Contract
EXHIBIT 10.28
GUARANTY
AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, this “Guaranty” or this
“Agreement”),
dated as of August 31, 2008, is made by GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC.,
a Delaware corporation (“GEM-DE”), GENERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF RANCHO XXXXXXX LLC, a California limited liability
company (“GEMRC”), GEM MOBILE
TREATMENT SERVICES, INC., a California corporation (“GEMMTS”) and GEM 6
ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“GEM 6,” and
collectively with GEM-DE, GEMRC, GEMMTS and any and all Additional Guarantors
from time to time, each a “Guarantor” and
collectively the “Guarantors”), in
favor of CVC California, LLC (the “Lender”).
STATEMENT OF
PURPOSE
Pursuant
to the terms of the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement of even date
herewith by and between General Environmental Management, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (the “Borrower”), and the
Lender (as same may be amended, modified, supplemented and/or restated from time
to time, the “Loan
Agreement”), the Lender has agreed to make one or more Loans to the
Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to $13,500,000 at any time
outstanding, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
therein.
Each of
the Guarantors is a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower.
The
Borrower and the Guarantors, though separate legal entities, comprise one
integrated financial enterprise, and the Loans will inure, directly or
indirectly, to the benefit of each of the Guarantors.
It is a
condition precedent to the obligation of the Lender to make the Loans under the
Loan Agreement that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this
Guaranty to the Lender.
NOW,
THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, and to induce the Lender to
enter into the Loan Agreement and to make the Loans thereunder, the Guarantors
hereby agree with the Lender as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINED
TERMS
SECTION
1.1 Definitions. The
following terms when used in this Guaranty shall have the meanings assigned to
them below:
“Additional Guarantor”
means each direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower which hereafter becomes
a Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof
and Section 5.11 of the Loan Agreement.
“Applicable Insolvency
Laws” means all Applicable Laws (domestic or foreign) governing
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, relief of debtors,
dissolution, insolvency, fraudulent transfers or conveyances or other similar
laws (including, without limitation, 11 U.S.C. Sections 544, 547, 548 and
550 and other “avoidance” provisions of Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended or supplemented).
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“Guaranteed
Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section
2.1.
“Guaranty” means this
Guaranty Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time.
SECTION
1.2 Other Definitional
Provisions. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
in this Guaranty, including the preambles and recitals hereof, shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement. In the event of a
conflict between capitalized terms defined herein and in the Loan Agreement, the
Loan Agreement shall control. The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto”
and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Guaranty shall
refer to this Guaranty as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Guaranty, and Section references are to this Guaranty unless otherwise
specified. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such
terms. Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral
or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Guarantor, shall refer to such
Guarantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof. The word
“including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean
“including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified.
ARTICLE
II
GUARANTY
SECTION
2.1 Guaranty. Each
Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally with the other Guarantors,
unconditionally guarantees to the Lender and its successors, endorsees,
transferees and assigns, the prompt payment and performance of all Obligations
of the Borrower, whether primary or secondary (whether by way of endorsement or
otherwise), whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not from time
to time reduced or extinguished (except by payment thereof) or hereafter
increased or incurred, whether enforceable or unenforceable as against the
Borrower, whether or not discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by any
Applicable Insolvency Law or proceeding thereunder, whether matured or
unmatured, whether joint or several, as and when the same become due and payable
(whether at maturity or earlier, by reason of acceleration, mandatory repayment
or otherwise), in accordance with the terms of the agreements and instruments
evidencing such Obligations, including all renewals, extensions or modifications
thereof (all such Obligations of the Borrower being hereafter collectively
referred to as the “Guaranteed
Obligations”).
SECTION
2.2 Bankruptcy
Limitations on Guarantors. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in Section 2.1, it is
the intention of each Guarantor and the Lender that, in any proceeding involving
the bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, relief of
debtors, dissolution or insolvency or any similar proceeding with respect to any
Guarantor or its assets, the amount of such Guarantor’s obligations with respect
to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be equal to, but not in excess of, the
maximum amount thereof not subject to avoidance or recovery by operation of
Applicable Insolvency Laws after giving effect to Section
2.3. To that end, but only in the event and to the extent that
after giving effect to Section 2.3 such
Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any
payment made pursuant to such Guaranteed Obligations would, but for
the
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operation
of the first sentence of this Section 2.2, be
subject to avoidance or recovery in any such proceeding under Applicable
Insolvency Laws after giving effect to Section 2.3, the
amount of such Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guaranteed
Obligations shall be limited to the largest amount which, after giving effect
thereto, would not, under Applicable Insolvency Laws, render such Guarantor’s
obligations with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations unenforceable or
avoidable or otherwise subject to recovery under Applicable Insolvency
Laws. To the extent any payment actually made pursuant to the
Guaranteed Obligations exceeds the limitation of the first sentence of this
Section 2.2 and
is otherwise subject to avoidance and recovery in any such proceeding under
Applicable Insolvency Laws, the amount subject to avoidance shall in all events
be limited to the amount by which such actual payment exceeds such limitation
and the Guaranteed Obligations as limited by the first sentence of this Section 2.2 shall in
all events remain in full force and effect and be fully enforceable against such
Guarantor. The first sentence of this Section 2.2 is
intended solely to preserve the rights of the Lender hereunder against such
Guarantor in such proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable
Insolvency Laws and neither such Guarantor, the Borrower, any other Guarantor
nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under such sentence that
would not otherwise be available under Applicable Insolvency Laws in such
proceeding.
SECTION
2.3 Agreements for
Contribution.
(a)
To the extent that any Guarantor is required, by reason of its obligations
hereunder, to pay to the Lender an amount greater than the amount of value (as
determined in accordance with Applicable Insolvency Laws) actually made
available to or for the benefit of such Guarantor on account of the Loan
Agreement, this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, such Guarantor shall have
an enforceable right of contribution against the remaining Guarantors, and the
remaining Guarantors shall be jointly and severally liable for repayment of the
full amount of such excess payment. Subject only to the subordination
provided in Section
2.3(d), such Guarantor further shall be subrogated to any and all rights
of the Lender against the Borrower and the remaining Guarantors to the extent of
such excess payment.
(b)
To the extent that any Guarantor would, but for the operation of this Section 2.3 and
by reason of its obligations hereunder or its obligations to other Guarantors
under this Section
2.3, be rendered insolvent for any purpose under Applicable Insolvency
Laws, each of the Guarantors hereby agrees to indemnify such Guarantor and
commits to make a contribution to such Guarantor’s capital in an amount at least
equal to the amount necessary to prevent such Guarantor from having been
rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence of any such
obligations.
(c)
To the extent that any Guarantor would, but for the operation of this Section 2.3, be
rendered insolvent under any Applicable Insolvency Law by reason of its
incurring of obligations to any other Guarantor under the foregoing Sections 2.3(a) and
(b), such Guarantor shall, in turn, have rights of contribution to the
full extent provided in the foregoing Sections 2.3(a) and
(b) against the remaining Guarantors, such that all obligations of all of
the Guarantors hereunder and under this Section 2.3
shall be allocated in a manner such that no Guarantor shall be rendered
insolvent for any purpose under Applicable Insolvency Law by reason of its
incurrence of such obligations.
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(d)
Notwithstanding any payment or payments by any of the Guarantors hereunder, or
any set-off or application of funds of any of the Guarantors by the Lender, or
the receipt of any amounts by the Lender with respect to any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, none of the Guarantors shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of
the rights of the Lender against the Borrower or the other Guarantors or against
any collateral security held by the Lender for the payment of the Guaranteed
Obligations, nor shall any of the Guarantors seek any reimbursement from the
Borrower or any of the other Guarantors in respect of payments made by such
Guarantor in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations. If any
amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at
any time when all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been paid in full
or the Revolving Credit Commitment remains outstanding, such amount shall be
held by such Guarantor in trust for the ratable benefit of the Lender,
segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt
by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Lender in the exact form received by
such Guarantor (duly endorsed by such Guarantor to the Lender, if required) to
be applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in
the order set forth in the Loan Agreement.
SECTION
2.4 Nature of
Guaranty.
(a) Each
Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty is a continuing, unconditional guaranty of
payment and performance and not of collection, and that its obligations under
this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and
unaffected by:
(i)
the validity, enforceability or any future amendment of, or change in, the Loan
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement, document or
instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or may become a
party;
(ii)
the absence of any action to enforce this Guaranty, the Loan Agreement or any
other Loan Document or the waiver or consent by the Lender with respect to any
of the provisions of this Guaranty, the Loan Agreement or any other Loan
Document;
(iii)
the existence, value or condition of, or failure to perfect any Lien against,
any security for or other guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations or any action,
or the absence of any action, by the Lender in respect of such security or
guaranty (including, without limitation, the release of any such security or
guaranty); or
(iv)
any other action or circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or
equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor (all of which are, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby waived);
it being
agreed by each Guarantor that, subject to the first sentence of Section 2.2, its
obligations under this Guaranty shall not be discharged until the final
indefeasible payment and performance, in full, of the Guaranteed
Obligations.
(b)
Each Guarantor represents, warrants and agrees that its obligations under this
Guaranty are not and shall not be subject to any counterclaims, offsets or
defenses (except payment in full) of any kind against the Lender or the
Borrower, whether now existing or which may arise in the future.
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(c)
Each Guarantor hereby agrees and acknowledges that the Guaranteed Obligations,
and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted
or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon this
Guaranty, and all dealings between the Borrower and any of the Guarantors, on
the one hand, and the Lender, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively
presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this
Guaranty.
SECTION
2.5 Waivers. To
the extent permitted by law, each Guarantor expressly waives all of the
following rights and defenses (and agrees not to take advantage of or assert any
such right or defense):
(a)
any rights it may now or in the future have under any statute, or at law or in
equity, or otherwise, to compel the Lender to proceed in respect of the
Obligations against the Borrower or any other Person or against any security for
or other guaranty of the payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations
before proceeding against, or as a condition to proceeding against, such
Guarantor;
(b)
any defense based upon the failure of the Lender to commence an action in
respect of the Guaranteed Obligations against the Borrower, such Guarantor, any
other guarantor or any other Person or any security for the payment and
performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(c)
any right to insist upon, plead or in any manner whatever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any appraisal, valuation, stay, extension, marshalling
of assets or redemption laws, or exemption, whether now or at any time hereafter
in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance by such
Guarantor of its obligations under, or the enforcement by the Lender of this
Guaranty;
(d)
any right of diligence, presentment, demand, protest and notice (except as
specifically required herein) of whatever kind or nature with respect to any of
the Guaranteed Obligations and waives, to the extent permitted by Applicable
Law, the benefit of all provisions of law which are or might be in conflict with
the terms of this Guaranty;
(e)
any and all right to notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of
any of the Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Lender upon, or
acceptance of, this Guaranty;
(f)
ALL RIGHTS AND DEFENSES THAT ARE OR MAY BECOME AVAILABLE TO ANY GUARANTOR BY
REASON OF SECTIONS 2787 TO 2855, INCLUSIVE, AND SECTION 3433 OF THE CALIFORNIA
CIVIL CODE OR SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAW;
(g)
all rights and benefits under Section 2809 of the California Civil Code and any
similar applicable law purporting to reduce a guarantor’s obligations in
proportion to the obligation of the principal or providing that the obligation
of a surety or guarantor must neither be larger nor in other respects more
burdensome than that of the principal;
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(h)
WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EACH GUARANTOR WAIVES ALL
RIGHTS AND DEFENSES THAT IT MAY HAVE BECAUSE ALL OR ANY PART OF THE OBLIGATIONS
ARE NOW, OR MAY HEREAFTER BE, SECURED BY REAL PROPERTY. THIS MEANS,
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT: (1) THE LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAY COLLECT FROM
ANY GUARANTOR WITHOUT FIRST FORECLOSING ON ANY REAL OR PERSONAL PROPERTY
COLLATERAL PLEDGED BY THE BORROWER OR GUARANTOR; (2) IF THE LENDER OR ANY OTHER
PERSON FORECLOSES ON ANY REAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL PLEDGED BY ANY GUARANTOR (A)
THE AMOUNT OF THE DEBT MAY BE REDUCED ONLY BY THE PRICE FOR WHICH THAT
COLLATERAL IS SOLD AT THE FORECLOSURE SALE, EVEN IF THE COLLATERAL IS WORTH MORE
THAN THE SALE PRICE; (B) THE LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAY COLLECT FROM ANY
GUARANTOR EVEN IF THE LENDER OR SUCH OTHER PERSON, BY FORECLOSURE ON THE REAL
PROPERTY COLLATERAL, HAS DESTROYED ANY RIGHT SUCH GUARANTOR MAY HAVE TO COLLECT
FROM THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER GUARANTOR. THIS IS AN UNCONDITIONAL
AND IRREVOCABLE WAIVER OF ANY RIGHTS AND DEFENSES ANY GUARANTOR MAY HAVE BECAUSE
THE BORROWER'S OR ANY GUARANTOR'S DEBT IS NOW, OR HEREAFTER MAY BE, SECURED BY
REAL PROPERTY. THESE RIGHTS AND DEFENSES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED
TO, ANY RIGHTS OR DEFENSES BASED UPON SECTIONS 580a, 580b, OR 726 OF THE
CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND ANY SIMILAR APPLICABLE LAWS;
and
(i)
IN ADDITION, EACH GUARANTOR WAIVES ANY REQUIREMENT OF MARSHALING OR ANY OTHER
PRINCIPLE OF ELECTION OF REMEDIES, AND ALL RIGHTS AND DEFENSES ARISING OUT OF
ANY ELECTION OF REMEDIES BY ANY BENEFICIARY UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, THE LENDER OR
ANY OTHER PERSON, EVEN THOUGH THAT ELECTION OF REMEDIES, SUCH AS A NON-JUDICIAL
FORECLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO SECURITY FOR A GUARANTEED OBLIGATION, HAS DESTROYED
SUCH GUARANTOR’S RIGHTS OF SUBROGATION AND REIMBURSEMENT AGAINST THE PRINCIPAL
BY THE OPERATION OF SECTION 580d OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE OR
OTHERWISE.
The
foregoing waivers are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, but for this Guaranty and such
waivers, the Lender would decline to enter into the Loan Agreement and the other
Loan Documents.
SECTION
2.6 Modification
of Loan Documents, etc. None of the following shall impair or
release this Guaranty or any of the obligations of any Guarantor under this
Guaranty:
(a)
any change or extension of the manner, place or terms of payment of, or renewal
or alteration of all or any portion of, the Guaranteed Obligations;
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(b)
any action under or in respect of the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents
in the exercise of any remedy, power or privilege contained therein or available
to any of them at law, in equity or otherwise, or waiver or refrain from
exercising any such remedies, powers or privileges;
(c)
any amendment or modification, in any manner whatsoever (including, without
limitation, increases in principal amounts or lending commitments and increases
in interest rates, fees or other charges), of the Loan Documents;
(d)
any extension or waiver of the time for performance by any Guarantor, any other
guarantor, the Borrower or any other Person, or compliance with, any term,
covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under a Loan
Document, or waiver of such performance or compliance or consent to a failure
of, or departure from, such performance or compliance;
(e)
the taking and holding security or Collateral for the payment of the Obligations
or the sale, exchange, release, disposal of, or other dealing with, any property
pledged, mortgaged or conveyed, or in which the Lender has been granted a Lien,
to secure any indebtedness of any Guarantor, any other guarantor or the Borrower
to the Lender (provided that the net
cash proceeds actually received by the Lender from Collateral shall be applied
to the Obligations);
(f)
the release of anyone who may be liable in any manner for the payment of any
amounts owed by any Guarantor, any other guarantor or the Borrower to the
Lender; or
(g)
any modification or termination of any intercreditor or subordination agreement
pursuant to which claims of other creditors of any Guarantor, any other
guarantor or the Borrower are subordinated to the claims of the
Lender.
SECTION
2.7 Demand by the
Lender. In addition to the terms set forth in this Article II and in no
manner imposing any limitation on such terms, if all or any portion of the then
outstanding Guaranteed Obligations are declared to be immediately due and
payable, then the Guarantors shall, upon demand in writing therefor by the
Lender to the Guarantors, pay all or such portion of the outstanding Guaranteed
Obligations then declared due and payable.
SECTION
2.8 Remedies. Upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Lender
may enforce against the Guarantors their respective obligations and liabilities
hereunder and exercise such other rights and remedies as may be available to the
Lender hereunder, under the Loan Agreement or the other Loan Documents or
otherwise.
SECTION
2.9 Benefits of
Guaranty. The provisions of this Guaranty are for the benefit
of the Lender and its successors, transferees, endorsees and assigns, and
nothing herein contained shall impair, as between the Borrower and the Lender,
the obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents. In the
event that all or any part of the Obligations are transferred, endorsed or
assigned by the Lender to any Person or Persons as permitted under the Loan
Agreement, any reference to a “Lender” herein shall be deemed to refer equally
to such Person or Persons.
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SECTION
2.10 Termination;
Reinstatement.
(a)
Subject to Section
2.10(c) below, this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect until
all the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in
full.
(b)
No payment made by the Borrower, any other Guarantor, or any other Person
received or collected by the Lender from the Borrower, any other Guarantor, or
any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or
appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or
in payment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce,
release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which
shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such
Guarantor in respect of the obligations of the Guarantors or any payment
received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the obligations of the
Guarantors), remain liable for the obligations of the Guarantors (as reduced by the
subject payment or collection) up to the maximum
liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Guaranteed Obligations shall
have been indefeasibly paid in full.
(c)
Each Guarantor agrees that, if any payment made by the Borrower or any other
Person applied to the Obligations is at any time annulled, set aside, rescinded,
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential or otherwise required to
be refunded or repaid, or the proceeds of any Collateral are required to be
refunded by the Lender to the Borrower, its estate, trustee, receiver or any
other Person, including, without limitation, any Guarantor, under any
Applicable Law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or
repayment, each Guarantor’s liability hereunder (and any Lien or Collateral
securing such liability) shall be and remain in full force and effect, as fully
as if such payment had never been made, and, if prior thereto, this Guaranty
shall have been canceled or surrendered (and if any Lien or Collateral securing
such Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall have been released or terminated by
virtue of such cancellation or surrender), this Guaranty (and such Lien or
Collateral) shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior
cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or
otherwise affect the obligations of such Guarantor in respect of the amount of
such payment (or any Lien or Collateral securing such obligation).
SECTION
2.11 Payments. Payments
by the Guarantors shall be made to the Lender, to be credited and applied to the
Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with the Loan Agreement, in immediately
available Dollars to the account designated by the Lender.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
To induce
the Lender to make the Loans, each Guarantor hereby represents and warrants
that:
SECTION
3.1 Existence. Such
Guarantor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, has the requisite
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly
qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such
qualification and authorization and the failure to be so qualified would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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SECTION
3.2 Authorization of
Agreement; Enforceability. Such Guarantor has the right, power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Guaranty and has taken all
necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize its execution,
delivery and performance of this Guaranty. This Guaranty has been
duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of such Guarantor
and this Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Guarantor enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms,
except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar state or federal debtor relief laws from
time to time in effect which affect the enforcement of creditors’ rights in
general and the availability of equitable remedies.
SECTION
3.3 No Conflict;
Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by such
Guarantor of this Guaranty will not, by the passage of time, the giving of
notice or otherwise, violate any material provision of any Applicable Law or
Organic Document or contractual obligation of such Guarantor and will not result
in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property
or revenues of such Guarantor. No consent or authorization of, filing
with, or other act by or in respect of, any arbitrator or governmental authority
and no consent of any other Person (including, without limitation, any
stockholder or creditor of such Guarantor), is required in connection with the
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this
Guaranty.
SECTION
3.4 Litigation. No
actions, suits or proceedings before any arbitrator or governmental authority
are pending or, to the Knowledge of such Guarantor, threatened by or against
such Guarantor or against any of its properties with respect to this Guaranty or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION
3.5 Title to
Assets. Such Guarantor has a valid leasehold interest in the
real property leased by it, and has good title to all of its personal property
sufficient to carry on its business free of any and all Liens of any type
whatsoever, except Permitted Liens.
SECTION
3.6 Solvency. As
of the Closing Date (or such later date upon which such Guarantor became a party
hereto), the Guarantors, taken as a whole, (i) have capital sufficient to carry
on their business and transactions and all business and transactions in which
they engage and are able to pay their debts as they mature, and (ii) do not
believe that they will incur debts or liabilities beyond their ability to pay
such debts or liabilities as they mature, subject in each case to the first
sentence of Section
2.2.
ARTICLE
IV
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
4.1 Amendments in
Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Guaranty may
be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with
Section 9.04 of the Loan Agreement.
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SECTION
4.2 Notices. All
notices and communications hereunder shall be given to the addresses and
otherwise made in accordance with Section 9.06 of the Loan Agreement; provided
that notices and communications to the Guarantors shall be directed to the
Guarantor at the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 9.06 of the Loan
Agreement.
SECTION
4.3 Enforcement
Expenses, Indemnification.
(a)
Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse the Lender for all its reasonable
costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcing or preserving any
rights under this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor
is a party, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel to the Lender.
(b)
Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Lender harmless from, any and all
liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all
stamp, excise, sales or other similar taxes which may be payable or determined
to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of
the transactions contemplated by this Guaranty. For clarity, the
foregoing does not include net income taxes, or franchise taxes imposed in lieu
of net income taxes, imposed generally by federal, state or local taxing
authorities with respect to interest or commitment fees or other fees payable
hereunder or changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of the Lender
or its members.
(c)
Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Lender harmless from, any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, costs and expenses in
connection with actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of
any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery,
enforcement, performance and administration of this Guaranty to the extent the
Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to the Loan Agreement and/or the
Collateral Agreement.
(d)
The agreements in this Section 4.3 shall
survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the
Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION
4.4 Governing
Law. This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed and
interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without
giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws (other than Sections 5-1401 and
5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law).
SECTION
4.5 Consent to
Jurisdiction and Venue.
(a)
Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of all
state and federal courts located in New York, New York (and any courts from
which an appeal from any of such courts must or may be taken) in any action,
claim or other proceeding arising out of any dispute in connection with this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or
thereunder, or the performance of such rights and obligations. Each
Guarantor hereby irrevocably consents to the service of a summons and complaint
and other process in any action, claim or proceeding brought by the Lender in
connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, any rights or
obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance of such rights and
obligations, on behalf of itself or its property, by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, in the manner specified in Section 9.06 of the
Loan Agreement. Nothing in this Section 4.5 shall
affect the right of the Lender to serve legal process in any other manner
permitted by Applicable Law or affect the right of the Lender to bring any
action or proceeding against any Guarantor or its properties in the courts of
any other jurisdictions.
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(b)
The Guarantors hereby irrevocably waive any objection each may have now or in
the future to the laying of venue in the aforesaid jurisdiction in any action,
claim or other proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Guaranty,
any other Loan Document or the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder
or thereunder. The Guarantors irrevocably waive, in connection with
such action, claim or proceeding, any plea or claim that the action, claim or
proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
SECTION
4.6 Preservation of
Remedies, Damages
(a)
The parties hereto and to the other Loan Documents preserve, without diminution,
certain remedies that such Persons may employ or exercise freely, either alone,
in conjunction with or during a dispute. Each such Person shall have
and hereby reserves the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or
by self-help (to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law) to exercise or
prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to
foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising
a power of sale granted in the Loan Documents or under Applicable Law or by
judicial foreclosure and sale, including a proceeding to confirm the sale, (ii)
all rights of self-help (to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law)
including peaceful occupation of property and collection of rents, set-off, and
peaceful possession of property, (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary
remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment,
appointment of receiver and in filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, and
(iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of
judgment. Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of
an arbitrator to grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a
dispute.
(b)
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that it shall not have a remedy of punitive or
exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each Guarantor
hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that it may
now have or may arise in the future in connection with any dispute, whether such
dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
(c)
Each Guarantor hereby waives the right to interpose any counterclaims (other
than compulsory counterclaims) in any action brought by the Lender hereunder or
in respect of any other Loan Document, provided that this waiver shall not
preclude the Guarantor from pursuing any such claims by means of separate
proceedings.
SECTION
4.7 Waiver of Jury
Trial. TO THE
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE LENDER AND EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY
ACTION, CLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS GUARANTY, THE NOTES OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS
HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS.
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SECTION
4.8 No Waiver by
Course of Conduct, Cumulative Remedies. The Lender shall not
by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 4.1),
delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or
remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of
Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising on the
part of the Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the
Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be
construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Lender would otherwise have
on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are
cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently, and are not exclusive of
any other rights or remedies provided by law.
SECTION
4.9 Successors and
Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of each Guarantor (and shall bind all Persons who become bound as
a Guarantor under this Guaranty), the Lender and their successors and assigns;
provided that
no Guarantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations
under this Guaranty without the prior written consent of all holders of
Obligations.
SECTION
4.10 Severability. If
any provision hereof is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, (a) the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect in
such jurisdiction and shall be liberally construed in favor of the Lender in
order to carry out the intentions of the parties hereto as nearly as may be
possible; and (b) the invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions hereof in
any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such
provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION
4.11 Headings. The
various headings used in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and
shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Guaranty or any
provisions hereof.
SECTION
4.12 Counterparts; Fax
Signatures. This Guaranty may be executed by the parties
hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement. This Guaranty may be executed by fax signature, which
shall be fully binding on the subject Guarantor.
SECTION
4.13 Set-Off. Each
Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Lender, at any time and from time to
time during the continuance of an Event of Default, without notice to such
Guarantor or any other Guarantor, any such notice being expressly waived by each
Guarantor, to set off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other
credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or
owing by the Lender (or any agent of the Lender) to or for the credit or the
account of such Guarantor, or any part thereof, in such amounts as the Lender
may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such
Guarantor to the Lender hereunder, as the Lender may elect, whether or not the
Lender has made any demand for payment and although such obligations,
liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. The Lender
shall notify such Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application
made by the Lender of the proceeds thereof; provided that the
failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and
application. The rights of the Lender under this Section 4.13 are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other
rights of set-off) which the Lender may have.
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SECTION
4.14 Integration. This
Guaranty and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of the Guarantors
and the Lender with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there
are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Lender
relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or
referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
SECTION
4.15 Acknowledgements. Each
Guarantor hereby acknowledges that:
(a)
it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of
this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(b)
the Lender as such has no fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Guarantor
arising out of or in connection with this Guaranty or any of the other Loan
Documents, and the relationship between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the
Lender as such, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely
that of debtor and creditor; and
(c)
no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise
exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lender or
among the Guarantors and the Lender.
SECTION
4.16 Releases. At
such time as the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in
full and the Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated, this Guaranty and
all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination)
of the Guarantors hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any
instrument or performance of any act by any party.
SECTION
4.17 Additional
Guarantors. Each direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower
that is required to become a party to this Guaranty pursuant to Section 5.11 of
the Loan Agreement shall become a Guarantor for all purposes of this Guaranty
upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of a supplement in form and
substance satisfactory to the Lender.
SECTION
4.18 California
Specific Provisions. Each Guarantor absolutely,
unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives any defense arising by reason
of or deriving from any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by
the Lender, including any defense based upon an election of remedies by the
Lender under the provisions of the California Code of Civil Procedure Sections
580a, 580b, 580d, and 726 or any similar law of California or any other
jurisdiction. Pursuant to California Civil Code Section
2856:
Each
Guarantor waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies
by the Lender, even though that election of remedies, such as a non-judicial
foreclosure with respect to security for a guaranteed obligation, has destroyed
such Guarantor’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement by the operation of
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 580(d) or otherwise.
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Each
Guarantor waives all rights and defenses that such Guarantor may have because
the Guaranteed Obligations are secured by real property. This means,
among other things, that:
(1)
The Lender may collect from the Guarantors without first foreclosing on any real
or personal property collateral pledged by or on behalf of the Borrower or any
Guarantor; and
(2)
If the Lender forecloses on any real property collateral pledged by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any Guarantor: (a) the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations
may be reduced only by the price for which that collateral is sold at the
foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price; and
(b) the Lender may collect from the Guarantors even if the Lender, by
foreclosing on the real property collateral, has destroyed any right the
Guarantors may have to collect from the Borrower or another
Guarantor.
This is
an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of any rights and defenses the
Guarantors may have because the Guaranteed Obligations are secured by real
property. These rights and defenses include, but are not limited to,
any rights or defenses based upon California Code of Civil Procedure Sections
580a, 580b, 580d, or 726.
If any of
the Guaranteed Obligations are at any time secured by a mortgage or deed of
trust upon real property, the Lender may elect, in its sole discretion, upon a
default with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, to foreclose such mortgage
or deed of trust judicially or non-judicially in any manner permitted by law,
before or after enforcing the Deed of Trust, the Notes or the other Loan
Documents, without diminishing or affecting the liability of the Guarantors
hereunder except to the extent that the Guaranteed Obligations are repaid with
the proceeds of such foreclosure. Each Guarantor understands that (a)
by virtue of the operation of California’s antideficiency law applicable to
non-judicial foreclosures, an election by the Lender non-judicially to foreclose
such a mortgage or deed of trust probably would have the effect of impairing or
destroying rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity of
the Guarantors, and (b) absent the waiver given by the Guarantors, such an
election would prevent the Lender from enforcing the Deed of Trust, the Notes or
the other Loan Documents against the Guarantors. Understanding the
foregoing, and understanding that each Guarantor is hereby relinquishing a
defense to the enforceability of the Deed of Trust, the Notes or the other Loan
Documents, each Guarantor hereby WAIVES any right to assert against the Lender
any defense to the enforcement of the Deed of Trust, the Notes or the other Loan
Documents, whether denominated “estoppel” or otherwise, based on or arising from
an election by the Lender non-judicially to foreclose any such mortgage or deed
of trust. Each Guarantor understands that the effect of the foregoing
waiver may be that such Guarantor may have liability hereunder for amounts with
respect to which the Guarantors may be left without rights of subrogation,
reimbursement, contribution, or indemnity. Each Guarantor also agrees
that the “fair market value” provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure
Section 580a shall have no applicability with respect to the determination of
such Guarantor’s liability under the Deed of Trust, the Notes or the other Loan
Documents.
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Each
Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives:
(i) any right of subrogation such Guarantor has or may have as against the
Borrower and the other Guarantors with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations;
(ii) any right to proceed against the Borrower and the Guarantors or any other
person or entity, now or hereafter, for contribution, indemnity, reimbursement,
or any other suretyship rights and claims, whether direct or indirect,
liquidated or contingent, whether arising under express or implied contract or
by operation of law, which the Guarantors may now or hereafter have as against
the Borrower and the Guarantors with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; and
(iii) any right to proceed or seek recourse against or with respect to any
property or asset of the Borrower and the Guarantors.
WITHOUT
LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF ANY OTHER WAIVER OR OTHER PROVISION SET FORTH IN THIS
AGREEMENT, EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY ABSOLUTELY, KNOWINGLY, UNCONDITIONALLY, AND
EXPRESSLY WAIVES, ANY AND ALL BENEFITS OR DEFENSES ARISING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY UNDER ANY ONE OR MORE OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTIONS 2799, 2808,
2809, 2810, 2814, 2815, 2819, 2820, 2821, 2822, 2825, 2839, 2845, 2848, 2849,
AND 2850, CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 580a, 580b, 580c, 580d,
AND 726, AND CHAPTER 2 OF TITLE 14 OF PART 4 OF DIVISION 3 OF THE CALIFORNIA
CIVIL CODE.
NOTWITHSTANDING
ANY OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT RELATING TO OR REFERENCING ANY
OF THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE AND THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
PROVISIONS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OF THE WAIVERS BY THE GUARANTORS
OF ANY RIGHT, BENEFIT OR DEFENSE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE OR THE
CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS, PRINCIPLES, AND OTHERWISE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4.4 ABOVE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE
FOREGOING, IN THE EVENT THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (IN OPPOSITION TO
THE INTENTION OF THE LENDER AND THE GUARANTORS AS EXPRESSED IN THE PREVIOUS
SENTENCE), THEN ALL SUCH PROVISIONS AND WAIVERS SHALL BE GIVEN FULL FORCE AND
EFFECT AS SET FORTH HEREIN.
[Signature
Page Follows]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Guarantors has executed and delivered this Guaranty
by its duly authorized officer, all as of the date first set forth
above.
GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation | ||||
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By:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
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GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF RANCHO XXXXXXX LLC | ||||
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By:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Manager
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GEM MOBILE TREATMENT SERVICES, INC. | ||||
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By:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
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GEM 6 ACQUISITIONS CORPORATION | ||||
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By:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
President
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