PIONEER POWER SOLUTIONS, INC. 10-Q

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS From time to time, we may become involved in lawsuits, investigations and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. On January 11, 2016, Myers Power Products, Inc., a specialty electrical products manufacturer, filed suit with the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, against us, PCEP and two PCEP employees who are former employees of Myers Power Products, Inc., Geo Murickan, the president of PCEP (“Murickan”), and Brett DeChellis (“DeChellis”), alleging, among other things, that Murickan wrongly used and retained confidential business information of Myers Power Products, Inc. for the benefit of us and PCEP, in breach of their confidentiality agreement and/or employment agreement entered into with Myers Power Products, Inc., and that we and PCEP knowingly received and used such confidential business information. Myers Power Products, Inc. is seeking injunctive relief enjoining us, PCEP and our employees from using its confidential business information and compensatory damages of an unspecified unlimited amount (exceeding $25,000); however, the Company has recognized approximately $1.2 million for expected costs related to this litigation. On March 18, 2016, we filed an answer to the complaint, denying generally each and every allegation and relief sought by Myers Power Products, Inc. and seeking dismissal based on, among other things, failure to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. We intend to contest the matter vigorously. Due to the uncertainties of litigation, however, we can give no assurance that we, PCEP and our employees will prevail on any claims made against us, PCEP and our employees in any such lawsuit. Also, we can give no assurance that any other lawsuits or claims brought in the future will not have an adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or operating results. On October 4, 2019, the dividend that was payable by the Company was enjoined by court order of the Superior Court of California related to the foregoing case. The Company continues to contest the order. As of the date of this filing, this court order remains in place. On October 16, 2019, Myers Power Products, Inc. filed an ex parte application arguing the Company had violated, or intended to violate the modified preliminary injunction and sought order from the court for the Company to post a bond in an amount of $30,000 or more. The court continued the hearing, and ultimately ordered the companies to post a $12 million bond. The Company has cancelled the dividend in lieu of posting the bond. There are also two appeals pending in the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District (“Court of Appeal”) in connection with the litigation with Myers Power Products, Inc. Case no. B301494 is an appeal of the October 4, 2019 order modifying a previously issued preliminary injunction. Case no. B302943 is an appeal of the November 26, 2019 order enjoining Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. and Pioneer Custom Electrical Products Corp. to obtain and post a $12 million bond. On April 10, 2020, the Court of Appeal granted our motion to combine the two appeals. The Company and Myers Power Product, Inc. agreed to a Pro Tem trial which began November 9, 2020. The trial is still ongoing and is expected to last two weeks. We expect that a ruling will be rendered during the fourth quarter of 2020. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, the Company records a reserve when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. However, the outcomes of any currently pending lawsuits, claims and proceedings cannot be predicted, and therefore, there can be no assurance that this will be the case. As of the date hereof, we are not aware of or a party to any legal proceedings to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party or to which any of our property is subject, nor are we aware of any such threatened or pending litigation or any such proceedings known to be contemplated by governmental authorities other than the forgoing suit filed by Myers Power Products, Inc. that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results. See Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies included in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We are not aware of any material proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates or any registered or beneficial shareholder of more than 5% of our common stock is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.