Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.22.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 6. 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 settlement and scheduled the settlement fairness hearing for June 29, 2022.

 

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 and scheduled the final settlement hearing for June 29, 2022.

 

CorProminence d/b/a Core IR v. SCWorx

AAA Arbitration Case 01-22-0001-5709

 

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 expects to file its answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaims within the next two weeks. An administrative conference is scheduled for May 16, 2022.

 

Other Investigations

 

In addition, as previously disclosed, 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 we made in relation to the transaction involving COVID-19 test kits. The Company is continuing to cooperate with the SEC regarding its investigation arising out of the April 13, 2020 press release and the events thereafter.  The Company received a Wells notice on December 8, 2021 and an amended Wells notice on December 10, 2021. The Wells Notice states that the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission has made a preliminary determination to recommend that the Commission file an enforcement action against the Company which would allege 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. The Wells Notice also indicates that the staff would seek fines and disgorgement, including pre and post judgment interest in such enforcement proceeding. The Company did not make a Wells submission to the Commission in response to the Wells Notice. The Company has since been actively engaged in discussions with the Staff to settle the claims set forth in the Wells Notice. On or about April 6, 2022, the Company reached a settlement in principle with the SEC Staff (subject to approval by the SEC) in which the Company and the SEC Staff have agreed to resolve the matter through the Company’s payment of a civil monetary penalty of $125,000, payable in 4 equal installments over 12 months. In addition to final approval by the SEC, the settlement is subject to the negotiation and court approval of a consent judgment. The Company is hopeful that the agreement will be approved by the SEC, however, there is a possibility that  the SEC Staff’s recommendation of this agreement may not be approved by the Commission or that the court may not approve the consent judgment.  In the event the SEC does not approve the Staff’s recommendation,  the Company will endeavor to resume settlement discussions with the SEC Staff.  Upon final approval and subsequent entry of a consent judgment against the Company,  the settlement will resolve the previously disclosed SEC investigation against the Company. 

 

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.