COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

6.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

We are periodically involved in various litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business and operations.  There are no such matters pending that we expect to have a material impact on our financial position or operating results.  Legal costs associated with the resolution of claims, lawsuits and other contingencies are expensed as incurred.

SEC Investigation

In 2019, the Company self-reported to the SEC information concerning the internal investigation of previously disclosed accounting matters resulting in the restatement for the full year 2017 and full year 2018, including interim quarters in 2018, and the first quarter of 2019.  In response, the Division of Enforcement of the SEC initiated an investigation into the Company’s historical accounting practices.  In July 2021, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC to conclude this investigation.  Under the terms of the settlement, in addition to other non-monetary settlement terms, (1) the Company paid a civil monetary penalty of $200,000, and (2) the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer, agreed to pay a civil monetary penalty of $25,000. In accepting the Company’s settlement offer, the SEC took into account remedial actions the Company took promptly after learning of the issues detailed in the SEC’s order.