UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
December 30, 2011
(Date of earliest event reported)
Corning Natural Gas Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
New York |
000-00643 |
16-0397420 |
||
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
330 West William Street, Corning, New York |
14830 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
(607) 936-3755
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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:
[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 30, 2011, Corning Natural Gas Corporation (the "Company") entered into a definitive Settlement and Release Agreement (the "Agreement") settling two lawsuits by a former Chairman of the Company. As previously disclosed, Thomas K. Barry sought damages from the Company for failure to transfer to Mr. Barry a key-man life insurance policy and for terminating payments under a deferred compensation agreement.
Under the Agreement, the Company will pay to Mr. Barry $285,000 on or before January15, 2012, which is approximately one-half of the past due deferred compensation amount. Beginning January 5, 2013, and on or before each January 5, the Company will pay Mr. Barry $40,000 plus interest compounded annually at 4% (less than one-half of the amount in Mr. Barry's deferred compensation agreement) for the longer of ten years or Mr. Barry's lifetime. The Company will pay for a $500,000 term life insurance policy on Mr. Barry's life through January 5, 2031, if a policy can be obtained for annual premiums of less than $15,000. If such a policy cannot be obtained by the Company, the Company will pay Mr. Barry $15,000 annually for the longer of ten years or Mr. Barry's lifetime (up to a maximum of 20 payments). In addition, the Company will provide certain health and prescription drug insurance benefits to Mr. Barry and his wife for life. The Company and Mr. Barry exchanged mutual general releases. The Company had previously reserved for past due payments as well as accrued a liability for future payments under the deferred compensation agreement and key-man life insurance policy.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The Agreement described under Item 1.01 created a direct financial obligation of the Company. The information set forth above is incorporated under this Item 2.03 as if fully set forth herein.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Corning Natural Gas Corporation
By: /s/ Michael I. German
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: January 4, 2012