relating to the parties’ prior distributor relationship, which terminated at the end of March 2018, and Turbine Intl.’s failure to satisfy its payment obligations under certain financial agreements, namely an accounts receivable agreement and promissory note in favor of Capstone. As remedies for these claims, the Company is seeking compensatory and consequential damages, along with injunctive relief and attorney’s fees, interest, and costs.
On March 18, 2020, Turbine Intl. filed its answer and cross-claims in the Capstone-Turbine Intl. In its cross-claims, Turbine Intl. asserted claims against Capstone, and individually against Mr. James Crouse, Capstone’s Former Chief Revenue Officer, for breach of contract under the distributor agreement, accounts receivable agreement and promissory note, fraud, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment and constructive trust, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the California unfair practices act, violation of the racketeer influenced corrupt organizations act, and conspiracy to commit fraud. As remedies for these alleged claims, Turbine Intl. is seeking compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages along with attorney’s fees, interest, and costs. Capstone answered the cross-claims on May 7, 2020.
On June 29, 2020, Capstone filed a motion to file a First Amended Complaint to add, among other things, a claim for enforcement of a guaranty signed by an entity related to Turbine Intl., Hispania Petroleum, S.A., and personal claims against the principals of Turbine Intl. and Hispania. That motion was granted on August 19, 2020, and the First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) was filed. All of the additional defendants were served and have filed answers.
As of March 31, 2024, discovery had been served and answered on both sides. On May 17, 2024, the trial was set for July 29, 2024; and the court ordered the parties to mediate the matter by June 19, 2024. On July 2, 2024, Turbine Intl. petitioned the court for a continuance and to reopen discovery. The court granted the continuance and set the trial date for December 2, 2024 and rejected the request to reopen discovery. Mediation remains court ordered. The Company has not recorded a liability as of June 30, 2024, as the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss.
SEC Investigation
In June 2023, prior to the issuance of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board commenced an Investigation into certain accounting and internal control matters of the Company, principally focused on certain revenue recognition matters (the “Revenue Recognition Investigation”), and self-reported its findings to the Division of Enforcement of the SEC. Following the self-report, the SEC Enforcement Division commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the restatement of the Company’s quarterly and annual financial statements (the “SEC Investigation”). The Audit Committee further self-reported its findings pursuant to an investigation into FPP related practices to the SEC. The Company is cooperating with the SEC in connection with its investigation. Investigations of this nature are costly and require management to devote significant time and attention away from the ongoing operation of the business. The Company cannot predict the duration or outcome of this matter and has not recorded a liability as of June 30, 2024, as a loss cannot be reasonably estimated.
Cal Microturbine Arbitration
On March 13, 2024, Cal Microturbine, a distributor of the Company, submitted a demand for arbitration before the American Arbitration Association seeking, among other things, approximately $24.5 million in damages and alleging that the Company breached its distributor agreement with Cal Microturbine and committed fraud in allowing another company, Capstone Engineered Solutions, to sell, rent and service turbines in Cal Microturbine’s exclusive territory under the distribution agreement. The parties have completed selection of an arbitration panel; and the arbitration panel has provided two possible dates in June and October 2025 for a hearing date. On August 18, 2024, Cal Microturbine amended its complaint and reduced its damage claim to $18.8 million. On September 9, 2024, the Company filed a counter claim for $20.0 million alleging Cal Microturbine violated the terms of its Distributor Agreement. On September 27, 2024, Cal Microturbine provided the second amendment to its complaint to increase its claims and damages to $25.0 million. Meditation is being pursued in the fourth quarter of 2024, as a means to accelerate the conclusion of the matter. The Company has not recorded a liability as of June 30, 2024, as it is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss.
Spitzer v. Flexon, Jamison, Juric, Robinson, and Hencken
On October 13, 2023, a putative securities class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, captioned Spitzer v. Flexon, et al., Case No. 2:23-cv-08659, naming certain of the Company’s current and former directors and officers as defendants. The suit alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder based on allegedly false