EXHIBIT 10.13
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the ____
day of June, 2003 ("Agreement"), by and between ASTA FUNDING, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), and _________________ ("Indemnitee"):
WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve
corporations as directors, officers, or in other capacities, unless they are
provided with better protection from the risk of claims and actions against them
arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board") has
determined that the ability to attract and retain such persons is in the best
interests of the Corporation's shareholders and that such persons should be
assured that they will have better protection in the future; and
WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Corporation to
obligate itself contractually to indemnify such persons to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, so that such persons will serve or continue to
serve the Corporation free from undue concern that they will not be adequately
indemnified; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of
Article Seventh of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the
"Certificate") and Article VIII of the By-Laws of the Corporation (the
"By-Laws"); any rights granted under the Certificate, the By-Laws and any
resolutions adopted pursuant thereto shall not be deemed to be a substitute
therefor nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee may serve, continue to serve and to take on
additional service for or on behalf of the Corporation;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants
contained herein, the Corporation and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as
follows:
Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) "Change in Control" means a change in control of the Corporation of
a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of
Schedule l4A of Regulation l4A (or in response to any similar item on any
similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Act"), whether or not the Corporation is then subject to such reporting
requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule l3d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Corporation representing 20% or more of the combined voting
power of the Corporation's then outstanding securities without the prior
approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board in office
immediately prior to such person attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the
Corporation is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other
reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the
Board in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less
than a majority of the Board thereafter; or (iii) during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted
the Board (including for this purpose any new director whose election or
nomination for election by the Corporation's shareholders was approved by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors
at the beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board.
(b) "Corporate Status" means the status of a person who is or was a
director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Corporation or any
majority owned subsidiary or of any other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is
or was serving at the request of the Corporation.
(c) "Disinterested Director" means a director of the Corporation who is
not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is
sought by Indemnitee.
(d) "Expenses" means all reasonable attorneys' fees, retainers, court
costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses,
duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage,
delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types
customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to
prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a
Proceeding.
(e) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm, or a member of a law firm,
that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor
in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Corporation or
Indemnitee in any other matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other
party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include
any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then
prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the
Corporation or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee's rights under
this Agreement.
(f) "Proceeding" means any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute
resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, except one
initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement to enforce
his rights under this Agreement.
Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee may at any time and for
any reason resign from any position (subject to any other contractual obligation
or any obligation imposed by operation of law), without affecting the
indemnification hereunder, except as specifically provided in this agreement.
Section 3. Indemnification - General. The Corporation shall indemnify,
and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee as provided in this Agreement to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law in effect on the date hereof and to such
greater extent as applicable law may thereafter from time to time permit. The
rights of Indemnitee provided under the preceding sentence shall include, but
shall not be limited to, the rights set forth in the other Sections of this
Agreement.
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Section 4. Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the
Corporation. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification
provided in this Section if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is
threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending, or completed
Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation.
Pursuant to this Section, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses,
judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by his or on his behalf in connection with any such
Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if he acted in good faith and
in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Section 5. Proceedings by or in the Right of the Corporation.
Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this
Section if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be
made, a party to any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding brought by or
in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to
this Section, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against Expenses, judgments,
penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by his or on his behalf in connection with any such Proceeding if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim,
issue or matter in any such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the Corporation if applicable law prohibits such
indemnification unless the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware or the court
in which such Proceeding shall have been brought or is pending, shall determine
that indemnification against Expenses may nevertheless be made by the
Corporation.
Section 6. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or
Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the
extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a party to and is
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, he shall be
indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by his or on
his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in
such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more
but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Corporation
shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred
by his or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim,
issue or matter. For the purposes of this Section and without limiting the
foregoing, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in any such Proceeding
by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful
result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by
reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding, he shall be
indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by his or on
his behalf in connection therewith.
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Section 8. Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation shall advance all
Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any
Proceeding within twenty days after the receipt by the Corporation of a
statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from
time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding.
Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by
Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by an undertaking by
or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately
be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such
Expenses.
Section 9. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to
Indemnification.
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement in connection with
any Proceeding, and for the duration thereof, Indemnitee shall submit to the
Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation
and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably
necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification. The Secretary of the Corporation shall, promptly upon receipt
of any such request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that
Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to
Section 9(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with
respect to Indemnitee's entitlement thereto shall be made in such case: (i) if a
Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel (unless Indemnitee
shall request that such determination be made by the Board or the shareholders,
in which case in the manner provided for in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this
Section 9(b)) in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be
delivered to Indemnitee; (ii) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred,
(A) by the Board by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested
Directors, or (B) if a quorum of the Board consisting of Disinterested Directors
is not obtainable, or even if such quorum is obtainable, if such quorum of
Disinterested Directors so directs, either (x) by Independent Counsel in a
written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee,
or (y) by the shareholders of the Corporation, as determined by such quorum of
Disinterested Directors, or a quorum of the Board, as the case may be; or (iii)
as provided in Section 10(b) of this Agreement. If it is so determined that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made
within twenty (20) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate
with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to
Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person,
persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or
information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and
which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such
determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys' fees and
disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons
or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Corporation
(irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee's entitlement to
indemnification) and the Corporation hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold
Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
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(c) If required, Independent Counsel shall be selected as follows: (i)
if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be
selected by the Board, and the Corporation shall give written notice to
Indemnitee advising him of the identity of Independent Counsel so selected; or
(ii) if a Change of Control shall have occurred, Independent Counsel shall be
selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be
made by the Board, in which event (i) shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give
written notice to the Corporation advising it of the identity of Independent
Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Corporation, as the case
may be, may within seven (7) days after such written notice of selection shall
have been given, deliver to the Corporation or to Indemnitee, as the case may
be, a written objection to such selection. Such objection may be asserted only
on the grounds that Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the
requirements of "Independent Counsel" as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement,
and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such
assertion. If such written objection is made, Independent Counsel so selected
may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until a court has determined
that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 (twenty) days after
submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to
Section 9(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not
objected to, either the Corporation or Indemnitee may petition the Chancery
Court of the State of Delaware, or other court of competent jurisdiction, for
resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Corporation or
Indemnitee to the other's selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the
appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such
other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom
an objection is so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent
Counsel under Section 9(b) hereof. The Corporation shall pay any and all
reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent
Counsel in connection with its actions pursuant to this Agreement, and the
Corporation shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the
procedures of this Section 9(c), regardless of the manner in which such
Independent Counsel was selected or appointed. Upon the due commencement date of
any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) of this
Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further
responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of
professional conduct then prevailing).
Section 10. Presumption and Effects of Certain Proceedings.
(a) If a Change of Control shall have occurred, in making a
determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the
person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has
submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9(a) of this
Agreement, and the Corporation shall have the burden of proof to overcome that
presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of
any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b) If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under
Section 9 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification shall not have made a determination within 60 (sixty) days after
receipt by the Corporation of the request therefor, the requisite determination
of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and
Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement
by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to
make Indemnitee's statement not materially misleading, in connection with the
request for indemnification, or (ii) prohibition of such indemnification under
applicable law; provided, however, that such 60 (sixty)-day period may be
extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 (thirty) days, if
the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to
entitlement to indemnification in good faith require(s) such additional time for
the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating
thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section
10(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification
is to be made by the shareholders pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement and
if (A) within 15 (fifteen) days after receipt by the Corporation of the request
for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to
the shareholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held
within 75 (seventy-five) days after such receipt and such determination is made
thereat, or (B) a special meeting of shareholders is called within 15 (fifteen)
days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such
meeting is held for such purpose within 60 (sixty) days after having been so
called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of
entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to
Section 9(b) of this Agreement.
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Section 11. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 9
of this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to
Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of entitlement to
indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 9(b) of
this Agreement and such determination shall not have been made and delivered in
a written opinion within 90 (ninety) days after receipt by the Corporation of
the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made
pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by
the Corporation of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification
is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to
have been made pursuant to Section 9 or 10 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall
be entitled to an adjudication in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware,
or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such
indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his
option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator
in Delaware. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication
or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which
Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this
Section 11(a). The Corporation shall not oppose Indemnitee's right to seek any
such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to
Section 9 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification,
any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section shall
be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial or arbitration on the merits and
Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. If a
Change of Control shall have occurred in any judicial proceeding or arbitration
commenced pursuant to this Section, the Corporation shall have the burden of
proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of
Expenses, as the case may be.
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(c) If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made
pursuant to Section 9 or 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any
judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section, absent
(i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a
material fact necessary to make Indemnitee's statement not materially
misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii)
prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section, seeks a
judicial adjudication of, or an award in arbitration to enforce, his rights
under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be
entitled to recover from the Corporation, and shall be indemnified by the
Corporation against, any and all expenses (of the kinds described in the
definition of Expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial
adjudication or arbitration, but only if he prevails therein. If it shall be
determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is
entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advancement of
expenses sought, the expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such
judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.
Section 12. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance;
Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of
Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable
law, the Certificate or By-Laws, any agreement, a vote of shareholders for a
resolution of directors, or otherwise. No termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 13 herein shall be effective as to any Indemnitee with respect to any
action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such
termination, and he shall continue to be fully indemnified for such actions or
omissions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(b) To the extent that the Corporation maintains an insurance policy or
policies (an "O&D Policy") providing liability insurance for directors,
officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Corporation or of any other
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Corporation,
Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or
their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such
director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies.
(c) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Corporation
shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of
recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all
action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as
are necessary to enable the Corporation to bring suit to enforce such rights.
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(d) The Corporation shall not be liable under this Agreement to make
any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent
that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance
policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section 13. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until
and terminate upon the later of (a) three (3) years after the date that
Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee, agent or
fiduciary of the Corporation or of any other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which Indemnitee
served at the request of the Corporation; or (b) the final termination of all
pending Proceedings in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of
indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding
commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement. This Agreement
shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors and assigns and shall
inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his heirs, executors and administrators.
Section 14. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this
Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason
whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any
Section of this Agreement) containing any such provision held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable)
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest
extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such
provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself
invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall be construed so as to give effect to the
intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
Section 15. Exception to Right of Indemnification or Advancement of
Expenses. Except as provided in Section 11(d), Indemnitee shall not be entitled
to indemnification or advancement of Expenses under this Agreement with respect
to any Proceeding, or any claim therein, brought or made by him against the
Corporation.
Section 16. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom
enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this
Agreement.
Section 17. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of
this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 18. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both
of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof
(whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
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Section 19. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify
the Corporation in writing upon being served with any summons, citation,
subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any
Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of
Expenses covered hereunder.
Section 20. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom such
notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by
certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day
after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, to:
(b) If to the Corporation, to:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chairman
or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee (address) by
the Corporation or to the Corporation by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
Section 21. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall
be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the
State of Delaware.
Section 22. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed
to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the day and year first above written.
CORPORATION
ASTA FUNDING, INC.
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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INDEMNITEE
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