SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(Rule 13d - 102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT
TO RULE 13d-2(a)
(Amendment No. 2)*
AMBASE CORPORATION
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
023164106
(CUSIP Number)
- copy to -
Denis F. Cronin Gary T. Moomjian, Esq.
c/o Cronin & Vris, LLP Moomjian, Waite, Waclar & Coleman, LLP
380 Madison Avenue 100 Jericho Quadrangle
24th Floor Suite 225
New York, New York 10017 Jericho, New York 11753
(516) 937-5900
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
October 23, 2006
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f), or 13d-1(g), check the
following box [ ].
NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7(b) for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter disclosure provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
Page 1 of 5 pages
CUSIP No. 023164106 Page 2 of 5 Pages
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1 NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
Denis F. Cronin
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) [ ]
(b) [X] (1)
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)
Not applicable.
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS
2(d) OR 2(e) [ ]
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America
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7 SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 0
OWNED BY ---------------------------------------------------------
EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING 0
PERSON WITH ---------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
0
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
(See Instructions) [ ]
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13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
0%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
IN
=============================================================================
(1) An amendment no. 2 to Schedule 13D is also being filed by Mr. George W.
Haywood. While Messrs. Cronin and Haywood are filing based upon the
possibility that they may be viewed as a group in view of the response to
Item 4, Mr. Cronin disclaims that there is such a group. Mr. Haywood is
separately filing an amendment to Schedule 13D and his shares are not
included in this amendment to Schedule 13D.
This Amendment No. 2 hereby amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed
by Denis F. Cronin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on
March 22, 2004, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13D filed with the
SEC on October 5, 2005 (as amended, the "Schedule 13D"), with respect to the
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Ambase
Corporation (the "Company"). This Amendment No. 2 amends the Schedule 13D as
specifically set forth.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:
It has been previously reported that Mr. Denis F. Cronin and Mr. George W.
Haywood had filed a suit against the Company in the Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware in and for New Castle County.
In settlement of the aforementioned suit, a Stock Purchase Agreement and
Agreement of Settlement and Release, dated October 17, 2006, was entered into by
and among (i) Mr. Haywood and Mr. Cronin and (ii) the Company, Richard A.
Bianco, Robert E. Long, Salvatore Trani and Philip M. Halpern, in their
individual capacities and their capacities as directors or officers of the
Company (the "Settlement Agreement"). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement:
1. On October 23, 2006, (a) Mr. Cronin sold 536,000 shares of Common
Stock, representing all of the Common Stock owned by him, to Mr.
Bianco and (b) Mr. Haywood sold 6,079,531 shares of Common Stock,
representing all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
him, to Mr. Bianco. The aggregate purchase price for the shares was
$3,638,542, consisting of $.46 per share plus a premium of $.09 per
share in additional consideration.
2. As additional consideration for the promises in the Settlement
Agreement, an aggregate $1,100,000 cash payment was made on behalf of
the Company to Messrs. Cronin and Haywood.
3. The parties agreed to dismiss the above-mentioned suit and exchange
mutual releases.
4. Messrs. Cronin and Haywood agreed for a period of five years to a
"stand still," pursuant to which they agreed, among other things, not
to (i) acquire any additional shares of Common Stock, (ii) solicit
proxies in respect of the Common Stock, and (iii) take certain other
actions that may influence management or control of the Company.
5. The parties agreed to mutual nondisparagement provisions.
For a complete description of the terms of the Settlement Agreement,
reference is made to a copy of the Settlement Agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit (c) and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) Aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned: 0
Percentage: 0.0%
Page 3 of 5 pages
(b) 1. Sole power to vote or to direct vote: 0
2. Shared power to vote or to direct vote: 0
3. Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
4. Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
(c) Since the filing of Amendment No. 1 to this Schedule 13D, Mr. Cronin
has not engaged in any transactions concerning the Common Stock of the Company
other than as reported in Item 4 herein.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to
the Securities of the Issuer
Reference is made to Item 4 for a description of the Settlement Agreement.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:
(c) The Settlement Agreement.
Page 4 of 5 pages
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: October 25, 2006
/s/ Denis F. Cronin
---------------------------
Denis F. Cronin
Page 5 of 5 pages
Exhibit (c)
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
AND AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
---------------------------------------
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE dated this
17th day of October, 2006 by and among (i) George W. Haywood and Denis F. Cronin
(together, the "Stockholder Parties") and (ii) AmBase Corporation (the
"Company"), Richard A. Bianco, Robert E. Long, Salvatore Trani and Philip M.
Halpern, in their individual capacities and their capacities as directors or
officers of the Company (the Company and Messrs. Bianco, Long, Trani and
Halpern, collectively, the "AmBase Parties").
W I T N E S S E T H
-------------------
WHEREAS, in 2003, the Stockholder Parties made written demands to inspect
certain of the Company's books and records (the "Demands") pursuant to Section
220 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"); and
WHEREAS, the Stockholder Parties initiated an action against the Company in
the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the "Court of Chancery"), styled
Haywood v. AmBase Corp., Civil Action No. 342-N (the "Action") to compel
inspection of certain of the Company's books and records pursuant to Section 220
of the DGCL; and
WHEREAS, the Court of Chancery, in an opinion dated August 22, 2005 (the
"Opinion"), ordered the Company to permit inspection of certain of the documents
requested in the Demands; and
WHEREAS, on January 27, 2006 the Company produced documents to the
Stockholder Parties (the "Produced Documents"); and
WHEREAS, on May 22, 2006, the Stockholder Parties filed a motion for
contempt in the Court of Chancery seeking the production of additional documents
and to resolve a dispute concerning the entry of a confidentiality order
requested by the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company opposed the motion for contempt and requested the
Court of Chancery to enter a confidentiality order in the form submitted by it;
and
WHEREAS, the Stockholder Parties have indicated they are considering
engaging in continued litigation activity against the AmBase Parties, which the
AmBase Parties have concluded is not well-founded but would entail considerable
time and expense to defend; and
WHEREAS, without admitting any of the matters asserted by any of the
parties hereto, the Stockholder Parties and the AmBase Parties wish to resolve
their disputes without resort to continued litigation or further litigation; and
WHEREAS, George W. Haywood beneficially owns 6,079,531 shares of common
stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock"), which shares
are held in brokerage accounts for the following persons in the following
amounts: 1,910,000 in Mr. Haywood's personal account, 3,707,506 in Mr. Haywood's
personal IRA account, 45,000 in the account of Mr. Haywood's spouse, 357,025 in
the accounts of Mr. Haywood's minor children and 60,000 in the account of the
estate of Mr. Haywood's mother, as to which account Mr. Haywood is executor; and
WHEREAS, Denis F. Cronin beneficially owns 536,000 shares of Common Stock
of the Company, all of which are held in personal brokerage accounts;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein
and for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned parties to this
Agreement of Settlement and Release (the "Agreement") do hereby agree and
undertake to settle all of their disputes as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES, ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION
1.1. Purchase and Sale of Shares. The Stockholder Parties shall sell,
----------------------------
assign, transfer and deliver, or shall cause the sale, assignment, transfer and
delivery, to Richard A. Bianco (the "Purchaser"), of 6,615,531 shares of Common
Stock, 6,079,531 of which are beneficially owned by George W. Haywood and
536,000 of which are beneficially owned by Denis F. Cronin (the "Shares"), and
the Purchaser shall purchase and acquire all of the right, title and interest in
and to the Shares. The purchase price of the Shares shall be an aggregate of
$3,638,542.00 (the "Purchase Price"), consisting of $0.46 per share plus a
premium of $0.09 per share in additional consideration.
1.2. Additional Consideration. As additional consideration for the promises
------------------------
contained herein, a $1,100,000.00 cash payment will be made to the Stockholder
Parties on behalf of the Company (the "Additional Consideration").
1.3. Closing. On the date of execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser
-------
shall remit the Purchase Price and the Company shall remit the Additional
Consideration by wire transfer to the escrow account of Richards, Layton &
Finger, P.A. ("RLF"). Upon receipt of written confirmation that RLF has received
the Purchase Price and the Additional Consideration, the Stockholder Parties
shall cause the Shares to be delivered to American Stock Transfer and Trust
Company, the Company's transfer agent, where they will be registered in the
names of the Purchaser. Upon receipt of written confirmation that the Shares
have been received by the American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, RLF shall
transfer (a) the Purchase Price by wire transfer to accounts to be specified by
the Stockholder Parties and (b) the Additional Consideration by wire transfer to
the account of Bouchard Margules & Friedlander, P.A. This Agreement will become
effective on the date the Purchase Price and Additional Consideration has been
received in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence (the "Effective
Date"). The parties will use their best efforts to complete all of the
transactions set forth in this paragraph 1.3 on or before October 20, 2006.
1.4. Dismissal of the Action. Within three business days following the
-----------------------
Effective Date, the parties to the Action shall file a stipulation of dismissal
of the Action in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
1.5. Return of the Produced Documents. Within three business days following
--------------------------------
the filing of the stipulation of dismissal of the Action, the Stockholder
Parties shall return and shall cause their counsel to return the Produced
Documents, any copies of the Produced Documents and any documents and copies of
documents produced by or on behalf of AmBase in the Action to Raymond J.
DiCamillo, Esquire, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., One Rodney
-2-
Square, 920 North King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 and shall provide a
written certification that all such documents have been returned.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
2.1. Representations and Warranties of the Stockholder Parties. The
---------------------------------------------------------------
Stockholder Parties represent and warrant to the Ambase Parties and the
Purchaser that (i) they are the beneficial owners of the Shares, in the manner
described in the WHEREAS clauses to this Agreement, and shall transfer the
Shares free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, restrictions on
transfer or rights of third parties of any nature whatsoever ("Liens"), (ii)
they do not have any right, title or interest in or to any shares of or options
or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock, or any other securities of the
Company other than the 6,615,531 Shares described in Section 1.1 of this
Agreement, (iii) the performance by the Stockholder Parties of their obligations
hereunder will vest in the Purchaser title to the Shares, free and clear of all
Liens, (iv) they have all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform this Agreement and to sell, assign and transfer the Shares, (v) this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Stockholder Parties,
enforceable in accordance with its terms and (vi) no consent, approval, waiver,
authorization or filing is necessary for the execution, delivery and performance
by the Stockholder Parties of this Agreement which has not already been
obtained. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in
the event that, whether prior to or subsequent to the Closing, any Lien relating
to the Shares shall be discovered by any party hereto, such party shall
immediately give notice thereof to the Stockholder Parties and the Stockholder
Parties shall, at their sole cost and expense, remove or cause to be removed
such Lien.
2.2. Representations and Warranties of the AmBase Parties and the
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchasers. The AmBase Parties and Purchaser represent and warrant that (i) they
----------
have all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement, (ii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
AmBase Parties and the Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
(iii) no consent, approval, waiver, authorization or filing is necessary for the
execution, delivery and performance by the AmBase Parties and the Purchaser of
this Agreement, and (iv) they are not in possession of any material non-public
information concerning the action pending in the United States Court of Federal
Claims captioned AmBase Corporation v. The United States of America, Civil
Action No. 93-531C (the "Supervisory Goodwill Litigation"); for this purpose,
"material" shall mean information to which an investor would reasonably attach
importance in reaching a decision to buy, sell or hold securities of the
Company, which would include any settlement discussions in the Supervisory
Goodwill Litigation.
2.3. Representations and Warranties of the Purchaser. The Purchaser
----------------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Stockholder Parties as follows:
(i) Available Information. The Purchaser acknowledges that he is familiar
with the business, management, operations, financial condition and affairs of
the Company and is therefore able to evaluate the merits and risks of a purchase
of the Shares and is not relying on any information provided by the Stockholder
Parties.
-3-
(ii) Approvals and Consents. No action, approval, consent or authorization,
including, but not limited to, any action, approval, consent or authorization by
any governmental or quasi-governmental agency, commission, board, bureau or
instrumentality is necessary or required as to the Purchaser in order to
constitute this Agreement as a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the
Purchaser in accordance with its terms.
(iii) Restricted Securities. The Purchaser understands and agrees that,
when acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to the Agreement, the Shares will be
restricted within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of
without registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom.
(iv) Investment. The Shares to be acquired by the Purchaser will be
acquired for investment purposes only for the Purchaser's own account, not as a
nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale of distribution thereof.
(v) Accredited Investor. The Purchaser is an "Accredited Investor" as that
term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities
Act. The Purchaser is able to bear the economic risk of the purchase of the
Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a complete loss of the
Purchaser's investment in the Shares.
(vi) No Representation. The Purchaser confirms that neither the Stockholder
Parties nor any agent or affiliate of the Stockholder Parties have made any
representation or warranty to the Purchaser about the Company or the Shares
other than those set forth in this Agreement, and that the Purchaser has not
relied upon any other representation or warranty, express or implied, in
purchasing the Shares.
(vii) Financial Experience. The Purchaser represents that by reason of the
Purchaser's business or financial experience or the business or financial
experience of Purchaser's professional advisors who are unaffiliated with and
who are not compensated by either the Stockholder Parties or the Company or any
affiliate or selling agent of either the Stockholder Parties or the Company,
directly or indirectly, the Purchaser has the capacity to protect Purchaser's
own interests in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
The Purchaser understands that the foregoing representations and warranties are
to be relied upon by the Stockholder Parties as a basis for exemption of the
sale of the Shares under the Securities Act and under the securities laws of all
applicable states and for other purposes. The Purchaser warrants that the
information provided to the Stockholder Parties is true and correct as of the
date hereof.
2.4. Covenant of Bouchard Margules & Friedlander, P.A. Bouchard Margules &
--------------------------------------------------
Friedlander, P.A., counsel for the Stockholder Parties (the "Firm"), hereby
covenants and agrees that, except as required by law, the Firm shall not reveal
or utilize information it obtained in connection with or learned as a result of
the Action. The covenant and agreement set forth in this paragraph shall be
binding and enforceable against each attorney of the Firm.
-4-
ARTICLE III
MUTUAL GENERAL RELEASES
3.1. Release by the Stockholder Parties. The Stockholder Parties, on behalf
----------------------------------
of themselves and their respective heirs, estates, agents, officers, directors,
partners, trustees, beneficiaries, successors, predecessors, subsidiaries,
principals and affiliates (the "Stockholder Releasors"), hereby do remise,
release and forever discharge, and covenant not to sue or take any steps to
further any claim, action or proceeding against, the AmBase Parties, John B.
Costello, Michael L. Quinn, John P. Ferrara, Joseph R. Bianco and their
respective current and former heirs, estates, successors, affiliates,
subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, trustees, beneficiaries, employees,
agents, representatives, attorneys and any other advisors or consultants to
AmBase Parties (collectively, the "AmBase Releasees"), and each of them, from
and in respect of any and all claims and causes of action, whether based on any
federal, state or foreign law or right of action, direct, indirect or
representative in nature, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, known or
unknown, which any of, or all, the Stockholder Releasors have, had or may have
against the AmBase Releasees, or any of them, of any kind, nature or type
whatsoever, up to the date of this Agreement, except that the foregoing release
does not release any rights and duties under this Agreement or any claims the
Stockholder Releasors may have for the breach of any provisions of this
Agreement.
3.2. Release by the AmBase Parties. The AmBase Parties, on behalf of
--------------------------------
themselves and their respective heirs, estates, agents, officers, directors,
partners, trustees, beneficiaries, successors, predecessors, subsidiaries,
principals and affiliates (the "AmBase Releasors"), hereby do remise, release
and forever discharge, and covenant not to sue or take any steps to further any
claim, action or proceeding against, the Stockholder Parties and their
respective current and former heirs, estates, successors, affiliates,
subsidiaries, officers, directors, partners, trustees, beneficiaries, employees,
agents, representatives, attorneys and any other advisors or consultants to the
Stockholder Parties (collectively, the "Stockholder Releasees"), and each of
them, from and in respect of any and all claims and causes of action, whether
based on any federal, state or foreign law or right of action, direct, indirect
or representative in nature, foreseen or unforeseen, matured or unmatured, known
or unknown, which any of, or all, the AmBase Releasors have, had or may have
against the Stockholder Releasees, or any of them, of any kind, nature or type
whatsoever, up to the date of this Agreement, except that the foregoing release
does not release any rights and duties under this Agreement or any claims the
AmBase Releasors may have for the breach of any provisions of this Agreement.
3.3. Releases Binding, Unconditional and Final. The parties hereby
-----------------------------------------------
acknowledge and agree that the releases and covenants provided for in paragraphs
3.1 and 3.2 shall be binding, unconditional and final upon the Effective Date.
3.4. Value of the Shares. The Stockholder Parties, the AmBase Parties and
--------------------
the Purchaser each acknowledge that (i) the Purchase Price does not necessarily
reflect the fair market value of the Shares as of the date hereof; (ii) the
value of the Shares may increase or decrease after the date hereof; and (iii)
none of the Stockholder Parties, the AmBase Parties or the Purchaser shall have
any claims against another party to this Agreement by reason of an increase or
decrease in the value of the Shares. The Stockholder Parties, the AmBase Parties
and the Purchaser expressly acknowledge that this Agreement is intended to
settle any and all claims among the parties, including without limitation, any
contract claims, tort claims, claims arising
-5-
under the federal securities laws, fraud claims, including any claims of fraud
in the inducement of, or otherwise in connection with or related to, the
settlement and any other matters contemplated by this Agreement.
3.5. The Action. The Stockholder Parties agree not to pursue any other
-----------
rights or remedies in, through or with respect to the Action, including but not
limited to filing any action related to it or its associated purposes, or
appealing any aspect of the judgment in the Action.
ARTICLE IV
STANDSTILL
4.1. From and after the date of this Agreement through the fifth
anniversary of the date of this Agreement, the Stockholder Parties and their
respective agents, representatives, affiliates, associates and all other persons
acting in concert with or under the control or direction of any of the
Stockholder Parties shall not, directly or indirectly, in any manner, including
without limitation, entering into communications or discussions with record or
beneficial stockholders of the Company seeking to:
(i) acquire, announce an intention to acquire, offer or propose to acquire,
or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, by purchase or otherwise,
beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company or direct or indirect
rights or options to acquire any securities of the Company;
(ii) solicit proxies (or written consents) or assist or participate in any
other way, directly or indirectly, in any solicitation of proxies (or written
consents), or otherwise become a "participant" in a "solicitation," as such
terms are defined in Instruction 3 of Item 4 of Schedule 14A and Rule 14a-1 of
Regulation 14A, respectively, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended ("Exchange Act"), in opposition to the recommendation or proposal of the
board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), or recommend or request or
induce or attempt to induce any other person to take any such actions, or seek
to advise, encourage or influence any person with respect to the voting of (or
the execution of a written consent in respect of) the securities of the Company,
or execute any written consent in lieu of a meeting of the holders of the
securities of the Company or grant a proxy with respect to the voting of the
securities of the Company to any person;
(iii) form, join or in any way participate in a "group" (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
voting or disposing of any securities of the Company;
(iv) deposit any securities of the Company in a voting trust or enter into
any other arrangement or agreement with respect to the voting thereof;
(v) acquire or agree, offer, seek or propose to acquire, or cause to be
acquired, ownership (including beneficial ownership) of any of the assets or
business of the Company or any rights or options to acquire any such assets or
business from any person;
(vi) seek, propose, or make any statement with respect to, or solicit,
negotiate with, or provide any information to any person with respect to, a
merger,
-6-
consolidate, acquisition of control or other business combination, tender or
exchange offer, purchase, sale or transfer of assets or securities, dissolution,
liquidation, reorganization, recapitalization, dividend, share repurchase or
similar transaction involving the Company, its subsidiaries or its business,
whether or not any such transaction involves a change of control of the Company;
(vii) take any action, alone or in concert with any other person, advise,
finance, assist or participate in or encourage any person to take any action
which is prohibited to be taken by the Stockholder Parties or any of their
affiliates or associates pursuant to this Agreement, or make any investment in
or enter into any arrangement with, any other person that engages, or offers or
proposes to engage in any of the foregoing;
(viii) disclose publicly or privately, in a manner that could reasonably be
expected to become public, any intention, plan or arrangement inconsistent with
the foregoing;
(ix) commence, encourage, or support any derivative action in the name of
the Company, or any class action against the Company or any of its officers or
directors; or
(x) take any action challenging the validity or enforceability of any
provisions of this Article IV.
ARTICLE V
NONDISPARAGEMENT; LITIGATION
5.1. Nondisparagement; Litigation. The Stockholder Parties agree and
------------------------------
covenant not to directly or indirectly disparage, criticize, or make any
negative public or private comments about any of the AmBase Parties to any
person or entity or to assist any person or entity to initiate or pursue,
directly or indirectly, any litigation, arbitration, suit, claim, or complaint
against the AmBase Parties relating to any of the claims and causes of action
described in Section 3.1 of this Agreement, excluding, however, any litigation,
arbitration, suit, claim, or complaint filed solely to remedy a breach of this
Agreement. The AmBase Parties agree and covenant not to directly or indirectly
disparage, criticize, or make any negative public or private comments about the
Stockholder Parties or assist any person or entity to initiate or pursue,
directly or indirectly, any litigation, arbitration, suit, claim or complaint
against the Stockholder Parties relating to of the claims and causes of action
described in Section 3.2 of this Agreement, excluding, however, any litigation,
arbitration, suit, claim, or complaint filed solely to remedy a breach of this
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Stockholder
Parties agree that they will not disclose to any person information obtained in
connection with or as a result of the Action.
5.2. The Stockholder Parties shall file a copy of this Agreement as an
amendment to their Schedule 13D's on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
5.3. Notwithstanding Sections 5.1 of this Agreement, nothing contained
herein shall limit the ability of any party to this Agreement to provide
documents or information responsive to legal process or legal proceedings, or
requests from any government or regulatory
-7-
agency or authority in connection with any formal or informal inquiry,
investigation or proceeding (a "Request") where such legal process or proceeding
has not been initiated by, or on behalf of, or at the suggestion of, a party to
this Agreement or their agent or representative. If any party to this Agreement
receives such a Request, it shall (i) give actual written notice, by hand or
facsimile transmission of such Request to all other parties to this Agreement as
promptly as practicable and (ii) shall use its best efforts to maintain the
confidentiality of such documents or information.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1. No Concession of Liability. This Agreement shall not in any event
----------------------------
constitute, be construed or deemed a concession, on the part of any of the
undersigned to the truth of any allegations, claims, or defenses made by any of
the parties in the Actions or otherwise, or of any liability or wrongdoing of
any of the parties.
6.2. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of
-----------------
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement constitute all
the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the parties hereto
and upon which the parties have relied and except as may be specifically
provided herein, no change, modification, amendment, addition or termination of
this Agreement or any part thereof shall be valid unless in writing and signed
by or on behalf of the party to be charged therewith.
6.3. Fees and Expenses of Transaction. The parties hereto shall each bear
----------------------------------
his, her or its own expenses in connection with this transaction.
6.4. Waivers. No waiver of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless
--------
in writing and signed by the party to be charged with such waiver. No waiver
shall be deemed a continuing waiver or waiver in respect of any subsequent
breach or default, either of similar or different nature, unless expressly so
stated in writing.
6.5. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed, interpreted and
---------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts to be performed entirely within that State. Should any clause, section
or part of this Agreement be held or declared to be void or illegal for any
reason, all other clauses, sections or parts of this Agreement which can be
effected without such illegal clause, section or part shall nevertheless
continue in full force and effect.
6.6. Jurisdiction and Venue. Each party hereto hereby agrees that any
------------------------
proceeding relating to this Agreement shall be brought in a state court of
Delaware. Each party hereto hereby consents to personal jurisdiction in any such
action brought in any such Delaware court, consents to service of process by
registered mail made upon such party and/or such party's agent and waives any
objection to venue in any such Delaware court and a claim that any such Delaware
court is an inconvenient forum.
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6.7. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
---------------
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns or
heirs and personal representatives.
6.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
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counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.
6.9. Survival of Representations. All of the representations, warranties,
----------------------------
covenants, releases and indemnities of the parties set forth in this Agreement
will survive the transfer of the Shares to the Purchasers.
6.10. No Third Party Rights. The representations, warranties and agreements
----------------------
of the parties contained herein are intended solely for the benefit of the party
to whom such representations, warranties or agreements are made, shall confer no
rights hereunder, whether legal or equitable, in any other person or entity, and
no other person or entity shall be entitled to rely thereon.
6.11. Construction. This Agreement shall not be more strictly construed
-------------
against one party than against any other merely because it was prepared by
counsel for that party, it being recognized that, because of the arm's length
negotiations, all parties have materially and substantially contributed to the
preparation, review and final terms of this Agreement.
6.12. Specific Performance; Injunctive Relief. The parties to this
--------------------------------------------
Agreement agree that solely a remedy at law for breach of this Agreement is
inadequate and that any party by whom this Agreement is enforceable shall be
entitled to institute and prosecute proceedings, either at law or in equity, to
seek specific performance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to
obtain injunctive relief or to obtain any other appropriate relief or remedy.
Such remedies shall, however, be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in
addition to any other remedies which a party may have under this Agreement or at
law.
6.13. Notices. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of this Agreement,
--------
any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted
to be given or made pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed to have been duly given or made for all purposes if sent by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or delivered in
person to the parties at the following addresses: (i) on behalf of the
Stockholder Parties, Denis F. Cronin, Esquire, Cronin & Vris, 380 Madison
Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, New York 10017 and (ii) on behalf of the AmBase
Parties, AmBase Corporation, Attn: Secretary, 100 Putnam Green, 3rd Floor,
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830-6027, or at such other address as any party may
specify by notice given to other parties in accordance with this Section. The
date of giving of any such notice shall be (a) in the case of hand delivery,
when actually delivered to the addressee and (b) in the case of registered or
certified mail, three (3) days after mailing. Copies of all notices shall be
sent to Andre G. Bouchard, Bouchard Margules & Friedlander, P.A., 222 Delaware
Avenue, Suite 1400, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 and Raymond J. DiCamillo,
Esquire, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., 920 N. King Street, Wilmington,
Delaware 19801.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the 17th day of October, 2006.
/s/George W. Haywood /s/Salvatore Trani
---------------------------- -----------------------------
George W. Haywood Salvatore Trani
/s/Denis F. Cronin /s/Philip M. Halpern
---------------------------- -----------------------------
Denis F. Cronin Philip M. Halpern
/s/Richard A. Bianco /s/Robert E. Long
---------------------------- -----------------------------
Richard A. Bianco Robert E. Long
AMBASE CORPORATION
By: /s/John P. Ferrara
-----------------------------------------
John P. Ferrara
Vice President
This Agreement has been duly executed by the following party for the
purpose of acknowledging such party's obligations as set forth in paragraph 2.4
hereof.
BOUCHARD MARGULES & FRIEDLANDER, P.A.
By: /s/Andre G. Bouchard
----------------------------------
Andre G. Bouchard
President
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