This filing contains a press release issued by Hudson Executive Capital LP, dated November 15, 2019.
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HUDSON EXECUTIVE FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST USA TECHNOLOGIES TO RESTORE
SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS
Asserts USAT’s Bylaw Amendment Barring Shareholders From Calling a Special Meeting is Invalid
Believes Board Actions Disenfranchise Shareholders and Entrench the Board
Announces Filing of Definitive Solicitation Statement to Solicit Consents to Request a Special Meeting
NEW YORK – November 15, 2019 – Hudson Executive Capital LP (“Hudson Executive” or “HEC”), a New York-based investment firm and the largest shareholder of USA Technologies, Inc. (“USAT” or the “Company”) (OTC: USAT) with beneficial ownership of approximately 16.3% of common stock, today disclosed that HEC, through its affiliated fund HEC Master Fund LP, has filed a lawsuit with the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, Pennsylvania to invalidate the Company’s recent Bylaw amendment (the “Retroactive Bylaw Amendment”) that deprives Hudson Executive, and every other USAT shareholder, of the right to call any special meeting at all before the next annual meeting of shareholders. USAT has not held an annual meeting of shareholders in nearly 19 months.
Douglas Braunstein, Founder and Managing Partner of Hudson Executive, stated: “The USAT Board’s retroactive manipulation of the Company’s Bylaws to block an anticipated proxy solicitation is the latest in a series of blatant, value-destructive and entrenching actions. These efforts to thwart shareholder democracy should concern not only all shareholders, but also the business and regulatory communities at large. As the Company’s largest shareholder, we plan to defend the rightful owners of the Company by fighting these egregious acts in court.”
In its lawsuit, Hudson Executive asks the Court to:
| • | | Declare that the Retroactive Bylaw Amendment is invalid; |
| • | | Enjoin USAT’s Board from enforcing the Retroactive Bylaw Amendment; and |
| • | | Declare that Hudson Executive’s consent solicitation can proceed without further interference. |
Hudson Executive today also filed a definitive consent solicitation statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hudson Executive filed the definitive consent solicitation statement following the Company’s rejection of its most recent settlement offer.
Earlier this week, Hudson Executive proposed a settlement pursuant to which the Company’s Board would be comprised of four incumbent directors and four new and independent directors identified by Hudson Executive, with an incumbent director serving as Chairman of the Board. Under the proposal, the reconstituted Board would select a new Chief Executive Officer for the Company, who would become a ninth member of the Board. Following the selection of a new Chief Executive Officer, the directors identified by Hudson Executive would comprise four of the nine directors of the reconstituted Board. The Company rejected Hudson Executive’s proposal.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is serving as legal advisor to Hudson Executive.