Digital Brands Group, Inc. 10-K

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We are currently involved in, and may in the future be involved in, legal proceedings, claims, and government investigations in the ordinary course of business. These include proceedings, claims, and investigations relating to, among other things, regulatory matters, commercial matters, intellectual property, competition, tax, employment, pricing, discrimination, consumer rights, personal injury, and property rights. These matters also include the following: ● On March 21, 2023, a vendor filed a lawsuit against Digital Brands Group related to trade payables totaling approximately $43,501. Such amounts include interest due, and are included in accounts payable, net of payments made to date, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not believe it is probable that the losses in excess of such trade payables will be incurred. ● On February 7, 2023, a vendor filed a lawsuit against Digital Brands Group related to trade payables totaling approximately $182,400. Such amounts include interest due, and are included in accounts payable, net of payments made to date, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not believe it is probable that the losses in excess of such trade payables will be incurred. ● On November 9, 2022, a vendor filed a lawsuit against Digital Brand's Group related to prior services rendered. The claims (including fines, fees, and legal expenses) total an aggregate of $50.190. The matter was settled in January 2023 and are on payment plans which will be paid off in April 2023. ● In August 2020 and March 2021, two lawsuits were filed against Bailey’s by third-party’s related to prior services rendered. The claims (including fines, fees, and legal expenses) total an aggregate of $96,900. Both matters were settled in February 2022 and are on payment plans which will be paid off in July and September of 2023 ● On December 21, 2020, a Company investor filed a lawsuit against DBG for reimbursement of their investment totaling $100,000. Claimed amounts are included in short-term convertible note payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the Company does not believe it is probable that losses in excess of such short-term note payable will be incurred. The Company is actively working to resolve this matter. ● On September 24, 2020 a Bailey’s product vendor filed a lawsuit against Bailey’s non-payment of trade payables totaling approximately $481,000 and additional damages of approximately $296,000. Claimed amounts for trade payables are included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, net of payments made. In December 2021, the Company reached a settlement; however, the settlement terms were not met and the Company received a judgement of $496,000. The amount due has been paid, the lawsuit dismissed and there is no claim or amount due. ● A vendor filed a lawsuit against Bailey 44 related to a retail store lease in the amount of $1.5 million. The Company is disputing the claim for damages and the matter is ongoing. ● We have been involved in a dispute with the former owners of H&J regarding our obligation to “true up” their ownership interest in our company further to that membership interest purchase agreement dated May 18, 2021 whereby we acquired all of the outstanding membership interests of H&J (the “H&J Purchase Agreement”). Further to the H&J Purchase Agreement, we agreed that if, at May 18, 2022, the one year anniversary of the closing date of our initial public offering, the product of the number of shares of our common stock issued at the closing of such acquisition multiplied by the average closing price per share of our shares of common stock as quoted on the NasdaqCM for the thirty (30) day trading period immediately preceding such date plus the gross proceeds, if any, of shares of our stock issued to such sellers and sold by them during the one year period from the closing date of the offering does not exceed the sum of $9.1 million, less the value of any shares of common stock cancelled further to any indemnification claims or post-closing adjustments under the H&J Purchase Agreement, then we shall issue to the subject sellers an additional aggregate number of shares of common stock equal to any such valuation shortfall at a per share price equal to the then closing price per share of our common stock as quoted on the NasdaqCM. We did not honor our obligation to issue such shares and the former owner of H&J have claimed that they were damaged as a result. As part of a proposed settlement with such holders, we have tentatively agreed to the following: (i) to transfer all membership interests of H&J back to the original owners, (ii) to pay such owners the sum of $229,000, (iii) issue 31 Table of Contents the former owners of H&J an aggregate of $1,400,000 worth of our common stock to be issued on May 16, 2023 based on the lower of (a) the stock closing price per share on May 15, 2023, and (b) the average common stock closing price based on the average of the 5 trading days preceding May 16, 2023, with the closing price on May 9, 2023. Such tentative terms are to be memorialized in definitive purchase agreements and as such there is no assurance that such arrangements will be finalized. ​ All claims above, to the extent management believes it will be liable, have been included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. Depending on the nature of the proceeding, claim, or investigation, we may be subject to monetary damage awards, fines, penalties, or injunctive orders. Furthermore, the outcome of these matters could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. The outcomes of legal proceedings, claims, and government investigations are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant judgment to determine the likelihood and amount of loss related to such matters. While it is not possible to determine the outcomes, we believe based on our current knowledge that the resolution of all such pending matters will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable. PART II