U.S. NeuroSurgical Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

or

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

For the transition period from                     to                     .

Commission file number:  0-15586

U.S. Neurosurgical, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

2400 Research Blvd, Suite 325, Rockville, Maryland 20850

(Address of principal executive offices)

(301) 208-8998

(Registrant's telephone number)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes  x No  o
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).       Yes  o  No  x
 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of November 13, 2014 was 7,797,185.

 

---

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION		3
	Item 1. Financial Statements	3
	Item 2. Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	16
	Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	20
	Item 4. Controls and Procedures	20
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION		23
	Item 1. Legal Proceedings	23
	Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	23
	Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	23
	Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	23
	Item 5. Other Information	23
	Item 6.  Exhibits	23
SIGNATURES		24

 

---

 

Item1.

Financial Statements

U.S. NEUROSURGICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part hereof.

 

---

U.S. NEUROSURGICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part hereof.

 

---

U.S. NEUROSURGICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part hereof.

 

---

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part hereof.

 

---

U.S. NEUROSURGICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of U.S. Neurosurgical and subsidiaries (“USN” or the “Company”) at September 30, 2014, and 2013, are unaudited.  However, in the opinion of management, such statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the information presented therein.  The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Pursuant to accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  Accordingly, these statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual financial statements.

Consolidated results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those to be achieved for full fiscal years.

Certain amounts in the September 30, 2013 condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported net loss.

 

USN opened its New York gamma knife treatment center in July 1997 on the campus of New York University (“NYU”) Medical Center.  The Company installed a new Leksell gamma knife, the PERFEXION model, at the NYU Medical Center in March 2009 in replacement of the older gamma knife equipment.  In connection with this upgrade, the Company modified its arrangement with NYU to extend the term for 12 years from March 2009.

In October 2012, the Company’s facility at NYU was totally destroyed as a result of flooding from Hurricane Sandy. The gamma knife had to be removed to prevent any cobalt leakage that might occur due to rusting of the equipment. The emergency removal cost was $525,000. The Company paid a lease settlement of the outstanding principal balance only and received from insurance coverage $930,000 above the lease principal payments and emergency removal costs.

The Company has finalized arrangements with NYU regarding the restoration of the gamma knife center and the Company’s long term contract with NYU. The new location, of the Leksell PERFECTION gamma knife in the Tisch Hospital of NYU Langone Medical Center, opened and treated its first patient on April, 29, 2014.

 

---

The terms of the agreement with NYU remained the same, terminating at the end of March 2021.  The Company entered into a six year lease in the amount of $4.6 million for the purchase of the replacement equipment and associated leasehold improvements. The first payment of $78,000 was made on September 1, 2014, including $20,000 of interest, and the final payment is due on May 1, 2020. In addition, the Company prepaid its October 2014 capital lease payment during the quarter. The Company entered into a second two year lease in the amount of $250,000 for the cost of the construction required at the relocated site. The first payment of $12,000 was made on November 1, 2014, and the final payment is due on July 1, 2016.

During 2007, the Company managed the formation of the Southern California Regional Gamma Knife Center at San Antonio Community Hospital (“SACH”) in Upland, California.  The Company participates in the ownership and operation of the center through its wholly-owned subsidiary USN Corona, Inc. (“USNC”).  Corona Gamma Knife, LLC (“CGK”) is party to a 14-year agreement with SACH to renovate space in the hospital and install and operate a Leksell PERFEXION gamma knife.  CGK leased the gamma knife from NeuroPartners LLC, which holds the gamma knife equipment.  In addition to returns on its ownership interests, USNC expects to receive fees for management services relating to the facility.

USNC is a 20% owner of NeuroPartners LLC and owns 39% of CGK.

USNC is a 20% guarantor on NeuroPartners LLC’s seven-year lease with respect to the gamma knife equipment and certain leasehold improvements at SACH.  The outstanding balance on the lease obligations was $1,825,000 at September 30, 2014.  In 2016, NeuroPartners LLC has the option to purchase the gamma knife for $490,000. The Company expects any potential obligations from these guarantees would be reduced by the recoveries of the respective collateral and expects any amounts arising from this guarantee to be insignificant.

Construction of the SACH gamma knife center was completed in December 2008 and the first patient was treated in January 2009.  The project has been funded principally by outside investors.  While the Company has led the effort in organizing the business and overseeing the development and operation of the SACH center, its investment to date in the SACH center has been minimal.

The Company’s share of cumulative losses associated with its investment in NeuroPartners LLC and CGK has exceeded its investment.  Due to the outstanding loans made to NeuroPartners LLC and CGK, NeuroPartners LLC and CGK are considered to be variable interest entities of the Company.  However, as the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of NeuroPartners LLC and CGK, since it does not have the power to direct the operating activities that most significantly affect NeuroPartners LLC’s and CGK’s economic performance; certain disclosures are required rather than consolidation.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company absorbed losses against the total outstanding receivables of $42,000 from NeuroPartners LLC and CGK. This comprised $18,000 of losses incurred during the period and $24,000 of losses from prior periods applied to new advances made by the Company to CGK and NeuroPartners LLC during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company’s equity in income of NeuroPartners LLC and CGK was $26,000. This income has not yet offset the Company’s portion of the total accumulated deficit of $237,000.

 

---

The following tables present the aggregation of summarized financial information of NeuroPartners LLC and CGK:

Neuro Partners, LLC and CGK Condensed Income Statement Information

Neuro Partners, LLC and CGK Condensed Balance Sheet Information

 

---

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company participated in the formation of Florida Oncology Partners, LLC (“FOP”) and Florida Oncology Partners RE, LLC (“FOPRE”), which operates a cancer center located in West Kendall (Miami), Florida.  The center diagnoses and treats patients utilizing a Varian Rapid Arc linear accelerator and a GE CT scanner. USNC originally invested $200,000 for 20% ownership interest in FOP and FOPRE. The remaining 80% is owned by other outside investors. The center opened and treated its first patient in May 2011. During 2012 and 2013, FOP made several distributions that reduced the Company’s investment significantly.  The Company’s recorded investment in FOP and FOPRE is $169,000 and $151,000 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Amounts due from FOP and FOP RE included in due from related parties total $0 and $40,000 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively.

During 2011, Florida Oncology Partners, LLC entered into a seven year capital lease with Key Bank for approximately $5,800,000. Under the terms of the capital lease, USNC agreed to guarantee a maximum of $1,433,000, approximately 25% of the original lease obligation in the event of default. It is a guarantor jointly with most of the other members (except USNC who is not a named guarantor) of FOP.  The outstanding balance on the lease obligation was $3,610,000 at September 30, 2014. The Company expects any potential obligations from this guarantee would be reduced by the recoveries of the respective collateral and expects any amounts arising from this guarantee to be insignificant.

In June 2012, FOPRE completed the financing agreement to purchase the building that is occupied by FOP.  The amount of the loan was $1,534,000 to be paid at a monthly rate of approximately $8,500 for 120 months with the final payment due on June 15, 2022.  USNC is the guarantor of 20% of the outstanding balance of this loan, which was $1,455,000 at September 30, 2014. The Company expects any potential obligations from these guarantees would be reduced by the recovery of the real estate collateral and expects any amounts arising from this guarantee to be insignificant.

 

---

The following tables present the aggregation of summarized financial information of FOP and FOPRE:

FOP and FOPRE Condensed Income Statement Information

FOP and FOPRE Condensed Balance Sheet Information

 

---

During the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Company participated in the formation of Boca Oncology Partners, LLC (“BOP”), for the purpose of owning and operating a cancer center in Boca Raton, Florida.  In June 2011, Boca Oncology Partners RE, LLC (“BOPRE”), an affiliated entity, purchased a 20% interest in Boca West IMP, LLC (Boca West IMP), owner of a medical office building in West Boca, Florida in which BOP operates.  BOP occupies approximately 6,000 square feet of the 32,000 square foot building.  The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, USNC invested $225,000 initially and had a 22.5% interest in BOP and BOPRE.

In January 2012, an additional investor purchased 50% of the partnership reducing the Company’s ownership to 11.25%.  The Company loaned the proceeds of $56,250 back to BOP as a 5 year note at 7% interest. The remaining 88.75% was owned by other outside investors.  In June 2012, BOPRE purchased an additional 3.75% of Boca West IMP from another investor bringing its total interest to 23.75%. BOPRE accounts for this investment under the cost method since it does not exercise significant influence over Boca West IMP. Then the members of BOPRE sold 31.5% of their interests in BOPRE to a new investor. The proceeds of $28,000 were loaned to BOP and USNC’s investment in BOPRE was reduced to 15.4%.

Although the Company reduced its investment to 11.25% of BOP and 15.4% of BOPRE, the Company continues to account for these investments under the equity method due to its participation in the management of the administration and accounting functions of BOP and BOPRE. Due to the outstanding loans made to BOP, BOP was considered to be a variable interest entity of the Company.  However, as the Company was not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of BOP, since it does not have the power to direct the operating activities that most significantly affect BOP’s economic performance; certain disclosures are required rather than consolidation.  The center opened in August 2012.

In February 2014, the Company and other members sold their interests in BOP.  Three members provided short-term loans to the Company of $462,000 from their sales proceeds.  The Company has accrued $15,000 in interest expense related to these loans. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Company repaid $262,000 of the loan balance.

The Company’s recorded investment in BOPRE is $134,000 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

USNC is a 10% guarantor on 50% of the outstanding balance of Boca West IMP’s ten-year mortgage.  This mortgage had an original balance of $3,000,000 and is secured by the medical office building in which BOP operates. The outstanding balance on the mortgage is $2,754,000 at September 30, 2014.  The Company expects any potential obligations from this guarantee would be reduced by the recovery of the real estate and expects any amounts arising from this guarantee to be insignificant.

 

---

USNC was a 14.06% guarantor on BOP’s five-year lease with respect to the oncology equipment at the Boca Raton, Florida cancer center. Upon the sale of BOP, which occurred in 2014, USNC was indemnified by the buyer from any losses arising from the guarantee.

The following tables present the summarized financial information of BOP and BOPRE:

BOP Condensed Income Statement Information

 

BOP Condensed Balance Sheet Information

 

---

BOPRE Condensed Income Statement Information

 

BOPRE Condensed Balance Sheet Information

In early 2013, the Company formed Broward Oncology Partners, LLC (“BROP”) with other outside investors. The Company invested $50,000 for a 12.5% ownership interest in BROP.  BROP operates a radiation oncology center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida under a lease from Tenet Health Services. BROP began operations in February 2013.  The facility is undergoing renovation and continues to operate on a limited basis during construction.

 

---

The following tables present the summarized financial information of BROP:

BROP Condensed Income Statement Information

 

BROP Condensed Balance Sheet Information

 

---

The Company’s income tax rate, which includes federal and state income taxes, was approximately 37% and 30%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. These tax rates reflect the reversal of the valuation allowance recorded in the prior year.  The Company recorded a tax liability of $170,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Item 2.

Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements of U.S. Neurosurgical, Inc. and subsidiaries (“USN” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  As such, some accounting policies have a significant impact on amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements.  A summary of those significant accounting policies can be found in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In particular, judgment is used in areas such as determining and assessing possible asset impairments and determination of the asset retirement obligation.

The following discussion and analysis provides information which the Company’s management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

Patient revenue and expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $1,016,000 and $203,000 respectively, compared to none the previous year due to the center being closed in 2013 as a result of the destruction of the NYU gamma knife facility in October 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expense of $308,000 for the third quarter of 2014 was 70% higher than the $181,000 incurred during the comparable period in 2013.  The increase in SG&A expenses was mostly due to higher insurance expenses including a new flood policy and reinstated liability policy due to the reopening of the center.

The Company incurred $73,000 of interest expense in the third quarter of 2014 related to the new capital lease and the short term construction loan. Interest expense for the same period in 2013 was $5,000 as a result of the early payoff of the Company’s previous capital lease due to the destruction of the gamma knife and related equipment and receipt of associated insurance proceeds in early 2013.

 

---

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized an income tax charge of $170,000 compared to an income tax benefit of $69,000 for the same period a year earlier. The 2014 tax expense is due to the Company commencing operations at NYU during 2014.

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the Company reported a net income of $270,000 as compared to a net loss of $113,000 for the same period a year earlier.

Nine months ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Nine months ended September 30, 2013

Patient revenue and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1,753,000 and $407,000 respectively, compared to none the previous year due to the center being closed in 2013 as a result of the destruction of the NYU gamma knife facility in October 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $877,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 20% more than the $728,000 incurred during the comparable period in 2013.  The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to an increase of expenses related to opening the new facility, including insurance policies namely the reinstatement of liability insurance and a new flood insurance policy.

The Company incurred $138,000 in interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to the new capital lease and the short term construction loans.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized a gain on sale of investments of $238,000 from the sale of its interest in BOP and BROP.  There were no sales of investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized an income tax charge of $170,000 compared to an income tax benefit of $265,000 for the same period a year earlier. The 2014 tax expense is due to the Company commencing operations at NYU during 2014.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company reported a net income of $396,000 as compared to net loss of $443,000 for the same period a year earlier.

At September 30, 2014, the Company had working capital of $903,000 as compared to $1,081,000 at December 31, 2013.  This decrease was due to the cost of additional construction and leasehold improvements recorded in connection with the reopening of the Company’s NYU gamma knife center.  Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2014 were $1,342,000 as compared to $1,414,000 at December 31, 2013.

 

---

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $78,000 as compared to $942,000 used in operating activities in the same period a year earlier. Accounts receivable increased $687,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to none the previous year due to the reopening of the NYU gamma knife facility.

With respect to investing activities, the Company sold its interest in BOP in the first quarter of 2014 for proceeds of $156,000 after allocation towards repayment of the Company’s intercompany loans to BOP.  The Company sold its interest in BROP in the second quarter of 2014 for proceeds of $100,000 after allocation towards repayment of the Company’s intercompany loans to BROP.  The Company received $3,265,000 in insurance proceeds related to the destruction of the NYU gamma knife during the previous year.  Additionally, due from related parties of $297,000 were repaid primarily in connection with the sale of BOP and BROP. With respect to financing activities, the Company borrowed $462,000 in short-term loans from outside investors in the first quarter of 2014 and repaid $262,000 of these balances in the third quarter. The Company paid $2,271,000 towards its capital lease during the previous year.

Due to the disruption caused by the flooding from Hurricane Sandy, the Company did not receive revenues from the NYU facility until late April 2014 when the center reopened and began accepting patients for treatment.

The terms of the agreement with NYU remained the same, terminating at the end of March 2021.  The Company entered into a six year lease in the amount of $4.6 million for the purchase of the replacement equipment. The first payment of $78,000 was made September 1, 2014, and the final payment is due on May 1, 2020. The Company entered into a second two year lease in the amount of $250,000 for the cost of the construction required at the relocated site. The first payment of $12,000 was made on November 1, 2014, and the final payment is due on July 1, 2016.

We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The following factors, as well as the factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Annual Report on our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, have affected or could affect our actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us.  Investors should carefully consider these risks and speculative factors inherent in and affecting our business and an investment in our common stock.

Reliance on Business of the New York University Gamma Knife Center; Recent Destruction of Equipment and Discontinuation of Business at NYU.  While it is the Company’s objective to expand activities to additional cancer centers that rely on a broad range of diagnostic and radiation treatments, the Company has relied on the NYU gamma knife for substantially all of its revenue.  In recent periods, services provided at NYU have represented over 90% of the Company’s revenues.  Unless and until the Company is successful in building its activities at other centers and at new locations, disruptions at NYU could have a materially adverse effect on the Company.

 

---

Availability of Working Capital.  To date, we have earned sufficient income from operations to fund periodic operating losses and support efforts to pursue new gamma knife or other types of cancer treatment centers.  The Company expects to incur net cash outflows from operating activities for the next several quarters due to the destruction of the NYU Gamma Knife.  Should net cash outflows continue for an extended period of time, or should the actual construction costs incurred materially exceed forecasts, we will be required to seek additional capital to support continued operations and the development of new centers, but we cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to raise such additional capital as and when required.

The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward looking information so that investors can better understand a company's future prospects and make informed investment decisions.  This document contains such "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly statements anticipating future growth in revenues and cash flow.  Words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "plans," "believes," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify such forward-looking statements.  Those forward-looking statements are based on management's present expectations about future events.  As with any projection or forecast, they are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances, and the Company is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of such changes, new information, future events or otherwise.

The Company operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment and in businesses that are dependent on our ability to: achieve profitability; increase revenues; sustain our current level of operations; maintain satisfactory relations with business partners; attract and retain key personnel; maintain and expand our strategic alliances; and protect our intellectual property.  The Company's actual results could differ materially from management's expectations because of changes in such factors.  New risk factors can arise and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.  Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.

 

Investors should also be aware that while the Company might, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against the Company's policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Furthermore, the Company has a policy against issuing or confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts or others contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of the Company.

 

---

In addition, the Company’s overall financial strategy, including growth in operations, maintaining financial ratios and strengthening the balance sheet, could be adversely affected by increased interest rates, construction delays or other transactions, economic slowdowns and changes in the Company’s plans, strategies and intentions.

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not applicable.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  We do realize that we are a very small company and as a small company with only the officers and directors participating in the day to day management, with the ability to override controls, each officer and director has multiple positions and responsibilities that would normally be distributed among several employees in larger organizations with adequate segregation of duties to ensure the appropriate checks and balances.  Because the Company does not currently have a separate chief financial officer, the Chief Executive Officer performs these functions with the support of one of the Company’s outside directors who assists in the reporting and disclosure process (the “Lead Director”).

Our management evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation the Company’s Chief Executive Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of the end of the period covered by this report for the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below.

 

---

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. A material weakness is a control deficiency, or a combination of control deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In connection with the assessment described above, management identified the following material weakness as of September 30, 2014: the Company did not maintain sufficient qualified personnel with the appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and in internal controls over financial reporting commensurate with its financial reporting requirements. Specifically, effective controls were not designed and in place to ensure that the Company maintained, or had access to, appropriate resources with adequate experience and expertise in the area of financial reporting for transactions such as investments in unconsolidated entities, income taxes and guarantee obligations. The Company is taking steps to remediate this material weakness. To do this in a cost-effective manner, considering the current extent of the Company’s operations, management is making arrangements with consultants and advisors to assist on an as-needed basis.

 

---

While there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014, management is in the process of developing plans to remediate the material weakness identified above.

 

---

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

None

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

Item 5.

Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6.

Exhibits

31.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

32.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

101

Interactive Data Files providing financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language).  Pursuant to Regulation 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are otherwise not subject to liability.

 

---

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

---