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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

12.          COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

 

Legal Matters

 

The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings. Management routinely assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as ranges of probable losses, to the extent losses are reasonably estimable. The Company records accruals for these matters to the extent that management concludes a loss is probable and the financial impact, should an adverse outcome occur, is reasonably estimable. These accruals are reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In management’s opinion, the Company has made appropriate and adequate accruals for these matters and management believes the probability of a material loss beyond the amounts accrued to be remote; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if accruals are not adequate, an adverse outcome could have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.  The Company maintains insurance coverage above certain limits.  Listed below is one matter pending against the Company and one of its subsidiaries for which the potential exposure is considered material to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

A putative class action is pending against the Company, AISS (which was sold to another company in fiscal 2012), and Acxiom Risk Mitigation, Inc., a Colorado corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Acxiom (now known as Acxiom Identity Solutions, LLC), in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  This action seeks to certify nationwide classes of persons who requested a consumer file from any Acxiom entity from 2007 forward; who were the subject of an Acxiom report sold to a third party that contained information not obtained directly from a governmental entity and who did not receive a timely copy of the report; who were the subject of an Acxiom report and about whom Acxiom adjudicated the hire/no hire decision on behalf of the employer; who, from 2010 forward, disputed an Acxiom report and Acxiom did not complete the investigation within 30 days; or who, from 2007 forward,  were the subject of an Acxiom report for which no permissible purpose existed. The complaint alleges various violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement and the Company has accrued $3.7 million as its estimate of its probable loss associated with this matter.  The Company believes the chances of additional loss are remote.

 

In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Commitments

 

The Company leases data processing equipment, office furniture and equipment, land and office space under noncancellable operating leases.  The Company has a future commitment for lease payments over the next 26 years of $144.8 million.

 

In connection with the disposal of certain assets, the Company guaranteed a lease for the buyer of the assets.  This guarantee was made by the Company primarily to facilitate favorable financing terms for the third party.  Should the third party default, the Company would be required to perform under this guarantee.  At December 31, 2014 the Company’s maximum potential future payments under this guarantee were $1.1 million.