INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS
INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT is made as of June 13, 2008, by and among Allegro
Biodiesel Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Seller”),
Consolidated Energy Holdings, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company
(“Purchaser”),
and,
solely for purposes of Article
X
and
Article
XI,
the
Members of Purchaser listed on the signature pages hereof (the “Members”)
and,
solely for purposes of Section
5.8.
Certain
capitalized terms used herein are defined in Article I.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
Seller owns 100% of the membership interests (the “Membership
Interests”)
of
Vanguard Synfuels, L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the
“Company”);
and
WHEREAS,
Seller desires to sell and Purchaser desires to purchase from Seller all of
the
Membership Interests, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants,
agreements and warranties herein contained, the parties agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.
The
following terms have the corresponding meanings for the purposes of this
Agreement:
“Assignment
and Assumption Agreement”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 8.2(b).
“Agreement”
means
this Interest Purchase Agreement, including all exhibits and schedules hereto,
as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its
terms.
“Business
Day”
means
any day of the year other than (i) any Saturday or Sunday or (ii) any other
day
on which banks located in Los Angeles, California or New Orleans, Louisiana,
generally are closed for business.
“Cash
Amount”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 2.2.
“Closing”
means
the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein in accordance with
Article VIII.
“Closing
Date”
means
the date on which the Closing occurs.
“Company”
has
the
meaning provided in the Recitals.
“Company
Expenses”
has
the
meaning provided in Section
5.6.
“Disinterested
Director”
shall
mean a member of Seller’s board of directors who is not an affiliate or
representative of Purchaser.
1
“Employees”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.5.
“Employee
Liabilities”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.5.
“Employee
Releases”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.5.
“Employee
Resignation Letters”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.5.
“Escrow
Agent”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.8.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“First
South”
means
First South Farm Credit, ACA.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
the government of the United States or any foreign country or any state or
political subdivision thereof and any entity, body or authority exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of,
or
pertaining to, government.
“Guaranty”
means
the Continuing Guaranty dated September 30, 2006, by Seller in favor of First
South.
“Information
Statement”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.3(a).
“Law”
means
any law, statute, regulation, ordinance, rule, order, decree, judgment, consent
decree, settlement agreement or governmental requirement enacted, promulgated,
entered into, agreed or imposed by any Governmental Authority.
“Lien”
means
any mortgage, lien (except for any lien for taxes not yet due and payable),
charge, restriction, pledge, security interest, option, lease or sublease,
claim, right of any third party, easement, encroachment or encumbrance; provided
that “Lien” shall exclude any mechanic’s lien, materialman’s lien or similar
liens of vendors or service providers to Seller or the Company.
“Loss”
or
“Losses”
means
any and all liabilities, losses, costs, claims, damages (excluding consequential
and punitive damages, other than any such damages that arise out of a third
party claim), penalties and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses and
costs of investigation and litigation). In the event any of the foregoing are
indemnifiable hereunder, the terms “Loss” and “Losses” shall include any and all
attorneys’ fees and expenses and costs of investigation and litigation incurred
by the Indemnified Person in enforcing such indemnity.
“Members”
has
the
meaning provided in the Preamble.
“Person”
means
any individual, corporation, proprietorship, firm, partnership, limited
partnership, trust, association or other entity or any Governmental
Authority.
“Pre-Closing
Period”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 5.9.
“Proceeding”
has
the
meaning provided in Section 10.4(a).
2
“Purchaser”
has
the
meaning provided in the Preamble.
“Purchaser
Transaction Expenses”
shall
mean the cash amount necessary to reimburse Purchaser for (i) all Company
Expenses funded by Purchaser in accordance with Section
5.6,
(ii)
the lesser of (a) $25,000 and (b) all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses
incurred by Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, whether such transactions are consummated or not, including but
not
limited to, reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses related to the negotiation
and preparation of this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the Information
Statement and the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
and (iii) amounts paid to Sidley Austin LLP or other legal counsel to
Seller.
“Related
Agreement”
means
any agreement or instrument that is or is to be entered into at the Closing
or
otherwise pursuant to this Agreement. The Related Agreements executed by a
specified Person shall be referred to as “such Person’s Related Agreements,”
“its Related Agreements” or another similar expression.
“Required
Consents”
has
the
meaning provided in Section
3.3(a).
“SEC”
means
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Seller”
has
the
meaning provided in the Preamble.
“Stockholder
Approval”
has
the
meaning provided in Section
3.2.
“Superior
Proposal”
shall
mean any bona
fide
written
proposal made by a third party to acquire the Membership Interests or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, which a majority of the
Disinterested Directors determines in its good faith judgment to be more
favorable from a financial point of view to Seller’s stockholders than the
consideration provided by Purchaser under this Agreement. At a minimum, the
Superior Proposal must include a release of Seller’s obligations under the
Guaranty.
1.2 Interpretation.
The
headings preceding the text of Articles and Sections included in this Agreement
and the headings to Schedules attached to this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be deemed part of this Agreement or be given any effect
in
interpreting this Agreement. The use of the terms “including” or “include” shall
in all cases herein mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without
limitation,” respectively. References to Articles, Sections, clauses, Exhibits
or Schedules shall refer to those portions of this Agreement, and any references
to a clause shall, unless otherwise identified, refer to the appropriate clause
within the same Section in which such reference occurs. The use of the terms
“hereunder”, “hereof”, “hereto” and words of similar import shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or clause of
or
Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement.
3
ARTICLE
II
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
2.1 Purchase
and Sale.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing Seller shall
sell,
transfer and deliver to Purchaser all of the Membership Interests, free and
clear of all Liens, except for the Lien in favor of First South, if any, and
Purchaser shall accept, acquire and take delivery of all of the Membership
Interests and the other documents specified in Section
8.2.
2.2 Payment
of Consideration.
On the
Closing Date, in consideration for the purchase and sale of the Membership
Interests to Purchaser, Purchaser shall (a) pay to Seller One Thousand United
States Dollars ($1,000.00) (the “Cash
Amount”)
and
(b) deliver to Seller the agreements and other documents specified in
Section
8.3.
The
Cash Amount shall be paid to Seller by means of a cash, check or wire
transfer.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Seller
represents and warrants to Purchaser, as of the date of this Agreement and
as of
the Closing Date (as if such representations and warranties were remade on
the
Closing Date), as follows:
3.1 Due
Incorporation, etc.
Seller
is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of
the State of Delaware, with all requisite corporate power and authority to
own,
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as they are
now
being owned, leased, operated and conducted. Seller is qualified to do business
in the States of California and Louisiana.
3.2 Due
Authorization.
Except
for the authorization of the stockholders of Seller to the sale of the
Membership Interests hereunder (the “Stockholder
Approval”),
Seller has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and its Related
Agreements and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
The execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and its
Related Agreements have been duly and validly approved by Seller’s board of
directors and, except for the Stockholder Approval, no other actions or
proceedings on the part of Seller are necessary to authorize this Agreement,
Seller’s Related Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. Seller has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement
and
has duly and validly executed and delivered (or prior to or at the Closing
will
duly and validly execute and deliver) its Related Agreements. This Agreement
constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller and Seller’s Related
Agreements upon execution and delivery by Seller will constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of Seller, in each case, enforceable in accordance
with
their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws
in
effect which affect the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by
equitable limitations on the availability of specific remedies.
4
3.3 Consents
and Approvals; No Conflicts, etc.
(a) Except
for (i) the Stockholder Approval and (ii) the consent of First South of the
sale
of the Membership Interests, (iii) the release of the Guaranty by First South
and (iv) the filing of the Information Statement by Seller and any other
documents required to be filed by Seller under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act or state securities laws in connection with the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement (the “Required
Consents”),
no
consent, authorization or approval of, filing or registration with, or
cooperation from, any Governmental Authority or any other Person not a party
to
this Agreement is necessary in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance by Seller of this Agreement and the execution, delivery and
performance by Seller of its Related Agreements or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(b) Assuming
the Required Consents have been obtained, the execution, delivery and
performance by Seller of this Agreement and the execution, delivery and
performance by Seller of its Related Agreements do not and will not
(i) violate any Law applicable to Seller; (ii) violate or conflict with,
result in a breach or termination of, constitute a default or give any third
party any additional right (including a termination right) under, permit
cancellation of, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the assets
or
properties of Seller under, or result in or constitute a circumstance which,
with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the
foregoing under, any agreement to which Seller is a party; (iii) permit the
acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness of Seller; or (iv) violate
or
conflict with any provision of any of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Seller.
3.4 Ownership
of Membership Interests.
(a) Seller
is
the legal beneficial owners of 100% of the Membership Interests, free and clear
of any and all Liens.
(b) Other
than the Membership Interests, there are no membership interests, or other
securities (whether or not such securities have voting rights) of the Company
issued or outstanding or any subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights,
convertible securities or other agreements or commitments of any character
obligating Seller or the Company to issue, transfer or sell, or cause the
issuance, transfer or sale of, any membership interests or other securities
of
the Company.
(c) Except
for this Agreement and the Operating Agreement of the Company, there are no
outstanding contractual obligations of Seller or the Company that relate to
the
purchase, sale, issuance, repurchase, redemption, acquisition, transfer,
disposition, holding or voting of any membership interests or other securities
of the Company or the management or operation of the Company. Except for
Seller’s rights as a holder of Membership Interests or as set forth in the
employment agreements between Seller and each of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxx Xxxxxxx,
no Person has any right to participate in, or receive any payment based on
any
amount relating to, the revenue, income, value or net worth of the Company
or
any component or portion thereof, or any increase or decrease in any of the
foregoing.
5
(d) The
instruments of transfer delivered by Seller to Purchaser at the Closing will
be
sufficient to transfer Seller’s entire interest, legal and beneficial, in the
Membership Interests.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
Purchaser
represents and warrants to Seller, as of the date of this Agreement and as
of
the Closing Date (as if such representations and warranties were remade on
the
Closing Date), as follows:
4.1 Due
Organization, etc.
Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Louisiana, with all requisite limited liability company
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on
its
businesses as they are now being owned, leased, operated and
conducted.
4.2 Due
Authorization.
Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and its
Related Agreements and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. The execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement
and its Related Agreements have been duly and validly approved by Purchaser’s
members and managers and no other actions or proceedings on the part of
Purchaser are necessary to authorize this Agreement, Purchaser’s Related
Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Purchaser
has
duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement and has duly and validly
executed and delivered (or prior to or at the Closing will duly and validly
execute and deliver) its Related Agreements. This Agreement constitutes legal,
valid and binding obligations of Purchaser and Purchaser’s Related Agreements
upon execution and delivery by Purchaser will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of Purchaser, in each case, enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws
in
effect which affect the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by
equitable limitations on the availability of specific remedies.
4.3 Consents
and Approvals; No Conflicts, etc.
(a) No
consent, authorization or approval of, filing or registration with, or
cooperation from, any Governmental Authority or any other Person not a party
to
this Agreement is necessary in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the execution, delivery and
performance by Purchaser of its Related Agreements or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(b) The
execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of this Agreement and the
execution, delivery and performance by Purchaser of its Related Agreements
do
not and will not (i) violate any Law applicable to Purchaser; (ii) violate
or conflict with, result in a breach or termination of, constitute a default
or
give any third party any additional right (including a termination right) under,
permit cancellation of, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
assets or properties of Purchaser under, or result in or constitute a
circumstance which, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would
constitute any of the foregoing under, any agreement to which Purchaser is
a
party; (iii) permit the acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness of
Purchaser; or (iv) violate or conflict with any provision of any of the Articles
of Organization or Operating Agreement of Purchaser.
6
ARTICLE
V
COVENANTS
OF THE PARTIES
Purchaser
and Seller agree to perform each of the following covenants:
5.1 Implementing
Agreement.
Subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, Purchaser and Seller shall take all action
required of it to fulfill its obligations under the terms of this Agreement
and
shall otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as otherwise
expressly permitted hereby, Purchaser and Seller each agree that it will not
take any action which would have the effect of preventing or impairing its
performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
5.2 Consents
and Approvals.
Purchaser and Seller shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
all consents, approvals, certificates and other documents required in connection
with the performance by it of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Required Consents; provided
that no
contact will be made by either party with any third party to obtain any such
consent or approval except in accordance with a plan previously agreed to by
the
other party. Each of Purchaser and Seller shall make all filings, applications,
statements and reports to all Governmental Authorities and other Persons that
are required to be made prior to the Closing Date by or on behalf of Purchaser
or Seller, respectively, or any of their respective affiliates pursuant to
any
applicable Law or agreement in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including expedited submission of all
materials required by any Governmental Authority in connection with such
filings.
5.3 Information
Statement.
(a) Seller
shall prepare and file with the SEC as soon as practicable a preliminary
information statement on Schedule 14C (the “Information
Statement”)
relating to the sale of the Membership Interests. The Information Statement
shall comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act and the respective
rules and regulations thereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the
Information Statement must include the information required by Rule 14f-1 under
the Exchange Act. Seller covenants, represents and warrants to Purchaser that
the Information Statement, at the time filed with the SEC or other Governmental
Authority, at the date mailed to Seller’s stockholders, and at the date of any
written consent or meeting of Seller’s stockholders, will not include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided,
however,
that
the foregoing shall not apply to the extent that any such untrue statement
of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact was made by Seller in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning Purchaser
or
its affiliates furnished to Seller by Purchaser or any of its affiliates
expressly for inclusion in the Information Statement.
7
(b) Purchaser
shall, and shall cause its members to, (i) cooperate in the preparation of
the
Information Statement and (ii) furnish to Seller all information concerning
it
required for use in the Information Statement or any other statement, filing,
notice or application made by or on behalf of Seller to any third party and/or
Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement. Purchaser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Seller
to resolve all SEC comments with respect to the Information Statement as
promptly as practicable after receipt thereof. If Purchaser learns of any event
that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Information
Statement, it will promptly inform Seller of such event. Purchaser covenants,
represents and warrants to Seller that none of the information regarding
Purchaser or any of its members, or other information supplied in writing by
Purchaser specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Information Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto will,
at
the time filed with the SEC or other Governmental Authority, at the date mailed
to Seller’s stockholders, and at the date of any written consent or meeting of
Seller’s stockholders, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading. Purchaser covenants, represents and warrants to Seller
that the Information Statement, insofar as it relates to information regarding
Purchaser or any of its members, or other information supplied in writing by
Purchaser for inclusion therein, will comply as to form and substance in all
material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. Purchaser and its members agree to provide
to First South all information requested by First South as needed by First
South.
(c) Seller
shall provide Purchaser with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment
on
the Information Statement and any amendment or supplement to the Information
Statement prior to filing such with the SEC and will provide Purchaser with
a
reasonable number of copies of all such filings made with the SEC.
(d) Seller
shall, as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, provide copies of
any
written comments received from the SEC with respect to the Information Statement
to Purchaser and advise Purchaser of any oral comments with respect to the
Information Statement received from the SEC. Seller shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to resolve all SEC comments with respect to the Information
Statement as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof. If, at any time
prior to the Closing Date, any event with respect to Seller, the Company,
Purchaser or any of their respective affiliates should occur that is required
to
be described in an amendment of, or a supplement to, the Information Statement,
Seller shall describe such event, and such amendment shall be promptly filed
with the SEC and, as required by Law, disseminated to stockholders of Seller.
Seller shall advise Purchaser, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of
the
time when the Information Statement has become effective or any supplement
or
amendment thereto has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or any
request by the SEC for an amendment or supplement of the Information Statement
or for additional information.
8
5.4 Action
by Stockholders of Seller.
Subject
to the fiduciary duties of Seller’s board of directors to Seller’s stockholders,
including with respect to any Superior Proposal, Seller shall, through its
Board
of Directors, recommend to the stockholders of Seller the approval of the sale
of the Membership Interests contemplated hereby and the adoption of this
Agreement. As soon as practicable after the Information Statement becomes
effective under the Exchange Act, Seller shall duly call, give notice of,
convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders or obtain one or more written
consents of its stockholders for the purpose of approving the sale of the
Membership Interests contemplated hereby, all in accordance with the Delaware
General Corporation Law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Seller.
5.5 Assignment
and Assumption of Liabilities; Employee Resignations.
At
the
Closing, Seller shall assign and Purchaser shall assume (i) all of the existing
employment agreements between Seller and each of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxx
and
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, (ii) all accrued and future costs and expenses of Seller and
the
Company related to the employment of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxx X’ Xxxxxx (the
“Employees”),
including all salaries, bonuses, employee benefits (including health care
benefits), reimbursable expenses and all withholding and other Taxes related
thereto (such employment agreements, costs and expenses referred to in the
foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), collectively the “Employee
Liabilities”).
In
addition, at the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller resignation letters
of each of the Employees relating to all offices and directorships in the Seller
in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Seller (the “Employee
Resignation Letters”)
and
deliver to Seller general releases of all claims against Seller by each of
the
Employees (the “Employee
Releases”).
Seller agrees that if Seller’s insurance policy covering Seller’s directors and
officers offers a tail option, Seller shall make such option available to the
Employees at the Employee’s expense.
5.6 Payment
of Company Expenses.
Purchaser and Seller acknowledge that Seller intends to (but is not obligated
to) cease funding any and all outstanding and future costs and expenses relating
to the operations of the Company, including Seller’s office in Alexandria and
that Purchaser has begun funding (but is not obligated to continue to fund)
such
operations. Seller will cooperate reasonably with Purchaser to facilitate a
process for Purchaser to fund the outstanding and future ordinary and necessary
expenses directly on Seller’s behalf in order to allow Company to continue
operations, if Purchaser chooses to do so, which shall be subject to Purchaser’s
sole discretion. Such expenses that are actually paid by Purchaser are referred
to herein as “Company
Expenses”
and
include, but are not limited to, the recurring expenses, costs and accounts
payable detailed in Schedule 5.6, attached hereto. Without limiting the
foregoing, from and after the date hereof until the date that is five Business
Days after Purchaser gives a written notice of termination to Seller of this
Agreement in accordance with Section
9.1,
Purchaser hereby agrees to pay all costs and expenses of Seller and the Company
related to the employment of the Employees, including all salaries, bonuses,
employee benefits (including health care benefits), reimbursable expenses and
all withholding and other Taxes related thereto accrued by Seller and the
Company from and after May 16, 2008.
9
5.7 Legal
Expense Deposit.
On the
date hereof, Purchaser shall deliver to Sidley Austin LLP or Seller $25,000
in
immediately available as a non-refundable deposit towards the payment of
Seller’s legal expenses incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Seller shall enter into a retainer agreement
with Sidley Austin LLP that provides that, prior to the Closing, no part of
such
deposit may be used to pay any Sidley Austin LLP fees or expenses that do not
relate to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.8 Joint
Escrow Instructions.
On the
date hereof, Seller and Purchaser shall execute joint escrow instructions in
the
form attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
Such
escrow instructions shall be held and delivered by Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx of the law
firm Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, LLP, as escrow agent for Seller and Purchaser under the
Escrow Agreement for Escrowed Document in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit
B.
Seller
shall execute and Purchaser shall cause the Member Representative and Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx to execute such Escrow Agreement for Escrowed Document on the date
hereof.
5.9 Cooperation
with Accounting and SEC Matters.
From
and
after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall cooperate with Seller and its
affiliates, upon Seller’s reasonable request, with respect to the preparation by
Seller of financial statements and periodic reports to be filed with the SEC
for
all periods prior to and including the Closing Date (the “Pre-Closing
Period”).
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller and Buyer each agree
to
furnish to the other such documents and other records relating to the
Pre-Closing Period as they reasonably request for such purposes. Any such
request for documents or records shall be satisfied promptly. Seller shall
also
be entitled to retain a copy of all accounting and legal records of the Company
for the Pre-Closing Period. If such records are not in Seller’s possession, then
Purchaser shall make physical or electronic copies thereof and deliver the
same
to Purchaser no later than five Business Days after the Closing
Date.
5.10 Tax
Matters.
Seller
shall be responsible for filing the final federal corporate Tax return of the
Company for the period ending on December 31, 2007, and shall be responsible
for
filing all state income Tax returns of the Company attributable to all periods
ending on or before December 31, 2007. After the Closing Date, Purchaser and
Seller shall (i) cooperate fully in preparing the tax returns referenced in
the
previous sentence, (ii) cooperate fully in preparing for any audits of, or
disputes with taxing authorities regarding, any Tax returns of the Company
for
all periods ending on or before the Closing Date; (ii) make available to the
other and to any taxing authority as reasonably requested all information,
records and documents relating to Taxes of the Company with respect to any
such
taxable period; and (iii) furnish the other with copies of all correspondence
received from any taxing authority in connection with any Tax audit or
information request with respect to any such taxable period. Any
sales
Tax, use Tax, asset transfer Tax, documentary stamp Tax or similar Tax
attributable to the transfer of the Membership Interests to Purchaser shall
be
borne by Purchaser.
10
ARTICLE
VI
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
TO
OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER
The
obligations of Seller under Article II
of this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Seller of the following
conditions precedent on or before the Closing Date:
6.1 Warranties
True as of Both Present Date and Closing Date.
The
representations and warranties of Purchaser contained herein and in its Related
Agreements shall have been true, accurate and correct on and as of the date
of
this Agreement, and shall also be true, accurate and correct on and as of the
Closing Date with the same force and effect as though made by Purchaser on
and
as of the Closing Date.
6.2 Compliance
with Agreements and Covenants.
Purchaser shall have performed and complied with all of its covenants,
obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement and in its Related
Agreements to be performed and complied with by it on or prior to the Closing
Date.
6.3 Consents
and Approvals.
Seller
shall have obtained or made all of the Required Consents.
6.4 Documents.
Seller
shall have received all of the agreements, documents and items specified in
Section
8.3.
6.5 Actions
or Proceedings.
No
action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority or other Person shall have
been instituted or threatened which could enjoin, restrain or prohibit, or
could
result in substantial damages in respect of, any provision of this Agreement
or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE
VII
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER
The
obligations of Purchaser under Article II
of this
Agreement are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Purchaser of the
following conditions precedent on or before the Closing Date:
7.1 Warranties
True as of Both Present Date and Closing Date.
The
representations and warranties of Seller contained herein shall have been true,
accurate and correct on and as of the date of this Agreement, and shall also
be
true, accurate and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same force
and
effect as though made by Seller on and as of the Closing Date.
7.2 Compliance
with Agreements and Covenants.
Seller
shall have performed and complied with all of its covenants, obligations and
agreements contained in this Agreement and in its Related Agreements to be
performed and complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.
11
7.3 Documents.
Purchaser shall have received all of the agreements, documents and items
specified in Section
8.2.
7.4 Actions
or Proceedings.
No
action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority or other Person shall have
been instituted or threatened which could enjoin, restrain or prohibit, or
could
result in substantial damages in respect of, any provision of this Agreement
or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
7.5 Payment
of Taxes.
Seller
shall have paid to the IRS not less than $25,653.51 towards the outstanding
income taxes payable of the Company.
ARTICLE
VIII
CLOSING
8.1 Closing.
The
Closing shall take place at the offices of Sidley Austin LLP, at 000 Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, at 10:00 a.m. on the date that is two Business
Days after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent set forth
in
Article
VI
and
Article
VII.
The
Closing, and all transactions to occur at the Closing, shall be deemed to have
taken place at, and shall be effective as of, the close of business on the
Closing Date.
8.2 Deliveries
by Seller.
At the
Closing, in addition to any other documents or agreements required under this
Agreement, Seller shall deliver to Purchaser the following:
(a) An
instrument of transfer of all of the Membership Interests, which instruments
shall be duly endorsed to Purchaser;
(b) An
Assignment and Assumption Agreement relating to the Employee Liabilities between
Seller and Purchaser in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
C
(the
“Assignment
and Assumption Agreement”),
duly
executed by Seller;
(c) A
certificate dated the Closing Date of Seller certifying as to the compliance
by
Seller with Sections 7.1
and
7.2;
and
(d) Voting
Agreements, in the form similar to the attached Exhibit
D,
which
have been signed by Seller’s shareholders who own in the aggregate at least a
majority of the issued and outstanding stock of Seller.
12
8.3 Deliveries
by Purchaser.
At the
Closing, in addition to any other documents or agreements required under this
Agreement, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the following:
(a) The
Cash
Amount;
(b) The
Assignment and Assumption Agreement, duly executed by Purchaser;
(c) The
Employee Resignation Letters, executed by each Employee;
(d) The
Employee Releases, executed by each Employee;
(e) A
release
of the Guaranty, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller, duly
executed by First South; and
(f) A
certificate dated the Closing Date of Purchaser certifying as to the compliance
by each Member with Sections 6.1
and
6.2.
ARTICLE
IX
TERMINATION
9.1 Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time on or prior to the Closing
Date:
(a) With
the
mutual consent of the Purchaser and Seller;
(b) By
Seller, if there shall have been a material breach of any covenant,
representation or warranty of Purchaser hereunder or under its Related
Agreements, and such breach shall not have been remedied within ten Business
Days after receipt by the Purchaser of a notice in writing from Seller
specifying the breach and requesting such be remedied;
(c) By
Purchaser, if there shall have been a material breach of any covenant,
representation or warranty of Seller hereunder or under its Related Agreements,
and such breach shall not have been remedied within ten Business Days after
receipt by Seller of notice in writing from Purchaser specifying the breach
and
requesting such be remedied;
(d) By
Purchaser or Seller, if the Closing shall not have taken place on or before
September 30, 2008; provided
that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this clause
(d)
shall
not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under
this
Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Closing to
occur on or before such date; or
(e) By
Seller
prior to the mailing of the definitive Information Statement to Seller’s
stockholders, if Seller’s Disinterested Directors, acting pursuant to their
fiduciary duties, authorize Seller to, and Seller does enter into a definitive
agreement providing for the implementation of a Superior Proposal; provided
that, Seller shall prior to or simultaneously with the closing of the Superior
Proposal pay to Purchaser the Purchaser Transaction Expenses.
In
the
event of any termination pursuant to this Section
9.1
(other
than pursuant to clause
(a)),
written notice setting forth the reasons thereof shall forthwith be given by
the
terminating party to the other party.
9.2 Effect
of Termination.
If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section
9.1,
all
obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate, except (i) for the
obligations set forth in Article
X
(but
excluding therefrom Sections
10.3(c)
and
(d),
which
shall terminate if this Agreement is terminated), and (ii) the obligation of
Seller pursuant to Section
9.1(e)
to pay
to Purchaser the Purchaser Transaction Expenses. In addition, no such
termination shall relieve any party from liability for any prior breach of
this
Agreement.
13
ARTICLE
X
INDEMNIFICATION
10.1 Survival.
The
representations and warranties of the parties hereto contained herein shall
survive the Closing.
10.2 Indemnification
by Seller.
Seller
agrees to indemnify Purchaser against, and agrees to hold Purchaser harmless
from, any and all Losses incurred or suffered by Purchaser relating to or
arising out of or in connection with any of the following:
(a) any
breach of or any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by Seller
in
this Agreement or any Related Agreement; and
(b) any
breach of or failure Seller to perform any covenant or obligation of Seller
set
out or contemplated in this Agreement or any Related Agreement.
10.3 Indemnification
by Purchaser and the Members.
Purchaser and the Members, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify Seller
against, and agree to hold Seller harmless from, any and all Losses incurred
or
suffered by Seller relating to or arising out of or in connection with any
of
the following:
(a) any
breach of or any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty made by Purchaser
in this Agreement or any Related Agreement;
(b) any
breach of or failure by Purchaser to perform any covenant or obligation of
Purchaser set out or contemplated in this Agreement or any Related
Agreement;
(c) the
Employee Liabilities; and
(d) one-half
(½) of a judgment, settlement or other resolution of the claims made by Xxxx
X.
XxXxxxxx or his estate against Company and/or Seller, including those made
in
Civil Suit 19029 in the 35th
Judicial
District Court, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Louisiana and the related expenses.
10.4 Procedure
for Indemnification--Third Party Claims.
(a) Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party under Section
10.2
or
Section
10.3
of
notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding (a “Proceeding”)
against it, such indemnified party shall, if a claim is to be made against
an
indemnifying party under such section, give notice to the indemnifying party
of
the commencement of such Proceeding, but the failure to notify the indemnifying
party will not relieve the indemnifying party of any liability that it may
have
to any indemnified party.
14
(b) If
any
Proceeding for which indemnity is available under this Article
X
is
brought against an indemnified party and it gives notice to the indemnifying
party of the commencement of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will,
unless the claim involves Taxes, be entitled to participate in such Proceeding
and, to the extent that it wishes (unless (i) the indemnifying party is also
a
party to such Proceeding and the indemnified party determines in good faith
that
joint representation would be inappropriate, or (ii) the indemnifying party
fails to provide reasonable assurance to the indemnified party of its financial
capacity to defend such Proceeding and provide indemnification with respect
to
such Proceeding), to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel
satisfactory to the indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying
party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such
Proceeding, the indemnifying party will not, as long as it diligently conducts
such defense, be liable to the indemnified party under this Article
X
for any
fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect to the defense of
such
Proceeding, in each case subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in
connection with the defense of such Proceeding, other than reasonable costs
of
investigation. If the indemnifying party assumes the defense of a Proceeding,
(i) it will be conclusively established for purposes of this Agreement that
the
claims made in that Proceeding are within the scope of and subject to
indemnification under this Article
X;
(ii) no
compromise or settlement of such claims may be effected by the indemnifying
party without the indemnified party's consent unless (A) there is no finding
or
admission of any violation of Law or any violation of the rights of any Person
and no effect on any other claims that may be made against the indemnified
party, and (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in
full by the indemnifying party; and (iii) the indemnified party will have no
liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such claims effected
without its consent. If notice is given to an indemnifying party of the
commencement of any Proceeding and the indemnifying party does not, within
ten
days after the indemnified party's notice is given, give notice to the
indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding,
the
indemnifying party will be bound by any determination made in such Proceeding
or
any compromise or settlement effected by the indemnified party.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if any party entitled to indemnification hereunder determines
in
good faith that there is a reasonable probability that an Proceeding may
adversely affect it or its affiliates other than as a result of monetary damages
for which it would be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the
indemnified party may, by notice to the indemnifying party, assume the exclusive
right to defend, compromise, or settle such Proceeding, but the indemnifying
party will not be bound by any determination of a Proceeding so defended or
any
compromise or settlement effected without its consent (which may not be
unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).
10.5 Procedure
for Indemnification—Other Claims.
A claim
for indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may be
asserted by notice to the party from whom indemnification is
sought.
15
10.6 Limitation
on Indemnity Payments.
Seller’s
aggregate liability under Section
10.2
for all
claims for Losses incurred by Purchaser shall not in any event exceed the Cash
Amount.
10.7 Quitclaim
Transfer.
Purchaser and the Members acknowledge that, except as expressly set forth in
this Agreement, neither Seller nor any of its representatives or affiliates
makes or has made any representations or warranties, express or implied, in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) the Membership Interests and
the
assets, liabilities and business of the Company shall be transferred to
Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement in their present condition, “AS IS”, with
all faults, and without any warranty, express or implied and (ii) no patent
or
latent physical or other condition or defect in any of such assets or the
business, whether or not now known or discovered, or the existence or occurrence
of any obligation or liability, whether absolute, contingent, accrued or
unaccrued, shall affect the rights of any party hereunder. Purchaser
acknowledges that (i) the biodiesel business of the Company is not currently
operating due to the high cost of soybean oil and substitutes therefore that
are
used in the process of producing biodiesel and (ii) Seller does not anticipate
that the Company’s biodiesel business can continue to operate as a going concern
as a result thereof. Purchaser’s representatives are familiar with all aspects
of the business and operations of the Company, have served as officers of the
Company and as officers and directors of Seller and have had primary
responsibility for the ongoing operations of the Company since inception
thereof.
10.8 Exclusive
Remedy.
Following the Closing, the indemnification provisions set forth in this
Agreement constitute the sole and exclusive recourse and remedy for monetary
damages (whether through indemnification, contribution or otherwise) available
to the parties hereto with respect to the breach of any representation, warranty
or covenant contained in this Agreement, except in the case of fraud or
intentional misrepresentations, in which case, the foregoing limitation shall
not apply.
ARTICLE
XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Expenses.
Except
as set forth in this Agreement, each party hereto shall bear its own expenses
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
11.2 Amendment.
This
Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented but only in writing signed
by
Purchaser and Seller.
11.3 Notices.
Any
notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by a party
hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when
received if given in person or by courier or a courier service, (b) on the
date
of transmission if sent by facsimile with written confirmation of receipt,
(c)
when received if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service,
or
(d) five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, certified or
registered, postage prepaid:
16
If
to a Purchaser, addressed as follows.
Consolidated
Energy Holdings, LLC
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
#000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attn :
Xxxx Xxxxx
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
with
a copy to:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx LLP
City
Plaza
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx
Xxxxx , XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
If
to Seller, addressed as follows:
Allegro
Biodiesel Corporation
0000
Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 0000
Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
W. Xxxxx Xxxxx III
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
with
a copy to:
Sidley
Austin LLP
000
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
|
or
to
such other individual or address as a party hereto may designate for itself
by
notice given as herein provided.
11.4 Waivers.
The
failure of a party hereto at any time or times to require performance of any
provision hereof shall in no manner affect its right at a later time to enforce
the same. No waiver by a party of any condition or of any breach of any term,
covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement shall be
effective unless in writing, and no waiver in any one or more instances shall
be
deemed to be a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach
in
other instances or a waiver of any other condition or breach of any other term,
covenant, representation or warranty.
17
11.5 Assignment.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns; provided
that no
assignment of any rights or obligations shall be made by either party hereto
without the written consent of the other party hereto except that Purchaser
may
assign all of its rights and obligations hereunder to a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Purchaser without Seller’s consent.
11.6 No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and, to the extent
provided herein and no provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to confer
upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action
or other right.
11.7 Publicity.
Prior
to the Closing Date, except as required by Law or the rules of any stock
exchange, no public announcement or other publicity regarding the transactions
referred to herein shall be made by Seller or Purchaser or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, representatives or agents, without
the prior written agreement of Purchaser and Seller, in any case, as to form,
content, timing and manner of distribution or publication; provided
that
nothing in this Section
11.7
shall
prevent such parties from discussing such transactions with those Persons whose
approval, agreement or opinion, as the case may be, is required for consummation
of any particular transaction or transactions.
11.8 Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
the
validity, legality or enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not
be
affected thereby, and there shall be deemed substituted for the provision at
issue a valid, legal and enforceable provision as similar as possible to the
provision at issue.
11.9 Entire
Understanding.
This
Agreement and the Related Agreements set forth the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties hereto in respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby and supersede any and all prior agreements, arrangements and
understandings among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof,
including the letter of intent between Seller and Port Acquisition, LLC dated
May 16, 2008.
11.10 Applicable
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
internal laws of the State of California.
18
11.11 Jurisdiction
of Disputes.
In the
event any party to this Agreement commences any litigation, proceeding or other
legal action in connection with or relating to this Agreement, any Related
Agreement or any matters described or contemplated herein or therein, with
respect to any of the matters described or contemplated herein or therein,
the
parties to this Agreement hereby (a) agree under all circumstances absolutely
and irrevocably to institute any litigation, proceeding or other legal action
in
a court of competent jurisdiction located within the City of Los Angeles,
California, whether a state or federal court; (b) agree that in the event of
any
such litigation, proceeding or action, such parties will consent and submit
to
personal jurisdiction in any such court described in clause
(a)
and to
service of process upon them in accordance with the rules and statutes governing
service of process (it being understood that nothing in this Section
11.11
shall be
deemed to prevent any party from seeking to remove any action to a federal
court
in Los Angeles, California; (c) agree to waive to the fullest extent permitted
by law any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the venue of any
such litigation, proceeding or action in any such court or that any such
litigation, proceeding or action was brought in an inconvenient forum; (d)
designate, appoint and direct CT Corporation System as its authorized agent
to
receive on its behalf service of any and all process and documents in any legal
proceeding in the State of California; (e) agree to notify the other parties
to
this Agreement immediately if such agent shall refuse to act, or be prevented
from acting, as agent and, in such event, promptly to designate another agent
in
the City of Los Angeles, satisfactory to Purchaser and Seller, to serve in
place
of such agent and deliver to the other party written evidence of such substitute
agent’s acceptance of such designation; (f) agree as an alternative method of
service to service of process in any legal proceeding by mailing of copies
thereof to such party at its address set forth in Section
11.3
for
communications to such party; (g) agree that any service made as provided herein
shall be effective and binding service in every respect; and (h) agree that
nothing herein shall affect the rights of any party to effect service of process
in any other manner permitted by law.
11.12 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
11.13 Facsimile
or Email Signatures.
Any
signature page delivered pursuant to this Agreement, any Related Agreement
or
any other document delivered pursuant hereto via facsimile or by email of pdf
signature pages shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature.
Any party who delivers such a signature page agrees to later deliver an original
counterpart to any party that requests it.
[signature
page follows]
19
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
and delivered as of the date first above written.
ALLEGRO
BIODIESEL CORPORATION
By: /s/
W. Xxxxx Xxxxx,
III
Name:
W. Xxxxx Xxxxx, III
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
CONSOLIDATED
ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
By: /s/
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxx
Title:
Member authorized by the Manager
SOLELY
FOR PURPOSES OF ARTICLE X AND ARTICLE XI:
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
XXXXX
XXXXXX
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
XXXXX
XXXXX
/s/
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
XXXXX
XXXXXXX
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxx
XXXX
XXXXX
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
XXXX
XXXXXX
/s/
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX
/s/
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX
/s/
Xxx X.
Xxxxxxx
XXX
X. XXXXXXX
|
20