Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
NEXT/INGLE
HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and NEXT NRG OPS, LLC, f/k/a NEXTNRG, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
v. GSPP HOLDCO III, LLC, a New York limited liability company and GREEN STREET POWER PARTNERS, LLC, a New York limited liability company,
currently pending in the United States District Court Southern District of New York, Case No. 1:25-cv-9836
This
litigation was filed by the Company’s subsidiary NEXT/INGLE HOLDINGS, LLC (“Next/Ingle”)and NEXT NRG OPS, LLC, f/k/a
NEXTNRG, LLC (together with Next/Ingle, the “Next Plaintiffs”), alleging that the Next Plaintiffs purchased 100% of a project
company from Green Street Power Partners, LLC (“GSPP”) and its affiliate for approximately $4.1 million to acquire the development
rights for a solar and battery energy storage project located in Ingle, Florida. The transaction was premised on the understanding that
the project would support a viable power purchase agreement with JEA, the community-owned electric utility serving Jacksonville, Florida
(“JEA”), at a rate of approximately $49/MW, and that the project could connect to JEA’s infrastructure through existing
easements for a “gen-tie” line. The Next Plaintiffs allege that defendants made and repeated these representations in the
parties’ Letter of Intent (“LOI”) and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”), while contractually
restricting the Next Plaintiffs from contacting JEA directly and agreeing to keep the Next Plaintiffs updated regarding communications
with JEA. The Next Plaintiffs further allege that defendants failed to disclose that, prior to closing, JEA had informed defendants that
the proposed $49/MW pricing would not be acceptable, that JEA would not permit the project to utilize its easements for the proposed
gen-tie line, and that new resource planning was underway, all of which allegedly undermined the feasibility and value of the project.
According to the Next Plaintiffs, these facts were discovered only after closing when the Next Plaintiffs contacted JEA directly. The
Next Plaintiffs thereafter demanded indemnification and reimbursement, which defendants allegedly refused, and the Next Plaintiffs commenced
this action asserting claims for breach of the LOI, breach of the MIPA, fraud in the inducement, breach of the implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, and rescission, seeking damages including
the return of the approximately $4.1 million paid, together with attorneys’ fees, interest, and punitive damages.
This
matter is currently in its early stages and the pleadings have not yet closed. Defendants have filed a Motion to Dismiss, which has been
fully briefed and is scheduled for oral argument on April 9, 2026[PW1] . The Next Plaintiffs intend to vigorously prosecute the action
and will also consider a negotiated resolution to the extent any settlement reasonably compensates the Next Plaintiffs for the losses
alleged to have been caused by defendants’ conduct. In the Complaint, the Next Plaintiffs seek damages of approximately $4.1 million,
although the amount of damages claimed may fluctuate depending upon the evidence developed during discovery and any expert analysis relating
thereto. Discovery has not yet commenced, and expert analysis concerning the nature and extent of the damages alleged in the Complaint
has not yet been undertaken. Any estimate of potential damages will be further developed during the discovery process and with the assistance
of qualified experts.
COHEN
GLOBAL ENERGY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company v. NEXT/INGLE HOLDINGS LLC, Delaware limited liability company, and MICHAEL D.
FARKAS, individually, currently pending in the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Case
Number 2025-024817-CA-01
This
litigation alleges that on December 16, 2024, Next/Ingle executed a $5,000,000 promissory note in favor of the plaintiff lender, with
repayment due by March 31, 2025 or upon receipt of project financing, and the borrower’s obligations were personally guaranteed
by the guarantor, the Company’s CEO Michael D. Farkas, under an unconditional guaranty. Plaintiff filed suit asserting claims for
breach of the promissory note against the borrower and breach of the guaranty against the guarantor. This matter is currently in its
early stages. Next/Ingle has filed an Answer and Affirmative Defenses, and the pleadings are now closed. Among other defenses, Next/Ingle
asserts that the loan underlying the action may be invalid due to alleged criminal usury. The parties have also begun engaging in informal
settlement discussions. Next/Ingle intends to vigorously pursue its asserted defenses and any potential recovery arising therefrom, but
it remains too early in the proceedings to meaningfully evaluate the ultimate outcome of the matter. Discovery has not yet commenced
and expert analysis concerning the nature and extent of any potential damages has not yet been undertaken. Accordingly, any estimate
of potential damages or exposure may fluctuate depending upon the evidence developed during discovery and any expert analysis relating
thereto.
In
addition, from time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.
Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and adverse results in matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.
As of the date of this Annual Report, we believe that there are no other claims against us which we believe will result in a material
adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not
applicable.
[PW1] update
39
PART
II
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.