Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.23.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

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.

 

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. 

 

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. By order of the arbitrator dated November 1, 2022, Core IR received permission to amend its Statement of Claim to increase its request for damages to $257,545.63. The arbitration hearing commenced on March 20, 2023 and is currently continuing.

 

Hadrian Equities Partners, LLC et ano. v. SCWorx Corp,

 

Case No. 22-cv-07096 (JLR) (S.D.N.Y)

 

On August 19, 2022, Hadrian Equities Partners, LLC and the Phillip W. Caprio, Jr. 2007 Irrevocable Trust filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that SCWorx was dilatory and did not comply with its alleged contractual duties to remove the restrictions from Plaintiffs’ converted AMMA stock to SCWorx stock until August 10 and August 11, 2020. Plaintiffs allege that as a result, they were unable to sell their SCWorx stock when SCWorx was trading at its highest price on April 13, 2020. The Complaint seeks $500,000 in damages. To date, the Complaint has not been served. Upon review of the Complaint, SCWorx counsel provided Plaintiffs’ counsel with a “safe harbor” Notice of Motion for sanctions pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 11 and letter explaining that the material allegations in the Complaint are false inasmuch as the restrictions on Plaintiffs’ SCWorx shares were removed on April 21, 2020– after months of waiting for Plaintiffs to supply the correct documents with accurate information so that outside counsel could provide an opinion and clear the stocks for trading. The “safe harbor” letter and Notice of Motion gave Plaintiffs 21 days to withdraw the Complaint. After asking for and receiving several extensions in addition to the 21 days, Plaintiffs have not withdrawn the Complaint and thus, a Motion for Sanctions was filed by SCWorx on November 4, 2022. After the motion for sanctions was filed, Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on November 28, 2022. On February 6, 2023, SCWorx filed its answer to the Amended Complaint interposing numerous defenses. SCWorx is awaiting a decision from the Court on its Motion for Sanctions.

 

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. SCWorx has thus far paid all installments on the monetary penalty of $125,000.

 

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.