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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

Note 9.  Commitments and Contingencies

The Company records $7,500  a month as rent, overhead, and services due to Metropolitan Lumber Hardware Building Supplies, Inc. for services rendered by the management of the Company. Mr. Gans is the sole owner of Metropolitan Lumber Hardware Building Supplies, Inc.

The Company currently leases office space from the Westside Realty of New York which is owned and operated by Robert Gans the Company’s majority shareholder, for $2,500  a month.

On April 3, 2016, 50 individuals purporting to be professional models and/or actresses collectively, the “Plaintiffs”)filed a civil suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company, I.M. Operating, LLC, The Executive Club, LLC, and Robert M. Gans, collectively the (“Defendants”) alleging that images of Plaintiffs were used without their consent for commercial purposes on websites and social media outlets to promote gentlemen’s clubs operated by the Defendants or licensees of the Defendants (the “Lawsuit”). The Lawsuit further alleged that the unauthorized use of these images created, among other things, the false impression that these individuals either worked at, or endorsed, one or more of such clubs. The Lawsuit asserted causes of action under Section 43 of the Lanham Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1), premised on a theory of false endorsement and/or association; New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50-51; New York’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, New York General Business Law § 349; as well as various common law torts, namely defamation, negligence, conversion, unjust enrichment and quantum meruit. The Lawsuit sought unspecified compensatory damages, punitive damages, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs. The Lawsuit also sought an injunction permanently enjoining the use of the individuals’ images to promote, via any medium, any of the clubs. On April 20, 2017, as a result of the claims asserted in the Lawsuit, the Company filed a third-party complaint (the “Third-Party Complaint”) against certain licensees, namely CG Consulting, LLC; Anthony Quaranta; High Five Management Group, Inc.; Club 2000 Eastern Avenue, Inc.; SCMD, LLC; David Baucom; Manhattan Fashion L.L.C.; Stone Park Entertainment, Inc.; Silver Bourbon, Inc.; Tampa Food & Entertainment, Inc.; Fuun House Productions, L.L.C.; Norm A Properties, LLC; Southeast Show Clubs, LLC; Michael Tomkovich; Palm Spring Grill LLC; Houston KP LLC; and Star Light Events LLC (collectively, “Third-Party Defendants”) asserting causes of action for breach of contract, breach of warranty, contractual indemnification, common law indemnification, contribution and breach of contract for failure to procure insurance. The Company maintained in the Third-Party Complaint, among other things, that pursuant to the Third-Party Defendants’ respective license agreements, each of the Third-Party Defendants are expressly obligated to indemnify, defend and hold the Company harmless in connection with the conduct giving rise to the claims asserted by Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit. Third-Party Defendants Club 2000 Eastern Avenue, Inc., Fuun House Productions, L.L.C., and Norm A Properties, LLC (collectively the “Defaulting Third-Party Defendants”) failed to respond to the Third-Party Complaint.

On January 5, 2017, the Court issued an Order granting in part, and denying in part, Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Complaint. The Court dismissed Plaintiffs’ claims sounding in negligence, conversion, unjust enrichment and quantum meruit. The remaining claims were not dismissed at that time. On August 4, 2018, the Court dismissed Plaintiffs’ claims against Defendants, including the Company, with prejudice, at Plaintiffs’ request following settlement with Defendants. During 2018, the Company paid $1,310,000 to Plaintiffs in connection with the settlement. Between August 4, 2018 and October 9, 2018, the Court dismissed with prejudice the Company’s claims against the Third-Party Defendants, other than the Defaulting Third-Party Defendants, at the Company’s request following settlement with those Third-Party Defendants. The total amount of money paid to the Company by the settling Third-Party Defendants, and the Company’s insurance carrier, is $505,660, paid thru September 30, 2019 and $90,000 received during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Scores has obtained Default Orders against Fuun House Productions, L.L.C. and Norm A Properties, LLC. The value of the Company’s claims against Fuun House Productions, L.L.C. and Norm A Properties, LLC are all that remain to be determined in the action. The Company became aware during the week of December 17, 2018 that Fuun House Productions, L.L.C. has filed for bankruptcy protection.

On January 3, 2017, the Company, together with its subsidiary SLC, filed an action against CJ NYC Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Defendant utilizes the “Scores” name and trademark in connection with its ownership and operation of an adult entertainment club in Woodside, New York. In this action the Company sought damages for breach of contract in the amount of $85,000 and the issuance of a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the defendant from using the “Scores” name and trademark with respect to the Woodside, New York club and all websites and social media sites controlled by Defendant. The defendant failed to appear and on February 27, 2017, the Company filed a motion for judgment by default. The court heard the Company motion on April 5, 2017, and on May 25, 2017, the court granted the Company's motion for a Judgment by default, granting a permanent injunction and awarding damages in the amount of $85,000 to SLC and $14,333 in damages and $530 in costs to the Company. All signage has been removed and the Company is attempting to collect on the default judgment, but it believes that Defendant no longer has any assets, leaving the Company unable to collect on the default judgment.

On January 31, 2017, the Company, together with its subsidiary SLC, filed an action against Funn House Productions LLC in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Defendant utilizes the "Scores" name and trademark in connection with its ownership and operation of an adult entertainment club in New Haven, Connecticut. In this action the Company sought damages for breach of contract in the amount of $45,000 and the issuance of a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the defendant from using the "Scores" name and trademark with respect to the New Haven, Connecticut club and all websites and social media sites controlled by Defendant. The Defendant failed to appear and on February 28, 2017, the Court granted Plaintiffs' motion for a Judgment by default, granting a permanent injunction and awarding damages in the amount of $60,000. The parties negotiated a settlement agreement, which included a payment schedule, but then Defendant did not sign the proposed settlement agreement.The Company is attempting to collect on the default judgment, but it believes that Defendant no longer has any assets, leaving the Company unable to collect on the default judgment.

On July 25, 2017, plaintiff Dislenia Munoz, who formerly performed as an adult entertainer at Scores New York, owned in its entirety by I.M. Operating LLC, commenced a putative class action lawsuit against the Company, IMO, Robert Gans and Mark Yackow in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. Plaintiff alleged that she and other similarly situated entertainers at Scores New York were misclassified as independent contractors, that they should have been classified as employees, and as a result, the Defendants violated, among other things, applicable state wage and hour laws. The Lawsuit sought unspecified compensatory damages, liquidated damages, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs. On June 22, 2018, Plaintiff (1) amended her complaint in the Lawsuit to excise her class allegations, and (2) discontinued the Lawsuit, without prejudice. Plaintiff has brought her claims in the Lawsuit in another forum against the Defendants, other than the Company, which is no longer a subject of Plaintiff’s claims.

On October 8, 2018, the Company was served with a Summons and Complaint in the action entitled Luisa Santos de Oliveira v. Scores Holding Company, Inc.; Club Azure, LLC; Robert Gans; Mark S. Yackow; Howard Rosenbluth, Docket No. 1:18-cv-06769-GBD, in the United States District Court of the Southern District. Plaintiff claims that the Defendants violated the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”); violated the New York Minimum Wage Act and the overtime provisions of the New York State Labor Law (“NYLL”); violated the Spread of Hours Wage Order of the New York Commissioner of Labor; violated the Notice and Recordkeeping requirements of the NYLL; violated the wage statement provisions of the NYLL; recovery of equipment costs in violation of the FLSA and NYLL; and unlawful deductions from tips in violation of the NYLL. Plaintiff brought this action as a class action and seeks certification of this action as a collective action on behalf of herself and all other similarly situated employees and former employees of Defendants. The Company has submitted an Answer to Plaintiff’s claims and the case is currently in the discovery phase. The Company, along with the Co-defendants, intends to vigorously defend itself against the claims asserted against it in this lawsuit. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is remote because the Company’s records show, inter alia, that the Plaintiff never worked more than 25 hours per week. The case was assigned to a Magistrate Judge.  There was a conference on March 2, 2021 and a Scheduling Order was entered.  All discovery is due by May 27, 2021.

On October 10, 2018, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against SCMD, LLC. the former licensee of SCORES Baltimore, said license having been terminated effective October 1, 2018. The civil action seeks damages for unpaid royalties in an amount of at least $170,000.  The action is pending. Defendant removed the case to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1-18-cv-11364-PGG. Plaintiff then filed an amended complaint in federal court. Defendant has filed a request for leave to file a motion to dismiss. On January 6, 2020 the Company submitted opposition thereto along with a cross-motion to amend the complaint.  Defendant filed its reply on January 17, 2020. The action against SCMD, LLC (Scores Baltimore) commenced by the Company to collect licensing fees, the Defendant’s motion to dismiss was denied on August 14, 2020.  The parties subsequently settled this matter for $50,000. It received $40,000 on September 25, 2020.  There is an Order of Discontinuance, dated October 28, 2020, provided that, if by March 31, 2021, Scores Baltimore makes its last payment of $10,000.  If the payment is not timely made, a motion to restore the matter back onto the Court’s calendar will be submitted.

On September 14, 2018, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against New 4125 LLC and Mike Taraska, the licensee of SCORES Phoenix, for unpaid royalties in the amount of $47,500.  The action is pending and the Company continues to negotiate a settlement.

On April 22, 2018, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against 1715 Northside Drive, Inc., the former licensee of SCORES Atlanta. The action was settled and paid in full during the 3rd quarter 2018.

On May 4, 2018, we together with our subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against Bonkers Space Coast Inc. and Ken Fees, the former licensee of the SCORES Green Bay, for unpaid royalties in the amount of $80,000. The Defendants have not appeared and Plaintiffs have filed a motion for judgment by default. A motion for default judgement was granted and judgement was entered on November 26, 2019. The Company has found real property owned by the Defendant and we are in the process of attaching same. We filed an exemplified copy of the default judgment with the State Court in Wisconsin, to collect licensing fees. A judgment was docketed on June 12, 2020 in Manitowoc County, WI for $82,330.34. We are in the process of foreclosing on the individual defendant’s real property.

On April 20, 2018, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against The Cadillac Lounge LLC and Dick Shappy, the former licensee of SCORES Rhode Island for unpaid royalty fees. The action was settled for $50,000 and has been paid in full during the 2nd quarter 2018.

On April 25, 2018, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against South East Show Clubs LLC and Michael Tomkovich, the license of SCORES Jacksonville and SCORES Savannah, for unpaid royalties in the amount of $60,000. The action was settled and has been paid in full during the 4th quarter of 2018.

On August 3, 2018, we together with our subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against Silver Bourbon, Inc, the licensee of SCORES New Orleans, for unpaid royalties in the amount of $145,500. Defendant was served on September 19, 2018 and the parties are in the process of negotiating a settlement agreement.

On July 13, 2018, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against Manhattan Fashions LLC, the licensee of SCORES Harvey for unpaid royalties in the amount of $102,984.  A default judgement for this amount was entered and filed on December 7, 2020.  We are working on entering the judgment in Louisiana, but the parties are participating in ongoing negotiations to settle this matter.

On September 5, 2019, the Company together with its subsidiary SLC filed a civil action in Supreme Court of New York, New York County against Scores Alabama. A cease and desist letter was sent. The Company finally entered into a license agreement as of March 5, 2020 with Cheetah Club, LLC for a club located in Huntsville, Alabama.

In July 2018, the Company entered into a confidential settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) in the Voronina litigation, and in August 2018, the Court entered an order dismissing the plaintiff’s claims against the Defendants with prejudice. Metropolitan, loaned the Company an aggregate of $770,000 to enable the Company to make the payments called for by the Agreement.

As previously reported, in February 2017, the Company entered into settlement agreements (each, a “Royalty Settlement Agreement”) with Star Light, Swan, IMO and Robert M. Gans. Robert M. Gans is the owner of a majority of the equity of each of aforementioned Licensees. Pursuant to the Royalty Settlement Agreements, the Company forgave the repayment of a certain portion of unpaid, past-due royalties in return for the respective Licensees’ agreements to pay the remainder (the “Royalty Settlement Amount”) of the unpaid royalties, plus interest, to the Company. The Royalty Settlement Amount for each Licensee was represented by a promissory note, and Robert M. Gans guaranteed the payment of each Licensee’s obligations under the Settlement Agreement.

The Licensees did not remain current with respect to their obligations under the Royalty Settlement Agreements, and the Company did not call upon Robert M. Gans to honor his guarantees. The past due amounts under the Royalty Settlement Agreements aggregated $382,259 (the “Aggregate Royalty Amount”) as of December 1, 2018. As of such date, the Company, the Licensees, Metropolitan and Robert M. Gans entered into a Settlement and Offset Agreement (the “Offset Agreement”) pursuant to which the Aggregate Royalty Amount was offset against the Voronina Amount, thereby reducing the amount owed by the Company to Metropolitan to $408,546 (the “Net Voronina Amount”). The Net Voronina Amount is payable pursuant to a promissory note (the “Voronina Note”), which bears simple interest at the rate of 4% per annum, in 86 consecutive monthly installments of $5,000,  and a final installment of $1,370,  with the initial installment due and payable on January 1, 2022 (or the first business day thereafter). The Company may prepay the Voronina Note at any time, in whole or in part without premium or penalty. The Offset Agreement also provides for the immediate termination of the Royalty Settlement Agreements and the related promissory notes and guarantees.

On January 29, 2020, an individual referred to as Jane Doe, the Plaintiff, filed a civil suit in in the Circuit Court of the 13th Judicial Circuit, in the State of Florida, Hillsborough County, against the Company, its subsidiary, Scores Licensing Corp. (“SLC”), and several other defendants.  Plaintiff’s Complaint details the somber circumstances surround the illegal actions of a non-party, who pled guilty to certain crimes against Plaintiff that were committed at a club known as Scores Tampa.  Plaintiff now seeks to hold the Company and its subsidiary, among other defendants, liable in connection with the non-party’s illegal activity by asserting causes of action for negligence, vicarious liability and unjust enrichment.  Initially, prior counsel moved to dismiss Plaintiff’s Complaint in lieu of filing Answers.  A motion to dismiss was submitted because the Court lacks personal jurisdiction under Florida’s Long-Arm Statute and Due Process Requirements because neither the Company or its subsidiary had minimum contacts with Florida; nor was their a benefited conferred upon them.  The Court wrongfully denied the motion to dismiss.  The case is in the deposition stage of discovery.  A motion for summary judgment will be submitted because neither the Company or its subsidiary were involved in the day-to-day operations of Scores Tampa, or in fact involved in the operations of Scores Tampa at all.  Other than the Company licensing the Scores trademark and other intellectual property to Scores Tampa, pursuant to a 2010 license agreement, neither the Company or its affiliate operated, conducted, engaged in, or managed Scores Tampa, making it vicariously liable for the non-party’s criminal actions.

 

On July 15, 2019, plaintiff Jeremy Green, a former consultant to Swan Media Group, Inc (“SMG”), commenced an action in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York against Scores Holding Co., Inc., Scores Media Group LLC, Scores Digital Gaming LLC (“SDG”) and individual defendants Robert Gans and Charilaos Yioves seeking to recover from all defendants under various theories of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, promissory estoppels, fraudulent inducement and breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing.

By Order dated March 18, 2020 the Court dismissed all the causes of action except for the breach of contract claim pertaining to Greene’s consultancy agreement with SMG and the unjust enrichment claim relating to SDG. The parties have exchanged documents and information relating to the remaining causes of acting and depositions are scheduled to be held in early May, 2021. The parties expect fact discovery will be concluded by June 2021 and expert disclosures, if necessary, shall be completed by August 31, 2021. If the case is not disposed on motion, pre-trial documents are scheduled to be exchanged in the near future.

There are no other material legal proceedings pending to which we or any of our property are subject, nor to our knowledge are any such proceedings threatened.