pending the resolution of the motion to dismiss in the 2021 Securities Action. The parties are conferring regarding a proposed scheduling order for the orderly progress of the action.
On April 12, 2023, an action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware asserting claims under the federal securities laws against the Company and four of its senior officers, Mr. Marsh, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Mindnich, and Mr. Hull. The complaint asserts claims on behalf of a putative class composed of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s securities between August 9, 2022 and March 1, 2023. The complaint asserted a claim against all defendants for alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b5 promulgated thereunder and a claim under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against Mr. Marsh, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Mindnich, and Mr. Hull as alleged controlling persons. The complaint alleged that defendants made “materially false and/or misleading statements” about the Company’s business and operations, including that “the Company was unable to effectively manage its supply chain and product manufacturing, resulting in reduced revenues and margins, increased inventory levels, and several large deals being delayed until at least 2023, among other issues.” On May 25, 2023, a second action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, also asserting claims under the federal securities laws against the Company, Mr. Marsh, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Mindnich, and Mr. Hull. On June 29, 2023, the court consolidated these actions into In re Plug Power, Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 1:23-cv-00576-MN (the “2023 Securities Action”), pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and appointed a lead plaintiff. Under a stipulated schedule approved by the court, the lead plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on September 28, 2023. The amended complaint expanded the putative class period to include all stock purchasers between January 19, 2022 and March 1, 2023. The amended complaint added Mr. Shrestha as a defendant and no longer asserted any claims against Mr. Hull. The amended complaint primarily challenged statements concerning the Company’s 2022 revenue goal of $900-925 million and hydrogen production goal of 70 tons per day, alleging that these goals were “knowingly unfounded” due to purported “operational problems,” “delays” and “supply chain problems.” The defendants’ response to the complaint is due on November 30, 2023.
On June 12, 2023, an action asserting similar claims was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York asserting claims under the federal securities laws against the Company and four of its senior officers, Mr. Marsh, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Mindnich, and Mr. Hull. The complaint asserts claims on behalf of a putative class composed of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s securities between August 9, 2022 and March 1, 2023. The complaint asserted a claim against all defendants for alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b5 promulgated thereunder and a claim under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against Mr. Marsh, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Mindnich, and Mr. Hull as alleged controlling persons. The complaint alleged that defendants made “materially false and misleading” statements, “and failed to disclose material adverse facts,” about the Company’s business and operations, including that “the Company was unable to effectively manage its supply chain and product manufacturing, resulting in reduced revenues and margins, increased inventory levels, and several large deals being delayed until at least 2023, among other issues.” On June 27, 2023, the plaintiff filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice against all defendants.
On May 2, 2023, a lawsuit entitled Jacob Thomas and JTurbo Engineering & Technology, LLC v. Joule Processing, LLC and Plug Power Inc., Case No. 4:23-cv-01615, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas against the Company. The complaint alleges misappropriation of trade secrets under both the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, 18 U.S.C. § 1836, and the Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act, three breach of contract claims, and four common law claims under Texas law. On July 28, 2023, Joule Processing, LLC and Plug Power Inc. filed a partial motion to dismiss, and briefing on the motion was completed on August 25, 2023. On October 23, 2023, Jacob Thomas and JTurbo Engineering & Technology, LLC filed Plaintiff[s’] Verified Application for Temporary Restraining Order, Preliminary Injunction and Permanent Injunctive Relief (the “Application for Injunctive Relief”). Thereafter, the plaintiffs and the defendants submitted, and the Court entered, a joint stipulation that stayed briefing on the Application for Injunctive Relief until the Court has issued an order on the partial motion to dismiss.
On May 10, 2023, an action entitled Ringling v. Plug Power, Inc., et al, Case No. 1:23-cv-572, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York asserting claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the New York State Human Rights Law against the Company, Tom Rourke, individually, and/or Tom O’Grady, individually. The complaint asserts that the plaintiff is seeking damages to redress injuries suffered as a result of harassment and discrimination on the basis of his race, together with creating a hostile work environment,