EXHIBIT 10.17
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
This Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release ("Agreement") is made by
and between GENUS, INC. (the "Company"), and XXXXX X. XXXXX ("Employee").
WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company;
WHEREAS, Employee and the Company entered into a Letter Agreement dated
August 21, 1996.
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have entered into a Change of Control
Severance Agreement (the "Change of Control Agreement").
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee have mutually agreed to terminate the
employment relationship and to release each other from any claims arising
from or related to the employment relationship;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the
Company and Employee (collectively referred to as "the Parties") hereby agree
as follows:
1. RESIGNATION. Employee resigns from his position as the Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer and from his position as a member of
the Company's Board of Directors on April 30, 1998.
2. CONSIDERATION. The Company agrees to pay Employee at his normal
rate of pay of twenty-five thousand Dollars ($25,000) per month, less
applicable withholding, for nine (9) months from the effective date of his
resignation (the "payment period") in accordance with the Company's payroll
practices. During the payment period, Employee will not be entitled to the
accrual or continuation of any employee benefits, including, but not limited
to, vacation benefits or bonuses.
3. VESTING OF STOCK. The Parties agree that for purposes of
determining the number of shares of the Company's common stock which Employee
is entitled to purchase from the Company, Employee's vesting shall cease as
of the date of this Agreement. The exercise of any stock options shall
continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's Stock
Option Plan and the applicable Stock Option Agreement between Employee and
the Company.
4. BENEFITS. Employee shall have the right to convert his health
insurance benefits to individual coverage pursuant to COBRA.
5. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee shall continue to maintain the
confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of the
Company and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of any
Confidentiality Agreement between Employee and the Company. Employee shall
return all the Company property and confidential and proprietary information
in his possession to the Company on the Effective Date of this Agreement.
6. PAYMENT OF SALARY. Employee acknowledges and represents that the
Company has paid all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation, commissions
and any and all other benefits due to Employee.
7. RELEASE OF CLAIMS. Employee agrees that the foregoing
consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations
owed to Employee by the Company. Employee and the Company, on behalf of
themselves, and their respective heirs, family members, executors, officers,
directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates,
divisions, subsidiaries, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns,
hereby fully and forever release each other and their respective heirs,
family members, executors, officers, directors, employees, investors,
shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries,
predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agree not to
xxx concerning, any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to
any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, that any of them may possess arising from any omissions, acts or
facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this
Agreement including, without limitation,
(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee's
employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that
relationship;
(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee's
right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company,
including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation,
breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate
law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment;
termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of
contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and
fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional
misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or
prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel;
slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy;
false imprisonment; and conversion;
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(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or
municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair
Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Older Workers Benefit
Protection Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor
Code section 201, ET SEQ. and section 970, ET SEQ.;
(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state,
constitution;
(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and
regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and
(g) any and all claims for attorneys' fees and costs.
The Company and Employee agree that the release set forth in this section
shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release
as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations
incurred under this Agreement.
8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WAIVER OF CLAIMS UNDER ADEA. Employee
acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA") and that this
waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee and the Company agree
that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may
arise under ADEA after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Employee
acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and release
Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already
entitled. Employee further acknowledges that he has been advised by this
writing that (a) he should consult with an attorney PRIOR to executing this
Agreement; (b) he has at least twenty-one (21) days within which to consider
this Agreement; (c) he has at least seven (7) days following the execution of
this Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; and (d) this Agreement
shall not be effective until the revocation period has expired.
9. CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542. The Parties represent that they are not
aware of any claim by either of them other than the claims that are released
by this Agreement. Employee and the Company acknowledge that they have been
advised by legal counsel and are familiar with the provisions of California
Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS
WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO
EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE
RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE
MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE
DEBTOR.
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Employee and the Company, being aware of said code section, agree to
expressly waive any rights they may have thereunder, as well as under any
other statute or common law principles of similar effect.
10. NO PENDING OR FUTURE LAWSUITS. Employee represents that he has no
lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in his name, or on behalf of any other
person or entity, against the Company or any other person or entity referred
to herein. Employee also represents that he does not intend to bring any
claims on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against
the Company or any other person or entity referred to herein.
11. APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT. Employee understands and agrees that,
as a condition of this Agreement, he shall not be entitled to any employment
with the Company, its subsidiaries, or any successor, and he hereby waives
any right, or alleged right, of employment or re-employment with the Company.
Employee further agrees that he will not apply for employment with the
Company, its subsidiaries or related companies, or any successor.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Parties hereto each agree to use their best
efforts to maintain in confidence the existence of this Agreement, the
contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for this
Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Settlement Information").
Each Party hereto agrees to take every reasonable precaution to prevent
disclosure of any Settlement Information to third parties, and each agrees
that there will be no publicity, directly or indirectly, concerning any
Settlement Information. The Parties hereto agree to take every precaution to
disclose Settlement Information only to those employees, officers, directors,
attorneys, accountants, governmental entities, and family members who have a
reasonable need to know of such Settlement Information.
13. NO COOPERATION. Employee agrees he will not act in any manner that
might damage the business of the Company. Employee agrees that he will not
counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or
prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or
complaints by any third party against the Company and/or any officer,
director, employee, agent, representative, shareholder or attorney of the
Company, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so.
14. NON-DISPARAGEMENT. Each party agrees to refrain from any
defamation, libel or slander of the other, or tortious interference with the
contracts and relationships of the other. All inquiries by potential future
employers of Employee will be directed to the Company's Human Resources
department. Upon inquiry, the Company shall only state the following:
Employee's last position and dates of employment. A press release
announcing Employee's resignation shall be made.
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15. TAX CONSEQUENCES. The Company makes no representations or
warranties with respect to the tax consequences of the payment of any sums to
Employee under the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees and understands
that he is responsible for payment, if any, of local, state and/or federal
taxes on the sums paid hereunder by the Company and any penalties or
assessments thereon. Employee further agrees to indemnify and hold the
Company harmless from any claims, demands, deficiencies, penalties,
assessments, executions, judgments, or recoveries by any government agency
against the Company for any amounts claimed due on account of Employee's
failure to pay federal or state taxes or damages sustained by the Company by
reason of any such claims, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
16. COSTS. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees,
attorneys' fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement.
17. ARBITRATION. The Parties agree that any and all disputes arising
out of the terms of this Agreement, their interpretation, and any of the
matters herein released, shall be subject to binding arbitration in Santa
Xxxxx County before the American Arbitration Association under its California
Employment Dispute Resolution Rules, or by a judge to be mutually agreed
upon. The Parties agree that the prevailing party in any arbitration shall
be entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to
enforce the arbitration award. The Parties agree that the prevailing party
in any arbitration shall be awarded its reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
18. AUTHORITY. The Company represents and warrants that the
undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the
Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act
on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through him to bind
them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and
represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or
equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action
released herein.
19. NO REPRESENTATIONS. Each party represents that it has had the
opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and
understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement.
Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the
other party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
20. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision hereof
becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in
full force and effect without said provision.
21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement represents the entire agreement
and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning Employee's
separation from the
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Company, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and
understandings concerning Employee's relationship with the Company and his
compensation by the Company.
22. NO ORAL MODIFICATION. This Agreement may only be amended in
writing signed by Employee and the President of the Company.
23. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California.
24. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement is effective seven days after it
has been signed by both Parties.
25. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and
each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and
shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the
undersigned.
26. VOLUNTARY EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement is executed
voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf
of the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The
Parties acknowledge that:
(a) They have read this Agreement;
(b) They have been represented in the preparation, negotiation,
and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice or that
they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;
(c) They understand the terms and consequences of this Agreement
and of the releases it contains;
(d) They are fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the
respective dates set forth below.
GENUS, Inc.
Dated: April 20, 1998 By /s/ XXXXXXX X.X. XXXXX
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Xxxxxxx X. X. Xxxxx
Chairman of the Board
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, an individual
Dated: April 17, 1998 /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXX
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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