Canoo (GOEVQ) 10-Q 2021 Q2 Quarterly report

Exhibit 10.4

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Release (“Agreement”) is made by and between Andrew Wolstan (“Employee”) and Canoo Technologies Inc. (f.k.a. Canoo Inc.) (the “Company”) (collectively referred to as the “Parties” or individually referred to as a “Party”) as of the Effective Date (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Employee was employed by the Company;

WHEREAS, Employee and the Company entered into a Confidential Information and Inventions Agreement dated December 12, 2017 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Employee was party to the Senior Management Employment Agreement dated December 20, 2020 (the “Senior Management Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Employee’s employment with the Company is being separated effective as of April 30, 2021;

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to resolve any and all disputes, claims, complaints, grievances, charges, actions, petitions, and demands that the Employee may have against the Company and any of the Releasees as defined below, including, but not limited to, any and all claims arising out of or in any way related to Employee’s employment with or separation from the Company;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and Employee hereby agree as follows:

COVENANTS

1.Recitals. The Recitals set forth above are expressly incorporated into this Agreement.

2.Consideration. In exchange for Employee executing and complying with the terms of this Agreement, the Company and Employee are entering into that certain services agreement between the Company and the Employee dated as of May 3, 2021 (the “Services Agreement”).

3.Payment of Salary and Receipt of All Benefits. Employee acknowledges and represents that, other than the consideration set forth in the Services Agreement, the Company has paid or provided all salary, wages, bonuses, accrued vacation/paid time off, premiums, leaves, housing allowances, relocation costs, interest, severance, outplacement costs, fees, reimbursable expenses, commissions, stock, stock options, vesting, and any and all other benefits and compensation due to Employee. Employee specifically represents that Employee is not due to receive any commissions or other incentive compensation from the Company other than as set forth in this Agreement.

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4.Release of Claims. Employee agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Employee by the Company and its current and former officers, directors, employees, agents, investors, attorneys, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, benefit plans, plan administrators, insurers, trustees, divisions, parent corporation and subsidiaries, and predecessor and successor corporations and assigns (collectively, the “Releasees”). Employee, on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of Employee’s respective heirs, family members, executors, agents, and assigns, hereby and forever releases the Releasees from, and agrees not to sue concerning, or in any manner to institute, prosecute, or pursue, any claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Employee may possess against any of the Releasees arising from any omissions, acts, facts, or damages that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement, including, without limitation:

a.any and all claims relating to or arising from Employee’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;

b.any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Employee’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;

c.any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; harassment; retaliation; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; commission payments; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; conversion; and disability benefits;

d.any and all claims for violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Equal Pay Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; the Immigration Control and Reform Act; the California Family Rights Act; the California Labor Code; the California Workers’ Compensation Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act; and any other similar statutes, regulations or laws;

e. any and all claims for violation of the federal or any state constitution;

f.any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;

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g.any claim for any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising out of any dispute over the nonwithholding or other tax treatment of any of the proceeds received by Employee as a result of this Agreement; and

h. any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Employee agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to (i) any obligations incurred under this Agreement or the Services Agreement, (ii) any claim for vested benefits, vested restricted stock units or other vested equity or equity-based awards held by Employee, or (iii) any claim for indemnification or other liability protection in favor of Employee under the Senior Management Agreement, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries or any other agreement or arrangement under which, as of immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement, Employee is entitled to indemnification or liability protection (including the advancement of expenses related thereto) as a current or former officer or employee of the Company (collectively, the “Indemnification and D&O Arrangements”). This release does not release claims that cannot be released as a matter of law. Employee represents that Employee has made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, complaint, charge, duty, obligation, demand, cause of action, or other matter waived or released by this section.

5.Acknowledgment of Waiver of Claims under ADEA. Employee acknowledges that Employee is waiving and releasing any rights Employee may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), and that this such waiver and release (“ADEA Waiver”) is knowing and voluntary. Employee agrees that this ADEA Waiver does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under the ADEA after the Effective Date Employee signs this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that the consideration given for this ADEA Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled. Employee further acknowledges that Employee has been advised by this writing that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this Agreement; (although Employee may choose to voluntarily sign it sooner); (c) Employee has seven

(7) days following Employee’s execution of this Agreement to revoke this ADEA Waiver; (d) this ADEA Waiver shall not be effective until after the revocation period has expired; unexercised, which will be the eighth day after Employee signs this Agreement (the “Effective Date”); and (e) nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Employee from challenging or seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the ADEA Waiver, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties, or costs for doing so, unless specifically authorized by federal law. In the event Employee signs this Agreement and returns it to the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, Employee hereby acknowledges that Employee has freely and voluntarily chosen to waive part of the time period allotted for considering this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and understands that revocation must be accomplished by a written notification to the person executing this Agreement on the Company’s behalf that is received prior to the eighth day after Employee signs this Agreement. The parties agree that changes to the initial offer herein, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day period.

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6.California Civil Code Section 1542. Employee acknowledges that Employee has been advised to consult with legal counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, a statute that otherwise prohibits the release of unknown claims, which provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, AND THAT IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.

Employee, being aware of said code section, agrees to expressly waive any rights Employee may have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar effect.

7.No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Employee represents that Employee has no lawsuits, claims, or actions pending in Employee’s name, or on behalf of any other person or entity, against the Company or any of the other Releasees. Employee also represents that Employee does not intend to bring any claims on Employee’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity against the Company or any of the other Releasees.

8.Confidentiality. Employee agrees to maintain in complete confidence the existence of this Agreement, the contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Separation Information”). Except as required by law, Employee may disclose Separation Information only to Employee’s immediate family members, the Court in any proceedings to enforce the terms of this Agreement, Employee’s attorney(s), and Employee’s accountant and any professional tax advisor to the extent that they need to know the Separation Information in order to provide advice on tax treatment or to prepare tax returns, and must prevent disclosure of any Separation Information to all other third parties. Employee agrees that Employee will not publicize, directly or indirectly, any Separation Information.

9.Trade Secrets and Confidential Information/Company Property. Employee reaffirms and agrees to observe and abide by the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, specifically including the provisions therein regarding nondisclosure of the Company’s trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information; provided that Employee hereby acknowledges receipt of the following notice required pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1833(b)(1): “An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.” Employee acknowledges that during the course of Employee’s employment with the Company Employee had access to a number of highly confidential materials and Employee specifically represents that Employee shall refrain from using any such confidential information in the future. Employee affirms that Employee has returned all documents and other items provided to Employee by the Company, developed or obtained by

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Employee in connection with Employee’s employment with the Company, or otherwise belonging to the Company.

10. Cooperation.

a.Employee agrees that Employee will not knowingly encourage, counsel, or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against any of the Releasees, unless under a subpoena or other court order to do so or as related directly to the ADEA Waiver in this Agreement. Employee agrees both to immediately notify the Company upon receipt of any such subpoena or court order, and to furnish, within three (3) business days of its receipt, a copy of such subpoena or other court order. If approached by anyone for counsel or assistance in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints against any of the Releasees, Employee shall state no more than that Employee cannot provide counsel or assistance.

b.Employee will cooperate with the Company in responding to the reasonable requests of the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or General Counsel, in connection with any and all existing or future litigation, arbitrations, mediations or investigations brought by or against the Company, or its affiliates, agents, officers, directors or employees, whether administrative, civil or criminal in nature, in which the Company reasonably deems Employee’s cooperation necessary or desirable. In such matters, subject to his reasonable availability in light of personal and professional commitments, Employee agrees to provide the Company with reasonable advice, assistance, and information, including offering and explaining evidence, providing sworn statements, and participating in discovery and trial preparation and testimony. Employee also agrees to promptly send the Company copies of all correspondence (for example, but not limited to, subpoenas) received by Employee in connection with any such legal proceedings, unless Employee is expressly prohibited by law from so doing.

11.Nondisparagement. Employee agrees to refrain from any disparagement, defamation, libel, or slander of any of the Releasees, and agrees to refrain from any tortious interference with the contracts and relationships of any of the Releasees. Employee agrees to refrain from making, either directly or indirectly, any negative, damaging or otherwise disparaging communications concerning the Company or its services to any of the clients of the Company, provided that Employee may respond accurately and fully to any question, inquiry, or request for information when Employee reasonably believes he is required do so by legal process. Employee shall not use any Company information that is confidential either under or applicable law or the Confidentiality Agreement to which Employee had access during the scope of Employee’s employment with the Company in order to communicate with or solicit any of the Company’s current or prospective clients.

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12.Protected Disclosure. Nothing contained in this Agreement limits Employee’s ability to file a charge or complaint with any federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (a “Government Agency”). In addition, nothing contained in this Agreement limits Employee’s ability to communicate with any Government Agency or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including Employee’s ability to provide documents or other information, without notice to the Company, nor does anything contained in this Agreement apply to truthful testimony in litigation. If Employee’s files any charge or complaint with any Government Agency and if the Government Agency pursues any claim on Employee’s behalf, or if any other third party pursues any claim on Employee’s behalf, Employee waives any right to monetary or other individualized relief (either individually, or as part of any collective or class action).

13.Breach. In addition to the rights provided in the “Attorneys’ Fees” section below, Employee acknowledges and agrees that any material breach of this Agreement, or of any provision of the Confidentiality Agreement, shall result in Employee’s forfeiture of, and shall entitle the Company immediately to recover and/or cease providing the consideration provided to Employee under this Agreement and to obtain damages, except as provided by law.

14.No Admission of Liability. Employee understands and acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of any and all actual or potential disputed claims by Employee. No action taken by the Company hereto, either previously or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed to be (a) an admission of the truth or falsity of any actual or potential claims or (b) an acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability whatsoever to Employee or to any third party.

15.Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees, and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.

16.Tax Consequences. The Company makes no representations or warranties with respect to the tax consequences of the payments and any other consideration provided to Employee or made on Employee’s behalf under the terms of this Agreement. Employee agrees and understands that Employee is responsible for payment, if any, of local, state, and/or federal taxes on the payments and any other consideration provided hereunder by the Company and any penalties or assessments thereon. Employee further agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any claims, demands, deficiencies, penalties, interest, assessments, executions, judgments, or recoveries by any government agency against the Company for any amounts claimed due on account of (a) Employee’s failure to pay or delayed payment of federal or state taxes, or (b) damages sustained by the Company by reason of any such claims, including attorneys’ fees and costs.

17.Authority. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Employee represents and warrants that Employee has the capacity to act on Employee’s own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through Employee to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and

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represents that there are no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.

18.No Representations. Employee represents that Employee has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Employee has not relied upon any representations or statements made by the Company that are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

19.Severability. In the event that any provision or any portion of any provision hereof or any surviving agreement made a part hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said provision or portion of provision, and the provision in question will be modified by the arbitrator or court so as to be rendered enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law consistent with the general intent of the Parties.

20.Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that either Party brings an action to enforce or effect its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the costs of mediation, arbitration, litigation, court fees, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.

21.Entire Agreement. Except with respect to the Confidentiality Agreement, the Services Agreement and the Arbitration Agreement between Employee and Company, this Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s employment with and separation from the Company and the events leading thereto and associated therewith, and supersedes and replaces any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning the subject matter of this Agreement and Employee’s relationship with the Company (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Indemnification and D&O Arrangements shall not be superseded hereby).

22.No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in a writing signed by Employee and a duly authorized representative of the Company.

23.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard for choice-of-law provisions. Employee consents to personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue in the State of California.

24.Effective Date. This Agreement will become effective upon Employee’s signature. Employee understands that this Agreement shall be null and void if not executed by Employee by 5p.m. PST May 21, 2021. In the event that Employee timely signs this Agreement, and does not revoke the ADEA Waiver, then the ADEA Waiver will become effective on the Effective Date.

25.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by facsimile, and each counterpart and facsimile shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the undersigned.

(x)Section 409A. To the extent (i) any payments to which Employee becomes entitled under this Agreement, or any agreement or plan referenced herein, in connection with

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Employee’s separation of employment with the Company constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”) and Employee is deemed at the time of such separation of employment to be a “specified” employee under Section 409A, then such payment or payments shall not be made or commence until the earlier of (x) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from Employee’s separation; or the date of Employee’s death following such Separation; provided, however, that such deferral shall only be effected to the extent required to avoid adverse tax treatment to Executive, including without limitation the additional tax for which Executive would otherwise be liable under

Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code in the absence of such deferral. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period in the absence of this section shall be paid to Employee or Employee’s beneficiary in one lump sum (without interest). Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit under this Agreement (or otherwise referenced herein) is determined to be subject to (and not exempt from) Section 409A, the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year, in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such expenses, and in no event shall any right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement is ambiguous as to its exemption or compliance with Section 409A, the provision will be read in such a manner so that all payments hereunder are exempt from Section 409A to the maximum permissible extent, and for any payments where such construction is not tenable, that those payments comply with Section 409A to the maximum permissible extent. To the extent any payment under this Agreement may be classified as a “short-term deferral” within the meaning of Section 409A, such payment shall be deemed a short-term deferral, even if it may also qualify for an exemption from Section 409A under another provision of Section 409A. Payments pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise referenced in this Agreement, are intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the regulations under Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the period of time comprising (x) the time to consider and make effective the release set forth in this agreement and (y) the time after the expiration or cessation of any cure period, spans two separate calendar years, then, any payments that constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A will be made in the second calendar year.

26.Voluntary Execution of Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that Employee executed this Agreement voluntarily, without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the Company or any third party, with the full intent of releasing all of Employee’s claims against the Company and any of the other Releasees. Employee acknowledges that:

(a) Employee has read this Agreement;

(b) Employee has been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of Employee’s own choice or has elected not to retain legal counsel;

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(c) Employee understands the terms and consequences of this Agreement and of the releases it contains; and

(d) Employee is fully aware of the legal and binding effect of this Agreement.

[Signature page follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the respective dates set forth below.

	Andrew Wolstan, an individual
Dated:  May 3, 2021	/s/ Andrew Wolstan
	Canoo Technologies Inc. (fka Canoo Inc.)
Dated:  May 3, 2021	By	/s/ Hector Ruiz