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Commitments And Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies


12. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation Matters

In the ordinary course of business, BVH and its subsidiaries are parties to lawsuits as plaintiff or defendant involving its operations and activities. Bluegreen is subject to claims or proceedings from time to time relating to the purchase, sale, marketing, or financing of VOIs and other business activities. Additionally, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in disputes with existing and former employees, vendors, taxing jurisdictions, and other individuals and entities, and it also receives individual consumer complaints as well as complaints received through regulatory and consumer agencies, including Offices of State Attorneys General. The Company takes these matters seriously and attempts to resolve any such issues as they arise. The Company may also become subject to litigation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to any actions the Company takes as a result thereof.

Reserves are accrued for matters in which management believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe that the aggregate liability relating to known contingencies in excess of the aggregate amounts accrued will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. However, litigation is inherently uncertain and the actual costs of resolving legal claims, including awards of damages, may be substantially higher than the amounts accrued for these claims and may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

Management is not at this time able to estimate a range of reasonably possible losses with respect to matters in which it is reasonably possible that a loss will occur. In certain matters, management is unable to estimate the loss or reasonable range of loss until additional developments provide information sufficient to support an assessment of the loss or range of loss. Frequently in these matters, the claims are broad and the plaintiffs have not quantified or factually supported their claim.

BVH Litigation

There were no material pending legal proceedings against BVH or its subsidiaries other than proceedings against Bluegreen as of December 31, 2020.

Bluegreen Litigation

The following is a description of certain material pending legal proceedings involving Bluegreen:

On September 22, 2017, Stephen Potje, Tamela Potje, Sharon Davis, Beafus Davis, Matthew Baldwin, Tammy Baldwin, Arnor Lee, Angela Lee, Gretchen Brown, Paul Brown, Jeremy Estrada, Emily Estrada, Michael Oliver, Carrie Oliver, Russell Walters, Elaine Walters, and Mike Ericson, individually and on behalf of all other similarly situated, filed a purported class action lawsuit against Bluegreen which asserts claims for alleged violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Florida False Advertising Law. In the complaint, the plaintiffs alleged the making of false representations in connection with Bluegreen’s sales of VOIs. The purported class action lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice after mediation. However, on or about April 24, 2018, plaintiffs re-filed their individual claims in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. Subsequently, on October 15, 2019, the Court entered an order granting summary judgment in Bluegreen’s favor and dismissed all claims. Bluegreen has moved for reimbursement of its attorneys’ fees. Plaintiffs have appealed the summary judgement order.

On February 28, 2018, Oscar Hernandez and Estella Michael filed a purported class action lawsuit in San Bernardino Superior Court against BVU. Plaintiffs sought to represent a class of approximately 660 hourly, non-exempt employees who worked in the state of California since March 1, 2014. The central claims in the complaint, as amended during June 2018, include alleged failures to pay overtime and wages at termination and to provide meal and rest periods, claims relating to non-compliant wage statements and unreimbursed business expenses, and a claim under the Private Attorney’s General Act. In April 2019, the parties mediated and agreed to settle the matter for an immaterial amount. Final approval of the settlement was granted by the court on January 21, 2021.

On June 28, 2018, Melissa S. Landon, Edward P. Landon, Shane Auxier and Mu Hpare, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a purported class action lawsuit against Bluegreen and Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. (“BVU”) asserting claims for alleged violations of the Wisconsin Timeshare Act, Wisconsin law prohibiting illegal referral selling, and Wisconsin law prohibiting illegal attorney’s fee provisions. Plaintiffs allegations include that Bluegreen failed to disclose the identity of the seller of real property at the beginning of Bluegreen’s initial contact with the purchaser; that Bluegreen misrepresented who the seller of the real property was; that Bluegreen misrepresented the buyer’s right to cancel; that Bluegreen included an illegal attorney’s fee provision in the sales document(s); that Bluegreen offered an illegal “today only” incentive to purchase; and that Bluegreen utilized an illegal referral selling program to induce the sale of VOIs. Plaintiffs seek certification of a class consisting of all persons who, in Wisconsin, purchased from Bluegreen one or more VOIs within six years prior to the filing of this lawsuit. Plaintiffs seek statutory damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. Bluegreen moved to dismiss the case, and on November 27, 2019, the Court issued a ruling granting the motion in part. Bluegreen has answered the remaining claims. Bluegreen believes the lawsuit is without merit and intend to vigorously defend the action.

On January 7, 2019, Shehan Wijesinha filed a purported class action lawsuit alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (the “TCPA”), specifically that BVU called plaintiff’s cell phone for telemarketing purposes using an automated dialing system, and that plaintiff did not give BVU his express written consent to do so. Plaintiffs seek certification of a class comprised of other persons in the United States who received similar calls from or on behalf of BVU without the person’s consent. Plaintiff seeks monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. Bluegreen believes the lawsuit is without merit and intend to vigorously defend the action. On July 15, 2019, the court entered an order staying this case pending a ruling from the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) clarifying the definition of an automatic telephone dialing system under the TCPA and the decision of the Eleventh Circuit in a separate action brought against a VOI company by a plaintiff alleging violations of the TCPA. On January 7, 2020, the Eleventh Circuit issued a ruling consistent with BVU’s position, and on June 26, 2020, the FCC also issued a favorable ruling. The case currently remains stayed.

On July 18, 2019, Eddie Boyd, et al. filed an action alleging that BVU and co-defendants violated the Missouri Merchandise Practices Act for allegedly making false statements and misrepresentations with respect to the sale of VOIs. Plaintiffs further have filed a purported class action allegation that BVU’s charging of an administrative processing fee constitutes the unauthorized practice of law, and have also asserted that Bluegreen and its outside counsel engaged in abuse of process by filing a lawsuit against plaintiffs’ counsel (The Montgomery Law Firm). Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. On August 31, 2020, the court certified a class regarding the unauthorized practice of law claim and dismissed the claims regarding abuse of process. On January 11, 2021, the Court issued an order that the class members are not entitled to rescission of their contracts because they have failed to plead fraud in the inducement. Bluegreen believes the lawsuit is without merit and intend to move to decertify the class.

On July 7, 2020, Robert Barban and approximately 172 other plaintiffs filed an action against Bluegreen’s subsidiaries, Bluegreen Resorts Management, Inc. (“BRM”) and Vacation Trust, Inc. (“VTI”), seeking a financial review. Plaintiffs allege that the allocation system in place does not allow them to freely and easily use, occupy, and enjoy the accommodations and facilities. They also allege that BRM has unreasonably escalated operating costs and that VTI failed to protect the plaintiffs from these costs. While Bluegreen believes the case is without merit, Bluegreen is in discussion with plaintiffs’ counsel to voluntarily move this case to individual arbitration claims in Broward County, Florida. If the discussions are not successful, Bluegreen intends to file a motion to dismiss.

On July 14, 2020, Kenneth Johansen, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a purported class action against BVU for alleged violations of the TCPA. Specifically, the named plaintiff alleges that he received numerous telemarketing calls from BVU while he was on the National Do Not Call Registry. Bluegreen filed a motion to dismiss, and plaintiff in response filed an amended complaint on September 18, 2020. On February 18, 2021 plaintiff filed a motion for class certification seeking to certify a class of thousands of individuals proposed class members. Bluegreen intends to oppose the class certification and vigorously defend the action.

On August 30, 2020, over 100 VOI owners at The Manhattan Club (“TMC”) sued BVU and certain unaffiliated entities (the “Non-Bluegreen Defendants”). The complaint includes claims arising out of alleged misrepresentations made during the sale of VOIs at TMC and certain post-sale operational practices, including allegedly charging owners excessive annual maintenance fees and implementing reservation policies that the restrict the ability of VOI owners

to use their points to access the resort while allowing the general public to make reservations. The plaintiffs assert in the complaint that Bluegreen acquired operational control of TMC from the Non-Bluegreen Defendants in 2018 and assumed joint liability for any prior wrongdoing by them. Bluegreen believes this assertion to be erroneous and that the claims against BVU are without merit. Accordingly, Bluegreen has moved to dismiss the claims against BVU.

Commencing in 2015, it came to Bluegreen’s attention that its collection efforts with respect to its VOI notes receivable were being impacted by a then emerging, industry-wide trend involving the receipt of  “cease and desist” letters from exit firms and their attorneys purporting to represent certain VOI owners. Following receipt of these letters, Bluegreen is unable to contact the owners unless allowed by law. Bluegreen believes these exit firms have encouraged such owners to become delinquent and ultimately default on their obligations and that such actions and Bluegreen’s inability to contact the owners are a primary contributor to the increase in its annual default rates. Bluegreen’s average annual default rates have increased from 6.9% in 2015 to 9.8% in 2020. Bluegreen also estimates that approximately 9.2% of the total delinquencies on its VOI notes receivable as of December 31, 2020 related to VOI notes receivable are subject to this issue. Bluegreen has, in a number of cases pursued, and Bluegreen may in the future pursue, legal action against the VOI owners, and as described below, against the exit firms.

On December 21, 2018, Bluegreen filed a lawsuit against timeshare exit firm Totten Franqui and certain of its affiliates (“TPEs”). In the complaint, Bluegreen alleged that the TPEs, through various forms of deceptive advertising, as well as inappropriate direct contact with VOI owners, made false statements about Bluegreen and provided misleading information to the VOI owners. The TPEs have encouraged nonpayment by consumers and exacted fees for doing so. Bluegreen believes the consumers are paying fees to the TPEs in exchange for illusory services. Bluegreen has asserted claims against the TPEs under the Lanham Act, as well as tortious interference with contractual relations, civil conspiracy to commit tortious interference and other claims. During the course of the litigation, the TPEs and Totten Franqui filed for bankruptcy, which resulted in the litigation being stayed. Bluegreen has reached favorable settlements with the TPE principals and the court has approved the settlement with the bankruptcy trustee, which allowed 100% of Bluegreen’s claims against the TPEs and Totten Franqui (which are in excess of $1.0 million). Bluegreen agreed to subordinate its claims to the claims of its timeshare owners. The settlement with the principals includes findings of fact against the defendants regarding their business practices and a permanent injunction prohibiting the principals of the Totten Franqui from working again in the timeshare exit space.

On November 13, 2019, Bluegreen filed a lawsuit against timeshare exit firm The Montgomery Law Firm and certain of its affiliates. In the complaint, Bluegreen alleged that through various forms of deceptive advertising, as well as inappropriate direct contact with VOI owners, such firm and its affiliates made false statements about Bluegreen and provided misleading information to the VOI owners and encouraged nonpayment by consumers. Bluegreen believes the consumers are paying fees to the firm and its affiliates in exchange for illusory services. Bluegreen has asserted claims under the Lanham Act, as well as tortious interference with contractual relations, civil conspiracy to commit tortious interference and other claims. Defendants’ motion to dismiss was denied. Discovery is ongoing.

On November 13, 2020, Bluegreen filed a lawsuit against timeshare exit firm, Carlsbad Law Group, LLP, and certain of its associated law firms and affiliates. On December 30, 2020, Bluegreen filed a lawsuit against timeshare exit firm, The Molfetta Law Firm, and certain of its associated law firms and affiliates. In both of these actions, Bluegreen makes substantially the same claims against the timeshare exit firms and its associated law firms and affiliates as those made in Bluegreen’s action against The Montgomery Law Firm described above.

Other Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Bluegreen, indirectly through BVU, its wholly-owned subsidiary, has an exclusive marketing agreement with Bass Pro, a nationally-recognized retailer of fishing, marine, hunting, camping and sports gear, that provides us with the right to market and sell vacation packages at kiosks in each of Bass Pro’s retail locations and through other means. Pursuant to a settlement agreement Bluegreen entered into with Bass Pro and its affiliates during June 2019, Bluegreen paid Bass Pro $20.0 million and agreed to, among other things, make five annual payments to Bass Pro of $4.0 million each commencing in 2020. In June 2019, Bluegreen accrued for the net present value of the settlement, plus attorney’s fees and costs, totaling approximately $39.1 million. The first $4.0 million annual payment was made during January 2020. As of December 31, 2020, $14.7 million was accrued for the remaining payments required by the settlement agreement (including the second annual payment of $4.0 million on January 2021), which are included in accrued liabilities and other in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020.

During the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, VOI sales to prospects and leads generated by the agreement with Bass Pro accounted for approximately 12% and 13%, respectively, of Bluegreen’s VOI sales volume. Subject to the terms and conditions of the settlement agreement, Bluegreen will generally be required to pay the fixed annual fee with respect to at least 59 Bass Pro retail stores and a minimum number of Cabela’s retail stores that increases over time to a total of at least 60 Cabela’s retail stores by the end of 2021. During 2020, Bluegreen paid $5.7 million for this fixed fee, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses within its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the minimum number of Bass Pro and Cabela’s retail stores for purposes of the fixed annual fee may be reduced under certain circumstances set forth in the agreement, including as a result of a reduction of traffic in the stores in excess of 25% year-over-year. In March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bluegreen temporarily closed its retail marketing operations at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores. Beginning in mid-May 2020, Bluegreen started the process of recommencing its sales and marketing operations and by December 31, 2020, Bluegreen recommenced operating marketing kiosks at 88 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores and commenced operating marketing kiosks at 10 new Cabela’s stores, for a total of 98 Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores.

In December 2019, Bluegreen’s then-serving President and Chief Executive Officer resigned. In connection with his resignation, Bluegreen agreed to make payments totaling $3.5 million over a period of 18 months, $1.2 million of which remained payable as of December 31, 2020.

In lieu of paying maintenance fees for unsold VOI inventory, Bluegreen may enter into subsidy agreements with certain HOAs. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, Bluegreen made subsidy payments related to such subsidies of $24.0 million, $24.9 million, and $12.6 million, respectively, which are included within cost of other fee-based services in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Bluegreen had no accrued liabilities for such subsidies.