Item 1. Legal Proceedings
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of commercial operations in the normal course of business. As of September 30, 2023, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.
The Company was the target of a “short” report issued by Kerrisdale Capital in early October, 2021, and as a result of such short report, on October 29, 2021, a Class Action Complaint (i.e. C.A.No.4:21-cv-03574) was filed against the Company, its CEO and CFO by Ronald E. Coggins, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. Camber Energy, Inc., et al .; in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, pursuant to which the Plaintiffs sought to recover damages alleged to have been suffered by them as a result of the defendants’ violations of federal securities laws. The Company and the other Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss (“MTD”) the Class Action Complaint, and on September 22, 2023, the Court granted the MTD in full. On October 25, 2023, the Court signed a joint stipulation submitted by the parties, dismissing the case with prejudice.
On or about June 30, 2022, the Company was made aware of a Shareholder Derivative Complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (Case No. 4:22-cv-2167) against the Company, its current directors, and certain of its former directors (the “Houston Derivative Complaint”). The allegations contained in the Houston Derivative Complaint involve state-law claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment and a federal securities claim under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On January 20, 2023, the Court held that certain claims brought by the plaintiff relating to director actions and statements made in proxy statements prior to June 30, 2019, were time barred, but did not dismiss certain claims brought by plaintiff relating to director actions and statements made in proxy statements after June 30, 2019. Pursuant to Article 6 of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, on February 15, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) formed a Committee of the Board (the “Special Litigation Committee”) to investigate, analyze, and evaluate the remaining allegations in the Houston Derivative Complaint. On October 19, 2023, the parties filed a stipulation advising that the Special Litigation Committee had completed its work and expected to share its written report with counsel for the parties, after which point the parties would review the report and consider whether the claims in the case can be resolved. On October 20, 2023, the Court entered the stipulation and extended the stay of all deadlines in the case until November 17, 2023. At this time, we are not able to predict the outcome of this matter.
Maranatha Oil Matter
In November 2015, Randy L. Robinson, d/b/a Maranatha Oil Co. sued the Company in Gonzales County, Texas (Cause No. 26160). The plaintiff alleged that it assigned oil and gas leases to the Company in April 2010, retaining a 4% overriding royalty interest and 50% working interest and that the Company failed to pay such overriding royalty interest or royalty interest. The interests relate to certain oil and gas properties which the Company subsequently sold to Nordic Oil USA in April 2013. The petition alleges causes of actions for breach of contract, failure to pay royalties, non-payment of working interest, fraud, fraud in the inducement of contract, money had and received, constructive trust, violation of theft liability act, continuing tort and fraudulent concealment. The suit seeks approximately $100,000 in amounts alleged owed, plus pre-and post-judgment interest. The Company has filed a denial to the claims and intends to vehemently defend itself against the allegations.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
As a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company is not required to provide the information under this item.
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