Exhibit
10.80
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL
RELEASE
Tasker Products Corp. (named as “Tasker
Capital Corporation” in that certain lawsuit brought by James
Collins styled James Collins v. Tasker Capital Corporation
, Docket No. FST-CV-06-5001519-S, now pending in the Connecticut
Superior Court, Judicial District of Stamford), its successors and
assigns (hereafter “Tasker”) and James Collins, his
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns and
anyone claiming by or through any of them (collectively referred to
throughout this Agreement as “Collins”), agree to the
following provisions of this Confidential Settlement Agreement and
General Release (“Agreement and General
Release”):
WHEREAS, Collins was formerly employed by
Tasker; and
WHEREAS, Collins filed a certain lawsuit styled
James Collins v. Tasker Capital Corporation , Docket No.
FST-CV-06-5001519-S, now pending in the Connecticut Superior Court,
Judicial District of Stamford, (the “Lawsuit”);
and
WHEREAS, Tasker and Collins deny each and every
allegation of wrongdoing asserted against one by the other and
neither the making of this Agreement and General Release nor
anything contained herein shall, in any way, be construed or
considered to be an admission by Tasker or Collins of guilt, or of
non-compliance with, or violation of, any federal, state, or local
statute or law, public policy, tort law, contract law, common law,
or of any other wrongdoing, unlawful conduct, liability or breach
of any duty whatsoever; and
WHEREAS, Collins and Tasker (hereafter the
“Parties”) desire to compromise and fully and finally
resolve all claims which were or could have been made in the
Lawsuit and to resolve any and all claims and disputes of whatever
kind or character against Tasker and all events occurring up to and
including the date this Agreement and General Release is fully
executed by the Parties; and
WHEREAS, Collins has been at all relevant times
represented by his attorneys,
Garrison,
Levin-Epstein, Chimes & Richardson, P.C., and has determined,
with full advice of counsel, to knowingly and voluntarily enter
into this Agreement and General Release.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and
conditions hereafter set forth and of good and valuable
consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Parties agree as follows:
1)
No Admission of Wrongdoing.
The Parties agree that neither this Agreement
and General Release nor the furnishing of the consideration for
this Agreement and General Release shall be deemed or construed at
any time for any purpose as an admission by Releasees of wrongdoing
or evidence of any liability or unlawful conduct of any
kind.
2)
Consideration .
a)
Cash.
In consideration for signing this Agreement and
General Release, and complying with its terms, Tasker agrees to pay
Collins Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000). This amount is
comprised of the following:
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One check in
the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) less
applicable withholdings and deductions, in a check payable to
“James R. Collins” (the “Initial
Payment”).
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This Initial Payment of One Hundred Fifty
Thousand ($150,000) Dollars shall be paid to Collins within four
(4) days after the execution of this Agreement and General Release
by both Parties hereto as the first installment of the full
settlement amount of this Agreement and General Release.
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One check in
the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) less
applicable withholdings and deductions, in a check payable to
“James R. Collins” (the “Second
Payment”).
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This Second Payment of Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000) shall be paid to Collins within ninety
(90) days after the execution of this Agreement and General Release
by both Parties hereto, and will constitute the final installment
of the full settlement amount.
These payments are made to Collins as full and
final settlement of Collins’ claims for back wages, front pay
and any other damages.
Collins hereby waives his entitlement to the
seven (7) day right of revocation.
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Tasker shall
vest immediately and register 100% of the outstanding stock options
exercisable for shares of Tasker Common stock held by Collins with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. This consists of vesting an
additional 333,333 unvested options and registering 666,667
options. All of such options shall expire ninety (90) days from the
date of the execution of this Agreement and General Release by both
Parties hereto.
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Tasker will
reduce the “strike price” ( i.e., the price
that Collins would have to pay to exercise each of these options,
should he choose to do so) from the current “strike
price” of $1.45 per option to $0.40 per option.
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Except in the
case of willful misconduct or gross negligence, Tasker shall
indemnify,
defend, and
hold Collins, his successors and assigns, harmless against any
damages, costs, fines, penalties, liabilities, and reasonable
attorneys’ fees suffered or incurred by Collins, his
successors and assigns by reason of any legal action, suit or
proceeding brought against Collins (other than by Tasker) including
any amounts incurred or paid in settlement or any judgment of any
action, suit, or proceeding brought under any statute, at common
law, or otherwise, which arises under or in connection with
Collins’ employment by Tasker. The obligations of Tasker
under this paragraph are hereinafter collectively referred to as
“Indemnity Obligations.” The Company agrees to promptly
tender any payments due Collins, his successors and assigns in
respect of the Indemnity Obligations; provided that Collins
provides Tasker prompt written notice of such action, suit or
proceeding and Tasker, at its election, be entitled to control the
defense and settlement of such action, suit or proceeding, at its
own expense, with counsel reasonably selected by it and Collins
shall consent to any settlement approved by Tasker which does not
impose any payment or continuing obligation on Collins without
Collins’ prior consent.
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4)
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No
Consideration Absent Execution of this
Agreement.
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Collins understands and agrees that he would not
receive the monies and/or benefits specified in par