Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies

In conducting our business, we may become involved in legal proceedings. We will accrue a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. The accrual for a litigation loss contingency might include, for example, estimates of potential damages, outside legal fees and other directly related costs expected to be incurred.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 

Settlement of Consolidated Securities Class Action

As previously disclosed, on April 29, 2020, a securities class action case was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against us and our former CEO. The action is captioned Daniel Yannes, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated vs. SCWorx Corp. and Marc S. Schessel,. Subsequently, two additional class actions were filed in the same court (Leeburn v. SCWorx, et ano. and Leonard v. SCWorx et ano.) and thereafter, the three class actions were consolidated (the “Consolidated Class Action”). The Consolidated Class Action alleged that our company and our former CEO misled investors in connection with our April 13, 2020 press release with respect to the sale of COVID-19 rapid test kits.

As previously disclosed, on February 11, 2022, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement (subject to Court approval) to settle the Consolidated Class Action. The settlement resolves all claims asserted against SCWorx and the other named defendant without any admission, concession or finding of any fault, liability or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant. Under the terms of this agreement, (i) the insurers for the Company and Marc Schessel (former CEO) will make a cash payment to the class plaintiffs (ii) the former CEO will transfer 100,000 shares of company common stock to the class plaintiffs, and (iii) the Company will issue $600,000 worth of common stock to the class plaintiffs, in exchange for which all parties will be released from all claims related to the securities class action litigation. After giving effect to the share issuance by the Company, the Company believes that it will have satisfied the accrued retention liability of $700,000. By order dated March 22, 2022, the Court granted preliminary approval of the class action. After a fairness hearing held on June 29, 2022, the Court approved the Stipulation of Settlement.

Settlement of Consolidated Derivative Action

As previously disclosed, on June 15, 2020, a shareholder derivative claim was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Steven Wallitt (current director), and Marc S. Schessel, Robert Christie and Charles Miller (former directors) (“Director Defendants”). The action is captioned Lozano, derivatively on behalf of SCWorx Corp. v. Marc S. Schessel, Charles K. Miller, Steven Wallitt, Defendants, and SCWorx Corp., Nominal Defendant. The Lozano lawsuit was consolidated with another shareholder derivative lawsuit, Richter, v. Marc S. Schessel, Charles K. Miller, Steven Wallitt, Defendants, and SCWorx Corp., Nominal Defendant. (the “Consolidated Derivative Action”).

The Consolidated Derivative Action alleged that the Director Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Company, including by misleading investors in connection with our April 13, 2020 press release with respect to the sale of COVID-19 rapid test kits, failing to correct false and misleading statements and failing to implement proper disclosure and internal controls.

In addition, on October 29, 2020, Hemrita Zarins filed a shareholder derivative action in the Chancery Court in the State of Delaware against Steven Wallitt (current director) and Marc S. Schessel and Charles Miller (former directors). The action is captioned Hemrita Zarins, v. Marc S. Schessel, Robert Christie, Steven Wallitt and SCWorx, Nominal Defendant. The Zarins action contains substantially similar allegations as in the Consolidated Derivative Action.

On February 15, 2022, the Company and the Director Defendants (Marc Schessel, Steven Wallitt, Charles Miller and Robert Christie) entered into a stipulation of settlement (subject to Court approval) with the shareholder derivative plaintiffs to settle the Consolidated Derivative Action as well as the Zarins action. Under the terms of the settlement, (i) the insurers for the Director Defendants will make a cash payment to legal counsel for the shareholder derivative Plaintiffs to cover their legal fees and (ii) the Company will adopt certain corporate governance reforms within 60 days of court approval of the settlement, in exchange for which all parties will be released from all claims related to the derivative class action litigation. The settlement resolves all claims asserted against the defendants without any admission, concession or finding of any fault, liability or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant. By order dated March 25, 2022, the Court granted preliminary approval of the derivative settlement. On June 29, 2022, the Court held a settlement hearing and approved the Stipulation of Settlement.

CorProminence d/b/a Core IR v. SCWorx

AAA Arbitration Case 01-22-0001-5709

As previously disclosed, on April 25, 2022, the Company received a Demand for Arbitration along with a Statement of Claim filed by Core IR with the American Arbitration Association seeking damages in the amount of approximately $190,000.00 arising out of a marketing and consulting agreement. The Company filed its answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims on May 16, 2022. An arbitrator has been selected and the parties are engaged in discovery. Hearing dates have been scheduled for the week of March 20, 2023.

Other Investigations

As previously disclosed, on or about April 6, 2022, the Company reached a settlement in principle with the SEC Staff which, subject to a few changes, was subsequently approved by the Commission in which the Company agreed to resolve the SEC’s investigation regarding the April 13, 2020 press release and related disclosures (related to Covid-19 rapid test kits) through the Company’s payment of (a) a civil monetary penalty of $125,000, payable in 4 equal installments over 12 months and (b) disgorgement of $471,000 and prejudgment interest in the amount of $32,761.56 which payment is to be deemed satisfied by the transfer by the Company, no later than 30 days after the entry of the Class Distribution Order in the class action entitled Yannes v. SCWorx Corp. of shares of SCWorx’s common stock, valued at $600,000 at the time of issuance to authorized claimants in the Yannes settlement, provided that the Class Distribution Order is entered within 365 days from the entry of the Final Judgment in the SEC action. In the event that the Company does not transfer shares of its common stock, valued at $600,000 at the time of issuance to authorized claimants in the class action settlement within 365 days from the entry of a Final Judgment, the Company will be required to remit to the SEC the full amount of disgorgement within 395 days from entry of a Final Judgment. On May 31, 2022, the Commission filed a complaint against Marc Schessel and the Company in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging violations of Sections 17(a)(1), 17(a)(2), and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and Rules 10b-5(a), 10b-5(b), and 10b-5(c) thereunder relating to the April 13, 2020 press release and related disclosures we made in relation to the transaction involving COVID-19 test kits. At the same time, on May 31, 2022, the Commission filed a motion for approval of the Consent Judgment which contained the aforementioned fine, disgorgement requirement as well as an agreement by the Company to an injunction permanently restraining and enjoining the Company from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Rules 10b-5(a), (b), and (c) thereunder [17 C.F.R § 240.10b .. 5(a), (b), (c)]; and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act'') [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]. On June 2, 2022, the Court granted the motion, approved the settlement and entered a final judgment.

In April 2020, we received related inquiries from The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). We cooperated fully with these agencies, providing information and documents, as requested. We have not had any requests from these agencies since January 2021.

Also in April 2020, as previously disclosed, we were contacted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, which was seeking information and documents from our officers and directors relating primarily to the April 13, 2020 press release concerning COVID-19 rapid test kits. We have cooperated fully with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in its investigation. 

In connection with these actions and investigations, the Company is obligated to indemnify its officers and directors for costs incurred in defending against these claims and investigations. Because the Company currently does not have the resources to pay for these costs, its directors and officers liability insurance carrier has agreed to indemnify these persons. Upon consummation of the settlement of the Consolidated Class Action, the Company believes it will have satisfied its accrued retention obligations with respect to the insurance coverage.