Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Legal Proceedings

v3.20.1
Legal Proceedings
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]  
Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block]

Note 13. Legal Proceedings


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.


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 the Company and its CEO. The action is captioned Daniel Yannes, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiff vs. SCWorx Corp. and Marc S. Schessel, Defendants.


On May 27, 2020, a second securities class was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and its CEO. The action is captioned Caitlin Leeburn, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, Plaintiff v. SCWorx Corp. and Marc S. Schessel, Defendants. Both lawsuits allege that the Company and its CEO mislead investors in connection with the Company’s April 13, 2020 press release with respect to the sale of COVID-19 rapid test kits. The plaintiffs in these actions are seeking unspecified monetary damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these proceedings. In connection with these actions, the Company may be obligated to indemnify its CEO and any of its officers or directors who incur any liability or expense incurred as a result of serving at our company’s request in such capacity.


In addition, following the April 13, 2020 press release and related disclosures (related to COVID-19 rapid test kits), the Securities and Exchange Commission made an inquiry regarding the disclosures the Company made in relation to the transaction involving COVID-19 test kits. On April 22, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered that trading in the securities of the Company be suspended because of “questions and concerns regarding the adequacy and accuracy of publicly available information in the marketplace” (the “SEC Trading Halt”). The SEC Trading Halt expired May 5, 2020, at 11:59 PM EDT. The Company is fully cooperating with the SEC’s investigation and is providing documents and other requested information.


In April 2020, the Company received related inquiries from The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The Company has been fully cooperating with these agencies and providing information and documents, as requested. On May 5, 2020, the Nasdaq Stock Market informed the Company that it has initiated a “T12 trading halt,” which means the halt will remain in place until the Company has fully satisfied Nasdaq's request for additional information. The Company continues to fully cooperate with Nasdaq and respond to Nasdaq’s information requests as they are issued. The T12 trading halt remains in effect as of the filing of this Form 10-K.


Also in April 2020, the Company was contacted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, which is seeking information and documents from the Company’s officers and directors relating primarily to the April 13, 2020 press release concerning COVID-19 rapid test kits. The Company is fully cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in its investigation.