▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇.▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ )
) SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
COUNTY OF HORRY )
This Settlement Agreement entered into this 28th day of December, 2006,
by and among the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, H. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ("▇▇▇▇▇"), ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇"),
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ("▇▇▇▇▇"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇. ("▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇"), ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇, III ("▇▇▇▇▇"), CNB Corporation ("CNB"), The ▇▇▇▇▇▇ National Bank
("Bank"), and The ▇▇▇▇▇▇ National Bank Profit-Sharing and Savings Plan (the
"401(k) Plan").
WHEREAS, on or about September 6, 2005, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, and ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ initiated litigation against Cutts, Dusenbury,
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇, also naming CNB and the Bank as nominal Defendants,
which case is presently pending in the Court of Common Pleas for Horry County,
Case Number 2005-CP-26-4667 (the "Director's Litigation"); and
WHEREAS, Cutts, Dusenbury, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ filed a
counterclaim in the Director's Litigation against ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇; and
WHEREAS, subsequent to filing the Director's Litigation, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ died and ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ was appointed the
Personal Representative of their estates; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ initiated litigation against ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, which case is presently pending in the Court of Common Pleas for Horry
County, Case Number 2006-CP-26-2500 (the "Defamation Litigation"); and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Settlement Agreement have reached a
compromise resolution and settlement of all issues and disputes existing with
and among all other parties to this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Settlement Agreement wish to memorialize
the terms of the settlement reached with and among all other parties to this
Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, and
in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings contained herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
I. Dismissal of Current Litigation
A. The Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
and ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ agree to dismiss the lawsuit (Case Number
2005-CP-26-4667) filed against Cutts, Dusenbury, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇, et
al. (the "Director's Litigation"). Cutts, Dusenbury, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇
agree to dismiss their counterclaim filed in the Director's Litigation against
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, with prejudice.
B. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to dismiss the Defamation Litigation with
prejudice.
II. Resignation of ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ from Board of Directors
▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, III, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ resign from
the Board of Directors of both CNB and The ▇▇▇▇▇▇ National Bank, as applicable,
effective December 31, 2006.
III. Resignation of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ from Employment
A. ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that he resigned his employment with CNB
and/or the Bank effective October 31, 2006, and that as of October 31, 2006, CNB
and/or the Bank has paid him all amounts due pursuant to his June 14, 2005
Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" (the
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Employment Agreement"). ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ further agrees that neither CNB nor
the Bank has any further obligation to him under the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Employment
Agreement or any other agreement, written or oral relating to his employment by
either CNB or the Bank other than rights under (i) any existing 401(k) program;
(ii) any ESI Agreement (as hereinafter defined); (iii) the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom
Stock Agreement (as hereinafter defined); and (iv) this Agreement such as the
health insurance benefits described below. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that he is not
entitled to any further salary, bonuses, liquidated or other damages, attorneys
fees or any other compensation or benefits under the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Employment
Agreement or any other agreement, written or oral relating to his employment by
either CNB or the Bank . CNB and/or the Bank agree to continue health insurance
coverage for ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ through December 31, 2006, after which CNB and/or the
Bank will provide ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ with all COBRA and other notices/paperwork on a
timely basis just as with any other departing employee.
B. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to resign his employment with CNB and/or the
Bank effective December 31, 2006. The Bank agrees to pay ▇▇▇▇▇ his salary
through December 31, 2006 as provided in his June 14, 2005 Employment Agreement,
a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "B" (the "▇▇▇▇▇ Employment
Agreement"). ▇▇▇▇▇ further agrees that as of December 31, 2006, neither CNB nor
the Bank will have any further obligation to him under the ▇▇▇▇▇ Employment
Agreement and he will not be entitled to any further salary, bonuses, liquidated
or other damages, attorneys fees or any other compensation or benefits under the
▇▇▇▇▇ Employment Agreement or any other agreement, written or oral relating to
his employment by either CNB or the Bank other than (i) any existing 401(k)
program; (ii) any ESI Agreement (as hereinafter defined); (iii) the ▇▇▇▇▇
Phantom Stock Agreement (as hereinafter defined); and (iv) this Agreement such
as the health insurance benefits described below. CNB and/or the Bank agree to
continue health insurance coverage for ▇▇▇▇▇ through December 31, 2006, after
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which CNB and/or the Bank will provide ▇▇▇▇▇ with all COBRA and other
notices/paperwork on a timely basis just as with any other departing employee.
IV. Post Resignation Restrictions Regarding ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇
A ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agree that the Confidential Information provision
found in Paragraph 9.1 of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Employment Agreement and the ▇▇▇▇▇
Employment Agreement respectively are terminated. However, ▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
agree to be bound by the terms of a confidentiality and non-solicitation
agreement attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit " and
Exhibit " (the "▇▇▇▇▇ Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement" and the
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement" respectively).
B. CNB and/or the Bank agree that, subsequent to the execution of this
Settlement Agreement and the mutual releases referred to herein, the
Non-Competition provisions (collectively, the "Non-Competition Provisions")
contained in (i) Paragraph 9.2 of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ Employment Agreements;
(ii) any Executive Supplemental Income Agreement executed by CNB and/or the Bank
with ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or ▇▇▇▇▇ (collectively, the "ESI Agreements"); and (iii)
Paragraph 7.2 of the Phantom Stock Agreement entered into between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and
the Bank dated December 1, 1999, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
"I" (the "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreement"), and the Phantom Stock Agreement
entered into between ▇▇▇▇▇ and the Bank dated December 1, 1999, a copy of which
is attached hereto as Exhibit "J"(the "▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreement") (the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreement and the ▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreement being
collectively referred to as the "Phantom Stock Agreements)" will be considered
null and void CNB and/or the Bank agree that neither of them will seek to
enforce any of such Non-Competition Provisions.
C. CNB and/or the Bank agree that, subsequent to the execution of this
Settlement Agreement and the mutual releases referred to herein, the
Solicitation After Termination of Employment provision found in Section 7.3 of
the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreements, will be considered null and
void and CNB and/or the Bank agree that neither of them will seek to enforce
this provision. In return, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇ each agree to enter into a new
Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement, as set forth more fully in the
Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreements attached hereto as Exhibits "K"
and "L." (collectively, the "Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreements").
V. Mutual Releases
A. The Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, CNB, the Bank, the 401(k) Plan and H. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ will enter
into a mutual release of all claims, by and among these parties, as set forth
more fully in the Release attached hereto as Exhibit "C" (the "▇▇▇▇▇ Release").
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B. The Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, CNB, the Bank, the 401(k) Plan and ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will
enter into a mutual release of all claims, by and among these parties, as set
forth more fully in the Release attached hereto as Exhibit "D" (the "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Release").
C. The Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, CNB, the Bank, the 401(k) Plan and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ will
enter into a mutual release of all claims, by and among these parties, as set
forth more fully in the Release attached hereto as Exhibit "E" (the "▇▇▇▇▇
Release").
D. The Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, CNB, the Bank, the 401(k) Plan, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will enter into a mutual release of all claims, by and among these
parties, as set forth more fully in the Release attached hereto as Exhibit "F"
(the "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Release").
E. The Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, the Estate of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, CNB, the Bank, the 401(k) Plan and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, III will
enter into a mutual release of all claims, by and among these parties, as set
forth more fully in the Release attached hereto as Exhibit "G" (the "▇▇▇▇▇
Release").
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will enter into a mutual release of all claims with ▇▇▇▇▇
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ for all claims made in the case currently pending in the Court of
Common Pleas for Horry County, Case Number 2006-CP-26-2500, as set forth more
fully in the Release attached hereto as Exhibit "H" the "▇▇▇▇▇▇ Release").
VI. Cash Payments
CNB and/or the Bank will pay an aggregate payment in the amount of
$637,500 under the provisions of this Agreement with the following amounts being
allocated to the following parties to this Agreement on or before December 31,
2006:
A. Payment shall be made to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of $95,861.17, in
consideration of settlement and release of all claims described in the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Release including, without limitation, any claims for the costs and expense
incurred in the Director's Litigation, but excluding any claims relating to the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Employment Agreement or other employment related claims. This payment
shall be subject to reporting on Form 1099-Misc and shall not be subject to any
tax withholding. Further payment shall be made to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of
$71,187.37, in consideration of cancellation of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Employment
Agreement and release of any employment related claims. This payment shall be
treated as wages subject to reporting on Form W-2 and shall be subject to all
applicable withholdings.
B. Payment shall be made to ▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of $95,861.17, in
consideration of settlement and release of all claims described in the ▇▇▇▇▇
Release including, without limitation, any claims for the costs and expense
incurred in the Director's Litigation, but excluding any claims relating to the
▇▇▇▇▇ Employment Agreement or other employment related claims. This payment
shall be treated as taxable income subject to reporting on Form 1099-Misc and
4
shall not be subject to any tax withholding. Further payment shall be made to
▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of $87,006.78, in consideration of cancellation of the ▇▇▇▇▇
Employment Agreement and release of any employment related claims. This payment
shall be treated as wages subject to reporting on Form W-2 and shall be subject
to all applicable withholdings.
C. Payment shall be made to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of $95,861.17, in
consideration of settlement and release of all claims described in the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Release including, including, without limitation, any claims for the costs and
expense incurred in the Director's Litigation. This payment shall be treated as
taxable income subject to reporting on Form 1099-Misc and shall not be subject
to any tax withholding.
D. Payment shall be made to ▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of $95,861.17, in
consideration of settlement and release of all claims described in the ▇▇▇▇▇
Release including, including, without limitation, any claims for the costs and
expense incurred in the Director's Litigation. This payment shall be treated as
taxable income subject to reporting on Form 1099-Misc and shall not be subject
to any tax withholding.
E. Payment shall be made to ▇▇▇▇▇ in the amount of $95,861.17, in
consideration of settlement and release of all claims described in the ▇▇▇▇▇
Release including, including, without limitation, any claims for the costs and
expense incurred in the Director's Litigation. This payment shall be treated as
taxable income subject to reporting on Form 1099-Misc and shall not be subject
to any tax withholding.
F. Payment shall be in the form of funds delivered to counsel for
Hucks, Dusenbury, ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇.
G. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement was not
intended or written by counsel to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose
of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code that may be imposed upon
any party. Each party shall consult with his or her own tax adviser on the
proper treatment of any payments herein.
VII. Phantom Stock Plan. Hucks, Dusenbury, ▇▇▇▇▇, CNB, and Bank acknowledge and
agree that this settlement and the releases herein do not alter or affect the
rights of Hucks, Dusenbury, or ▇▇▇▇▇ under the terms of the Phantom Stock Plan
and ▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreement, the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Phantom Stock Agreement and the
Phantom Stock Agreement dated December 5, 2000 between ▇▇▇▇▇ and Bank
(collectively, the "Phantom Stock Agreements"), except as specifically modified
herein. Hucks, Dusenbury, and ▇▇▇▇▇ shall each retain his rights in any vested
benefits in their respective Phantom Stock Agreement as of the date of his
5
termination and cease further vesting of additional benefits as of the date of
his termination according to the terms of that Phantom Stock Plan and the
Phantom Stock Agreements. Such vested benefits shall accrue interest and shall
be paid in accordance with the terms of the Phantom Stock Plan and the Phantom
Stock Agreements. ▇▇▇▇▇, CNB and the Bank acknowledge that ▇▇▇▇▇ is fully vested
in the Phantom Stock Plan. ▇▇▇▇▇, CNB and the Bank acknowledge that ▇▇▇▇▇ is 90%
vested in the Phantom Stock Plan as of the date of this Agreement. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
CNB and the Bank acknowledge that ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is 80% vested in the Phantom Stock
Plan as of the date of this Agreement.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Hucks, Smith, CNB and the Bank also acknowledge that Sun Trust
performed a valuation of the CNB stock for the purposes of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ National
Bank Profit-Sharing and Savings Plan and that as of September 30, 2006 such
valuation was $162.00 per share and that such valuation shall be used to value
the CNB stock for the purposes of this Agreement, the Phantom Stock Plan and the
Phantom Stock Agreements.
VIII. Letter to Shareholders
Upon execution of this Settlement Agreement and the mutual releases
referred to herein, CNB and/or the Bank will issue a mutually agreed upon letter
to be sent to CNB shareholders, as set forth more fully in the letter attached
hereto as Exhibit "M."
IX. Other Agreements
A. The undersigned parties understand, represent, and warrant that all
claims released herein are disputed claims, that in executing this Settlement
Agreement, such undersigned are compromising such disputed claims, and that this
Agreement is not an admission of, but is instead a denial of, liability by or on
the part of, the persons hereby released for all claims released herein.
B. The parties agree that this Settlement Agreement and the compromise
and settlement evidenced thereby may never be admissible as evidence against the
persons herein released in any present or future suit, claim or proceeding of
any nature, but may be asserted by and introduced as evidence for the persons
hereby released as an absolute and final defense and bar to any claim released
herein in any present or future suit or proceeding.
C. The undersigned parties agree that this written Settlement Agreement
and Exhibits are a complete integration of all terms and provisions to which the
Parties have agreed, and that no agreement may be effective to change, modify,
or terminate this Agreement, in whole or in part, unless such agreement is in
writing and duly signed after the date of execution of this Agreement by the
person against whom enforcement of such change, modification, or termination is
sought.
D. The parties agree and acknowledge that each relies upon his/her/its
own knowledge and information and upon the advice of his/her/its attorneys to
the extent of the claims released herein, of his/her/its legal rights with
respect to such claims, and of the liability of the persons hereby released, and
that he/she/it has neither been influenced by nor relied upon any
representations, if any made, by or on behalf of the persons hereby released.
6
E. Each party warrants that this Settlement Agreement has been executed
by duly authorized representative(s) and agent(s) of the party and that the
party is bound by, and intends to be bound by, the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
F. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of
which shall serve as an original for all purposes, but all copies shall
constitute but one and the same Agreement, binding on all parties hereto,
whether or not each counterpart is executed by all parties hereto, so long as
each party hereto has executed one or more counterparts hereof.
G. The rights contained under this Agreement may not be assigned.
H. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding and
adhere to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors, permitted
assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
I. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced according to the laws
of the State of South Carolina. If any covenant, condition, representation,
warranty or provision of this Agreement shall be adjudged by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this
Agreement shall not be affected thereby, but shall be valid and enforceable to
the fullest extent permitted by law.
J. All terms, conditions, covenants, and warranties under this
Agreement shall survive the date of closing of this agreement.
K. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inurned to the benefits of
the Parties and their respective heirs, executors, personal representatives,
successors, and assigns and to the benefit of no other Party.
L. The Parties agree to execute such further assurances, documents, or
instruments and to take such further actions as may be necessary to confirm
their understanding with respect to the terms and provisions set forth in this
Agreement so as to be in a position to implement the same.
M. This Agreement and the attached Exhibits shall constitute the entire
understanding and agreement of the Parties and may be altered or amended only by
a document in writing signed by the Parties.
N. The captions and headings used in this Agreement are for convenience
only and do not in any way limit, amplify, or otherwise modify the provisions of
this Agreement.
O. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or
unenforceable under present or future laws, such provision shall be fully
severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this agreement,
and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
7
effect and shall not be affected by such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable
provision or by its severance from this Agreement.
P. The parties represent and warrant to one another that each has, by
counsel or otherwise, actively participated in the finalization of this
Agreement, and in the event of a dispute concerning the interpretation of this
Agreement, each party hereby waives the doctrine that an ambiguity should be
interpreted against the party which has drafted the document.
(Signatures continued on following pages)
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have executed and delivered
this Settlement Agreement as of the 28th day of December 2006.
[SIGNATURES OMITTED]
9