North Carolina General Statutes 55-8-33. Liability for unlawful distributions
(a) A director who votes for or assents to a distribution made in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 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 N.C. Gen. Stat. § 55-6-40 or the articles of incorporation if it is established that he did not perform his duties in compliance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 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
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 55-8-33
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
(2) Reimbursement from each shareholder for the amount the shareholder accepted knowing the distribution was made in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 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 N.C. Gen. Stat. § 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.)