exv10w9






Exhibit 10.9









RESTATED AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE




     Celanese Corporation, its Subsidiaries and its Affiliates, (“Employer”) 1601 West LBJ Freeway,
Dallas, Texas 75234, and Miguel A. Desdin, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and
assigns (“Former Employee ”), agree that:




	1.	 	Last Day of Employment (Separation Date). The last day of employment with Celanese
is April 10, 2009.
	 
	2.	 	Consideration. In consideration for signing this Agreement and General Release
(hereinafter the “Agreement”) and compliance with the promises made herein, Employer and
Former Employee agree:






	 	a.	 	Retention on Payroll. The Employer will retain Employee on the payroll until
the separation date.
	 
	 	b.	 	Separation Pay. The Company will provide a separation payment in an amount
equal to $395,778, representing the Employee’s current annual base salary plus target bonus
in effect at the time of separation. Such amount shall be paid in a lump sum, within 30
calendar days after Former Employee signs and returns this Agreement and a signed copy of
the letter attached as Exhibit A.
	 
	 	c.	 	Bonus. Former Employee will be eligible to receive a bonus payout for 2008
based on Company performance without modification for Employee’s individual performance (a
1.0 modifier) under the same terms and conditions as other employees who receive a 2008
bonus payout. The 2008 bonus will be payable on or before March 15, 2009.Employee will be
eligible for a prorated bonus payout for 2009, minus lawful deductions. The prorated payout
will be based on his/her separation date (4-10-09). It will be paid at Target and based on
an individual performance modifier of 1.0.; in the amount of $34,125 minus lawful
deductions. The 2009 prorated bonus will be payable within 30 calendar days after Former
Employee signs and returns this Agreement and a signed copy of the letter attached as
Exhibit A.
	 
	 	d.	 	Long Term Incentive Awards. Former Employee will continue to receive certain
benefits provided under the various Long Term Incentive (LTI) Award Agreements, summarized
as follows:






(i) 2006 Stock Option Award. With respect to the stock options awarded to the
Former Employee pursuant to the Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement made effective May
16, 2006, the Employee will continue to vest in 10,000 stock options on January 1, 2010.
Once vested, these stock options, along with any stock options previously vested pursuant to
this award, shall be exercisable by the Employee through April 10, 2010. The remaining
10,000 unvested stock options scheduled to vest on January 1, 2011, will be canceled on the
separation date with no additional consideration.




(ii) 2007 Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award. With respect to the
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) Agreement between the Company and the Former
Employee



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made effective April 2, 2007, the Employee will continue to vest in a prorated portion of
the target award on the scheduled vesting dates and in the amounts outlined on the following
schedule, where the actual number of RSUs that vest will be determined based on the
Company’s achievement of the performance goals pursuant to the terms of the award agreement
and as generally applied to all recipients of such Performance-Based RSU awards:




Calculation and Vesting of the 2007 Performance-Based RSU Award:



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Original	 	 	 	Prorated Target	 	 
	Performance Period	 	Target Award	 	Proration Formula	 	Award*	 	Vesting Date
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	April 1, 2007 to 

September 30, 2009
	 	3,125 RSUs
	 	(25/30) months
	 	2,604 RSUs
	 	October 1, 2009
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	April 1, 2007 to 

September 30, 2010
	 	3,125 RSUs
	 	(25/42) months
	 	1,860 RSUs
	 	October 1, 2010
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	April 1, 2007 to 

September 30, 2011
	 	3,125 RSUs

	 	(25/54) months
	 	1,447 RSUs

	 	October 1, 2011
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Totals
	 	9,375 RSUs

	 	 	 	5,911 RSUs
	 	 








 




			
	*	 	The actual number of RSUs that vest will range between 0% and 150% of the Prorated Target
Award based on the Company’s achievement of the performance goals






The remaining unvested portion of the 2007 Performance-Based RSU award issued pursuant to
the award agreements will be canceled on the separation date with no additional
consideration.




(iii) 2008 Stock Option Award. With respect to the stock options awarded to the
Former Employee pursuant to the Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement made effective
February 7, 2008, the Employee will continue to vest in 2,500 stock options on February 8,
2010. Once vested, these stock options, along with the 2,500 stock options that previously
vested on February 9, 2009, shall be exercisable by the Employee through April 10, 2010.
The remaining 5,000 unvested stock options will be canceled on the separation date with no
additional consideration.




(iv) 2008 Performance-Vesting RSU Award. With respect to the 2008
Performance-Vesting RSU Award Agreement made effective December 11, 2008, the Former
Employee will continue to vest in a prorated portion of the target award on the scheduled
vesting date in an amount outlined on the following schedule, where the actual number of
RSUs that vest will be determined based on the Company’s achievement of the performance
goals pursuant to the terms of the award agreement and as generally applied to all
recipients of such Performance RSU awards:




Calculation and Vesting of the 2008 Performance-Vesting RSU Award:



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Original	 	 	 	Prorated Target	 	 
	Service Period	 	Target Award	 	Proration Formula	 	Award*	 	Vesting Date
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	December 11, 2008

to October 14, 2011
	 	3,400 RSUs
	 	(4/34) months
	 	400 RSUs
	 	October 14, 2011






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	*	 	The actual number of RSUs that vest will range between 0% and 225% of the Prorated Target
Award based on the Company’s achievement of the performance goals






The remaining unvested portion of the 2008 Performance-Vesting RSU award issued pursuant to
the award agreement will be canceled on the separation date with no additional
consideration.




(v) 2008 Long-Term Incentive Cash Award. With respect to the 2008 LTI Cash Award
Agreement made effective December 11, 2008, the Employee will receive a prorated portion of
Cash Award in the amount of $17,530 (representing 4/34ths of the $149,000 Cash Award). The
prorated amount will be payable to the Former Employee, minus lawful deductions, on the next
available pay period after the separation date and after Former Employee signs and returns
this Agreement and a signed copy of the letter attached as Exhibit A. The remaining
unvested portion of the 2008 LTI Cash Award will be canceled on the separation date with no
additional consideration.




	 	e.	 	Relocation and Continuing Education Costs. Employer waives any obligation for
the Former Employee to reimburse the Company for Relocation or Continuing Education costs
paid directly or reimbursed by the Company.
	 
	 	f.	 	Pension and Savings Plan Vesting. Former Employee will be vested in the
Company’s pension plan according to the provisions of the plan in effect at the time of
separation. Employee will be 100% vested in the 401(k) savings plan.
	 
	 	g.	 	Unused Vacation. The Employer will pay to Former Employee wages for prorated
unused vacation for 2009, and any vacation carried over from 2008 (as approved by
Employee’s supervisor), under the standard procedure for calculating and paying any unused
vacation to separated employees. The gross amount due ( $5,235), minus lawful deductions,
will be payable within thirty (30) days of Former Employee signing and returning this
Agreement and a signed copy of the letter attached as Exhibit A.
	 
	 	h.	 	Company Benefit Plans. Medical & dental coverage will continue until the last
day of the month in which Employee separates from service, according to Former Employee’s
medical & dental plan elections in place at the time of separation. All other normal
company programs (i.e., vision, company provided life insurance, long term disability,
401(k) contributions, etc.) will continue through the date of separation.
	 
	 	i.	 	COBRA Premium Reimbursement and Continued Plan Coverage. If Former Employee
elects to continue coverage (and the coverage of eligible family members) under the
Employer’s medical and dental plans for active employees pursuant to the requirements of
the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), Employer shall
reimburse the Employee for each monthly COBRA premium paid by the Employee for a period of
twelve (12) months following the date of Employee’s separation, or through April 30, 2010,
whichever is later.






Following the expiration of the Former Employee’s COBRA coverage, the Employee may continue
his coverage (and the coverage of those eligible family members who have exhausted their
COBRA coverage) under the Employer’s medical plan for active employees until the Employee
attains age 65 provided that the Employee pays each required monthly premium no later than
the thirtieth (30) day of the calendar month for which such monthly premium is due. The
required monthly premium for this continued medical plan coverage shall be the greater of
(i) the monthly COBRA premium under the Employer’s medical plan for active employees, or (ii)



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the monthly retiree premium under the Employer’s medical plan for retirees, as applicable to
the type of coverage elected by the Employee for each month of the Employee’s continued
medical plan coverage. This right to continue medical plan coverage beyond the COBRA
coverage period shall terminate as of the first day of the calendar month for which the
Employee fails to timely pay the required monthly premium in full.




	 	j.	 	Unemployment. Employer will not contest any unemployment claims made by the
Former Employee.
	 
	 	k.	 	Outplacement Service. Employer will provide Outplacement services for a period
of up to twelve (12) months following separation.
	 
	 	l.	 	Return of Company Property. Former Employee will surrender to Employer, on his
last day of employment, all company materials, including, but not limited to his company
car, laptop computer, phone, credit card, calling cards, etc. Employee will be responsible
for resolving any outstanding balances on the company credit card.
	 
	 	m.	 	Baylor Landry Executive Physical. Former Employee is eligible for a company
paid executive-level physical in 2009. To be eligible for a company paid physical, it must
occur before 12/31/09.
	 
	 	n.	 	Withholding. The payments and other benefits provided under this Agreement
shall be reduced by applicable withholding taxes and other lawful deductions.






	3.	 	Receipt of Employee Lists. Employee acknowledges, attached at Exhibit B, he has
received a list of the employees selected for separation; including their job titles and ages.
In addition, employee acknowledges he has received a list of employees not selected for
separation; including their job titles and ages.
	 
	4.	 	No Consideration Absent Execution of this Agreement. Former Employee understands and
agrees that he would not receive the monies and/or benefits specified in Paragraph “2” above,
except for the execution of this Agreement and General Release and the fulfillment of the
promises contained herein.
	 
	5.	 	General Release of Claims. Former Employee knowingly and voluntarily releases and
forever discharges, to the full extent permitted by law, in all countries, including but not
limited to the U.S., UK and Germany, the Employer, its parent corporation, affiliates,
subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors, successors and assigns and the current and former
employees, officers, directors and agents thereof (collectively referred to throughout the
remainder of this Agreement as “Employer”), of and from any and all claims, known and unknown,
asserted and unasserted, Employee has or may have against Employer as of the date of execution
of this Agreement and General Release, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation
of:






	 	•	 	Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Civil Rights Act of 1991;
	 
	 	•	 	Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Immigration Reform and Control Act, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended;




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	 	•	 	The Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
	 
	 	•	 	The Texas Civil Rights Act, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	The Texas Minimum Wage Law, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	Equal Pay Law for Texas, as amended;
	 
	 	•	 	Any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or any other local, state
or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or any law, regulation or ordinance of a foreign
country, including but not limited to the Federal Republic of Germany and the United
Kingdom.
	 
	 	•	 	Any public policy, contract, tort, or common law.
	 
	 	•	 	The employment, labor and benefits laws and regulations in all countries in addition to
the U.S. including but not limited to the UK and Germany.
	 
	 	•	 	Any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in these
matters.






	6.	 	Affirmations. Former Employee affirms that he has not filed, caused to be filed, or
presently is a party to any claim, complaint, or action against Employer in any forum or form.
Provided, however, that the foregoing does not affect any right to file an administrative
charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), subject to the restriction
that if any such charge is filed, Employee agrees not to violate the confidentiality
provisions of this Agreement and Employee further agrees and covenants that should he or any
other person, organization, or other entity file, charge, claim, sue or cause or permit to be
filed any charge with the EEOC, civil action, suit or legal proceeding against the Employer
involving any matter occurring at any time in the past, Employee will not seek or accept any
personal relief (including, but not limited to, monetary award, recovery, relief or
settlement) in such charge, civil action, suit or proceeding.






FormerEmployee further affirms that he has reported all hours worked as of the date of this
release and has been paid and/or has received all leave (paid or unpaid), compensation, wages,
bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits to which he may be entitled and that no other leave (paid
or unpaid), compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions and/or benefits are due to him, except as
provided in this Agreement and General Release. Employee furthermore affirms that he has no
known workplace injuries or occupational diseases and has been provided and/or has not been
denied any leave requested under the Family and Medical Leave Act.




	7.	 	Confidentiality. Except as may be required by law, Former Employee and Employer
agree not to disclose any information regarding the existence or substance of this Agreement
and General Release, except to his spouse, tax advisor, and an attorney with whom Employee
chooses to consult regarding his consideration of this Agreement and General Release.






Former Employee agrees and recognizes that any knowledge or information of any type whatsoever
of a confidential nature relating to the business of the Employer or any of its subsidiaries,
divisions or affiliates, including, without limitation, all types of trade secrets, client lists
or information, employee lists or information, information regarding product development,
marketing plans, management organization, operating policies or manuals, performance results,
business plans, financial records, or other financial, commercial, business or technical
information (collectively “Confidential Information”), must be protected as confidential, not
copied, disclosed or used other than for the benefit of the Employer at any time unless and
until such knowledge or information is in the public domain through no wrongful act by Employee.
Employee further agrees not to divulge to anyone (other than the Employer or any persons
employed or designated by the Employer), publish or make use of any such Confidential
Information without the prior written consent of the Employer, except by an order of a court
having competent jurisdiction or under subpoena from an appropriate government agency.



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	8.	 	Non-competition/Non-solicitation. Former Employee acknowledges and recognizes the
highly competitive nature of the business of the Employer. Without the express written
permission of Celanese, for a period of fifty two (52) weeks, following the Separation Date
(the “Restricted Period”), Employee acknowledges and agrees that he will not: (i) directly or
indirectly solicit sales of like products similar to those produced or sold by Celanese; (ii)
directly engage or become employed in a function with like responsibilities as at Celanese
with any business that competes with the business of Celanese, including but not limited to:
direct sales, supply chain, marketing, or manufacturing for a producer of products similar to
those produced or licensed by Celanese; or (iii) for a period of two years from the separation
date, directly or indirectly solicit or hire employees of Celanese for employment. Provided
however, that nothing in this provision shall restrict Employee from owning solely as an
investment, publicly traded securities of any company which is engaged in the business of
Celanese, if Employee (i) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which
controls; and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own 5% or more of any class of securities
of any such company.
	 
	9.	 	Governing Law and Interpretation. This Agreement and General Release shall be
governed and conformed in accordance with the laws of the state of Texas without regard to its
conflict of laws provision. In the event the Employee or Employer breaches any provision of
this Agreement and General Release, Employee and Employer affirm that either may institute an
action to specifically enforce any term or terms of this Agreement and General Release.
Should any provision of this Agreement and General Release be declared illegal or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction and cannot be modified to be enforceable,
excluding the general release language, such provision shall immediately become null and void,
leaving the remainder of this Agreement and General Release in full force and effect.
	 
	10.	 	No Admission of Wrongdoing. The parties agree that neither this Agreement and
General Release nor the furnishing of the consideration for this Release shall be deemed or
construed at anytime for any purpose as an admission by Employer of any liability or unlawful
conduct of any kind.
	 
	11.	 	Non-Disparagement. Former Employee agrees not to disparage, or make disparaging
remarks or send any disparaging communications concerning, the Employer, its reputation, its
business, and/or its directors, officers, managers. Likewise the Employer’s senior management
agrees not to disparage, or make any disparaging remark or send any disparaging communication
concerning Employee, his reputation and/or business.
	 
	12.	 	Neutral Reference. If contacted by another organization, the Employer will only
provide dates of employment and that the Former Employee voluntarily resigned from the
Company.
	 
	13.	 	Future Cooperation after Separation Date. After separation, Former Employee agrees
to make reasonable efforts to assist Company including but not limited to: assisting with
transition duties, assisting with issues that arise after separation of employment and
assisting with the defense or prosecution of any lawsuit or claim. This includes but is not
limited to providing deposition testimony, attending hearings and testifying on behalf of the
Company. The Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable time and expenses in connection
with any future cooperation after the separation date. Time and expenses can include loss of
pay or using vacation time at a future employer. The Company shall reimburse the Former
Employee within 30 days of remittance by him to the Company of such time and expenses
incurred, but in no event later than the end of the Employee’s tax year following the tax year
in which he incurs such time and expenses and such reimbursement obligation shall remain in
effect for five years and the amount of expenses eligible for




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	 	 	reimbursement hereunder during his tax year will not affect the expenses eligible for
reimbursement in any other tax year.






	14.	 	Injunctive Relief. Former Employee agrees and acknowledges that the Employer will be
irreparably harmed by any breach, or threatened breach by him of this Agreement and that
monetary damages would be grossly inadequate. Accordingly, he agrees that in the event of a
breach, or threatened breach by him of this Agreement the Employer shall be entitled to apply
for immediate injunctive or other preliminary or equitable relief, as appropriate, in addition
to all other remedies at law or equity.
	 
	15.	 	Review Period. Former Employee is hereby advised that he has up to (45) calendar
days to review this Agreement and General Release and to consult with an attorney prior to
execution of this Agreement and General Release. He agrees that any modifications, material or
otherwise, made to this Agreement and General Release do not restart or affect in any manner
the original (45) calendar day consideration period.
	 
	16.	 	Revocation Period. In the event that Former Employee elects to sign and return to
the Employer a copy of their Agreement, he has a period of seven (7) days (the “Revocation
Period”) following the date of such return to revoke this Agreement, which revocation must be
in writing and delivered to the Employer within the Revocation Period. This Agreement will not
be effective or enforceable until the expiration of the Revocation Period.
	 
	17.	 	Amendment. This Agreement and General Release may not be modified, altered or
changed except upon express written consent of both parties wherein specific reference is made
to this Agreement and General Release.
	 
	18.	 	Entire Agreement. This Agreement and General Release sets forth the entire agreement
between the parties hereto, and fully supersedes any prior obligation of the Employer to the
Former Employee. Former Employee acknowledges that he has not relied on any representations,
promises, or agreements of any kind made to him in connection with the decision to accept this
Agreement and General Release, except for those set forth in this Agreement and General
Release.
	 
	19.	 	HAVING ELECTED TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, TO FULFILL THE PROMISES AND TO
RECEIVE THE SUMS AND BENEFITS IN PARAGRAPH “2” ABOVE, FORMER EMPLOYEE FREELY AND KNOWINGLY,
AND AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION, ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INTENDING TO
WAIVE, SETTLE AND RELEASE ALL CLAIMS HE HAS OR MIGHT HAVE AGAINST EMPLOYER.





           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto knowingly and voluntarily executed this Agreement and
General Release as of the date set forth below:



	 	 	 
	Former Employee:

	 	Date: June 3, 2009






	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	By:  	/s/ Miguel A. Desdin
 	 	 
	 	Miguel A. Desdin 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 



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	Celanese Corporation:

 	 	 
	By:  	/s/ Joseph Fox
 	 	 
	 



Date: June 3, 2009