Company: RILY
Filing Date: 2025-12-15
Form Type: 10-Q
Source: 0001464790-25-000029
Chunk: 246

Company: B. Riley Financial, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-12-15
Form: 10-Q
Item: Part I, Item 4
Chunk 246
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 going private transaction (the “Transaction”) in August 2023 of Franchise Group, Inc. An arbitration demand (the “Demand”) was filed by such parties with the American Arbitration Association on October 10, 2025 against BRS and related entities (the “BR Defendants”). The Demand alleges that the BR Defendants (i) failed to disclose certain material facts regarding FRG and the Transaction in violation of certain securities laws, (ii) committed fraud and/or civil conspiracy, and (iii) breached fiduciary duties and aided and abetted the breach of fiduciary duties. Such investors seek rescission of the aggregate investment amount of $37.5 million plus interest thereon and related fees and expenses. The Company believes such claims are meritless and intends to defend such action.

On February 14, 2025, a stockholder derivative complaint was filed by Michael Marchner in the Delaware Chancery Court on behalf of the Company and against the members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The complaint alleges that certain of the Company’s officers and the board of directors (i) breached their fiduciary duties related to the Company’s involvement with Brian Kahn and subsequent legal issues, (ii) engaged in misconduct, and (iii) wasted corporate assets, including the approval of improper compensation. The Company believes that these claims are meritless and intends to defend this action.

On January 22, 2025, a stockholder derivative complaint was filed by James Smith in the Superior Court for Los Angeles County against the Company, certain of the Company’s executive officers and the members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The complaint alleges that certain of the Company’s officers and directors (i) breached their fiduciary duties related to the Company’s involvement with Brian Kahn and subsequent legal issues, (ii) engaged in a waste of corporate assets, and (iii) received unjust enrichment. The Company believes that these claims are meritless and intends to defend this action.

On July 9, 2024, a putative class action was filed by Brian Gale, Mark Noble, Terry Philippas and Lawrence Bass in the Delaware Chancery Court against Freedom VCM, Mr. Kahn, Andrew Laurence, Matthew Avril, and the Company. This complaint alleges that former shareholders of FRG suffered damages due to alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by officers, directors and other participants in the August 2023 management-led take private transaction of FRG and that the Company aided and abetted those alleged breaches of