Exhibit 10.2
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND
FULL MUTUAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
This Settlement Agreement and Full Mutual Release of All Claims
(hereinafter "Settlement Agreement") is made and entered into as of May 17,
2006, pursuant to the following terms:
1. THE PARTIES
1.1 Advanced Marketing Services, Inc. ("AMS").
1.2 Federal Insurance Company ("Federal").
1.3 AMS and Federal are sometimes referred to individually as a "Party" or
collectively as "the Parties."
2. THE INSURANCE POLICIES
2.1 Columbia Casualty Company ("CNA") issued the Combined Solutions
Policy, Policy Number: 267868733, for the policy period April 28, 2003 to April
28, 2004, with policy limits of $5 million.
2.2 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("Liberty Mutual") Excess Follow Form
Policy, Policy Number: 192825-013, for the policy period April 28, 2003 to April
28, 2004, with policy limits of $5 million excess of the Columbia Casualty
policy.
2.3 Federal Insurance Company Excess Policy, Policy Number: 8171-3259 (the
"Policy"), for the policy period April 28, 2003 to April 28, 2004, with policy
limits of $5 million excess of the Liberty Mutual policy.
2.4 CNA, Liberty and Federal are sometimes collectively referred to herein
as the "Insurers."
3. THE INSURANCE COVERAGE LITIGATION
3.1 The "Insurance Coverage Action" refers to a case generally known as
AMS v. Columbia Casualty Company, Continental Casualty Company, CNA Financial
Corporation, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Federal Insurance Company, now
pending as San Diego Superior Court, Case No. GIC 832603.
3.2 Liberty Mutual and Federal have each filed cross-complaints in that
matter. A demurrer was sustained to each of those cross-complaints and amended
cross-complaints have not yet been filed.
4. RECITALS
4.1 In July 2003, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search
warrant against AMS.
4.2 Commencing in July of 2003, the United States Attorney's Office "USAO"
issued multiple grand jury subpoenas to AMS and/or its custodian of records, and
to certain of its present and/or former officers, directors and/or employees.
4.3 In September 2003, the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission "SEC" began an investigation of AMS and subsequently issued subpoenas
to certain of AMS' present and/or former officers, directors and/or employees,
and to AMS' custodian of records.
4.4 AMS announced in January 2004 that it would restate its financial
statements for the previous five fiscal years. AMS has subsequently announced
certain anticipated revisions to that restatement. As of this date AMS has not
yet issued the restated financial information.
4.5 Since January 2004, AMS was served with the following securities class
action complaints: Xxxxx v. Advanced Marketing Services, United States District,
Court Southern District of California, Case Xx. 00 XX 00000 H, filed on January
22, 2004; Eastside Investors LLP v. Advanced Marketing Services, United States
District, Court Southern District of California, Case Xx. 00 XX 00000 JM, filed
on January 16, 2004; and Xxxxxxxx v. Advanced Marketing Services, United States
District Court, Southern District of California, Xxxx Xx. 00 XX 00000XXX, filed
on February 17, 2004. These class action actions were consolidated as In re
Advanced Marketing Services Securities Litigation, United States District Court,
Southern District of California, Case No. 04 CV 00121 BEN (AJB) (collectively
the "Securities Class Actions".)
4.6 Since January 2004, AMS was also served with the following shareholder
derivative complaints: Xxxx x. Xxxxxxxxxxx et al., San Diego Superior Court,
Case No. GIC 824845, filed on January 29, 2004; Deranieri x. Xxxxxxxxxxx et al.,
San Diego Superior Court, Case No. GIC 824846, filed on January 29, 2004; and
Xxxxxxx x. Xxxxxxx et al., United States District Court, Southern District of
California, Case No. 05CV706 H, filed on April 6, 2005. These shareholder
derivative actions were consolidated as In Re Advanced Marketing Services, Inc.
Derivative Litigation, San Diego Superior Court, Lead Case No. GIC 824845, filed
on or about April 22, 2004 (collectively the "Derivative Actions").
4.7 Additionally, the following government actions have been initiated
against certain of AMS' current and former officers, directors and/or employees:
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Xxxx Xxxxxx Roke, United States District
Court, Southern District of California, Case No. 04CV1966 H (POR), filed on
September 29, 2004; Securities and Exchange Commission v. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, United States District, Court Southern District of California, Case
No. 05CV0420 JM (JFS), filed on March 2, 2005; United States of America v.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, United States District Court, Southern District of
California, Criminal Case No. 05CR0364LAB, filed on March 2, 2005; United States
of America v. Xxxxx Xxxxxx Roke, United States District Court, Southern District
of California, Criminal Case Xx. 00 XX 0000XXX, filed on September 29, 2004; and
United States of America v. Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxx, United States District Court,
Southern District of California, Criminal Case Xx. 00 XX 0000XXX, filed on March
8, 2005 (collectively, the "Government Actions").
4.8 AMS has tendered to the Insurers the circumstances related to the
investigations by the USAO, SEC, the Securities Class Actions, and the
Derivative Actions and the Government Actions identified in Paragraphs 4.1
through 4.7 (collectively the "Underlying Matters").
4.9 Federal has asserted certain coverage defenses and other grounds for
not paying claims relating to the Underlying Matters, as set forth in its
reservation of rights letters, its Answer on file in the Insurance Coverage
Action and in its previously filed (but dismissed, without prejudice)
Cross-Complaint in the Insurance Coverage Action.
4.10 AMS has paid for attorneys' fees and costs incurred both by AMS, and
also by numerous present and/or former directors, officers and/or employees, in
connection with the Underlying Matters. AMS contends that it has already
expended in excess of $10 million for such attorneys' fees and costs.
4.11 AMS has stated its intention to incur future attorneys' fees and costs
both on behalf of itself and on behalf of various present and/or former
directors, officers and/or employees, in connection with the Underlying Matters.
4.12 AMS has advised the Insurers that it has reached a settlement with and
received a Memorandum of Understanding related to such settlements (the "MOU"),
from the plaintiffs in the Securities Class Action litigation, offering to
resolve that litigation for $6 million, subject to court approval. AMS has
executed the MOU and the settlement of the Securities Class Actions has been
approved by AMS' Board of Directors subject to funding by the Carriers. The
Parties to this Settlement Agreement each dispute all of the allegations made
against them by the respective opposing Parties in the Insurance Coverage
Action. By entering into this Settlement Agreement the Parties do not intend to
admit the validity of any allegation set forth in such Insurance Coverage
Action. In fact, it is a material provision of this Settlement Agreement,
without which the Parties would not agree to enter into this Settlement
Agreement, that the Parties are not admitting such merits; and that the Parties
intend by the settlement of the Insurance Coverage Action merely to resolve the
disputed issues, avoid further litigation and to have their peace.
4.13 By this Settlement Agreement the Parties intend to effect a full and
final resolution and settlement of any and all issues with respect to the
Insurance Coverage Action and/or the Underlying Matters, including claims for
damages, attorneys' fees and/or costs, regardless of their nature or basis,
which arose, may have arisen, or hereinafter may arise by reason of any manner,
cause or thing whatsoever, whether or not they were made a part of the Insurance
Coverage Action and/or the Underlying Matters.
5. PAYMENT AND TERMS OF SETTLEMENT
5.1 The Parties agree to the following terms and conditions and expressly
acknowledge that each of the terms and conditions set forth below are material
to the Settlement Agreement, without which the Parties would not have consented
to the settlement.
5.2 Within 15 days of the execution of this Agreement by AMS and Federal,
and executed copies of the signature pages being provided to all Parties hereto,
Federal shall pay, in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 5.2, the sum of
$1,750,000, which represents the remaining policy limits less $3,250,000. Said
payment shall be held in trust with such sums to be released as payment of
Defense Costs incurred in connection with the Underlying Matters or as
reimbursement of prior Defense Costs.
5.3 The Parties expressly agree that payment by Federal, and acceptance by
AMS, of the amount referenced in Section 5.2, is not conditioned upon settlement
of the Underlying Matters or a global settlement of the Insurance Coverage
Action. Nor is AMS obligated to expend such funds for any specified purpose.
5.4 (a) Within five court (5) days after receipt of the amount referenced
in Section 5.2, AMS shall file a dismissal, with prejudice, of the Insurance
Coverage Action as to Federal; . (b) the Parties acknowledge that the Court
sustained the demurrer to Federal's cross-complaint with leave to amend. (1)
Federal agrees that it will not file an amended cross-complaint against AMS; and
(2) Federal further agrees that it will not file an amended cross-complaint
against those persons who may be insureds under the Policy, but expressly
reserves its rights in accordance with paragraph 6.8 below.
6. RELEASE AND DISCHARGE
6.1 Except for the matters described in this Agreement and the obligations
created herein , AMS, on the one hand, and Federal, on the other hand, do hereby
fully release and forever discharge each other and their respective members,
corporate parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, successors and
predecessors, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents,
counselors, attorneys, partners, joint venturers, and trustees, of and from any
and all losses, obligations, duties, debts, costs, causes of action, demands,
claims, liabilities, expenses and damages of any nature or kind whatsoever
(including punitive or exemplary damages, attorneys' fees or other relief of any
kind or character), whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, direct or
derivative, whether at law or in equity, and whether past, present or future,
arising from or based upon the Underlying Matters or anything that has been
asserted, or could have been asserted, in the Insurance Coverage Action, except
that Federal does not release any person (other than AMS) who could, has or ever
does claim to be an insured presenting claims under or pursuant to the Policy
(the "Release"). As to AMS' release of Federal, such release is made by AMS on
its behalf and, to the extent legally allowed, on behalf of any person who
could, has or ever does, claim to be an insured pursuant to the Policy. This
Release, as to Federal, shall include, without limitation, the release of any
and all claims respecting the manner in which Federal investigated, responded
to, handled and resolved any claims under the Policy (including without
limitation all claims of unfair claims handling practices or settlement
practices, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing,
whether pursuant to specific federal or state statutes or regulations, or at
common law), and any and all claims for reimbursement of monies paid by AMS.
6.2 The Parties agree that the Release contained in this Settlement
Agreement is a full release of the Policy, and not solely a release of claims
made in the Insurance Coverage Action. AMS acknowledges that this is a full and
final release of the Policy and that no sums of money, except as expressed in
this Agreement, will be paid by Federal to AMS or any other person claiming to
be an insured under the Policy, as a result of the Insurance Coverage Action, or
as a result of any other claim, known or unknown, past, present or future, that
might arise under the Policy. The Parties agree that the Policy will be deemed
null and void for no additional consideration paid to the insureds.
6.3 It is expressly understood and agreed that there are other policies of
insurance, other than the Policy, which have been issued to AMS, from time to
time, by Federal. It is the intention of the Parties that the Release shall not
apply to any other policies of insurance except for any claims which are being
released pursuant to Paragraph 6.1.
6.4 The claims and matters released in this Paragraph 6 shall be
collectively referred to herein as the "Released Matters."
6.5 Waiver of Civil Code Section 1542. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this Settlement Agreement, this Settlement Agreement extends to all
Released Matters whether or not claimed or suspected by the Parties hereto,
which exist or existed up to and including the date of execution hereof. The
Parties acknowledge and agree that they are aware of, and understand the meaning
and effect of, California Civil Code Section 1542, which reads 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.
The Parties agree to assume the risk of any and all unknown, unanticipated or
misunderstood defenses, claims, causes of action, contracts, liabilities and
obligations arising out of the Released Matters, and hereby waive, release and
forever discharge all rights and benefits that such Party has or might have
under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code (and any statute, rule or legal
doctrine of any other jurisdiction of similar import) regarding such unknown,
unanticipated or misunderstood defenses, claims, causes of action, contracts,
liabilities, indentures and obligations as to the Released Matters. Each Party
understands and accepts the risk that it may have substantial claims or damages
that have not yet manifested, or that are presently unknown, or that have not
yet been identified, and each Party nonetheless intends to and does voluntarily
and deliberately release these possible claims and defenses.
6.6 It is expressly understood and agreed by each Party herein that the
facts with respect to which this Settlement Agreement are given may hereinafter
turn out to be other than, or different from, the facts now known or believed by
the Party to be true, and that each Party expressly assumes a risk of the facts
turning out to be so different, and agrees that this Settlement Agreement shall
be in all respects effective and not subject to termination or rescission by
reason of any difference in the facts. Each Party hereto understands and
acknowledges the significance and consequence of such specific waiver of unknown
claims and hereby assumes full responsibility for any injuries, damages, losses
or liabilities that they hereinafter incur or may incur from the waiver of these
unknown claims.
6.7 The Parties have entered into this Settlement Agreement as a means of
finally compromising, settling and resolving all disputes, controversies,
questions and issues among them relating to the injuries alleged in the
Insurance Coverage Action. Nothing herein shall be construed or interpreted as a
concession or admission by the Parties with respect to any issue or claim in
dispute between them or with respect to any dispute either of them may have now
or in the future. Neither this Settlement Agreement, nor anything in this
Settlement Agreement, nor any part of the negotiations had in connection
herewith, may be used for any purpose or in any manner by either Party in any
suit or proceeding of any kind, except as may be necessary to enforce the terms
of this Settlement Agreement. This Settlement Agreement constitutes the entire
Settlement Agreement and understanding between the Parties hereto, and this
Settlement Agreement replaces, cancels and supersedes any and all other
understandings or undertakings of the Parties, if any, which may have been made.
6.8 Although the Released Matters do not include a release by Federal of
any person (other than AMS) who could, has or ever does claim to be an insured
pursuant to the Policy, Federal hereby agrees, represents and warrants that it
will not bring litigation against such a person which relates to the Policy,
unless and until such a person first either: a) brings litigation against
Federal which relates to the Policy; or, b) asserts a claim against Federal
which relates to the Policy and refuses to withdraw that claim within 10 days
after AMS has been notified, by Federal, of such assertion.
6.9 Subject to the restrictions in Section 6.8, AMS agrees to defend,
indemnify and hold Federal harmless against or in connection with any claim,
liabilities, damages, attorneys' fees, costs or expenses, incurred by Federal
resulting from any claims made by any person who is not a signatory to this
Settlement Agreement and who claims to be an insured under or pursuant to the
Policy. AMS shall have the right to settle any such matter in any manner which
it deems appropriate, to the extent that it does not require financial
contribution and/or any waiver of rights by Federal (other than a mutual release
between Federal and the claimant), all subject to Federal's consent, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld. In providing a defense, AMS shall not have the
right to select counsel or to control the defense in any manner, except that AMS
shall have the right to associate counsel for the purpose of monitoring the
matter and for the provision of strategic advice to AMS and Federal. Federal
shall have the right to retain counsel of its own selection, to incur fees and
costs as is reasonably necessary to defend any claims and to settle any such
claims, but only after such counsel and billing arrangements have been approved
in writing by AMS, all subject to AMS' review and consent, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld. Such counsel shall be counsel typically retained in such
matters and with billing rates and policies that are consistent with Cumis rate
limitations.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
Each Party represents and warrants as follows:
7.1 Each Party and its attorneys have made such investigation of the facts
pertaining to this settlement and this Settlement Agreement, and all of the
matters pertaining thereto, as they deem necessary.
7.2 Except as expressly stated in this Settlement Agreement, no Party has
made any statement or representation to any other Party regarding any fact
relied upon by any other Party in entering into this Settlement Agreement, and
each Party specifically does not rely upon any statement, representation or
promise of any other Party in executing the Settlement Agreement, or in making
the settlement provided for herein.
7.3 The terms of this Settlement Agreement are contractual, not a mere
recital, and are the result of negotiation among the Parties.
7.4 Each Party relies on the finality of this Settlement Agreement as a
material factor inducing the Party's execution of this Settlement Agreement, and
the payments and obligations assumed by this Settlement Agreement.
7.5 Each Party agrees that such Party will not take any action which would
interfere with the performance of the Settlement Agreement by any other Party
hereto or which would adversely affect any of the rights provided for herein.
7.6 Each person executing this Settlement Agreement represents and
warrants that he or she has taken all actions and obtained all authorizations,
consents and approvals as are conditions precedent to his or its authority to
execute this Settlement Agreement.
7.7 Each Party represents and warrants to the other that they are not
aware of any assignment, hypothecation, or other transfer of any interest in the
claim or claims which are the subject of this Settlement Agreement.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
8.1 The Parties acknowledge that AMS has disclosure obligations relating
to this Agreement such that general confidentiality may be impractical and/or
impossible. However, the Parties agree to confidentiality of specific
information as set forth below.
8.2 AMS is also entering into a settlement agreement with CNA and Liberty
Mutual which is a separate transaction and forms no part of this Agreement.
Subject to the provisions of section 8.3, the Parties agree that the separate
dollar amount of payment by CNA, by Liberty Mutual and/or by Federal, will be
treated as confidential and not disclosed. Specifically, it is understood and
agreed that the total dollar amount of the settlement payments, in the aggregate
($10,150,000) will not be confidential, but the amount of contribution by any
individual insurer is confidential.
8.3 The Parties may disclose the confidential information: (1) as required
by a Court Order (subject to Section 8.4); (2) in an action or other proceeding
among the Parties, or any of them, regarding enforcement of the terms of this
Agreement; (3) by agreement, in writing, among the Parties to this Agreement;
(4) to their counsel, auditors, accountants, reinsurers and agents; (5) to any
governmental agency, if such disclosure is required by law, while exercising all
reasonably available options to preserve confidentiality on such disclosure; (6)
publicly, if the Party is advised by legal counsel that such disclosure is
required by law.
8.4 All Parties hereto shall cooperate to protect the confidential
information from disclosure. If any Party to this Agreement is served with a
demand or request to produce such confidential information such Party shall give
written notice to the other Parties. Such notice shall be given as soon as
reasonably practicable, but not later than ten days after receipt of such
disclosure demand or request.
9. GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS
9.1 The Parties agree and acknowledge that all negotiations by them and
their representatives in connection with the matter set forth within this
Settlement Agreement have been conducted in complete good faith and without any
collusion, unfair practices, or tortious conduct of any kind.
10. UNDERLYING FACTS AND LAW
10.1 The law or facts on which this Settlement Agreement is based may
hereafter turn out to be other than or different from those now known or
believed by the Parties to be true. The Parties have assumed the risk of the law
or facts turning out to be different and/or being changed by subsequent judicial
and/or legislative action. This Settlement Agreement shall be in all respects
effective and not subject to termination or rescission by reason of any such
difference in the law or facts.
11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION
11.1 The terms of this Settlement Agreement are intended by the Parties as
a final expression of their agreement with respect to such terms and may not be
contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement. The language
in all parts of this Settlement Agreement shall in all cases be construed
simply, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of
the Parties hereto. This Settlement Agreement was the subject of negotiation and
revision between Parties represented by counsel. It is agreed that for the
purposes of interpreting this Settlement Agreement each and every provision is
assumed to have been jointly drafted.
12. MODIFICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND EXTENSIONS
12.1 This Settlement Agreement may not be modified, changed or
supplemented, nor may any obligations hereunder be waived or extensions of time
for performance granted, except by written instrument signed by the Party to be
charged or by its agent duly authorized in writing or as otherwise expressly
permitted herein. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein
contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof
or of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No extension of time
for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed an extension of the
time for performance of any other obligations or acts.
13. ASSIGNMENTS
13.1 This Settlement Agreement and the rights, duties, and obligations
hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by any Party without the prior
written consent of the other Party. Any assignment of rights or delegation of
duties or obligations hereunder made without the written consent of the other
Party hereto shall be void and be of no effect.
14. COOPERATION
14.1 The Parties shall cooperate fully and execute and deliver any and all
supplementary documents and take any and all additional actions which may be
necessary or appropriate to give full force and effect to this Settlement
Agreement.
15. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTIES
15.1 This Settlement Agreement creates no agency relationship between the
Parties hereto, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to place the
Parties in the relationship of partners or joint venturers.
16. AUTHORITY
16.1 Each Party represents and warrants that it is duly authorized to
execute and deliver this Settlement Agreement and that this Settlement Agreement
is binding upon and enforceable against said Party in accordance with its terms.
17. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE
17.1 This Settlement Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted under,
construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive and procedural laws of
the State of California. The Parties agree that the courts (whether state or
federal) of San Diego, California, shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction
over any dispute, whether between the Parties, or between one or more of the
Parties and any Party claiming to be an intended beneficiary, whether such
dispute relates to the formation , interpretation and/or enforcement of this
Settlement Agreement, and/or any alleged tort claims relating thereto, and the
Parties consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.
18. ADVICE OF COUNSEL
18.1 Each Party has received independent legal advice from attorneys of
their choice with respect to entering into this Settlement Agreement. This
Settlement Agreement has been carefully read by each Party and is signed freely
by each Party.
19. JOINT PREPARATION
19.1 This Settlement Agreement shall be deemed to have been jointly
prepared by the Parties, and any uncertainty or ambiguity contained herein shall
not be interpreted more strongly against either of them as the "drafter" of this
Settlement Agreement.
20. COUNTERPARTS
20.1 This Settlement Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument. Facsimile and PDF signatures shall
be acceptable.
21. HEADINGS
21.1 The section and paragraph headings contained herein are for
convenience only and are not intended to define, limit or describe the scope or
intent of any provision of this Settlement Agreement.
22. MISCELLANEOUS
22.1 Notices. All notices, demands, invoices, requests, consents, approvals
or other communications (collectively the "Notices") given with respect to this
Settlement Agreement shall be in writing and may be personally served, sent by
telephone facsimile ("fax"), or may be deposited in the United States mail,
addressed as follows:
If to AMS: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Stephan, Oringher, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
If to Federal: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Stroock & Stroock & Xxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
or to such other address as such Party shall have specified most recently by
written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service if
personally served or on the date of telexing, telecopying, faxing, or e-mail if
telexed, telecopied, or sent by fax or e-mail. Notice mailed as provided herein
shall be deemed given on the tenth business day following
the date so mailed.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Parties have executed this Settlement Agreement
effective as of the date first above written. Advanced Marketing Services, Inc.
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------
By Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------
It's President and CEO
-------------------------------
Federal Insurance Company
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx
------------------------------------
By Xxxxxxx Xxxx
-------------------------------
It's Sr. Specialty Claims Examiner
-------------------------------
