General Release and Covenant Not to Sue - Ace Cash Express Inc. and Donald H. Neustadt
GENERAL RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE
This General Release and Covenant Not to Sue (this "Agreement"), dated to
be effective as of June 30, 2004, is between Ace Cash Express, Inc., a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), and Donald H. Neustadt, an individual resident of
the State of Texas ("Neustadt"). The Company and Neustadt are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Parties."
WHEREAS, Neustadt has been previously employed by the Company as its Chief
Executive Officer and has been a director and an officer of the Company's direct
and indirect subsidiaries (the "Subsidiaries");
WHEREAS, Neustadt is ceasing his service as an executive officer of the
Company and his services to the Subsidiaries on the date of this Agreement (the
"Officer Termination Date");
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to settle fully and finally, in the manner set
forth herein, all differences between them which have arisen, or which may
arise, prior to, or at the time of, the execution of this Agreement, including
(without limitation) any and all claims and controversies arising out of the
employment relationship between the Parties and the cessation thereof;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants set
forth in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Cessation of Certain Services. On the Officer Termination Date,
Neustadt resigns as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and from each office
and directorship that he has or has had with the Subsidiaries. Nothing in this
paragraph 1, however, shall affect Neustadt's continuing employment with the
Company (though not as an officer) and his continuing service as a director of
the Company.
2. General Releases and Covenants Not to Sue:
(a) Neustadt, for himself and on behalf of his agents,
attorneys-in-fact, heirs, assigns, successors, executors, and
administrators, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES, ACQUITS
AND FOREVER DISCHARGES the Company and its current and former
parent, subsidiary, affiliated, and related corporations, firms,
associations, partnerships, and other entities (including, without
limitation, the Subsidiaries), their successors and assigns, and the
current and former owners, shareholders, directors, officers,
partners, managers, members, employees, agents, attorneys,
representatives, and insurers of such corporations, firms,
associations, partnerships, and entitles, and their guardians,
successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators
(collectively, "Company Releasees") from any and all claims,
liabilities,
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obligations, agreements, damages, causes of action, costs, losses,
and attorneys' fees and expenses whatsoever, whether known or
unknown, whether connected with Neustadt's employment by the Company
and service to the Subsidiaries or not, including (without
limitation) any dispute, claim, charge, or cause of action arising
under TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, as amended, 42
U.S.C. Section 2000e, et seq., the AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
OF 1990, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et seq., the TEXAS COMMISSION ON
HUMAN RIGHTS ACT, Tex. Labor Code Section 21.001, et seq., the AGE
DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, as amended, 29
U.S.C. Section 621 et seq., the EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY
ACT OF 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 1001, et seq., and any
other municipal, local, state, or federal law, common or statutory,
which may have arisen, or which may arise, prior to or at the time
of the execution of this Agreement.
(b) The Company, for itself and on behalf of its agents,
attorneys-in-fact, assigns, and successors and the Subsidiaries and
their respective agents, attorneys-in-fact, assigns, and successors,
IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASES, ACQUITS AND FOREVER
DISCHARGES Neustadt and his agents, attorneys-in-fact, guardians,
successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators
(collectively, "Neustadt Releasees") from any and all claims,
liabilities, obligations, agreements, causes of action, costs,
losses, damages, and attorneys' fees and expenses whatsoever,
whether known or unknown, whether connected with Neustadt's
employment by the Company and service to the Subsidiaries or not,
which may have arisen, or which may arise, prior to or at the time
of the execution of this Agreement; excluding from the foregoing
release, however, any claim that the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries may hereafter have arising from or relating to any
third-party claims made against the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries because of any actions taken by Neustadt, or any
commitments or representations made by Neustadt, that violated any
of Neustadt's fiduciary obligations to the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries.
(c) Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that it or he is
expressly releasing all claims known and suspected as well as all
those unknown or not suspected and that its or his release includes
and contemplates the extinguishment of all claims under any and all
applicable laws.
(d) Neustadt also COVENANTS NOT TO SUE, OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATE IN ANY
ACTION OR CLASS ACTION against, any of the Company Releasees based
upon any of the claims released in paragraph 2(a) above.
(e) The Company also COVENANTS NOT TO SUE, OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATE IN
ACTION OR CLASS ACTION against, any of the Neustadt Releasees based
upon any of the claims released in paragraph 2(b) above.
3. Revocation: Neustadt may revoke this Agreement by written notice to
the Company within seven days after his execution hereof (the "Revocation
Period"). Neustadt agrees that he will not receive the payments and benefits
provided by this Agreement if he revokes this Agreement. Neustadt also
acknowledges and agrees that if written notice of
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revocation of this Agreement has not been received by the Company before the
expiration of the Revocation Period, he will have forever waived his right to
revoke this Agreement, and this Agreement shall thereupon and thereafter be
enforceable.
4. Non-Admission: Neustadt acknowledges and agrees that by entering
into this Agreement, the Company does not admit, but specifically denies, any
violation of any local, state, or federal law.
5. Return of Company Property: Neustadt agrees that he shall return all
property belonging to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in his possession,
custody, or control on, or as soon as practicable after, the Officer Termination
Date; except that he shall be permitted to retain such property as may be
necessary or appropriate to continue in the employment of the Company in a
non-officer position.
6. Mutual Non-Disparagement: Neustadt, solely on behalf of himself and
his attorneys, and the Company, solely on behalf of its officers, directors,
partners, managers, members, employees, agents, and attorneys who are managing
agents with actual authority to speak for the Company, with regard to Neustadt
and his employment with the Company and his service to the Subsidiaries,
expressly acknowledge, agree, and covenant that they will not make any
statements, comments, or communications that could constitute disparagement of
one another or that may be considered to be derogatory or detrimental to the
good name or business reputation of one another; provided, however, that the
terms of this paragraph shall not apply to communications between Neustadt and
his spouse, mental health professional, clergy, or attorneys, or between the
Company and its advisors and attorneys, to the extent (in any such case) that
such communications are subject to a claim of privilege existing under common
law, statute, or rule of procedure. Where applicable, this mutual
non-disparagement covenant applies to any public or private statements,
comments, or communications in any form, whether oral, written, or electronic.
The Parties further agree that they will not in any way solicit any such
statements, comments, or communications.
7. Payments and Benefits to Neustadt: In consideration for all of
Neustadt's covenants herein:
(a) The Company shall pay Neustadt, upon expiration of the Revocation
Period (if this Agreement has not been revoked by Neustadt), $1,000.
Such amount shall be paid by check drawn on an account of the
Company.
(b) The Company shall provide Neustadt, as a former officer of the
Company and a former officer and director of certain of the
Subsidiaries, rights to indemnification under the applicable
corporate documents of the Company and the Subsidiaries and coverage
under any directors' and officers' insurance policy maintained by
the Company for itself and the Subsidiaries.
8. Tax Consequences of Payments: The Parties acknowledge and agree that
the Company shall not withhold taxes or FICA from any of the payments and
benefits described in paragraph 7 above and shall only report those proceeds as
income as required by law. Neustadt, in consultation with his tax advisor, shall
determine issues respecting the tax consequences of
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these payments. Neustadt agrees to indemnify the Company against, and hold the
Company harmless from taxes, if any, and any penalties and interest assessed
against the Company resulting from the Parties' tax treatment of the payments
and benefits described in paragraph 7 above.
9. No Effect on Other Agreements. This Agreement does not affect or
supersede any of the following currently effective agreements between the
Parties: (a) any stock option agreements and restricted stock agreements under
the Company's applicable stock incentive plan, (b) the Change-in-Control
Executive Severance Agreement, and (c) the Nondisclosure, Noncompetition,
Nonsolicitation, and Noninterference Agreement. Those agreements shall continue
to be effective.
10. Governing Law and Venue: This Agreement shall be governed by,
enforced under, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas,
except only to the extent preempted by federal law. Venue for any action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement or the consulting relationship hereunder
shall lie exclusively in courts in Dallas County, Texas.
11. Statement of Understanding: By executing this Agreement, Neustadt
acknowledges that (a) he has had at least 21 days to consider the terms of this
Agreement and has considered its terms for that period of time or has knowingly
and voluntarily waived his right to do so; (b) he has consulted with, or has had
sufficient opportunity to consult with, an attorney of his own choosing
regarding the terms of this Agreement; (c) he has read this Agreement and fully
understands its terms and their import; (d) except as provided by this
Agreement, he has no contractual right or claim to the benefits described
herein; (e) the consideration provided for herein is good and valuable; and (f)
HE IS ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY, OF HIS OWN FREE WILL, AND
WITHOUT ANY COERCION, UNDUE INFLUENCE, THREAT, OR INTIMIDATION OF ANY KIND OR
TYPE WHATSOEVER.
[Signature Page Follows]
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EXECUTED in Irving, Texas, this 23 day of August, 2004.
/s/ DONALD H. NEUSTADT
--------------------------
DONALD H. NEUSTADT
EXECUTED in Irving, Texas, this 23 day of August, 2004.
ACE CASH EXPRESS, INC.
By: /s/ JAY B. SHIPOWITZ
---------------------------
Jay B. Shipowitz, Chief Executive
Officer