14. Professional Fees and Other Expenses

In late 2012, a hedge fund manager publicly raised allegations regarding the legality of the Company’s network marketing program and announced that the hedge fund manager had taken a significant short position regarding the Company’s common shares, leading to intense public scrutiny and significant stock price volatility. The Company believes that the hedge fund manager’s allegations are inaccurate and misleading. The Company has engaged legal and advisory firms to assist with responding to the allegations and to perform other related services in connection to these recent events. The Company recognizes the related expenses as a part of selling, general and administrative expenses within its consolidated statement of income. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company recorded approximately $12.1 million, $18.7 million, and $25.1 million, respectively, of professional fees and other expenses related to this matter.