net cash from (used for) investing activities     41,996       32,369  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Net cash from (used for) financing activities            
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash     2,584       (1,499 )
Cash                
Beginning of period     9,643       15,337  
End of period   $ 12,227     $ 13,838  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 4
 

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Note 1 Organization

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust (the “Company,” “Paragon,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a Maryland shell corporation primarily focused on maintaining its corporate existence and SEC reporting history to enable it, in the future, to raise additional capital and make real estate investments. Future real estate investments may include acquisition and development of retail, office, office warehouse, industrial, multifamily, hotel, other commercial properties, acquisition of or merger with a REIT or real estate operating company and joint venture investments. Excess funds are invested in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm.

 

Note 2 Basis of Presentation

 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Presentation

 

We have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, we believe that the included disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring items) necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position as of September 30, 2014, the results of our operations for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and of our cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. For further information, please see our consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

The Company presents its financial statements on a consolidated basis because it combines its accounts with a wholly-owned subsidiary that ceased operations in 2002. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Going Concern

 

The financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the continued operations as a public company and paying liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company is being maintained as a corporate shell that is current in its SEC filings. Operations consist only of investment of cash in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm at the present time, and previously, on a temporary basis, in publicly traded real estate companies, while management and the board evaluate real estate opportunities to put into the Company or decide to sell the entity to a party that needs a public shell.

 

At September 30, 2014, our cash in the operating account was $12,227. The increase in cash during the first nine months of 2014 was $2,584. In the first nine months of 2014, we transferred $42,000 to the operating account from the insured deposit account at the securities brokerage firm. The cash in both the operating account and the insured deposit account is available to pay expenses to keep the Company currently filed as a public company. Expenses, such as salaries and rent, have been eliminated so that the only expenses being incurred are to keep the Company current in its SEC filings, such as accounting and audit fees. Our ability to continue as a going concern will be dependent upon acquiring assets to generate cash flow because our investment of cash in an insured deposit account is our only revenue generating asset and will not generate enough cash flow to allow us to continue as a going concern.

 

F- 5
 

 

There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to acquire an operating company, be acquired by or merge with another company, raise capital or otherwise continue to exist as a going concern. Even if our management is successful in closing a transaction, investors may not value the transaction in the same manner as we did, and investors may not value the transaction as they would value other transactions or alternatives. Failure to obtain external sources of capital and complete a transaction will materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to continue operations.

 

Note 3 Marketable Securities

 

All of the Company’s investments in marketable securities were sold during the first quarter of 2013 and the funds were deposited in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm.

 

As of September 30, 2014, our marketable securities had a fair market value of $35,377 and was in the form of cash in an insured deposit account at the brokerage firm. The $4 of income received was deposited into the insured deposit account at the securities brokerage firm and we transferred $42,000 from that account to the operating account in the first nine months of 2014.

 

The Company recognizes gain or loss on the sale of marketable securities based upon the first-in-first-out method. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, the Company sold $76,341 of marketable securities having a cost basis of $73,568 and recorded a gain of $2,773. The proceeds of $76,341 were deposited into an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm. The Company transferred $33,000 to the operating account and the difference of $43,341 plus the dividends earned on the marketable securities and interest earned on cash balances during the first nine months of 2013 of $631, for a total of $43,972, are shown as purchases in marketable securities.

 

Note 4 Loss Per Share

 

Net loss per weighted average common share outstanding basic and diluted are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 were 405,096. Common share equivalents of 2,448,892 as of September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 include outstanding Class A Convertible Preferred Shares and Class C Convertible Preferred Shares and are not included in net loss per weighted average common share outstanding diluted as they would be anti-dilutive.

 

Note 5 – Fair Value Measurements

 

Except for those assets and liabilities which are required by authoritative accounting guidance to be recorded at fair value in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, we have elected not to record any other assets or liabilities at fair value. No events occurred during the first nine months of 2014 which would require adjustment to the recognized balances of assets or liabilities which are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

 

The following table provides information on those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

          Fair Value Measurement Using           
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Marketable Securities                    
September 30, 2014:                        
Cash Insured Deposits   $ 35,377              
Total September 30, 2014   $ 35,377                  
                     
December 31, 2013:                        
Cash Insured Deposits   $ 77,374                  
Total December 31, 2013   $ 77,374              

 

The fair value of the marketable securities is based on the amount of cash in an insured deposit account at the brokerage firm.

 

F- 6
 

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust (the “Company,” “Paragon,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a Maryland shell corporation primarily focused on maintaining its corporate existence and SEC reporting history to enable it, in the future, to raise additional capital and make real estate investments. Future real estate investments may include acquisition and development of retail, office, office warehouse, industrial, multifamily, hotel, other commercial properties, acquisition of or merger with a REIT or real estate operating company and joint venture investments.

 

Presently, the Company is a corporate shell, current in its SEC filings, that may be used in the future for real estate opportunities or sold to another company. Because our cash and other liquid assets are not sufficient to allow us to continue operations, we have been reviewing other alternatives, including seeking additional investors or pursuing a business combination that would result in additional capitalization of the Company. There can be no assurance that we will be able to close a transaction or keep the Company currently filed with the SEC. Even if our management is successful in closing a transaction, investors may not value the transaction or the current filing status with the SEC in the same manner as we did, and investors may not value the transaction as they would value other transactions or alternatives. Failure to obtain external sources of capital will materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to continue operations, as well as its liquidity and financial results.

 

Brief History

 

Paragon was formed on March 15, 1994 as a Maryland real estate investment trust (“REIT”). We operated as a traditional REIT by buying, selling, owning and operating commercial and residential properties through December 31, 1999. In 2000, the Company purchased a software technology company, resulting in the Company not meeting the Internal Revenue Code qualifications to be a REIT for federal tax purposes. In 2002, the Company ceased operating the technology segment.

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

This report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking” statements for the purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and these statements and/or ownership of our securities may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, and achievements of the Company to be materially different from results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that these expectations will be realized. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations include, but are not limited to, our failure to obtain adequate financing to continue our operations, changes in general economic conditions, changes in real estate conditions, fluctuations in market prices if we invest, on a temporary basis, in publicly traded real estate companies, changes in prevailing interest rates, changes in our current filing status with the SEC, the cost or general availability of equity and debt financing, failure to acquire properties in accordance with our value added strategy, unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition and integration of our acquisitions, our ability to obtain adequate insurance for terrorist acts, and potential liability under environmental or other laws. For further information, refer to our consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

- 3 -
 

 

The following is a discussion of our results of operations for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and financial condition, including:

 

  Explanation of changes in the results of operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the nine month period ended September 30, 2013.
     
  Explanation of changes in the results of operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the three month period ended September 30, 2013.
     
  Our critical accounting policies and estimates that require our subjective judgment and are important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations.
     
  Our primary sources and uses of cash for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, and how we intend to generate cash for long-term capital needs.
     
  Our current income tax status.

 

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

 

Revenues from Operations

 

Total revenues decreased $447 from $451 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 to $4 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014. This decrease was the result of decreased amounts invested in publicly traded real estate companies paying dividends. The Company sold its investments in marketable securities during the first quarter of 2013 and is investing its funds in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm.

 

Expenses from Operations

 

Total expenses, comprised of general and administrative expenses, increased $93 from $45,422 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 to $45,515 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014. This net increase is the result of increased accounting and directors and officers liability insurance expenses of $1,226 partially offset by decreased legal fees, public company filing fees, and miscellaneous expenses of $1,133.

 

Loss from Operations

 

As a result of the above, the loss from operations increased $540 from $44,971 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013 to $45,511 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014.

 

Gain/Loss on Sale of Marketable Securities

 

In the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, investments in marketable securities was cash in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm. We transferred $42,000 from this account to the operating account in the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 and there was no gain or loss.

 

In the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, we sold 3,325 shares of marketable securities of eight companies for $76,341, which had a cost basis of $73,568, and recorded a gain on the sale of marketable securities of $2,773.

 

- 4 -
 

 

Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

As a result of the above, we had a net loss attributable to Common Shareholders of $45,511 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to a net loss attributable to Common Shareholders of $42,198 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2013, an increase in net loss of $3,313.

 

Comparison of the Three Month Periods Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

 

Revenues from Operations

 

Total revenues decreased $1 from $2 for the three month period ended September 30, 2013 to $1 for the three month period ended September 30, 2014. This decrease was the result of decreased amounts invested in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm. The Company sold its investments in marketable securities during the first quarter of 2013 and is investing its funds in the insured deposit account.

 

Expenses from Operations

 

Total expenses, comprised of general and administrative expenses, decreased $1,045 from $12,537 for the three month period ended September 30, 2013 to $11,492 for the three month period ended September 30, 2014. This net decrease is the result of decreased accounting and miscellaneous expenses of $1,576 partially offset by increased SEC filing charges and directors and officers liability insurance expenses of $531.

 

Loss from Operations

 

As a result of the above, the loss from operations decreased $1,044 from $12,535 for the three month period ended September 30, 2013 to $11,491 for the three month period ended September 30, 2014.

 

Gain/Loss on Sale of Marketable Securities

 

In the three month period ended September 30, 2014, investments in marketable securities was cash in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm. We transferred $10,000 from this account to the operating account in the three month period ended September 30, 2014, and there was no gain or loss.

 

In the three month period ended September 30, 2013, we did not sell any marketable securities. Our insured deposits are classified as marketable securities. The fair value of these deposits did not change during the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Net Loss Attributable to Common Shareholders

 

As a result of the above, we had a net loss attributable to Common Shareholders of $11,491 for the three month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to a net loss attributable to Common Shareholders of $12,535 for the three month period ended September 30, 2013, a decrease in net loss of $1,044.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make certain estimates and assumptions. A summary of our significant accounting policies is provided in Note 3 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The following section is a summary of certain aspects of those accounting policies that both require our most subjective judgment and are most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations. It is possible that the use of different estimates or assumptions in making these judgments could result in materially different amounts being reported in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

- 5 -
 

 

Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Asset

 

We account for income taxes using the liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. At September 30, 2014, we have a net operating loss and at December 31, 2013, we had net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $2,450,000. While these losses created a deferred tax asset, a full valuation allowance was applied against this asset because of the uncertainty of whether we will be able to use these loss carryforwards, which will expire in varying amounts through the year 2033.

 

We and our subsidiary are also subject to certain state and local income, excise and franchise taxes. The provision for state and local taxes has been reflected in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and has not been separately stated due to its insignificance.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash provided by operations, equity transactions, and borrowings from affiliates and lending institutions have generally provided the primary sources of liquidity to the Company. Historically, the Company has used these sources to fund operating expenses, satisfy its debt service obligations and fund distributions to shareholders. Presently, we are dependent on our existing cash, which was provided by three independent trustees contributing $500,000 in exchange for Class C Convertible Preferred Shares to maintain the Company as a corporate shell current in its SEC filings so that it may be used in the future for real estate transactions or sold to another company. We have kept the public entity available for value-added real estate opportunities, including acquisition and development of retail, office, office warehouse, industrial, multifamily, hotel, other commercial properties, acquisition of or merger with a REIT or real estate operating company, and joint venture investments. Excess funds are invested in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm.

 

To further conserve cash, in 2006 each trustee signed a restricted share agreement with the Company to receive a total of 12,500 restricted Class C Convertible Preferred Shares in lieu of receiving fees in cash for service as a trustee for the two years ending September 29, 2008. The service period ending date and vesting period date for those agreements have been extended to September 30, 2015. Additionally, in 2006, James C. Mastandrea, our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Company, signed a subscription agreement to purchase 44,444 restricted Class C Convertible Preferred Shares. The consideration for the purchase was Mr. Mastandrea’s services as an officer of Paragon until September 29, 2008. The service period ending date and vesting period date for this agreement have been extended to September 30, 2015, though the shares were fully amortized by the original date in 2008. Based on our current rate of operating expenses, we believe we can continue to maintain the Company as a corporate shell current in its SEC filings for approximately two quarters without raising additional capital.

 

Cash Flows

 

At September 30, 2014, our cash was $12,227 and an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm was $35,377. We are dependent on our existing cash, contributed by three independent trustees in exchange for Class C Convertible Preferred Shares, to meet our liquidity needs because we do not have cash from operations to meet our operating requirements. The cash in both the operating account and the insured deposit account is available to pay expenses to keep the Company current in its SEC filings.

 

During the first quarter of 2013, we sold our investments in marketable securities for $76,341, which was deposited in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we transferred $42,000 to the operating account. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, we transferred $53,000 to the operating account.

 

- 6 -
 

 

Future Obligations

 

Because the Company is a corporate shell that may be used in the future for real estate transactions or sold to another company, we have no cash from operations and have reduced our day-to-day overhead expenses and material future obligations. We have reduced overhead expenses by issuing stock for our CEO’s salary and trustee fees, placed our other employee on a part-time unpaid basis, and have not replaced employees who have left. We have eliminated our office space and rent, and reduced the use of outside consultants, negotiating discounts on prices wherever possible, and foregoing other expenses.

 

Long Term Liquidity and Operating Strategies

 

Our cash of $12,227 and our insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm of $35,377 is sufficient to meet only the Company’s anticipated short-term obligations. We historically have financed our long term capital needs, including acquisitions, from borrowings from new loans; additional equity issuances of our common and preferred shares; and proceeds from the sales of our real estate, a technology segment, and marketable securities.

 

Because our unrestricted cash is not sufficient to allow us to continue operations, we have been reviewing other alternatives, including selling the corporate entity and seeking additional investors. In 2006 and 2007, the Company received total payments of $500,000 from three independent trustees for payment of Class C Convertible Preferred Shares. These funds have been and continue to be used to maintain Paragon as a corporate shell current in its SEC filings while it searches for and reviews other value added real estate opportunities. Excess funds are invested in cash in an insured deposit account at a securities brokerage firm. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to maintain its current filing status or successfully close a future transaction.

 

Current Tax Status

 

At September 30, 2014, we have a net operating loss, and at December 31, 2013, we had net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $2,450,000. While the losses created a deferred tax asset, a full valuation allowance was applied against the asset because of the uncertainty of whether we will be able to use these loss carryforwards, which will expire in varying amounts through the year 2033. In the event of a change of ownership of the Company, our ability (or the ability of any company that acquires or merges with us) to use our net operating loss carryover will be limited by federal tax regulations.

 

We and our subsidiary are also subject to certain state and local income, excise and franchise taxes. The provision for state and local taxes has been reflected in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and has not been separately stated due to its insignificance.

 

Interest Rates and Inflation

 

We were not significantly affected by inflation during the periods presented in this report due primarily to the relative low nationwide inflation rates and the Company being a corporate shell with minimal expenses.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of September 30, 2014, the date of this report, James C. Mastandrea, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, and John J. Dee, our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, Mr. Mastandrea and Mr. Dee each concluded that, as of September 30, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Further, there was no change during the three months ended September 30, 2014 in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

- 7 -
 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number   Exhibit Description
     
10.1*   Form of Seventh Amendment to Restricted Share Agreement for Trustees dated September 30, 2014
     
10.2 *   Seventh Amendment to Stock Subscription Agreement between James C. Mastandrea and the Company dated September 30, 2014
     
31.1 *   Section 302 Certification pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Executive Officer
     
31.2 *   Section 302 Certification pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Chief Financial Officer
     
32.1 *   CEO/CFO Certification under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS* *   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH* *   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL* *   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB* *   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE* *   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF* *   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith.

** The following financial information of the Registrant for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

 

- 8 -
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  Paragon real estate equity and investment trust
   
Date: November 4, 2014 By: /s/ James C. Mastandrea
  James C. Mastandrea
    Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal executive officer)

 

  Paragon real estate equity and investment trust
   
Date: November 4, 2014 By: /s/ John J. Dee
  John J. Dee
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal financial and accounting officer)

 

- 9 -
 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

SEVENTH AMENDMENT TO

RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT

 

THIS SEVENTH AMENDMENT TO RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into by and between Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ Trust ”), and ______________ (the “ Trustee ”), as of September 30, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Trustee are parties to that certain Restricted Share Agreement dated September 29, 2006 (the “ Original Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, under the Original Agreement, the Trust agreed to issue to the Trustee, and the Trustee agreed to receive 12,500 restricted shares of the Trust’s Class C Convertible Preferred Shares (the “ Restricted Shares ”) in exchange for the Trustee’s services as a trustee of the Trust for a prescribed period of time;

 

WHEREAS, the Restricted Shares are subject to forfeiture and restricted from being transferred by the Trustee until the completion of a prescribed vesting schedule;

 

WHEREAS, as of the Effective Date the Restricted Shares are nonvested, subject to substantial risk of forfeiture and nontransferable;

 

WHEREAS, the Trustee and the Trust have agreed to amend the Original Agreement to extend the period for which the Trustee shall provide services as a trustee of the Trust and to postpone the vesting of the Restricted Shares until the completion of that extended period;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that the provisions of this Amendment, including the extension of the period for which the Trustee shall serve as a trustee of the Trust and the postponement of the vesting of the Restricted Shares, are in the best interest of the Trust.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree to amend the Original Agreement as follows:

 

1. Defined Terms . Capitalized words and phrases not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Original Agreement.

 

2. Extension of Period of Services . Section 1 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

1) GRANTING OF RESTRICTED SHARES. The Trust will issue to the Trustee a total of 12,500 restricted shares of the Trust’s Class C Convertible Preferred Shares (“Restricted Shares”) for his services as a trustee of the Trust for the period beginning as of the date of this Agreement through September 30, 2015.”

 

1
 

 

3. Extension of Period of Restrictions on Transferability . The third sentence of Section 2 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

“However, the holder of any Restricted Shares may not otherwise transfer, sell, assign or dispose of any of the Restricted Shares until they have vested as provided for in this Agreement; provided however, that notwithstanding whether or not some or all of the Restricted Shares have vested as provided for in this Agreement, the holder of any Restricted Shares may not transfer or sell any of the Restricted Shares until the seventh anniversary of the date of this Agreement.”

 

4. Extension of Vesting Period . The first sentence of Section 3 of the Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

“The Restricted Shares will vest upon the latest to occur of:

 

(i) a public offering by the Trust sufficient to liquidate the Restricted Shares;
     
(ii) an exchange of the Trust’s existing shares for new shares, and
     
(iii) September 30, 2015.”

 

5. Extension of Forfeiture Period . The last sentence of Section 3 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

“The holder of the Restricted Shares will automatically and without notice be forfeited and cease to have any right, title or interest to any of the Restricted Shares that remain subject to forfeiture immediately if the Trustee resigns from being a member of the Board of Trustees of the Trust prior to September 30, 2015.”

 

6. Terms of Original Agreement Ratified and Confirmed . Except as expressly modified, amended or supplemented by this Amendment, all terms, covenants and conditions of the Original Agreement remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge that all of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Original Agreement, as hereby modified, amended or supplemented by this Amendment, are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall continue to be and remain in full force and effect throughout the remainder of the term of the Original Agreement, and that the Original Agreement and this Amendment shall be read and interpreted as if it was one agreement.

 

7. Conflict . In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of this Amendment and the terms and conditions of the Original Agreement, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of the terms and conditions of this Amendment and the Original Agreement shall be construed accordingly.

 

2
 

 

8. Binding Effect and Counterparts . It is understood and agreed that this Amendment shall not be binding upon any of the parties hereto until all of the parties hereto shall have executed and delivered the same. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one agreement, and the signature of any party to any counterpart shall be deemed to be a signature to, and may be appended to, any other counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile also shall deliver a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment, but failure to deliver a manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Amendment.

 

9. Governing Law; Amendments . The construction, interpretation, and enforcement of this Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without resort to choice of law principles. In the event any provision of this Amendment is deemed to be unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions of this Amendment shall not be affected and shall remain enforceable unless the effect of the unenforceability of the provision at issue materially alters the agreement evidenced hereby. This Amendment cannot be changed orally, and can be changed only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change is sought.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the Effective Date.

 

  PARAGON REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT TRUST,
  a Maryland real estate investment trust
     
  /s/ John J. Dee
  By: John J. Dee
  Its: Secretary
     
     
  Trustee

 

3
 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

SEVENTH AMENDMENT TO

STOCK SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS SEVENTH AMENDMENT TO STOCK SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into by and between James C. Mastandrea (the “ Employee ”) and Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust, a Maryland trust (the “ Company ”), as of September 30, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Employee and the Company are parties to that certain Stock Subscription Agreement dated September 29, 2006 (the “ Original Subscription Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, under the Original Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to provide to the Employee, and the Employee agreed to receive 44,444 shares of the Company’s Class C convertible preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value per share (the “ Subscription Shares ”) in exchange for the Employee’s services as an officer of the Company for a prescribed period of time;

 

WHEREAS, the Subscription Shares are subject to forfeiture and restricted from being transferred by the Employee until the completion of a prescribed vesting schedule;

 

WHEREAS, as of the Effective Date the Subscription Shares are nonvested, subject to substantial risk of forfeiture and nontransferable;

 

WHEREAS, the Employee and the Company have agreed to amend the Original Subscription Agreement to extend the period for which the Employee shall provide services to the Company and to postpone the vesting of the Subscription Shares until the completion of that extended period;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Company has determined that the provisions of this Amendment, including the extension of the period for which the Employee shall serve as an officer of the Company and the postponement of the vesting of the Subscription Shares, are in the best interest of the Company.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree to amend the Original Subscription Agreement as follows:

 

1. Defined Terms . Capitalized words and phrases not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Original Subscription Agreement.

 

1
 

 

2. Extension of the Vesting Period . The last two sentences of Section 1 of the Original Subscription Agreement are hereby amended and restated in their entirety as follows:

 

“As consideration for the purchase of Stock, Investor hereby agrees to pay to the Company the sum of $200,000 (the “Purchase Price”) in the form of services as an officer for the seven-year period beginning September 29, 2006 and ending September 30, 2015. The Subscription Shares will be subject to forfeiture and restricted from being sold by Investor until the later to occur of:

 

  (i) a public offering by the Company sufficient to liquidate the Subscription Shares,
   
  (ii) an exchange of the Company’s existing shares for new shares, and
     
  (iii) September 30, 2015.”

 

3. Extension of Forfeiture Period Upon Termination . The last two sentences of Section 3(d) are hereby amended and restated in their entirety as follows:

 

“If Investor is terminated prior to August 31, 2015, Investor will return a proportionate number of Subscription Shares. If Investor dies prior to August 31, 2015, the Investor’s estate will not be required to return any Subscription Shares and the restrictions will no longer apply.”

 

4. Terms of Original Subscription Agreement Ratified and Confirmed . Except as expressly modified, amended or supplemented by this Amendment, all terms, covenants and conditions of the Original Subscription Agreement remain unchanged and in full force and effect. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge that all of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Original Subscription Agreement, as hereby modified, amended or supplemented by this Amendment, are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall continue to be and remain in full force and effect throughout the remainder of the term of the Original Subscription Agreement, and that the Original Subscription Agreement and this Amendment shall be read and interpreted as if it was one agreement.

 

5. Conflict . In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of this Amendment and the terms and conditions of the Original Subscription Agreement, such conflict shall be resolved in favor of the terms and conditions of this Amendment and the Original Subscription Agreement shall be construed accordingly.

 

6. Binding Effect and Counterparts . It is understood and agreed that this Amendment shall not be binding upon any of the parties hereto until all of the parties hereto shall have executed and delivered the same. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one agreement, and the signature of any party to any counterpart shall be deemed to be a signature to, and may be appended to, any other counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile shall be equally as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile also shall deliver a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment, but failure to deliver a manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Amendment.

 

2
 

 

7. Governing Law; Amendments . The construction, interpretation, and enforcement of this Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without resort to choice of law principles. In the event any provision of this Amendment is deemed to be unenforceable under applicable law, the remaining provisions of this Amendment shall not be affected and shall remain enforceable unless the effect of the unenforceability of the provision at issue materially alters the agreement evidenced hereby. This Amendment cannot be changed orally, and can be changed only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such change is sought.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the Effective Date.

 

  PARAGON REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT TRUST,
  a Maryland trust
     
  /s/ John J. Dee
  By: John J. Dee
  Its: Secretary
     
  /s/ James C. Mastandrea
  James C. Mastandrea

 

3
 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, James C. Mastandrea, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust (the “Registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 4, 2014    
     
  By: /s/ James C. Mastandrea   
    James C. Mastandrea
    Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
    (Principal executive officer)

 

 
 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, John J. Dee, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust (the “Registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant’s board of trustees (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 4, 2014

 

  By: /s/ John J. Dee   
    John J. Dee
    Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President
    (Principal financial officer)

 

 
 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report of Paragon Real Estate Equity and Investment Trust (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2014 (the “Report”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, I, James C. Mastandrea, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President and I, John J. Dee, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and

 

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

 

  PARAGON REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT TRUST
     
Date: November 4, 2014 By: /s/ James C. Mastandrea
  James C. Mastandrea
    Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

  PARAGON REAL ESTATE EQUITY AND INVESTMENT TRUST
     
Date: November 4, 2014 By: /s/ John J. Dee
  John J. Dee
    Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President