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DIVIDENDS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
DIVIDENDS  
DIVIDENDS

12.  DIVIDENDS

The Board declared and the Company paid cash dividends to Series I and Series II Class B Preferred Shareholders within one month of the end of each quarter in 2020, resulting in cumulative annual payments of $48,000, and $168,642 to Series I and Series II preferred shareholders. One payment of $10,041, and $39,050 was made to Series I and Series II preferred shareholders, respectively, in January 2021. A payment of $39,050 was paid in April 2021 to Series II preferred shareholders.

In June 2021, the Board of Directors approved payments to its Series II, Series III, and former Series IV and Series V Class B Preferred Shareholders in the cumulative amount of $5,056,945 representing all current dividends, dividends in arrears, as well as dividends still owed to shareholders who converted their preferred stock in the past.  Of this amount, $39,050 was declared and paid to Series II Class B Convertible Preferred shareholders.  To Series III Class B Convertible Preferred shareholders, $4,086,704 was declared, covering amounts in arrears from the date of purchase though the date of conversion or June 30, 2021, whichever is applicable.  To former Series IV Class B Convertible Preferred shareholders, $101,475 was declared, covering amounts in arrears from the date of purchase though the date of conversion.  To former Series V Class B Convertible Preferred shareholders, $829,716 was declared, covering amounts in arrears from the date of purchase though the date of conversion.  The dividends were paid on July 22, 2021 to all shareholders who had been contacted and confirmed as the rightful owner entitled to payment. The Company has not yet established contact with all former shareholders, most of whom converted their shares prior to 2001. As of March 30, 2023, the Company is continuing its efforts to establish contact with approximately 90 former shareholders who are entitled to approximately $1.4 million.

A payment of $39,050 was paid in October 2021 and within one month of each quarter’s end in 2022 as well as in January 2023 to Series II preferred shareholders. Series III preferred shareholders were paid $39,495 in January 2022 and $19,061 within one month of each remaining quarter’s end in 2022 as well as in January 2023.