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Exhibit 10.40
ATTORNEYS GENERAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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This SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT is entered into this 20th day of March, 1997 by
and among the States listed in Appendix A hereto (collectively, "Plaintiffs")
and Brooke Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation ("Brooke Group"), Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Xxxxx"), and Xxxxxxx Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (which, with Xxxxx, is hereinafter referred to as "Xxxxxxx").
RECITALS
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WHEREAS,
The Plaintiffs, by and through their respective Attorneys General (the
"Attorneys General"), have brought [or are contemplating bringing] civil
actions ("Actions") in various jurisdictions across the nation ("Actions")
against, among others, the American Tobacco Company, Inc., BAT Industries, Plc,
British American Tobacco Company, X.X. Xxxxxxxx Tobacco Company, Xxxxx &
Xxxxxxxxxx Tobacco Corporation, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Inc., Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc.,
Lorillard Tobacco Company, Inc., and United States Tobacco Company and their
various parent and related companies ("Defendants"), asserting claims for,
among other things, expenses allegedly arising from tobacco-related matters and
injunctive relief concerning sales of cigarettes to minors.
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Because of the importance of the agreements and undertakings by Xxxxxxx
and Brooke Group herein to the goals of the Plaintiffs and the Attorneys
General, including the prosecution of the Actions against non-settling
defendants, Plaintiffs have agreed to extend financial settlement terms to
Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Group which will not be offered to any other defendants, all
as set forth in this Settlement Agreement.
On March 15, 1996, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of
Florida, the State of Louisiana, the State of Mississippi and the State of West
Virginia and Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Group entered into a settlement (the "Initial
Settlement") of the Actions brought by the foregoing States, pursuant to which
Xxxxxxx agreed to make certain payments, comply with certain proposed
regulations restricting the marketing and sale of cigarettes to minors and to
offer certain cooperation in connection with the prosecution of such Actions
against the other Defendants; all in accordance with the terms of the Initial
Settlement, a copy of which is annexed hereto as Appendix B.
The Attorneys General, the Initial Settling States and Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx
Group wish to expand upon
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the Initial Settlement, through this Settlement Agreement to cover all of the
Actions and to provide for, among other things, significantly greater
cooperation by the Settling Defendants with the Attorneys General, all in
accordance with the terms of this Settlement Agreement.
The Attorneys General acknowledge and agree that this Settlement
Agreement, including the cooperation provisions thereof, are important to the
prosecution of their Actions against the non-settling Defendants.
The Attorneys General and Xxxxxxx and Brooke Group recognize and support
the public interest in preventing smoking by, or promotion of smoking to,
children and adolescents.
Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Group have denied, and continue to deny any wrongdoing
or any legal liability of any kind in all of the above-mentioned actions.
The Settling States and the Attorneys General recognize and acknowledge
that the cooperation being provided is valuable to the continued prosecution of
the claims against the tobacco industry. Further, the Settling States and the
Attorneys General acknowledge that the change in warning labels provided for in
this Settlement Agreement
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is a step towards properly informing consumers more fully of the truth about
cigarettes and the consequences of smoking, as is the statement by Xxxxxxx also
provided for herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the promises and
covenants set forth in this
Agreement, the undersigned Attorneys General, on their own behalf and on behalf
of their respective States, and Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Group hereby stipulate and
agree that the Attorney General Actions shall be settled as against Xxxxxxx and
Brooke Group, and that all claims asserted in the Attorney General Actions
against Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Group shall be dismissed, all on the terms contained
herein, as follows:
Definitions.
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As used in and solely for the purposes of this Agreement, in addition to
terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings:
"Affiliate" means a Present Affiliate or a Future Affiliate.
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"Agreement" means this Settlement Agreement.
"Arbitrator" means the person or persons agreed to by the Settling States
and the Settlement Class, and/or their counsel, or appointed by the Class
Action Court or the Multidistrict Litigation Panel, as the case may be, to make
decisions regarding allocations of the Settlement Fund between the Settling
States and the Settlement Class, and to
resolve disputes of the Oversight Committee. With respect to the Settlement
Fund, in the event that the Settling States and the Settlement Class, and/or
their respective counsel, cannot agree on an allocation of the Settlement Fund
between the Settling States and the Settlement Class, the Settling States and
the Settlement Class will petition the Court for appointment of an arbitrator.
In so doing, the parties do not consent, nor should it be inferred, that the
Multidistrict Litigation Panel has jurisdiction over any of the parties.
"Attorneys General" means those State Attorneys General or other parties
who have brought Attorney General Actions.
"Attorney General Actions" or "Actions" means the actions listed in
Appendix A hereto, including those actions brought on behalf of the State as
taxpayer actions.
"Attorney General Settlement Fund Board" or "Attorney General Board"
means, the entity established pursuant to Section 5 of the Initial Settlement.
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"Brooke Group" means Brooke Group, Ltd. and its Present Affiliates other
than Xxxxxxx.
"Cigarette" means any product including components, accessories, or parts
which is intended to be burned under ordinary conditions of use and consists of:
(1) any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or in any substance not containing
tobacco; or (2) any roll of tobacco wrapped in any substances containing tobacco
which, because of its appearance, the type of tobacco used in the filler, or its
packaging and labeling, is likely to be offered to, or purchased by, consumers
as described in subparagraph (1).
"Cigarette Pack" means a unit of twenty Cigarettes or one ounce of Tobacco
Snuff, or any other similar method of delivery to consumers.
"Cost Per Cigarette Pack" means, with respect to a Tobacco Company, the
aggregate costs incurred by such Tobacco Company under a Global Settlement
during a specified year, divided by the number of Cigarette Packs manufactured
by such Tobacco Company during such year, as determined by The Xxxxxxx Consumer
Report published by Wheat First Butcher Singer or a similar or successor
report.
"Defendants" means The American Tobacco Company, Inc., BAT Industries,
Plc, British American Tobacco Company, X.X. Xxxxxxxx Tobacco Company, Xxxxx &
Xxxxxxxxxx Tobacco Corporation, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Inc., Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc.,
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Lorillard Tobacco Company, Inc., and United States Tobacco Company and their
various parent and related companies.
"Domestic Tobacco Operations" means the manufacture and/or sale of
cigarettes and any other tobacco products in the United States, its
territories, its possessions and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
"FDA Rule" means the regulations promulgated by the FDA on August 28, 1996
concerning the sale and distribution of cigarettes and other products at 60 Fed.
Reg. 44396, to be codified at 21 C.F.R. Parts 801, 803, 804, 807, 820 and 897.
"Future Affiliate" means any one entity, other than an entity with a
Market Share greater than 30% as of the date of this Agreement, which is a
Non-settling Tobacco Company (including any successor to or assignee of its
assets) if such entity or an Affiliate of such entity with the prior written
approval of Brooke Group, subsequent to the date, and during the term, of this
Agreement but prior to the fourth anniversary of the date of execution of this
Settlement Agreement: (i) directly or indirectly acquires or is acquired by
Xxxxxxx or Xxxxxx Group; (ii) directly or indirectly acquires all or
substantially all of the stock or assets of Xxxxxxx or Brooke Group; (iii) all
or substantially all of whose stock or assets are directly or indirectly
acquired by Xxxxxxx or Xxxxxx Group; or (iv) directly or indirectly merges with
Xxxxxxx or Brooke Group
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or otherwise combines on any basis with Xxxxxxx or Xxxxxx Group.
"Future Affiliate Transaction" means a transaction, or series of
transactions, by which an entity becomes a Future Affiliate.
"Global Settlement" means any National disposition, settlement, agreement
or other arrangement, such as "Tobacco Claims Legislation", by way of
legislation, executive order, regulation, taxation, levy, fine, class action
settlement, court order or otherwise, of smoking-related litigation, in direct
or indirect connection with which one or more Tobacco Companies receives the
benefit of a limitation of, or total or partial immunity from, liability to
plaintiffs for the types of claims released under the terms of this Agreement.
"Initial Settlement" means the settlement agreement entered into by the
Initial Settling States and the Settling Defendants on March 15, 1996.
"Initial Settling States" means the States of Mississippi, West Virginia,
Florida, and Louisiana, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the respective
Attorneys General thereof.
"Xxxxxxx" means Xxxxxxx Group, Inc. and Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc.
"Mandatory Class Settlement Agreement" or "Mandatory Class Agreement"
means the agreement entered into
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on or about March 20, 1997 between Brooke Group and Xxxxxxx and a nationwide
class.
"Mandatory Class Final Order and Judgment" or "Mandatory Class Final
Approval" means the order to be entered by the Settlement Court with respect to
Xxxxxxx and its Present Affiliates, approving the Mandatory Settlement Agreement
without material alterations, as fair, adequate and reasonable under Rule 23 of
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, confirming the Mandatory Settlement Class
certification under Rule 23 thereof, and making such other findings and
determinations as the Settlement Court deems necessary and appropriate to
effectuate the terms of the Mandatory Class Agreement and to exercise its
continuing and exclusive jurisdiction over the enforcement and administration of
all terms of the Mandatory Class Agreement.
"Mandatory Settlement Class" means the Settlement Class defined in the
Mandatory Class Agreement.
"Mandatory Class Settlement Date" means the date on which all of the
following shall have occurred: (a) the entry of the Mandatory Class Final
Order and Judgment without material modification, and (b) the achievement of
finality for the Mandatory Class Final Order and Judgment by virtue of that
order having become final and non-appealable through (i) the expiration of all
appropriate appeal periods without an appeal having been filed; (ii) final
affirmance
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of the Mandatory Class Final Order and Judgment on appeal or final
dismissal or denial of all such appeals, including petitions for review,
rehearing or certiorari; or (iii) final disposition of any proceedings,
including any appeals, resulting from any appeal from the entry of the
Mandatory Class Final Order and Judgment.
"Market Share" means, with respect to a Defendant and a specified year, the
Domestic Tobacco Operations market share in that year of all of such Defendant's
cigarettes and other tobacco products, as determined by The Xxxxxxx Consumer
Report published by Wheat First Butcher Singer or a similar or successor report.
"Medicaid Population" means, with respect to a Settling State and a
specified date, the Medicaid population of such Settling State as reported by
the most recent United States Census.
"National" means actually covering or potentially covering (whether by
block grants to states, localities or other governmental entities or otherwise)
the United States or the United States and one or more of its territories,
possessions and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
"Non-settling Tobacco Companies" means each of The American Tobacco Co.,
Lorillard Tobacco Co., Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Inc., X.X. Xxxxxxxx Tobacco Co., Xxxxx &
Xxxxxxxxxx Tobacco Corp., and United States Tobacco Co., unless and until it
becomes a Future Affiliate, as herein defined.
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"Other Settlement" means a settlement of an action which is not a Global
Settlement.
"Oversight Committee" means a committee, made up of no less than nine (9)
individuals, to oversee the cooperation provided by Settling Defendants under
Section 4.3.1 and 4.3.2 hereof. The committee shall have not less than 75% of
its composition from representation of the Attorneys General.
"Parent", with respect to Xxxxxxx means Brooke Group, and with respect to
any other specified corporation or entity, means another corporation,
partnership or other entity which directly or indirectly controls such
specified corporation or entity.
"Parties" means the Plaintiffs and Brooke Group and Xxxxxxx.
"Population" means, with respect to a geographic area, the population of
that area as reported in the most recent census conducted by the United States
Bureau of the Census.
"Present Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified corporation or
entity, another corporation, partnership or other entity which as of the date
of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is
under common control with, such specified corporation or entity including any
and all Parents,
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subsidiaries, and/or sister corporations or entities of such specified
corporation or entity.
"Present Value" means, with respect to a specified amount or amounts, the
present value of such amount or amounts as calculated using a discount rate
equal to the yield on 10-year Treasury Notes as reported in the WALL STREET
JOURNAL at the time of such calculation; provided that where such amount or
amounts are not otherwise determinable, the amount or amounts to be
present-valued shall be deemed to be the average for the most recent three
years.
"Pretax Income", with respect to Xxxxxxx, means for a specified year, the
"Income before Income Taxes" as determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") of Xxxxxxx for its most recent fiscal
year, as reported in filings to the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission or, if there is no such filing, as reported by Xxxxxxx'x independent
outside auditors. If GAAP changes in any material respect during the term of
this Agreement so that the benefits anticipated by the parties (in light of
GAAP applicable on the date of this Agreement), an appropriate adjustment shall
be made to the formulas and calculations hereunder to achieve the parties'
expectations as of the date hereof.
"Protective Order" or "Stipulation Regarding Xxxxxxx Documents" means,
with respect to privileged
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documents produced by a Settling Defendant in an Attorney General Action, an
order in that Action: (a) protecting the confidentiality of such documents; (b)
providing that such documents may be used only in that Attorney General Action
and, to the extent permitted by law, only under seal; (c) providing that, to the
extent such documents are or may be subject to the attorney/client privilege or
the attorney work product doctrine, such production or use of the documents does
not constitute a waiver of such privilege, doctrine or protection with respect
to any party other than the Attorney General to whom the documents are produced
subject to the order. The provisions of the order shall not apply to documents
claimed to be privileged but which are determined by the court in any Action or
by the Settlement Court not to be privileged for reasons other than waiver due
to production pursuant to this Agreement.
"Settlement Class" means the settlement class provided for in the
Mandatory Class Agreement.
"Settlement Class Counsel" means the firms listed as Settlement Class
Counsel in Section 25.8 of the Mandatory Class Settlement Agreement.
"Settlement Fund" means the fund established in accordance with the terms
of Section 6 of this Agreement, which shall be established in a reputable bank
or other financial institution, to provide a secure and interest
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-bearing fund, and which shall be jointly controlled by the Settling States and
the Mandatory Settlement Class.
"Settling Defendants" means Brooke Group and/or Xxxxxxx.
"Settling Defendants' Counsel" means the law firm of Kasowitz, Benson,
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P.
"Settling States" means the States listed in Appendix A hereto and
Subsequent Settling States, if any.
"Smokers" means all persons who, prior to or during the term of this
Agreement, have smoked Cigarettes or have used other tobacco products and have
suffered or claim to have suffered Injury as a consequence thereof.
"Subsequent Settling States" means States other than the States listed in
Appendix A hereto which commence an Attorney General Action and which execute
this Agreement within six months from the date of this Agreement (unless such
six-month period is extended or reopened at the option of the Settling
Defendants).
"Tobacco Companies" means the Defendants.
"Tobacco Snuff" means any cut, ground, powdered, or leaf tobacco that is
intended to be placed in the oral cavity.
Settlement Purposes Only.
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This Agreement is for settlement purposes only, and neither the fact of, or
any provision contained in, this Agreement nor any action taken hereunder shall
constitute, be construed as, or be admissible in evidence against the Settling
Defendants as, any admission of the validity of any claim, any argument or any
fact alleged or which could have been alleged by Plaintiffs as to their standing
or as to any jurisdictional, constitutional or any other legal or factual issue
in any Attorney General Action or alleged or which could have been alleged in
any other action or proceeding of any kind or of any wrongdoing, fault,
violation of law, or liability of any kind on the part of the Settling
Defendants or any admission by them of any claim or allegation made or which
could have been made in any Attorney General Action or
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in any other action or proceeding of any kind, or as an admission by any of the
Plaintiffs of the validity of any fact or defense asserted against them in any
Attorney General Action or in any other action or proceeding of any kind.
I. Parties.
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A. This Agreement shall be binding, in accordance with the terms hereof,
upon Brooke Group, Xxxxxxx and the Settling States; provided that,
notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement, the payment
obligations of this Agreement shall be binding only upon Xxxxxxx.
B. No Settling Defendant shall sell, use, dispose or transfer substantially
all of its cigarette brands or businesses without first causing the acquiror, on
behalf of itself and its successors, to be bound by all of the obligations of a
Settling Defendant pursuant to Sections
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4.2 and 4.4 through 4.8 hereunder as to such transferred brands or businesses;
provided that this Section 3.2 shall not apply to the extent such sale,
disposition or transfer is required by the Federal Trade Commission, Department
of Justice, State Attorney General or court order.
Public Statement; Cooperation; Advertising Limitations.
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Upon execution of this Settlement Agreement, Xxxxxxx shall, by and through
its Director, Xxxxxxx X. XxXxx, issue a public statement substantially in the
following form and substance:
I am, and have been for a number of years, a Director of Xxxxxxx Group
Inc., a manufacturer of cigarettes. Cigarettes were identified as a cause of
lung cancer and other diseases as early as 1950. I, personally, am not a
scientist. But, like all of you, I am aware of the many reports concerning the
ill-effects of cigarette smoking. We at Xxxxxxx know and acknowledge that, as
the Surgeon General and respected medical researchers have found, cigarette
smoking causes health problems, including lung cancer, heart and vascular
disease and emphysema. We at Xxxxxxx also know and acknowledge that, as the
Surgeon
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General, the Food and Drug Administration and respected medical researchers have
found, nicotine is addictive.
Xxxxxxx will continue to engage in the legal activity of selling
cigarettes to adults, but will endeavor to ensure that these adult smokers are
aware of the health risks and addictive nature of smoking. As part of our
efforts, we will do the following:
1. In accordance with a court-approved settlement, Xxxxxxx will set
up a fund to compensate equitably those who claim to have been injured by
our products.
2. Xxxxxxx will add a prominent warning to each of our packages of
cigarettes and all of our cigarette advertising stating that "Smoking is
Addictive".
3. Xxxxxxx supports and will not challenge Food and Drug
Administration regulations concerning the sale and distribution of
nicotine-containing cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to children
and adolescents. Accordingly, Xxxxxxx has agreed to comply with many of
these regulations even before they apply to the tobacco industry
generally.
4. Xxxxxxx has instructed its advertising and marketing people to
scrupulously avoid any and all advertising or marketing which would
appeal to children or adolescents. Xxxxxxx acknowledges that the tobacco
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industry markets to "youth," which means those under 18 years of age, and
not just those 18-24 years of age. Xxxxxxx condemns this practice and
will not market to children. Xxxxxxx agrees that if it sees industry
advertisements which in its view are aimed at children, it will bring
this to the attention of the Attorneys General.
5. In accordance with our settlement agreements, Xxxxxxx agrees to
fully cooperate with the Attorneys General and Settlement Class Counsel
in their lawsuits against the other tobacco companies. To that end,
Xxxxxxx will make available to the Attorneys General,
Settlement Class Counsel and other parties with whom we have settled all
relevant documents and information, including documents subject to
Xxxxxxx'x own attorney-client privileges and work product protections,
and will assist those parties in obtaining prompt court adjudication of
the rest of the industry's joint privilege claims.
As promptly as reasonably practicable, but no later than six months
after execution of this Settlement Agreement, Settling Defendants shall cause
to be printed boldly, on all of their Cigarette packages and in all of their
Cigarette advertising, in addition to the warnings mandated under the Federal
Cigarette Labeling and
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Advertising Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1331 et seq., the statement that
cigarette smoking is addictive. To the extent any Settling Defendant
manufactures and sells other tobacco products, a similar warning shall be placed
on such product.
1. With respect to each Settling State, upon execution of this Agreement,
each Settling Defendant shall:
(1) cooperate with such Attorney General, and the attorneys
representing such Attorney General, in that such Settling
Defendant will take no steps to impede or frustrate these
counsels' civil investigations into, or civil
prosecutions of, any of the Non-settling Tobacco Companies in
those actions, so as to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive
determination of all such smoking-related claims against said
non-settling persons and entities;
(2) cooperate in and facilitate reasonable non-party
discovery from Settling Defendants in connection with such
Attorney General Action;
(3) actively assist the attorneys representing the Attorneys
General in identifying and locating any and all persons known to
such Settling Defendant to have documents or
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information that is discoverable in such proceedings, to actively
assist said counsel in interviewing and obtaining documents and
information from all such persons, and to encourage such person to
cooperate with the Attorneys General; and shall actively assist
counsel in interpreting documents relating to litigation against
Non-settling Tobacco Companies; and
(4) insofar as such Settling Defendant has or obtains any
material information concerning any fraudulent or illegal conduct
on the part of any parties, including Non-settling Tobacco
Companies, their agents, or their co-defendants designed to
frustrate or defeat the claims of the plaintiffs against such
parties, companies, agents or co-defendants, or which have the
effect of unlawfully suppressing evidence relevant to smoking
claims, disclose such information to the appropriate judicial and
regulatory agencies.
4.3.2. With respect to each Settling State, subject to, and promptly
after, the entry of a Protective Order or a Stipulation Regarding Xxxxxxx
Documents by the court in which the respective Attorney General Action is
pending or the Settlement Court, each Settling Defendant shall:
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(1) promptly provide all documents and information that are
relevant to the subject matter of the Actions or which are likely
to lead to admissible evidence in connection with the claims
asserted in any of the Actions, subject to the provisions of
Section 4.3.2(2) hereof;
(2) waive any and all applicable attorney-client privileges
and work product protections with respect to such documents and
information. Such waiver shall not extend to (a) documents and
information not relevant to the subject matter of the Actions or
not likely to lead to admissible evidence in connection with
claims asserted in any of the Actions or (b) documents subject to
a joint defense or other privilege or protection which Settling
Defendants cannot legally waive unilaterally, except that the
waiver by the Settling Defendant shall apply, to the extent
permitted by law, to its own joint defenses or other privileges.
To the extent that a Settling Defendant has a good faith belief,
or one or more Non-settling Tobacco
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Companies claims, that documents to be provided pursuant to Section
4.3.2(1) hereof may be subject to a joint defense or other
privilege (or a claim of such privilege) of one or more of the
Non-settling Tobacco Companies, such documents shall be deposited
under seal for in camera inspection by the Settlement Court or a
court in which a Settling State's Attorney General Action is
pending, together with a statement to such court that such Settling
Defendant has concerns as to whether some or all of such documents
should be protected from discovery, and the Parties agree to
request that such court shall retain jurisdiction to resolve that
issue. Xxxxxxx will participate in proceedings, including by way of
court appearances or declarations, concerning issues of whether
such documents are discoverable;
(3) offer their employees, and any and all other individuals
over whom they have control, and help locate former employees, to
provide witness interviews of such employees and to testify, in
depositions and at trial; it being understood and agreed that
Xxxxxxx will waive and hereby does waive any and all applicable
confidentiality agreements to the extent such confidentiality
agreements would restrict testimony under this Agreement, if any,
to which such witnesses may be subject; and
(4) demand from its past or current national legal counsel
all documents and information
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obtained by them in the course of representation of any Settling
Defendant which in any way relates to the cooperation required in
paragraphs 4.3.1(1) - 4.3.2(3) above, which should be provided to
the Settling States as provided under this paragraph.
4.3.3. With respect to the cooperation set forth in subsections 4.3.1 and
4.3.2 above, the Attorneys General and Settlement Class Counsel shall appoint,
on a yearly basis, an Oversight Committee, to oversee such cooperation so that
it fairly assists them and minimizes the burden on a Settling Defendant. All
requests for cooperation will be first made to the Oversight Committee.
The Oversight Committee shall coordinate such requests giving due regard to the
legitimate needs of the litigants requesting cooperation and the burden on the
Settling Defendant. Nothing in this Agreement shall waive or alter the rights
of the Attorneys General to obtain discovery of Xxxxxxx as required by a court
order or case management order in any Attorneys General Action, provided that
no order is sought that is inconsistent with this Agreement.
4.3.4. In the event the Oversight Committee cannot agree on the sharing of
cooperation by litigants, any member of the Committee may seek resolution by an
Arbitrator. In the event that the Oversight Committee
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cannot agree on the selection of an Arbitrator, the Oversight Committee will
petition the Multidistrict Litigation Panel for appointment of an Arbitrator.
In the event any Settling Defendant, absent good cause, does not provide
requested cooperation as promptly as reasonably practicable, after receiving
written notice from the Committee of such request, (1) the Committee may seek
relief from an Arbitrator, and (2) the Committee, upon notice to the Settling
Defendant, may petition an Arbitrator for specific performance of such requested
cooperation.
Each Settling Defendant, promptly after becoming bound by this Agreement,
shall consent to jurisdiction by the FDA for the sole purpose of promulgating
the FDA Rule with respect to all Tobacco Companies. Further, each Settling
Defendant, promptly after execution of this Agreement, shall endorse, support
and assist in attempts by the FDA to have the FDA Rule become enforceable. Such
efforts shall include, if and as reasonably requested by the Attorneys General,
filing appropriate amicus briefs and other court papers in litigation relating
to the FDA Rule.
Each Settling Defendant shall follow and abide by the provisions of the
FDA Rule, insofar as they pertain solely to such Settling Defendant's Domestic
Tobacco
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Operations, as set forth in, and modified by, paragraphs 4.5.1 - 4.5.4
hereof until a final determination is reached respecting the FDA Rule at which
time the Settling Defendants will be bound by the FDA Rule only insofar as, and
to the extent that, the FDA Rule becomes an enforceable obligation binding upon
all of the Tobacco Companies.
FDA Rule Section 897.16(b), as proposed.
FDA Rule Section 897.16(d), as proposed.
FDA Rule Section 897.30(a), as proposed.
FDA Rule Section 897.30(b), but only to the extent that
such section applies to billboards within 1,000 feet of a clearly
marked public or private elementary or secondary school or a
clearly marked, outdoor, municipal or other government-operated
public playground for children.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Proposed Rule or in this
Agreement, Xxxxxxx will commence compliance with Section 4.5 of this Agreement
as soon as reasonably practicable, according priority as to compliance to the
States listed in Appendix A hereto and then to Subsequent Settling States;
provided that Xxxxxxx
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may limit its compliance to the extent, if any, necessary to ensure that the net
annual out-of-pocket cost to Xxxxxxx of such compliance not exceed $1 million;
and provided further that Xxxxxxx shall not be obligated pursuant hereto to
breach pre-existing legal obligations, if any, it may have with respect to the
matters covered by Section 4.5 (and shall use its reasonable best efforts to
minimize the degree to which any such obligations would impede its full
compliance therewith). For purposes of this paragraph, the phrase "net annual
out-of-pocket costs" means the excess of (a) the additional out-of-pocket
expenditures incurred during a particular year by Xxxxxxx in complying with the
matters specified in Section 4.5, over (b) savings, if any, in out-of-pocket
expenditures realized during such year by Xxxxxxx directly from the
implementation of the matters covered by Section 4.5.
If, when and to the extent that the FDA Rule, in whole or in part,
becomes an enforceable legal obligation binding upon all of the Defendants,
each Settling Defendant will comply therewith, without consideration of any
limits or exceptions herein. If the FDA Rule does not so become
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such a legal obligation, Xxxxxxx shall, during the duration of this Agreement,
continue to comply with Section 4.5.
A. Each Settling Defendant shall not use cartoon characters, such as "Xxx
Camel", in any of its advertising and promotional materials and activities with
respect to tobacco products. No Settling Defendant shall enter into any new
contract for advertising and promotion with respect to tobacco products using
any such cartoon characters after the date the Settling Defendants become bound
by this Agreement.
4.9. Each Settling Defendant may, after becoming bound by this Settlement
Agreement, continue in the lawful manufacture, advertising and/or sale of
tobacco products. This Settlement Agreement does not in any way abrogate or
restrict the authority or ability of the Attorneys General to enforce future
compliance with the laws of their respective States.
Global Settlement.
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Effective upon the execution hereof, the Attorneys General and their
respective counsel, each agree (a) to exercise best efforts to ensure that the
financial terms, financial obligations or financial conditions of any Global
Settlement are no more onerous on, or less favorable to, Brooke Group and
Xxxxxxx than the financial terms, financial obligations or financial conditions
of this Settlement Agreement, and (b) to issue a public statement substantially
in the following form and substance:
The historic settlements entered into by Xxxxxxx, whereby Xxxxxxx
has agreed, among other things, to provide full cooperation to
twenty-two Attorneys General and to consent to FDA regulation of
tobacco marketing, are a major advance in our efforts to prevent
smoking by children and adolescents and to ensure that the tobacco
industry markets its products lawfully.
Accordingly, the undersigned Attorneys General will use their best
efforts in Congress and elsewhere to ensure that any such
industry-wide resolution provide for financial terms for Xxxxxxx
that reflect appropriate recognition of Xxxxxxx'x cooperative
efforts.
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In the event there is a Global Settlement at any time which contains
financial terms, financial obligations or financial conditions as to Brooke
Group and Xxxxxxx which are more onerous on, or less favorable to, Brooke Group
and Xxxxxxx than those of this Settlement Agreement, then, in addition to and
not in derogation of any other rights or remedies Brooke Group and Xxxxxxx may
have, Brooke Group and Xxxxxxx shall have the right, at their option, to
withdraw from further performance of this Agreement.
Settlement Fund.
---------------
Except as may otherwise be provided herein, all amounts due and owing by
each Settling Defendant under this Agreement shall be paid when due into the
Settlement Fund to be allocated and distributed to Settlement Class members and
Settling States in accordance with this and the Mandatory Class Settlement
Agreement. In the event that the Settling States and Settlement Class Counsel
cannot agree to an equitable allocation of the Settlement Fund between the
Settling States and the Settlement Class, the Settling States and Settlement
Class Counsel shall seek to agree on the selection of an Arbitrator to
determine such allocation.
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In the event that the Settling States and Settlement Class Counsel cannot agree
on the selection of an Arbitrator, the Settling States and Settlement Class
Counsel will petition the Class Action Court to determine such allocation; it
being understood that some portion of the Settlement Fund will be allocated to
counter-market advertising.
Settling Defendants shall have no interest in or responsibility for
allocations or distributions from the Settlement Fund and do not guarantee any
earnings or insure against any losses from any portion of the Settlement Fund
assets that may be maintained or administered as provided in Section 6.1 above.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Xxxxxxx shall make the following
payments:
6.3.1. An initial payment of $25 million due 120 days from the date of a
Future Affiliate Transaction; and
6.3.2. Subject to the provisions of Sections 6.6 - 6.12, payments, each
equivalent to 25% of Xxxxxxx'x Pretax Income, due 120 days after the end of each
fiscal year of Xxxxxxx. The first payment shall be made with respect to the
first full fiscal year commencing after the date of this Settlement Agreement.
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6.4. Xxxxxxx shall pay the reasonable and necessary expenses of the
administration, allocation, and distribution of the Settlement Fund; provided
that Xxxxxxx shall not be obligated to pay more than $1 million in any year for
such expenses.
6.5. Since the Settling Defendants are providing historic and valuable
cooperation and other considerations under this Agreement and the Mandatory
Class Agreement, the amounts payable hereunder to the Settlement Fund shall
represent the maximum amounts payable to the Settlement Fund under this
Agreement and the Mandatory Class Agreement.
6.6. With respect to each Settling State, in the event of the entry of any
final non-appealable monetary judgment in such Settling State's Attorney General
Action (other than by way of settlement) against any one or more of the
Non-settling Tobacco Companies, then the Settling Defendants shall have the
right to reduce the payments they are obligated to make pursuant to this
Agreement to the extent necessary to make (i) the then Present Value of all
amounts theretofore paid and thereafter payable to that Settling State pursuant
to this Agreement by the Settling Defendants (such amounts being calculated for
purposes of this Section 6.6 by multiplying (a) the total amount of the
Settlement Fund allocated to all of the Settling States in that year by (b) a
quotient equal to the Medicaid Population of such Settling State in that year
divided by the total
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Medicaid Population of all Settling States) per percentage point of the then
Market Share of such Settling Defendant no more than seventy-five percent (75%)
of (ii) the then Present Value of the dollar amount of such judgment per
percentage point of the then Market Share of each such Non-settling Tobacco
Company;1 provided that such Settling Defendant give written notice of such
reduction and the method of calculating such reduction to the Settling State's
Attorney General as soon as practicable after the entry of judgment.
----------------------------
1 Example: For purposes of this example of Section 6.6, assume:
Xxxxxxx has a 2% Market Share (i.e., 2 points).
A Non-settling Tobacco Company has an 8% Market Share (i.e., 8
points), and in 1998 has a final judgment entered against it
in an Attorney General Action that requires payments by such
Non-settling Tobacco Company with a then Present Value of $20
million.
The Present Value of the amount allocable by Xxxxxxx to the
Settling State in 1998 is $5 million.
Result: In 1998, Xxxxxxx would be permitted to reduce its future
payments to the extent necessary to make the Present Value of its
past and future payments $3.75 million -- i.e., no more than 75%
of the Present Value of the judgment, all as adjusted for relative
Market Share. The calculation would be as follows:
Present Value of Xxxxxxx payment/2 points
= .75 X judgment/8 points
Present Value of Xxxxxxx Payments
= .75 X $20 million/4 = $3,750,000.
Thus, the larger the judgment, the less the reduction. Under this
example, if the judgment is $26,670,000 or more, there would be no
reduction.
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6.7. In each year beginning with the second year after execution of this
Agreement, the annual payment amount due under Section 6.3.2 of this Agreement
from a Settling Defendant shall be decreased in proportion to any decrease and
(only if there shall have been a prior such decrease) increased in proportion
to any increase, in such Settling Defendant's Market Share from the prior year;
provided, however, that (a) such annual payment amount shall not be so
decreased to the extent, if any, that such annual payment amount in such year
is decreased as a result of a decrease in such Settling Defendant's Pretax
Income and (b) such annual payment amount shall never be increased such that
the aggregate amount of any such increases exceeds the aggregate amount of any
such decreases.2
----------------------------
2 Example: For purposes of this example of Section 6.7, assume:
Xxxxxxx'x Pretax Income is $11 million each year, thus making
Xxxxxxx'x obligation under the settlement $2,750,000 per year.
Xxxxxxx'x Market Share drops from 2% in 1996 and 1997 to 1.75% in
1998, but recovers to 1.9% in 1999, and then back to 2.0% in 2000.
Reduction: In 1998, Xxxxxxx'x amount due will be reduced by
$343,750 to $2,406,250. Since Xxxxxxx'x Market Share fell by .25
points or 12.5%, its payments would be reduced by 12.5% or $343,750
[$2,750,000 x .125]
Recapture of Market Share: In 1999, Xxxxxxx'x payments will climb
commensurate to its increase of .15 in Market Share (1.75 to 1.9%)
to $2,612,500 [$2,406,250 + (2,406,250 x .15/1.75)].
In 2000, Xxxxxxx'x payment would again increase commensurate to its
increase of .1 in Market Share to $2,750,000 [$2,612,500 +
($2,612,500 x .1/1.90)].
Xxxxxxx would not be entitled to a "double reduction" for a decrease in
both Pretax Income and Market Share. Thus, if Xxxxxxx'x .25 point drop in
market Share in 1998 were accompanied by a drop in Pretax Income between
1997 and 1998 from $11 million to $8 million, there would be no Market
Share reduction, as Xxxxxxx'x payment obligations (25% of Pretax Income)
would have already fallen from $2,750,000 to $2,000,000.
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6.8. In the event of a Global Settlement, the Settling Defendants shall
have the right to reduce the aggregate payments due from Xxxxxxx in each year
pursuant to this Agreement so that such aggregate payments shall be no more
than the lesser of (A) on a Cost Per Cigarette Pack basis, one-third of the
lowest Cost Per Cigarette Pack due in such year from the Non-settling Tobacco
Companies under such Global Settlement and (B) on a percentage of Pretax Income
basis, one-third of the lowest percentage of Pretax Income due in such year
from the Non-settling Tobacco Companies under such Global Settlement (such
percentage to be computed as if the payments due from such companies were
included in revenues and earnings).
6.9. Xxxxxxx shall receive as a credit against any and all amounts due
hereunder, any and all amounts it is required to pay under a Global Settlement.
6.10. In the event that one or more States elect to opt out of the
Mandatory Settlement Class and action(s) are brought against any Settling
Defendant on behalf of such State(s), the annual payment amount due under
Sections 6.3.2 of this Agreement from a Settling Defendant shall be reduced by
an amount equal to the product of (i) the ratio that the Medicaid Population of
the States that elect to opt out of the Mandatory Settlement Class then bears
to the total Medicaid Population and (ii) 20% of Xxxxxxx'x Pretax Income.
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6.11. Insofar as the Mandatory Class Settlement Agreement is not approved
or is otherwise terminated, the Settlement Fund shall be administered solely
thereafter by the Attorney General Board for the benefit of the Settling
States, and the percentage of Xxxxxxx'x Pretax Income payable under Section
6.3.2 shall, in the event there is no Global Settlement, be reduced to an
amount equal to the product of (i) the ratio that the Medicaid Population of
the Settling States then bears to the total Medicaid Population and (ii) 20% of
Xxxxxxx'x Pretax Income.
6.12. Any allocations set forth in this Section 6 among the Settling
States and Settlement Class are solely for the purposes of making the
calculations set forth in this Section 6 and are in no way binding upon or
evidence for the allocations of payments from the Settlement Fund to any
recipients thereof.
6.13. Settling Defendants agree not to take any action the primary purpose
of which is to reduce Xxxxxxx'x payment obligations under this Agreement.
Release.
--------
Upon the date each Settling State becomes bound by this Agreement, for
good and sufficient consideration as described herein, each Settling State and
each Attorney General thereof shall for the duration or term of this
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Agreement (whichever is shorter) be deemed to and hereby does release, dismiss
and discharge each and every civil claim, right, and cause of action
(including, without limitation, all claims for damages, restitution, medical
monitoring, or any other legal or equitable relief), known or unknown, asserted
or unasserted, direct or indirect, which they had, now have or may hereafter
have against each Settling Defendant (including its past and present parents,
subsidiaries, present affiliates, employees, directors and shareholders, but
only in such capacities, vis-a-vis, each such Settling Defendant, and
downstream distribution entities of Settling Defendant, but only to the extent
that such downstream distribution entities would have cross-claims against
Settling Defendant), but does not in any fashion release any Non-settling
Tobacco Companies or other defendants in any Attorney General Action except as
provided for in Section 17 hereof, (i) which was asserted in that State's
Attorney General Action, and/or (ii) which was not asserted in said Action but
which is smoking-related or otherwise arises out of, or concerns, the acts,
facts, transactions, occurrences, representations, or omissions set
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forth, alleged, referred to or otherwise embraced in the complaint of that
Settling State's Attorney General Action.
Upon the date each Settling State becomes bound by this Agreement, for
good and sufficient consideration as
described herein, each such Settling Defendant shall for the duration or term
of this Agreement (whichever is shorter) be deemed to and hereby does release,
dismiss and discharge each and every claim, right, and cause of action
(including, without limitation, all claims for damages, restitution, fees,
expenses, or any other legal or equitable relief), whether known or unknown,
asserted or unasserted, which they had, now have or may hereafter have as of
the effective date of this Agreement against each such Settling State, its
public officials and employees in connection with, arising out of or related to
the acts, facts, transactions, occurrences, representations, or omissions set
forth, alleged or referred to or otherwise embraced in the complaints of the
Settling States' Attorney General Actions.
Provided, however, as follows:
1) If this Agreement expires upon completion of its full term, these
releases set forth in this Section 7.1 shall continue and apply in full force
and effect with respect to all released claims which accrued or shall accrue
prior to, through and including the date of such expiration, such that such
claims shall be forever released, but only as to such claims through and
including such date; if this
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Agreement terminates for any reason prior to its full term, these releases shall
be of no further force and effect and Settling Defendants shall be entitled to a
credit to the extent otherwise provided in this Agreement against all claims
covered by the release for the full amount paid by such Settling Defendants
hereunder.
2) Except as specifically provided herein, these releases set forth in
this Section 7.1 do not pertain or apply to any other existing or potential
party in any present or future Attorney General Action.
3) These releases set forth in this Section 7.1 do not in any way release
any releasee from claims which may be asserted by a releasor involving conduct
unrelated to the manufacture and/or sale of tobacco products.
4) With respect to the claims of any county, municipality or subdivision
within a Settling State that, as of the date of this agreement, has brought an
action against Settling Defendants separate and apart from the action brought
against Settling Defendants by the Settling State encompassing such county,
municipality or subdivision, these releases set forth in this Section 7.1 do
not release the claims of such county, municipality or subdivision except for
the exclusively State share of the Medicaid funds claimed in any such action.
5) The provisions of this Section 7.1 apply to all States except the State
of Connecticut. With respect
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to the State of Connecticut only, the claims described herein as having been
released shall not be released and shall remain in existence; provided, however,
that the State of Connecticut and the Attorney General of Connecticut shall,
upon entering into this agreement, covenant not to bring or prosecute any suit
or action with respect to such claims against each Settling Defendant, and the
beneficiaries of this covenant shall be the same beneficiaries of the release
provided by all other States pursuant to Section 7.1. It is expressly
understood that this covenant is not intended to and does not release or affect
any claims that the State of Connecticut has or may have against any other
persons or entities, and in particular is not intended to and does not release
or affect any claims that the State of Connecticut has asserted or may assert
against any Non-settling Tobacco Companies or any other defendants in its
Attorney General Action.
Except as specifically provided herein, nothing in this Agreement shall
prejudice or in any way interfere with the rights of Settling States or
Settling Defendants to pursue any or all of their rights and remedies against
Non-settling Tobacco Companies or other parties not released hereunder.
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7.3. With respect to the State of Maryland, this Section 7 is deemed to
include the additional statements set forth in Sections 11.5 and 11.6.
I. Exclusive Remedy; Dismissal of Action;
Jurisdiction of Court.
----------------------
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be
the sole and exclusive remedy for any and all claims of Settling States
released hereby against the Settling Defendants, and upon the date a Settling
State becomes bound by this Agreement, each such Settling State shall be barred
from initiating, asserting, or prosecuting any claims released hereby against
each such Settling Defendant.
Promptly after each Settling State becomes bound by this Agreement,
each such Settling State shall dismiss without prejudice its corresponding
Attorney General Action as against such Settling Defendant, or if defendants
have not yet responded to a complaint, the Settling State may amend the
complaint to delete the Settling Defendant from the Action.
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Promptly after the date each Settling State becomes bound by this
Agreement, each such Settling Defendant shall withdraw without prejudice from
any action brought against any Settling State with respect to claims released
hereby.
Term.
-----
Unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement, the duration of this Agreement shall be twenty-five (25) years from
the date of this Agreement; provided that in the event of a Global Settlement,
the duration of this Agreement shall be equal to the duration of the Global
Settlement.
Each Settling Defendant shall have the right to terminate this Agreement
with respect to that Settling Defendant and with respect to the Settling State
in which there is a full and final dismissal on the merits as to any of the
Non-settling Tobacco Companies in that Settling State's Attorney General
Action; provided that in the event of any such termination, the payments due
from such Settling
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Defendant pursuant to this Agreement shall be thereafter reduced by an amount
equal to the product of (a) the total amount of the Settlement Fund allocated to
all of the Settling States at the time of such dismissal and (b) a quotient
equal to the Medicaid Population of such Settling State at the time of such
dismissal divided by the total Medicaid Population of all Settling States at the
time of such dismissal); provided further that any and all payments made
pursuant to this Agreement prior to any such termination by such Settling
Defendant shall be retained by the Settlement Fund. The Attorneys General shall
provide the Settling Defendant with the information necessary to determine the
amount referred to in subpart (a) hereof. Termination under this section does
not in any fashion reduce Settling Defendants' obligations in any other Attorney
General Actions.
Each Settling Defendant shall have the right at any time during the
term of this Agreement to terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Settling Defendant in the event that, in its sole and exclusive discretion, it
determines that too many states have opted out of the Mandatory Settlement
Class and have not resolved such cases
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with respect to the Settling Defendant by becoming bound by this Agreement in
accordance with the terms hereof; provided that such Settling Defendant give
written notice of such termination to the Attorneys General of the Settling
States and provided further that any and all payments due up to the date of such
termination made pursuant to this Agreement prior to the giving of such notice
by such Settling Defendant shall be retained by the Settlement Fund. Such
termination must be exercised no later than sixty days after the date that
Settling Defendants determine how many states have opted out of the Mandatory
Settlement Class.
In the event of a termination of this Agreement with respect to any
Settling State, such Settling Defendant shall be entitled to offset any
payments made to such Settling State prior thereto against any judgments
thereafter obtained by such Settling State against such Settling Defendant in
an Attorney General Action.
If any Settling Defendant subsequently withdraws from this Agreement,
or this Agreement, for whatever reason, is terminated other than by reason of
expiration of its term, then the applicable statute of limitations or any
similar time requirement for a Settling
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State or a terminating Settling Defendant to file a claim that would otherwise
be released hereunder against, or by any Settling Defendant shall be tolled from
the date such Settling State became bound by this Agreement until the later of
the time permitted by applicable law or for one year from the date of such
termination with the effect that the parties shall be in the same position as
they were at the time the Settling State filed its original Attorney General
Action with respect to the statute of limitations.
Except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, a
termination by a Settling Defendant hereunder shall have the effect of
rendering this Agreement as having no force or effect whatsoever, null and void
AB INITIO, and not admissible as evidence for any purpose in any pending or
future litigation in any jurisdiction. However, a termination shall not affect
any prior cooperation or require the return of any documents produced to a
Settling State pursuant to this Agreement.
Continuing Enforceability
-------------------------
Unless earlier terminated, as to the Settling States, this Agreement and
each provision of or obligation
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arising from this Agreement shall continue and remain fully executory and
enforceable if a Settling Defendant institutes or is subject to the institution
against it of any proceeding or voluntary case under title 11, United States
Code, or other proceeding seeking to adjudicate it insolvent or seeking
liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection,
relief or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization or relief or protection of debtors or other
proceeding seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any part of
its property (each, a "Bankruptcy Proceeding"). The Settling States acknowledge
and agree that Brooke Group has the right but not the obligation to cure and to
perform any and all obligations of Xxxxxxx under this Agreement notwithstanding
the occurrence and continuation of any
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Bankruptcy Proceeding with respect to Xxxxxxx; provided, however, that until
such time as Xxxxxxx decides whether to reject or assume this Agreement, Brooke
Group shall have the obligation to pay the annual installments as provided in
Section 6.3.2 hereof, and so long as the Brooke Group is paying all amounts due
hereunder and no such payments are voidable, then the Settling States waive any
and all rights they may have not to accept such cure or performance in any
Bankruptcy Proceeding.
Entry of Good Faith Bar Order on Contribution and Indemnity Claims
------
It is the intent of the parties that the payments to be made by Xxxxxxx
with respect to the Attorneys General Actions settled hereby, be limited to
those payments set forth in this Settlement Agreement, and that Settling
Defendants not be responsible for any payments relating to any contribution or
indemnity claim asserted, or to be asserted, by any non-settling defendant that
may arise from any of such Attorneys General Actions. It is further the intent
of the parties to this Agreement that in Minnesota
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and Wisconsin the release of the Settling Defendants and any rights of
non-settling defendants to contribution or indemnity shall be construed as a
PIERRINGER release, as used in PIERRINGER V. XXXXX, 21 Wisc.2d 182, 124 N.W.2d
106 (1963); XXXX X. XXXXXXXXX, 000 X.X.0x 000 (Xxxx. 1978). In order to
effectuate this intent of the parties, and only in order to effectuate such
intent, the parties agree as follows in this Section 11.
Subject to, and as promptly as reasonably practicable, under applicable
law, the Parties shall request that the respective courts in the Attorney
General Actions enter orders barring and prohibiting the commencement and
prosecution of any claim or action by any non-settling defendant against any
Settling Defendant, including but not limited to any contribution, indemnity
and/or subrogation claim seeking reimbursement for payments made or to be made
to any Settling State for claims settled under this Agreement. Settling
Defendants shall be entitled to dismissal with prejudice of any non-settling
defendants' claims against them which violate or are inconsistent with this bar,
if granted.
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The Settling States shall not seek to collect any amount on any judgment
against a non-settling defendant to the extent, and only to the extent, that
such non-settling defendant has a right under applicable law of contribution or
indemnification against the Settling Defendants. This section will not apply to
any agreement or understanding, known or unknown, written or otherwise, with any
non-settling defendant or any other party that entitles any non-settling
defendant to indemnity or contribution from Brooke Group or Xxxxxxx.
Should a Settling State receive a final monetary judgment against a
non-settling defendant which then results in the non-settling defendant being
legally entitled to require a Settling Defendant to make payment toward that
judgment, the Settling States shall seek Court approval to reduce the judgment
by an amount sufficient to result in the Settling Defendant having no
obligation toward the judgment.
The provisions of Sections 11.1 - 11.4 apply to all States except for
the State of Maryland. With respect to the State of Maryland only, the State
of Maryland shall, upon entering into this Agreement, execute a release
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of Settling Defendants which shall state, among other things provided for in
this Agreement: "In the event of a verdict against non-settling defendants in
this Action, and in the event that with respect to such verdict, any Settling
Defendant is adjudicated a joint tortfeasor in any manner in this Action, there
shall be a judgment reduction from such verdict accounting for the status of
Settling Defendants as a joint tortfeasor in the amount of $[the Present Value
of Settling Defendants' total aggregate payments allocable to the State of
Maryland as calculated pursuant to provisions of the Attorneys General
Settlement Agreement]. It is the intention of the parties that this Release
provide for a PRO TANTO reduction of any damages recoverable against all other
tortfeasors in this action, and only if Settling Defendants, or any of them, are
adjudicated a joint tortfeasor. This Release does not provide, and shall not be
construed to provide, for a reduction, to the extent of the PRO RATA share of
Settling Defendants, or any of them, of the damages recoverable in this action
against all other tortfeasors. If a judgment reduction occurs on a PRO TANTO
basis as provided in this Release and if a non-settling joint tortfeasor pays
more than its PRO RATA share of the
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judgment, that joint tortfeasor shall receive that portion of any future
payment made thereafter by Settling Defendants in accordance with the Attorneys
General Settlement Agreement that is (1) beyond the amount of the PRO TANTO
setoff provided for in this Release, and (2) attributable to that part of
claims against that joint tortfeasor for which Settling Defendants are jointly
and severally liable."
With respect to the State of Maryland only, the Attorney General of
Maryland shall cause a competent appraiser to make a calculation of Present
Value of Settling Defendants' total aggregate payments allocable to the State
of Maryland as provided for under this Settlement Agreement, which valuation is
referenced and bracketed in Section 11.4 hereof. Such calculation of Present
Value of payments allocable to the State of Maryland under this Agreement shall
be the amount stated in the bracketed portion of the language quoted in Section
11.4 above.
Tax Status of Settlement Fund.
------------------------------
The Settlement Fund created under this Agreement will be established
and maintained as a Qualified Settlement Fund ("QSF") in accordance with
Section 468B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
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regulations promulgated thereunder. Any Settling Defendant shall be permitted,
in its discretion, and at its own cost, to seek a private letter ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding the tax status of the Settlement
Fund. The parties agree to negotiate in good faith any changes to the
Agreement which may be necessary to obtain IRS approval of the Settlement Fund
as a QSF.
Representatives of the Settling States and the Settlement Class will be
appointed to act as administrator of the Settlement Fund. As administrator,
such representatives will undertake the following actions in accordance with the
regulations under IRC section 468B: (a) apply for the tax identification number
required for the Attorney General Settlement Fund; (b) file, or cause to be
filed, all tax returns the Settlement Fund is required to file under federal or
state laws; (c) pay from the Settlement Fund all taxes that are imposed upon the
Settlement Fund by federal or state laws; and (d) file, or cause to be filed,
tax elections available to the Settlement Fund, including a request for a prompt
assessment under IRC sec. 6501(d), if and when the administrator deems it
appropriate to do so.
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The Settling Defendants, as transferors of the Settlement Fund, shall
prepare and file the information statements concerning their settlement
payments to the Settlement Fund as required to be provided to the IRS pursuant
to the regulations under IRC section 468B.
Effect of Default of Settling Defendant.
----------------------------------------
In the event a Settling Defendant fails to make a payment due and owing
under the terms of this Agreement, or is in default of this Agreement in any
other respect, Plaintiffs' Counsel shall so notify the defaulting Settling
Defendant, which shall then be given 60 calendar days to "cure" the default. If
the defaulting Settling Defendant does not "cure" the default in the time
provided in this Section 13, Plaintiffs' Counsel may apply to the Court for
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relief, in addition to any other remedies it may have hereunder.
I. Representations and Warranties.
-------------------------------
A. Each Settling Defendant represents and warrants that it (i) has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the
execution, delivery and performance by such Settling Defendant of this Agreement
and the consummation by it of the actions contemplated herein have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Settling
Defendant; (iii) the Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by such Settling Defendant and constitutes its legal, valid and binding
obligation; and (iv) this Agreement does not violate the charter of bylaws of
such Settling Defendants or any Agreement to which the Settling Defendant is a
party.
Each Settling State represents and warrants that pursuant to its
statutory and/or common law authority
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(i) it has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the
execution, delivery and performance by such Settling State of this Agreement and
the consummation by it of the actions contemplated herein have been duly
authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Settling State; and (iii)
the Agreement has been duly executed and authorized by such Settling State and
constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation.
Arbitration.
------------
In the event that the Parties are unable to agree, after good faith
efforts, as to the determination or calculation for any applicable year of
Market Share or Pretax Income hereunder, such determination or calculation
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shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association.
Most Favored Nation.
--------------------
It is the intent of the parties hereto that the Settling Defendants
enjoy a preferred position with respect to Non-Settling Tobacco Companies, in
recognition of the Settling Defendants' willingness to enter into this
Agreement. Accordingly, it is generally contemplated that settlements which
involve all Settling States and a Non-Settling Tobacco Company (a "Group Other
Settlement") or involving one Settling State and a Non-Settling Tobacco Company
(a "Single State Other Settlement") shall meet certain minimum requirements in
terms of the initial, periodic or lump sum payments to be made by the
Non-Settling Tobacco Company (each a "Benchmark Figure"). The recital of these
Benchmark Figures herein is solely for the purposes of insuring that the
Settling Defendants enjoy a preferred position with respect to Non-Settling
Tobacco Companies and is not intended in any way to reflect the value of the
Settling States claims against Non-Settling Tobacco Companies, and nothing in
this Agreement is intended to
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reflect the value of those claims. For purposes of this Section 16, a
settlement involving a Non-Settling Tobacco Company and some, but not all,
Settling States shall be deemed a Single Other Settlement, and the preferred
position of the Settling Defendant shall be governed by Subsections 16.1.3 and
16.1.4 hereof, and determined on a state-by-state basis.
In the case of a Group Other Settlement which includes an initial
payment such as that provided for in Section 6.3.1 hereof, the Benchmark Figure
shall be that figure which represents three times the Present Value of the
initial payment made hereunder, adjusted for Market Share at the time of such
payment. Thus, if at the time of the initial payment hereunder, the Settling
Defendant had a market share of 2 percent, and made a payment the Present Value
of which is $15 million, and the Settling States subsequently enter into a
Group Other Settlement with a Non-Settling Tobacco Company which has a market
share of 10 percent, the Benchmark Figure for the initial payment shall be $225
million. To the extent that the initial payment actually provided for in such
Group Other Settlement is less than the Benchmark Figure, the Settling
Defendant shall
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receive a credit in like amount, up to the amount of the present value of the
initial payment made hereunder, against all future payment obligations
hereunder.
In the case of a (i) Group Other Settlement which included only a lump
sum or periodic payments, and (ii) with respect to the periodic payments
included in a Group Other Settlement which also includes an initial payment,
the Benchmark Figure shall be that amount which constitutes three times the
Present Value of all amounts paid or payable by the Settling Defendant
hereunder (excluding, if the Group Other Settlement contains an initial
payment, the initial payment hereunder), assuming, in the case of future
payments, no increase or decrease in Market Share but assuming Inflation in
revenues, all adjusted for Market Share. Thus, if the Present Value of a
Settling Defendant's payments made or to be made hereunder is $60 million and
such Settling Defendant enjoys a Market Share of 2%, the Benchmark Figure for a
non-settling defendant which at the time of a Group Other Settlement enjoys a
Market Share of 15% would be $1,350 million. Similarly, the Benchmark Figure
for a Non-Settling Defendant which at the time of a Group Other Settlement
enjoys a
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Market Share of 5% would be $450 million. To the extent that the
Present Value of the lump sum or periodic payments to be made under a Group
Other Settlement is less than the Benchmark Figure, the Settling Defendant
shall receive a credit in like amount, up to the amount of any remaining
payment obligations hereunder.
In the case of a Single State Other Settlement which includes an initial
payment such as that provided for in Section 6.3.2 hereof, the Benchmark Figure
shall be that figure which represents three times the Present Value of the
initial payment made hereunder to such Settling State, adjusted for Market
Share at the time of such payment, computed in accordance with Section 16.1.1.
To the extent that the initial payment actually provided for in such Single
State Other Settlement is less than the Benchmark Figure, the Settling
Defendant shall receive a credit in like amount, up to the amount of the
present value of the initial payment made to the Settling State hereunder,
against all future payment obligations to the Settling State hereunder.
In the case of a Single Other Settlement which includes only a lump sum
or periodic payments, and with
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respect to the periodic payments included in a Single State Other Settlement
which also includes an initial payment, the Benchmark Figure shall be that
amount which constitutes three times the Present Value of all amounts paid or
payable by the Settling Defendant to the Settling State hereunder (excluding, if
the Single State Other Settlement contains an initial payment, the Initial
Payment hereunder), assuming, in the case of future payments, no increase or
decrease in Market Share but assuming Inflation in revenues, all adjusted for
Market Share, computed as set forth in Section 16.1.2. To the extent that the
Present Value of the lump sum or periodic payments to be made under a Single
State Other Settlement is less than the Benchmark Figure, the Settling Defendant
shall receive a credit in like amount, up to the amount of any remaining payment
obligations to the Settling State hereunder.
Solely for the purposes of Sections 16.1, the payments due to each of
the Settling States in a year shall be deemed to be equivalent to the product
of (a) 10% of the Settling Defendant's Pretax Income and (b) a quotient equal
to the Medicaid Population of the Settling State divided by the total Medicaid
Population of all Settling States.
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The Benchmark Figure set forth in Sections 16.1.1 - 16.1.4 does not
reflect in any fashion the Settling States' views as to an appropriate
settlement or resolution with any Non-Settling Tobacco Company.
Except as provided in Section 16.1 hereof, in the event that, subsequent
to the date of this Agreement, any settlement of any Settling State's Attorney
General Action is reached with any non-settling defendant which is not a Party
hereto and such settlement is on any terms more favorable to such non-settling
defendant than are the terms of this Agreement to a Settling Defendant, such
Settling Defendant shall each have the right to replace or modify any or all of
the terms of this Agreement with, or add to this Agreement, any or all such more
favorable terms.
A. In the event that, subsequent to the date of this Agreement, any of the
Settling Defendants enters into a settlement agreement with any State other
than a Settling State on terms (relating to the then Present Value of amounts
payable under such settlement agreement,
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compliance with the Proposed Rule or cooperation) that are more favorable to the
State than those contained herein (as adjusted for relative Medicaid
Population), the Settling States shall have the right with respect to such
Settling Defendant to replace or modify any or all of the terms of this
Agreement with, or add to this Agreement, any or all such more favorable terms
(adjusted for relative Medicaid Populations).
II. Future Affiliate.
-----------------
A. The terms of this Agreement shall not be binding upon or applicable
to a Future Affiliate of the Settling Defendants, except as provided for in this
Section 17.
B. (a) In the event of a Future Affiliate Transaction, the Settling
States shall not seek to enjoin or otherwise challenge a spinoff or like
disposition of the stock or assets of any Affiliate of the Future Affiliate
which is not engaged in Domestic Tobacco Operations. The
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Settling States reserve the right to seek to enjoin such a spinoff in the event
that such spinoff or like disposition is sought by someone other than Brooke
Group or a Future Affiliate or an Affiliate of a Future Affiliate.
(b) In the event of and after a Future Affiliate Transaction: (i) the
Settling States each release (pursuant to, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, Section 7.1 hereof)
and covenant not to bring suit for any claim so released against any Affiliate
of the Future Affiliate, other than the Affiliate engaged in Domestic Tobacco
Operations; and (ii) if prior to the Future Affiliate Transaction, a Settling
State shall have obtained a verdict or judgment in its Attorney General Action,
against an Affiliate (including the Parent) of the Future Affiliate, other than
against the Affiliate engaged in Domestic Tobacco Operations, such Settling
State shall not seek to enforce such verdict or judgment against any such
Affiliate other than the Affiliate engaged in Domestic Tobacco Operations.
In the event a Settling State obtains a verdict or judgment against a
Non-settling Tobacco Company in an Attorney General Action, and a Settling
Defendant commences a proxy contest or similar action seeking control of such
Non-settling Tobacco Company or an Affiliate thereof, then such Non-settling
Tobacco Company or an
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Affiliate thereof will not be required to post a bond in order to stay
enforcement of such verdict or judgment, and such Settling State will not seek
to enforce such verdict or judgment against such Non-settling Tobacco Company or
such Affiliate, for a period of the earlier of (i) one year from the
commencement of such proxy contest or action, and (ii) completion or resolution
of the proxy or merger vote.
In the event that subsequent to a Future Affiliate Transaction, and in
conformity with Section 17.2(b) hereof, a Settling State obtains a verdict or
judgment against a Future Affiliate in an Attorney General Action, such Future
Affiliate will not be required to post a bond in order to stay enforcement of
such verdict or judgment, and such Settling State will not seek to enforce such
judgment against such Future Affiliate or an Affiliate of such Future Affiliate
until the verdict or judgment becomes final and non-appealable.
Prior to a Future Affiliate Transaction, Settling Defendants shall not
enter into any agreement with any prospective Future Affiliate which diminishes
or impairs the prospective Future Affiliate's assets, other than in the
established and/or ordinary course of business of such
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prospective Future Affiliate and shall use best efforts to prevent such
prospective Future Affiliate from diminishing or impairing such assets. In the
event of a Future Affiliate Transaction, Settling States reserve all of their
rights to prevent the Future Affiliate from diminishing or impairing the Future
Affiliate's Tobacco assets, other than in the established and/or ordinary course
of business of such Future Affiliate.
With respect to subsections 17.1 - 17.5 above, nothing in these
provisions, or elsewhere in this Agreement, limits the authority of the
Attorneys General to challenge any transaction which they reasonably believe is
in violation of federal or state antitrust law.
In the event of a Future Affiliate Transaction after which Xxxxxxx
remains as a separate entity such that Xxxxxxx'x Pretax Income is readily
calculable, Section 6.3.2 hereof shall remain in effect with respect to Pretax
Income solely attributable to such separate entity. In the event of a Future
Affiliate Transaction, Settling Defendants and the Attorneys General and their
respective counsel, each agree to exercise best efforts to negotiate in good
faith a payment schedule to replace that set forth in
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Section 6.3.2. Nothing in this Section 17.7 affects in any way Xxxxxxx'x
payment obligations under Section 6.3.1 hereof.
Promptly after a Future Affiliate Transaction, a Future Affiliate shall
abide by Sections 4.4 - 4.7 hereof.
Promptly after a Future Affiliate Transaction, Settling Defendants and
the Attorneys General and their respective counsel, each agree to exercise best
efforts to negotiate in good faith a settlement of all Attorney General Actions
against a Future Affiliate's Domestic Tobacco Operations.
17.9. As promptly as reasonably practicable after a Future Affiliate
Transaction, a Future Affiliate shall agree to eliminate cartoon characters
such as "Xxx Camel," from all of its advertising and promotional materials and
activities with respect to tobacco products.
Miscellaneous.
--------------
All terms of this Agreement and/or obligations created thereby shall be
deemed to include a covenant of good faith and fair dealing on behalf of all
parties.
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Brooke Group shall provide to the Settling States at the time of
execution of this Agreement, an opinion in form satisfactory to the Settling
States from legal counsel for the Brooke Group as to the due execution of the
Settlement Agreement by the Brooke Group and Xxxxxxx and its enforceability
against the Brooke Group and Xxxxxxx and such other matters contemplated by
Section 14.1 (other than the "agreements" referenced in clause (iv)).
In the event that a termination occurs pursuant to any sections of this
Agreement, no Settling State shall be required to return any payment.
Subject to the provisions of Section 18 herein, this Agreement,
including all Appendices attached hereto, if any, shall constitute the entire
Agreement among the parties with regard to the subject of this Agreement and
shall supersede any previous agreements and understandings between the Parties
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not
be changed, modified, or amended except in writing signed by all Parties.
With respect to each Settling State, this Agreement shall be construed
under and governed by the laws
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of such State applied without regard to its laws applicable to choice of law.
This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Any judgment by a court that any provision of this Agreement, as
applied to any party or to any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable shall
in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement or the application
thereof in any other circumstance, and such provision so adjudged invalid or
unenforceable shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Settling States, the Settling Defendants, and their representatives, heirs,
successors, and assigns.
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to subject any Settling
Defendant's parent or affiliated company to the obligations or liabilities of
that Settling Defendant.
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The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are included for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or
to affect its construction. . Any notice, request, instruction, or
application for Court orders sought in connection with this Agreement or other
document to be given by any Party to any other Party shall be in writing and
delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
if to the Settling Defendants to the attention of each Settling Defendant's
respective representative and to Plaintiffs' Counsel on behalf of the Settling
States.
References to or use of a singular noun or pronoun in this Agreement
shall include the plural, unless the context implies otherwise.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day
and date first written above.
BROOKE GROUP LTD. STATE OF ARIZONA
By_____________________________ By______________________________
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Attorney General
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Date:__________________________ Date:____________________________
XXXXXXX GROUP, INC. STATE OF CONNECTICUT
By_____________________________ By______________________________
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:__________________________ Date:___________________________
KASOWITZ, BENSON, XXXXXX STATE OF HAWAII
& XXXXXXXX LLP
By_____________________________ By_____________________________
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Attorneys for Attorney General
BROOKE GROUP LTD. and
XXXXXXX GROUP, INC. Date:__________________________
STATE OF ILLINOIS
By_____________________________
Xxx Xxxx
Attorney General
Date:__________________________
STATE OF INDIANA
By_____________________________
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:__________________________
STATE OF IOWA
By_____________________________
Xxx Xxxxxx
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Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF KANSAS
By_______________________________
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF MARYLAND
By_______________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF MICHIGAN
By_______________________________
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
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STATE OF MINNESOTA
By________________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, III
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
By_______________________________
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF NEW YORK
By_______________________________
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
By_______________________________
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF TEXAS
By_______________________________
Xxx Xxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
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STATE OF UTAH
By_______________________________
Xxx Xxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF WASHINGTON
By_______________________________
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
STATE OF WISCONSIN
By_______________________________
Xxx Xxxxx
Attorney General
Date:____________________________
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