---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001829126-25-009074"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "VIVK"
cik: "0001450704"
company_name: "Vivakor, Inc."
filed_at: "2025-11-12T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T21:02:51.970518+00:00"
event_type: "litigation"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Vivakor settles lawsuit with ex-CFO for $2M; former GC resigns with $200K package

## Summary
- Settlement with former CFO Tyler Nelson for $2M: $250k paid on signing, $100k in 30 days, $100k in 60 days, $1.55M in 90 days.
- Transition agreement with former EVP/GC Patrick Knapp: $50k cash effective date, $50k cash by Dec 31, 2025, $100k in unrestricted stock.
- Kimberly Hawley (CFO) appointed Secretary after Knapp's resignation effective Nov 10, 2025.
- Lender J.J. Astor & Co. converted $150k of convertible note into 2,043,597 shares on Nov 7 and another $150k into 1,827,040 shares on Nov 10.
- Lawsuit dismissed with court retaining jurisdiction until final payment is made under the settlement.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001829126-25-009074
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: VIVK
- cik: 0001450704
- company_name: Vivakor, Inc.
- filed_at: 2025-11-12T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: litigation
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 3.02, 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1450704/000182912625009074/0001829126-25-009074-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1450704/000182912625009074/vivakor_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001829126-25-009074
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001829126-25-009074.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001829126-25-009074.txt

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