In addition to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (or persons performing similar functions), and each other person that typically is involved in the financial reporting of the Company must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements applicable to the Company as well as the business and financial operations of the Company.
Each person must promptly bring to the attention of the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (or the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors if no Audit Committee exists) any information he or she may have concerning (a) significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal and/or disclosure controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data or (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s financial reporting, disclosures, or internal controls.
It is the Company’s obligation and policy to comply with all applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations. It is the personal responsibility of each person to, and each person must, adhere to the standards and restrictions imposed by those laws, rules, and regulations, including those relating to accounting and auditing matters.
5. | Reporting and Accountability |
The Board of Directors or Audit Committee, as may be established by the Board of Directors, shall be responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented to it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. Any person who becomes aware of any existing or potential breach of this Code is required to notify the Chairman of the Board of Directors or Audit Committee promptly. Failure to do so is itself a breach of this Code.
Specifically, each person must:
| • | | Notify the Chairman promptly of any existing or potential violation of this Code. |
| • | | Not retaliate against any other person for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith. |
The Company will follow the following procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code and in reporting on the Code:
| • | | The Board of Directors or Audit Committee, if one exists, will take all appropriate action to investigate any breaches reported to it. |
| • | | If the Audit Committee (if one exists) determines by majority decision that a breach has occurred, it will inform the Board of Directors. |
| • | | Upon being notified that a breach has occurred, the Board by majority decision will take or authorize such disciplinary or preventive action as it deems appropriate, after consultation with the Audit Committee (if one exists) and/or the Company’s counsel, up to and including dismissal or, in the event of criminal or other serious violations of law, notification of the SEC or other appropriate law enforcement authorities. |
No person following the above procedure shall, as a result of following such procedure, be subject by the Company or any officer or employee thereof to discharge, demotion, suspension, threat, harassment, or, in any manner, discrimination against such person in terms and conditions of employment.
{N0384800 }
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