Derivative Suit
Heckermann v. Montross et al., Case No. 1:17-CV-01673 (D. Del.) (the “Derivative Suit”)
On November 20, 2017, a purported CPI stockholder filed a stockholder derivative complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”) against certain of CPI’s former officers and current and former directors, along with the sponsors of CPI’s October 2015 initial public offering (“IPO”). CPI is also named as a nominal defendant. The derivative complaint asserts claims under §§10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 and seeks, among other things, injunctive relief, damages and costs. It alleges false or misleading statements and omissions in the Registration Statement filed by CPI in connection with its IPO and subsequent public filings and statements. The derivative complaint also asserts claims for purported breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, mismanagement and waste of corporate assets.
On December 18, 2019, the parties filed a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement to resolve and dismiss the Derivative Suit, and on April 1, 2020, the Court granted final approval of the settlement set forth therein and dismissed with prejudice all claims (the “Settlement”). Under the Settlement, (i) all claims that were or could have been asserted in the Derivative Suit were resolved and discharged, (ii) the Company agreed to implement certain corporate governance reforms, and (iii) the Company’s insurer agreed to pay fees and expenses awarded to the plaintiff’s counsel in the amount of $343 and a service award to the plaintiff of a nominal amount. There was no liability necessary to be recorded for the Settlement as of September 30, 2020, or December 31, 2019.
In addition to the matters described above, the Company may be subject to routine legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
Estimated Sales Tax Liability
The Company is evaluating a state sales tax liability analysis for states in which it has economic nexus, and collecting exemption documentation from its customers. It is probable that the Company will be subject to sales tax liabilities plus interest and penalties relating to historical activity in certain states. The liability for sales tax was estimated and recorded during the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and the Company has estimated a liability of $2,100 as of September 30, 2020, which is recorded in accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Due to the estimates involved in the analysis, the Company expects that the estimated liability will change in the future, and could exceed the original estimate. Additionally, the liability may be reduced by the payment of sales tax directly to the applicable states. Amounts that are recovered from customers will reduce the estimated expense when probable of collection. Future changes to the liability estimate that impact the condensed consolidated statements of operations will be recorded within selling, general, and administrative expenses.
Litigation Settlement
CPI Card Group Inc. v. Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc., et al. Second Case
During the summer of 2017, the Company and its subsidiary, CPI Card Group – Minnesota, Inc. (together, the “Company Plaintiffs”), commenced a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against a former employee, Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc. (“MPS”), and two MPS employees as individuals (collectively, the “Defendants”). On June 12, 2019, the Company Plaintiffs and the Defendants reached a settlement pursuant to which the case was resolved and dismissed by mutual agreement on terms that provided for, among other things, a cash payment to the Company. The Company received a $6,000 cash settlement payment during the second quarter of 2019, and recorded the gain within income from operations, in the Other segment. The case was dismissed in its entirety, with prejudice, by court order on July 12, 2019.
16. Stock-Based Compensation
CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan
In October 2015, the Company adopted the CPI Card Group Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) pursuant to which cash and equity based incentives may be granted to participating employees, advisors and directors. The Company had reserved 800,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the Omnibus Plan. Effective March 25,