STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
This Stockholders Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of the 7th day of
September, 2000, by and among US Search.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), The Kushner-Locke Company, a California corporation (together with
any of its affiliates who currently own shares of Common Stock of the Company,
"KL"), Pequot Private Equity Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and
(together with its Affiliates (as defined herein) the "Purchasers").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Purchasers have entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the
"USS Stock Purchase Agreement") with the Company dated September 7, 2000,
pursuant to which the Purchasers are making a significant equity contribution to
the Company by, among other things, purchasing 100,000 shares of the Company's
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred"), and may in the
future acquire up to an additional 175,000 shares of the Series A Preferred;
WHEREAS, the Purchasers have also entered into that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement (the "KL Purchase Agreement") and that Right of First Refusal
Agreement (the "KL Right of First Refusal Agreement") with KL, both of which are
dated as of September 7, 2000, whereby, among other things, KL has agreed to
sell to the Purchasers 3,500,000 shares of voting Common Stock, par value $.001
per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock").
WHEREAS, the Certificate of Designations contemplated by the USS Stock Purchase
Agreement (the "Certificate of Designations") grants the right to the Purchasers
to collectively nominate two persons for election to the Board of Directors of
the Company, and the Purchasers seek reasonable assurance that such nominees
will be appointed and elected to the Board of Directors of the Company after
nomination by the Purchasers.
WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to set forth additional agreements among
them relating to the size and composition of the Board of Directors of the
Company, as well as certain amendments to the Company's certificate of
incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation"), exclusive of the Certificate
of Designations (the "Charter") and bylaws (the "Bylaws").
WHEREAS, KL owns and has voting power over a substantial number of
additional shares of Common Stock.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and
undertakings of the parties, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms listed below
shall be defined as follows:
(a) "Affiliate" means, with respect to any person, any person that, directly
or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
such person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control
with"), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities
or by contract or otherwise. Without limiting the foregoing, the ownership by
any person of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of any other
person shall be deemed to be "control" for the purposes of this Agreement.
(b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c) "Permitted Transferee" means any Affiliate of the Purchasers or KL who
receives Voting Shares by way of purchase, transfer or assignment from the
Purchasers or KL.
(d) "Stockholder" means any Person that owns any capital stock of the
Company and is a party to this Agreement, including, without limitation, KL, the
Purchasers and any of their respective transferees who become parties to this
Agreement.
(e) "Voting Shares" means with respect to any party, any Common Stock, any
Series A Preferred and any other shares of capital stock or other equity
security owned by such party at the applicable time; or with respect to which
such party has the power or authority to vote.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the USS Stock Purchase Agreement.
2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND BOARD REPRESENTATION.
(a) Pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation, the number of directors
comprising the Board is fixed by resolution of the Board at seven (7) and the
affirmative vote required for action by the Board is fixed at a majority of the
members of the Board. The Stockholders shall vote their respective Voting
Shares and take all other actions reasonably necessary to maintain the number of
members of the Board at seven (7) and maintain the aforementioned majority
voting provision.
(b) During the term of this Agreement, all of the Voting Shares held by a
Stockholder, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, shall be voted to elect
directors in accordance with, and in order to give effect to, the following and
each Stockholder shall take all actions reasonably necessary to cause itself or,
as the case may be, its nominee on the Board, subject to applicable law, to
give effect to the following:
One (1) member of the Board shall be nominated for election by KL to
fill one seat on the Board (the "KL Board Member"); provided, that KL's right to
nominate one director pursuant to this Section 2(b)(i) and Section 4 of this
Agreement shall continue so long as KL and its Permitted Transferees
collectively are the beneficial owners of at least Ten Percent (10%) of all
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote for the
election of directors to the Board of the Company (as adjusted for stock splits,
stock combinations and similar events). The Stockholders will, at all times,
take all actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct their
nominees on the Board to take such actions as required to result in the KL Board
Member being removed only upon being designated for removal by KL, and KL will
have the authority to nominate for election to the Board the individual
designated by it to replace the KL Board Member so removed. If the KL Board
Member dies, resigns, is removed, or otherwise ceases to serve as a member of
the Board, KL shall promptly nominate for election a successor in accordance
with this subparagraph and notify the Board of its selection, and the
Stockholders will, at all times, take all actions and, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, direct their nominees on the Board to take such actions as
required to result in the vacancy being promptly filled by such person. So long
as KL is entitled to nominate a director for election to the Board as provided
above, it shall be entitled to have a non-director representative attend
meetings of the Board as an observer, such observer having no right to vote on
matters considered by the Board or otherwise to participate in discussions and
proceedings during Board meetings; provided, that such observer shall have
entered into an appropriate confidentiality agreement with the Company.
To the extent that the Purchasers and their Permitted Transferees no longer
hold shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Purchasers shall collectively be
entitled to nominate two (2) nominees for election to the Board (the
"Purchasers' Board Members"), subject to the termination provisions set forth
below. The rights of the Purchasers to nominate two (2) directors for election
to the Board pursuant to this Section 2(b)(ii) and Section 4 of this Agreement,
or such greater number of nominees as specified pursuant to Section 5 of this
Agreement, shall continue so long as the Purchasers and/or any of their
Permitted Transferees collectively are the beneficial owners of at least
Thirty-Five Percent (35%) of the Common Stock issued upon conversion of such
Series A Preferred (as adjusted for stock splits, stock combinations and similar
events). The number of directors nominated for election by the Purchasers shall
be reduced to one (1) so long as the percentage referred to in the previous
sentence is equal to or greater than Ten Percent (10%) but below Thirty-Five
Percent (35%). At such time as the percentage referred to in the previous
sentence is less than Ten Percent (10%), the Purchasers shall not be entitled to
nominate any director for election to the Board. The Stockholders will, at all
times, take all actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct
their nominees on the Board to take such actions as required to result in the
Purchasers' Board Members being removed only upon being designated for removal
by the Purchasers, and Purchasers will have the authority to nominate for
election to the Board the individual designated by the Purchasers to replace the
Purchasers' Board Member so removed. If, for any reason, a vacancy exists in
the Purchasers' Board Members by reason of death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification, removal or otherwise, the Purchasers shall promptly nominate
for election a successor in accordance with this subparagraph and notify the
Board of its selection, and Stockholders will, at all times, take all actions
and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct their nominees on the
Board to take such actions as required to result in the vacancy being promptly
filled by such person.
Brent Cohen is, as of the date hereof, a member of the Board. Following the
execution of this Agreement, subject to the following sentences of this Section
2(b)(iii) and until such time as Mr. Cohen is no longer the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, the Stockholders shall vote their Voting Shares and
shall take all other actions reasonably necessary to nominate and elect him to
the Board. If Brent Cohen dies, resigns, is removed, or otherwise ceases to
serve as a member of the Board, the Stockholders will, at all times, take all
actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct their nominees on
the Board to take such actions as required to result in the person who shall
then or thereafter be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company being nominated
for election to the Board by unanimous agreement of all members of the Board who
are not employees of the Company and the Purchasers' Board Members, and
thereafter the Stockholders will take all actions and, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, direct their nominees on the Board to take such actions as
required to cause such one (1) member of the Board to be elected by majority
vote of all outstanding voting securities of the Company (Brent Cohen and such
successor or successors, the "CEO Member"). The Stockholders will, at all
times, take all actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct
their nominees on the Board to take such actions as required to result in the
CEO Member being nominated and elected to the Board.
The Stockholders will, at all times, take all actions and, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, direct their nominees on the Board to take such
actions as required to result in three (3) persons serving as members of the
Board (the "Independent Board Members"), each of which shall be nominated for
election to the Board by mutual consent of the Purchasers' Board Members, on the
one hand, and a majority of all other Board members except any KL Board Member
(the "Other Directors"), on the other hand; to the extent that any seat on the
Board is not filled because of a failure of such parties to agree upon an
Independent Board Member such seat shall, subject to applicable law, remain
unfilled. Once an Independent Board Member is agreed upon by the Purchasers'
Board Members and the Other Directors, all the Stockholders will, at all times,
take all actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct their
nominees on the Board to take such actions as required to result in such nominee
being elected to the Board. The Stockholders will, at all times, take all
actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct their nominees on
the Board to take such actions as required to result in the Independent Board
Members being removed only with the approval of the Purchaser Designees and a
majority of the Other Directors. If an Independent Board Member dies, resigns,
is removed or otherwise ceases to serve as a member of the Board, the
Stockholders will, at all times, take all actions and, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, direct their nominees on the Board to take such actions as
required to result in such Independent Board Member being replaced with someone
who is acceptable to the Purchaser Board Members, on the one hand, and a
majority of the Other Directors, on the other hand.
So long as the Purchasers are entitled to designate a nominee to the Board
pursuant to the terms hereof or pursuant to the Certificate of Designations the
Stockholders will, at all times, take all actions and, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, direct their nominees on the Board to take such actions as
required to cause any Chairman elected or appointed by the Board to be approved
by a majority of the Board and by the Purchasers' Board Members and, at the
option of the Purchasers' Board Members, at least one (1) of the Purchasers'
Board Members to be nominated for election to the Board's compensation committee
and, subject to applicable laws and to any applicable rules or regulations of
the exchange upon which the Company's capital stock may be listed, to the
Board's audit committee, if at any time either of such committees shall be
established, as well as to any other committee of the Board fulfilling any of
the duties and discharging any of the responsibilities of an audit committee or
a compensation committee.
(c) Each Stockholder agrees (A) to be present in person or by proxy at any
annual or special meeting of Stockholders to elect directors, for purposes of
establishing a quorum, (B) to vote his, her or its Voting Shares for, or to give
his, her or its written consent, to the extent permitted by applicable law
and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws then in effect, to the election
of the Purchasers' Board Members, the KL Board Members, the CEO Member and the
Independent Board Members, and (C) to vote his, her or its Voting Shares for, or
to give his, her or its written consent, to the extent permitted by applicable
law and the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws then in effect, to the
removal of any director designated for removal in accordance with the provisions
of subsections (i) through (iv) above.
3. CERTAIN RESIGNATIONS OR REMOVALS. In furtherance of the right provided
in Section 2 of the indicated person or persons to cause the removal from office
of a director which it or they were entitled to and did nominate for
office, to the extent a meeting of stockholders is called for the purpose of
removing such director, or, to the extent permitted by applicable law or under
the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws then in effect, the stockholders act
by written consent, KL and the Purchasers shall vote all of their respective
Voting Shares entitled to vote in favor of removal at such meeting or, to the
extent permitted by applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws then in effect, pursuant to such consents. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
KL and the Purchasers agree that neither of them will vote to remove any
director nominated pursuant to Section 2 under any other circumstances, and they
further agree that they will not vote to remove the directors nominated by
either of them except in accordance with a request from the KL or, as the case
may be, the Purchasers for the removal of the applicable nominee on the Board.
4. FILLING VACANCIES. In the event of the death, disability, legal
incapacity, resignation or removal of any director nominated for election
pursuant to Section 2 hereof, to the extent a special meeting is called for the
purpose of filling the vacancy created thereby, or, to the extent permitted by
applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws then in
effect, the stockholders act by written consent, to fill the vacancy created by
such death, disability, legal incapacity, resignation or removal, KL and the
Purchasers shall, provided that such director was nominated for election in
accordance with Section 2, vote all of their respective Voting Shares entitled
to vote in favor of the election of the replacement director nominated in
accordance with Section 2.
5. PURCHASERS' RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.
(a) KL agrees with the Purchasers that upon and following an Event of
Non-Compliance, as defined in the Certificate of Designations, KL will, at all
times, take all actions and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, direct
its nominees on the Board to take all actions required to (i) cause the
Purchasers to have the benefit of the rights set forth in Section 10 of the
Certificate of Designations and (ii) cause the fulfillment of the obligations
and the performance of the covenants set forth in Section 10 of the Certificate
of Designations.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph (a), KL shall
thereafter take all actions, including appearing in person or by proxy at
any annual or special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of obtaining a
quorum and shall vote its Voting Shares, either in person or by proxy, at any
such meeting of stockholders to cause the performance of, and compliance with,
Section 10 of the Certificate of Designations.
6. FURTHER COVENANT TO VOTE. Each Stockholder shall appear in person or by
proxy at any annual or special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of
obtaining a quorum and shall vote their respective Voting Shares entitled to
vote upon any other matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the
Company in a manner so as to be consistent and not in conflict with, and to
implement, the terms of this Agreement, the USS Stock Purchase Agreement and any
other instruments or agreements arising thereunder; provided, however, that
subject to the obligations set forth in this Agreement, nothing herein shall
otherwise obligate a Stockholder to vote its Voting Shares in favor of any
proposal, resolution or other proposed shareholder or director action.
7. NO CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS; AMENDMENT TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. No
Stockholder shall enter into any agreements or arrangements of any kind
with any person with respect to its respective Voting Shares which would
prohibit it voting its respective Voting Shares from time to time as provided
herein (whether or not such agreements and arrangements are with other
stockholders of the Company that are not parties to this Agreement). Each
Stockholder agrees that to the extent that any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company are inconsistent with the agreements and
provisions of this Agreement and the Certificate of Designations, the
Stockholders will take all actions permitted by applicable law and by the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to give effect to the following:
(i) directors may only be removed on the basis set forth herein and in
the Certificate of Designations; and
(ii) the Certificate of Incorporation may only be amended in accordance with
the provisions of Section 9 of the Certificate of Designations.
Each of the Stockholders further agrees to take all such actions, including
without limitation, the voting of their respective Voting Shares, to cause the
shareholders of the Company to approve, at their next meeting, one or more
amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation to remove the differences
referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above and to authorize such additional
shares of Common Stock as are required to permit the conversion or exercise, as
the case may be, of the Series A Preferred to be received by the Purchasers upon
the Second Closing under the USS Stock Purchase Agreement. KL and the
Purchasers shall, as promptly as practicable and subject to applicable law,
amend the Bylaws to the extent necessary for them to be consistent with the
provisions of this Agreement and the Certificate of Designations.
8. GENERAL VOTING OBLIGATIONS. At any time when the Board or the
shareholders of the Company consider a proposal (including a proposal to amend
the Company's Charter and Bylaws), each Stockholder agrees that it will not vote
its Voting Shares in favor of any such proposal (including any such
proposed amendment to the Company's Charter and Bylaws) which would be
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of
Designations, the USS Stock Purchase Agreement, the KL Purchase Agreement, the
KL Right of First Refusal Agreement and any other agreements or instruments
contemplated thereby or arising thereunder, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, and will direct its nominees (if any) on the Board to act in
accordance with the foregoing.
9. OWNERSHIP.
(a) Following the First Closing, KL is the beneficial owner of approximately
6,108,080 shares of Common Stock (approximately 25.9% of the common stock
of the Company) (the "KL Shares") with the right to vote each of the KL Shares.
KL represents and warrants to the Purchasers that (i) it owns the KL Shares and
has not, prior to or on the date of this Agreement, executed or delivered any
proxy or entered into any other agreement which would prevent it from voting the
KL Shares as provided herein, and (ii) it has full power and capacity to
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement on its own behalf, which Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by, and evidences the valid and binding
obligation of, KL enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(b) Following the First Closing, the Purchasers are the beneficial owner of
100,000 shares of Series A Preferred (the "Purchasers' Shares") with the right
to vote each of the Purchasers' Shares. The Purchasers represent and warrant to
KL that (i) following the First Closing, they own the Purchasers, Shares
(assuming the accuracy of the relevant representations of the Company in the USS
Stock Purchase Agreement) and they have not, prior to or on the date of this
Agreement, executed or delivered any proxy or entered into any other agreement
which would prevent either of them from voting the Purchasers' Shares as
provided herein, and (ii) they have full power and capacity to execute and
deliver and perform this Agreement on each of their own behalf, which Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered by, and evidences the valid and binding
obligation of, each of the Purchasers enforceable in accordance with its terms.
10. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall terminate as to each Stockholder when
such party no longer holds or has voting power over any shares of the
voting securities or any other voting equity of the Company, and as to the
Company when all Stockholders no longer hold or have voting power over any
voting securities or any other equity of the Company.
11. CERTAIN TRANSFEREES SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT. In the event of any transfer
of (i) the KL Shares to an Affiliate of KL or (ii) the Purchasers' Shares to an
Affiliate of a Purchaser, the resulting transferee shall hold such shares so
acquired with all rights conferred by, and subject to all of the restrictions
imposed by, this Agreement applicable to the transferor of such shares. Any
transferee of any (i) KL Shares who is an Affiliate of KL or (ii) Purchasers'
Shares who is an Affiliate of a Purchaser shall, as a condition of the
consummation of such transfer, agree to be subject to the terms of this
Agreement (if not already a party hereto). Except as provided otherwise in the
foregoing sentence, in this Section 11 and in the KL Right of First Refusal
Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent KL or the Purchasers at any
time from selling, assigning or otherwise transferring their respective shares
of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company free and clear of the
rights and obligations of this Agreement.
12. NOTICE OF NOMINEES. Purchasers and their Permitted Transferees, on the
one hand, and KL and its Permitted Transferees, on the other hand, shall each be
a "nominator" and shall have the right to nominate for election to the Board a
director or directors, as the case may be, in accordance with Sections 2 and 4
hereof. Any notice to the Company of a nominee shall be submitted for and on
behalf of all parties being collectively a nominator. Should the Company
receive (i) a nominee notice from one or more but not all parties being
collectively a nominator; (ii) more than one nominee notices specifying more
than one nominee; or (iii) any objection from one of more parties being
collectively a nominator to any nominee submitted to the Company on behalf of
all parties being collectively a nominator, then the Company shall promptly
notify all parties being collectively a nominator of the nature of the
nominations/objections received and the Company shall not be obligated to take
further action regarding the nominator's rights to elect a director until the
Company shall receive a notice signed by all parties being collectively a
nominator specifying their nominee.
13. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) SECTION 218(C). This Agreement is intended to qualify as an agreement
of the type contemplated by Section 218 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
as amended.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. This Agreement, with regard to the subjects
hereof, constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement between
the parties and supersedes any agreement between the parties.
(c) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as specifically provided herein, the
terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Affiliates and transferees of KL and the Purchasers,
respectively, including their respective Permitted Transferees. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than
the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights,
remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
except as expressly provided in this Agreement.
(d) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Any term hereof may be amended or waived only
with the written consent of each of the parties.
(e) NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed sufficient on the date of receipt, when
delivered personally or by overnight courier or sent by telegram or fax, or sent
as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed to the
party to be notified or, with respect to any Purchaser, to the attention of
David Malat, the Chief Accounting Officer of Pequot Capital Management, Inc. and
Carol Holley, the Vice President of Pequot Capital Management, Inc., at such
party's address or fax number as set forth on the signature page, or as
subsequently modified by written notice.
(f) SEVERABILITY. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to
be unenforceable under applicable law, the parties hereto agree to take all
actions permitted by applicable law to give effect to this Agreement, to render
this Agreement enforceable and to carry out the intent of the covenants and
agreements set forth herein.
(g) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant
hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed,
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
(h) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts (and by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed an original and
all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
(i) TITLES AND SUBTITLES. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement
are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or
interpreting this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties named below have signed this Stockholders
Agreement as of the date first above written.
PEQUOT PRIVATE EQUITY FUND II, L.P.
BY: PEQUOT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.,
its Investment Manager
By:
Name: Kevin E. O'Brien
Title: General Counsel
Facsimile: (203) 429-2420
Address: 500 Nyala Farm Road
Westport, CT 06880
US SEARCH.COM, INC.
By:
Name: Brent N. Cohen
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (310) 882-7898
Address: 5401 Beethoven Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
THE KUSHNER-LOCKE COMPANY
By:
Name: Donald Kushner
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (310) 481-2101
Address: 11601 Wilshire Boulevard
21st Floor
Los Angeles, California 90025
