XML 54 R19.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

(14) Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is subject to various lawsuits and other claims in the normal course of business. In addition, from time to time, the Company receives communications from government or regulatory agencies concerning investigations or allegations of noncompliance with laws or regulations in jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

 

The Company establishes reserves for the estimated losses on specific contingent liabilities, for regulatory and legal actions where the Company deems a loss to be probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In other instances, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of liability because of the uncertainties related to the outcome or the amount or range of potential loss.

 

On January 10, 2013, a lawsuit was filed against Astrotech Corporation by John Porter, the former Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company. In the lawsuit, Mr. Porter alleges various breaches of contract claims in connection with his termination from the Company on August 3, 2012. Mr. Porter seeks monetary damages of at least $639,808. The Company is vigorously defending the lawsuit filed by Mr. Porter.

 

On February 20, 2013, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Travis County, Texas against the current directors and chief executive officer of Astrotech Corporation and against the Company, as nominal defendant. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the directors and chief executive officer breached fiduciary duties to the Company in connection with certain corporate transactions, including loans to subsidiaries and purchases of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit.

 

State of Texas Funding

 

In March 2010, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund awarded 1st Detect $1.8 million for the development and marketing of the Miniature Chemical Detector, a portable mass spectrometer designed to serve the industrial, environmental, security and healthcare markets (See Note 10). As of June 30, 2012, 1st Detect had received $1.8 million in disbursements. The disbursed amount of $1.8 million represents a contingency through March 2020, the date of cancellation. If an event of default should occur, the Company would calculate and expense accrued interest and reclassify principal from equity to notes payable in the consolidated financial statements as amounts due to the State of Texas. Management considers the likelihood of an event of default to be remote. As of September 30, 2013, no default events have occurred.