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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ____)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Brooke Group Ltd.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
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BROOKE GROUP LTD.
100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held October 15, 1998
To the Stockholders of Brooke Group Ltd.:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Brooke Group Ltd., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), will be held at __________________________, Miami,
Florida 33131 on Thursday, October 15, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any
postponement or adjournment thereof, for the following purposes:
1. To elect four directors to hold office until the next annual meeting
of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified.
2. To amend the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the
authorized number of shares of Common Stock of the Company from 40,000,000 to
100,000,000.
3. To approve a proposed Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
4. To transact such other business as properly may come before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
Every holder of record of common stock, par value $.10 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of the Company at the close of business on September 14, 1998
is entitled to notice of the meeting and any adjournments or postponements
thereof and to vote, in person or by proxy, one vote for each share of Common
Stock held by such holder. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting will be available to any stockholder for any purpose germane to the
meeting during ordinary business hours from October 5, 1998 to October 15, 1998,
at the headquarters of the Company located at 100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd
Floor, Miami, Florida 33131. A proxy statement, form of proxy and the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997 are enclosed herewith.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Bennett S. LeBow
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Miami, Florida
September 15, 1998
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IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU
EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED
PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PRE-PAID ENVELOPE.
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BROOKE GROUP LTD.
100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, Florida 33131
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PROXY STATEMENT
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INTRODUCTION
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
(the "Board") of Brooke Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"). The
proxy is solicited for use at the annual meeting of stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") to be held at __________________________, Miami, Florida 33131 on
Thursday, October 15, 1998, at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any postponement or
adjournment thereof. The Company's principal executive offices are located at
100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd Floor, Miami, Florida 33131, and its telephone
number is (305) 579-8000.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Every holder of record of common stock, par value $.10 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of the Company at the close of business on September 14, 1998
(the "Record Date") is entitled to notice of the meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof and to vote, in person or by proxy, one vote for each
share of Common Stock held by such holder. At the Record Date, the Company had
outstanding 20,473,730 shares of Common Stock. The approximate date on which
this proxy statement, accompanying notice and proxy and the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (the "Annual
Report") are first being mailed to stockholders is on or about September 16,
1998.
Any stockholder giving a proxy in the form accompanying this proxy
statement has the power to revoke the proxy prior to its exercise. A proxy can
be revoked by an instrument of revocation delivered at or prior to the Annual
Meeting to the Secretary of the Company, by a duly executed proxy bearing a date
or time later than the date or time of the proxy being revoked, or at the Annual
Meeting if the stockholder is present and elects to vote in person. Mere
attendance at the Annual Meeting will not serve to revoke a proxy. Abstentions
and shares held of record by a broker or its nominee ("Broker Shares") that are
voted on any matter are included in determining the number of votes present.
Broker Shares that are not voted on any matter will not be included in
determining whether a quorum is present.
All proxies received and not revoked will be voted as directed. If no
directions are specified, such proxies will be voted FOR the election of the
Board's nominees, FOR the amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common Stock authorized for
issuance and FOR the approval of the Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Incentive
Plan. The nominees receiving a plurality of the votes cast will be elected as
directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock will be required to approve the amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation. The affirmative vote of the majority of
votes cast at the meeting will be necessary for approval of any other matters to
be considered at the Annual Meeting. In all cases, shares with respect to which
authority is withheld, abstentions and Broker Shares that are not voted will not
be included in determining the number of votes cast.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock (the only class of voting securities) by
(i) each person known to the Company to own beneficially more than five percent
of the Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors and nominees, (iii)
each of the Company's named executive officers (as such term is defined in the
Summary Compensation Table below) and (iv) all directors and executive officers
as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each person possesses sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned, and
the business address of each person is 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami, Florida
33131.
Name and Address of Number of Percent of
Beneficial Owner Shares Class
------------------- --------- ----------
Bennett S. LeBow (1)(5)(6) 9,180,008 44.8%
Richard S. Ressler (2)
Orchard Capital Corporation 1,824,999 8.9%
10960 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
AIF II, L.P. and Lion Advisors, L.P.(3)
Two Manhattanville Road 2,000,000 8.9%
Purchase, NY 10577
High River Limited Partnership (4)
Riverdale LLC 1,500,000 7.3%
Carl C. Icahn
100 South Bedford Road
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Robert J. Eide (5) 20,000 (*)
Aegis Capital Corp.
70 East Sunrise Highway
Valley Stream, NY 11581
Jeffrey S. Podell (5)
Newsote, Inc. 20,000 (*)
26 Jefferson Street
Passaic, NJ 07055
Jean E. Sharpe (5)
462 Haines Road 10,000 (*)
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Richard J. Lampen (6)(7) 33 (*)
Joselynn D. Van Siclen (6) --- ---
Ronald S. Fulford (8)
Liggett Group Inc. --- ---
700 West Main Street
Durham, NC 27702
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All directors and executive officers as a group 9,230,041 45.1%
(7 persons)
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(*) The percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the
Common Stock.
(1) Includes 8,633,008 shares of Common Stock held by LeBow Limited
Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership ("LLP"), and 547,000 shares
of Common Stock held by The Bennett and Geraldine LeBow Foundation,
Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation (the "Foundation"). Mr.
LeBow indirectly exercises sole voting power and sole dispositive power
over the shares of Common Stock held by LLP, 8,191,800 shares of which
are pledged to U.S. Clearing Corp. to secure a margin loan to Mr.
LeBow. Mr. LeBow is a director, officer and sole shareholder of LeBow
Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("LHI"), the general partner of
LLP. Mr. LeBow and family members serve as directors and executive
officers of the Foundation, and Mr. LeBow possesses shared voting power
and shared dispositive power with the other directors of the Foundation
with respect to the Foundation's shares of Common Stock. The
Foundation's principal business and office address is 1221 Brickell
Avenue, 21st Floor, Miami, Florida 33131.
(2) Based upon Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D dated April 15, 1998, filed
by the named individual.
(3) Based upon Schedule 13D dated March 26, 1998, filed by the named
entities. These shares are issuable upon exercise of currently
exercisable warrants to purchase Common Stock expiring March 3, 2003.
See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".
(4) Based upon Schedule 13D dated January 28, 1998, filed by the named
entities. Riverdale LLC is the general partner of High River Limited
Partnership and is wholly owned by Mr. Icahn. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions".
(5) The named individual is a director of the Company.
(6) The named individual is an executive officer of the Company.
(7) Includes currently exercisable options to purchase Common Stock.
(8) The named individual is an executive officer of the Company's
subsidiary, Liggett Group Inc. ("Liggett").
In addition, by virtue of his controlling interest in the Company, Mr.
LeBow may be deemed to own beneficially the securities of the Company's
subsidiaries, including BGLS Inc. ("BGLS") and Liggett, and securities of New
Valley Corporation ("New Valley"), in which the Company holds an indirect voting
interest of approximately 42%. The disclosure of this information shall not be
construed as an admission that Mr. LeBow is the beneficial owner of any
securities of the Company's subsidiaries or New Valley under Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or for any
other purpose, and such beneficial ownership is expressly disclaimed. None of
the Company's other directors or executive officers beneficially owns any equity
securities of any of the Company's subsidiaries or New Valley.
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The By-Laws of the Company provide, among other things, that the Board,
from time to time, shall determine the number of directors of the Company. The
size of the Board is presently set at four. The present term of office of all
directors will expire at the Annual Meeting. Four directors are to be elected at
the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and
until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
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It is intended that proxies received will be voted FOR election of the
nominees named below unless marked to the contrary. In the event any such person
is unable or unwilling to serve as a director, proxies may be voted for
substitute nominees designated by the present Board. The Board has no reason to
believe that any of the persons named below will be unable or unwilling to serve
as a director if elected.
The Board recommends that stockholders vote FOR election of the
nominees named below.
Information with Respect to Nominees
The following table sets forth certain information, as of the Record
Date, with respect to each of the nominees. Each nominee is a citizen of the
United States.
Name and Address Age Principal Occupation
- ---------------- --- --------------------
Bennett S. LeBow 60 Chairman of the Board, President and
Brooke Group Ltd. Chief Executive Officer
100 S.E. Second Street
Miami, FL 33131
Robert J. Eide 45 Secretary and Treasurer, Aegis
Aegis Capital Corp. Capital Corp.
70 E. Sunrise Highway
Valley Stream, NY 11581
Jeffrey S. Podell 57 Chairman of the Board and President,
Newsote, Inc. Newsote, Inc.
26 Jefferson Street
Passaic, NJ 07055
Jean E. Sharpe 51 Private Investor
462 Haines Road
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
Each director is elected annually and serves until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
Business Experience of Nominees
Bennett S. LeBow has been Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since June 1990 and has been a director of the
Company since October 1986. Since November 1990, he has been Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of BGLS, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company, which directly or indirectly holds the Company's equity
interests in several private and public companies.
Mr. LeBow has been a director of Liggett, an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes,
primarily in the United States, since June 1990 and Chairman of the Board of
Liggett from July 1990 to May 1993. He served as one of three interim Co-Chief
Executive Officers of Liggett from March 1993 to May 1993.
He has been Chairman of the Board of New Valley, a company engaged in
the investment banking and brokerage business, in real estate development in
Russia and Ukraine, in the ownership and management of commercial real estate in
the United States and in the acquisition of operating companies, in which the
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Company holds an indirect voting interest of approximately 42%, since January
1988, and Chief Executive Officer since November 1994. In November 1991, an
involuntary petition seeking an order for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of
the United States Code was commenced against New Valley. New Valley emerged from
bankruptcy reorganization proceedings in January 1995. He has been Chairman of
the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Valley Holdings, Inc.,
an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("NV Holdings"), which holds
certain of the Company's equity interest in New Valley, since September 1994.
He was a director of MAI Systems Corporation ("MAI"), the Company's
former indirect majority-owned subsidiary, from September 1984 to October 1995,
Chairman of the Board from November 1990 to May 1995 and the Chief Executive
Officer from November 1990 to April 1993. In April 1993, MAI filed for
protection under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code. In November
1993, MAI emerged from bankruptcy reorganization proceedings. MAI is engaged in
the development, sale and service of a variety of computer and software
products.
Robert J. Eide has been a director of the Company since November 1993.
Mr. Eide has been a director of BGLS since November 1993, a director of NV
Holdings since September 1994, and Secretary and Treasurer of Aegis Capital
Corp., a registered broker-dealer, since before 1988. Mr. Eide also serves as a
director of Nathan's Famous, Inc., a restaurant chain.
Jeffrey S. Podell has been a director of the Company since November
1993. Mr. Podell has been a director of BGLS since November 1993, a director of
NV Holdings since September 1994 and the Chairman of the Board and President of
Newsote, Inc., a privately-held holding company, since 1989.
Jean E. Sharpe has been a director of the Company and BGLS since May
1998. Ms. Sharpe is a private investor and has engaged in various philanthropic
activities since her retirement in September 1993 as Executive Vice President
and Secretary of the Company and as an officer of various of its subsidiaries.
Ms. Sharpe previously served as a director of the Company from July 1990 until
September 1993.
Board of Directors and Committees
During 1997, the Board held five meetings. During 1997, the
Compensation Committee (currently composed of Messrs. Eide and Podell) and the
Executive Committee (currently composed of Messrs. Eide and LeBow) did not meet,
while the Audit Committee (currently composed of Messrs. Eide and Podell and Ms.
Sharpe) met once. Each director attended at least 80% of the aggregate number of
meetings of the Board and of each committee of which he was a member held during
such period. The Company does not have a nominating committee.
The Executive Committee exercises, in the intervals between meetings of
the Board, all the powers of the Board in the management and affairs of the
Company.
The Audit Committee reviews, with the Company's independent auditors,
matters relating to the scope and plan of the audit, the adequacy of internal
controls and the preparation of financial statements, and reports and makes
recommendations to the Board with respect thereto.
The Compensation Committee reviews, approves and administers management
compensation and executive compensation plans. The Compensation Committee also
administers the Company's 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth information concerning compensation
awarded to, earned by or paid during the past three years to those persons who
were, at December 31, 1997, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, the other two
executive officers of the Company and an executive officer of a subsidiary of
the Company whose cash compensation exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "named
executive officers"):
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Summary Compensation Table (1)
Long-Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
-------------------------------------------- ------------
Securities
Name and Other Annual Underlying
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options
------------------ ---- ------ ----- ------------ ------------
($) ($) ($) (#)
Bennett S. LeBow 1997 3,113,281 (2) 667,969 (3) -- --
Chairman of the Board, 1996 3,484,375 (2) 890,626 (3) -- --
President and Chief 1995 3,082,823 (2) 712,500 (3) -- --
Executive Officer
Richard J. Lampen(4) 1997 650,000 -- -- 260,000(5)
Executive Vice President 1996 600,000 100,000 -- --
Joselynn D. Van Siclen(6) 1997 140,000 -- -- --
Vice President, Chief 1996 131,667 10,000 -- --
Financial Officer and
Treasurer
Ronald S. Fulford(7) 1997 425,000 -- 247,961(8)(9) --
Chairman of the Board, 1996 157,530 -- 552,832(9) --
President and Chief
Executive Officer of Liggett
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(1) Unless otherwise stated, the aggregate value of perquisites and other
personal benefits received by the named executive officers are not
reflected because the amounts were below the reporting requirements
established by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC").
(2) Includes salary paid by New Valley of $2,000,000, $2,000,000 and
$1,894,823 during 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
(3) Includes payments equal to 10% of base salary ($111,328, $148,438 and
$118,750 during 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively) in lieu of certain
other executive benefits. See "Employment Agreements".
(4) Effective July 1, 1996, Mr. Lampen was appointed Executive Vice
President of the Company. In 1997 and 1996, all of Mr. Lampen's salary
and bonus were paid by New Valley and 25% (or $162,500 and $175,000 in
1997 and 1996, respectively) was subsequently reimbursed to New Valley
by the Company. The table reflects 100% of Mr. Lampen's salary and
bonus.
(5) Represents options to purchase Common Stock. See "Stock Option Grants
in 1997".
(6) Effective May 6, 1996, Ms. Van Siclen was appointed Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company.
(7) Effective September 5, 1996, Mr. Fulford was appointed Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liggett.
(8) Represents an automobile allowance, living allowance and group term
life insurance provided to Mr. Fulford.
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(9) Includes payments ($163,155 and $552,832 in 1997 and 1996,
respectively) made pursuant to a consulting agreement between Mr.
Fulford and the Company, which payments were reimbursed to the Company
by New Valley. See "Employment Agreements".
The following table sets forth all grants of stock options to the named
executive officers during 1997.
Stock Option Grants in 1997
Number of
Securities Percent of Total
Underlying Options Granted Exercise Grant
Options to Employees in Price Expiration Date Present
Name Granted (#) 1997 ($/Share) Date Value ($)(2)
---- ----------- ----------------- --------- ---------- ------------
Richard J. Lampen 260,000 (1) 61.6% $ 5.00 12/31/06 $ 1,118,000
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(1) Represents options to purchase shares of Common Stock, which were
granted at fair market value on January 1, 1997. Subject to earlier
vesting upon a change of control (as defined), the options vest and
become exercisable in six equal annual installments commencing on
January 1, 1998.
(2) The estimated present value at grant date of options granted during
1997 has been calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model,
based upon the following assumptions: volatility of 81.46%, a risk-free
rate of 6.44%, an expected life of 10 years, and no expected dividends
or forfeiture. The approach used in developing the assumptions upon
which the Black-Scholes valuation was done is consistent with the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation".
The following table sets forth certain information concerning
unexercised options held by the named executive officers as of December 31,
1997. There were no stock options exercised by any of the named executive
officers during 1997.
Aggregated Fiscal Year-End Option Values
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-The-Money
Options at December 31, 1997 Options at December 31, 1997
----------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
Richard J. Lampen - 0 - 260,000 -- $942,500 *
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* Calculated using the closing price of $8 5/8 per share on December 31,
1997 less the option exercise price.
Compensation of Directors
Outside directors of the Company each receive $7,000 per annum as
compensation for serving as a director, $1,000 per annum for each Board
committee membership, $1,000 per meeting for each Board meeting
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attended, and $500 per meeting for each committee meeting attended. In addition,
each outside director of BGLS receives $28,000 per annum as compensation for
serving as a director, $500 per annum for each Board committee membership, $500
per meeting for each Board meeting attended, and $500 for each committee meeting
attended. Each outside director is reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in serving on the Board of the Company and/or BGLS.
In the second quarter of 1998, each outside director of the Company
received an award of 10,000 shares of Common Stock for services as a director.
Subject to earlier vesting upon a change of control (as defined), the shares
vest one-quarter on the date of grant and the remaining shares vest in three
equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date of
grant.
Employment Agreements
Brooke. Bennett S. LeBow is a party to an employment agreement with
the Company dated February 21, 1992, as amended effective as of July 20, 1998.
The agreement has a one-year term with automatic renewals for additional
one-year terms unless notice of non-renewal is given by either party six months
prior to the termination date. As of January 1, 1998, Mr. LeBow's annual base
salary was $1,391,601. He is also entitled to an annual bonus for 1998 of
$695,800 and an annual payment equal to 10% of his base salary in lieu of
certain other executive benefits such as club memberships, company-paid
automobiles and other similar perquisites. Following termination of his
employment without cause (as defined), he would continue to receive his then
current base salary and bonus for 24 months. Following termination of his
employment within two years of a change of control (as defined) or in connection
with similar events, he is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 2.99
times his then current base salary and bonus. Under the terms of the Indenture
governing BGLS' 15.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2001 (the "BGLS Notes"), Mr.
LeBow's salary and bonus may not be increased from one year to the next by more
than 10% per annum, except that his salary and bonus may be increased in the
same percentage amount as any increase in the price of the Company's Common
Stock during a calendar year, subject to a maximum increase of 25% per annum.
His salary and bonus are subject to decrease if the price of the Common Stock
decreases by more than 10% during a calendar year, up to a maximum decrease of
25% per annum, but in no event lower than compensation earned in 1994
($1,425,000).
Ronald S. Fulford, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Liggett, is a party to an employment agreement with
Liggett, dated September 5, 1996. As of January 1, 1998, Mr. Fulford's annual
salary was $425,000. Bonus payments are at the sole discretion of the Board of
Liggett. Effective as of March 1, 1996, the Company entered into a consulting
agreement with Mr. Fulford. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Fulford agreed to
provide various services in connection with the Company's investment in RJR
Nabisco Holdings Corp. ("RJR Nabisco") (including, without limitation,
consulting services, attendance at and participation in meetings related to the
Company's solicitation of proxies at RJR Nabisco's 1996 annual meeting and
presentations to financial analysts and institutional investors). During the
term of the agreement, which ended on March 31, 1997, Mr. Fulford received
compensation equal to UK(pound)33,417 (or approximately $54,000) per month and
reimbursement for all reasonable business and travel expenses incurred in
performing services under the agreement. The Company also agreed to reimburse
Mr. Fulford for any reduction in pension benefits (currently estimated at
approximately UK(pound)14,400 (or approximately $23,000 per annum) which
resulted from his terminating his employment with Imperial Tobacco to enter into
the agreement.
There are no employment agreements between BGLS and the named
executive officers.
New Valley. Mr. LeBow is a party to an employment agreement with New
Valley dated as of June 1, 1995, as amended effective as of January 1, 1996. The
agreement has an initial term of three years effective as of January 18, 1995
(the "Effective Date"), with an automatic one year extension on each anniversary
of the Effective Date unless notice of non-extension is given by either party
within the sixty-day period prior to such anniversary date. As of January 1,
1998, Mr. LeBow's annual base salary was
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$2,000,000. Following termination of his employment without cause (as defined
therein), he would continue to receive his base salary for a period of 36 months
commencing with the next anniversary of the Effective Date following the
termination notice. Following termination of his employment within two years of
a change of control (as defined therein), he is entitled to receive a lump sum
payment equal to 2.99 times his then current base salary. The BGLS Notes
Indenture and New Valley's First Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization
dated November 1, 1994, as amended, provide that the annual compensation paid to
Mr. LeBow for services rendered in his capacity as an officer or director of New
Valley shall not exceed $2,000,000.
Richard J. Lampen is a party to an employment agreement with New
Valley dated September 22, 1995. The agreement has an initial term of two and a
quarter years from October 1, 1995 with automatic renewals after the initial
term for additional one-year terms unless notice of non-renewal is given by
either party within the ninety-day period prior to the termination date. As of
January 1, 1998, his annual base salary was $750,000. In addition, the Board of
Directors of New Valley may award an annual bonus to Mr. Lampen at its sole
discretion. The Board shall review such base salary annually and may increase
(but not decrease) it from time to time, in its sole discretion. Following
termination of his employment without cause (as defined therein), he shall
receive severance pay in a lump sum equal to the amount of his base salary he
would have received if he was employed for one year after termination of his
employment term.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 1997, Messrs. Eide, LeBow and Podell were members of the
Company's compensation committee. Messrs. Eide and Podell serve as directors of
BGLS and NV Holdings. Mr. Eide is a stockholder, and serves as the Secretary and
Treasurer of Aegis Capital Corp. ("ACC"), a registered broker-dealer, that has
performed services for the Company and/or its affiliates since before January 1,
1997. During 1997, ACC received commissions and other income in the aggregate
amount of approximately $522,000 from the Company and/or its affiliates. ACC, in
the ordinary course of its business in 1997, engaged in brokerage activities
with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. ("Ladenburg"), a subsidiary of New Valley, on
customary terms.
Effective July 1, 1990, a former executive of the Company transferred
his equity in the Company to Mr. LeBow and resigned from substantially all of
his positions with the Company and its affiliates. In consideration for this
transfer, LLP, a partnership controlled by Mr. LeBow, agreed, among other
things, to make certain payments to the Company on account of the former
executive's outstanding indebtedness of $5,477,000. On March 7, 1997, LLP
satisfied its obligation with respect to the loan by transferring to the Company
400,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, which shares had been pledged to
secure the non-recourse obligation, except as to the pledged shares.
Mr. LeBow is a director of Liggett. He is Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of New Valley, BGLS and NV Holdings. Mr. Lampen, an
executive officer of the Company and BGLS, is an executive officer and director
of New Valley.
Defined Benefit or Actuarial Plan Disclosure
BGLS sponsors the Retirement Plan For Salaried Non-Bargaining Unit
Employees (the "Retirement Plan") of Liggett, which is a noncontributory,
defined benefit plan. Each salaried employee of the participating companies
becomes a participant on the first day of the month following one year of
employment with 1,000 hours of service and the attainment of age 21. A
participant becomes vested as to benefits on the earlier of his attainment of
age 65, or upon completion of five years of service. Benefits become payable on
a participant's normal retirement date, age 65, or, at the participant's
election, at his early retirement after he has attained age 55 and completed ten
years of service. A participant's annual benefit at normal retirement date is
equal to the sum of: (A) the product of: (1) the sum of: (a) 1.4% of the
participant's average annual
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earnings during the five-year period from January 1, 1986 through December 31,
1990 not in excess of $19,500 and (b) 1.7% of his average annual earnings during
such five-year period in excess of $19,500 and (2) the number of his years of
credited service prior to January 1, 1991; (B) 1.55% of his annual earnings
during each such year after December 31, 1990, not in excess of $16,500; and (C)
1.85% of his annual earnings during such year in excess of $16,500. The maximum
years of credited service is 35. If hired prior to January 1, 1983, there is no
reduction for early retirement. If hired on or after January 1, 1983, there is a
reduction for early retirement equal to 3% per year for the number of years
prior to age 65 (age 62 if the participant has at least 20 years of service)
that the participant retires. The Retirement Plan also provides benefits to
disabled participants and to surviving spouses of participants who die prior to
retirement. Benefits are paid in the form of a single life annuity, with
optional actuarially equivalent forms of annuity available. Payment of benefits
is made beginning on the first day of the month immediately following
retirement. As of December 31, 1993, the accrual of benefits under the plan for
Liggett employees was frozen.
As of December 31, 1997, none of the named executive officers was
eligible to receive any benefits under the Retirement Plan.
Under certain circumstances, the amount of retirement benefits payable
under the Retirement Plan to certain employees may be limited by the federal tax
laws. Any Retirement Plan benefit lost due to such a limitation will be made up
by BGLS through a non-qualified supplemental retirement benefit plan. BGLS has
accrued, but not funded, amounts to pay benefits under this supplemental plan.
Board Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
Compensation arrangements for the Company's executive officers are
usually negotiated on an individual basis between Mr. LeBow and each executive.
The Company's executive compensation philosophy is to base management's pay, in
part, on achievement of the Company's goals, to provide incentives to enhance
stockholder value, to provide competitive levels of compensation, to recognize
individual initiative and achievement and to assist the Company in attracting
talented executives to a challenging and demanding environment and to retain
such executives for the benefit of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Compensation arrangements for the Company's executive officers are determined
initially by evaluating the responsibilities of the position held and the
experience of the individual, and by reference to the competitive marketplace
for management talent. Annual salary adjustments are determined by evaluating
the competitive marketplace, the performance of the Company, the performance of
the executive, and any increased responsibilities assumed by the executive.
Bonus arrangements of certain executive officers are fixed by contract and are
not contingent. The Company, from time to time, considers the payment of
discretionary bonuses to its executive officers. Bonuses are determined based,
first, upon the level of achievement by the Company of its goals and, second,
upon the level of personal achievement by such executive officers.
The compensation package of Mr. LeBow was negotiated and approved by
the independent members of the Board in February 1992. The compensation of Mr.
LeBow is set forth in an employment agreement between Mr. LeBow and the Company
and is restricted by the BGLS Indenture. See "Employment Agreements", above. In
1998, Mr. LeBow was also granted certain stock options, subject to stockholder
approval. See "Approval of Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Plan - 1998 Stock
Option Grants Under the Plan".
The compensation package of Mr. Fulford, as Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Liggett, was negotiated and approved by
the Board of Directors of Liggett in September 1996. The compensation of Mr.
Fulford is set forth in an employment agreement between Mr. Fulford and Liggett.
See "Employment Agreements", above.
In 1993, Section 162(m) was added to the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). This Section generally provides that no publicly
held company shall be permitted to deduct compensation in excess of $1 million
paid in any taxable year to its chief executive officer or any of its four
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other highest paid officers unless: (i) the compensation is payable solely on
account of the attainment of performance goals; (ii) the performance goals are
determined by a compensation committee of two or more outside directors; (iii)
the material terms under which compensation is to be paid are disclosed to and
approved by the stockholders of the Company; and (iv) the compensation committee
certifies that the performance goals were met. This limitation is applicable to
the compensation paid by the Company to the Chairman in 1997. The effect of the
Code Section 162(m) limitation is substantially mitigated by the Company's net
operating losses, although the amount of any deduction disallowed under Code
Section 162(m) could increase the Company's alternative minimum tax by up to 2%
of such disallowed amount. For information relating to the Company's net
operating losses, see Note 12 to the Company's Consolidated Financial
Statements, which Note is set forth in the Annual Report enclosed herewith.
The foregoing information is provided by the Compensation Committee of
the Company.
Robert J. Eide
Jeffrey S. Podell
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the total annual return of the Company's
Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the S&P Tobacco
Index for the five years ended December 31, 1997. The graph assumes that $100
was invested on December 31, 1992 in the Company's Common Stock and each of the
indices, and that all dividends were reinvested. Information for the Company's
Common Stock includes (i) the value of the October 7, 1993 distribution to the
Company's stockholders of SkyBox International Inc. ("SkyBox") common stock
assuming such stock was held until April 30, 1995 (the date on which Marvel
Entertainment Group, Inc. completed its acquisition of SkyBox pursuant to, among
other things, a cash tender offer of $16 per share) and the proceeds from the
tender offer were reinvested on that date in the Company's Common Stock; and
(ii) the value of the February 13, 1995 distribution to the Company's
stockholders of MAI common stock, assuming such stock was held until December
31, 1997.
[GRAPH TO BE INSERTED.]
12/92 12/93 12/94 12/95 12/96 12/97
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Brooke Group Ltd. 100 305 537 1,839 1,077 1,925
S&P 500 100 110 112 153 188 251
S&P MidCap 100 114 110 138 172 227
S&P Tobacco 100 78 85 134 170 211
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
On December 16, 1996, the Company entered into a Stock Option Agreement
(the "Agreement") with Howard M. Lorber, a consultant who serves as a director
and President of New Valley. The Agreement granted such consultant non-qualified
stock options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an
exercise price of $1.00 per share. The options, which have a ten-year term, vest
and become exercisable in six equal annual installments beginning on July 1,
1997. Pursuant to the Agreement, Common Stock dividend equivalents are paid on
each vested and unexercised option. During 1997 and in 1998, the consultant has
received consulting fees of $40,000 per month from the Company and a subsidiary.
In January 1998, the consultant and the Company entered into an amendment to his
consulting agreement whereby he is entitled on an annual basis to receive
additional payments in an amount necessary to reimburse him, on an after-tax
basis, for all applicable taxes incurred by him during the prior calendar year
as a result of the grant to him, or vesting, of a 1994 award of
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500,000 restricted shares of the Company's Common Stock, a 1995 award of 500,000
options to acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock and the 1996 award of
1,000,000 options pursuant to the Agreement. The consultant received an
additional consulting payment of $425,000 in January 1998, which the consultant
and the Company have agreed will constitute full satisfaction of the Company's
obligations under the amendment with respect to 1997.
In 1995, the Company and New Valley entered into an expense sharing
agreement pursuant to which certain lease, legal and administrative expenses are
allocated to the entity incurring the expense. The Company was reimbursed
$375,000 under this agreement for the year ended December 31, 1997.
On December 18, 1996, New Valley loaned BGLS $990,000 under a
short-term promissory note due January 31, 1997 and bearing interest at 14% per
annum. On January 2, 1997, New Valley loaned BGLS an additional $975,000 under
another short-term promissory note due January 31, 1997 and bearing interest at
14% per annum. Both loans, including interest, were repaid on January 31, 1997.
In August 1998, New Valley made a one-year $950,000 loan to BGLS which bears
interest at 14% per annum.
On January 31, 1997, Brooke (Overseas) Ltd. ("BOL"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, entered into a stock purchase agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement") with New Valley, pursuant to which BOL sold 99.1% of the
shares (the "BML Shares") of the common stock of BrookeMil Ltd. ("BML"), a
subsidiary of BOL engaged in real estate development in Russia, to New Valley.
New Valley paid a purchase price of $55 million, consisting of $21.5 million in
cash and a $33.5 million 9% promissory note of New Valley (the "Note"). The Note
has been paid in full. The transaction was approved by the independent members
of the Board of BOL. BOL retained independent legal counsel in connection with
the evaluation and negotiation of the transaction. See Item 1. "Business -
Brooke (Overseas) Ltd. - Sale of BrookeMil Ltd." as well as Notes 4 and 16 to
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning the
transaction and a pending lawsuit relating to New Valley's purchase of the BML
Shares, each of which is set forth in the Annual Report enclosed herewith.
Richard S. Ressler, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
Company's Common Stock and a director of New Valley until September 1997, is
Chairman of the Board and the beneficial owner of 16.8% of the shares of MAI
Systems Corporation ("MAI"), which in 1996 entered into certain arrangements
with Ladenburg, whereby MAI has sold computer and software products and has been
providing related professional and support services to Ladenburg. During 1997,
Ladenburg paid MAI, in the aggregate, approximately $610,000 for such products
and services. In addition, during 1997, Ladenburg paid another company
controlled by Mr. Ressler approximately $143,000 for communications services.
In March 1997, New Valley acquired a membership interest in
Orchard/JFAX Investors, LLC, of which Mr. Ressler serves as a managing member,
for $1 million. The LLC holds a controlling interest in a provider of
telecommunication services.
As of the Record Date, AIF II, L.P. and an affiliated investment
manager, Lion Advisors, L.P., on behalf of a managed account (the "Apollo
Holders") were the beneficial owners of 8.9% of the Company's Common Stock and
held $97,239,000 principal amount of the BGLS Notes. On March 2, 1998, the
Company entered into an agreement with the Apollo Holders in which the Apollo
Holders agreed to defer the payment of interest on the BGLS Notes held by them,
commencing with the interest payment that was due July 31, 1997, which they had
previously agreed to defer, through the interest payment due July 31, 2000. The
deferred interest payments will be payable at final maturity of the BGLS Notes
on January 31, 2001 or upon an event of default under the Indenture for the BGLS
Notes. In connection with the March 2, 1998 agreement with the Apollo Holders,
the Company issued to the Apollo Holders a five-year warrant to purchase
2,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a price of $5.00 per share.
The Apollo Holders were also issued a second warrant expiring October 31, 2004
to purchase an additional 2,150,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a
price of $0.10 per share. The second warrant will become exercisable on October
31, 1999, and the Company will have the right under certain conditions prior to
that date to substitute for that warrant a new warrant for 9.9% of the common
stock of Liggett.
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The Company, New Valley and their affiliates have other business
relationships with affiliates of the Apollo Holders. On January 11, 1996, New
Valley acquired from an affiliate of the Apollo Holders eight shopping centers
for $72.5 million. New Valley and pension plans sponsored by BGLS have invested
in investment partnerships managed by an affiliate of the Apollo Holders. In
February 1998, New Valley and Apollo Real Estate Investment Fund III, L.P.
("Apollo"), an affiliate of the Apollo Holders, organized Western Realty
Development LLC ("Western Realty") to make real estate and other investments in
Russia. In connection with the formation of Western Realty, New Valley agreed,
among other things, to contribute to Western Realty the real estate assets of
BML, and Apollo agreed to contribute up to $58 million. Western Realty has
invested $20 million for a 30% profits interest in a company organized by BOL
which will, among other things, acquire an interest in an industrial site and
manufacturing facility being constructed on the outskirts of Moscow by a
subsidiary of BOL. For additional information concerning Western Realty, see
Item 1. "Business - New Valley Corporation - Western Realty", as well as Note 2
to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, each of which is set forth
in the Annual Report enclosed herewith.
As of the Record Date, High River Limited Partnership ("High River")
was the beneficial owner of 7.3% of the Company's Common Stock and an affiliate,
Tortoise Corp., held $97,551,000 principal amount of the BGLS Notes. On January
16, 1998, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement under which High
River purchased 1,500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at $6.00 per
share for an aggregate purchase price of $9,000,000.
For information concerning certain agreements and transactions between
the Company, BGLS and New Valley relating to RJR Nabisco, see Item 7,
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Recent Developments - New Valley - Investment in RJR Nabisco" and
Note 3 and Note 17 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, each of
which is set forth in the Annual Report enclosed herewith.
See also "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
APPROVAL OF INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The Board has adopted and declared advisable, subject to stockholder
approval, an amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase
the Company's number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 40,000,000 shares
to 100,000,000 shares.
The additional Common Stock to be authorized by adoption of the
amendment would have rights identical to the currently outstanding Common Stock.
Adoption of the proposed amendment and issuance of the Common Stock would not
affect the rights of the holders of currently outstanding Common Stock, except
for effects incidental to increasing the number of shares of the Common Stock
outstanding, such as dilution of the earnings per share and voting rights of
current holders of Common Stock. The Common Stock has no preemptive rights. If
the amendment is adopted, it will become effective upon filing of a Certificate
of Amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of
the State of Delaware.
If the amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation is
approved, the increased number of authorized shares of Common Stock will be
available for issuance, from time to time, for such purposes and consideration,
and on such terms, as the Board may approve and no further vote of the
stockholders of the Company will be sought, although certain issuances of shares
may require stockholder approval in accordance with the requirements of The New
York Stock Exchange or the Delaware General Corporation Law. Management believes
that the limited number of currently authorized but unissued and unreserved
shares of Common Stock may restrict the Company's ability to respond to business
needs and opportunities. The availability of additional shares of Common Stock
for issuance will afford the Company flexibility in the future by assuring that
there will be sufficient authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock for
possible acquisitions, financing requirements, stock splits and other
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corporate purposes. The Company has no definite plans for the use of the Common
Stock for which authorization is sought.
The existence of additional authorized shares of Common Stock could
have the effect of rendering more difficult or discouraging hostile takeover
attempts. The Company is not aware of any existing or planned effort on the part
of any party to accumulate material amounts of voting stock, or to acquire the
Company by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation of proxies in
opposition to management or otherwise, or to change the Company's management,
nor is the Company aware of any person having made any offer to acquire the
voting stock or assets of the Company.
In addition to the 20,473,730 shares of Common Stock outstanding at the
Record Date, the Board has reserved an aggregate of 12,273,868 additional shares
for future issuance, consisting of the following: (a) 1,873,868 shares reserved
for issuance upon exercise of options granted under stock option and consulting
agreements entered into by the Company with employees and consultants of the
Company and its subsidiaries; (b) 5,400,000 shares reserved for issuance upon
exercise of other outstanding warrants and options; and (c) 5,000,000 shares
reserved for issuance under the Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting).
As a result, the Company currently has only 7,252,402 authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock (including treasury shares), which are
unreserved and available for future issuance.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock will be required to approve this amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation. As a result, shares with respect to
which authority is withheld, abstentions and Broker Shares that are not voted
will have the same effect as votes against this proposal.
The Board recommends a vote FOR amending the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.
APPROVAL OF BROOKE GROUP LTD. 1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board has approved and the Company has adopted, subject to
stockholder approval, the Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"). A general description of the basic features of the Plan is set forth
below. Such description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of the Plan which is appended in full to this Proxy Statement.
Purpose
The purpose of the Plan is to further and promote the interests of the
Company, its subsidiaries and its stockholders by enabling the Company to
attract, retain and motivate officers, employees and consultants or those who
will become officers, employees or consultants, and to align the interests of
those individuals and the Company's stockholders. To do this, the Plan offers
equity-based opportunities to provide such persons with a proprietary interest
in maximizing the growth, profitability and overall success of the Company and
its subsidiaries.
Number of Shares
The maximum number of shares of Common Stock as to which awards may be
granted will not exceed 5,000,000 shares. During any calendar year, no
individual may be granted stock options under the Plan to acquire more than
2,500,000 shares of Common Stock. In addition, during the term of the Plan, each
individual participant may not receive awards of stock options, stock
appreciation rights and/or restricted shares in excess of 2,500,000 shares. The
limits on the numbers of shares described in this
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paragraph are subject to proportional adjustment to reflect certain stock
changes, such as stock dividends and stock splits.
If, however, any awards expire or terminate unexercised, the shares of
Common Stock allocable to the unexercised or terminated portion of such award
shall again be available for awards under the Plan to the extent of such
expiration or termination, subject to certain limitations under the Plan.
Administration
The administration, interpretation and operation of the Plan will be
vested in a Committee of the Board (the "Committee"). Members of the Committee
will serve at the pleasure of the Board, which may at any time remove or add
members to it. No member of the Committee will be eligible to receive an award
under the Plan. The day-to-day administration of the Plan may be carried out by
officers and employees of the Company designated by the Committee. The Board has
designated its Compensation Committee to administer the Plan.
Eligibility
All officers, employees and consultants of the Company are eligible to
receive awards under the Plan. Awards under the Plan will be made by the
Committee. Awards will be made pursuant to individual award agreements between
the Company and each participant.
Awards Under the Plan
Introduction. Awards under the Plan may consist of stock options, stock
appreciation rights or restricted shares, each of which is described below. All
awards will be evidenced by an agreement approved by the Committee. In the
discretion of the Committee, an eligible employee may receive awards from one or
more of the categories described below, and more than one award may be granted
to an eligible employee. In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company by reason of certain stock changes, including
without limitation stock dividends and stock splits, the terms of awards and
number of shares of any outstanding award may be equitably adjusted by the Board
in its sole discretion. Except as set forth below under "1998 Stock Option
Grants Under the Plan," no determination has been made as to future awards which
may be granted under the Plan, although it is anticipated that future recipients
of awards may include other current executive officers of the Company.
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. A stock option is an award
that entitles a participant to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price fixed
at the time the option is granted. Stock options granted under the Plan may be
in the form of incentive stock options (which qualify for special tax treatment)
or non-qualified stock options, and may be granted alone or in addition to other
awards under the Plan, or in tandem with stock appreciation rights ("SARs").
SARs entitle a participant to receive, upon exercise, cash, restricted
shares or unrestricted shares of Common Stock, or any combination thereof, as
provided in the relevant award agreement, with a value equal to (a) the
difference between (i) the fair market value on the exercise date of the shares
with respect to which an SAR is exercised and (ii) the fair market value on the
date the SAR was granted, multiplied by (b) the number of shares of Common Stock
for which the SAR has been exercised.
No SAR may be exercised until six months after its grant or prior to
the exercisability of the stock option with which it is granted in tandem,
whichever is later.
The exercise price and other terms and conditions of such options will
be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, and in the case of
incentive stock options, such exercise price will not be less than 100 percent
of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant. No term
of any incentive stock options shall exceed ten years after grant. An option or
SAR grant under the Plan
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does not provide an optionee any rights as a shareholder and such rights will
accrue only as to shares actually purchased through the exercise of an option or
the settlement of an SAR.
Exercise of an option (or an SAR) will result in the cancellation of
the related option (or SAR) to the extent of the number of shares in respect of
which such option (or SAR) has been exercised. Unless otherwise determined by
the Committee or provided in the relevant award agreement, stock options shall
become exercisable over a three year period from the date of grant with 33 1/3%
vesting on each anniversary of the grant in that time period.
Payment for shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of an option may
be made either in cash, or if permitted by the Committee, by tendering either a
fully-secured promissory note or shares of Common Stock owned by a participant
for at least six months with a fair market value at the date of exercise equal
to the portion of the exercise price which is not paid in cash. The Committee
may also allow participants to simultaneously exercise stock options and sell
the shares of Common Stock acquired thereby, pursuant to a "cashless exercise"
arrangement.
Restricted Share Awards. Restricted share awards are grants of Common
Stock made to a participant subject to conditions established by the Committee
in the relevant award agreement. The restricted shares only become unrestricted
in accordance with the conditions and vesting schedule, if any, provided in the
relevant award agreement, but in no event shall restricted shares vest prior to
six months after the date of grant. A participant may not sell or otherwise
dispose of restricted stock until the conditions imposed by the Committee have
been satisfied. Restricted share awards under the Plan may be granted alone or
in addition to any other awards under the Plan. Restricted shares which vest
will be reissued as unrestricted Common Stock.
Each participant who receives a grant of restricted shares will have
the right to receive all dividends and vote or execute proxies for such shares.
Any stock dividends will be treated as additional restricted shares.
Forfeiture Upon Termination
Unless otherwise provided in the relevant award agreement or in a
participant's then-effective employment agreement, if a participant's employment
is terminated for any reason, any unexercisable option or SAR shall be forfeited
and canceled by the Company. Such participant's right to exercise any
then-exercisable option or SAR will terminate ninety days after the date of
termination (but not beyond the stated term of such stock option or SAR);
provided, however, the Committee may (to the extent options and/or SARs were
exercisable on the date of termination) extend such periods, but not beyond the
stated term of such option and/or SAR. If a participant dies, becomes totally
disabled or retires, such participant (or the estate or other legal
representative of the participant), to the extent the options of SARs are
exercisable immediately prior to the date of death, total disability or
retirement, will be entitled to exercise any stock options or SARs for a one
year period following such death, disability or retirement, but not beyond the
stated term of such option or SAR.
If a participant's employment is terminated for any reason (other than
due to death, total disability or retirement) prior to the satisfaction and/or
lapse of the restrictions, terms and conditions, applicable to any grant of
restricted shares, such restricted shares, will be immediately forfeited by such
participant; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
determine within ninety days after such termination that all or a portion of
such restricted shares, shall not be so forfeited. In the case of death, total
disability or retirement, the participant (or the estate or other legal
representatives of the participant) shall become 100% vested in any restricted
shares as of the date of termination.
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Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan
The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the Plan (or any
portion thereof) at any time and may amend the Plan at any time in such respects
as the Board may deem advisable to insure that any awards conform to or
otherwise reflect any change in applicable law or regulations, or in any other
respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company or any
subsidiary. No amendment, suspension or termination by the Board of Directors
shall (a) materially adversely affect the rights of any option, SAR or
restricted share grants, without the consent of such participant, or (b) make
any change that would disqualify the Plan from the benefits or entitlements to
deductions provided under Sections 422 and 162(m) of the Code, respectively.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Plan
Incentive Stock Options. Stock options granted under the Plan may be
incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) or
non-qualified stock options. Upon the grant of an incentive stock option, the
optionee will not recognize any income. No income is recognized by the optionee
upon the exercise of an incentive stock option if the holding period
requirements contained in the Plan and in the Code are met, including the
requirement that the optionee remain an employee of the Company (or a
subsidiary) during the period beginning with the date of the grant of the option
and ending on the day three months (one year if the optionee becomes disabled)
before the date the option is exercised. The optionee must increase his or her
alternative minimum taxable income for the taxable year in which he or she
exercised the incentive stock option by the amount that would have been ordinary
income had the option not been an incentive stock option.
Upon the subsequent disposition of shares acquired upon the exercise of
an incentive stock option, the federal income tax consequences will depend upon
when the disposition occurs and the type of disposition. If the shares are
disposed of by the optionee after the second anniversary of the date of grant of
the option and after the end of the one-year period beginning on the day after
the day the shares are issued to the optionee, any gain or loss realized upon
such disposition will be long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company (or a
subsidiary) will not be entitled to any income tax deduction in respect of the
option or its exercise. For purposes of determining the amount of such gain or
loss, the optionee's tax basis in the shares will be the option price.
Generally, if the shares are disposed of by the optionee in a taxable
disposition within the two-year period beginning on the date of grant or within
the one-year period beginning on the day after the day the shares are issued to
the optionee, the excess, if any, of the amount realized (up to the fair market
value of the shares on the exercise date) over the option price will be
compensation taxable to the optionee as ordinary income, and the Company will be
entitled to a deduction (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code
discussed below under the caption "Limits on Deductions") equal to the amount of
ordinary income realized by the optionee.
If an optionee has not remained an employee of the Company during the
period beginning with the grant of an incentive stock option and ending on the
day three months (one year if the optionee becomes disabled) before the date the
option is exercised, the exercise of such option will be treated as the exercise
of a non-qualified stock option with the tax consequences described below.
Non-Qualified Stock Options. Upon the grant of a non-qualified stock
option, an optionee will not recognize any income. At the time a nonqualified
option is exercised, the optionee will recognize compensation taxable as
ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction (subject to the
provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code discussed below under the caption
"Limits on Deductions"), in an amount equal to the difference between the fair
market value on the exercise date of the shares acquired pursuant to such
exercise and the option price. Upon a subsequent disposition of the shares, the
optionee will recognize long- or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon
the holding period of the
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shares. For purposes of determining the amount of such gain or loss, the
optionee's tax basis in the shares will be the fair market value of such shares
on the exercise date.
If an optionee elects to tender shares of Common Stock in partial or
full payment of the option price for shares to be acquired through the exercise
of an option, generally the optionee will not recognize any gain or loss on such
tendered shares. However, if the shares tendered in connection with any
share-for-share exercise were previously acquired upon the exercise of an
incentive stock option, and such share-for-share exercise occurs within two
years after the date of grant of the option or one year after the tendered
shares were acquired, the tender of such shares in partial or full payment of
the option price will be a taxable disposition with the tax consequences
described above under the caption "Incentive Stock Options" for taxable
dispositions within two years after the date of grant of the option or within
one year after shares are acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock
option.
If the optionee tenders shares upon the exercise of an option which
would result in the receipt of compensation by the optionee, as described above
under the caption "Non-Qualified Stock Options", the optionee will recognize
compensation taxable as ordinary income and the Company will be entitled to a
deduction (subject to the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code discussed
below under the caption "Limits on Deductions") in an amount equal only to the
fair market value of the number of shares received by the optionee upon exercise
which is in excess of the number of tendered shares, less any cash paid by the
optionee.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Generally, upon the grant of a stock
appreciation right, an optionee will not realize any income. At the time a stock
appreciation right is exercised, an optionee will realize compensation taxable
as ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction, in an
amount equal to any cash received (before applicable withholding) plus the fair
market value on the exercise date of any shares of Common Stock received. The
optionee's tax basis in any such shares received upon the exercise of a stock
appreciation right will be the fair market value of such shares on the exercise
date and the holding period of such shares for capital gain purposes will begin
on such date.
Restricted Stock. An employee will not realize any income upon an award
of Restricted Stock. At the time the terms and conditions applicable to a share
of Restricted Stock are satisfied, an employee will realize compensation taxable
as ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction, equal to
the then fair market value of the shares of unrestricted Common Stock received
by the employee. The employee's tax basis for any such shares of Common Stock
would be their fair market value on the date such terms and conditions are
satisfied.
An employee who receives an award of shares of Restricted Stock may
irrevocably elect under Section 83(b) of the Code to report compensation taxable
as ordinary income, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding
deduction, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares of
Restricted Stock (determined without regard to any restrictions thereon) on the
date of the transfer of such shares to the employee upon such award. Such an
election must be made by the employee not later than 30 days after the date of
such award. If such an election is made, no income would be recognized by the
employee (and the Company will not be entitled to a corresponding deduction) at
the time the applicable terms and conditions are satisfied. The employee's tax
basis for the shares of Restricted Stock received and for any shares of Common
Stock subsequently held in respect thereof would be the fair market value of the
Restricted Stock (determined without regard to any restrictions thereon) on the
date of such award. If an employee makes such an election and subsequently all
or part of the award is forfeited, the employee will not be entitled to a
deduction as a result of such forfeiture.
Limits on Deductions. Under Section 162(m) of the Code, the amount of
compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the four other most highly
paid executive officers of the Company in the year for which a deduction is
claimed by the Company (including its subsidiaries) is limited to $1,000,000 per
person in any year, except that compensation which is performance-based will be
excluded for purposes of calculating the amount of compensation subject to this
$1,000,000 limitation. The ability of the
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Company to claim a deduction for compensation paid to any other executive
officer or employee of the Company (including its subsidiaries) is not affected
by this provision.
The Company has structured the Plan so that any compensation for which
the Company may claim a deduction in connection with the exercise of
non-qualified stock options and related SARs and the disposition by an optionee
of shares acquired upon the exercise of incentive stock options may be
performance-based within the meaning of Section 162(m) of Code. Because the
restricted share awards under the Plan are not deemed to be performance-based
under Section 162(m) of the Code, amounts for which the Company may claim a
deduction upon the lapse of any restrictions on such restricted share awards
will be subject to the limitations on deductibility under Section 162(m).
The recognition by an employee of compensation income with respect to a
grant or an award under the Plan will be subject to withholding for federal
income and employment tax purposes. If an employee, to the extent permitted by
the terms of a grant or award under the Plan, uses shares of Common Stock to
satisfy the federal income and employment tax withholding obligation, or any
similar withholding obligation for state and local tax obligations, the employee
will recognize a capital gain or loss, short-term or long-term, depending on the
tax basis and holding period for such shares of Common Stock.
1998 Stock Option Grants Under the Plan
On July 20, 1998, the Company granted a non-qualified stock option to
each of Bennett S. LeBow and Howard M. Lorber (the "Option Holders") pursuant to
the Plan. The grant of the options to the Option Holders is conditioned upon the
approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders. Under the options, Messrs.
LeBow and Lorber have the right to purchase 2,500,000 shares and 500,000 shares,
respectively, of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $9.75 per
share (the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant).
The options have a ten-year term and become exercisable as to one-fourth of the
aggregate shares covered thereby on each of the first four anniversaries of the
date of grant. However, any then unexercisable portion of the option will
immediately vest and become exercisable upon (i) the occurrence of a "Change in
Control," or (ii) the termination of the Option Holder's employment or
consulting arrangement with the Company due to death or disability. Upon the
termination of the Option Holder's employment or consulting arrangement for any
reason, any then unexercisable portion of the option will be forfeited and
cancelled by the Company. The Option Holder's right to exercise any then
exercisable portion of the option will terminate nine months after his date of
termination (but not beyond the stated term of the option). If an Option Holder
dies or becomes disabled, such Option Holder (or his estate or other legal
representative), to the extent the option is exercisable immediately prior to
the date of his death or disability, will be entitled to exercise the option for
a one-year period following the date of his death or disability (but not beyond
the stated term of the option).
* * * * * *
At the Record Date, the total number of outstanding shares of Common
Stock was 20,473,730 shares. The closing price of the Common Stock on the Record
Date on The New York Stock Exchange was $_______ per share.
Effective Date
The Plan became effective on May 8, 1998, the date of its adoption by
the Board of Directors, subject to stockholder approval. The Plan will terminate
on December 31, 2007, except with respect to awards then outstanding. After such
date no further awards will be granted under the Plan unless the Plan is
extended by the Board of Directors.
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22
Approval of the Plan
To become effective, the Plan must be approved by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting on this proposal by the
holders of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereat.
The Board recommends a vote FOR approval of the Plan.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has been the independent auditors for the
Company since December 1986 and will serve in that capacity for the 1998 fiscal
year unless the Board deems it advisable to make a substitution. It is expected
that one or more representatives of such firm will attend the Annual Meeting and
be available to respond to any questions. These representatives will be given an
opportunity to make statements at the Annual Meeting if they so desire.
MISCELLANEOUS
1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K
The Company has mailed, with this proxy statement, a copy of the Annual
Report to each stockholder as of the Record Date. If a stockholder requires an
additional copy of the Annual Report, the Company will provide one, without
charge, on the written request of any such stockholder addressed to the
Company's Secretary at Brooke Group Ltd., 100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd Floor,
Miami, Florida 33131.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors and executive
officers of the Company, as well as persons who own more than 10% of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities (the "Reporting Persons"),
to file reports of initial beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial
ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Such
Reporting Persons are also required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company
with copies of all such reports that they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Company and representations that no other reports
were required, during and with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997, all Reporting Persons have timely complied with all filing requirements
applicable to them.
Stockholder Proposals for the 1999 Annual Meeting
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Securities Exchange of 1934 must be received by the Company at its principal
executive offices, 100 S.E. Second Street, 32nd Floor, Miami, Florida 33131,
Attention: Marc N. Bell, Secretary, on or before May 19, 1999 in order to be
included in the Company's proxy statement and accompanying proxy card relating
to that meeting. Notice of a stockholder proposal submitted outside the
processes of Rule 14a-8 will be considered untimely unless submitted by August
2, 1999.
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23
Other Matters
The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
In addition to the use of the mails, some of the directors, officers and regular
employees of the Company may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies
personally or by telephone. The Company will reimburse brokerage houses, banks
and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for customary and reasonable
expenses incurred in forwarding soliciting material to the beneficial owners of
Common Stock.
The Board knows of no other matters which will be presented at the
Annual Meeting. If, however, any other matter is properly presented at the
Annual Meeting, the proxy solicited by this proxy statement will be voted in
accordance with the judgment of the person or persons holding such proxy.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Bennett S. LeBow
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dated: September 15, 1998
22
24
BROOKE GROUP LTD.
1998 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
* * * * *
1. Purpose. The purpose of the 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") is to further and promote the interests of Brooke Group Ltd. (the
"Company"), its Subsidiaries and its shareholders by enabling the Company and
its Subsidiaries to attract, retain and motivate officers, employees and
consultants or those who will become officers, employees or consultants, and to
align the interests of those individuals and the Company's shareholders. To do
this, the Plan offers equity-based opportunities providing such officers,
employees and consultants with a proprietary interest in maximizing the growth,
profitability and overall success of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
2. Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall
have the meanings set forth below:
2.1 "Award" means an award or grant made to a Participant
under Sections 6, 7 and/or 8 of the Plan.
2.2 "Award Agreement" means the agreement executed by a
Participant pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 15.6 of the Plan in connection with the
granting of an Award.
2.3 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company, as
constituted from time to time.
2.4 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in
effect and as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto,
together with any rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder
or with respect thereto.
2.5 "Committee" means the committee of the Board established
to administer the Plan, as described in Section 3 of the Plan.
2.6 "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $.10 per
share, of the Company or any security of the Company issued by the Company in
substitution or exchange therefor.
2.7 "Company" means Brooke Group Ltd., a Delaware corporation,
or any successor corporation to Brooke Group Ltd.
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2.8 "Disability" means disability as defined in the
Participant's Award Agreement or then effective employment agreement, or if the
Participant's Award Agreement does not define disability, or if the Participant
is not then a party to an effective employment agreement with the Company which
defines disability, "Disability" means disability as determined by the Committee
in accordance with standards and procedures similar to those under the Company's
long-term disability plan, if any. Subject to the first sentence of this Section
2.8, at any time that the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan,
"Disability" shall mean any physical or mental disability which is determined to
be total and permanent by a physician selected in good faith by the Company.
2.9 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as in effect and as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto,
together with any rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder
or with respect thereto.
2.10 "Fair Market Value" means on, or with respect to, any
given date(s), the closing price of the Common Stock, as reported on the
consolidated transaction reporting system for the New York Stock Exchange for
such date(s) or, if the Common Stock was not traded on such date(s), on the next
preceding day or days on which the Common Stock was traded. If at any time the
Common Stock is not traded on such exchange, the Fair Market Value of a share of
the Common Stock shall be determined in good faith by the Board.
2.11 "Incentive Stock Option" means any stock option granted
pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Plan (and the relevant Award
Agreement) that is intended to be (and is specifically designated as) an
"incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.12 "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any stock option
granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Plan (and the relevant
Award Agreement) that is not (and is specifically designated as not being) an
Incentive Stock Option.
2.13 "Participant" means any individual who is selected from
time to time under Section 5 to receive an Award under the Plan.
2.14 "Plan" means the Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term
Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as in effect and as amended from time to
time (together with any rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee with
respect thereto).
2.15 "Restricted Shares" means the restricted shares of Common
Stock granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan and the
relevant Award Agreement.
26
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2.16 "Retirement" means the voluntary retirement by the
Participant from active employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries on or
after the attainment of (i) age 65, or (ii) 60, with the consent of the Board.
2.17 "Stock Appreciation Right" means an Award described in
Section 7.2 of the Plan and granted pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 of
the Plan.
2.18 "Subsidiary(ies)" means any corporation (other than the
Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations, including and beginning with the
Company, if each of such corporations, other than the last corporation in the
unbroken chain, owns, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of
the voting stock in one of the other corporations in such chain, or any
"subsidiary" of the Company as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
3. Administration.
3.1 The Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the
Committee. The Committee shall be appointed from time to time by the Board and
shall be comprised of not less than two (2) of the then members of the Board who
are Outside Directors (within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and the
regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company. No member of the Committee
shall be eligible to receive awards under the Plan. Consistent with the Bylaws
of the Company, members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the
Board and the Board, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, may at any
time and from time to time remove members from, or add members to, the
Committee.
3.2 Plan Administration and Plan Rules. The Committee is
authorized to construe and interpret the Plan and to promulgate, amend and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the implementation, administration and
maintenance of the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the
Committee shall make all determinations necessary or advisable for the
implementation, administration and maintenance of the Plan including, without
limitation, (a) selecting the Plan's Participants, (b) making Awards in such
amounts and form as the Committee shall determine, (c) imposing such
restrictions, terms and conditions upon such Awards as the Committee shall deem
appropriate, and (d) correcting any technical defect(s) or technical
omission(s), or reconciling any technical inconsistency(ies), in the Plan and/or
any Award Agreement. The Committee may designate persons other than members of
the Committee to carry out the day-to-day ministerial administration of the Plan
under such conditions and limitations as it may prescribe, except that the
Committee shall not delegate its authority with regard to the selection for
participation in the Plan and/or the granting of any Awards to Participants. The
Committee's determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made
selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly
situated. Any determination, decision or action of the Committee in connection
with the construction, interpretation, administration, implementation or
maintenance of the Plan shall be
27
-4-
final, conclusive and binding upon all Participants and any person(s) claiming
under or through any Participants. The Company shall effect the granting of
Awards under the Plan, in accordance with the determinations made by the
Committee, by execution of written agreements and/or other instruments in such
form as is approved by the Committee.
3.3 Liability Limitation. Neither the Board nor the Committee,
nor any member of either, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation,
construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan (or
any Award Agreement), and the members of the Board and the Committee shall be
entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Company in respect of any
claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees)
arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or
under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage which may be in
effect from time to time.
4. Term of Plan/Common Stock Subject to Plan.
4.1 Term. The Plan shall terminate on December 31, 2007,
except with respect to Awards then outstanding. After such date no further
Awards shall be granted under the Plan.
4.2 Common Stock. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock
in respect of which Awards may be granted or paid out under the Plan, subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 13.2 of the Plan, shall not exceed 5,000,000
shares. In the event of a change in the Common Stock of the Company that is
limited to a change in the designation thereof to "Capital Stock" or other
similar designation, or to a change in the par value thereof, or from par value
to no par value, without increase or decrease in the number of issued shares,
the shares resulting from any such change shall be deemed to be the Common Stock
for purposes of the Plan. Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan may be
either authorized and unissued shares or issued shares which have been
reacquired by the Company (in the open-market or in private transactions) and
which are being held as treasury shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock
shall be issued under the Plan.
4.3 Computation of Available Shares. For the purpose of
computing the total number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards under
the Plan, there shall be counted against the limitations set forth in Section
4.2 of the Plan the maximum number of shares of Common Stock potentially subject
to issuance upon exercise or settlement of Awards granted under Sections 6 and 7
of the Plan, and the number of shares of Common Stock issued under grants of
Restricted Shares pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan, in each case determined as
of the date on which such Awards are granted. If any Awards expire unexercised
or are forfeited, surrendered, cancelled, terminated or settled in cash in lieu
of Common Stock, the shares of Common Stock which were theretofore subject (or
potentially subject) to such Awards shall again be available for Awards under
the Plan to the extent of such expiration, forfeiture, surrender, cancellation,
termination or settlement of such Awards.
28
-5-
5. Eligibility. Individuals eligible for Awards under the Plan shall
consist of all officers, employees and consultants, or those who will become
such officers, employees or consultants, of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries
who are responsible for the management, growth and protection of the business of
the Company and/or its Subsidiaries or whose performance or contribution, in the
sole discretion of the Committee, benefits or will benefit the Company.
6. Stock Options.
6.1 Terms and Conditions. Stock options granted under the Plan
shall be in respect of Common Stock and may be in the form of Incentive Stock
Options, or Non-Qualified Stock Options (sometimes referred to collectively
herein as the "Stock Option(s))". Such Stock Options shall be subject to the
terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6 and any additional terms and
conditions, not inconsistent with the express terms and provisions of the Plan,
as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award Agreement.
6.2 Grant. Stock Options may be granted under the Plan in such
form as the Committee may from time to time approve. Stock Options may be
granted alone or in addition to other Awards under the Plan or in tandem with
Stock Appreciation Rights. Special provisions shall apply to Incentive Stock
Options granted to any employee who owns (within the meaning of Section
422(b)(6) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent corporation or any
subsidiary of the Company, within the meaning of Sections 424(e) and (f) of the
Code (a "10% Shareholder").
6.3 Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common
Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee, including,
without limitation, a determination based on a formula determined by the
Committee; provided, however, that the exercise price of an Incentive Stock
Option shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant of such Incentive Stock
Option; provided, further, however, that, in the case of a 10% Shareholder, the
exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than one hundred
ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant.
6.4 Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be such period
of time as is fixed by the Committee; provided, however, that the term of any
Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed ten (10) years (five (5) years, in the
case of a 10% Shareholder) after the date immediately preceding the date on
which the Incentive Stock Option is granted.
29
-6-
6.5 Method of Exercise. A Stock Option may be exercised, in
whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Secretary of the
Company, or the Secretary's designee, specifying the number of shares to be
purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise
price in cash, by certified check, bank draft or money order payable to the
order of the Company or, if permitted by the Committee (in its sole discretion)
and applicable law, by delivery of, alone or in conjunction with a partial cash
or instrument payment, (a) a fully-secured promissory note or notes, (b) shares
of Common Stock already owned by the Participant for at least six (6) months, or
(c) some other form of payment acceptable to the Committee. The Committee may
also permit Participants (either on a selective or group basis) to
simultaneously exercise Stock Options and sell the shares of Common Stock
thereby acquired, pursuant to a "cashless exercise" arrangement or program,
selected by and approved of in all respects in advance by the Committee. Payment
instruments shall be received by the Company subject to collection. The proceeds
received by the Company upon exercise of any Stock Option may be used by the
Company for general corporate purposes. Any portion of a Stock Option that is
exercised may not be exercised again.
6.6 Exercisability. In respect of any Stock Option granted
under the Plan, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or in the
Participant's employment agreement in respect of any such Stock Option, such
Stock Option shall become exercisable as to the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock underlying such Stock Option, as determined on the date of grant,
as follows:
o 33%, on the first anniversary of the date of grant of
the Stock Option, provided the Participant is then
employed by the Company and/or one of its
Subsidiaries;
o 66%, on the second anniversary of the date of grant
of the Stock Option, provided the Participant is then
employed by the Company and/or one of its
Subsidiaries; and
o 100%, on the third anniversary of the date of grant
of the Stock Option, provided the Participant is then
employed by the Company and/or one of its
Subsidiaries.
6.7 Tandem Grants. If Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock
Appreciation Rights are granted in tandem, as designated in the relevant Award
Agreements, the right of a Participant to exercise any such tandem Stock Option
shall terminate to the extent that the shares of Common Stock subject to such
Stock Option are used to calculate amounts or shares receivable upon the
exercise of the related tandem Stock Appreciation Right.
30
-7-
7. Stock Appreciation Rights.
7.1 Terms and Conditions. The grant of Stock Appreciation
Rights under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Section 7 and any additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with
the express terms and provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth
in the relevant Award Agreement.
7.2 Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right is
an Award granted with respect to a specified number of shares of Common Stock
entitling a Participant to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the Fair
Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the Stock
Appreciation Right, multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock with
respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.
7.3 Grant. A Stock Appreciation Right may be granted in
addition to any other Award under the Plan or in tandem with or independent of a
Non-Qualified Stock Option.
7.4 Date of Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided in the
Participant's employment agreement or the Award Agreement in respect of any
Stock Appreciation Right, a Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by a
Participant, in accordance with and subject to all of the procedures established
by the Committee, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time during
its specified term. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event shall a
Stock Appreciation Right be exercisable prior to the date which is six (6)
months after the date on which the Stock Appreciation Right was granted or prior
to the exercisability of any Non-Qualified Stock Option with which it is granted
in tandem. The Committee may also provide, as set forth in the relevant Award
Agreement and without limitation, that some Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
automatically exercised and settled on one or more fixed dates specified therein
by the Committee.
7.5 Form of Payment. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation
Right, payment may be made in cash, in Restricted Shares or in shares of
unrestricted Common Stock, or in any combination thereof, as the Committee, in
its sole discretion, shall determine and provide in the relevant Award
Agreement.
7.6 Tandem Grant. The right of a Participant to exercise a
tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall terminate to the extent such Participant
exercises the Non-Qualified Stock Option to which such Stock Appreciation Right
is related.
31
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8. Restricted Shares.
8.1 Terms and Conditions. Grants of Restricted Shares shall be
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8 and any
additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the express terms and
provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall set forth in the relevant Award
Agreement. Restricted Shares may be granted alone or in addition to any other
Awards under the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall
determine the number of Restricted Shares to be granted to a Participant and the
Committee may provide or impose different terms and conditions on any particular
Restricted Share grant made to any Participant. With respect to each Participant
receiving an Award of Restricted Shares, there shall be issued a stock
certificate (or certificates) in respect of such Restricted Shares. Such stock
certificate(s) shall be registered in the name of such Participant, shall be
accompanied by a stock power duly executed by such Participant, and shall bear,
among other required legends, the following legend:
"The transferability of this certificate and the shares of
stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and
conditions (including, without limitation, forfeiture events)
contained in the Brooke Group Ltd. 1998 Long-Term Incentive
Plan and an Award Agreement entered into between the
registered owner hereof and Brooke Group Ltd. Copies of such
Plan and Award Agreement are on file in the office of the
Secretary of Brooke Group Ltd., 100 S.E. Second Street, Miami
Florida 33131. Brooke Group Ltd. will furnish to the
recordholder of the certificate, without charge and upon
written request at its principal place of business, a copy of
such Plan and Award Agreement. Brooke Group Ltd. reserves the
right to refuse to record the transfer of this certificate
until all such restrictions are satisfied, all such terms are
complied with and all such conditions are satisfied."
Such stock certificate evidencing such shares shall, in the sole discretion of
the Committee, be deposited with and held in custody by the Company until the
restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and all of the terms and conditions
applicable to such grant shall have been satisfied.
8.2 Restricted Share Grants. A grant of Restricted Shares is
an Award of shares of Common Stock granted to a Participant, subject to such
restrictions, terms and conditions as the Committee deems appropriate,
including, without limitation, (a) restrictions on the sale, assignment,
transfer, hypothecation or other disposition of such shares, (b) the requirement
that the Participant deposit such shares with the Company while such shares are
subject to such restrictions, and (c) the requirement that such shares be
forfeited upon termination of employment for specified reasons within a
specified period of time or for other reasons (including, without limitation,
the failure to achieve designated performance goals).
32
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8.3 Restriction Period. In accordance with Sections 8.1 and
8.2 of the Plan and unless otherwise determined by the Committee (in its sole
discretion) at any time and from time to time, Restricted Shares shall only
become unrestricted and vested in the Participant in accordance with such
vesting schedule relating to such Restricted Shares, if any, as the Committee
may establish in the relevant Award Agreement (the "Restriction Period").
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in no event shall the Restriction Period
be less than six (6) months after the date of grant. During the Restriction
Period, such stock shall be and remain unvested and a Participant may not sell,
assign, transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of or hypothecate such
Award. Upon satisfaction of the vesting schedule and any other applicable
restrictions, terms and conditions, the Participant shall be entitled to receive
payment of the Restricted Shares or a portion thereof, as the case may be, as
provided in Section 8.4 of the Plan.
8.4 Payment of Restricted Share Grants. After the satisfaction
and/or lapse of the restrictions, terms and conditions established by the
Committee in respect of a grant of Restricted Shares, a new certificate, without
the legend set forth in Section 8.1 of the Plan, for the number of shares of
Common Stock which are no longer subject to such restrictions, terms and
conditions shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, be delivered to the
Participant.
8.5 Shareholder Rights. A Participant shall have, with respect
to the shares of Common Stock underlying a grant of Restricted Shares, all of
the rights of a shareholder of such stock (except as such rights are limited or
restricted under the Plan or in the relevant Award Agreement). Any stock
dividends paid in respect of unvested Restricted Shares shall be treated as
additional Restricted Shares and shall be subject to the same restrictions and
other terms and conditions that apply to the unvested Restricted Shares in
respect of which such stock dividends are issued.
9. Deferral Elections/Tax Reimbursements/Other Provisions.
9.1 Deferrals. The Committee may permit a Participant to elect
to defer receipt of any payment of cash or any delivery of shares of Common
Stock that would otherwise be due to such Participant by virtue of the exercise,
earn out or settlement of any Award made under the Plan. If any such election is
permitted, the Committee shall establish rules and procedures for such
deferrals, including, without limitation, the payment or crediting of reasonable
interest on such deferred amounts credited in cash, and the payment or crediting
of dividend equivalents in respect of deferrals credited in units of Common
Stock. The Committee may also provide in the relevant Award Agreement for a tax
reimbursement cash payment to be made by the Company in favor of any Participant
in connection with the tax consequences resulting from the grant, exercise,
settlement, or earn out of any Award made under the Plan.
33
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9.2 Maximum Yearly Awards. The maximum annual Common Stock
amounts in this Section 9.2 are subject to adjustment under Section 13.2 and are
subject to the Plan maximum under Section 4.2. Each individual Participant may
not receive in any calendar year Awards of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights
exceeding 2,500,000 underlying shares of Common Stock. In addition, during the
Term of the Plan, each individual Participant may not receive Awards of Options,
Stock Appreciation Rights and/or Restricted Shares exceeding one-half of the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which Awards may be
granted or paid out under the Plan as provided in Section 4.2.
10. Dividend Equivalents. In addition to the provisions of Section 8.5
of the Plan, Awards of Stock Options, and/or Stock Appreciation Rights, may, in
the sole discretion of the Committee and if provided for in the relevant Award
Agreement, earn dividend equivalents. In respect of any such Award which is
outstanding on a dividend record date for Common Stock, the Participant shall be
credited with an amount equal to the amount of cash or stock dividends that
would have been paid on the shares of Common Stock covered by such Award had
such covered shares been issued and outstanding on such dividend record date.
The Committee shall establish such rules and procedures governing the crediting
of such dividend equivalents, including, without limitation, the amount, the
timing, form of payment and payment contingencies and/or restrictions of such
dividend equivalents, as it deems appropriate or necessary.
11. Termination of Employment.
11.1 General. Except as is otherwise provided (a) in the relevant
Award Agreement as determined by the Committee (in its sole discretion), or (b)
in the Participant's then effective employment agreement, if any, the following
terms and conditions shall apply as appropriate and as not inconsistent with the
terms and conditions, if any, contained in such Award Agreement and/or such
employment agreement:
11.1.1 Options/SARs. If a Participant's employment
with the Company terminates for any reason any then unexercisable Stock
Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be forfeited and
cancelled by the Company. Except as otherwise provided in this Section
11.1.1, if a Participant's employment with the Company and its
Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, such Participant's rights, if
any, to exercise any then exercisable Stock Options and/or Stock
Appreciation Rights, if any, shall terminate ninety (90) days after the
date of such termination (but not beyond the stated term of any such
Stock Option and/or Stock Appreciation Right as determined under
Sections 6.4 and 7.4) and thereafter such Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be forfeited and cancelled by the Company.
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that any such
Participant's Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights, if any,
to the extent exercisable immediately prior to any termination of
employment (other than a termination due to death, Retirement or
34
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Disability), may remain exercisable for an additional specified time
period after such ninety (90) day period expires (subject to any other
applicable terms and provisions of the Plan and the relevant Award
Agreement), but not beyond the stated term of any such Stock Option
and/or Stock Appreciation Right. If any termination of employment is
due to death, Retirement or Disability, a Participant (and such
Participant's estate, designated beneficiary or other legal
representative, as the case may be and as determined by the Committee)
shall have the right, to the extent exercisable immediately prior to
any such termination, to exercise such Stock Options and/or Stock
Appreciation Rights, if any, at any time within the one (1) year period
following such termination due to death, Retirement or Disability (but
not beyond the term of any such Stock Option and/or Stock Appreciation
Right as determined under Sections 6.4 and 7.4).
11.1.2 Restricted Shares. If a Participant's
employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any
reason (other than due to Disability, Retirement or death) prior to the
satisfaction and/or lapse of the restrictions, terms and conditions
applicable to a grant of Restricted Shares, such Restricted Shares
shall immediately be cancelled and the Participant (and such
Participant's estate, designated beneficiary or other legal
representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with
respect to any such Restricted Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 11, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may
determine, prior to or within ninety (90) days after the date of such
termination, that all or a portion of any such Participant's Restricted
Shares shall not be so cancelled and forfeited. If the Participant's
employment terminates due to death, Disability or Retirement, the
Participant shall become 100% vested in any such Participant's
restricted Shares as of the date of any such termination.
12. Non-transferability of Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the
Award Agreement, no Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement, and no rights
or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold,
exchanged, encumbered, pledged, or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a
Participant or any beneficiary(ies) of any Participant, except by testamentary
disposition by the Participant or the laws of intestate succession. No such
interest shall be subject to execution, attachment or similar legal process,
including, without limitation, seizure for the payment of the Participant's
debts, judgements, alimony, or separate maintenance. Unless otherwise provided
in the Award Agreement, during the lifetime of a Participant, Stock Options and
Stock Appreciation Rights are exercisable only by the Participant.
35
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13. Changes in Capitalization and Other Matters.
13.1 No Corporate Action Restriction. The existence of the
Plan, any Award Agreement and/or the Awards granted hereunder shall not limit,
affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Board or the
shareholders of the Company to make or authorize (a) any adjustment,
recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company's or any
Subsidiary's capital structure or its business, (b) any merger, consolidation or
change in the ownership of the Company or any Subsidiary, (c) any issue of
bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of or
affecting the Company's or any Subsidiary's capital stock or the rights thereof,
(d) any dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary, (e) any
sale or transfer of all or any part of the Company's or any Subsidiary's assets
or business, or (f) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Company or any
Subsidiary. No Participant, beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim
against any member of the Board or the Committee, the Company or any Subsidiary,
or any employees, officers or agents of the Company or any subsidiary, as a
result of any such action.
13.2 Recapitalization Adjustments. In the event of any change
in capitalization affecting the Common Stock of the Company, including, without
limitation, a stock dividend or other distribution, stock split, reverse stock
split, recapitalization, consolidation, subdivision, split-up, spin-off,
split-off, combination or exchange of shares or other form of reorganization or
recapitalization, or any other change affecting the Common Stock, the Board
shall authorize and make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Board
deems appropriate to reflect such change, including, without limitation, with
respect to the aggregate number of shares of the Common Stock for which Awards
in respect thereof may be granted under the Plan, the maximum number of shares
of the Common Stock which may be granted or awarded to any Participant, the
number of shares of the Common Stock covered by each outstanding Award, and the
exercise price or other price per share of Common Stock in respect of
outstanding Awards.
13.3 Certain Mergers.
13.3.1 If the Company enters into or is involved in
any merger, reorganization or other business combination with any
person or entity (such merger, reorganization or other business
combination to be referred to herein as a "Merger Event") and as a
result of any such Merger Event the Company will be or is the surviving
corporation, a Participant shall be entitled, as of the date of the
execution of the agreement evidencing the Merger Event (the "Execution
Date") and with respect to both exercisable and unexercisable Stock
Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights (but only to the extent not
previously exercised), to receive substitute stock options and/or stock
appreciation rights in respect of the shares of the surviving
corporation on such terms and conditions, as to the number of shares,
pricing and otherwise, which shall substantially preserve the value,
rights and benefits of any affected Stock Options or Stock
36
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Appreciation Rights granted hereunder as of the date of the
consummation of the Merger Event. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 13.3, if any Merger Event occurs, the Company
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to pay to each affected
Participant an amount in cash or certified check equal to the excess of
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock underlying any affected
unexercised Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights as of the
Execution Date (whether then exercisable or not) over the aggregate
exercise price of such unexercised Stock Options and/or Stock
Appreciation Rights, as the case may be.
13.3.2 If, in the case of a Merger Event in which the
Company will not be, or is not, the surviving corporation, and the
Company determines not to make the cash or certified check payment
described in Section 13.3.1 of the Plan, the Company shall compel and
obligate, as a condition of the consummation of the Merger Event, the
surviving or resulting corporation and/or the other party to the Merger
Event, as necessary, or any parent, subsidiary or acquiring corporation
thereof, to grant, with respect to both exercisable and unexercisable
Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights (but only to the extent
not previously exercised), substitute stock options or stock
appreciation rights in respect of the shares of common or other capital
stock of such surviving or resulting corporation on such terms and
conditions, as to the number of shares, pricing and otherwise, which
shall substantially preserve the value, rights and benefits of any
affected Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights previously
granted hereunder as of the date of the consummation of the Merger
Event.
13.3.3 Upon receipt by any affected Participant of
any such cash, certified check, or substitute stock options or stock
appreciation rights as a result of any such Merger Event, such
Participant's affected Stock Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights
for which such cash, certified check or substitute awards was received
shall be thereupon cancelled without the need for obtaining the consent
of any such affected Participant.
13.3.4 The foregoing adjustments and the manner of
application of the foregoing provisions, including, without limitation,
the issuance of any substitute stock options and/or stock appreciation
rights, shall be determined in good faith by the Committee in its sole
discretion. Any such adjustment may provide for the elimination of
fractional shares.
14. Amendment, Suspension and Termination.
14.1 In General. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan
(or any portion thereof) at any time and may amend the Plan at any time and from
time to time in such respects as the Board may deem advisable to insure that any
and all Awards conform to or otherwise reflect any change in applicable laws or
regulations, or to permit the Company or the Participants
37
-14-
to benefit from any change in applicable laws or regulations, or in any other
respect the Board may deem to be in the best interests of the Company or any
Subsidiary. No such amendment, suspension or termination shall (x) materially
adversely effect the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Stock
Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or Restricted Share grants, without the
consent of such Participant, or (y) make any change that would disqualify the
Plan, or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary intended to be so
qualified, from the benefits provided under Section 422 of the Code, or any
successor provisions thereto.
14.2 Award Agreement Modifications. The Committee may (in its
sole discretion) amend or modify at any time and from time to time the terms and
provisions of any outstanding Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or
Restricted Share grants, in any manner to the extent that the Committee under
the Plan or any Award Agreement could have initially determined the
restrictions, terms and provisions of such Stock Options, Stock Appreciation
Rights, and/or Restricted Share grants, including, without limitation, changing
or accelerating (a) the date or dates as of which such Stock Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights shall become exercisable, or (b) the date or dates as of
which such Restricted Share grants shall become vested. No such amendment or
modification shall, however, materially adversely affect the rights of any
Participant under any such Award without the consent of such Participant.
15. Miscellaneous.
15.1 Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to
deduct from any payment or settlement under the Plan, including, without
limitation, the exercise of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or the
delivery, transfer or vesting of any Common Stock or Restricted Shares, any
federal, state, local or other taxes of any kind which the Committee, in its
sole discretion, deems necessary to be withheld to comply with the Code and/or
any other applicable law, rule or regulation. If the Committee, in its sole
discretion, permits shares of Common Stock to be used to satisfy any such tax
withholding, such Common Stock shall be valued based on the Fair Market Value of
such stock as of the date the tax withholding is required to be made, such date
to be determined by the Committee. The Committee may establish rules limiting
the use of Common Stock to meet withholding requirements by Participants who are
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
15.2 No Right to Employment. Neither the adoption of the Plan,
the granting of any Award, nor the execution of any Award Agreement, shall
confer upon any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary any right to continued
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, nor shall it
interfere in any way with the right, if any, of the Company or any Subsidiary to
terminate the employment of any employee at any time for any reason.
38
-15-
15.3 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded and the Company
shall not be required to segregate any assets in connection with any Awards
under the Plan. Any liability of the Company to any person with respect to any
Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be based solely upon the
contractual obligations that may be created as a result of the Plan or any such
Award or Award Agreement. No such obligation of the Company shall be deemed to
be secured by any pledge of, encumbrance on, or other interest in, any property
or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing contained in the Plan or any
Award Agreement shall be construed as creating in respect of any Participant (or
beneficiary thereof or any other person) any equity or other interest of any
kind in any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or creating a trust of any
kind or a fiduciary relationship of any kind between the Company, any Subsidiary
and/or any such Participant, any beneficiary thereof or any other person.
15.4 Other Company Benefit and Compensation Programs. Payments
and other benefits received by a Participant under an Award made pursuant to the
Plan shall not be deemed a part of a Participant's compensation for purposes of
the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans
or arrangements, if any, provided by the Company or any Subsidiary unless
expressly provided in such other plans or arrangements, or except where the
Board expressly determines in writing that inclusion of an Award or portion of
an Award should be included to accurately reflect competitive compensation
practices or to recognize that an Award has been made in lieu of a portion of
competitive annual base salary or other cash compensation. Awards under the Plan
may be made in addition to, in combination with, or as alternatives to, grants,
awards or payments under any other plans or arrangements of the Company or its
Subsidiaries. The existence of the Plan notwithstanding, the Company or any
Subsidiary may adopt such other compensation plans or programs and additional
compensation arrangements as it deems necessary to attract, retain and motivate
employees.
15.5 Listing, Registration and Other Legal Compliance. No
Awards or shares of the Common Stock shall be required to be issued or granted
under the Plan unless legal counsel for the Company shall be satisfied that such
issuance or grant will be in compliance with all applicable federal and state
securities laws and regulations and any other applicable laws or regulations.
The Committee may require, as a condition of any payment or share issuance, that
certain agreements, undertakings, representations, certificates, and/or
information, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable, be executed or
provided to the Company to assure compliance with all such applicable laws or
regulations. Certificates for shares of the Restricted Shares and/or Common
Stock delivered under the Plan may be subject to such stock-transfer orders and
such other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules,
regulations, or other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and any
applicable federal or state securities law. In addition, if, at any time
specified herein (or in any Award Agreement or otherwise) for (a) the making of
any Award, or the making of any determination, (b) the issuance or other
distribution of Restricted Shares and/or Common Stock, or (c) the payment of
amounts
39
-16-
to or through a Participant with respect to any Award, any law, rule, regulation
or other requirement of any governmental authority or agency shall require
either the Company, any Subsidiary or any Participant (or any estate, designated
beneficiary or other legal representative thereof) to take any action in
connection with any such determination, any such shares to be issued or
distributed, any such payment, or the making of any such determination, as the
case may be, shall be deferred until such required action is taken. With respect
to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under the
Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of SEC Rule 16b-3. To
the extent any provision of the Plan or any action by the administrators of the
Plan fails to so comply with such rule, it shall be deemed null and void, to the
extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.
15.6 Award Agreements. Each Participant receiving an Award
under the Plan shall enter into an Award Agreement with the Company in a form
specified by the Committee. Each such Participant shall agree to the
restrictions, terms and conditions of the Award set forth therein and in the
Plan.
15.7 Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant to whom an
Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries
to exercise any option or to receive any payment which under the terms of the
Plan and the relevant Award Agreement may become exercisable or payable on or
after the Participant's death. At any time, and from time to time, any such
designation may be changed or cancelled by the Participant without the consent
of any such beneficiary. Any such designation, change or cancellation must be on
a form provided for that purpose by the Committee and shall not be effective
until received by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been designated by a
deceased Participant, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the
Participant, the beneficiary shall be the Participant's estate. If the
Participant designates more than one beneficiary, any payments under the Plan to
such beneficiaries shall be made in equal shares unless the Participant has
expressly designated otherwise, in which case the payments shall be made in the
shares designated by the Participant.
15.8 Leaves of Absence/Transfers. The Committee shall have the
power to promulgate rules and regulations and to make determinations, as it
deems appropriate, under the Plan in respect of any leave of absence from the
Company or any Subsidiary granted to a Participant. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Committee may determine whether any such leave
of absence shall be treated as if the Participant has terminated employment with
the Company or any such Subsidiary. If a Participant transfers within the
Company, or to or from any Subsidiary, such Participant shall not be deemed to
have terminated employment as a result of such transfers.
40
-17-
15.9 Loans. Subject to applicable law, the Committee may
provide, pursuant to Plan rules, for the Company or any Subsidiary to make loans
to Participants to finance the exercise price of any Stock Options, as well as
the withholding obligation under Section 15.1 of the Plan and/or the estimated
or actual taxes payable by the Participant as a result of the exercise of such
Stock Option and the Committee may prescribe the terms and conditions of any
such loan.
15.10 Governing Law. The Plan and all actions taken thereunder
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws thereof. Any
titles and headings herein are for reference purposes only, and shall in no way
limit, define or otherwise affect the meaning, construction or interpretation of
any provisions of the Plan.
15.11 Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective upon its
approval by the Board and adoption by the Company, subject to the approval of
the Plan by the Company's shareholders in accordance with Sections 162(m) and
422 of the Code.
41
BROOKE GROUP LTD.
PROXY
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT
THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF BROOKE GROUP LTD.
The undersigned stockholder of Brooke Group Ltd. (the "Company") hereby
constitutes and appoints Joselynn D. Van Siclen and Marc N. Bell, attorney and
proxy of the undersigned, with power of substitution, to attend, vote and act
for the undersigned at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, a
Delaware corporation, to be held at __________________________, Miami, Florida
33131 on Thursday, October 15, 1998 at 11:00 a.m. local time, and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof, with respect to the following on the
reverse side of this proxy card and, in their discretion, on such other matters
as may properly come before the meeting and at any adjournments or postponements
thereof.
(TO BE CONTINUED AND SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
[x] PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE AS IN THIS EXAMPLE.
Item 1. Election of Directors:
FOR all nominees named at right (except as indicated to the contrary) [ ]
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees named at right [ ]
Nominees: Robert J. Eide, Bennett S. LeBow, Jeffrey S. Podell and Jean E. Sharpe
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominee's
name on the line provided below.)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item 2. Proposal to increase authorized Common Stock to 100,000,000 shares.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
Item 3. Proposal to approve Brooke Group Ltd. Long-Term Incentive Plan.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
If not otherwise directed, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of
the nominees, FOR the increase in the authorized Common Stock and FOR the
approval of the Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees in Item 1 and
FOR the approval of Items 2 and 3.
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL AT ONCE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTPAID ENVELOPE.
Signature ____________________ Date __________ Signature _____________________ Date _____________
IF HELD JOINTLY
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. If signing as attorney,
administrator, trustee, guardian or the like, please give full title as such. If
signing for a corporation, please give your title.
