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Contingencies
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9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2012
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| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Contingencies |
11. Contingencies
Employment Agreements
On June 30, 2011, the Company entered into three year executive employment agreements with three stockholders, Brian Keller, Christian Oertle and Daniel Fisher, to serve as our President, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, respectively. The agreements with Messrs. Keller and Fisher provide for annual salaries of $200,000 each and the agreement with Mr. Oertle provides for an annual salary of $150,000. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, each of these stockholders is eligible to participate in the Company’s long term incentive compensation programs and is entitled to an annual bonus if the Company meets or exceeds criteria adopted by the Board, subject to certain claw back rights. The agreements provide for payments of six months’ severance in the event of early termination (other than for cause).
On January 30, 2012, Mr. Fisher was removed from his position as Executive Vice President for cause.
On February 3, 2012, Mr. Fisher resigned from his position as a director of the Company.
Leases
The Company leases its facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates. Total rent expense under these leases is recognized ratably over the initial period of each lease. Total rent and related expenses under operating leases were $450,877 and $474,610 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $133,595 and $137,281 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Operating lease obligations after 2012 relate primarily to office facilities.
Litigation
Except as set forth below, we are not involved in any pending legal proceeding or litigation that could have a material impact upon our business or results of operations. To the best of our knowledge, no governmental authority is contemplating any proceeding to which we are a party or to which any of our properties is subject, which would reasonably be likely to have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations.
Aphena Pharma Solutions – Maryland, LLC f/k/a Celeste Contract Packaging, LLC, v. BioZone Laboratories, Inc. and BioZone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Daniel Fisher
District Court for the District of Maryland Northern Division; Case 1:12-cv-00852-WDQ
An action was commenced on March 19, 2012 against BioZone Labs, the Company and a former officer and director of the Company, Daniel Fisher in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The plaintiff alleges breach of contract and other commercial wrongdoing and seeks damages in connection with a single purchase order issued during early 2010 relating to the development of certain over the counter products to treat cough and cold symptoms. The Company refutes the allegations and intends to vigorously defend against this action. We are unable to provide an estimate of the amount or range of reasonable possible losses from this litigation because, among other reasons, the complaint does not set forth a monetary demand.
Daniel Fisher v. BioZone Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Elliot Maza, Brauser Honig Frost Group, Michael Brauser, Barry Honig, and The Frost Group LLC
United States District Court, Northern District of California, No. 12-03716
On July 16, 2012, Daniel Fisher (“Fisher”), a former officer and director of the Company, commenced an action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against certain the Company and certain officers and investors thereof. Fisher asserts claims for breach of contract, conversion, wrongful termination, and unjust enrichment, and violation of the federal whistleblower statute arising from his former role as an officer and director of the Company and certain contractual agreements that he entered into with the Company. Fisher seeks $23 million in damages as against all defendants.
The Company disputes Fisher’s allegations, intends to vigorously defend them and has filed an action against Fisher in New York described below. We are unable to provide an estimate of the amount or range of reasonable possible losses from this litigation because it is at a very early stage.
BioZone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Daniel Fisher and 580 Garcia Properties, LLC
Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, No. 652489/2012
On July 18, 2012, the Company commenced an action in New York State Court against Fisher and 580 Garcia Properties, LLC alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and fraud claims arising from Fisher’s former role as an officer and director of the Company. The Company is seeking a minimum of $2 million in damages, together with the cancellation of 6.65 million shares of the Company’s stock, and Fisher’s forfeiture of property located at 580 Garcia Avenue, Pittsburg, CA, which property is used by the Company as a warehouse facility.
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