Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
3K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In May 2003, First National Mortgage Company filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleged that a one page document entitled “Final Proposal,” which included language that it was subject to approval of formal documentation, constituted a ground lease of a parcel of property located adjacent to our Santana Row property and gave First National Mortgage Company the option to require that we acquire the property at a price determined in accordance with a formula included in the “Final Proposal.” A trial as to liability only was held in June 2006 and a jury rendered a verdict against us. A trial on the issue of damages has been set for April 2008. The complaint did not specify the amount of damages claimed. We have now received reports from our experts and the plaintiff’s experts which show potential damages ranging from $600,000 to $24 million. We cannot make a reasonable estimate of potential damages until discovery is completed on the damages issue and the court rules on various legal issues impacting the calculation of damages. We intend to appeal the jury verdict; however, no appeal of the judgment can be taken until the trial on damages has been completed. If we are not successful in overturning the jury verdict, we will be liable for damages. Depending on the amount of damages awarded, it is possible there could be a material adverse impact on our net income in the period in which it becomes both probable that we will have to pay the damages and such damages can be reasonably estimated. In any event, management does not believe it will have a material impact on our financial position.
We are also involved in a litigation matter relating to a shopping center in New Jersey where a former tenant has alleged that we and our management agent acted improperly by failing to disclose a condemnation action at the property that was pending when the lease was signed. A trial as to liability only has been concluded and post-trial briefs have been filed, but no decision has been rendered. One of the plaintiffs in the matter has filed for bankruptcy protection and as a result, the judge in our case has stayed further proceedings in the case. If we are found liable once the stay has been lifted, a trial will be held to determine the amount of damages. Based on the information available to us, we believe there is a reasonable possibility that we will be found liable. If a verdict is rendered against us, we may seek indemnification from the third party management company that negotiated the lease on our behalf. We cannot assess with any certainty at this time the potential damages for which we would be liable if a verdict is rendered against us or the potential amounts we might recover against the third party management company; however, if a verdict is rendered against us, there may be a material adverse impact on our net income in the period in which it becomes both probable that we will have to pay the damages and such damages can be reasonably estimated. In any event, management does not believe it will have a material impact on our financial position.
Previous: Item 2. PROPERTIES · Next: Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS