EXHIBIT 10(ce)
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is effective as of January 1, 2001 ("Effective
Date") between The Claridge at Park Place, Incorporated, a New Jersey
corporation having its principal place of business at Indiana Avenue and the
Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401 ("Claridge"), and Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, an
individual residing at 00 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, 00000
("Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Claridge desires to employ the Executive and the
Executive has agreed to accept employment, on the terms and conditions provided
in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Claridge and the Executive are parties to an existing
Employment Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Claridge and the Executive have agreed upon new terms
and conditions of employment as provided in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Claridge and the Executive recognize it is in their
mutual interests to void the existing Employment Agreement and enter into a new
Employment Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises set forth in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. The Claridge and the Executive hereby agree to void
the existing Employment Agreement dated November 10, 1998 to which they are a
party and enter this Employment Agreement. Accordingly, the Claridge employs the
Executive as its Executive Vice President of Finance/Corporate Development. In
this capacity, the Executive shall perform such executive duties as are typical
for this position including but not limited to, those duties outlined in the
Claridge's internal controls, and such additional duties as may be specified
from time to time by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Executive may be
asked to serve as a member of the Claridge's Board of Directors without
additional compensation for these services.
2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective
Date and terminate on December 31, 2001 ("Initial Term") subject to paragraphs 5
or 7. Thereafter, the Board may review and extend the Agreement upon specific
action by the Board.
3. COMPENSATION. (a) The Claridge shall pay the Executive a base
annual salary of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($185,000), payable in
weekly installments consistent with the Claridge's regular payroll practice. The
Board of Directors may, from time to time, in their sole discretion, increase
the base annual salary.
(b) Until termination of the Agreement, the Executive shall
continue to receive full compensation and be entitled to all the benefits of
this Agreement. Upon termination, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive
any compensation or benefits except as set forth in this Agreement or as
otherwise agreed in writing between the parties.
(c) The Executive shall be entitled to vacation time consistent
with the Claridge's vacation plan, and shall also be entitled to participate in
any bonus plan, incentive compensation plan, qualified pension plan, qualified
profit-sharing plan, medical and/or dental reimbursement plan, group term life
insurance plan, as well as any other employee benefit plan that may be
established by the Claridge or its operating subsidiaries. The participation in
any of these plans shall be consistent with the terms of such plans, and be
available only upon the Claridge or its operating subsidiaries having or
establishing such a plan.
4. CASINO CONTROL COMMISSION. The Executive represents that he or
she possesses a casino key employee license required by the New Jersey Casino
Control Commission. The Executive will maintain this license in good standing
during employment with the Claridge. The Claridge will pay all attorneys' fees
and other costs that the Executive may incur: (a) in connection with any
investigation or proceeding against the Executive; or, (b) in which the
Executive may be involved (other than with respect to any act defined as "cause"
for termination as noted in 5(a)(ii); or, (c) relating to any criminal charges
filed against the Executive, by the Division of Gaming Enforcement of the New
Jersey Attorney General's Office or by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
5. TERMINATION. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, the Executive's employment may be terminated upon the occurrence
of any of the following events:
(i) Upon revocation, suspension, or termination of the
Executive's casino key employee license or failure to comply,
within a reasonable time, with any conditions imposed upon
the Executive's casino key employee license;
(ii) Upon an act committed by the Executive constituting "cause",
defined as a breach of any of the provisions of this
Agreement; the indictment and/or conviction of any criminal
offense; the deliberate refusal by the Executive (except by
reason of disability) to perform the duties under the terms
of this Agreement ; or if the Executive:
(1) Files a petition in bankruptcy court or is adjudicated a
bankrupt;
(2) Institutes or permits to be instituted any procedure in
bankruptcy court for reorganization or rearrangement of the
Executive's financial affairs;
(3) Appoints a receiver of the Executive's assets or property due
to insolvency; or
(4) Makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(iii) Upon the death or permanent disability of the Executive;
(iv) Upon written notice by the Claridge terminating the
Executive's employment without cause;
(v) Upon the voluntary resignation by the Executive;
(vi) In the event at the time of hire the Executive is a non-New
Jersey resident and the Executive fails to establish
residency in New Jersey within six (6) months after a Board
Resolution directing the Executive to do so. Provided that no
such resolution shall be adopted so long as: (i) a sale of
the Claridge is an option being considered by the Board of
Directors; or, (ii) the Claridge's audited financial
statements are expected to contain a "going concern"
qualification in the Independent Auditor's Report.
(b) If the Executive's employment should be terminated under:
subparagraphs 5(a)(iv) (termination without cause) above; 5(f) (diminished
responsibilities) below; or, if the Claridge elects not to renew this Agreement
pursuant to paragraph 2 above, then the Claridge shall make a lump sum payment
to the Executive equal to one hundred and twenty-five percent (125%) of the
Executive's base annual salary then in effect. Upon making of such payment, the
Claridge shall have no further liability or obligation to the Executive under
this Agreement.
(c) If the Executive's employment should be terminated under
subparagraph 5(a)(v) (voluntary resignation) above, and the Executive gives
notice of the intent to resign at least twelve (12) weeks prior to terminating
employment, then the Claridge shall continue to pay the Executive weekly
compensation for a period of twelve (12) weeks after the resignation date. Upon
expiration of this additional twelve (12) week period, the Claridge shall have
no further liability or obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. If
notice of the intent to resign to the Claridge is given less than twelve weeks
before the resignation date, the Claridge shall have no obligation to pay the
Executive beyond the resignation date.
(d) Upon termination of this Agreement under subparagraph 5(a)(iv)
(termination without cause), if the Claridge has an existing stock option plan,
the Executive shall receive stock options in the Claridge, if any, in an amount
equal to those that could be exercised within one (1) year from the date of
termination. Provided, however, that such stock options must be exercised by the
Executive within 90 days after termination, or the options shall expire.
(e) If the Executive's employment should be terminated under
subparagraphs 5(a)(i) (revocation, suspension or termination of casino key
employee license), (a)(ii) (bankruptcy) or (a)(iii) (death or permanent
disability) above, the Claridge shall have no further liability or obligation to
continue salary payments to the Executive, or the Executive's estate (as the
case may be), after the date the Executive is no longer employed by the
Claridge.
(f) If the Executive's title, responsibilities, duties or status
within the Claridge should materially diminish under circumstances other than
following a Change of Control as described in paragraph 7 below, the Executive
may resign and terminate this Agreement. In this case, the Executive shall be
entitled to a lump sum payment consistent with subparagraph 5(b). Such a
resignation will not be considered a "voluntary resignation" under subparagraph
5(a)(v).
6. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE. (a) During the term of this
Agreement, the Executive shall not, without the written consent of the Claridge
, alone or with others, directly or indirectly, participate, engage or become
interested in (as owner, stockholder, partner, lender or other investor,
director, officer, employee, consultant, or otherwise) any business activity
that is in competition with the Claridge's business as then constituted.
(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Executive from
acquiring or owning, without disclosure to the Company, less than one (1%)
percent of the outstanding securities of any class of any corporation listed on
a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market.
(c) During and after the term of this Agreement, the Executive
agrees that all information which may have been obtained during the course of
employment will be kept strictly confidential with respect to the business
practices, finances, developments, customer's affairs, and trade secrets of the
Claridge not generally known to the public. The Executive will not disclose such
information to any other
person, firm or corporation, except solely in the course of business on behalf
of the Claridge pursuant to this Agreement. The Executive further agrees that
upon the termination of employment (irrespective of the time, manner or cause of
termination), all lists, books, written records and data of every kind relating
to or in connection with the Claridge's customers and business will be delivered
and returned to the Claridge.
(d)(i) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph 6(d)(ii) (change
of control) below, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to subparagraph 5(a)(v) (voluntary resignation) above, the
Executive agrees that for a period of one (1) year
thereafter the Executive shall not compete with the
Claridge, or engage in the casino business in Atlantic City,
New Jersey, as an officer, director, stockholder, employee,
representative, agent, or consultant.
(ii) In the event the Claridge, its shareholders, or persons
having voting control enter into an agreement to sell,
acquire, merge or consolidate the assets or stock of the
Claridge with the anticipated result that a change of
control of the Claridge or the Claridge's business as
presently constituted would occur upon the closing of such
agreement, the Executive may terminate this Agreement
pursuant to subparagraph 5(a)(v) (voluntary resignation)
above. In these circumstances, the Executive shall not be
precluded from immediately competing with the Claridge, or
engaging in the casino business in Atlantic City, New
Jersey, as an officer, director, stockholder, employee,
representative, agent or consultant. In addition, the
Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided for in
subparagraph 5(c) (voluntary resignation) above provided
proper notice of the intent to resign is given to the
Claridge.
(e) From the date of termination of this Agreement and for a period
of one (1) year thereafter, the Executive shall not, alone or with others,
directly or indirectly:
(i) solicit for the Executive's benefit or the benefit of any
person or organization other than the Claridge, the
employment or other services of any employee or consultant
of the Claridge or its subsidiaries as well as independent
companies affiliated or associated with the Claridge; or
(ii) solicit for the Executive's benefit or the benefit of any
person or organization other than the Claridge, the
employment of any employee of any customer of the Claridge.
(f) As additional consideration for the agreement contained in
subparagraphs 6(d) (non- compete) and (e) (no solicitation), the Executive shall
be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to twenty- five percent (25%) of the sum
of the Executive's then base annual salary. The Executive shall make a request
to receive this lump sum within ten (10) days following termination of
employment by giving notice to the Claridge consistent with paragraph 11. Within
ten (10) days following receipt of this notice, the Claridge shall send the
Executive either: (i) the lump sum payment described in this subparagraph (f);
or (ii) a notice that the Claridge has waived the Executive's obligations under
subparagraph 6(d) (non-compete) and (e) (no solicitation), in which event the
Executive shall be released from the obligations under these subparagraphs. In
this case, the Claridge shall be released from its obligation to pay the
Executive any additional consideration under this subparagraph (f). All payments
made pursuant to this subparagraph (f) shall be in addition to, and not in lieu
of, any payments to which the Executive may be entitled under paragraph 5
(termination provisions).
7. SALE OF THE CLARIDGE. (a) The Claridge shall make its best
efforts to have any successor corporation or business entity assume the
obligations under this Agreement. If this Agreement is not assumed by a
successor corporation or business entity, the obligations of the Claridge to the
Executive hereunder shall continue in full force and effect, subject to the
right of the Claridge, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Executive
pursuant to paragraph 5 (termination provisions). If (x) during the term of this
Agreement: (a) a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Claridge occurs; or
(b) by any other transaction this Agreement is assigned to an entity not
controlled by the Board of Directors of the Company as constituted on the date
hereof, and (y) during the period commencing on the date on which either (a) or
(b) occurs and ending on the eighteenth monthly anniversary thereof, any of the
following occurs: (a) the Successor Company (as defined below) fails to employ
the Executive in Atlantic City, New Jersey or within 25 miles thereof, or (b)
the Successor Company terminates the employment of the Executive other than for
Cause (as defined below), or (c) the rate of compensation paid by the Successor
Company to the Executive (without giving effect to any element of Compensation
attributable to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans or Long-Term Incentive
Plans) is diminished, or (d) the duties, responsibilities or title of the
Executive with the Successor Company are diminished in any material respect from
the duties, responsibilities and title of the Executive with the Claridge on the
date hereof, then the Executive shall, within seven days after any such
occurrence of (a), (b), (c) or (d) under Clause (y), receive payments from the
Successor Company as follows: (i) one hundred and fifty percent (150%) in cash
of the Executive's base annual salary then in effect plus (ii) a continuation of
the Executive's base weekly compensation for a period of six months, which shall
be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by the amount of any income received by
the Executive from any other employment engaged in by the Executive during such
six month period. Upon making of these payments, the Claridge shall have no
further liability or obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.
(b) In the event of an occurrence of a Change of Control, the term
of this Agreement is automatically extended for a period of nineteen months
beginning on the first day of the month following the occurrence of a Change of
Control.
(c) For purposes of the foregoing, "Change of Control" shall mean
the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the sale, lease, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of (x)
The Claridge Hotel and Casino Corporation (the "Company") and its subsidiaries
or (y) Atlantic City Boardwalk Associates, LP (the "Partnership"); (ii) the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the Claridge; (iii) the Company
becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy vote, written notice or otherwise) the
acquisition by any "person" or related group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act"), or any successor provisions to either of the foregoing,
including any "group" acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing
of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act),
other than the Company's existing management, in a single transaction or in a
related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other
business combinations or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provisions) of 50% or more
of the total voting power entitled to vote in the election of the Board of
Directors of the Company or such person surviving the transaction; (iv) during
any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such
period constituted the Company's Board of Directors together with any new
directors whose election or appointment by such board or whose nomination for
election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority
of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning
of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Company's Board
of Directors then in office; (v) the Company fails to own, directly or
indirectly, 100% of the capital stock of the Claridge or 100% of the capital
stock of any other person holding a gaming license to operate the Claridge
Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey (the "Casino"); or (vi) the ownership
of the Casino by any entity other than the Partnership, the Company, the
Claridge or any successor entity or subsidiary or affiliate of any of them;
"Successor Company" shall mean the Claridge, or if a Change in Control occurs as
a result of a merger of the Claridge or the Company, the Successor Entity of
such merger, or if a Change of Control of the Claridge occurs as a result of a
sale of assets of the Claridge, the entity which purchases such assets, or if
the Employment Contract has been assigned by the Claridge to another entity,
such other entity; "Cause" shall have the meaning given to it in paragraph
5(a)(ii) hereof. In this event the Executive will be entitled to receive the
severance benefits provided for in this paragraph and shall not be precluded
from immediately competing with the Claridge or any assignee of this Agreement,
or engaging in the casino business in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as an officer,
director, stockholder, employee, representative, agent or consultant.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the
Executive has been employed by the Claridge for a period of 5 years or longer,
and if any portion of the payments under paragraph 7 or any other provision of
this Agreement, or under any other agreement or plan or arrangement of the
Claridge (in the aggregate, the "Total Payments") would constitute an "excess
parachute payment", then the Total Payments to the Executive shall be reduced
such that the value of the Total Payments shall be one dollar ($1) less than the
maximum amount which the Executive may receive without becoming subject to the
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or
which the Claridge or the Successor Company may pay without loss of deduction
under Section 280G of the Code.
(e) In the event the Executive receives a Severance Payment
pursuant to this paragraph 7, the Executive may not use the Severance Payment
for the purpose of investing in the securities of the Successor Company or
otherwise exchanging the Severance Payment for any such securities.
8. PARTICIPATION. The Executive shall devote all of his working
time, attention and best efforts to the business of the Claridge. During the
term of this Agreement the Executive shall not be engaged directly or indirectly
in any other business activity whether or not such business activity is pursued
for gain, profit or other monetary advantage. However, this shall not be
construed to prevent the Executive from investing assets in such a form and
manner which will not require any services on the part of the Executive in the
operation of the companies in which such investments are made. Neither shall the
Executive be precluded from involvement in any civic or charitable
organizations.
9. ARBITRATION. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating
to this Agreement or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in New
Jersey pursuant to New Jersey law in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association. Any judgment upon an award rendered pursuant to
arbitration may be entered in any court within the State of New Jersey having
appropriate jurisdiction. In the event of conflict between the rules of the
American Arbitration Association and any statute of the State of New Jersey, the
parties agree to be bound by the laws of New Jersey.
10. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The parties acknowledge that in the event of
a breach or a threatened breach by the Executive of any of the obligations under
this Agreement, the Claridge will not have an adequate remedy at law.
Accordingly, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by the Executive,
the Claridge shall be entitled to such equitable and injunctive relief as may be
available to restrain the Executive and any business, firm, partnership,
individual, corporation or entity participating in the breach or threatened
breach from the violation of the provisions of the Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting the Claridge from pursuing any other
remedies available at law or in equity for such breach or threatened breach,
including the recovery of damages and the immediate termination of the
employment of the Executive under this Agreement.
11. NOTICES. All notices shall be in writing and shall be delivered
by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the parties as
follows:
If to the Claridge: x/x Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chairman of Human Resources
And Compensation Committee
If to the Executive: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Either party may change the address to which notices are to be
transmitted by notice given according to this paragraph.
12. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) The Executive represents to the Claridge
that there are no restrictions or agreements to which the Executive is a party
which would be violated by execution of this Agreement and subsequent
employment.
(b) This Agreement and all questions relating to its validity,
interpretation, performance and enforcement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
(c) No amendment or waiver or any provision of this Agreement shall
be effective unless in writing signed by both parties.
(d) If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or
unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed limited or modified to the extent
necessary to make it valid and enforceable, and in no event shall this Agreement
or any of the provisions of this Agreement be rendered void or unenforceable.
(e) The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not be given any effect in the
construction or enforcement of this Agreement.
(f) No waiver by the Claridge of any breach by the Executive of any
provision or condition of this Agreement by the Executive to be performed shall
be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same
or any prior or subsequent time.
(g) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the successors and assigns of the Claridge, but no interest in this
Agreement shall be transferable in any manner by the Executive.
13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire Agreement
of the parties. It may not be changed orally but only by an Agreement in writing
signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change,
modification, extension or discharge in sought.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the
Claridge's duly authorized officer. The Executive has also executed this
Agreement.
WITNESS: EXECUTIVE
__________________________ BY: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------
XXXX X. XXXXXX
ATTEST: THE CLARIDGE AT PARK PLACE,
INCORPORATED
__________________________ BY: /s/ A. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
----------------------------
A. XXXXX XXXXXXX
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
