Evidence Record

Declaration of Charles Watts in Support of Defendant Cyberlux Corporation’s Opposition to Plaintiffs’ Ex Parte Application for Order to Post a Bond

1. I am the special counsel for Defendant Cyberlux Corporation ("Cyberlux"). I am an attorney licensed to practice and in good standing in North Carolina and am located in North Carolina. If called as...

Type
declaration
Court
SDCAL
Case
Atlantic Wave / Cyberlux litigation
Pages
18
Lines
627
SHA-256
8b6deaaf6eec

DISTIL analysis

DISTIL Run
Profile
Standard
Version
1
Doc Type
Declaration with Exhibits (Court Filing)
Total Nodes
33
Node Legend
Entity (ENT)
Event (EVT)
Claim (CLM)
Anchor (ANC)
Omission (OMI)
Tension (TEN)
Tell (TEL)
Inference (INF)
Hypothesis (HYP)
Stage 1
Index
Orientation · No nodes
Document Classification
Declaration with Exhibits (Court Filing) Charles Watts, Special Counsel for Cyberlux Corporation Contract enforcement litigation involving settlement payment disputes and multi-jurisdictional garnishment actions May 2024 - July 2024
multi_jurisdiction_litigationpayment_disputegarnishment_proceedingssettlement_agreement_enforcement
Analytical Frame
Defense response to bond requirement - payment sequestration defense
Analytical Summary
This declaration supports Cyberlux Corporation's opposition to a bond posting requirement in Southern District of California case 3:24-cv-00482. Charles Watts, special counsel for Cyberlux, attests that plaintiffs Atlantic Wave Holdings and Secure Community obtained Virginia court orders sequestering over $500,000 in Cyberlux bank accounts through writs of fieri facias, preventing Cyberlux from accessing funds specifically intended for settlement payments. The Virginia Circuit Court's May 31, 2024 order lifted garnishments on $550,000 temporarily to allow $317,000 for payroll and $230,000 for settlement payments. Watts claims plaintiffs refused to release sequestered settlement funds, then characterized Cyberlux's inability to pay as "missed payments." The exhibits include the Virginia court order and two new complaints filed by Cyberlux in Virginia Circuit Court on July 8, 2024, seeking declaratory relief and injunctive relief against the plaintiffs' garnishment actions.
Key Points
  • Cyberlux was current on all settlement payments to plaintiffs as of May 31, 2024
  • Plaintiffs obtained Virginia Writ of Fieri Facias sequestering Cyberlux bank accounts with over $500,000
  • Virginia court authorized temporary release of $550,000: $317,000 for payroll, $230,000 for settlement payments
  • Plaintiffs refused Cyberlux's request to release sequestered settlement funds, then claimed missed payments
  • Cyberlux filed two new Virginia Circuit Court actions on July 8, 2024 seeking declaratory and injunctive relief
  • Underlying settlement agreement totals $1,572,500 payable in monthly installments, with multiple oral modifications
  • Parallel California federal litigation exists (Case 3:24-cv-00196-RBM-VET)
Stage 2
Core — Entities, Events, Claims
20 nodes
ENT-001
Entity
Charles Watts
Charles Watts, special counsel for Defendant Cyberlux Corporation, attorney licensed in North Carolina
Page 2 — I, Charles Watts, declare: 1. I am the special counsel for Defendant Cyberlux Corporation ("Cyberlux"). I am an attorney licensed to practice and in good standing in North Carolina and am located in North Carolina.
ENT-002
Entity
Cyberlux Corporation
Cyberlux Corporation, Nevada corporation, defendant in California case and plaintiff in new Virginia cases, technology company with bank accounts at Towne Bank and PNC Bank
Page 2, 8, 14 — Defendant Cyberlux Corporation ("Cyberlux")... Cyberlux Corporation is a corporation organized under the laws of Nevada... Cyberlux's bank accounts were sequestered... Towne Bank and PNC Bank
ENT-003
Entity
Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC
Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, Virginia limited liability company with principal place of business in Richmond, Virginia, plaintiff seeking settlement payment enforcement
Page 8, 14 — Defendant Atlantic Wave Holdings ("AWH") is a Virginia limited liability company, with principle place of businesses in Richmond, Virginia.
ENT-004
Entity
Secure Community, LLC
Secure Community, LLC, Virginia limited liability company, co-plaintiff with Atlantic Wave Holdings in settlement enforcement actions
Page 8, 14 — Defendant Secure Community, LLC ("Secure") is a Virginia limited liability company.
ENT-005
Entity
Virginia Circuit Court Richmond
Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Virginia, court that entered the stipulated judgment and May 31, 2024 order addressing sequestered funds
Page 5, 6 — In the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, John Marshall Courts Building... On May 31, 2024 came the parties, by counsel
ENT-006
Entity
Judge Jacqueline S. McClenney
Judge Jacqueline S. McClenney of Virginia Circuit Court Richmond, issued May 31, 2024 order on sequestered funds
Page 6 — Jacqueline S. McClenney, Judge
EVT-001
Event
Settlement Agreement Execution
Settlement Agreement entered between Cyberlux and plaintiffs for total payment of $1,572,500 in scheduled monthly installments, following discovery sanctions and liability findings
Page 9, 15 — In the face of these sanctions, Plaintiffs entered into a Settlement Agreement (hereinafter "Agreement") with Defendants that called for a total amount of $1,572,500 to be paid in scheduled monthly installments.
EVT-002
Event
Stipulated Judgment Entry
Stipulated Judgment memorializing $1,572,500 total amount due, incorporating Settlement Agreement payment schedule, resulting in dismissal of defendants' complaint
Page 9, 15 — At the request of Defendants, Plaintiffs agreed to a Stipulated Judgment memorializing the total amount due, which Judgment incorporated the Settlement Agreement containing the payment schedule. This Stipulated Judgment was not on the merits nor did it recite any finding of legal liability by Plaintiffs and resulted in a dismissal of Defendants' Complaint.
EVT-003
Event
Current Payment Status May 31, 2024
As of May 31, 2024, Cyberlux was current on all settlement payments to plaintiffs according to the payment schedule
Page 2 — As of May 31, 2024, Cyberlux was up to date on all payments to Plaintiffs.
EVT-004
Event
Writ of Fieri Facias Issuance
During week of May 31, 2024, plaintiffs obtained Writ of Fieri Facias in Virginia State Court, resulting in sequestration of Cyberlux bank accounts
Page 2 — On or about the week of May 31, 2024, Plaintiffs obtained a Writ of Fieri Facias in Virginia State Court. As a result of this Writ of Fieri Facias, Cyberlux's bank accounts were sequestered.
EVT-005
Event
Virginia Court Order May 31, 2024
Virginia Circuit Court issued temporary order on May 31, 2024 lifting garnishments on $550,000: $317,000 for payroll and $230,000 for settlement payments, effective until June 11, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Page 2, 5 — On May 31, 2024, the Court authorized the release of some of the money in the sequestered bank accounts to allow for payments to vendors and employees. However, the Court left sequestered the remaining funds for the purpose of making payments to Plaintiffs... All judgment liens, garnishments, writs of fieri facias, and notice of judgment liens against Defendants' accounts at any third party bank (s) and/or entity(s), including but not limited to funds sequestered in accounts with Towne Bank and PNC Bank are hereby lifted up to $550,000.00 effective immediately. This lift will stay in effect until June 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
EVT-006
Event
Request for Fund Release Refused
Cyberlux requested plaintiffs agree to release sequestered settlement funds to allow payment; plaintiffs refused the request
Page 2 — Cyberlux requested that Plaintiffs agree to the release of some of those sequestered funds so that Cyberlux could make its payments to Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs refused Cyberlux's request.
EVT-007
Event
Virginia Complaints Filed July 8, 2024
Cyberlux filed two new actions in Virginia Circuit Court Richmond on July 8, 2024: declaratory relief complaint and verified complaint for temporary preliminary injunction against Atlantic Wave Holdings and Secure Community
Page 3, 8, 14 — Cyberlux initiated legal action against Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, and Secure Community, LLC in Virginia. True and correct copies of the file-stamped Complaints filed by Cyberlux on July 8, 2024 are attached hereto as Exhibits B and C... E-Filed: 28243.908-4CAMOMCI9-CC LIPSCOMB at 20249UL11 09:41
EVT-008
Event
September 2023 Payment Modifications
On or about September 5, 2023, parties agreed remaining amount due was $386,138.44 plus $49,652.70 to Strikepoint Consulting; September 8, 2023 Cyberlux wired overpayments to be credited toward future monthly payments
Page 9, 16 — On or about September 5, 2023, Plaintiffs and William Welter on behalf of Defendants conferred and mutually agreed that, as of September 2023, the total remaining amounts due to Defendants, collectively, was $386,138.44 and the remaining amount due to Strikepoint Consulting, a Virginia Liability Company, under the Settlement Agreement was $49,652.70. On or about September 8, 2023, Plaintiffs wired payments to Defendants in excess of the amounts then-due pursuant to the Settlement Agreement. The parties agreed that those amounts paid by Plaintiffs in excess of the amounts then due under the Settlement Agreement would be credited to future monthly payments due under the Settlement Agreement.
EVT-009
Event
July 2023 Payment Modifications
On or about June 30, 2023, parties agreed Cyberlux would pay 25% of July monthly payment on July 3, 2023 and additional $10,737 on July 6, 2023, then resume regular schedule starting August 1, 2023
Page 9, 15 — On or about June 30, 2023, the parties reached an agreement that Plaintiffs would pay 25% of the scheduled July monthly payments to Defendants on July 3, 2023 and would pay an additional $10,737 to Defendants on July 6, 2023. Thereafter, all remaining payments would be back on the payment schedule referenced in the Settlement Agreement, beginning August 1, 2023. This agreement was confirmed in emails between the parties.
CLM-001
Claim
Missed Payments Due to Plaintiffs' Actions
Plaintiffs characterized June and July payments as 'missed' after refusing to release funds sequestered specifically for settlement payments
Page 2, 3 — Plaintiffs have since used their own refusal to release the funds that have been specifically sequestered for payment under the Settlement Agreement to take the position that Cyberlux has "missed" its June and July payments. In reality, all Plaintiffs need to do is allow release of the sequestered settlement funds and they would be paid for June and July.
CLM-002
Claim
Sequestration Exceeded $500,000
Defendants successfully sequestered Cyberlux operational funds in excess of $500,000 through garnishment proceedings with multiple banks
Page 10, 16 — Defendants engaged garnishment attorneys and were well aware that Virginia's garnishment system is administrative with little to no judicial involvement. Defendants acted in bad faith and against usual and prudent business practices by ignoring the terms of the written and oral contracts and initiating garnishment proceedings, writs of fieri facias and judgment liens with several banks including Towne Bank and PNC Bank, successfully seeking to sequester Plaintiffs' operational funds in excess of $500,000
CLM-003
Claim
Oral Contract Modifications
Parties entered into oral contract modifying payment schedule of written Settlement Agreement, with multiple renegotiations of payment terms and deadlines
Page 9, 11, 15 — Soon after executing the confidential Settlement Agreement, the parties renegotiated terms, including payment deadlines... The parties' oral agreement is a valid, binding, and enforceable contract.
CLM-004
Claim
Prior Garnishment Attempts
Following filing of Motion to Vacate, plaintiffs attempted to freeze Cyberlux bank accounts through ministerial garnishment orders in Virginia; Cyberlux got some orders lifted
Page 2 — Following Cyberlux filing its Motion to Vacate in this case, Plaintiffs attempted to freeze Cyberlux's bank accounts through ministerial garnishment orders in Virginia. Cyberlux was able to get some of those garnishment orders lifted.
CLM-005
Claim
Breach of Implied Covenant
Defendants breached implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by acting in bad faith, ignoring contract terms, and dishonestly using court judgment to justify unfair performance
Page 10, 11, 14, 16 — In Virginia, every contract contains an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and Defendants breached their implied duty of good faith and fair dealing of both the written and oral agreements... while dishonestly using this Court's judgment order to justify its unfair performance of its obligations under the settlement agreement.
Stage 3
In Situ — Quotations, Tells, Tensions, Questions
7 nodes
QUO-001
Quotation
Virginia Court Order Scope
Virginia Court order specified exact allocation: $317,000 for payroll and $230,000 for settlement payments out of $550,000 temporary lift
Page 5, 6 — Defendants may use up to $317,000.00 for the purpose of making payroll and shall provide in-camera proof of payments to the Court within forty-eight (48) hours of any such payments. For the purposes of this Order, payroll is defined as the distribution of payments to company employees and consultants who are entitled to receive compensation as well as other work benefits. Defendants may use up to $230,000 for the purpose of making regularly scheduled settlement payments to Plaintiffs and provide in-camera proof of payments to the Court.
QUO-002
Quotation
Temporary Order Duration
Virginia Court order temporary lift and restraint on new garnishments explicitly expired by close of business June 11, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Page 5, 6 — This lift will stay in effect until June 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m... Plaintiffs will refrain from issuing any new garnishments, writs of fieri facias and notice of judgment liens to any and all third party bank(s) and/or entity(s) until close of business on June 11, 2024. This Order expires by close of business on June 11, 2024.
TEN-001
Tension
Sequestration Paradox
Plaintiffs sequestered funds designated for settlement payments, then claimed non-payment when Cyberlux could not access those sequestered settlement funds
Page 2, 3 — However, the Court left sequestered the remaining funds for the purpose of making payments to Plaintiffs. Cyberlux requested that Plaintiffs agree to the release of some of those sequestered funds so that Cyberlux could make its payments to Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs refused Cyberlux's request. Plaintiffs have since used their own refusal to release the funds that have been specifically sequestered for payment under the Settlement Agreement to take the position that Cyberlux has "missed" its June and July payments.
TEN-002
Tension
Multi-Jurisdiction Enforcement Strategy
Plaintiffs pursued parallel enforcement actions in California federal court, California state court, and Virginia garnishment proceedings simultaneously
Page 10, 16 — Despite the parties' agreements on payments and Plaintiffs' performance pursuant to the agreements, Defendants initiated a lawsuit in California, seeking to enforce the Agreement. Defendants, being fully aware of the above referenced federal case, without notice, and without disclosing the Settlement Agreement, initiated a second state court action in California against Defendants, petitioning that court to enter a stipulated judgment, using the Virginia Amended Order. Again, without disclosing the Settlement Agreement. Finding little success with their improper actions in California, Defendants initiated even more improper actions, attempting to side-step the Agreement and this Court by initiating Administrative actions in Virginia using the garnishment system.
TEN-003
Tension
Written vs. Oral Agreement Conflict
Settlement Agreement payment schedule modified multiple times through oral agreements and email confirmations, creating tension between written judgment and actual payment practices
Page 9, 15, 16 — Soon after executing the confidential Settlement Agreement, the parties renegotiated terms, including payment deadlines... This agreement was confirmed in emails between the parties. Representatives of the parties communicated regularly and Defendants orally agreed upon the schedule of the payments... The parties agreed that those amounts paid by Plaintiffs in excess of the amounts then due under the Settlement Agreement would be credited to future monthly payments due under the Settlement Agreement.
QST-001
Question
Virginia Court Instruction Ambiguity
Unclear whether Virginia Court actually instructed Cyberlux to file new action rather than quashing Writ in original dismissed lawsuit
Page 3 — Based upon a hearing that occurred in Virginia Circuit Court, Cyberlux understood from the Virginia Court that to seek a release of the Writ of Fieri Facias, Cyberlux would have to institute a new action in Virginia as opposed to seeking to quash the Writ of Fieri Facias in the original lawsuit brought by Atlantic Wave that has since been dismissed.
QST-002
Question
Post-June 11 Status Unclear
Virginia Court order expired June 11, 2024; unclear what happened to sequestered funds and garnishments after expiration date
Page 5, 6 — This lift will stay in effect until June 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m... This Order expires by close of business on June 11, 2024.
Stage 4
Interpretive — Inferences, Omissions, Patterns
6 nodes
INF-001
Inference
Strategic Garnishment Timing
Plaintiffs appear to have timed garnishment actions to maximize pressure and create appearance of default by preventing access to payment funds
Page 2 — As of May 31, 2024, Cyberlux was up to date on all payments to Plaintiffs. On or about the week of May 31, 2024, Plaintiffs obtained a Writ of Fieri Facias in Virginia State Court.
INF-002
Inference
Administrative Process Exploitation
Plaintiffs deliberately chose Virginia's administrative garnishment system to avoid judicial oversight and obtain rapid sequestration without full hearing
Page 10, 16 — Defendants engaged garnishment attorneys and were well aware that Virginia's garnishment system is administrative with little to no judicial involvement.
INF-003
Inference
Forum Shopping Pattern
Plaintiffs' parallel California federal, California state, and Virginia garnishment actions suggest coordinated multi-forum pressure strategy
Page 10, 16 — Defendants initiated a lawsuit in California, seeking to enforce the Agreement. Defendants, being fully aware of the above referenced federal case, without notice, and without disclosing the Settlement Agreement, initiated a second state court action in California
OMI-001
Omission
Original Virginia Dispute Details
Declaration references 2023 discovery sanctions and liability findings but omits specifics of underlying breach claims or what discovery violations occurred
Page 9, 15 — Defendants sued Plaintiffs in Virginia State Circuit Court in 2023 for alleged breaches of 2021 agreements entered between the parties. Defendants obtained discovery sanctions against Plaintiffs, including liability sanctions.
OMI-002
Omission
Settlement Agreement Confidentiality Terms
Document references 'confidential Settlement Agreement' but does not explain confidentiality provisions or why plaintiffs could still use judgment order publicly
Page 9, 15 — Soon after executing the confidential Settlement Agreement, the parties renegotiated terms
OMI-003
Omission
California Case Status
Declaration mentions California federal case 3:24-cv-00196-RBM-VET and California state action but provides no outcome or current status of those proceedings
Page 10, 16 — See Case No. 3:24-cv-00196-RBM-VET, Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, et. al. v. Cyberlux Corporation, et.al, in the United States District Court Southern District of California.

Extracted text

18 pages · 29271 characters

Declaration of Charles Watts in Support of Defendant Cyberlux Corporation's Opposition to Plaintiffs' Ex Parte Application for Order to Post a Bond — Formatted Extract

Type: declaration
Court: SDCAL
Matter: Atlantic Wave / Cyberlux litigation
Filing Header

HAHN LOESER & PARKS LLP Gabe P. Wright (SBN 208647) One America Plaza 600 W. Broadway, Suite 1500 San Diego, CA 92101 Telephone: 619.810.4300 Facsimile: 619.810.4301

gwright@hahnlaw.com

THOMPSON COBURN LLP JEFFREY N. BROWN, CSB 105520 jbrown@thompsoncoburn.com 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 500 Los Angeles, California 90067 Tel: 310.282.2500 / Fax: 310.282.2501

EDWARD W. GRAY, JR. (SBN 80966) egray@thompsoncoburn.com 1909 K Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20006 Tel: 202.585.6967 / Fax: 202.585.6969

ALLEN CHESSON & GRIMES DOUGLAS GRIMES (pro hac vice application pending) dgrimes@allenchesson.com 505 N. Church Street Charlotte, NC 28202 Tel: 704.755.6012

Attorneys for Defendant CYBERLUX CORPORATION

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ATLANTIC WAVE HOLDINGS, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company; and SECURE COMMUNITY, LLC, a Virginia limited Liability company,

Plaintiffs, V.

CYBERLUX CORPORATION, a Nevada Corporation;

Defendant.

Case No. 3:24-cv-00482-RBM-VET

Declaration

DECLARATION OF CHARLES WATTS IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT CYBERLUX CORPORATION'S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS' EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR ORDER TO POST A BOND

Dist. Judge: Ruth Bermudez Montenegro

3:24-cv-00482-RBM-VET

DECLARATION OF CHARLES WATTS

I, Charles Watts, declare:

1.
I am the special counsel for Defendant Cyberlux Corporation ("Cyberlux"). I am an attorney licensed to practice and in good standing in North Carolina and am located in North Carolina. If called as a witness, I would competently testify as to the following facts based on my personal knowledge.
2.
I have been personally involved in Cyberlux's making of payments to Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC and Secure Community, LLC (collectively, "Plaintiffs") pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement between the parties for payment of the amounts reflected in the Stipulated Judgment between the parties.
3.
Following Cyberlux filing its Motion to Vacate in this case, Plaintiffs attempted to freeze Cyberlux's bank accounts through ministerial garnishment orders in Virginia. Cyberlux was able to get some of those garnishment orders lifted.
4.
As of May 31, 2024, Cyberlux was up to date on all payments to Plaintiffs.
5.
On or about the week of May 31, 2024, Plaintiffs obtained a Writ of Fieri Facias in Virginia State Court. As a result of this Writ of Fieri Facias, Cyberlux's bank accounts were sequestered.
6.
On May 31, 2024, the Court authorized the release of some of the money in the sequestered bank accounts to allow for payments to vendors and employees. However, the Court left sequestered the remaining funds for the purpose of making payments to Plaintiffs. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the Virginia Court's May 31, 2024 Order.
7.
Cyberlux requested that Plaintiffs agree to the release of some of those sequestered funds so that Cyberlux could make its payments to Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs refused Cyberlux's request.
8.
Plaintiffs have since used their own refusal to release the funds that have been specifically sequestered for payment under the Settlement Agreement to take the position that Cyberlux has "missed" its June and July payments. In reality, all 2 3:24-cv-00482-RBM-VET

Plaintiffs need to do is allow release of the sequestered settlement funds and they would be paid for June and July.

9.
Based upon a hearing that occurred in Virginia Circuit Court, Cyberlux understood from the Virginia Court that to seek a release of the Writ of Fieri Facias, Cyberlux would have to institute a new action in Virginia as opposed to seeking to quash the Writ of Fieri Facias in the original lawsuit brought by Atlantic Wave that has since been dismissed.
10.
Based on Cyberlux's understanding of the Virginia Court's instructions, as well as this Court's instructions in Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, et al. v. Cyberlux Corporation, et al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Case Number 3:24-cv-00196-RBM-VET, in connection with forum non coveniens, Cyberlux initiated legal action against Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, and Secure Community, LLC in Virginia. True and correct copies of the file-stamped Complaints filed by Cyberlux on July 8, 2024 are attached hereto as Exhibits B and C.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed this 18th day of July, 2024, at Greensboro, North Carolina.

On Date Charles Watts

EXHIBIT A

Virgínia: In the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, John Marshall Courts Building

ATLANTIC WAVE HOLDINGS, LLC, AND SECURE COMMUNITY, LLC, Plaintiffs, v. CYBERLUX CORPORATION, AND MARK D. SCHMIDT, Defendants.

Case No. CL22-3882

ORDER

On May 31, 2024 came the parties, by counsel, to be heard on the Defendants' "Emergency Motion for Declaratory Relief," filed on May 21, 2024. Upon consideration of the filings, evidence, and arguments included in the record in the above-styled matter, the Court grants Defendants' temporary injunction only.

Order

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:

(1)
All judgment liens, garnishments, writs of fieri facias, and notice of judgment liens against Defendants' accounts at any third party bank (s) and/or entity(s), including but not limited to funds sequestered in accounts with Towne Bank and PNC Bank are hereby lifted up to $550,000.00 effective immediately. This lift will stay in effect until June 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
(2)
Defendants may use up to $317,000.00 for the purpose of making payroll and shall provide in-camera proof of payments to the Court within forty-eight (48) hours of any such payments. For the purposes of this Order, payroll is defined as the distribution of payments to company employees and consultants who are entitled to receive compensation as well as other work benefits.1
(3)
Defendants may use up to $230,000 for the purpose of making regularly scheduled settlement payments to Plaintiffs and provide in-camera proof of payments to the Court.

" The Defendants shall provide a spreadsheet of all payments made pursuant to this Order with information noting how it complies with this Order.

(4)
Plaintiffs will refrain from issuing any new garnishments, writs of fieri facias and notice of judgment liens to any and all third party bank(s) and/or entity(s) until close of business2 on June 11, 2024.
(5)
This Order expires by close of business on June 11, 2024.

The Court NOTES the Defendants' objection to the Court's ruling, including the Court's ruling on jurisdiction. The Court further NOTES that it will accept, in camera, documentation of the payment of payroll and payments on the judgment owed. The Court hereby ORDERS the remainder of this matter be TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT pending the issuance of a written ruling.

The Clerk is DIRECTED to forward a certified copy of this Order to the parties. The Court DISPENSES with the parties' endorsements pursuant to Rule 1:13. It is so ORDERED.

ENTER: 5/31/2021

Jacqueline S. McClenney, Judge

2
For purposes of this Order close of business shall be 5:00 p.m.
EXHIBIT B

VIRGINIA:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND

CYBERLUX CORPORATION and MARK D. SCHMIDT, individually Plaintiffs,

V. ATLANTIC WAVE HOLDINGS, LLC AND SECURE COMMUNITY, LLC

Case No.

Defendants.

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF

Plaintiffs Cyberlux Corporation and Mark D. Schmidt, (hereinafter, collectively, "Plaintiffs"), by counsel, state as follows for its Complaint against Defendants Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC and Secure Community, LLC (hereinafter "Defendants").

PARTIES
1.
Plaintiff, Cyberlux is a corporation, formed under the laws of the State of Nevada.
2.
Plaintiff, Schmidt is an individual residing in the state of North Carolina and is the president of Cyberlux.
3.
Defendant Atlantic Wave Holdings ("AWH") is a Virginia limited liability company, with principle place of businesses in Richmond, Virginia.
4.
Defendant Secure Community, LLC ("Secure") is a Virginia limited liability company.
5.
Cyberlux Corporation is a corporation organized under the laws of Nevada. Defendant Mark D. Schmidt is Cyberlux's CEO.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
6.
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction, and this Court has personal jurisdiction over Plaintiffs under Va. Code § 8.01-328.1.
7.
This Court is a proper venue pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-262.
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
8.
Defendants sued Plaintiffs in Virginia State Circuit Court in 2023 for alleged breaches of 2021 agreements entered between the parties.
9.
Defendants obtained discovery sanctions against Plaintiffs, including liability sanctions. The Virginia court thereafter ordered a trial limited to damages.
10.
In the face of these sanctions, Plaintiffs entered into a Settlement Agreement (hereinafter "Agreement") with Defendants that called for a total amount of $1,572,500 to be paid in scheduled monthly installments.
11.
At the request of Defendants, Plaintiffs agreed to a Stipulated Judgment memorializing the total amount due, which Judgment incorporated the Settlement Agreement containing the payment schedule.
12.
. This Stipulated Judgment was not on the merits nor did it recite any finding of legal liability by Plaintiffs and resulted in a dismissal of Defendants' Complaint.
13.
Soon after executing the confidential Settlement Agreement, the parties renegotiated terms, including payment deadlines. 1
14.
Pursuant to the Settlement provisions and the renegotiated terms, Plaintiffs timely made all payments and continue to make payments to date. Both before and after the Settlement Agreement was renegotiated, Plaintiffs continue to timely make payments in accordance with the written and oral agreements made with Defendants who continue to accept such payments.
15.
Plaintiffs performed or substantially performed all of the material duties that the Settlement Agreement and the subsequent agreements and amendments reached required except for those things for which Plaintiffs were excused from performing.2
1
On or about June 30, 2023, the parties reached an agreement that Plaintiffs would pay 25% of the scheduled July monthly payments to Defendants on July 3, 2023 and would pay an additional $10,737 to Defendants on July 6, 2023. Thereafter, all remaining payments would be back on the payment schedule referenced in the Settlement Agreement, beginning August 1, 2023. This agreement was confirmed in emails between the parties. Representatives of the parties communicated regularly and Defendants orally agreed upon the schedule of the payments described in this footnote upon which Plaintiffs relied and upon which the parties performed. On July 3rd and July 6, 2023, Plaintiffs made the agreed-upon payments bringing all amounts due under the Settlement Agreement current immediately upon making the July payments.
2
On or about September 5, 2023, Plaintiffs and William Welter on behalf of Defendants conferred and mutually agreed that, as of September 2023, the total remaining amounts due to Defendants, collectively, was $386,138.44 and the remaining amount due to Strikepoint Consulting, a Virginia Liability Company, under the Settlement Agreement was $49,652.70. On or about September 8, 2023, Plaintiffs wired payments to Defendants in excess of the amounts then-due pursuant to the Settlement Agreement. The parties agreed that those amounts paid by Plaintiffs in excess of the amounts then due under the Settlement Agreement would be credited to future monthly payments due under the Settlement Agreement.
16.
Despite the parties' agreements on payments and Plaintiffs' performance pursuant to the agreements, Defendants initiated a lawsuit in California, seeking to enforce the Agreement.3
17.
Defendants, being fully aware of the above referenced federal case, without notice, and without disclosing the Settlement Agreement, initiated a second state court action in California against Defendants, petitioning that court to enter a stipulated judgment, using the Virginia Amended Order. Again, without disclosing the Settlement Agreement.
18.
Finding little success with their improper actions in California, Defendants initiated even more improper actions, attempting to side-step the Agreement and this Court by initiating Administrative actions in Virginia using the garnishment system. Defendants engaged garnishment attorneys and were well aware that Virginia's garnishment system is administrative with little to no judicial involvement.
19.
Defendants acted in bad faith and against usual and prudent business practices by ignoring the terms of the written and oral contracts and initiating garnishment proceedings, writs of fieri facias and judgment liens with several banks including Towne Bank and PNC Bank, successfully seeking to sequester Plaintiffs' operational funds in excess of $500,000, while dishonestly using this Court's judgment order to justify its unfair performance of its obligations under the settlement agreement.
20.
Defendants violated the written and oral agreements and through their actions acted in bad faith against usual and prudent business practices, breaching the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and have expressed their intention to continue such violations.
COUNT I - DECLARATORY JUDGMENT FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT
21.
Plaintiffs adopt and incorporate by reference paragraphs 1-20 of its Declaratory Judgment Action as if set forth fully herein.
22.
The parties executed the written Agreement, a valid, binding, and enforceable contract.
23.
As set forth above, Plaintiffs and Defendants entered into an oral contract, the terms of which were to modify the timing and amounts of payments required under
3
See Case No. 3:24-cv-00196-RBM-VET, Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, et. al. v. Cyberlux Corporation, et.al, in the United States District Court Southern District of California.

the Settlement Agreement and to credit Plaintiffs' overpayments toward payments to be scheduled to be made in the following months.

24.
The parties' oral agreement is a valid, binding, and enforceable contract.
25.
In Virginia, every contract contains an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and Defendants breached their implied duty of good faith and fair dealing of both the written and oral agreements.
26.
There is an actual controversy of a justiciable nature that exists between the Plaintiffs on the one hand and the Defendants on the other.
27.
A judicial declaration on whether the written and oral agreements are enforceable and have been breached is appropriate. Such a declaration is not premature, would serve a useful purpose of clarifying and settling the legal relations at issue, and will afford relief from the uncertainty, insecurity and controversy giving rise to this proceeding.
28.
Plaintiffs are entitled to declaratory relief that:

a. The parties entered into an oral contract modifying the payment schedule set forth in the written settlement agreement.

b. Both the written and oral agreements are enforceable, valid and binding contracts.

c. The parties agreed that the September 8, 2023 wired payments paid by Plaintiffs in excess of the amounts then due under the Settlement Agreement would be credited to future monthly payments due under the Settlement Agreement.

d. After the September 8, 2023 wired payments, Plaintiffs made timely payments pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement which were unconditionally accepted by Defendants.

e. Defendants improperly initiated garnishments, writ of fieri facias, and notices of judgment lien processes, improperly relying on this Court's Amended Final Order and in breach of the written and oral agreements.

f. Defendants' actions breached both the written and oral settlement agreements.

g. Defendants breached their implied duty of good faith and fair dealing by acting in bad faith and against usual and prudent business practices by ignoring the terms of the written and oral contracts and breaching the implied covenant by acting dishonestly in its contractual rights and acting arbitrarily and unfairly in the performance of its obligations under the settlement agreement.

Wherefore for the reasons stated above, Plaintiffs pray that this Court enter an Order declaring (i) the parties entered into an oral contract modifying the payment schedule set forth in the written settlement agreement; (ii) both the written and oral agreements are enforceable, binding contracts; (iii) the parties agreed that the September 8, 2023 wired payments paid by Plaintiffs in excess of the amounts then due under the

Settlement Agreement would be credited to future monthly payments due under the Settlement Agreement; (iv) after the September 8, 2023 wired payments, Plaintiffs made timely payments pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement which were unconditionally accepted by Defendants; (v) Defendants acts of issuing garnishments, judgment liens and writs of fieri facias were improper and breached both the written and oral settlement agreements; (vi) Defendants breached their implied duty of good faith and fair dealing by acting in bad faith and against usual and prudent business practices by ignoring the terms of the written and oral contracts and breaching the implied covenant by acting dishonestly in its contractual rights. (vii) Defendants must release all sequestered funds from Plaintiffs' bank accounts and reimburse Plaintiffs for its attorneys' fees and costs associated with the unauthorized litigation initiated against Plaintiffs including all attorneys' fees necessitated by the bringing of this Complaint, court costs, and any other and further relief as the Court deems appropriate.

Dated July 8, 2024

Respectfully Submitted,

CYBERLUX CORPORATION LLC AND MARK D. SCHMIDT

By_/s/ Jimmy F. Robinson, Jr. Jimmy F. Robinson, Jr., Esquire Virginia States Bar Number 43622 jimmy.robinson@ogletreedeakins.com Counsel for Plaintiffs OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART, P.C. 901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1300 Riverfront Plaza, West Tower Richmond, VA 23219 Tel .: (804) 663-2336 Fax: (855) 843-1809

EXHIBIT C

Uploaded: 2020 13:28- 104)ROBIN Reference:5490Piled 07/18/24 PageID.710 Page 1 of 18 CERCA4825BMDocument 25-1 Filed E-Filed: 28243.908-4CAMOMCI9-CC LIPSCOMB at 20249UL11 09:41fCL24002919-80

VIRGINIA:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND

CYBERLUX CORPORATION and MARK D. SCHMIDT, individually Plaintiffs,

Case No.

v. ATLANTIC WAVE HOLDINGS, LLC AND SECURE COMMUNITY, LLC

Defendants.

VERIFIED COMPLAINT FOR TEMPORARY PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

Plaintiffs Cyberlux Corporation and Mark D. Schmidt, (hereinafter, collectively, "Defendants"), by counsel, state as follows for its Verified Complaint for Preliminary Injunction against Defendants Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC and Secure Community, LLC (hereinafter "Defendants").

INTRODUCTION

Plaintiffs bring this Emergency Application to seek immediate relief from Defendants' practice of violating written and oral settlement agreements and acting in bad faith against usual and prudent business practices by breaching the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and sequestering Plaintiffs' business operation funds, while dishonestly using this Court's judgment order to justify its unfair performance of its obligations under the settlement agreements.

Without an immediate injunction from this Court, Defendants will continue to use the pretext of this Court's judgment order to injure and harass Plaintiffs.

PARTIES
1.
. Plaintiff, Cyberlux is a corporation, formed under the laws of the State of Nevada.
2.
Plaintiff, Schmidt is an individual residing in the state of North Carolina and is the president of Cyberlux.
3.
Defendant Atlantic Wave Holdings ("AWH") is a Virginia limited liability company, with principle place of businesses in Richmond, Virginia.
4.
Defendant Secure Community, LLC ("Secure") is a Virginia limited liability company.
5.
Cyberlux Corporation is a corporation organized under the laws of Nevada. Defendant Mark D. Schmidt is Cyberlux's CEO.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
6.
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction, and this Court has personal jurisdiction over Plaintiffs under Va. Code § 8.01-328.1.
7.
This Court is a proper venue pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-620.
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
8.
Defendants sued Plaintiffs in Virginia State Circuit Court in 2023 for alleged breaches of 2021 agreements entered between the parties.
9.
Defendants obtained discovery sanctions against Plaintiffs, including liability sanctions. The Virginia court thereafter ordered a trial limited to damages.
10.
). In the face of these sanctions, Plaintiffs entered into a Settlement Agreement (hereinafter "Agreement") with Defendants that called for a total amount of $1,572,500 to be paid in scheduled monthly installments.
11.
At the request of Defendants, Plaintiffs agreed to a Stipulated Judgment memorializing the total amount due, which Judgment incorporated the Settlement Agreement containing the payment schedule.
12.
This Stipulated Judgment was not on the merits nor did it recite any finding of legal liability by Plaintiffs and resulted in a dismissal of Defendants' Complaint.
13.
Soon after executing the confidential Settlement Agreement, the parties renegotiated terms, including payment deadlines. 1
1
On or about June 30, 2023, the parties reached an agreement that Plaintiffs would pay 25% of the scheduled July monthly payments to Defendants on July 3, 2023 and would pay an additional $10,737 to Defendants on July 6, 2023. Thereafter, all remaining payments would be back on the payment schedule referenced in the Settlement Agreement, beginning August 1, 2023. This agreement was confirmed in emails between the parties. Representatives of the parties communicated regularly and Defendants orally agreed upon the schedule of the payments described in this footnote upon which Plaintiffs relied and upon which the parties performed. On July 3rd and July 6, 2023, Plaintiffs made the agreed-upon payments bringing all amounts due under the Settlement Agreement current immediately upon making the July payments.
14.
Pursuant to the Settlement provisions and the renegotiated terms, Plaintiffs timely made all payments and continue to make payments to date. Both before and after the Settlement Agreement was renegotiated, Plaintiffs continue to timely make payments in accordance with the written and oral agreements made with Defendants who continue to accept such payments.
15.
Plaintiffs performed or substantially performed all of the material duties that the Settlement Agreement and the subsequent agreements and amendments reached required except for those things for which Plaintiffs were excused from performing.2
16.
Despite the parties' agreements on payments and Plaintiffs' performance pursuant to the agreements, Defendants initiated a lawsuit in California, seeking to enforce the Agreement.3
17.
Defendants, being fully aware of the above referenced federal case, without notice, and without disclosing the Settlement Agreement, initiated a second state court action in California against Defendants, petitioning that court to enter a stipulated judgment, using the Virginia Amended Order. Again, without disclosing the Settlement Agreement.
18.
Finding little success with their improper actions in California, Defendants initiated even more improper actions, attempting to side-step the Agreement and this Court by initiating Administrative actions in Virginia using the garnishment system. Defendants engaged garnishment attorneys and were well aware that Virginia's garnishment system is administrative with little to no judicial involvement.
19.
Defendants acted in bad faith and against usual and prudent business practices by ignoring the terms of the written and oral contracts and initiating garnishment proceedings, writs of fieri facias and judgment liens with several banks including Towne Bank and PNC Bank, successfully seeking to sequester Plaintiffs' operational funds in excess of $500,000, while dishonestly using this Court's judgment order to justify its unfair performance of its obligations under the settlement agreement.
2
On or about September 5, 2023, Plaintiffs and William Welter on behalf of Defendants conferred and mutually agreed that, as of September 2023, the total remaining amounts due to Defendants, collectively, was $386,138.44 and the remaining amount due to Strikepoint Consulting, a Virginia Liability Company, under the Settlement Agreement was $49,652.70. On or about September 8, 2023, Plaintiffs wired payments to Defendants in excess of the amounts then-due pursuant to the Settlement Agreement. The parties agreed that those amounts paid by Plaintiffs in excess of the amounts then due under the Settlement Agreement would be credited to future monthly payments due under the Settlement Agreement.
3
See Case No. 3:24-cv-00196-RBM-VET, Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC, et. al. v. Cyberlux Corporation, et.al, in the United States District Court Southern District of California.
20.
Defendants violated the written and oral agreements and through their actions acted in bad faith against usual and prudent business practices, breaching the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and have expressed their intention to continue such violations.
COUNT I - TEMPORARY INJUNCTION
21.
Plaintiffs adopt and incorporate by reference paragraphs 1-20 of its Temporary, Preliminary Injunction, as if set forth fully herein.
22.
Plaintiffs have a substantial likelihood of success on the merits and will be irreparably harmed in a manner which cannot be adequately compensated by money damages if a temporary, preliminary injunction is not granted.
23.
The irreparable harm to be suffered by the Plaintiffs if the injunction is not granted outweighs the harm that the Defendants would suffer if the injunction is granted.
24.
The public interest will be served by granting the temporary, preliminary injunction.
25.
Plaintiffs are therefore entitled to a preliminary injunction against Defendants prohibiting the continuation of their unlawful actions.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request that this Court issue a temporary injunction awarding Plaintiffs the following relief:

Finding that Defendants Atlantic Wave Holdings, LLC and Secure Community, LLC, and their agents, servants, employees, directors, officers, attorneys and representatives, and all persons acting in concert or participating with them, are hereby enjoined and restrained during the pendency of this action from engaging in, committing, or performing, directly or indirectly, any and all of the following acts: Attempting to enforce the Amended Final Order and Judgment entered on June 28, 2023, in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Case No. CL22- 3882-4 by any means, including, but not limited to, garnishment, writ of execution, writ of fieri facias, writ of possession, judgment lien or judgment debtor exam, in any manner and in any state, including, but not limited to, the State of California, where Defendants have attempted to domesticate the Amended Final Order and Judgment.

Dated July 8, 2024

Respectfully Submitted,

CYBERLUX CORPORATION LLC AND MARK D. SCHMIDT

By_/s/ Jimmy F. Robinson, Jr. Jimmy F. Robinson, Jr., Esquire Virginia States Bar Number 43622 jimmy.robinson@ogletreedeakins.com Counsel for Plaintiffs OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART, P.C. 901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1300 Riverfront Plaza, West Tower Richmond, VA 23219 Tel .: (804) 663-2336 Fax: (855) 843-1809

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