Director's liability for unlawful distributions

13-C M.R.S. § 833, under Chapter 8.

13-C M.R.S. § 833

1. Personal liability. A director who votes for or assents to a distribution in excess of what may be authorized and made pursuant to section 651, subsection 1 or section 1410, subsection 1 is personally liable to the corporation for the amount of the distribution that exceeds what could have been distributed without violating section 651, subsection 1 or section 1410, subsection 1 if the party asserting liability establishes that when taking the action the director did not comply with section 831.

2. Contribution; recoupment. A director held liable under subsection 1 for an unlawful distribution is entitled to:

A. A contribution from every other director who could be held liable under subsection 1 for the unlawful distribution; and [RR 2001, c. 2, Pt. A, §18 (COR); RR 2001, c. 2, Pt. A, §19 (AFF).]

B. Recoupment from each shareholder of the pro rata portion of the amount of the unlawful distribution the shareholder accepted, knowing the distribution was made in violation of section 651, subsection 1 or section 1410, subsection 1. [PL 2003, c. 631, §18 (AMD).]

3. Proceeding to enforce liability; 2-year period. A proceeding to enforce the liability of a director under subsection 1 is barred unless it is commenced within 2 years after the date:

A. On which the effect of the distribution was measured under section 651, subsection 5 or 7; [PL 2003, c. 631, §18 (NEW).]

B. As of which the violation of section 651, subsection 1 occurred as the consequence of disregard of a restriction in the corporation's articles of incorporation; or [PL 2003, c. 631, §18 (NEW).]

C. On which the distribution of assets to shareholders under section 1410, subsection 1 was made. [PL 2003, c. 631, §18 (NEW).]

4. Proceeding to enforce contribution or recoupment; one-year period. A proceeding to enforce a contribution or recoupment under subsection 2 is barred unless it is commenced within one year after the liability of the claimant has been finally adjudicated under subsection 1.