55-8-33. Liability for unlawful distributions.
(a) A director who votes for or assents to a distribution made in violation of G.S. 55-6-40 or the articles of incorporation is personally liable to the corporation for the amount of the distribution that exceeds what could have been distributed without violating G.S. 55-6-40 or the articles of incorporation if it is established that he did not perform his duties in compliance with G.S. 55-8-30. In any proceeding commenced under this section, a director has all of the defenses ordinarily available to a director.
(b) A director held liable under subsection (a) for an unlawful distribution is entitled to:
(1) Contribution from every other director who could be held liable under subsection (a) for the unlawful distribution; and
(2) Reimbursement from each shareholder for the amount the shareholder accepted knowing the distribution was made in violation of G.S. 55-6-40 or the articles of incorporation.
(c) A proceeding under subsection (a) is barred unless it is commenced within three years after the date on which the effect of the distribution was measured under G.S. 55-6-40(e) or (g). (Code, s. 681; 1901, c. 2, ss. 33, 52; Rev., s. 1192; C.S., s. 1179; 1927, c. 121; 1933, c. 354, s. 1; G.S., s. 55-116; 1955, c. 1371, s. 1; 1959, c. 1316, s. 35; 1989, c. 265, s. 1.)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Chapter 55 - North Carolina Business Corporation Act
Article 8 - Directors and Officers.
§ 55-8-01 - Requirement for and duties of board of directors.
§ 55-8-02 - Qualifications of directors.
§ 55-8-03 - Number and election of directors.
§ 55-8-04 - Election of directors by certain classes of shareholders.
§ 55-8-05 - Terms of directors generally.
§ 55-8-06 - Staggered terms for directors.
§ 55-8-07 - Resignation of directors.
§ 55-8-08 - Removal of directors by shareholders.
§ 55-8-09 - Removal of directors by judicial proceeding.
§ 55-8-11 - Compensation of directors.
§ 55-8-21 - Action without meeting.
§ 55-8-22 - Notice of meeting.
§ 55-8-24 - Quorum and voting.
§ 55-8-26 - Submission of matters for shareholder vote.
§ 55-8-30 - General standards for directors.
§ 55-8-31 - Director conflict of interest.
§ 55-8-32 - Loans to directors.
§ 55-8-33 - Liability for unlawful distributions.
§ 55-8-41 - Duties of officers.
§ 55-8-42 - Standards of conduct for officers.
§ 55-8-43 - Resignation and removal of officers.
§ 55-8-44 - Contract rights of officers.
§ 55-8-50 - Policy statement and definitions.
§ 55-8-51 - Authority to indemnify.
§ 55-8-52 - Mandatory indemnification.
§ 55-8-53 - Advance for expenses.
§ 55-8-54 - Court-ordered indemnification.
§ 55-8-55 - Determination and authorization of indemnification.
§ 55-8-56 - Indemnification of officers, employees, and agents.