 In early July 1990, the California portion of Stardent was transferred to the company headquarters in Massachusetts.Co-chairmen Michaels and Sanders brought suit against Kubota on July 13 for $25 million in damages, contending that Kubota used its financial leverage over Ardent to force it to merge and then transfer people and technology into a Kubota unit.On July 24, 1990, Stardent fired co-chairmen Michaels and Sanders, after offering a settlement to avoid publicity.