EXHIBIT 10.19
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INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
among
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC.,
EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior, Jr.
and
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Dated December 30, 1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions................................................1
ARTICLE II
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 2.01. Indemnification by Xxxxxxx.................................1
SECTION 2.02. Indemnification by Prior...................................2
SECTION 2.03. Indemnification by ECI.....................................2
SECTION 2.04. Indemnification by the Company.............................2
SECTION 2.05. No Third Party Rights......................................2
SECTION 2.06. Indemnification Procedures.................................3
ARTICLE III
FORBEARANCE; STANDSTILL
SECTION 3.01. Forbearance................................................4
SECTION 3.02. Standstill.................................................4
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.01. Effectiveness..............................................6
SECTION 4.02. Entire Agreement...........................................6
SECTION 4.03. Governing Law..............................................6
SECTION 4.04. Headings...................................................6
SECTION 4.05. Counterparts...............................................6
SECTION 4.06. Benefits...................................................6
SECTION 4.07. Assignment.................................................6
SECTION 4.08. Amendment and Waiver.......................................6
SECTION 4.09. Notices....................................................6
SECTION 4.10. Jurisdiction...............................................7
SECTION 4.11. Expenses of Enforcement....................................8
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INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (this ("Indemnity Agreement") is entered into as
of the 30th day of December, 1997 by and among Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Emerging Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("ECI"), Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior, Jr. ("Prior") and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
("Xxxxxxx").
WHEREAS, the execution and delivery of this Indemnity Agreement by the
parties hereto is contemplated by the Subscription Agreement dated as of August
11, 1997 (the "Subscription Agreement") between the Company and ECI and is a
condition to the Closing (as defined in the Subscription Agreement); and
WHEREAS, each of the parties hereto desires to consummate, and will receive
substantial benefits from the consummation of, the Closing.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants herein contained and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Indemnity
Agreement without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such
terms in the Subscription Agreement.
"Affiliate" of any person shall mean any other person which controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with such person, and "person" for
purposes hereof means and includes any individual, partnership, limited
liability company, firm, corporation or other entity.
ARTICLE II
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 2.01. Indemnification by Xxxxxxx. Subject to the terms and
conditions contained herein, Xxxxxxx hereby agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its Subsidiaries after the Closing, their respective
officers, directors and agents and Prior, individually and as Trustee of the
1994 Prior Charitable Remainder Trust, from and against any and all losses,
liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's fees and any and all expenses whatsoever reasonably
incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, suit or
proceeding, commenced or threatened) of any kind and nature (collectively,
"Losses") (A) which relate to or arise out of any action, suit or proceeding
brought by or on behalf of any stockholder of the Company or ECI arising out of
or relating to (i) the repurchase by the Company of shares of Company Common
Stock owned by Prior and/or the Trust pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement
or (ii) the number of shares of ECI Common Stock to be received by Xxxxxxx
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, or (B) which relate to or arise out of any
action, suit or proceeding arising out of relating to an untrue statement of a
material fact or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
proxy statement/prospectus to be
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delivered to holders of Company Common Stock (the "Proxy Statement") or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but
only with respect to the beneficial ownership of stock of the Company by Xxxxxxx
and/or members of his family and his or their Affiliates and biographical
information with respect to Xx. Xxxxxxx.
SECTION 2.02. Indemnification by Prior. Subject to the terms and conditions
contained herein, Prior hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ECI, the
entities which will become its Subsidiaries after the Closing, their respective
officers, directors and agents and Xxxxxxx from and against any and all Losses
(A) which relate to or arise out of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or
on behalf of any stockholder of the Company or ECI arising out of or relating to
the number of shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock (as defined in the
Merger Agreement) to be received by Prior pursuant to the Merger Agreement or
(B) an untrue statement of a material fact or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Proxy Statement or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only with respect
to the beneficial ownership of stock of the Company by Prior and/or members of
his family and his or their Affiliates and biographical information with respect
to Mr. Prior.
SECTION 2.03. Indemnification by ECI. Subject to the terms and conditions
contained herein, ECI hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
its Subsidiaries after the Closing, their respective officers, directors and
agents and Prior from and against any and all Losses which relate to or arise
out of, (i) the business or operations conducted by ECI and the Transferred
Subsidiaries before or after the Closing, or any other Subsidiaries of ECI after
the Closing, (ii) the Assumed Liabilities or (iii) any action, suit or
proceeding arising out of or relating to an untrue statement of a material fact
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Proxy Statement
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
but only with respect to (a) the business, prospects or planned or proposed
activities of ECI and its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date, (b) activities of
ECI or the Transferred Subsidiaries after April 30, 1997 and (c) prospective
acquisitions of businesses or other transactions not in the ordinary course of
business planned or contemplated by ECI, the Transferred Subsidiaries or
Xxxxxxx.
SECTION 2.04. Indemnification by the Company. Subject to the terms and
conditions contained herein, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless ECI, the entities which will become its Subsidiaries after the Closing,
their respective officers, directors and agents and Xxxxxxx from and against any
and all Losses which relate to or arise out of (i) the business and operations
conducted by GTT before or after the Closing or the business and operations
after the Closing of the Company or any other entity which will be a Subsidiary
of the Company after the Closing, (ii) the Excluded Liabilities or (iii) any
action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to an untrue statement of
a material fact or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Proxy Statement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, but only with respect to (a) the business, prospects or planned
or proposed activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries after the Closing
Date, (b) activities of GTT and the Company with respect to GTT after April 30,
1997 and (c) prospective acquisitions of businesses or other transactions not in
the ordinary course of business planned or contemplated by GTT or Prior.
SECTION 2.05. No Third Party Rights. Nothing in this Indemnity Agreement,
express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to give to any person,
firm or corporation, other than an Indemnified Party (as defined below), any
rights, remedy, claim or cause of action under or by reason of this Indemnity
Agreement, or any terms, covenants or conditions hereof.
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SECTION 2.05. No Third Party Rights. (a) If any party or person which may
seek indemnification hereunder (an "Indemnified Party") determines that it is or
may be entitled to indemnification by any party hereto (an "Indemnifying Party")
under this Agreement (other than in connection with any Third Party Claim (as
defined below) subject to clause (b) of this Section 2.06), the Indemnified
Party shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party a written notice specifying, to
the extent reasonably practicable, the basis for its claim for indemnification
and the amount for which the Indemnified Party reasonably believes it is
entitled to be indemnified. After the Indemnifying Party shall have been
notified of the amount for which the Indemnified Party seeks indemnification,
the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days after receipt of such notice, pay
the Indemnified Party such amount in cash or other immediately available funds
(or reach agreement with the Indemnified Party as to a mutually agreeable
alternative payment schedule) unless the Indemnifying Party objects to the claim
for indemnification or the amount thereof. If the Indemnifying Party does not
give the Indemnified Party written notice objecting to such claim and setting
forth the grounds therefor within the same 30 day period, the Indemnifying Party
shall be deemed to have acknowledged its liability for such claim and the
Indemnified Party may exercise any and all of its rights under applicable law to
collect such amount.
(b) Promptly following the earlier of (i) receipt of notice of the
commencement by a third party of any action, suit or proceeding against or
otherwise involving any Indemnified Party or (ii) receipt of information from a
third party alleging the existence of a claim against an Indemnified Party, in
either case, with respect to which indemnification may be sought pursuant to
this Indemnity Agreement (a "Third-Party Claim"), the Indemnified Party shall
give the Indemnifying Party prompt written notice thereof. The failure of the
Indemnified Party to give notice as provided in this clause (b) shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Indemnity
Agreement, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially
prejudiced by such failure to give notice. Within 30 days after receipt of such
notice, the Indemnifying Party may (i) by giving written notice thereof to the
Indemnified Party, acknowledge liability for and at its option elect to assume
the defense of such Third-Party Claim at its sole cost and expense or (ii)
object to the claim of indemnification set forth in the notice delivered by the
Indemnified Party pursuant to the first sentence of this clause (b); provided
that if the Indemnifying Party does not within the same 30 day period give the
Indemnified Party written notice objecting to such claim and setting forth the
grounds therefor or electing to assume the defense, the Indemnifying Party shall
be deemed to have acknowledged its liability for such Third-Party Claim. Any
contest of a Third-Party Claim as to which the Indemnifying Party has elected to
assume the defense shall be conducted by attorneys employed by the Indemnifying
Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and the Indemnifying
Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, except as provided
in the following sentence. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to
participate in the defense against the Third Party Claim and to be represented
by attorneys of its own choosing, but the fees and expenses of such attorneys
shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying
Party and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of
such attorneys by the Indemnified Party or (ii) representation of both parties
by the same counsel in respect of such Third Party Claim would be inappropriate
due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in which case the
Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume or direct the defense of such
proceeding on behalf of the Indemnified Party); provided that in no event shall
the Indemnifying Party be required to pay the fees and expenses of more than one
separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one proceeding
representing the Indemnified Parties who are parties thereto. If the
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying
Party may settle or compromise the claim without the prior written consent of
the Indemnified Party; provided that without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, the
Indemnifying Party may not agree to any such settlement or compromise unless
such settlement or compromise includes an unconditional release of the
Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are or could be the subject
matter of such proceeding. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense
of a Third-Party Claim for which it has acknowledged liability for
indemnification as described herein, the Indemnified Party may require the In-
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demnifying Party to reimburse it on a current basis for its reasonable expenses
of investigation, reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in defending against such Third-Party Claim and the
Indemnifying Party shall be bound by the result obtained with respect thereto by
the Indemnified Party; provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable
for any settlement effected without its consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party
in cash the amount for which the Indemnified Party is entitled to be indemnified
(if any) within 15 days after the final resolution of such Third-Party Claim
(whether by the final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction or otherwise) or, in the case of any Third-Party Claim as to which
the Indemnifying Party has not acknowledged liability, within 15 days after such
Indemnifying Party's objection has been resolved by settlement, compromise or
the final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) This Section 2.06 shall have no applicability to any claim for
indemnification with respect to any income, gross income, gross receipts,
profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security,
workers compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp,
excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer,
import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other similar tax
(including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of
any tax) imposed by any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof,
and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect
of the foregoing (collectively "Taxes"), it being understood that the procedures
for indemnification with respect to Taxes are covered in that separate Tax
Sharing and Indemnification Agreement dated the date hereof among the parties
hereto.
ARTICLE III
FORBEARANCE; STANDSTILL
SECTION 3.01. Forbearance. Except with respect to enforcing specific
provisions of an agreement entered into in connection with the Transactions,
including, without limitation, this Indemnity Agreement, (a) Xxxxxxx and ECI
hereby agree not to bring any action, suit or proceeding against Prior or the
Company with respect to any of the matters constituting the Transactions, or
arising out or relating to the business, operations or management of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries prior to and including the Closing and (b) Prior and
the Company hereby agree not to bring any action, suit or proceeding against
Xxxxxxx or ECI with respect to any of the matters constituting the Transactions
or arising out of or relating to the business, operations or management of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to and including the Closing.
SECTION 3.02. Standstill.
(a) Each of Xxxxxxx and ECI agrees that for a period of ten years after the
Closing Date, he or it, as the case may be, shall not, and shall not permit his
or its, as the case may be, Controlled Affiliates (as defined below) to, without
the prior written consent of the Company, duly authorized by its Board of
Directors:
(i) be the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of greater than 5% of the outstanding Voting Securities (as
defined below) of the Company; or offer or agree to purchase any Voting
Securities of the Company if, after giving effect to such purchase, he or
it, as the case may be, would be the beneficial owner of greater than 5% of
the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company; or
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(ii) make, or in any way participate in, any "solicitation" of
"proxies" (as such terms are defined in Rule 14a-1 under the Exchange Act)
with respect to Voting Securities of the Company; become a participant in
any "election contest" (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Exchange
Act) with respect to the Company; seek to advise or influence any person
with respect to the voting of any Voting Securities of the Company; execute
any written consent in lieu of a meeting of holders of any class or series
of Voting Securities of the Company; or initiate, propose or otherwise
solicit holders of Voting Securities of the Company for the approval or
rejection of a proposal for a vote of holders of Voting Securities of the
Company.
(b) Each of Prior and the Company agrees that for a period of ten years
after the Closing Date, he or it, as the case may be, shall not, and shall not
permit his or its, as the case may be, Controlled Affiliates (as defined below)
to, without the prior written consent of ECI, duly authorized by its Board of
Directors:
(i) be the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of greater than 5% of the outstanding Voting Securities (as
defined below) of ECI; or offer or agree to purchase any Voting Securities
of ECI if, after giving effect to such purchase, he or it, as the case may
be, would be the beneficial owner of greater than 5% of the outstanding
Voting Securities of ECI; or
(ii) make, or in any way participate in, any "solicitation" of
"proxies" (as such terms are defined in Rule 14a-1 under the Exchange Act)
with respect to Voting Securities of ECI; become a participant in any
"election contest" (within the meaning of Rule 14a-11 of the Exchange Act)
with respect to ECI; seek to advise or influence any person with respect to
the voting of any Voting Securities of ECI; execute any written consent in
lieu of a meeting of holders of any class or series of Voting Securities of
ECI; or initiate, propose or otherwise solicit holders of Voting Securities
of ECI for the approval or rejection of a proposal for a vote of holders of
Voting Securities of ECI.
(c) As used in this Section 3.02, the following terms have the meanings
assigned to them below:
"Controlled Affiliate" of any person means any other person under the
control of such person. As used in this definition, "control" means the
possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of a person, whether through ownership of Voting
Securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Voting Securities" of any person means securities, the holders of which
are, at the applicable time in question, entitled to vote for the election of
directors of such person.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.01. Effectiveness. This Indemnity Agreement shall become
operative upon consummation of the Merger.
SECTION 4.02. Entire Agreement. This Indemnity Agreement, together with all
other written agreements which may be entered into between the parties in
connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby and all other
documents and instruments delivered in connection herewith and therewith and the
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transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, set forth the full and complete
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 4.03. Governing Law. This Indemnity Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without
reference to the conflict of laws rules thereof.
SECTION 4.04. Headings. The headings in this Indemnity Agreement are
intended solely for convenience of reference and shall be given no effect in the
interpretation of this Indemnity Agreement.
SECTION 4.05. Counterparts. This Indemnity Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 4.06. Benefits. This Indemnity Agreement will inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns, and no other person (other than an Indemnified Party) will have any
right or obligation hereunder.
SECTION 4.07. Assignment. Neither this Indemnity Agreement nor any right
hereunder may be assigned by the parties hereto without the prior written
consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Indemnity Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors, heirs,
representatives and assigns of each party hereto.
SECTION 4.08. Amendment and Waiver. This Indemnity Agreement may be amended
only by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
Any term, condition or provision of this Indemnity Agreement may be waived (if
in writing) at any time by the party or each of the parties entitled to the
benefits thereof.
SECTION 4.09. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
given if delivered by hand, or when sent by telex or telecopier (with receipt
confirmed) or by registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows
(or to such other address as a party may designate by notice to the other):
(a) If to the Company or Prior:
Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.
Estate Havensight
X.X. Xxx 00000
Xx. Xxxxxx, X.X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx 00000
(000) 000-0000 or 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
with copies to:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, P.C.
Fried, Frank, Harris, Xxxxxxx
& Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxx Xxxx Xxxxx
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Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
(000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
(b) If to ECI or Xxxxxxx:
Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.
Chase Financial Center
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xx. Xxxxx, X.X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
(000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
with copies to:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
(000) 000-0000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
SECTION 4.10. Jurisdiction. Any action or proceeding brought by any party
to this Indemnity Agreement against any other party hereto with respect to the
enforcement or breach of this Indemnity Agreement may be brought in the courts
of the State of New York or of the United States for the Southern District of
New York. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of
each such court in respect of any such action or proceeding, irrevocably waives
any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
such action or proceeding in any such court and any claim that any such action
or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum, and irrevocably consents that service of process or other legal summons
for purposes of any such action or proceeding may be served on it by personal
service within or without the State of New York or by mailing a copy thereof by
registered mail, or a form of mail substantially equivalent to registered mail,
addressed to such party at its address as provided for notices hereunder.
SECTION 4.11. Expenses of Enforcement. In the event of any breach of this
Indemnity Agreement by any party hereto, any other party hereto which is
aggrieved by such breach (an "Aggrieved Party") shall be entitled to recover
from the party in breach, any and all costs and expenses, including without
limitation reasonable attorneys fees, incurred by the Aggrieved Party as a
result of such breach or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this
Indemnity Agreement with respect to such breach.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Indemnity
Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
ATLANTIC TELE-NETWORK, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior
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Name: Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive
Officer
/s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior, Jr.
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Xxxxxxxxx X. Prior, Jr.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
