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POST RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2011
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| POST RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract] | |
| POST RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS |
NOTE 20- POST-RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
In January 2008 an amended retirement agreement, replacing the February 2007 agreement, was entered into with Hatem El Khalidi. The amended agreement provided $6,000 per month in benefits to Mr. El Khalidi upon his retirement for the remainder of his life. Additionally, upon his death $4,000 per month would be paid to his surviving spouse for the remainder of her life. A health insurance benefit was also to be provided. An additional $382,000 was accrued in January 2008 for the increase in benefits. A liability of approximately $906,000 based upon an annuity single premium value contract was outstanding at December 31, 2011, and was included in post-retirement benefits. Mr. El Khalidi retired effective June 30, 2009. As of December 31, 2011, no payments have been made pursuant to this agreement.
In June 2009 the Company's Board of Directors awarded Mr. El Khalidi a retirement bonus in the amount of $31,500 for 42 years of service. While there is no written policy regarding retirement bonus compensation, the Company has historically awarded all employees (regardless of job position) a retirement bonus equal to $750 for each year of service. Since Mr. El Khalidi was employed by the Company for 42 years, the Board of Directors voted to award him a $31,500 retirement bonus, consistent with that provided to all other retired employees. This amount was outstanding at December 31, 2011 and was included in post-retirement benefits.
On May 9, 2010, the Board of Directors terminated the retirement agreement, options, retirement bonus, and any outstanding directors' fees due to Mr. El Khalidi; however, due to the litigation discussed in Note 13, all amounts remain outstanding until a resolution is achieved.
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