Commitments and Contingencies | 5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We are involved in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Substantial judgment is required in predicting the outcome of these legal proceedings, many of which may take years to adjudicate. We accrue estimated costs for a contingency when we believe that a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. No material loss contingencies were accrued as of June 30, 2022. Securities Litigation Matter On September 30, 2019, the City of Hollywood (Florida) Police Officers’ Retirement System filed a putative securities class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, purportedly on behalf of purchasers of Covetrus common stock from February 8, 2019 through August 12, 2019, against the Defendants. The complaint alleges that the Defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, by making allegedly false and misleading statements and omissions, primarily regarding the Company’s financial prospects and the integration costs relating to the business combination involving the Animal Health Business and Vets First Choice. The suit seeks unspecified damages, fees, interest, and costs. On August 3, 2021, the Court issued an order granting in part and denying in part Defendants’ motions to dismiss. In particular, the Court dismissed, with prejudice, all claims asserted against our Former Chief Financial Officer, a director, and our Former Parent, as well as certain claims based on alleged misrepresentations attributed to the Company and our Former Chief Executive Officer. The Company has reached a settlement with plaintiffs in the City of Hollywood (Florida) Police Officers' Retirement System putative securities class action lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on September 30, 2019. The settlement provides for a fully insured payment to the plaintiffs, in full satisfaction and release of all claims arising out of the lawsuit. The Court preliminarily approved the settlement on July 15th, 2022 and has scheduled a final settlement hearing for October 25, 2022. The Company is responsible for certain defense costs and expenses which have been accrued as of June 30, 2022. Merger Litigation Matters Six actions (collectively, the “Actions”) have been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“S.D.N.Y.”) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement: Shiva Stein v. Covetrus, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-05737 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 6, 2022); Ryan O’Dell v. Covetrus, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-05803 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 7, 2022); Joel Stanley v. Covetrus, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-05818 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 8, 2022); Matthew Whitfield v. Covetrus, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-05908 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 11, 2022); Jeffrey D. Justice, II. v. Covetrus, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-05909 (S.D.N.Y., filed July 11, 2022), and Chris Rayfield v. Covetrus, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-06298 (S.D.N.Y, filed July 25, 2022). Each of the Actions names Covetrus and its directors as defendants. The Actions assert claims under Section 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 14a-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and allege that the Proxy Statement filed by Covetrus with the Securities Exchange Commission on June 30, 2022 in connection with the Merger contains alleged material misstatements or omissions. The Actions seek, among other things, to enjoin the defendants from proceeding with, consummating or closing the Merger, rescissory damages should the Merger not be enjoined, and an award of attorneys’ and experts’ fees. The defendants believe that the allegations in the Actions are without merit. If additional similar complaints are filed, absent new or different allegations that are material, Covetrus will not necessarily announce such filings. Purchase Obligations We are party to an exclusive supply agreement with an unconditional commitment to purchase certain products within the U.S. market until 2025. As of June 30, 2022, there have been no material changes in our purchase obligations since fiscal year end 2021. See Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies of our Form 10-K. |