---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000351569-26-000123"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "ABCB"
cik: "0000351569"
company_name: "Ameris Bancorp"
filed_at: "2026-06-12T21:20:45+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-12T21:22:27.581349+00:00"
event_type: "litigation"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Jury awards $79.4M against Ameris Bank in wrongful termination suit; company to appeal

## Summary
- Jury awarded $16.525M in economic/non-economic damages plus statutory penalties and $62.9M in punitive damages.
- Plaintiff Patrick Byrne was CEO of Ameris Bank's equipment finance division from Dec 2021 to June 2024.
- Company disagrees with verdict, believes unsupported by facts or law, and intends to appeal.
- Verdict may have material adverse effect on results, financial condition, and liquidity; accrual evaluation underway.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000351569-26-000123
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: ABCB
- cik: 0000351569
- company_name: Ameris Bancorp
- filed_at: 2026-06-12T21:20:45+00:00
- event_type: litigation
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351569/000035156926000123/0000351569-26-000123-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/351569/000035156926000123/abcb-20260612.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000351569-26-000123
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000351569-26-000123.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000351569-26-000123.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.