Whistleblower Exceptions. Executive understands and acknowledges that nothing contained in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any federal, state or local governmental agency or commission, or communicating with or otherwise participating in any investigations or proceedings that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Executive shall not be required to provide notice to ​ of, or receive prior authorization from ​ for, any such communications or disclosures. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to any such governmental agency or commission.

Nothing in this Agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of federal, state or local laws or regulations to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal, state or local laws or regulations. Executive does not need prior authorization of any kind to make any such reports or disclosures and Executive is not required to notify the Company that Executive has made such reports or disclosures.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in the Agreement prohibits or will be interpreted or construed to prohibit Executive from reporting any possible violation of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Justice or the Securities and Exchange Commission, or providing testimony to or communicating with such agency or entity in the course of its investigation, or from making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law and regulation. Any such reports, testimony or disclosures do not require Executive to provide notice or receive the authorization or consent of the Company or the Board.

Government Cooperation. Nothing in this agreement prohibits Executive from reporting possible violations of local, state, foreign or federal law or regulation, or related facts, to any governmental agency or entity or making other reports or disclosures that, in each case, are protected under the whistleblower provisions of local, state, foreign or federal law or regulation. Without limitation, Executive may report possible violations of law or regulation and related facts to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Congress, and any agency Inspector General. Executive not need the prior authorization of the Company to make any such reports or disclosures, and you do not need to notify the Company that he has made such reports or disclosures.