Exhibit 10.44


 


TODHUNTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.


222 Lakeview
Avenue, Suite 1500


West Palm
Beach, FL 33401


 


ENDORSEMENT
SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT


 


THIS ENDORSEMENT
SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into this 20th day of
February 2004, by and between Todhunter International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) and Ousik Yu (the
“Executive”).


 


WITNESSETH:


 


WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the
Corporation; and


 


WHEREAS, the Corporation recognizes the valuable
services performed by the Executive and wishes to encourage his continued
employment; and


 


WHEREAS, the Corporation is desirous of providing
protection for the beneficiaries of Executive in the event of his untimely
death; and


 


WHEREAS, The Corporation has applied for, and is the
owner of Life Insurance Policy Number 10034392 (the “Policy”) in the
specified face amount of $600,000 from the Lincoln National Life
Insurance Company (the “Insurer”); and


 


WHEREAS, it is understood and agreed that this
Agreement is to be considered effective as of the date on which the Policy was
issued by the Insurer or the date of execution of this Agreement whichever is
later.


 


NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of
the mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


 


1.                                      Ownership Rights In The
Policy.


 


A.                                   The Corporation shall have all of the
ownership rights, options and privileges permitted by the Policy except those
expressly granted to the Executive by the terms of this Agreement.


 


B.                                     The Corporation has the right to borrow or
to pledge the cash surrender value of the Policy to the extent of its interest
specified in Paragraph 1.C., and as permitted by the terms of the Policy. The
Corporation’s interest in the cash surrender value of the Policy at any time during
the Executive’s lifetime, or at death, shall be adjusted to reflect any
indebtedness on or secured by the Policy which is attributable to borrowing by
or on behalf of the Corporation (including any interest due on such
indebtedness).


 


C.                                     The Corporation shall have the right to
designate itself as beneficiary of the Policy, to the extent of the difference
between the total death benefit paid under the life insurance contract and the
amount designated in Paragraph 1.D., below, provided such amount is reduced by
any indebtedness (on or secured by the Policy) which is attributable to
borrowing by or on behalf of the Corporation (including any interest due on
such indebtedness) and/or any withdrawals by or on behalf of the Corporation.


 

















 


D.                                    The Corporation hereby endorses to the
Executive policy death benefits in the amount of $600,000 which shall
be payable to the Executive’s estate if the Executive dies while this Agreement
is in force.  The Corporation and the
Executive’s estate may select a settlement option as provided in the Policy at
the time of distribution.


 


E.                                      The Corporation may not take any action with
respect to the Policy that will impair any right or interest of the Executive
in the Policy.


 


2.                                      Premium Payments.  On
or before the due date of each Policy premium, or within the grace period
provided therein, the Corporation shall pay the full amount to the Insurer.


 


3.                                      Division of Death Proceeds
of Policy.  In the event that the Executive shall die
while this Agreement is in force, the Corporation shall be entitled to receive
from the Policy proceeds an amount equal to the Corporation’s interest in the
Policy, as determined under Paragraph 1.C. of this Agreement. The portion of
the Policy proceeds which is in excess of the amount paid to the Corporation
shall be paid to the Executive’s estate in accordance with the terms of the
Policy and Paragraph 1.D. of this Agreement.


 


4.                                      Waiver of Premium. 
Upon the unanimous agreement of the Corporation and the Executive, the
Corporation shall apply to the Insurer for a supplemental agreement providing
for the waiver of policy premiums in the event of the Executive’s disability.
The Corporation shall pay any additional premium attributable to such an
agreement.


 


5.                                      Choice of Dividend Options.  To
the extent the Insurer declares dividends on the Policy, the Corporation shall
have the right to choose the option or combination of options it desires from
among those offered by the Insurer. The Corporation shall notify the Insurer of
its choice.


 


6.                                      Termination of Agreement.


 


A.                                   This Agreement shall be cancelled and shall
terminate upon the termination of the Executive’s employment with the
Corporation for any reason other than the Executive’s disability as defined in
Paragraph 3 of the Salary Continuation Plan Agreement between the Corporation
and the Executive dated February 20, 2004 (the “Salary
Continuation Plan Agreement”).   Upon
such termination, the Executive shall have a 60-day option to pay the
Corporation an amount equal to the Corporation’s interest in the Policy under
Paragraph 1.C. in return for the Corporation’s release of any claim to the
policy. If, within the 60-day period following the cancellation of this
Agreement, the Executive fails to exercise said option, then the Executive
shall be deemed to have relinquished all rights in the Policy and the
Corporation will be free to surrender or take any other action with respect to
the Policy as it may desire. If the Executive fails to pay the Corporation
within the 60-day option period, the Executive agrees upon request of the
Corporation to execute any and all instruments that may be required to transfer
all right, title, and interest in the Policy to the Corporation.


 


B.                                     Notwithstanding Paragraph 6.A., in the event
the Executive dies during his employment with the Corporation, this Agreement
shall be cancelled and shall terminate upon the payment of the death proceeds
of the Policy to the Executive’s estate in accordance with Paragraph 1.D. and
Paragraph 3 of this Agreement.


 


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7.                                      Termination of this
Agreement in Connection with a Change in Control.


 


A.                                   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, unless the Executive is terminated “for cause,” as defined in
Paragraph 10.C. of this Agreement, the Corporation may not terminate this
Agreement without the consent of the Executive during the period beginning nine
(9) months before a Change in Control (as defined below); provided however,
this Agreement shall be cancelled and shall terminate once the Executive become
entitled to receive payment of the retirement benefit in accordance with
Paragraph 1 of the Salary Continuation Plan Agreement.


 


B.                                     For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change
of Control” shall mean any of the following events:


 


(i)                                     The acquisition by
any person, entity or “group” required to file a Schedule 13D or
Schedule 14D-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding, for this purpose, any of the following
that acquires beneficial ownership of voting securities of the Corporation,
including shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, or
conversion of preferred stock outstanding as of the date hereof: (a) CL
Financial, Ltd., Angostura Ltd., or any of their affiliates; (b) the
Corporation, its affiliates or subsidiaries; (c) V&S Vin & Spirit AB,
its affiliates or subsidiaries, solely in connection with a transaction with
the Corporation, its affiliates or subsidiaries approved by the Board of Directors;
or (d) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation, or its affiliates or
subsidiaries), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of over 40% (in one or more transactions,
in the aggregate) of either the then outstanding shares of common stock or the
combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or


 


(ii)                                  An election or
appointment to the Board of Directors by virtue of which the individuals who
immediately prior thereto constituted the Board of Directors (the “Incumbent
Board”) no longer constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors
(other than an election or appointment of a director or directors precipitated
by CL Financial, Ltd., Angostura Ltd., V&S Vin & Spirit AB, or any of
their affiliates, or by the Board of Directors if at that time at least a
majority are individuals who are directors on the date hereof), provided that
any person who becomes a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election,
or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders, was approved by a
vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Board (other than an election or
nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection
with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the
Directors of Employer, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-1 promulgated under
the Exchange Act) shall be, for purposes of this Agreement, considered as
though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or


 


(iii)                               Approval by the
stockholders of the Corporation of: (a) a reorganization, merger or
consolidation by reason of which persons who were the stockholders of the
Corporation immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation
do not, immediately thereafter, own more than fifty percent (50%) of the
combined voting power entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company’s then outstanding voting
securities; or (b) a liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or the sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, whether such
assets are held directly or indirectly (excluding the currently proposed joint
ventures with affiliates of CL Financial, Ltd. and/or V&S Vin & Spirit
AB, if such transactions constitute a sale of substantially all of the assets
of Employer).


 


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C.                                     The definition of “for cause” termination
shall be the same as set forth in the employment agreement between the
Executive and the Corporation in effect as of the date of this Agreement.  In the event there is no employment
agreement between the Executive and the Corporation on the date of this
Agreement, “cause” for termination shall mean that (a) the Executive is convicted of a
felony which, in the sole determination of the Board of Directors, would have a
material adverse effect on the Executive’s ability to perform his duties
hereunder or on the business or reputation of the Corporation; (b) the
Executive has exhibited gross misconduct resulting in material harm to the
Corporation, its business or reputation; (c) the Executive has willfully
misappropriated the Corporation’s assets or has otherwise willfully defrauded
the Corporation, including without limitation by fraud, theft, embezzlement, or
breach of a fiduciary duty involving personal profit.  For purposes of this paragraph, no act or
failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless
done, or omitted to be done, by him not in good faith and without reasonable
belief that his action or omission was in the best interests of the Corporation.


 


8.                                      Amendment. 
This Agreement may be amended at any time and from time to time, by a
written instrument signed by the Corporation and the Executive.


 


9.                                      Binding Effect. 
All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the parties and their respective
administrators, personal representatives, legal representatives, heirs,
successors and permitted assigns, whether so expressed or not.


 


10.                               Notices. 
Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under
the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be signed by
the party giving or making the same.  If
such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by
United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party’s last
known address as shown on the records of the Corporation. The date of such
mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.


 


11.                               Insurer Not a Party to
Agreement.  The Insurer shall not be deemed a party to
this Agreement. Payment or other performance of its contractual obligations in
accordance with the Policy provisions shall fully discharge the Insurer from
any and all liability.


 


12.                               Named Fiduciary. 
The Corporation is hereby designated the “Named Fiduciary” as such term
is defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”).  As Named Fiduciary, the
Corporation shall be responsible for the management and administration of the
terms of this Agreement. The Corporation’s Board of Directors may delegate to
others the management and operating responsibilities of the plan including the
employment of advisors and may exercise any other powers necessary for the
discharge of its duties to the extent not in conflict with the provisions of
ERISA.


 


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13.                               Claim Procedure.


 


A.                                   If the Executive or his personal
representative believes that he is being denied a benefit to which he is
entitled under this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as a “Claimant”), such
Claimant may file a written request for such benefit with the Corporation
setting forth his claim.  The request
must be addressed to the President of the Corporation at its then principal
place of business.


 


B.                                     The Corporation shall reply to the
Claimant’s claim within ninety (90) days of receiving the claim.  If the claim is denied in whole or in part,
the Corporation shall adopt a written opinion, using language calculated to be
understood by the Claimant, setting forth:


 


(i)                                     The specific reason or reasons for such
denial;


 


(ii)                                  The specific reference to pertinent
provisions of this Agreement on which such denial is based;


 


(iii)                               A description of any additional material or
information necessary for the Claimant to perfect his claim and an explanation why such material or
such information is necessary;


 


(iv)                              Appropriate information as to the steps to
be taken if the Claimant wishes to submit the claim for review; and


 


(v)                                 The time limits for requesting a review
under subsection C. and for review under subsection D. hereof.


 


C.                                     Within sixty (60) days after the receipt by
the Claimant of the written opinion described above, the Claimant may request
in writing that the Secretary of the Corporation review the determination of
the Corporation. Such request must be addressed to the Secretary of the Corporation,
at its then principal place of business. The Claimant or his duly authorized
representative may, but need not, review the pertinent documents and submit
issues and comments in writing for consideration by the Corporation. If the
Claimant does not request a review of the Corporation’s determination by the
Secretary of the Corporation within such sixty (60) day period, he shall be
barred and estopped from challenging the Corporation’s determination.


 


D.                                    Within sixty (60) days after the Secretary’s
receipt of a request for review, he will review the Corporation’s
determination. After considering all materials presented by the Claimant, the
Secretary will render a written opinion, written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the Claimant, setting forth the specific reasons for the decision
and containing specific references to the pertinent provisions of this
Agreement on which the decision is based. If special circumstances require that
the sixty (60) day time period be extended, the Secretary will so notify the
Claimant and will render the decision as soon as possible, but no later than
one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request for review.


 


14.                               Governing Law. 
This Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the internal
laws of the State of Florida without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.


 


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15.                               Jurisdiction and Venue. 
The parties acknowledge that a substantial portion of the negotiations,
anticipated performance and execution of this Agreement occurred or shall occur
in Palm Beach County, Florida.  Any
civil action or legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement
shall be brought in the courts of record of the State of Florida in Palm Beach
County or the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.  Each party consents to the jurisdiction of
such Florida court in any such civil action or legal proceeding and waives any
objection to the laying of venue of any such civil action or legal proceeding
in such Florida court.  Service of any
court paper may be effected on such party by mail, as provided in this
Agreement, or in such other manner as may be provided under applicable laws,
rules of procedure or local rules.


 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands on
the day and year first hereinabove written.


 


 


	
  TODHUNTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  By:

  	
  /s/  Jay S. Maltby

  	
  ,Chairman & CEO

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  EXECUTIVE

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  By:

  	
  /s/ Ousik Yu, Sr.

  	
  Vice President – R&D
  Manufacturing

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Florida Distillers Company

  
						



 


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