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This excerpt taken from the WEN 10-K filed Apr 3, 2006. Litigation On October 18, 2004, Timothy W. Moser, a former officer of the Company, filed an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company, and certain individuals, including several of the Companys officers and directors. On February 14, 2005 the Company was served with an amended complaint in this action alleging defamation, intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy arising out of certain statements in the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-1 originally filed in September 2003 and alleged to be included in the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-3 originally filed in May 2004. The amended complaint seeks injunctive relief, economic and punitive damages in an unspecified amount plus an award of profits allegedly earned by the defendants and alleged co-conspirators as a result of the alleged conduct, in addition to attorneys fees and costs. The Company believes the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend the action. Although the outcome of this matter cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not currently believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations.
71 On September 7, 2005, Mr. Moser filed a related action in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of California against Triarc Companies, Inc. (Triarc), a significant stockholder of the Company, alleging intentional interference with contractual relations and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The case arises out
of the same statements made or alleged to have been made in the Companys Registration Statements mentioned above. On January 7, 2006, Triarc was served with an amended complaint seeking injunctive relief, an order directing Triarc to
issue a statement of retraction or correction of the allegedly false statements, economic and punitive damages in an unspecified amount and attorneys fees and costs. Triarc tendered the defense of this action to the Company, and the Company
accepted the defense and will indemnify Triarc, pursuant to the indemnification provisions of the Registration Rights Agreements dated as of October 31, 2000 and February 21, 2002, and the Underwriting Agreements dated September 25,
2004 and January 20, 2005 to which Triarc is a party. The Company believes the claims are without merit and will vigorously defend the action. Although the outcome of this matter cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not currently
believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and comparable state statutes may result in class action lawsuits, which can be material to the Company due to the remedies available under these statutes, including punitive
damages. The Company has recently experienced an increase in the volume of such claims, which we believe reflects the trend in our industry. Management is aware of 12 cases styled as class actions that have been filed against the Company. To date,
no class has been certified in any of these cases. The Company believes that these cases are without merit and intends to vigorously defend them. However, several of these cases present novel issues on which there is no legal precedent. As a result,
the Company is unable to predict the range of possible outcomes. There are a number of other lawsuits or claims pending or threatened
against the Company. In general, these lawsuits or claims have arisen in the ordinary course of business and involve claims for actual damages arising from alleged misconduct or improper reporting of credit information by the Company or its
employees. Although litigation is inherently uncertain, based on past experience, the information currently available and the possible availability of insurance and/or indemnification from originating institutions in some cases, management of the
Company does not believe that the currently pending and threatened litigation or claims will have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, future events or circumstances,
currently unknown to management, will determine whether the resolution of pending or threatened litigation or claims will ultimately have a material effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations in
any future reporting periods. |
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