---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001683168-22-006784"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "VIVK"
cik: "0001450704"
company_name: "Vivakor, Inc."
filed_at: "2022-10-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-23T04:59:35.917561+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# CEO Matthew Nicosia resigns amid SEC civil complaint against him for securities violations

## Summary
- CEO and Chairman Matthew Nicosia resigned effective October 6, 2022, not due to any disagreement with Company.
- SEC filed a civil complaint in Eastern District of New York against Nicosia and three others for alleged securities law violations.
- Company is not named as defendant; allegations do not relate to Company's business, operations, or securities.
- Nicosia disputes the SEC claims and will defend against them; search for new CEO is underway.
- Company expects to name a new CEO in due course; Nicosia may remain in a separate non-officer capacity.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001683168-22-006784
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: VIVK
- cik: 0001450704
- company_name: Vivakor, Inc.
- filed_at: 2022-10-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1450704/000168316822006784/0001683168-22-006784-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1450704/000168316822006784/vivakor_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-22-006784
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-22-006784.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001683168-22-006784.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Matthew Nicosia resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at Vivakor, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
  source text: On September 30, 2022, the Board of Directors of Vivakor, Inc. (the “Company”) received notice from Matthew Nicosia, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of his resignation from such positions effective as of October 6, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1450704/000168316822006784/0001683168-22-006784-index.htm

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