RE:TSX bulletin, Chahar is the "creditor".Bob, I don't think it's as nefarious as you claim. I like to find the easiest explanation.
The bonus was announced the day after the news release on the Lithiun-Ion battery graphite tests.
That news release may have triggered a bonus clause in Chahar's employment contract.
Due to financial constraints, AE may have asked Chahar to take the bonus in the form of shares and may well have incentivized Chahar by offering a larger bonus (if valued at the current share price).
Note that the "bonus news release" indicated that Chahar had an option on the form of payment; however the release did not identify the options.
I believe that ZEN tells the truth in its news releases; it just doesn't provide all the nitty gritty details.