XML 42 R28.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.20.2
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
The Company is involved, from time to time, in various litigation, administrative and other legal proceedings, including regulatory actions, incidental or related to its business, including consumer class or collective actions, personal injury (including asbestos related claims), intellectual property, competition, compliance and advertising claims litigation and disputes, among others (collectively, “Legal Proceedings”). While the Company cannot predict any final outcomes relating thereto, management believes that the outcome of current Legal Proceedings will not have a material effect upon its business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the trading price of the Company’s securities. However, management’s assessment of the Company’s current Legal Proceedings is ongoing, and could change in light of the discovery of additional facts with respect to Legal Proceedings not presently known to the Company, further legal analysis, or determinations by judges, arbitrators, juries or other finders of fact or deciders of law which are not in accord with management’s evaluation of the probable liability or outcome of such Legal Proceedings. From time to time, the Company is in discussions with regulators, including discussions initiated by the Company, about actual or potential violations of law in order to remediate or mitigate associated legal or compliance risks and liabilities or penalties. As the outcomes of such proceedings are unpredictable, the Company can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect its reputation, business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or the trading price of its securities.
Certain Litigation. A purported stockholder class action complaint concerning the tender offer by Cottage Holdco B.V. (the “Cottage Tender Offer”) and the Schedule 14D-9, captioned Rumsey v. Coty, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-00650-LPS, was filed by a putative stockholder against the Company and certain current and former directors of the Company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, but has not yet been served. The plaintiff alleges that the Company’s Schedule 14D-9 omits certain information, including, among other things, certain financial data and certain analyses underlying the opinion of Centerview Partners LLC. The plaintiff asserts claims under the federal securities laws and seeks, among other things, injunctive and/or monetary relief.
A second consolidated purported stockholder class action and derivative complaint concerning the Cottage Tender Offer and the Schedule 14D-9 is pending against certain current and former directors of the Company, JAB Holding Company, S.à.r.l., JAB Holdings B.V., JAB Cosmetics B.V., and Cottage Holdco B.V. in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The Company was named as a nominal defendant. The case, which was filed on May 6, 2019, was captioned Massachusetts Laborers’ Pension Fund v. Harf et.al., Case No. 2019-0336-AGB. On June 14, 2019, plaintiffs in the consolidated action filed a Verified Amended Class Action and Derivative Complaint (“Amended Complaint”). After defendants responded to the Amended Complaint, on October 21, 2019, plaintiffs filed a Verified Second Amended Class Action and Derivative Complaint (the “Second Amended Complaint”), alleging that the directors and JAB Holding Company, S.à.r.l., JAB Holdings B.V., JAB Cosmetics B.V., and Cottage Holdco B.V. breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders and breached the Stockholders Agreement. The Second Amended Complaint seeks, among other things, monetary relief. On November 21, 2019, the defendants moved to dismiss certain claims asserted in the Second Amended Complaint, and certain of the director defendants also answered the complaint. On May 7, 2020, plaintiffs stipulated to the dismissal without prejudice of JAB Holding Company, S.à.r.l. from the action. On August 17, 2020, the court denied the remaining motions to dismiss. A further scheduling order has not yet been entered.
A purported stockholder class action complaint, alleging violations of the US securities laws in connection with the P&G beauty brands acquisition and the King Kylie transaction is pending against the Company as well as certain current and former officers of the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case, which was filed on September 4, 2020, was captioned Crystal Garrett-Evans v. Coty Inc. et.al., Case No. 1:20-cv-07277. The plaintiff asserts claims under the federal securities laws and seeks, among other things, injunctive and/or monetary relief. This case remains at an early stage.
At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any, not covered by available insurance, that may result given the current status of these lawsuits.
Brazilian Tax Assessments
In connection with a local tax audit of one of the Company’s subsidiaries in Brazil, the Company was notified of tax assessments issued in March of 2018. The assessments relate to local sales tax credits, which the Treasury Office of the State of Goiás considers as improperly registered for 2016-2017 tax periods. These tax assessments, including estimated interest and penalties, through September 30, 2020 amount to a total of R$249.0 million (approximately $44.2 as of September 30, 2020). Additionally, the Company received tax assessments related to tax years 2017-2019 during August 2020. These additional tax assessments, including estimated interest and penalties, through September 30, 2020 amount to a total R$579.0 million (approximately $102.8 as of September 30, 2020). The Company is seeking a favorable administrative decision on the tax enforcement actions filed by the Treasury Office of the State of Goiás. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and it has not recognized a loss for these assessments as the Company does not believe a loss is probable.
In connection with a federal tax audit of one of the Company’s subsidiaries in Brazil, the Company was notified of tax assessments issued in October of 2020. The assessments relate to federal excise taxes, which the Treasury Office of the Brazil’s Internal Revenue Service considers as improperly calculated for the period from February 2016 to December 2017. These tax assessments, including estimated interest and penalties, through September 30, 2020 amount to a total of R$334.8 million (approximately $59.4 as of September 30, 2020). The Company is seeking a favorable administrative decision on the tax enforcement actions filed by the Treasury Office of the Brazil’s Internal Revenue Service. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and it has not recognized a loss for these assessments as the Company does not believe a loss is probable.