UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 21, 2006
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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001-15823
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59-2101668 |
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(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)
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(Commission File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
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865 SW 78th Avenue, Suite 100, Plantation, Florida
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33324 |
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (954) 233-8746
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under
the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On March 22, 2006, Viragen received $300,000 in recovery of legal fees and settlement of
litigation it filed in a malicious prosecution and conspiracy action against a former plaintiff and
plaintiffs counsel.
In
October 1997, Viragen, Viragens former president and Cytoferon Corp., a former affiliate of
Viragens former president, were named as defendants in a civil action brought in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of Florida. (Walter L. Smith v. Cytoferon Corp. et al; Case No.:
97-3187-CIV-MARCUS). The suit alleged the defendants violated federal and state securities laws,
federal and state RICO statutes, fraud, conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duties and breach of
contract. The plaintiff was seeking an unspecified monetary judgment and the delivery of 441,368
shares of Viragen common stock. Viragen filed a motion to dismiss, denying the allegations and
requesting reimbursement of costs.
In November 1997, plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary dismissal with the federal court. In
December 1998 the U.S. District Court awarded Viragen reimbursement of attorneys fees and expense
under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.
We recovered $31,000 during fiscal 2000.
In November 1997, the plaintiff filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 11th
Judicial Circuit for Miami-Dade County, Florida (Case No.: 97-25587 CA30) naming the same
defendants. The suit alleged breach of contract, fraud, violation of Floridas RICO statute and
breach of fiduciary duties. It sought an unspecified monetary judgment and specific performance
delivery of 441,368 shares of Viragen common stock.
In January 2001, the Circuit Court ruled in favor of Viragen on all counts related to the
Circuit Court case and all counts against Viragen were dismissed. In July 2002, the Circuit Court
ruled in favor of Viragens former president and Cytoferon Corp. and all counts against these
defendants were also dismissed. Following these rulings Viragen sought recovery of these related
litigation costs from the plaintiff and his counsel and were awarded $210,000. In April 2003 the
plaintiff and their counsel appealed the award which was upheld.
In February 2001, Viragen filed a lawsuit, (Viragen, Inc. v. Walter Larry Smith, W. Richard
Leuck, Roland St. Louis, Jr., Esq., Juan C. Martinez, Esq., St. Louis, Guerra, Auslander, P.A. and
John Does Nos. 1-10, Case No. 01-3842 CA01) in a malicious prosecution and conspiracy action in an
attempt to recapture the losses incurred by Viragen stemming from the complaint filed against
Viragen in November 1997.
Viragens claims relating to both the recovery of legal fees and the February 2001 lawsuit
Viragen filed for malicious prosecution against the former plaintiff and his counsel were settled
in full with the $300,000 payment.
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