FUNDS ESCROW AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.19
This
Funds Escrow Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated
as of October 31, 2007 among General Environmental Management, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (the “GEVM-NV”), General
Environmental Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “GEVM-DE”), General
Environmental Management of Rancho Xxxxxxx, LLC (“Rancho”), GEM Mobile
Treatment Services Inc. (“GEM”)(collectively,
the “Company”),
Valens U.S. SPV I, LLC (“Valens US”), Valens
Offshore SPV II, Corp. (“Valens Offshore” and
together with Valens US, the “Purchasers”) and Loeb
& Loeb LLP (the “Escrow
Agent”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Agent has advised the Escrow Agent that (a) the Company, LV Administrative
Services, Inc., as agent (the “Agent”), and the
Purchasers have entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”)
for the sale by the Company to the Purchasers of secured convertible term notes
(the “Term
Notes”), (b) the Company has issued to the Purchasers common stock
purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) in
connection with the issuance of the Term Notes and (c) the Company and the
Purchasers have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement covering the
registration of the Company’s common stock underlying the Term Notes and the
Warrants (the “Registration Rights
Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Purchasers wish to deliver to the Escrow Agent copies of the
Documents (as hereafter defined) and, following the satisfaction of all closing
conditions relating to the Documents, the Purchasers to deliver the Escrowed
Payment (as hereafter defined), in each case, to be held and released by Escrow
Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement;
WHEREAS,
the Escrow Agent is willing to serve as escrow agent pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement;
NOW
THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
INTERPRETATION
1.1. Definitions. Whenever
used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below.
(a) “Agreement” means this
Agreement, as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time by written
agreement among the parties hereto.
(b) “Closing Payments”
means the closing payments to be paid to (a) Valens Capital Management, LLC, as
investment manager of the Purchasers, and (b) the Purchasers, in the aggregate
amount of $45,000.
(c) “Creditor Parties”
means collectively, the Agent and the Purchasers.
(d) “Disbursement Letter”
means that certain letter delivered to the Escrow Agent by the Company,
acceptable in form and substance to the Agent, setting forth wire instructions
and amounts to be funded at the Closing.
(e) “Documents” means
copies of the Disbursement Letter, the Purchase Agreement, the Term Notes, the
Warrants and the Registration Rights Agreement.
(f) “Escrowed Payment”
means $1,245,209.42.
1
1.2. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
among the parties hereto with respect to the arrangement with the Escrow Agent
and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and
discussions of the parties, whether oral or written with respect to the
arrangement with the Escrow Agent. There are no warranties,
representations and other agreements made by the parties in connection with the
arrangement with the Escrow Agent except as specifically set forth in this
Agreement.
1.3. Extended
Meanings. In this Agreement words importing the singular
number include the plural and vice versa; words importing the masculine gender
include the feminine and neuter genders. The word “person” includes
an individual, body corporate, partnership, trustee or trust or unincorporated
association, executor, administrator or legal representative.
1.4. Waivers and
Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified,
superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof
may be waived, in each case only by a written instrument signed by all parties
hereto, or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving
compliance. Except as expressly stated herein, no delay on the part
of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate
as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right,
power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future exercise of any other
right, power or privilege hereunder.
1.5. Headings. The
division of this Agreement into articles, sections, subsections and paragraphs
and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall
not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
1.6. Law Governing this
Agreement; Consent to Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. With respect to
any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or to the transactions
contemplated hereby (“Proceedings”), each party hereto irrevocably submits to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the County of New York, State of New
York and the United States District court located in the county of New York in
the State of New York. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally (a) waives trial by jury in any Proceeding relating to this
Agreement and for any related counterclaim and (b) waives any objection which it
may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceeding brought in any
such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an
inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such
Proceedings, that such court does not have jurisdiction over such
party. As between the Company and the Purchasers, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to recover from the other party its reasonable
attorneys’ fees and costs. In the event that any provision of this
Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
unenforceable, then the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected and
shall remain in full force and effect.
1.7. Construction. Each
party acknowledges that its legal counsel participated in the preparation of
this Agreement and, therefore, stipulates that the rule of construction that
ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be applied
in the interpretation of this Agreement to favor any party against the
other.
ARTICLE
II
APPOINTMENT
OF AND DELIVERIES TO THE ESCROW AGENT
2.1. Appointment. The
Company and the Purchasers hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Escrow
Agent as their escrow agent for the purposes set forth herein, and the Escrow
Agent by its execution and delivery of this Agreement hereby accepts such
appointment under the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2.2. Copies of Documents to
Escrow Agent. On or about the date hereof, the Purchasers and
the Company shall deliver to the Escrow Agent copies of the Documents executed
by such parties.
2
2.3. Delivery of Escrowed Payment
to Escrow Agent. Following the satisfaction of all closing
conditions relating to the Documents (other than the funding of the Escrowed
Payment), the Purchasers shall deliver to the Escrow Agent the Escrowed
Payment. At such time, the Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrowed
Payment as agent for the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
2.4. Intention to Create Escrow
Over the Escrowed Payment. The Purchasers and the Company
intend that the Escrowed Payment shall be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent and
released from escrow by the Escrow Agent only in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
2.5. Termination of Escrow Over
the Escrowed Payment. The Purchasers and the Company agree
that, if the Escrowed Payment (or any portion thereof) is not released within
five (5) business days of its delivery to the Escrow Agent, then Escrow Agent
shall return the Escrowed Payment to the Purchasers and all of the Company’s
Documents to the Company, and the Documents shall be void and of no further
force or effect.
ARTICLE
III
RELEASE
OF ESCROW
3.1. Release of
Escrow. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2, the Escrow
Agent shall release the Escrowed Payment from escrow as follows:
(a) Upon
receipt by the Escrow Agent of (i) oral instructions from Xxxxx Grin and/or
Xxxxxx Grin (each of whom is a principal of the Purchasers) consenting to the
release of the Escrowed Payment from escrow in accordance with the Disbursement
Letter following the Escrow Agent’s receipt of the Escrowed Payment, (ii) the
Disbursement Letter, and (iii) the Escrowed Payment, the Escrowed Payment shall
promptly be disbursed in accordance with the Disbursement Letter. The
Disbursement Letter shall include, without limitation, Escrow Agent’s
authorization to retain from the Escrowed Payment Escrow Agent’s fee for acting
as Escrow Agent hereunder and the Closing Payments for delivery to Valens
Capital Management, LLC and to the Purchasers in accordance with the
Disbursement Letter.
(b) Upon
receipt by the Escrow Agent of a final and non-appealable judgment, order,
decree or award of a court of competent jurisdiction (a “Court Order”) relating
to the Escrowed Payment, the Escrow Agent shall remit the Escrowed Payment in
accordance with the Court Order. Any Court Order shall be accompanied
by an opinion of counsel for the party presenting the Court Order to the Escrow
Agent (which opinion shall be satisfactory to the Escrow Agent) to the effect
that the court issuing the Court Order is a court of competent jurisdiction and
that the Court Order is final and non-appealable.
3.2. Acknowledgement of Company
and Purchasers; Disputes. The Company and the Purchasers
acknowledge that the only terms and conditions upon which the Escrowed Payment
are to be released from escrow are as set forth in Sections 3 and 4 of this
Agreement. The Company and the Purchasers reaffirm their agreement to
abide by the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect to the release
of the Escrowed Payment. Any dispute with respect to the release of
the Escrowed Payment shall be resolved pursuant to Section 4.2 or by written
agreement between the Company and Purchasers.
ARTICLE
IV
CONCERNING
THE ESCROW AGENT
4.1. Duties and Responsibilities
of the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent’s duties and
responsibilities shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
(a) The
Purchasers and the Company acknowledge and agree that the Escrow Agent (i) shall
not be required to inquire into whether the Agent, the Company or any other
party is entitled to receipt of any Document or all or any portion of the
Escrowed Payment; (ii) shall not be called upon to construe or review any
Document or any other document, instrument or agreement entered into in
connection therewith; (iii) shall be obligated only for the performance of such
duties as are specifically assumed by the Escrow Agent pursuant to this
Agreement; (iv) may rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from
acting upon any written notice, instruction, instrument, statement, request or
document furnished to it hereunder and believed by the Escrow Agent in good
faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or
party, without being required to determine the authenticity or correctness of
any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity or the service thereof; (v)
may assume that any person purporting to give notice or make any statement or
execute any document in connection with the provisions hereof has been duly
authorized to do so; (vi) shall not be responsible for the identity, authority
or rights of any person, firm or company executing or delivering or purporting
to execute or deliver this Agreement or any Document or any funds deposited
hereunder or any endorsement thereon or assignment thereof; (vii) shall not be
under any duty to give the property held by Escrow Agent hereunder any greater
degree of care than Escrow Agent gives its own similar property; and (viii) may
consult counsel satisfactory to Escrow Agent (including, without limitation,
Loeb & Loeb LLP or such other counsel of Escrow Agent’s choosing), the
opinion of such counsel to be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by Escrow Agent hereunder in
good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such counsel.
3
(b) The
Purchasers and the Company acknowledge that the Escrow Agent is acting solely as
a stakeholder at their request and that the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for
any action taken by Escrow Agent in good faith and believed by Escrow Agent to
be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon Escrow Agent by this
Agreement. The Purchasers and the Company hereby, jointly and
severally, indemnify and hold harmless the Escrow Agent and any of Escrow
Agent’s partners, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and
all actions taken or omitted to be taken by Escrow Agent or any of them
hereunder and any and all claims, losses, liabilities, costs, damages and
expenses suffered and/or incurred by the Escrow Agent arising in any manner
whatsoever out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or any
transaction related in any way hereto, including the fees of outside counsel and
other costs and expenses of defending itself against any claims, losses,
liabilities, costs, damages and expenses arising in any manner whatsoever out
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or any transaction related
in any way hereto, except for such claims, losses, liabilities, costs, damages
and expenses incurred by reason of the Escrow Agent’s gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Escrow Agent shall owe a duty only to the
Purchasers and the Company under this Agreement and to no other
person.
(c) The
Purchasers and the Company shall jointly and severally reimburse the Escrow
Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees (which
counsel may be Loeb & Loeb LLP or such other counsel of the Escrow Agent’s
choosing) incurred in connection with the performance of its duties and
responsibilities hereunder, which shall not (subject to Section 4.1(b)) exceed
$1,500.
(d) The
Escrow Agent may at any time resign as Escrow Agent hereunder by giving five (5)
business days prior written notice of resignation to the Purchasers and the
Company. Prior to the effective date of resignation as specified in
such notice, the Purchasers and Company will issue to the Escrow Agent a joint
instruction authorizing delivery of the Documents and the Escrowed Payment to a
substitute Escrow Agent selected by the Purchasers and the
Company. If no successor Escrow Agent is named by the Purchasers and
the Company, the Escrow Agent may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction in
the State of New York for appointment of a successor Escrow Agent, and deposit
the Documents and the Escrowed Payment with the clerk of any such court, and/or
otherwise commence an interpleader or similar action for a determination of
where to deposit the same.
(e) The
Escrow Agent does not have and will not have any interest in the Documents and
the Escrowed Payment, but is serving only as escrow agent, having only
possession thereof.
(f) The
Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized hereby or within the rights
or powers conferred upon it hereunder, nor for action taken or omitted by it in
good faith, and in accordance with advice of counsel (which counsel may be Loeb
& Loeb LLP or such other counsel of the Escrow Agent’s choosing), and shall
not be liable for any mistake of fact or error of judgment or for any acts or
omissions of any kind except to the extent any such liability arose from its own
willful misconduct or gross negligence.
4
(g) This
Agreement sets forth exclusively the duties of the Escrow Agent with respect to
any and all matters pertinent thereto and no implied duties or obligations shall
be read into this Agreement.
(h) The
Escrow Agent shall be permitted to act as counsel for the Creditor Parties or
the Company, as the case may be, in any dispute as to the disposition of the
Documents and the Escrowed Payment, in any other dispute between the Creditor
Parties and the Company, whether or not the Escrow Agent is then holding the
Documents and/or the Escrowed Payment and continues to act as the Escrow Agent
hereunder.
(i) The
provisions of this Section 4.1 shall survive the resignation of the Escrow Agent
or the termination of this Agreement.
4.2. Dispute Resolution;
Judgments. Resolution of disputes arising under this Agreement
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) If any
dispute shall arise with respect to the delivery, ownership, right of possession
or disposition of the Documents and/or the Escrowed Payment, or if the Escrow
Agent shall in good faith be uncertain as to its duties or rights hereunder, the
Escrow Agent shall be authorized, without liability to anyone, to (i) refrain
from taking any action other than to continue to hold the Documents and the
Escrowed Payment pending receipt of a joint instruction from the Agent and the
Company, (ii) commence an interpleader or similar action, suit or proceeding for
the resolution of any such dispute; and/or (iii) deposit the Documents and the
Escrowed Payment with any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New
York, in which event the Escrow Agent shall give written notice thereof to the
Purchasers and the Company and shall thereupon be relieved and discharged from
all further obligations pursuant to this Agreement. The Escrow Agent
may, but shall be under no duty to, institute or defend any legal proceedings
which relate to the Documents and the Escrowed Payment. The Escrow
Agent shall have the right to retain counsel if it becomes involved in any
disagreement, dispute or litigation on account of this Agreement or otherwise
determines that it is necessary to consult counsel which such counsel may be
Loeb & Loeb LLP or such other counsel of the Escrow Agent’s
choosing.
(b) The
Escrow Agent is hereby expressly authorized to comply with and obey any Court
Order. In case the Escrow Agent obeys or complies with a Court Order,
the Escrow Agent shall not be liable to the Creditor Parties, the Company or any
other person, firm, company or entity by reason of such compliance.
ARTICLE
V
GENERAL
MATTERS
5.1. Termination. This
escrow shall terminate upon disbursement of the Escrowed Payment in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement or earlier upon the agreement in writing of the
Agent and the Company or resignation of the Escrow Agent in accordance with the
terms hereof.
5.2. Notices. All
notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given one
(1) day after being sent by telecopy (with copy delivered by overnight courier,
regular or certified mail):
If
to any Company, to:
|
General
Environmental Management, Inc., a Nevada corporation
0000
Xxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Chief Financial Officer
Fax:
000-000-0000
|
5
With
a copy to:
|
XxXxxxxx,
P.C.
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Fax:
000-000-0000
|
If
to any Purchaser, to:
|
c/o
Valens Capital Management, LLC
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Portfolio
Services
Fax: 000-000-0000
|
With
a copy to:
|
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: 000-000-0000
|
If
to the Escrow Agent, to:
|
Loeb
& Loeb LLP
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: 000-
000-0000
|
or to
such other address as any of them shall give to the others by notice made
pursuant to this Section 5.2.
5.3. Interest. The
Escrowed Payment shall not be held in an interest bearing account nor will
interest be payable in connection therewith.
5.4. Assignment; Binding
Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation
hereunder shall be assignable by any party without the prior written consent of
the other parties hereto. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective legal
representatives, successors and assigns.
5.5. Invalidity. In
the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the
application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be in any way impaired thereby, it being
intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties hereto shall be
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
5.6. Counterparts/Execution. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different
signatories hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed,
shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute but one
and the same agreement. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile
or electronic transmission.
[Remainder
of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages to Follow]
6
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Funds Escrow Agreement as
of the date and year first above written.
COMPANY | |||
GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC., a Nevada corporation | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: C.E.O. |
GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: C.E.O. |
GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF RANCHO XXXXXXX, LLC | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
Title: Member |
GEM MOBILE TREATMENT SERVICES INC. | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: C.E.O. |
PURCHASERS: | |||
VALENS U.S. SPV I, LLC | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
VALENS OFFSHORE SPV II, CORP. | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
ESCROW AGENT: | |||
LOEB & LOEB LLP | |||
|
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: Partner |
7