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

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 21, 2018

 

The Crypto Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Nevada   000-55726   46-4212105
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 235, Malibu, CA 90265

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(424) 228-9955

(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 is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (See General Instruction A.2. below):

 

[  ] 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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company [  ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The information provided in Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

Chief Executive Officer and President Resignation

 

On May 21, 2018, James Gilbert, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Crypto Company (the “Company”), informed the Company of his intention to resign as the Chief Executive Officer and President, effective as of May 22, 2018. Mr. Gilbert will remain as a director and Chairman of the Board of Directors. In connection with Mr. Gilbert’s resignation, he and the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and General Mutual Release (the “Separation Agreement”), which was approved by the Board of Directors and entered into on May 24, 2018. The Separation Agreement will not be effective until May 31, 2018, following the end of the revocation period.

 

The Separation Agreement provides that if Mr. Gilbert elects continuation coverage under COBRA, the Company will make continued payment for Mr. Gilbert’s health insurance coverage for six months. The Separation Agreement contains other standard provisions contained in agreements of this nature including non-disparagement and a general release of any and all claims.

 

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

On May 21, 2018, the Board of Directors appointed Ron Levy, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, effective May 22, 2018. Mr. Levy, 58, has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since June 7, 2017. Mr. Levy’s experience includes consulting for various emerging growth companies through various growth cycles. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Redwood Fund, LP (“Redwood”), a private investment fund and major stockholder of the Company, since February 2014, and Ladyface Capital, LLC (“Ladyface”), the General Partner of Redwood, since July 2013.

 

In connection with Mr. Levy’s appointment to the Board of Directors, he and the Company entered into a Director Services Agreement, effective May 25, 2018. Pursuant to the Director Services Agreement, Mr. Levy shall serve on the Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and/or Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, to which he may be appointed by the Board of Directors, as well as provide any services related thereto as may be requested by the Company and agreed to by Mr. Levy from time to time. Mr. Levy will not be entitled to receive any additional compensation as a director other than reimbursement, subject to certain exceptions, for reasonable expenses incurred for the benefit of the Company.

 

Mr. Levy will serve on the Board of Directors for a term of one year from the execution date of the Director Services Agreement or until his earlier death, resignation or removal, unless he is elected by the shareholders for an additional term. The Director Services Agreement contains customary indemnification and confidentiality provisions. The foregoing summaries of the Separation Agreement and Director Services Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to each agreement, which are included as Exhibit 10.1 and 10.2 hereto, respectively.

 

There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Levy and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Levy was appointed as Chief Executive Officer or selected as a director. Mr. Levy does not have any familial relationship with any director or executive officer of the Company.

 

On March 9, 2017, Crypto Sub, Inc. (“Crypto Sub”, the entity formerly known as The Crypto Company that completed a reverse acquisition of Croe, Inc.) issued (i) 125,000 shares of common stock of Crypto Sub to Redwood in exchange for $200,000; and (ii) 125,000 shares of common stock of Crypto Sub to Imperial Strategies, LLC (“Imperial Strategies”) in exchange for certain services rendered, valued at $200,000, as of the date of such issuance. Michael Poutre, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Mr. Levy are Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, of Ladyface and, as a result, have an indirect material interest in the shares owned by Redwood. Mr. Poutre is the sole member of MP2 Ventures, LLC, a member of Imperial Strategies, and Mr. Poutre and Mr. Levy are Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, of Imperial Strategies. As a result, they have an indirect material interest in the shares owned by Imperial Strategies. On June 7, 2017, each of Redwood and Imperial Strategies received (i) 1,875,000 shares of common stock of Croe, Inc. in connection with a stock dividend issued by Crypto Sub, and (ii) 1,125,000 shares of common stock of Croe, Inc. in exchange for all of their shares of Crypto Sub. Furthermore, for the period from March 9, 2017 through December 31, 2017, the Company paid consulting fees of $60,000 to Company Coda, LP, of which Mr. Levy is the sole member.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

10.1 Separation Agreement and General Mutual Release
10.2 Director Services Agreement

 

- 2 -

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  THE CRYPTO COMPANY
     
Dated: May 25, 2018    
  By: /s/ Ron Levy
  Name: Ron Levy
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

- 3 -

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL MUTUAL RELEASE

 

This SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL MUTUAL RELEASE (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of May 24, 2018 (“ Effective Date ”), is made by and between The Crypto Company, Inc. (“ Company ”), and James Gilbert (“ Executive ” and, collectively with Company, the “ Parties ”).

 

WHEREAS , Executive currently is Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board;

 

WHEREAS , Company wishes to retain new senior management and Executive has resigned from his positions as an officer;

 

WHEREAS , other than Executive’s roles as Director and Chairman of the Board, which he will retain, the Parties have come to an agreement regarding the conclusion of Executive’s employment, service, offices, appointments and other positions he holds or held with Company and all of its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates;

 

WHEREAS , the Parties acknowledge that (1) the law firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (“DBR”) currently represents the Company and has discussed representing Executive in various separate legal matters unrelated to this Agreement and the attached Release Agreement, (2) DBR represents the Company in connection with this Agreement; (3) Executive consents to DBR representing Company in connection with this Agreement; (4) the Parties acknowledge their respective right to consult with and retain separate counsel with respect to their respective waivers, and have been provided an opportunity to do so; and (5) the Parties hereby waive any actual or potential conflict of interest as a result of DBR’s legal representation of the Company in connection with this Agreement and its representation of the Company and potential representation of the Executive in separate legal matters.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties to this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1. Incorporation of Recitals. The recitals above are hereby incorporated by reference as contractual terms of this Agreement.

 

2. Termination of Employment and Resignation from Offices . Executive’s last day of employment as an officer or manager of the Company, its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates was May 22, 2018 (the “ Termination Date ”). As of the Termination Date, Executive retained his positions as Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors but resigned from all other offices, appointments, and positions he holds with Company, and any of Company’s parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, including his positions and employment as Chief Executive Officer of Company, and President. After the Termination Date, Executive shall not represent that Executive is an employee or officer of Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates for any purpose.

 

 

 

 

3. Severance Benefits . If Executive timely and properly elects continuation coverage under COBRA, continued payment by Company will make continued payment for Executive’s health insurance coverage for 6 months, to the same extent that Company paid for such coverage immediately prior to the Termination Date (“Severance Benefits”). Executive agrees that the Severance Benefits are not compensation for Executive’s services rendered through the Termination Date, but rather constitute consideration for the promises contained in this Agreement and the Release Agreement, and are above and beyond any wages or salary or other sums to which Executive is entitled from Company under the terms of employment with Company.

 

4. Releases . As an express condition for the obligations set forth in this Agreement, Executive and Company will execute the Release Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, which shall become binding on the Parties as of the Effective Date, absent prior revocation of this Agreement by Executive as provided for in Section 10 . In the event the Release Agreement is not fully executed, or Executive timely revokes this Agreement, this Agreement shall be void ab initio and of no force.

 

5. Mutual Non-Disparagement . Executive agrees not to make to any person or entity any false, disparaging, or derogatory comments about Company or any of their parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, or any of their employees, clients, contractors, and agents. Company’s executive management team and board members agree that it will not make to any person or entity any false, disparaging, or derogatory comments about Executive, and that it will direct its senior management team not to make to any person or entity any false, disparaging, or derogatory comments about Executive.

 

6. Return of Records and Property . Upon the Termination Date or at any time upon Company’s (or its successors’) reasonable request, Executive shall promptly deliver to Company any and all of Company’s property in his possession or under his control, including manuals, books, blank forms, documents, letters, memoranda, notes, notebooks, reports, printouts, computer disks, computer tapes, source codes, data, tables, or calculations, and all copies thereof, documents that in whole or in part contain any trade secrets or confidential, proprietary, or other secret information of Company, or its respective subsidiaries or affiliates, and all copies thereof, and keys, access cards, access codes, passwords, credit cards, personal computers, telephones, and other electronic equipment belonging to Company.

 

7. Code Section 409A Compliance . The intent of the Parties is that payments under this Agreement either be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and the Treasury Regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, and accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in compliance therewith. In no event whatsoever shall Company, or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates or any of their respective agents be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalty that may be imposed on Executive by Code Section 409A or damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any payment under this Agreement that constitutes “deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A be subject to offset, counterclaim, or recoupment by any other amount payable to Executive unless otherwise permitted by Code Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409A, each installment payment made pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Company makes no representation or warranty, and shall have no liability, to Executive or any other person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A but do not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, Code Section 409A.

 

 

 

 

8. General Provisions .

 

a. Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Executive understands that nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement that Executive may have with Company restricts or prohibits Executive from initiating communications directly with, responding to any inquiries from, providing testimony before, providing confidential information to, reporting possible violations of law or regulation to, or from filing a claim or assisting with an investigation directly with a self-regulatory authority or a government agency or entity, including but not limited to the Securities Exchange Commission and the federal Office of Occupational Health (collectively, “ Government Agencies ”), or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation, and Executive does not need Company’s prior authorization to engage in such conduct. Notwithstanding, in making any such disclosures or communications, Executive must take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company’s confidential information to any parties other than the Government Agencies. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies.

 

b. No Admission . This Agreement is not, and shall not be construed to be, an admission of liability, culpability, or any other legal conclusion. The Parties agree that no Party to this Agreement is to be construed as the prevailing or successful party within the meaning of any federal, state, or local statute, law, ordinance, rule, or regulation with regard to the decision to enter into this Agreement.

 

c. Modification . This Agreement may not be released, discharged, abandoned, supplemented, changed, or modified in any manner, orally or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing signed and duly executed by each of the Parties hereto.

 

d. Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Release Agreement contain and constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties on its subject matter, and, except as otherwise provided herein, they supersede and cancel all previous negotiations, agreements, commitments, and writings in connection herewith. If a conflict or inconsistency is found between the terms of this Agreement and any other agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

e. Waiver . Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any term, covenant, or condition of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of such term, covenant, or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any right or power under this Agreement at any time or times be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.

 

f. Severability . Invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall in no way affect the validity of enforceability of any other provision.

 

g. Heirs, Successors, and Assigns . The terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, and assigns.

 

 

 

 

h. Governing Law and Choice of Forum . All questions concerning the construction, validity, and interpretation of this Release Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within California between California residents, and without regard to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law provisions. Any action or other proceeding relating in any way to this Agreement and/or the Release Agreement, including but not limited to any action initiated to construe or enforce any of the provisions herein, shall be filed exclusively in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. In the event of litigation or other legal proceedings arising out of our related to the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement and/or the Release Agreement, the prevailing party in any such proceeding shall be entitled to recover all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by that party, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees, in addition to any other relief to which he or it may be entitled.

 

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

 

9. Acknowledgements . Executive hereby acknowledges (a) that he has carefully read and fully understands the provisions of this Agreement and the Release Agreement; (b) that he has had the opportunity to fully discuss them with counsel; and (c) that he intends to be legally bound hereby and thereby. Executive affirms that the terms stated in this Agreement and the Release Agreement are the only consideration for executing this Agreement and the Release Agreement and that no other representations, promises, or agreements of any kind have been made by any person or entity to cause him to sign this Agreement or the Release Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that he is signing this Agreement and the Release Agreement voluntarily and without coercion because he believes they are fair and reasonable and for no other reason.

 

10. Consideration Period and Revocation Period . Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the releases given by him are given solely in exchange for the payments herein and such consideration includes amounts that are in addition to anything of value to which Executive was entitled to prior to signing this Agreement; (b) Executive has had the opportunity to consult with an attorney for advice regarding the effect of this Agreement prior to signing it and has consulted with his counsel Rivkin Radler LLP; (c) Executive was advised to take up to twenty-one (21) days to study this Agreement before signing it but Executive may voluntarily choose to execute this Agreement before the end of the twenty-one (21)-day period; (d) if there are any changes to this Agreement before it is signed, the 21-day time period does not start again; (e) Executive understands that he has seven (7) days following his execution of the Agreement to revoke it in writing and that this Agreement will not be effective or enforceable until after this seven (7) day period has expired without revocation (the “ Revocation Period ”). If Executive wishes to revoke the Agreement after executing it, he must provide written notice of his decision to revoke the Agreement to Company’s legal counsel, J.R. Lanis, via email at Jr.Lanis@dbr.com, by no later than 12:01a.m. on the eighth (8 th ) calendar day after the date by which Executive has executed the Agreement. In the event that Executive exercises his right to revoke this Agreement during the Revocation Period, this Agreement shall be null and void, but Executive’s resignation shall be fully valid and binding on the Parties.

 

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officers, and Executive has signed this Agreement, effective as of the date(s) written below.

 

  THE CRYPTO COMPANY
   
Dated: May 24, 2018 By: /s/ Ron Levy
  Name: Ron Levy
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

  EXECUTIVE
   
Dated: May 24, 2018 /s/ James Gilbert
  James Gilbert

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

This MUTUAL RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Release Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between The Crypto Company, Inc., a California corporation (the “ Company ”), and James Gilbert (the “ Executive ”).

 

WHEREAS , Executive was Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President until May 22, 2018 at which time he resigned from his roles as Chief Executive Officer and President;

 

WHEREAS , Executive and Company agreed, pursuant to that certain Separation Agreement and General Release (the “ Agreement ”) to which this Release Agreement is attached);

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 4 of the Agreement, full execution of this Release Agreement is a condition precedent to Executive’s and Company’s respective obligations under the Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the promises and mutual agreements contained herein and in the Agreement, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1. Executive’s General Release and Waiver of Claims .

 

a. In consideration of Executive’s release of claims, and subject to full performance by Company under the terms and conditions specified therein, Executive, on behalf of himself and Executive’s spouse, attorneys, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives, agents, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to for purposes of this Section 1 as the “Executive”), HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, GENERALLY RELEASES, AND FOREVER DISCHARGES Company and its past, present and future affiliates, related entities, parent companies, subsidiary companies, divisions, and each of their respective predecessors, officers, directors, managers, employees, trustees, fiduciaries, administrators, executives, agents, representatives, principals, accountants, insurers, attorneys, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Company Released Parties ”) from any and all claims, charges, demands, sums of money, actions, rights, promises, agreements, causes of action, obligations, losses, suits, costs, counsel fees, and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, at law or in equity, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, existing or contingent, suspected or unsuspected, apparent or concealed, foreign or domestic which Executive has now or in the future may claim to have against any or all of Company Released Parties, including without limitation claims based upon, arising out of, or in any way relating to any facts, acts, conduct, omissions, transactions, occurrences, contracts, claims, events, causes, matters or things of any conceivable kind or character existing or occurring or claimed to exist or to have occurred prior to Executive’s execution of this Release Agreement that are in any way based upon, arising under, or relating to Executive’s employment with Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, the termination of Executive’s employment with Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, Executive’s services as an officer, director, or employee of Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Executive’s Released Claims ”). The Executive’s Released Claims include, without limitation, claims based on, arising under, or relating to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq ., as amended; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq ., as amended (including the Civil Rights Act of 1991); the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq ., as amended; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq ., as amended; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq ., as amended; the Equal Pay Act of 1963, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d), as amended; Section 806 of the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq ., as amended; the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681 et seq ., as amended; the Labor Management Relations Act 29 U.S.C. §§ 141 et seq ., as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 651 et seq ., as amended; the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961 et seq ., as amended; the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002; the Sabine Pilot Doctrine or the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; any other federal, state or local statutory laws relating to employment, discrimination in employment (including, without limitation, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Equal Pay Law; the Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code Section 51 et seq .; the California Labor Code; the California Civil Code; the California Constitution; the California Business and Professions Code 17200), termination of employment, wages, benefits or otherwise; or any other federal, state or local constitution, statute, rule, or regulation, including, but not limited to, any ordinance addressing fair employment practices; any claims for employment or reemployment by Company Released Parties; any common law claims, including but not limited to actions in tort, defamation, fraud (including fraudulent inducement into this Release Agreement), promissory estoppel, negligence, and breach of contract; any claims or damages for wrongful discharge or retaliatory discharge; and any claims arising under any common law theory or any federal, state, or local statute or ordinance not expressly referenced above.

 

A- 1

 

 

b. To the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to the provisions of Section 1.d below, Executive represents and affirms that he has not filed or caused to be filed on Executive’s behalf any complaint, action, lawsuit, arbitration, request for relief, claim, or other proceeding (legal, equitable, administrative, or of any other nature) against any of Company Released Parties related to the Executive’s Released Claims and, to the best of Executive’s knowledge and belief, there are no outstanding complaints, actions, lawsuits, arbitrations, requests for relief, claims, or other proceedings (legal, equitable, administrative or of any other nature) asserted on behalf of Executive against any of Company Released Parties related to any of the Executive’s Released Claims. Nothing in this Release Agreement shall prevent Executive from filing a charge (including a challenge to the validity of this Agreement) with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “ EEOC ”), the National Labor Relations Board (the “ NLRB ”), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (the “ DFEH ”), or other similar federal, state, or local agency, or from participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the NLRB, the DFEH, or similar federal, state, or local agencies. However, by entering into this Release Agreement, Executive understands and agrees that Executive is waiving any and all rights to recover any monetary relief or other personal relief as a result of any such EEOC, NLRB, DFEH, or similar federal, state, or local agency proceeding, including any subsequent legal action.

 

c. In waiving and releasing any and all claims whether or not now known, Executive understands that this means that, if he later discovers facts different from or in addition to those facts currently known by him, or believed by him to be true, the waivers and releases of this Release Agreement will remain effective in all respects — despite such different or additional facts and Executive’s later discovery of such facts, even if he would not have agreed to this Release Agreement if he had prior knowledge of such facts. Executive further acknowledges he had read Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which provides as follows :

 

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.

 

A- 2

 

 

Executive understands that Section 1542 gives Executive the right not to release existing claims of which Executive is not now aware, unless Executive voluntarily chooses to waive this right. Even though Executive is aware of this right, Executive nevertheless hereby expressly and voluntarily waives the rights described in Section 1542 (or any similar relevant law of any state, other jurisdiction, or country) and elects to assume all risks for claims that now exist in Executive’s favor, known or unknown , arising from the Executive’s Released Claims.

 

d. Nothing in this Section 1 , or elsewhere in this Release Agreement, is intended as, or shall be deemed or operate as, a release by Executive of (i) any claims to enforce obligations or limitations of Company under the Agreement or this Release Agreement, including without limitation claims for payments and benefits to which Executive is entitled under Sections 3b and 4c of the Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions specified therein, (ii) any claims for any vested benefits under any agreements with Company or Company-sponsored benefit plans (e.g., 401(k) benefits), (iii) any rights or claims of Executive for indemnification or related duties by any Company Released Party under any written indemnification agreement, Company’s By-Laws or Articles of Incorporation, or under applicable law, (iv) any rights to coverage under any director and officer liability insurance or other insurance policies, any run-off policy thereto, or under COBRA or similar state law, (v) unemployment insurance, (vi) worker’s compensation benefits, (vii) state disability compensation, (viii) any rights or claims under federal or state law that cannot, as a matter of law, be waived by private agreement, (ix) any claims arising out of Executive’s rights as a shareholder of Company, and (x) any claims arising after the effective date of this Release Agreement.

 

2. Company’s General Release and Waiver of Claims .

 

a. In consideration of Executive’s not revoking his signature during the Revocation Period (as defined in the Agreement) and Executive’s release of claims, and subject to full performance by Executive under the terms and conditions specified therein, Company, on behalf of itself and its past, present and future affiliates, related entities, parent companies, subsidiary companies, divisions and each of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, trustees, fiduciaries, administrators, executives, agents, representatives, principals, accountants, insurers, attorneys, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to for purposes of this Section 2 as the “Company”), HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, GENERALLY RELEASES, AND FOREVER DISCHARGES Executive and his spouse, attorneys, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives, agents, successors and assigns, (collectively, the “ Executive Released Parties ”) from any and all claims, charges, demands, sums of money, actions, rights, promises, agreements, causes of action, obligations, losses, suits, costs, counsel fees, and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, at law or in equity, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, existing or contingent, suspected or unsuspected, apparent or concealed, foreign or domestic which Company has now or in the future may claim to have against Executive Released Parties, including without limitation claims based upon, arising out of, or in any way relating to any facts, acts, conduct, omissions, transactions, occurrences, contracts, claims, events, causes, matters or things of any conceivable kind or character existing or occurring or claimed to exist or to have occurred prior to Company’s execution of this Release Agreement that are in any way based upon, arising under, or relating to Executive’s employment with Company, or any of Company’s subsidiaries or affiliates, the termination of Executive’s employment with Company, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or Executive’s services as an officer, director, or employee of Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Company’s Released Claims ”).

 

A- 3

 

 

b. To the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to the provisions of Section d below, Company represents and affirms that it has not filed or caused to be filed on Company’s behalf any complaint, action, lawsuit, arbitration, request for relief, claim, or other proceeding (legal, equitable, administrative, or of any other nature) against any of Executive Released Parties related to the Company’s Released Claims and, to the best of Company’s knowledge and belief, there are no outstanding complaints, actions, lawsuits, arbitrations, requests for relief, claims, or other proceedings (legal, equitable, administrative or of any other nature) asserted on behalf of Company against any of Executive Released Parties related to any of the Company’s Released Claims.

 

c. In waiving and releasing any and all claims whether or not now known, Company understands that this means that, if it later discovers facts different from or in addition to those facts currently known by him, or believed by him to be true, the waivers and releases of this Release Agreement will remain effective in all respects — despite such different or additional facts and Company’s later discovery of such facts, even if it would not have agreed to this Release Agreement if it had prior knowledge of such facts. Company further acknowledges he had read Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which provides as follows :

 

A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.

 

Company understands that Section 1542 gives Company the right not to release existing claims of which Company is not now aware, unless Company voluntarily chooses to waive this right. Even though Company is aware of this right, Company nevertheless hereby expressly and voluntarily waives the rights described in Section 1542 (or any similar relevant law of any state, other jurisdiction, or country) and elects to assume all risks for claims that now exist in Company’s favor, known or unknown , arising from the Company’s Released Claims.

 

d. Nothing in this Section 2 , or elsewhere in this Release Agreement, is intended as, or shall be deemed or operate as, a release by Company of (i) any claims to enforce obligations or limitations of Executive under the Agreement or this Release Agreement, (ii) any rights or claims under federal or state law that cannot, as a matter of law, be waived by private agreement, (iii) any public reporting requirements mandated by law, and (iv) any claims arising after the effective date of this Release Agreement.

 

3. Covenant Not to Sue .

 

a. By Executive . Executive, on behalf of himself and Executive’s spouse, attorneys, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees, legal representatives, agents, successors and assigns (the “ Executive Parties ”), hereby covenants forever not to, whether directly or indirectly or whether individually or collectively, initiate, assert, file, prosecute, maintain, commence, institute, sponsor, encourage, assist, volunteer, advise, represent, cooperate with, or facilitate any complaint, action, proceeding, investigation, arbitration, lawsuit, or claim or any legal, equitable, or administrative proceeding of any nature, against any of Company Released Parties in connection with the Executive’s Released Claims (other than with respect to any rights or claims specified in Sections 1.b and 1.d herein), and represents and warrants that no other person or entity has initiated or, to the extent within Executive’s control, will initiate any such proceeding on Executive’s or their behalf.

 

A- 4

 

 

b. By Company . Company, on behalf of itself and its past, present and future affiliates, related entities, parent companies, subsidiary companies, divisions and each of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, trustees, fiduciaries, administrators, executives, agents, representatives, principals, accountants, insurers, attorneys, successors and assigns (the “ Company Parties ”), hereby covenants forever not to, whether directly or indirectly or whether individually or collectively, initiate, assert, file, prosecute, maintain, commence, institute, sponsor, encourage, assist, volunteer, advise, represent, cooperate with, or facilitate any complaint, action, proceeding, investigation, arbitration, lawsuit, or claim or any legal, equitable, or administrative proceeding of any nature, against any of Executive Released Parties in connection with the Company’s Released Claims (other than with respect to any rights or claims specified in Sections 2b and 2d herein), and represents and warrants that no other person or entity has initiated or, to the extent within Company’s control, will initiate any such proceeding on Executive’s or their behalf.

 

4. No Admission of Liability . It is understood that nothing in this Release Agreement is to be construed as an admission on behalf of Executive Released Parties or Company Released Parties of any wrongdoing, any such wrongdoing being expressly denied.

 

5. Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Executive understands that nothing in this Release Agreement or any other agreement that Executive may have with Company restricts or prohibits Executive from initiating communications directly with, responding to any inquiries from, providing testimony before, providing confidential information to, reporting possible violations of law or regulation to, or from filing a claim or assisting with an investigation directly with a self-regulatory authority or a government agency or entity, including but not limited to the Securities Exchange Commission and the federal Office of Occupational Health (collectively, “ Government Agencies ”), or from making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation, and Executive does not need Company’s prior authorization to engage in such conduct. Notwithstanding, in making any such disclosures or communications, Executive must take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company’s confidential information to any parties other than the Government Agencies. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies.

 

6. Indemnification . In the event that the Executive is made a party or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (a “Proceeding”), other than any Proceeding initiated by the Company related to enforcement of this Release Agreement, by reason of the fact that the Executive was a director or officer of the Company, or any affiliate of the Company, or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member, employee, or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any liabilities, costs, claims, and expenses, including all costs and expenses incurred in defense of any Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees). Costs and expenses incurred by the Executive in defense of such Proceeding (including attorneys’ fees) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such litigation upon receipt by the Company of: (i) a written request for payment; (ii) appropriate documentation evidencing the incurrence, amount, and nature of the costs and expenses for which payment is being sought; and (iii) an undertaking adequate under applicable law made by or on behalf of the Executive to repay the amounts so paid if it shall ultimately be determined that the Executive is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement. Additionally, for a period of six (6) years after the Effective Date, the Company or any successor to the Company shall purchase and maintain, at its own expense, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing coverage to the Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other directors and similarly situated executives of the Company.

 

A- 5

 

 

7. Executive and Company Acknowledgments . Executive and Company acknowledge that,

 

a. the consideration provided for herein is good and valuable;

 

b. before entering into this Release Agreement, he or it, as applicable, has had the opportunity to consult with any attorney or other advisor of the his or its choice, and has done so;

 

c. any and all questions regarding this Release Agreement have been asked and answered to his or its complete satisfaction;

 

d. He or it has read this Release Agreement and understands all of its terms, including, without limitation, the waiver and release of claims set forth in Section 1a and Section 2a above;

 

e. He or it has entered into this Release Agreement of his or its own free will;

 

f. in entering this Release Agreement, the he or it has made his or its own investigation of the facts and is relying solely upon his or its own judgment, knowledge and the advice of his or its own attorney and/or other advisor;

 

g. no promises, statements, understandings, or representations have been made to him or it by any person to induce him or it to enter into the Agreement or this Release Agreement other than the express terms set forth herein, and he or it is not relying upon any promises, statements, understandings, or representations other than those expressly set forth in the Agreement and this Release Agreement;

 

h. this Release Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the first day following the end of the Revocation Period, as that term is defined in Section 7.j below, provided that Executive has executed, returned, and not revoked this Release Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

i. Executive has had at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider and review this Release Agreement or has knowingly and voluntarily waived Executive’s right to do so;

 

j. Executive has seven (7) days following the date Executive executes this Release Agreement to revoke this Release Agreement (the “ Revocation Period ”) by delivering a written notice of such revocation to Company; and

 

A- 6

 

 

k. if Executive revokes this Release Agreement prior to expiration of the Revocation Period, this Release Agreement shall be null and void ab initio and neither Executive nor Company shall be entitled to receive any of the consideration described in the Agreement.

 

8. Executive Acknowledgements . Executive further acknowledges that,

 

a. Executive has not relied on legal counsel from any of Company Released Parties; and

 

b. pursuant to Section 1a. above, Executive is waiving and releasing any rights Executive may have against Company Released Parties under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, that this waiver and release is knowing and voluntary, and that the consideration given for this waiver and release is in addition to anything of value to which Executive was already entitled.

 

9. Miscellaneous

 

a. Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity, and interpretation of this Release Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California, as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within California between California residents, and without regard to any choice-of-law or conflict-of-law provisions.

 

b. Construction . The parties have jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Release Agreement, and, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Release Agreement shall be construed as jointly drafted by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of the Release Agreement.

 

c. Counterparts . This Release Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, any one of which need not contain signatures of more than one party, but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.

 

d. Successors and Assigns . Executive may not assign this Release Agreement or any of his rights and duties hereunder. Company may assign this Release Agreement to an entity controlled by or under common control with Company or to an entity that acquires all or substantially all of the stock or assets of Company. The provisions of this Release Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of Executive, Company and their respective assigns, including any successor in interest to Company who acquires all or substantially all of Company’s stock or assets.

 

e. Severability . It is expressly understood and agreed that although Executive and Company consider the provisions contained in this Release Agreement to be reasonable, if any one or more of the provisions contained in this Release Agreement will, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect by a final judicial determination made by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect the other provisions of this Release Agreement, and this Release Agreement will, be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein. If moreover, any one or more of the provisions contained in this Release Agreement will for any reason be held to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity, or subject, it will be construed by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the applicable law as it will then appear consistent with the general intent of Executive and Company insofar as possible.

 

f. Modification . This Release Agreement may not be modified or amended except in writing signed by the parties. No term or condition of this Release Agreement will be deemed to have been waived except in writing by the party charged with waiver. A waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and will not constitute a waiver for the future or act on anything other than that which is specifically waived.

 

THE UNDERSIGNED HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE FOREGOING RELEASE AGREEMENT, KNOW THE CONTENTS THEREOF, FULLY UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE TO ITS TERMS.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

A- 7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Release Agreement as of the date set forth below.

 

THE CRYPTO COMPANY
     
Dated: May 24, 2018 By: /s/ Ron Levy
  Name: Ron Levy
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE FOREGOING RELEASE AGREEMENT, THAT I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS, AND THAT I AM ENTERING INTO IT VOLUNTARILY. I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM AWARE OF MY RIGHTS TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER THIS RELEASE FOR 21 DAYS AND TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY ABOUT IT, AND STATE THAT BEFORE SIGNING THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT, I HAVE EXERCISED THESE RIGHTS TO THE FULL EXTENT THAT I DESIRED.

 

  EXECUTIVE
   
Dated: May 24, 2018 /s/ James Gilbert
  James Gilbert

 

[Signature Page to the Release Agreement]

 

 

ELECTION TO EXECUTE PRIOR TO EXPIRATION

 

OF 21-DAY CONSIDERATION PERIOD

 

I, James Gilbert, understand that I have twenty-one (21) days within which to consider and execute the attached Separation Agreement and General Mutual Release. However, after having an opportunity to consult counsel, I have freely and voluntarily elected to execute the Separation Agreement and General Mutual Release before such twenty-one (21)-day period has expired.

 

May 24, 2018 /s/ James Gilbert
Date James Gilbert

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

Director Services Agreement

 

This Director Services Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into, effective as of May 25, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between The Crypto Company, a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), and Ron Levy (“ Director ”), with reference to the following:

 

Recital :

 

A. Director and the Company have agreed to execute this Agreement in order to memorialize the terms and conditions on which Director shall serve on the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of the Company.

 

Agreements :

 

Now, Therefore , the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

1. Performance of Services

 

1.1 Engagement . The Company hereby engages Director on the general terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement to provide certain services as a member of the Board, including but not limited to service on the Compensation Committee, Audit Committee and/or Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board, to which Director may be appointed by the Board, as well as any services related thereto as may be requested by the Company and agreed to by Director from time to time (collectively, the “ Services ”).

 

1.2 Business Time . The parties agree that Director shall devote to the performance of the Services pursuant to this Agreement such time as is mutually acceptable to Director and the Company, based upon the tasks assigned to Director by the Company from time to time; provided that Director shall not be required to devote Director’s exclusive business time to the performance of Services pursuant to this Agreement.

 

1.3 Acceptance . Director hereby accepts the engagement by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and agrees to perform the Services in a competent, efficient, trustworthy and businesslike manner.

 

2. Compensation . The Company shall not compensate Director other than as follows:

 

2.1 Reimbursement of Expenses . The Company shall reimburse Director for expenses paid or incurred by Director directly in connection with performing the Services, provided that such expenses are reasonable in amount, are incurred for the benefit of the Company and are supported by itemized accountings and expense receipts submitted to the Company prior to any reimbursement therefor. Any such expenses shall be reimbursed within two (2) weeks of Director’s submission of any such request for reimbursement. Any individual expense exceeding $1,000 must be approved in advance, in writing, by the Chairman of the Board.

 

 

 

 

3. nondisclosure of Confidential Information and trade secrets. Director shall not, during the Term or after the termination of this Agreement, divulge, furnish, make accessible to, or use for the benefit of Director, independently, or any third party, any information, trade secrets, technical data or know-how relating to the business, business practices, methods, marketing strategies, financial information, pricing policies, customers, customer information, customer lists, products, processes, equipment or other confidential or proprietary aspect of the business of Company and/or any subsidiary or affiliate, and including all proprietary and confidential information of any customer or other party received by Company, except as may be required in good faith in the course of Director’s engagement with Company or by law, without the prior written consent of Company, unless such information is already known by Director prior to the date of engagement or shall become public knowledge (other than by reason of Director’s breach of this provision). Director acknowledges and agrees that all trading strategies, policies and operating procedures of the Company (whether developed by Director or other employees or contractors of the Company) constitute the confidential information of the Company.

 

4. Independent Contractor

 

4.1 Status . Director acknowledges that in performing Services pursuant to this Agreement, Director (a) shall be an independent contractor and not an employee of the Company, (b) shall not be entitled to participate in any fringe benefit programs established by the Company for the benefit of its employees, and (c) shall be solely responsible for paying prior to delinquency, and shall indemnify, defend, and hold the Company free and harmless from and against, all income taxes, self-employment taxes, and other taxes (including any interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed on the fees and expense reimbursements paid by the Company to Director pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4.2 Limitation on Authority . Director shall not be an agent of the Company and shall have no authority to independently bind the Company or incur any liabilities in the name of the Company, except with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors (which consent may be withheld in the absolute discretion of the Company).

 

5. Term

 

5.1 Term and Termination . Director shall serve on the Board for a term of one (1) year from the Effective Date or until Director’s re-election to the Board by the shareholders or Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

5.2 Effect of Termination . The Company shall continue to be obligated to (i) pay Director any pro rata services fee to which Director is entitled under Section 2 , above, with respect to the period ending on the effective date of Termination; and (ii) reimburse Director for all expenses paid or incurred prior to termination and for which Director is entitled to be reimbursed pursuant to Section 2 , above.

 

6. Miscellaneous

 

6.1 Notices . All notices permitted or required by this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been delivered and received (a) when personally delivered, (b) on the third (3 rd ) business day after the date on which deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, (c) on the date on which transmitted by facsimile, email, or other electronic means producing a tangible receipt evidencing a successful transmission , or (d) on the next business day after the day on which deposited with a regulated public carrier ( e.g. , Federal Express), freight prepaid, addressed to the party for whom intended at the address, facsimile number, or email set forth on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address, notice of which has been delivered in a manner permitted by this Section 6.1 .

 

 

 

 

6.2 Indemnification . The Company agrees to indemnify Director accordance with the provisions set forth in Exhibit A hereto, which is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

6.3 Further Assurances . Each party agrees, upon the request of the other party, to make, execute, and deliver such additional documents, and to take such additional actions, as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

 

6.4 Complete Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement and the Exhibit hereto (a) contain the entire agreement and understanding between the parties and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, concerning Director’s engagement with the Company, and (b) shall not be modified or amended, except by a written instrument executed after the effective date hereof by the party sought to be charged with such amendment or modification.

 

6.5 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which, taken together, shall be one and the same instrument, binding on each signatory. A copy of this Agreement that is executed by a party and transmitted by that party to the other party by facsimile or email shall be binding on the signatory to the same extent as a copy hereof containing the signatory’s original signature.

 

6.6 Attorneys’ Fees . If any action is commenced to construe this Agreement or to enforce any of the rights and duties created herein, including the indemnification rights of Director set forth in Exhibit A , then the party prevailing in that action shall be entitled to recover its costs and attorneys’ fees in that action, as well as all costs and fees of enforcing any judgment entered therein.

 

6.7 Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable provisions of Nevada law (other than its conflict-of-law principles), and each party hereby consents to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of California for purposes of all actions commenced to construe or enforce this Agreement.

 

[ Signatures appear on the following page .]

 

 

 

 

In Witness Whereof , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date.

 

“Company:”   “Director:”
     
THE CRYPTO COMPANY      
a Nevada corporation      
         
By: /s/ Ivan Ivankovich   By: /s/ Ron Levy
  Ivan Ivankovich, Chief Financial Officer     Ron Levy

 

May 25, 2018   May 25, 2018
Date   Date

 

Address for Notices : Address for Notices :
   
23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 235 23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 235
Malibu, CA 90265 Malibu, CA 90265
Attn: Ivan Ivankovich Attention : Ron Levy
   
Email: ivan@fullstackfinance.com Email: ron@tcc.co

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Indemnification of Director

 

1. Indemnity of Director .

 

(a) The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Director to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such laws may be amended from time to time. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof. Director shall be indemnified against all Expenses (as hereinafter defined), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Director, or on Director’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Director (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS Section 78.138; or (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner Director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Director’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS Section 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful.

 

(b) Director shall be indemnified to the extent Director becomes a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Director is or was a director of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director against Expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if Director (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS Section 78.138; or (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner Director reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

 

(c) Director shall not be indemnified for any claim, issue or matter as to which Director has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the Company or for amounts paid in settlement to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, Director is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.

 

2. Additional Indemnity . In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Director against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by her or on her behalf if, by reason of her status as director, she is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Director. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Director that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Section 5 hereof) to be unlawful.

 

 

 

 

3. Contribution .

 

(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Director (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit or proceeding without requiring Director to contribute to such payment and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Director. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Director (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Director.

 

(b) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Director harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors, or employees of the Company, other than Director, who may be jointly liable with Director.

 

4. Advancement of Expenses . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Director in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Director’s status as a director of the Company within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Director requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Director and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written undertaking by or on behalf of Director to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Director is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 4 shall be unsecured and interest free.

 

5. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification . The parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question reasonably asked in good faith as to whether Director is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:

 

(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Director shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Director and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Director is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Director has requested indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure of Director to provide such a request to the Company, or to provide such a request in a timely fashion, shall not relieve the Company of any liability that it may have to Director unless, and to the extent that, such failure actually and materially prejudices the interests of the Company.

 

(b) Upon written request by Director for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 5(a) hereof, a determination with respect to Director’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by (1) a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, or (2) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company. For purposes hereof, Disinterested Directors are those members of the Board who are not parties to the action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Director.

 

(c) Director shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Director’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Director and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any member of the Board or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding Director’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

6. Exception to Right of Indemnification . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Director:

 

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Director under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

 

(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Director of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or

 

(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Director, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Director against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable Law.

 

7. Duration of Agreement . All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Director is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Director shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 6 hereof) by reason of her status as a director of the Company, whether or not she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.

 

8. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a) “ Expenses ” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, amounts paid in settlement by Director or the amount of judgments or fines against Director, and all other disbursements or expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding, or responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding.

 

(b) “ Law ” means the governing law of the State of Nevada, as such law shall be amended from time to time.

 

(c) “ NRS ” means the Nevada Revised Statutes, as amended from time to time.

 

(d) “ Proceeding ” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding and whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of his or her status as a director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by him or her or of any inaction on his part while acting in his or her status as a director of the Company; in each case whether or not he is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

9. Notice By Director . Director agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Director under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.