XML 20 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.3
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

5. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is periodically involved in various litigation claims asserted in the normal course of its business. The Company believes these actions are routine and incidental to the business. While the outcome of these actions cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that any will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.

 

Class Action Litigation

 

On April 16, 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, captioned Celeste v. Intrusion Inc. et al., Case No. 4:21-cv-00307 (E.D. Tex.) against the Company, the Company’s now-former chief financial officer, and now-former chief executive officer alleging, among other things, that the defendants made false and/or misleading statements or omissions about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, as well as Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The Celeste lawsuit claimed compensatory damages and legal fees.

 

On May 14, 2021, a related class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, captioned Neely v. Intrusion Inc., et al., Case No. 4:12-cv-00374 (E.D. Tex.) against the Company, the Company’s now-former chief financial officer, and now-former chief executive officer. The Neely lawsuit alleged the same violations under the federal securities laws as those alleged in the Celeste lawsuit. The Neely lawsuit also sought compensatory damages and legal fees.

 

On November 23, 2021, the Court consolidated the Celeste and Neely actions, and appointed a lead plaintiff and lead plaintiff’s counsel. The lead plaintiff filed his amended complaint on February 7, 2022.

 

The parties to the consolidated action held a mediation on April 5, 2022, at the conclusion of which the parties executed a settlement term sheet setting forth the material terms associated with the resolution of the action, subject to the preparation of formal documents and a plan of distribution approved by the Court. The settlement agreement was subject to certain terms and conditions and received final approval by the Court on December 16, 2022. At that time, a final judgment was entered dismissing the case, with the Court retaining jurisdiction over the action for purposes of enforcing the terms of the class settlement agreement. The $3.3 million settlement was paid by the Company’s insurance provider under its insurance policy as the Company’s retention had previously been exhausted.

 

The lead plaintiff in the class action filed a motion for distribution of settlement funds on February 21, 2023. The Court approved the parties’ class action settlement and plan of allocation on March 22, 2023, and cancelled the previously rescheduled March 31, 2023, hearing on the motion for distribution, all remaining matters in the class action then-pending having been fully and finally adjudicated.

 

Securities Investigation

 

On August 8, 2021, the Company received a notification from the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement, that it was investigating captioned In the Matter of Intrusion Inc. and requesting the Company produce certain documents and information. On November 9, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission served a subpoena to the Company in connection with this investigation which formally requested substantially similar information as in the prior request. On September 26, 2023, the Company consented to the entry of final judgment, in the action styled Securities and Exchange Commission v Intrusion Inc., No. 4:23-cv-00859 (E.D. Tex. filed September 26, 2023). On October 5, 2023, the court approved the final judgment with no penalties assessed against the Company.

 

Stockholder Derivative Claim

 

On June 3, 2022, a verified stockholder derivative complaint was filed in U.S. District Court, District of Delaware by plaintiff Nathan Prawitt (the “Plaintiff Stockholder”) on behalf of Intrusion against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors (the “Defendants”). Plaintiff alleges that Defendants through various actions breached their fiduciary duties, wasted corporate assets, and unjustly enriched Defendants by (a) incurring costs and expenses in connection with the ongoing SEC investigation, (b) incurring costs and expenses to defend the Company with respect to the consolidated class action, (c) settling class-wide liability with respect to the consolidated class action, as well as ancillary claims regarding sales of the Company’s common stock by certain of the Defendants. On September 28, 2023, the Company agreed to settle the claim. On October 2, 2023, public notice of the settlement was given. The settlement agreement provides in part for (i) an amendment to the Company’s Bylaws, committee Charters, and other applicable corporate policies to implement certain measures set forth more fully therein, to remain in effect for no less than three years; (ii) attorneys’ fees and expenses to plaintiff’s counsel of $0.3 million; and (iii) the dismissal of all claims against the defendants, including the Company, in connection with the action. The $0.3 million settlement payment will be paid by the Company’s insurance provider under its insurance policy since the Company’s $0.5 million retention was previously exhausted. A hearing is scheduled for January 17, 2024, to obtain court approval of the settlement, agreement for the court to rule upon any objections to the proposed settlement, and for entry of final judgment in the matter.

 

In addition to these legal proceedings, the Company is subject to various other claims that may arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that any claims exist where the outcome of such matters would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, operating results, or cash flows. However, there can be no assurance such legal proceedings will not have a material impact on the Company’s future results.