PURCHASE AGREEMENT
PURCHASE
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
dated
as of May 5, 2006 between SKS VENTURES, LLC, a Colorado limited liability
company ("Buyer"),
and
EQUI-MOR HOLDINGS, INC., a Nevada corporation ("Seller").
R
E C I T A L S:
Seller
owns 100% of the outstanding limited liability company interests (the
“Interests”)
of ABS
School Services, LLC (the “Company”),
which
owns and operates a financing and management business services business for
charter schools (the "Business");
and
Seller
desires to sell to Buyer the Interests, and Buyer desires to purchase the
Interests from Seller, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
In
consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
the parties agree as follows (capitalized terms not otherwise defined are
defined in Exhibit
A):
SECTION
1
PURCHASE
AND SALE
1.1
Sale
and Purchase of Interests.
Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions contained herein, at the Closing (as
hereinafter defined), Seller shall sell to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase
from
Seller, the Interests.
1.2
Closing.
Subject
to the terms hereof, the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the
"Closing")
shall
occur on or about May 5, 2006 (the "Closing
Date")
at
such place or in such manner as shall be mutually agreed by the
parties.
1.3
Purchase
Price.
The
aggregate consideration to be paid by Buyer to Seller for the Interests shall
be
$7,370,000 (the “Purchase
Price”).
The
Purchase Price shall be paid in cash, including $4,000,000 in proceeds from
a
loan to Buyer by Matrix Capital Bank (the “Bank”),
an
affiliate of Seller, pursuant to which the Interests will be pledged to the
Bank. Notwithstanding the purchase of the Interests by Buyer, Buyer and Seller
agree that Seller will remain responsible for the Excluded
Liabilities.
SECTION
2
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Except
as
set forth on the Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, Seller hereby represents
and warrants to Buyer as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as
follows:
2.1
Organization,
Power and Authority of Seller.
Seller
is a corporation duly organized and legally existing in good standing under
the
laws of Nevada, and has full power and authority to carry on its business as
now
being conducted. Seller is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its
business or property would require that it be qualified, except as would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Seller.
2.2
The
Companies.
Seller
owns the Interests, which constitute 100% of the outstanding limited liability
company membership interests of the Company. The Company owns 100% of the
outstanding limited liability company membership interests of New Century
Educational Management Services, LLC (“NCEMS",
and
together with the Company, the “Companies”).
Each
of the Companies is a limited liability company, duly organized and legally
existing in good standing under the laws of Arizona, and has full power and
authority to carry on its businesses as now being conducted. Each of the
Companies is in good standing in each jurisdiction where its business or
property would require that it be qualified, except as would not reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
2.3
Binding
Obligation; Non-contravention.
This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and is the valid and
binding obligation of Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms. Except
as
described in Schedule 2.3 to this Agreement, neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by Seller nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will: (i) conflict with or violate any provisions of
Seller's Articles of Incorporation or bylaws or either of the Companies’
Articles of Organization or operating agreements or any decree or order of
any
court or administrative or other governmental body which is applicable to,
binding upon or enforceable against Seller or any of the Companies; or (ii)
result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration
of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel,
or
require any notice under, any Contract that is binding upon or enforceable
against Seller or either of the Companies except, in the case of this clause
(ii), as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as set forth in Schedule 2.3, no permit, consent, approval or
authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any regulatory or other
governmental authority is required in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by Seller and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
2.4
Ownership
of Interests and Assets.
At
Closing Seller shall have good and valid title to the Interests, free and clear
of all Encumbrances, except for restrictions imposed by applicable state and
federal securities laws. At Closing, Buyer shall acquire 100% of the outstanding
equity interests of the Company. Each of the Companies has good and valid title
to the assets listed on Schedule 2.4, free and clear of all Encumbrances other
than those disclosed on Schedule 2.4. The Companies' fixed assets are in good
operating condition, normal wear and tear excepted.
2.5
Valid
Transfer of Interests.
At
Closing, the Interests, when sold and delivered to Buyer in accordance with
the
terms of this Agreement for the consideration expressed herein, will be sold
and
transferred in compliance with or pursuant to an exemption from registration
or
qualification under all applicable federal and state securities
laws.
2.6
Financial
Statements of the Company.
Seller
has previously delivered to Buyer the Companies’ combined loan trial balance as
of March 31, 2006 (the “Loan
Trial Balance”),
the
following financial statements of the Companies (the “Financial
Statements”)
and a
pro forma balance sheet of the Companies at March 31, 2006 giving effect to
the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet"):
2
(i)
unaudited
balance sheets of the Companies at December 31, 2005;
(ii)
unaudited
income statements of the Companies for the twelve-month period ended at December
31, 2005;
(iii)
unaudited
balance sheets of the Companies at March 31, 2006; and
(iv)
unaudited
income statements of the Companies for the three-month period ended at March
31,
2006.
The
Financial Statements, the Loan Trial Balance and the Pro Forma Balance Sheet
are
attached hereto as Schedule 2.6 of the Disclosure Schedules. Except as set
forth
in Schedule 2.6, the Financial Statements (a) have been prepared consistently
with the books and records of Matrix Bancorp Inc., Seller and the Companies,
(b)
fairly present the financial position of the Companies as of the dates specified
and the results of operations of the Companies in all material respects for
the
periods covered thereby, and (c) have been prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis other than the
lack
of footnotes. Except as set forth in Schedule 2.6, the Loan Trial Balance and
the Pro Forma Balance Sheet have been prepared consistently with the books
and
records of Matrix Bancorp Inc., Seller and the Companies. The unaudited balance
sheet of the Company at March 31, 2006 (including the notes pertaining thereto,
if any) included in Schedule 2.6 is hereafter referred to as the "Last
Balance Sheet."
2.7
Liabilities
of the Company.
None of
the Companies have liabilities or obligations, direct or indirect, asserted
or
unasserted, known or unknown, accrued or unaccrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise, in each case greater than $25,000, except: (i) to the extent
reflected or taken into account in determining net worth in the Last Balance
Sheet and not heretofore paid or discharged or classified as Excluded
Liabilities and (ii) normal liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with prior practice, since the date of the Last Balance
Sheet.
2.8
Contracts.
(a)
To
Seller’s knowledge, Schedule 2.8 lists all Contracts (other than those
referenced on Schedule 2.4 or reflected in the Financial Statements or the
Loan
Trial Balance) which, following Closing:
(i)
are
with
any present or former stockholder, director, officer, employee, partner or
consultant of any of the Companies or any Affiliate thereof;
(ii)
provide
for non-competition agreements which restrict any of the Companies from doing
business in a specified area or geographic location;
(iii)
relate
to
the hiring or leasing of employees outside of the ordinary course of business;
or
3
(iv)
any
otherwise material to either of the Companies and outside of the ordinary course
of business.
(b)
To
Seller’s knowledge, neither of the Companies is in default in any material
respect under any material Contract.
(c)
To
Seller’s knowledge Neither of the Companies has received any notice from, or
given any notice to, any other party indicating that one of the Companies or
such other party, as the case may be, is in default under any material Contract.
(d)
To
Seller's knowledge, none of the other parties to any material Contract is in
default in any material respect thereunder.
(e)
To
Seller's knowledge, each of the material Contracts is enforceable against the
other parties thereto in accordance with the terms thereof.
(f)
For
purposes of this Section 2.8, unwritten employment arrangements with employees
in the ordinary courses of business are not Contracts required to be listed
on
Schedule 2.8.
2.9
Licenses
and Permits of the Companies.
The
Companies possess all licenses and other required governmental or official
approvals, permits or authorizations, except where the failure to possess would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All such licenses,
approvals, permits and authorizations are in full force and effect, the
Companies are in compliance with their requirements, and no proceeding is
pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened to suspend, revoke or amend
any of them. To Seller’s knowledge, except as set forth in Schedule 2.9, none of
such licenses, approvals, permits and authorizations are or will be impaired
or
in any way affected by the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
2.10
Litigation.
Except
as set forth in Schedule 2.10, there are no actions, suits, claims, governmental
investigations, audits, or arbitration proceedings pending or, to the knowledge
of Seller, threatened against or affecting Seller or either of the Companies
or
any of their assets or properties and, to the knowledge of Seller, there is
no
basis for any of the foregoing. There are no outstanding orders, decrees or
stipulations issued by any federal, state, local or foreign judicial or
administrative authority in any proceeding to which the Seller or either of
the
Companies are or were a party.
2.11
No
Material Adverse Change.
Since
the date of the Last Balance Sheet, there have been no changes in the business
or properties of the Companies, or in their financial condition, other than
changes occurring in the ordinary course of business that in the aggregate
would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is not,
to
the knowledge of Seller, any threatened or prospective event or condition of
any
character whatsoever that could materially and adversely affect the assets,
properties, business, financial condition or results of operations of the
Companies taken as a whole.
2.12
Absence
of Certain Acts or Events.
Since
the date of the Last Balance Sheet, other than those distributions made and
actions taken by the Companies in contemplation of this Agreement, which are
listed in Section 5.2 of this Agreement, neither of the Companies has: (i)
authorized or issued any additional equity interests or other securities; (ii)
made any distributions with respect to its outstanding membership interests
or
purchased or redeemed any of its membership interests or other securities;
(iii)
sold, leased, transferred or assigned any of its assets other than in the
ordinary course of business; (iv) other than in the ordinary course of business,
incurred any material obligations or liabilities (including any indebtedness)
or
entered into any material Contract, obligation or other transaction, except
for
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (v) materially changed
any of its Tax or accounting polices; (vi) increased the compensation payable
to
any of its respective employees other than in the ordinary course of business;
(vii) experienced any material damage, destruction or loss (whether or not
covered by insurance); or (viii) otherwise taken any action outside the ordinary
course of business that had a Material Adverse Effect on either of the
Companies.
2.13
Employees.
(a)
No
current officer or employee of either of the Companies is a party to any written
employment agreement or union or collective bargaining agreement. No union
has
been certified or recognized as the collective bargaining representative of
any
of such employees or has attempted to engage in negotiations with either of
the
Companies regarding terms and conditions of employment. No unfair labor practice
charge, work stoppage, picketing, harassment or other such activity relating
to
labor matters has occurred during the past five years or is pending. To Seller's
knowledge, there are no current or threatened attempts to organize or establish
any labor union to represent any employees of the Companies. Each of the
Companies is in compliance in all material respects with all requirements of
Laws governing employee relations that may be applicable to the Business,
including anti-discrimination Laws, immigration, wage and hour Laws, labor
relations Laws and occupational safety and health Laws, and no suits, charges
or
administrative proceedings relating to any such Law are pending or, to Seller's
knowledge, have been threatened.
(b)
Schedule
2.13 sets out a list of all salaried employees of the Companies, together with
their current salary and bonus paid, if any, for 2005. No outstanding offer
of
employment has been made by either of the Companies to any Person nor has any
Person accepted an offer of employment made by either of the Companies but
who
has not yet commenced such employment. All Persons whom the Companies have
engaged as independent contractors are properly classified as independent
contractors for Tax purposes.
2.14
Employee
Benefits.
(a)
True
and
correct copies or summaries of existing employee benefit plans (the
"Benefit
Plans")
generally provided by the Companies to their existing employees have been
previously provided to Buyer and are listed in Schedule 2.14 of the Disclosure
Schedules. Each of the Benefit Plans complies in form in all material respects
and has been administered in all material respects in accordance with all
applicable requirements of Law.
(b)
There
is
no pending or, to the knowledge of Seller, threatened claim which alleges any
violation of any Benefit Plan by any employee or any participant or beneficiary
against any Benefit Plan.
5
(c)
All
contributions required to have been made by the Companies or any of their
Affiliates to any Benefit Plan under its terms or pursuant to any Law have
been
made. There are no unfunded benefit obligations arising in any jurisdiction
that
are not accounted for by reserves shown on the Last Balance Sheet.
(d)
All
accrued obligations of the Companies, whether arising by operation of law,
by
contract, or by past custom, for payments to trust or other funds or to any
governmental body, with respect to unemployment compensation, social security,
or any other benefits for employees of any of the Companies as of the date
hereof, have been paid, or adequate accruals therefore have been provided on
the
Last Balance Sheet, and none of the foregoing has been rendered. Seller shall
be
responsible for funding the employer contribution portion of each of the
Companies’ employees participation in the Matrix Bancorp, Inc. 401(k) Plan
accrued through the Closing Date.
2.15
Compliance
with Laws.
The
Companies have not made any kickback, bribe, or payment to any person or entity
in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation,
directly or indirectly, for referring, recommending or arranging business or
customers with, to or for the Companies. The Companies are in material
compliance (without obtaining waivers, variances or extensions) with all
federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations that relate to
the
operations of the Business.
2.16
Real
Property.
(a)
Schedule
2.16 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a complete and correct list of
all
real properties or premises that are owned, leased or used in whole or in part
by any of the Companies (the "Real
Property").
The
properties listed on Schedule 2.16 of the Disclosure Schedules constitute all
the real properties utilized by any of the Companies, including certain
properties that are subject to lease purchase arrangements with charter schools
that were conveyed by Seller to the Company prior to Closing in contemplation
of
the consummation of this Agreement (the “Lease
Purchase Properties”).
Complete and correct copies of all leases (the "Leases")
concerning such Real Property, including the Leases covering the Lease Purchase
Properties (the “Lease
Purchase Contracts”),
have
been delivered to Buyer.
(b)
Other
than the Lease Purchase Contracts, each Lease is valid and binding, as between
one of the Companies and the other party or parties thereto, and one or more
of
the Companies is a tenant or possessor in good standing thereunder, free of
any
material default on the part of the Companies and, to Seller's knowledge, free
of any default on the part of the lessors thereunder, and quietly enjoys the
premises provided for therein.
(c)
Each
Lease Purchase Contract is valid and binding, as between one of the Companies
and the other party or parties thereto, free of any material default on the
part
of the Companies and, to Seller's knowledge, free of any default on the part
of
the lessees thereunder.
2.17
Intellectual
Property.
(a)
All
Contracts involving consideration with a value of $25,000 or more annually
(other than those terminable with no more than 30 days notice without penalty
or
other cost) to which either of the Companies is a party or by which either
of
the Companies is bound relating to any Proprietary Rights, except for any
perpetual, paid-up royalty and transferable rights licensed to any of the
Companies for off-the-shelf Software, are included in Schedule 2.8. To Seller’s
knowledge, neither of the Companies has received any written notice, or
otherwise is aware of, any outstanding or threatened disputes, disagreements
or
breaches with respect to any such Contract. The Companies do not own, license,
use or rely upon any patents or trademarks.
6
(b)
To
Seller's knowledge, the operation of the Business as currently conducted has
not, does not and will not, when conducted by Buyer in substantially the same
manner following the Closing, interfere with, infringe, misappropriate or
violate any Proprietary Rights of any third party or constitute unfair
competition or trade practices under the laws of any jurisdiction. To Seller’s
knowledge, neither of the Companies has received notice from any other Person
claiming that the operation of the business or any Proprietary Right used by
any
of the Companies interferes with, infringes, misappropriates or violates any
Proprietary Rights of any third party or constitutes unfair competition or trade
practices under the laws of any jurisdiction.
2.18
Affiliate
Interests.
To
Seller’s knowledge, neither of the Companies is a party to any transaction
outside of the ordinary course of business with (i) any employee, officer or
director of one of the Companies, (ii) any relative of any such employee,
officer or director, or (iii) any Person that, directly or indirectly, is
controlled by or under common control with the Company or with any such
employee, officer, director or relative.
2.19
Broker's
or Finder's Fee.
Neither
Seller nor any of its Affiliates have employed, or are liable for the payment
of
any fee to, any finder, broker, consultant or similar person in connection
with
the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.
2.20
Effect
of Buyer’s Knowledge.
Seller
shall not be deemed to have violated any of the foregoing representations and
warranties or to have breached this Agreement if and to the extent that, at
the
time of execution of this Agreement, Buyer knew of the information that would
otherwise constitute a violation of such representation or warranty.
2.21
Loan
Servicing. Prior
to
Closing, (a) the Loans reflected in the Loan Trial Balance have been originated
and serviced by the Company in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations and (b) the Companies performed their obligations and
responsibilities under their current and past service agreements in accordance
with the terms of such agreements and applicable law.
SECTION
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Except
as
set forth on the Disclosure Schedules attached hereto specifically identifying
the Section hereof to which each such exception relates, Buyer hereby represents
and warrants to Seller as of the Closing Date as follows:
3.1
Organization,
Power and Authority of Buyer.
Buyer
is a limited liability company duly organized and legally existing in good
standing under the laws of Colorado, and has full limited liability company
power and authority and all licenses and permits necessary to
7
own
or
lease its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.
Buyer is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its business or property
is such as to require that it be thus qualified, except as would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability
company action of Buyer.
3.2
Binding
Obligation; Noncontravention.
This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and is a valid and
binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby will: (i) conflict with or violate any
provisions of Buyer's Articles of Organization or operating agreement or of
any
decree or order of any court or administrative or other governmental body which
is applicable to, binding upon or enforceable against Buyer; or (ii) result
in a
breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of, create
in
any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require
any
notice under, any mortgage, contract, agreement, indenture or other instrument
which is binding upon or enforceable against Buyer. No permit, consent, approval
or authorization of, or declaration to or filing with, any regulatory or other
governmental authority is required in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
3.3
Investment
Representations.
(a)
Buyer
is
an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation
D
under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act").
(b)
Buyer
is
acquiring the Interests for its own account for investment and not with a view
to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof, nor with any
present intention of distributing or selling the Interests.
(c)
Buyer
understands that the securities being sold hereby have not been registered
under
the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws, and are being issued
in
reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the
Securities Act and in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements
of certain state securities laws. Because the Interests have not been registered
under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws, the Interests
may
not be re-offered or resold except through a valid and effective registration
statement or pursuant to a valid exemption from the registration requirements
under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
(d)
Buyer
acknowledges that, since the execution of April 21, 2006 letter of intent
between Buyer and Seller relating to the transactions to be effected by this
Agreement, Buyer and its managers, officers, employees, agents, and
representatives have been afforded reasonable access, during normal business
hours and upon reasonable notice, to the personnel, properties, books, and
records of the Companies.
8
SECTION
4
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS
4.1
Further
Action; Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
The
parties agree to execute and deliver all further instruments, certificates
and
documents and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
more
fully carry out the intent and the purposes of this Agreement. The parties
shall
use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such objections,
if any, as may be asserted with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby
under the laws, rules, guidelines or regulations of any governmental entity.
4.2
Notification
of Certain Matters.
Each
party shall give prompt notice to the other party hereto of the occurrence
or
nonoccurrence of any event the occurrence or nonoccurrence of which would cause
any representation or warranty of either party contained in this Agreement
to be
untrue or inaccurate in any material respect at the Closing or would cause
any
material failure of a party to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition
or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder.
4.3
Access.
If the
Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not occur
immediately upon the execution hereof, then from the date of execution of this
Agreement until the Closing, then Seller will, and will cause the Companies
to,
give Buyer and its managers, officers, employees, agents, and representatives
reasonable access, during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice,
to
the personnel, properties, books, and records of the Companies; provided,
however, that such access shall not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations
of any of Seller or the Companies. Following the Closing, Buyer will, and will
cause the Companies to, grant Seller and its officers, employees, agents, and
representatives reasonable access, during normal business hours and upon
reasonable notice, to the books and records of the Companies relating to the
period of time that the Companies were owned by Seller, if and to the extent
that information in such books and records is required for any Tax returns
or
filings or for any filings made by Matrix Bancorp, Inc. with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission or other securities regulators; provided, however, that
such
access shall not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of any of Buyer
or
the Companies.
4.4
Ordinary
Conduct.
If the
Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not occur
immediately upon the execution hereof, then Seller will, from the date of
execution of this Agreement until the Closing, cause the business of the
Companies to be conducted in the ordinary course in substantially the same
manner as presently conducted except as expressly contemplated otherwise by
this
Agreement.
4.5
Purchase
Price Allocation.
Buyer
and Seller shall allocate the Purchase Price among the assets of the Companies
in accordance with their respective fair market values, with the balance
allocated to goodwill, substantially as set forth on Schedule 4.6 attached
hereto, and the parties agree to adhere to such allocations for tax reporting
purposes.
4.6
Taxes.
Seller
shall be responsible for the payment of all Taxes incurred by the Companies
through the Closing Date, and Buyer shall be responsible for the payment of
all
Taxes incurred by the Companies following the Closing Date.
9
4.7
Liabilities.
To the
extent possible, at Closing the Companies shall have distributed to Seller,
and
Seller shall have assumed, the Excluded Liabilities.
4.8
Office
Space. Seller
hereby leases to Buyer, for the continuing use of the Companies, the office
space currently utilized by the Companies in Phoenix, Arizona for the period
beginning immediately after the Closing Date until November 30, 2006 at a rental
rate of $1 per month, with Buyer waiving any and all rights to holdover tenancy
or other similar rights.
4.9
Retention
Bonuses. Seller
agrees to contribute $10,000 toward retention bonuses paid by Buyer or the
Companies to management employees of the Companies and to contribute up to
an
additional $30,000 to match contributions made by Buyer for such purpose.
4.10
St.
Louis Properties. Buyer
agrees that, following the Closing it will provide general oversight for
Seller’s Xxxxxx and St. Boniface properties (the “St.
Louis Properties”)
and specified
financial services for each of the St. Louis Properties, namely sublease
negotiations, rent collection from subtenants and rent payment to the lessor
for
the St. Boniface property and lease negotiations, rent collection from tenants
and remittance of such collections to Seller for the Xxxxxx property, together
with such other management services as are expressly assumed in writing by
Buyer, in exchange for a payment of $7,500 per calendar quarter, payable in
arrears, commencing on June 30, 2006. Buyer shall not be required to provide
any
on-site property management or other similar services. The obligation of Buyer
to provide these services to Seller may be terminated by either party upon
60
days notice to the other beginning 90 days after the date of this Agreement.
Seller agrees that, if it closes a sale or other disposition of the Xxxxxx
property that was initially presented by Buyer, Seller will pay to Buyer a
structuring fee upon such closing in an amount to be negotiated between Buyer
and Seller but not to be less than $250,000, provided, however, that nothing
herein obligates Seller to accept or approve any sale or disposition proposed
by
Buyer and Seller reserves the right to require such terms, including but not
limited to price, as Seller may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion.
4.11
Remarketing
of Class A Pass-Through Certificates. Seller
agrees to cause its Affiliate, First Matrix Investment Services Corp.
(“First
Matrix”),
to
continue to provide remarketing services with respect to the Class A
Pass-Through Certificates as described in the Master Placement Agency and
Remarketing Agreement of the First Matrix Charter School Trust II for a period
of one year following the date hereof, for which First Matrix will
continue to receive its annual fee of 12.5 basis points. Buyer or the Company
may terminate the remarketing services at any time.
4.12
Sale
Within First Year. If
on or
prior to the one year anniversary of this Agreement, Buyer or the Companies
sell, transfer or assign, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all
of
the Interests, the Companies or the assets of the Companies, including a merger,
membership interest exchange or other limited liability company level
transaction (each of the foregoing, a “Sale”),
in
each case for a net sales price (the “Sale
Price”)
greater than the Purchase Price, Buyer shall pay to Seller 50% of the difference
between the Sale Price and the Purchase Price (the “Margin”).
Buyer
shall pay this amount to Seller no later than five business days after the
Sale.
The Margin shall be adjusted for any assets or Interests excluded from, or
otherwise not considered in valuing, the assets or Interests or Companies sold
or disposed of in the Sale in order to most equitably calculate the profit
earned by Buyer or the Companies in any such Sale.
10
SECTION
5
CONDITIONS
5.1
Conditions
to Each Party's Obligations.
While
the parties presently contemplate that the Closing will take place immediately
upon the execution of this Agreement, if for any reason the Closing is delayed
and does not occur until some period of time greater than one business day,
then
the respective obligations of each party to effect the transactions contemplated
in this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the
Closing of each of the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived
by both parties in writing, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by
applicable law:
(a)
No
statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or injunction shall have been enacted,
entered, promulgated or enforced by a governmental entity that prohibits the
consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, and no
proceeding that has a reasonable probability of resulting in such effect shall
be pending; and
(b)
All
authorizations, consents and approvals required to be obtained prior to
consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall have
been
obtained other than the consent from the Arizona Department of Banking regarding
the change in control of the Company with respect to the Companies’ Arizona
Commercial Mortgage Banking license, the receipt of which is waived by Buyer.
5.2
Conditions
to the Obligation of Buyer. Irrespective
of the timing of the Closing, the obligation of Buyer to effect the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement is further subject to the satisfaction or waiver
at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:
(a)
The
representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement shall
be
true and correct at and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing,
as
if made at and as of such time;
(b)
Seller
shall have performed in all material respects its obligations under this
Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing pursuant
to
the terms hereof;
(c)
Seller
shall have caused the Company to distribute all of the following assets to
one
or more affiliates other than the Companies:
(i)
the
outstanding membership interests of Charter Facility Funding, LLC and New
Century Academy Property Management Group, LLC;
(ii)
the
Company’s interests in the Flower Mound, Texas property (“Flower
Mound”)
(which
shall include any property, including cash, received by the Company in any
sale,
transfer or any other disposition of Flower Mound or any part thereof, to any
third party) and the Xxxxxx and St. Boniface properties in St. Louis, Missouri;
and
11
(iii)
the
Deferred Tax Asset, Current Tax Receivable and Intercompany Receivable set
forth
on the Last Balance Sheet.
(d)
Seller
shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to Buyer all of the following
documents:
(i)
Assignments
by Seller of each of the Lease Purchase Contracts to the Company;
(ii)
a
Transition Services Agreement between Seller and Buyer in the form of
Exhibit
B
hereto;
(iii)
a
written
waiver of the applicable provisions of (A) the November 4, 2005 Severance,
Separation and Release Agreements between Matrix Bancorp, Inc., Matrix Capital
Bank, Matrix Bancorp Trading, Inc., First Matrix Investment Services Corp.,
First Matrix, LLC, ABS School Services, LLC, Matrix Financial Services
Corporation, Matrix Funding Corp., MTXC Realty Corp., Sterling Trust Company,
The Vintage Group, Inc., Vintage Delaware Holdings, Inc., the Company, MSCS
Ventures, Inc., Charter Facilities Funding, LLC, Charter Facilities Funding
III
LLC and Community Development Funding I, LLC (collectively, the “Matrix
Parties”)
and
each of Xxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx and (B) the November 4, 2005 Retention,
Separation and Release Agreement between the Matrix Parties and Xxxxx Xxxxx,
with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, executed by the Matrix
Parties;
(iv)
a
certificate duly executed by the chief executive officer of Seller in the form
of Exhibit
C;
(v)
a
certificate, duly executed by the secretary of Seller, certifying: (A) a copy
of
Seller's Certificate of Incorporation, (B) a copy of Seller's by-laws; (C)
as to
the incumbency and signatures of Seller's officers who signed this Agreement
and
any document in relation to the transactions contemplated herein; and (D) as
to
the limited liability company authorization of the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and all related agreements, documents and
certificates;
(vi)
a
good
standing certificate, or a copy thereof, relating to Seller and each of the
Companies issued as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of their state
of
incorporation and the Secretary of State of each jurisdiction where each of
the
Companies is qualified to do business;
(vii)
resignations
of all officers and managers of the Companies; and
(viii)
such
other documents and instruments as Buyer or its counsel may reasonably request
to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
5.3
Conditions
to the Obligation of Seller.
Irrespective of the timing of the Closing, the obligation of Seller to effect
the transactions contemplated in this Agreement is further subject to the
satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following
conditions:
12
(a)
The
representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be
true and correct at and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing,
as
if made at and as of such time;
(b)
Buyer
shall have performed in all material respects its obligations under this
Agreement required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing pursuant
to
the terms hereof;
(c)
Buyer
shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to Seller all of the following
documents:
(i)
Evidence
of termination or modification acceptable to Seller of the Credit Support
Agreement between Matrix Bancorp. Inc. and Compass Bank;
(ii) a
certificate, duly executed by the Secretary of Buyer, certifying: (A) a copy
of
Buyer's Articles of Organization, (B) as to the incumbency and signatures of
Buyer's officers who are signing any document in relation to the transactions
contemplated herein; and (C) a copy of resolutions duly adopted by the managers
of Buyer, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and all related agreements, documents and certificates;
(iii)
a
good
standing certificate relating to Buyer issued as of a recent date by the
Colorado Secretary of State; and
(iv)
such
other documents and instruments as Seller or its counsel may reasonably request
to carry out the intent of this Agreement.
SECTION
6
INDEMNITY
AND GUARANTY
6.1
Seller's
Indemnification Liability.
Seller
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and its members, managers,
officers, agents, employees, insurers, attorneys, successors and assigns from
and against any and all Damages arising out of or resulting from, directly
or
indirectly: (i) any breach by Seller of the terms of this Agreement, (ii) any
misrepresentation or breach of warranty contained in this Agreement, (iii)
failure to perform any covenant or obligation of Seller under this Agreement,
or
(iv) any Excluded Liability.
6.2
Buyer's
Indemnification Liability.
Buyer
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller and its shareholders, officers,
managers, directors, agents, employees, insurers, attorneys, successor and
assigns from and against any and all Damages arising out of or resulting from,
directly or indirectly: (i) any breach by Buyer of the terms of this Agreement,
(ii) any misrepresentation or breach of warranty contained in this Agreement,
or
(iii) failure to perform any covenant or obligation of Buyer under this
Agreement, or (iv) the operation or ownership of the Companies following the
Closing Date other than Excluded Liabilities.
6.3
Indemnification
Claims Procedure.
13
For
any
indemnification claim made under Section 6.1 against Seller or under Section
6.2
against Buyer, the indemnified party shall give written notice, within 30 days
of the party's actual knowledge of the claim, to the party potentially liable
as
an indemnifying party (referred to in this Section as an "Indemnitor")
of any
claim potentially giving rise to any Damages that has arisen or been asserted,
provided that any failure or delay in giving notice shall not limit the other
party's indemnity obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that
such other party is proven to have been prejudiced by such failure or delay.
The
notice shall specify in reasonable detail the Damage, the basis for any
anticipated liability and, if then determinable, the computation of the amount
of the indemnification claim hereunder.
If
the
notice states that a claim has been made by a third party, the Indemnitor may,
at its option, assume the defense of such claim if it admits its liability
under
this indemnity and provides evidence of financial ability to pay reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party. The Indemnitor shall be liable to
indemnify for any settlement of any such claim, the defense of which has been
formally accepted by the Indemnitor, if the settlement is effected by the
indemnified party with the Indemnitor's consent. Any defense of a claim accepted
by the Indemnitor shall be conducted by counsel of good standing, and at the
expense of the Indemnitor, except that if any proceeding involves both claims
against which indemnity is granted hereunder and other claims for which
indemnity is not granted hereunder, the expenses of defending against such
claims shall be borne in proportion to the respective dollar amounts of the
award of damages related to such claims. If no damages are awarded with respect
to such claims, then expenses shall be shared equally. Each party shall make
available to the other party and its attorneys and accountants all books and
records of such party relating to any claim, and the parties agree to render
to
each other such assistance as may reasonably be requested to insure the proper
and adequate defense of any such claim. The indemnified party may be a
participant in the defense of any claim being defended by the Indemnitor at
its
own expense.
6.4
Limitations.
A claim
for indemnification under Section 6.1 must be made against the applicable
Indemnitor within one year of the date hereof, except that a claim against
Seller on account of (a) violations of the first two sentences of Section 2.2
or
the first three sentences of Section 2.4, (b) any inaccuracies in the principal
balances shown on the Loan Trial Balance or (c) any Excluded Liability, may
be
asserted at any time prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations
applicable thereto, including any extension thereof agreed to by Buyer and
Seller. No amounts shall be payable by Seller under Section 6.1 unless and
until
the aggregate amount otherwise payable by Seller in the absence of this clause
exceeds $25,000 (the "Basket"),
in
which event Seller shall be liable for all amounts payable under Section 6.1
(including the first $25,000). In no event shall the amount payable by Seller
under Section 6.1 exceed $1,000,000 (the "Cap").
Neither the Cap nor the Basket shall apply to a claim for indemnification
against Seller based on willful misconduct, fraud, any Excluded Liability,
a
claim for breach of any representation or warranty set forth in the first two
sentences of Section 2.2 or the first three sentences of Section 2.4, any
inaccuracies in the principal balances shown on the Loan Trial Balance or any
guaranty claim under Section 6.5.
6.5
Loan
Portfolio Guaranty.
(a)
Seller
guarantees payment of the loans held by the Company on the Closing Date (the
“Loan
Portfolio”),
which
loans are listed on Exhibit
D
hereto,
up to an aggregate guaranty of $1,650,000 in the aggregate. In order for Buyer
to obtain payment from Seller under this guaranty (the “Portfolio
Guaranty”),
Buyer
must provide written notice to Seller of a
14
payment
default on a loan held in the Loan Portfolio and offer Seller the opportunity
to
repurchase the defaulted loan from Buyer or the Companies. If Seller does not
repurchase said loan within the 30-day period following delivery of such notice,
then Buyer may elect to address the default in such manner as it believes to
reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, and Seller’s liability to Buyer
under the Portfolio Guaranty for such loan shall include property disposition
costs and expenses, sales commissions, scheduled interest payments to third
parties and any other bona fide, fully documented, out-of-pocket expenses
related to disposing of the loan. The
Portfolio Guaranty expires on the fifth anniversary of the execution of this
Agreement (the “Expiration
Date”),
except with respect to loans in the Loan Portfolio that are more than 30 days
delinquent on the Expiration Date, for which loans a claim may continue to
be
made until the earlier of (i) the date that 12 consecutive monthly payments
have
been made on a timely basis on such loan or (ii) the date of final resolution
of
the defaulted loan.
(b)
Seller’s
Portfolio Guaranty (i) is limited to the loans in the Loan Portfolio listed
on
Exhibit
F
and does
not cover any new or replacement loans added to the Loan Portfolio after the
Closing provided, however, if Buyer informs Seller of a defaulted loan under
Section 6.5(a) and Seller has declines to repurchase such loan and Buyer or
the
Companies elect to address the default by restructuring or replacing the
defaulted loan with a new or modified loan secured by substantially identical
collateral, then the Portfolio Guaranty shall apply to the new loan as it did
to
the defaulted loan up to an amount equal to the principal balance of the
defaulted loan at the time of the default; (ii) is made only to Buyer and the
Companies so long as the Companies are owned and controlled by Buyer and Buyer
is owned and controlled by its current members, and (iii) terminates if and
to
the extent that the Loan Portfolio or such loan is transferred, directly or
indirectly, to any party other than Buyer, the Companies or an entity owned
and
controlled by Buyer or Companies, provided, however, that the Portfolio Guaranty
shall not be terminated if the transfer is a sale and leaseback arrangement
or
other similar financing arrangement where the risk of loss from default remains
with Buyer or the Companies after the transfer.
SECTION
7
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1
Costs
and Expenses.
Each
party shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by it in
connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, all attorneys' fees and
costs, all accountants' fees and costs and broker's fees and costs). The
obligations contained in this Section 8.1 shall survive the termination of
this
Agreement.
7.2
Employees;
Benefits.
Effective at the Closing, the Companies shall cease to be participating
employers in the Benefit Plans. Buyer shall pay Seller the cost of maintaining
health insurance coverage through COBRA for the employees of the Companies
who
elect COBRA coverage until new coverage is available to such employees pursuant
to a health insurance plan maintained by Buyer
15
7.3
Amendment;
Waiver; Termination.
This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the parties hereto.
At
any
time prior to the Closing, the parties may: (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties hereto;
(ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other
parties contained herein or in any document, certificate or writing delivered
pursuant hereto; or (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions of the other parties hereto contained herein. Any agreement on the
part of any party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set
forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. Any such
waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the specific matter
described in such writing and shall in no way impair the rights of the party
granting such waiver in any other respect or at any other time. Neither the
waiver by any of the parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any of
the
provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure by either of the parties, on
one
or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or to
exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall be construed as a waiver of
any
other breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any of such
provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.
The
rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and none is exclusive of
any
other, or of any rights or remedies that any party may otherwise have at law
or
in equity.
7.4
Notices.
Any
notice, request, demand, waiver, consent, approval or other communication which
is required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing. All such notices shall
be delivered personally, by facsimile (with receipt confirmation) or by
overnight courier, and shall be deemed given or made when delivered personally,
the business day sent if sent by facsimile or one business day after delivery
to
the overnight courier for next business day delivery. All such notices are
to be
given or made to the parties at the following addresses (or to such other
address as any party may designate by a notice given in accordance with the
provisions of this Section):
If
to
Buyer:
SKS
Ventures, LLC
0000
Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Facsimile
No. (000) 000-0000
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxxxxx
Hyatt & Xxxxxx, P.C.
000
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
16
If
to
Seller:
Equi-Mor
Holdings, Inc.
c/o
Matrix Bancorp, Inc.
000
00xx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, General Counsel
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
With
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
0000
00xx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn:
S.
Xxx Xxxxx, Jr.
Facsimile
No: 000-000-0000
7.5
Headings.
The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
7.6
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original but all of which together shall be considered one and the
same agreement.
7.7
Entire
Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries; Ownership Rights.
This
Agreement (including the documents and the instruments referred to herein):
(i)
constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to
the
subject matter hereof; and (ii) is not intended to confer upon any person other
than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.
7.8
Severability.
If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court
of
competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void, unenforceable
or
against its regulatory policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants
and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
7.9
Governing
Law; Venue.
This
Agreement shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws
of the State of Colorado without giving effect to the principles of conflicts
of
law thereof.
7.10
Assignment.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall
be assigned by either of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or
otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party; provided,
however, that Buyer may assign its rights hereunder to any lender as security
for providing financing of the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to
the
first sentence of this Section 8.10, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns.
17
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller and Buyer have caused this Agreement to be signed by
their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written
above.
SKS
VENTURES, LLC
By:
/s/
D.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
D.
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Manager
EQUI-MOR
HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx
X. XxXxxxxxx
Title: President
18
GUARANTIES
Guaranty
of Seller’s Obligations. In
order
to induce Buyer to purchase the Interests and enter into the Agreement and
because it has determined that executing this Guaranty is in its interest and
to
its financial benefit as the sole stockholder of Seller, MATRIX BANCORP, INC.
("MBI") hereby absolutely and unconditionally guaranties to Buyer, as primary
obligor and not merely as surety, the performance of all obligations of Seller
under this Agreement, including but not limited to the full and prompt payment
of Seller’s indemnification obligations, the Portfolio Guaranty and any other
payments which the Agreement requires to be made by Seller, when due, whether
at
stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise (the “Seller Liabilities”). MBI
will not only pay the Seller Liabilities, but will also reimburse Buyer for
any
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, that Buyer may incur
in collecting the Seller Liabilities from Seller or MBI, and for enforcing
this
Guaranty.
MATRIX
BANCORP, INC.
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxxxx
X. XxXxxxxxx
Vice
President
Guaranty
of Buyer’s Obligations. In
order
to induce Seller to sell the Interests to Buyer and enter into the Agreement
and
because they have each determined that executing this Guaranty is in their
individual and collective interest and to their individual and collective
financial benefit as the sole holders of the membership interests of Buyer,
each
of XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXX and D. XXXX XXXXXXX (collectively
the “Members” and individually a “Member”) hereby absolutely and unconditionally
guaranties to Seller, jointly and severally, as primary obligor and not merely
as surety, the performance of all obligations of Buyer under this Agreement,
including but not limited to the full and prompt payment of Buyer’s
indemnification obligations and any other payments which the Agreement requires
to be made by Buyer, when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration
or
otherwise (the “Buyer Liabilities”). Each of the Members, or any one Member,
will not only pay the Buyer Liabilities, but will also reimburse Seller for
any
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, that Seller may incur
in collecting the Buyer Liabilities from Buyer, the Members or any Member,
and
for enforcing this Guaranty.
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
XXXXX
XXXXX
/s/
D. Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
D.
XXXX XXXXXXX
EXHIBIT
A
Definitions
"Affiliate"
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person who directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such Person. The term "control" means the possession, directly
or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and
policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
Contract or otherwise, and the terms "controlled" and "controlling" have
meanings correlative thereto.
"Code"
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
"Contract"
means
any contract, lease, license, purchase order, sales order or other written
agreement, practice or commitment which survives the Closing and is binding
upon
a Person or its property.
"Damages"
means
any liabilities, assessments, judgments, remediations, diminution in value,
and
costs or expenses (including out-of-pocket expenses for reasonable attorneys,
consultants' and other professional fees) and any direct or indirect,
consequential or special damages, but excluding punitive damages, except for
punitive damages payable to a third party.
"Encumbrance"
means
any lien, mortgage, security interest, pledge, charge or encumbrance of any
nature whatsoever on any property or property interest, including any
restriction on the use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or other exercise
of
any attributes of ownership excluding, however, liens for current taxes not
yet
due and payable and minor imperfections of title or encumbrances that would
not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the property or
the
operations thereon.
"Excluded
Liabilities"
means
liabilities of the Company representing or attributable to (i) any Federal,
state or local Tax incident to or arising out of the operation of the Business
up to and including April 30, 2006 or such later date as the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement become effective; (ii) any Federal, state or
local Tax or fee incident to or arising out of the negotiation, preparation,
approval or authorization of this Agreement or any related documents or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including but not limited
to all fees and expenses payable to attorneys, accountants, auditors or brokers;
(iii) any liability with respect to the Benefit Plans administered by Seller;
(iv) any liability related to assets and subsidiaries owned by the Companies
that will be distributed to Seller or an Affiliate of Seller prior to or at
Closing; (v) any liabilities with respect to claims by Reliant Energy for
services provided to 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx prior to the Closing
Date; and (vi) any liability in excess of $10,000 related to the Xxxxxxxx
Lawsuit over the LTTS broker for Flower Mound. For the avoidance of doubt,
only
those liabilities and obligations that appear on the Last Balance Sheet and
are
designated as Excluded Liabilities on Schedule 2.6 shall be Excluded Liabilities
hereunder.
"Law"
means
any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, order or rule of any Governmental
Authority, including those covering environmental, energy, safety, health,
transportation, bribery, record keeping, zoning, antidiscrimination, antitrust,
wage and hour, and price and wage control matters, as well as any applicable
principle of common law.
"Material
Adverse Effect"
means a
material adverse effect on the operations, personnel, results of operations
or
financial condition of the Companies, taken as a whole.
"Person"
means
an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock
company, unincorporated organization or association, trust, joint venture,
association or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, or a
governmental authority.
"Proprietary
Rights"
means
all patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade names, software and
all registrations and applications and renewals for any of the foregoing and
all
goodwill associated therewith.
"Tax(es)"
means
any federal, state, local, or foreign income, gross receipts, business taxes,
taxes on services, license, payroll, employment, excise, transportation, energy,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, pollution or
environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the Code), custom duties,
capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar),
unemployment, disability, real property, ad valorem, personal property, sales,
use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum,
estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty,
or addition thereto, whether disputed or not, and any amounts payable pursuant
to the determination or settlement of an audit.