EX-10.1 2 a05-14423_2ex10d1.htm EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

STOCK REDEMPTION AGREEMENT

 

THIS STOCK REDEMPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of this 2nd day of August, 2005, is entered into by and between Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Selling Shareholder”), and Atlantic Automotive Corp., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Selling Shareholder owns 21.22 shares of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) issued by the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, the Preferred Stock is subject to an Investor Rights Agreement and a Registration Rights Agreement (collectively, the “Ancillary Agreements”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Selling Shareholder and the Company have agreed that the Company shall redeem One and Forty Eight Hundredths (1.48) shares of the Preferred Stock (the “Stock”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Selling Shareholder has agreed to sell, and David D. Smith (“Smith”) has agreed to buy, Nine and Eighty Seven Hundredths (9.87) shares of the Preferred Stock from Selling Shareholder pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Selling Shareholder and Smith of even date herewith (the “Smith Purchase Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Selling Shareholder has agreed to sell, and Steven B. Fader (“Fader”) has agreed to buy Nine and Eighty Seven Hundredths (9.87) shares of the Preferred Stock from Selling Shareholder pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Selling Shareholder and Fader of even date herewith (the “Fader Purchase Agreement”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for the purpose of consummating the above transaction and in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, Selling Shareholder and Company hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1

 

REDEMPTION OF SHARES/PURCHASE PRICE

 

1.1.          Redemption of Stock.  At the Closing (as defined in Section 2.1 of this Agreement), Selling Shareholder shall sell, assign, transfer, and deliver to the Company, and the Company shall purchase from Selling Shareholder, the Stock.  When transferred, the Stock shall be free and clear of any and all liens, security interests, pledges, or

 



 

encumbrances (other than any created by or on behalf of the Company).

 

1.2.          Purchase Price.  In consideration for the sale of the Stock by Selling Shareholder, the Company shall pay to Selling Shareholder the aggregate amount of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,500,000.00) (the “Purchase Price”), payable to Selling Shareholder by wire transfer of immediately available funds on the Closing Date to account(s) designated by Selling Shareholder no less than two (2) days prior to the Closing.

 

SECTION 2
 

CLOSING

 

2.1.          The closing of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”), subject to fulfillment or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 5 hereof, shall be held at the offices of Thomas & Libowitz, P.A., Suite 1100, 100 Light Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 at 10:00 A.M. local time on August 2, 2005 (the “Termination Date”), unless the parties mutually agree upon a different date or location (the actual date of Closing being the “Closing Date”).

 

SECTION 3
 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLING SHAREHOLDER

 

3.1.          Representations as to the Stock.  Selling Shareholder hereby represents and warrants to the Company that:
(a) Selling Shareholder holds of record and owns beneficially all of the shares of the Stock free and clear of any lien, security interest, pledge, or encumbrance; (b) upon transfer of the Stock to the Company at the Closing, the Company will have legal and equitable title to such Stock, free and clear of any lien, security interest, pledge, or encumbrance (other than any created by or on behalf of the Company); (c) other than the Ancillary Agreements, the Seller has not entered into any option(s), warrant(s), voting trusts, outstanding proxies, investor rights agreement(s), registration rights agreement(s), or other agreements regarding voting rights, with respect to the Stock; and (d) the Preferred Stock represents all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock owned by Selling Shareholder in the Company.

 

3.2.          Organization and Good Standing.  Selling Shareholder is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.  Selling Shareholder has full corporate power and authority to carry on its business that is now being conducted.

 

3.3.          Execution and Effective Agreement.  Selling Shareholder has full corporate

 



 

power and authority to enter into this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Selling Shareholder.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Selling Shareholder and constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Selling Shareholder, enforceable against Selling Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and to the exercise of judicial discretion in accordance with general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity).

 

3.4.          No Conflicts.  Neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a)       violate any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Selling Shareholder; (b) violate any provision of applicable law, rule, or regulation, which violation would prevent or materially interfere with Selling Shareholder’s ability to perform hereunder; (c) conflict with, result in a breach of, or give rise to a right of termination of, or accelerate the performance required by the terms of any judgment, court order or consent decree, or any agreement, indenture, mortgage, or instrument to which Selling Shareholder is a party or to which its property is subject, or constitute a default thereunder, except where such conflict, breach, right of termination, acceleration, or default would not prevent or materially interfere with Selling Shareholder’s ability to perform hereunder.

 

3.5.          Litigation.  There is no suit, claim, action, proceeding, or arbitration pending or, to Selling Shareholder’s knowledge, threatened against Selling Shareholder which seeks to enjoin or obtain damages in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

3.6.          Brokers.  Neither Selling Shareholder nor anyone acting on behalf of Selling Shareholder has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions, or finders fees in connection with the sale of the Stock and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

SECTION 4

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Company hereby represents and warrants to Selling Shareholder that:

 

4.1.          Organization and Good Standing.  The Company is a Maryland corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland. The Company has full power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

 

4.2.          Execution and Effect of Agreement.  The Company has full power and

 



 

authority to enter into this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and to the exercise of judicial discretion in accordance with general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity).

 

4.3.          No Conflicts.  Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a) violate any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company; (b) violate any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation, which violation would prevent or materially interfere with the Company’s ability to perform hereunder; or (c) conflict with or result in a breach of, or give rise to a right of termination of, or accelerate the performance required by the terms of any judgment, court order or consent decree, or any agreement, indenture, mortgage, or instrument to which the Company is a party or to which its property is subject, or constitute a default thereunder, except where such conflict, breach, right of termination, acceleration, or default would not prevent or materially interfere with the Company’s ability to perform hereunder.

 

4.4.          Litigation.  There is no suit, claim, action, proceeding, or arbitration pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company which seeks to enjoin or obtain damages in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.5.          No Brokers.  Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions, or finder’s fees in connection with the purchase of the Stock and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF PARTIES TO CLOSE

 

5.1.          Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Company.  The obligation of the Company to consummate the Closing is subject to the fulfillment or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           Selling Shareholder shall have complied in all material respects with its agreements and covenants contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing, and the representations and warranties of Selling Shareholder contained herein are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date; and

 



 

(b)           no statute, rule or regulation, or order of any court or administrative agency shall be in effect which restrains or prohibits the Company from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, and no action or proceeding shall be pending wherein an unfavorable ruling would affect any right to own the Stock;

 

(c)           the Closing under the Smith Purchase Agreement shall have occurred;

 

(d)           the Closing under the Fader Purchase Agreement shall have occurred;

 

(e)           the consent of DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC to the redemption shall have been received; and

 

(f)            Selling Shareholder shall have delivered to the Company at the Closing each item and document required by Section 6.1 hereof.

 

5.2.          Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of Selling Shareholder.  The obligation of Selling Shareholder to consummate the Closing is subject to the fulfillment or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           The Company shall have complied in all material respects with its agreements and covenants contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing, and the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date; and

 

(b)           no statute, rule or regulation, or order of any court or administrative agency shall be in effect which restrains or prohibits Selling Shareholder from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(c)           the Company shall have delivered the Purchase Price as provided in Section 1.2;

 

(d)           the Closing under the Smith Purchase Agreement shall have occurred;

 

(e)           the Closing under the Fader Purchase Agreement shall have occurred;

 

(f)            the written fairness opinion of Mercer Capital dated as of June 10, 2005 as to the fairness of the Purchase Price, shall not have been withdrawn;

 

(g)           all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Stock as of the Closing Date shall have been paid; and

 



 

(h)           Selling Shareholder shall have delivered to the Company at the Closing each item and document required by Section 6.2.

 

SECTION 6

 

DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING

 

6.1.          Deliveries by Selling Shareholder.  At the Closing, Selling Shareholder will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Company:

 

(a)           stock certificates evidencing the Stock, together with stock powers, dated as of the Closing Date and executed by the Selling Shareholder transferring the Stock to the Company;

 

(b)           a certificate as to the existence and good standing of the Company issued by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”) dated shortly before the Closing Date;

 

(c)           receipt for Purchase Price;

 

(d)           the Release in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1(d);

 

(e)           the termination of the Investor Rights Agreement in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1(e);

 

(f)            a termination of the Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1(f);

 

(g)           a certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed by Selling Shareholder’s Secretary certifying that the resolutions, as attached to such certificate, were duly adopted by Selling Shareholder’s Board of Directors authorizing and approving the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and that such resolutions remain in full force and effect; and

 

(h)           such other documents as the Company shall reasonably request.

 

6.2.          Deliveries by Company.  The Company will deliver or cause to be delivered at the Closing to Selling Shareholder:

 

(a)           the Purchase Price as required pursuant to Section 1.2;

 

(b)           certificates as to the existence and good standing of the Company

 



 

dated shortly before the Closing Date issued by the SDAT;

 

(c)           a certificate dated as of the Closing Date executed by the Company’s Secretary certifying that the resolutions, attached to such certificate, were duly adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors authorizing and approving the execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and that such approval remains in full force and effect;

 

(d)           receipt for the Stock;

 

(e)           the Release in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1(d);

 

(f)            the termination of the Investor Rights Agreement in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1(e);

 

(g)           the termination of the Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.1(f); and

 

(h)           such other documents Selling Shareholder shall reasonably request.

 

SECTION 7

 

EXPENSES

 

7.1.          Expenses.  Selling Shareholder and Company shall pay their own fees and expenses and disbursements and those of their counsel in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement (including the negotiations with respect hereto and the preparation of any documents), and all other costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance and compliance with all conditions and obligations to be performed by them pursuant to this Agreement or as contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 8

 

TERMINATION

 

8.1.          Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated:

 

(a)           at any time by mutual written consent of the Company and Selling Shareholder;

 

(b)           by Selling Shareholder, if Selling Shareholder is not in default or breach in any material respect of its obligations under this Agreement, if all of the

 



 

conditions in Section 5.2 have not been satisfied or waived by the Termination Date; or

 

(c)           by the Company, if Company is not in default or breach in any material respect of its obligations under this Agreement, if all of the conditions in Section 5.1 have not been satisfied or waived by the Termination Date.

 

8.2.          Procedure and Effect of Termination.

 

(a)           In the event of termination of this Agreement by either or both the Company and/or the Selling Shareholder pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, prompt written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other party, and this Agreement shall terminate and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be abandoned without further action by any of the parties hereto, but subject to, and without limiting, any other rights of the parties specified herein in the event a party is in default or breach in any material respect of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b)           If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(c) and, prior to such termination, Selling Shareholder was in breach in any material respect of its representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, or obligations set forth in this Agreement, which breach was not cured by Selling Shareholder within thirty (30) days after notice to Selling Shareholder by Company, then and, in that event, in recognition of the unique character of the property to be sold hereunder and the damages which the Company will suffer in the event of a termination of this Agreement caused by a breach by Selling Shareholder, the Company shall have the right to pursue all remedies available hereunder at law or in equity, including, without limitation, the right to seek specific performance and/or monetary damages.  Selling Shareholder hereby waives any defense that the Company has an adequate remedy at law for such breach of this Agreement by Selling Shareholder.

 

(c)           If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(b) and, prior to such termination, the Company was in breach in any material respect of its representations, warranties, covenants, agreements, or obligations set forth in this Agreement, which breach was not cured by the Company thirty (30) days after notice to Company by Selling Shareholder, then and, in that event, Selling Shareholder shall have the right to pursue all remedies available hereunder at law or in equity, including the right to seek specific performance and/or monetary damages.

 

(d)           In the event of a default by either party that results in a lawsuit or other proceeding for any remedy available under this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement from the other party of its reasonable legal fees and expenses, whether incurred in arbitration, at trial, or on appeal.

 



 

SECTION 9

 

NOTICES

 

9.1.          All notices, requests, consents, payments, demands, and other communications required or contemplated under this Agreement shall be in writing and (a) personally delivered or sent via telecopy (receipt confirmed and followed promptly by delivery of the original), or (b) sent by Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service (for next business day delivery), shipping prepaid, as follows:

 

If to Selling Shareholder to:

 

Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Attn.:

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

10706 Beaver Dam Road

Cockeysville, Maryland 21030

Telephone:            (410) 568-1506

Fax:                         (410) 568-1533

 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Sinclair Communications, Inc.

10706 Beaver Dam Road

Cockeysville, Maryland 21030

Attention:  General Counsel

Telephone:            (410) 568-1524

Fax:                         (410) 568-1537

 

If to Company to:

 

Steven B. Fader

Atlantic Automotive Corp.

23 Walker Avenue

Baltimore, Maryland 21208

Telephone:            (410) 602-6177

Fax:                         (410) 602-0849

 



 

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Thomas & Libowitz, P.A.

100 Light Street, Suite 1100

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Attn:  Steven A. Thomas, Esquire

Telephone:            (410) 752-2468

Fax:                         (410) 752-2046

 

or to such other persons or addresses as any person may request by notice given as aforesaid.  Notices shall be deemed given and received at the time of personal delivery or completed telecopying or if sent by Federal Express or such other overnight delivery service one business day after such sending.

 

SECTION 10

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1.        Headings.  The headings contained in this Agreement have been inserted for the convenience of reference only, and neither such headings nor the placement of any term hereof under any particular heading shall in any way restrict or modify any of the terms or provisions hereof.  Terms used in the singular shall be read in the plural, and vice versa, and terms used in the masculine gender shall be read in the feminine or neuter gender when the context so requires.

 

10.2.        Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same document.

 

10.3.        Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Schedules, and other documents to be delivered hereunder and thereunder constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof.  All negotiations and writings between the parties hereto are merged into this Agreement, and there are no representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, or agreements, oral or otherwise, in relation thereto between the parties other than those incorporated herein or to be delivered hereunder.

 

10.4.        Governing Law.  This Agreement is to be delivered in and shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to conflict of laws principles.

 

10.5.        Modification.  This Agreement cannot be modified or amended except in writing signed by each of the Company and Selling Shareholder.

 

10.6.        Successors and Assigns.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights and obligations hereunder shall be assigned, delegated, sold, transferred, sublicensed, or

 



 

otherwise disposed of by operation of law or otherwise without the prior written consent of the other party hereto.  In the event of such permitted assignment or other transfer, all of the rights, obligations, liabilities, and other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by and against the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not.

 

10.7.        Waiver.  Any waiver of any provision hereof (or in any related document or instrument) shall not be effective unless made expressly and in a writing executed in the name of the party sought to be charged.  The failure of any party to insist, in any one or more instances, on performance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any rights granted hereunder or of the future performance of any such term, covenant, or condition, but the obligations of the parties with respect hereto shall continue in full force and effect.

 

10.8.        Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable; and if any part of any provision is held to be illegal, void, voidable, invalid, nonbinding, or unenforceable in its entirety or partially or as to any party for any reason, such provision may be changed consistent with the intent of the parties hereto to the extent reasonably necessary to make the provision as so changed legal, valid, binding, and enforceable.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, void, voidable, invalid, nonbinding, or unenforceable in its entirety or partially or as to any party for any reason, and if such provision cannot be changed consistent with the intent of the parties hereto to make it fully legal, valid, binding, and enforceable, then such provisions shall be stricken from this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired, but shall remain in full force and effect.

 

10.9.        Announcements. From the date of this Agreement, all public announcements relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby will be made only as agreed upon jointly by the parties hereto; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent Selling Shareholder or Company or any affiliate thereof from making any disclosure in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement if (and to the extent) required by applicable law or as a result of Selling Shareholder being a public company, provided that prior notice of such disclosure is given to the other party hereto.

 

10.10.      Specific Performance.  Selling Shareholder acknowledges that the Company will have no adequate remedy at law if Selling Shareholder fails to perform its obligations to consummate the sale of Stock contemplated under this Agreement.  In such event, the Company shall have the right, in addition to any other rights or remedies it may have, to specific performance of this Agreement.

 

10.11.  Third Party Beneficiaries.  Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement shall be construed to give any person, other than the parties to this Agreement,

 



 

any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.  This Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns.

 

10.12.  Interpretation.  The Company and Selling Shareholder acknowledge and agree that the preparation and drafting of this Agreement and the Schedules hereto are the result of the efforts of all parties to this Agreement, and every covenant, term, and provision of this Agreement shall be construed according to its fair meaning and shall not be construed against any particular party as the drafter of such covenant, term, and/or provision.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first written above.

 

 

WITNESS/ATTEST:

 

COMPANY:

 

 

 

 

 

ATLANTIC AUTOMOTIVE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Cam Smart

 

By:

/s/ Lonnie L. Swiger

(SEAL)

 

Name:

Lonnie L. Swiger

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELLING SHAREHOLDER:

 

 

 

 

 

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Cam Smart

 

By:

/s/ J. Duncan Smith

(SEAL)

 

Name:

J. Duncan Smith

 

 

Title:

Vice President, Secretary and Director

 



 

Schedule 6.1(d)

 



 

Schedule 6.1(e)

 



 

Schedule 6.1(f)