June 9, 2011 Mr. Leo S. Ullman Seacoast Lane Sands Point, NY 11050 Dear Leo:
Exhibit 10.4
June 9, 2011
Xx. Xxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Dear Xxx:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Dear Xxx:
This letter (the “Agreement”) is written to confirm the terms of your retirement from Cedar
Shopping Centers, Inc. (the “Company”).
1. Separation. Effective June 15, 2011 (the “Separation Date”), you have retired from
your position as a director of the Company and as the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer, as well as all other positions, directorships and/or officerships in
the Company and its subsidiaries and any of their affiliates.
2. Compensation and Benefits. (a) Other than as set forth in this Agreement or as
required by law, the compensation, payments and benefits that you receive as part of your
employment will cease effective as of the Separation Date and you will not be entitled to receive
any benefits of, or payments with respect to, employment or termination of employment following the
Separation Date. Group medical will cease on June 15, 2011. You will be able to (i) continue
group medical at your and/or your dependents’ expense, subject to the eligibility and
other requirements of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
(“COBRA”); and (ii) convert your group life and/or long term disability insurance to an individual
policy in accordance with the terms of such insurance. You will receive a personalized COBRA
packet, which contains details on each of these programs. If you elect COBRA, the Company will
reimburse you for the cost of COBRA through June 15, 2012, unless to do so would subject the
Company to fines or penalties under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Alternatively, with respect to clause (i), you may obtain your own medical insurance coverage and
the Company will reimburse you for the cost of such coverage in an amount not to exceed the cost
of COBRA.
(b) Your shares of restricted stock previously granted pursuant to the Company’s 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan, including time vesting and performance vesting shares, shall vest as of June 15,
2011 and shall otherwise be governed by the terms of such plan.
(c) You shall be entitled to withdraw or retain your vested account balance in the Company’s
401(k) plan in accordance with the terms of the plan and applicable law.
(d) You shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred prior to the Separation Date on behalf of
the Company in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2003,
as amended (the “Employment Agreement”), and applicable policy.
3. Consideration. (a) Provided you sign and deliver this Agreement to the Company,
comply with its provisions and it becomes effective (as set forth in paragraph 12 below), the
Company will contribute an amount equal to 299% of the sum of your annual salary presently in
effect and the average of your annual bonus for 2009 and 2010, which you and the Company agree to
be $3,260,495 (the “Initial Severance Amount”) to a rabbi trust (the “Trust”) established by the
Company, less applicable tax withholding for Medicare, if any. The Trust
shall be subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event of the Company’s
insolvency. On the Payment Date (as defined below), all assets held in the Trust (i.e., the
Initial Severance Amount adjusted for any investment income, gains or losses (the “Final Severance
Amount”)) shall be distributed to you in a lump sum in satisfaction of the amounts owed under this
Section 3(a), less any required federal, state or local income or payroll tax withholding. Any and
all expenses with respect to the establishment and maintenance of the Trust shall be the
responsibility of the Company. The “Payment Date” for the Final Severance Amount shall be the
earlier of (i) the six month anniversary of September 30, 2011 or (ii) your death. The Company
will follow your directions with respect to the investment of the assets of the Trust unless, in
the Company’s sole discretion, the investment is inappropriate or detrimental to the Company’s
status as a REIT.
(b) Effective on the Separation Date and ending September 30, 2011, you agree to be available
to the Company and to the Company’s new CEO to assist in transition and other matters reasonably
requested for such reasonable periods as shall be agreed to between you and the Company. In
consideration for your availability to render these services, the Company will continue to pay to
you through September 30, 2011 your current salary and automobile payments (subject to applicable
withholding taxes) in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.
4. General Release. (a) In exchange for the payments set forth in paragraph 3, you
and your heirs, legal representatives and assigns hereby voluntarily and knowingly release and
forever discharge the Company and affiliated companies, their respective subsidiaries, divisions,
affiliates and branches, and their respective predecessors, successors and assigns and their
respective present, former, and future officers, directors, shareholders, parents, partners,
owners,
members, agents, attorneys, and/or employees, in both their individual and representative
capacities (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from all actions, claims, demands, causes of
action, obligations, damages, liabilities, expenses and controversies of any nature and description
whatsoever up to the date you sign this Agreement, whether or not now known, suspected or claimed,
which you had, have, or may have, against the Company and/or other Released Parties including,
without limitation, all actions, claims, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages,
liabilities, expenses and controversies of any kind which arise out of, relate to or are based on
(i) your employment with the Company or your separation therefrom; (ii) statements, acts or
omissions by the Company, other Released Parties or their respective representatives; (iii) express
or implied agreements between you, on the one hand, and the Company and/or other Released Parties,
on the other hand, including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement; (iv) any federal, state
or local fair employment practices or civil rights law including, but not limited to, Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older
Workers Benefit Protection Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, the Fair Labor Standards Act,
the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, which, among other things, prohibit discrimination on such bases as
race, color, religion, creed, national origin, family and/or medical leave, retaliation, protected
activities, whistle blowing, citizenship, sex/gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age,
disability, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics or uniformed service; (v)
common law, public policy or breach of contract, including, without limitation, in any way related
to the Employment Agreement, tort, including, without limitation, for emotional distress, libel,
slander, defamation, fraud, wrongful discharge, or any other claim concerning the Company’s right
to terminate your employment; or
(vi) wages, commission, bonuses, accrued vacation pay, employee benefits, expenses, allowances
and any other payment or compensation of any kind whatsoever; provided, however, the foregoing
release shall not (A) prevent you from bringing a claim that seeks compliance with this Agreement
or (B) waive claims, if any, that arise after the date you sign this Agreement.
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(b) For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Company, on behalf of itself and its affiliated companies, their respective
subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and branches and their respective predecessors, successors and
assigns, hereby voluntarily and knowingly release and forever discharge you and your heirs and
legal representatives from all actions, claims, demands, causes of action, obligations, damages,
liabilities, expenses and controversies of any nature and description whatsoever up to the date the
Company signs this Agreement, whether or not now known, suspected or claimed, which the Company
had, has, or may have, against you including, without limitation, all actions, claims, demands,
causes of action, obligations, damages, liabilities, expenses and controversies of any kind which
arise out of, relate to or are based on (i) your employment with the Company or your separation
therefrom; (ii) statements , acts or omissions by you or your representatives; (iii) express or
implied agreements between you, on the one hand, and the Company and/or other Released Parties, on
the other hand, including, without limitation, the Employment Agreement; (iv) common law, public
policy or breach of contract, including, without limitation, in any way related to the Employment
Agreement, tort, including, without limitation, for emotional distress, libel, slander, defamation,
fraud, wrongful discharge, or any other claim concerning the termination of your employment;
provided, however, the foregoing release shall not (A) prevent the Company from bringing a claim
that seeks
compliance with this Agreement or (B) waive claims, if any, that arise after the date you sign
this Agreement.
5. Non-Disparagement and Related Matters. You shall not at any time engage in any
form of conduct, or make statements or representations, that disparage or otherwise impair the
commercial reputation, goodwill or interests of the Company or other Released Parties. The
Company, on behalf of itself and its affiliated companies, their respective subsidiaries,
divisions, affiliates and branches and their respective predecessors, successor and assigns, shall
not at any time engage in any form of conduct, or make statements or representations, that
disparage or otherwise impair the commercial reputation, goodwill or interests of you or entities
controlled by you. Further, you represent that you have delivered to the Company all property of
the Company in your custody or control, including any phone, blackberry, computer equipment, keys
and company ID’s, and any originals or copies of Company documents or materials (other than
documents or materials involving your own individual payroll or benefit information), whether or
not such documents or materials were drafted by you or contain Confidential Information.
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6. Non-Disclosure. You shall not disclose the terms or existence of this Agreement,
except (w) as required by law, (x) to comply or to obtain compliance with this Agreement, (y) to
your respective legal, financial or tax advisors (all of whom must first agree to be bound by this
paragraph 6) and to the Internal Revenue Service or any analogous state or local taxation
authority, and (z) to any entity if required by legal process upon not less than three work days
prior written notice (or such shorter period required by any legal or quasi-legal entity or body)
to the Company and agree to cooperate with the Company and its attorneys if the Company elects to
contest such legal process.
7. Breach; Remedies. If you breach this Agreement, then the Company may seek
restitution and/or offset of the payments to the extent permitted by law. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree that in the event of a breach or
threatened breach of paragraphs 5 or 6 hereof, then the Company shall have no adequate remedy
at law and shall be able to enforce such paragraphs by seeking an injunction (without posting a
bond) and such other relief as may be deemed just and proper; provided, however, the parties
expressly acknowledge that their respective rights, duties and obligations under this Agreement are
cumulative and that the Company taking any of the actions set forth in this paragraph shall not
constitute retaliation or abrogate, diminish or otherwise impact the validity or enforceability of
the release set forth in paragraph 4.
8. Survival: Effective the Separation Date, the Employment Agreement is hereby
terminated, is of no further force or effect and neither party shall have any further rights or
obligations thereunder, except that the provisions of Sections 5.3, 5.4, 6.2, 6.3, 11, 14, 16 and
17 of the Employment Agreement (including the definitions related thereto) shall remain in full
force and effect on and after the Separation Date. The parties agree that the provisions of
Section 6.1 of the Employment Agreement shall not remain in effect and is hereby terminated and of
no further force or effect.
9. Cooperation: You agree, upon reasonable notice, to cooperate fully with the
Company and its legal counsel on any matters relating to the conduct of any litigation, claim,
suit, investigation or proceeding involving the Company and/or other Released Parties, in
connection with any facts or circumstances occurring during your employment or of which you have
knowledge, if the Company determines that your cooperation is necessary or appropriate, provided
that the Company shall reimburse you for any reasonable, pre-approved, out of pocket expenses
incurred as a result of your performance of such cooperation.
10. Miscellaneous. This Agreement is not an admission of any liability or wrongdoing
by you, the Company or other Released Parties. Further, this Agreement sets forth
the entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter,
and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, memoranda, term sheets, conversations and
negotiations regarding the same, except as otherwise provided in paragraph 8. This Agreement may
only be modified by a writing signed by both parties. The provisions of this Agreement are
severable and if any part of it is found to be unenforceable, the other parts shall remain valid
and enforceable. Except as otherwise provided herein, no waiver by either party of a breach by the
other party of any condition or provision of the Agreement to be performed by the other party shall
be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same time or at any
other time.
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11. Choice of Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its principles of comity or
conflicts of law and all disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its breach shall
be resolved in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 16 of the Employment Agreement.
12. Acknowledgment. You acknowledge that:
• | You have read this Agreement in its entirety and understand all of its terms, including that it constitutes a complete general release of all claims against the Company and other Released Parties; |
• | You have been advised, in writing, to review this Agreement with an attorney before signing it; |
• | You have had a sufficient period of time of up to 21 days within which to review this Agreement, including, without limitation, with your attorney, and that you did so to the extent you desired; |
• | You may not sign this Agreement until on or after the Separation Date; |
• | The payments of the amounts set forth in this Agreement are the only consideration for your signing this Agreement; |
• | The payments are provided at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion and on a non-precedential basis and that you would not have received all such payments if you did not sign this Agreement; |
• | The headings used in this Agreement are intended solely for convenience of reference and shall not be used to amplify, limit, modify (or otherwise be used in the interpretation of) the terms of this Agreement; |
• | You knowingly and voluntarily agree to all the terms and conditions in this Agreement; and |
• | This Agreement shall not become effective until the 8th day after you sign it and you may at any time before the effective date revoke this Agreement by hand delivering, sending via overnight mail or e-mailing a written notice of revocation to the Company to its General Counsel at the Company’s principal executive offices. |
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13. By entering into this Agreement, you acknowledge that you (a) waive any claim to reinstatement
and/or future employment with the Company; (b) agree that you will not seek, apply for or accept
employment and/or future employment with the Company; (c) have received all compensation, wages,
bonuses, commissions and/or benefits to which you may be entitled; (d) have been paid in full for
all time worked; and (e) are not and shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits or other
obligations from the Company whatsoever (except as expressly set forth herein).
Cedar Shopping Centers, Inc. | ||||
By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Voluntarily Agreed to and Accepted | ||||
This 9th day of June, 2011 | ||||
/s/ Xxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxx X. Xxxxxx |
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STATE OF NEW YORK
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) | |||
:ss. | ||||
COUNTY OF NASSAU
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) |
On this 13th day of June, 2011, before me personally came Xxx X. Xxxxxx, to me known and known to
me to be the individual described in, and who executed the foregoing Agreement and General Release,
and duly acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and official seal.
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||||
Notary Public | ||||