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             C L A S S   A C T I O N   R E P O R T E R

              Monday, October 25, 2004, Vol. 6, No. 211

                          Headlines

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL: Faces Federal Jury Fraud Investigation
AT&T: FL Court Allows A.G. Crist's Telemarketing Suit To Proceed
BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE: Court Mulls Steeltex Suit Certification
BRISTOL-MYERS: Taxol Distribution Program Begins For KY Patients
CALIFORNIA: A.G. Lockyer Urges Consumers To Fight Price-Gouging

COMPUTER ASSOCIATES: Investor Demanding $144M Pact Be Overturned
CONNECTICUT: Six States Sue Over Pesticides in Public Housing
FLORIDA: A.G. Crist Sues 12 Leasing Firms Over Trade Practices
FORSTMAN LITTLE: Settles For $15 Million CT Pension Fund Lawsuit
INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS: Recalls 1,600 Rattles For Choking Risk

LIFESTYLES FITNESS: To Refund Consumers For Unused Memberships
MARSH & MCLENNAN: Keller Rohrback Initiates ERISA Investigation
MEDS-STAT: CT A.G. Blumenthal Files Vaccine Price-Gouging Suit
MEDS-STAT: FL A.G. Crist Sues Over Flu Vaccine Price-Gouging
MERCK & CO.: MO Attorneys Seeking Plaintiffs For Vioxx Lawsuits

NEXGRILL INDUSTRIES: Recalls 10.9T Gas Grills Due To Fire Hazard
NISSAN NORTH: Recalls 96 Cars For Brake Light Defect, Crash Risk
ORGANON USA: Maryland AG Reveals Completion Of $36M Settlement
ORGANON USA: DE A.G. Brady Joins Remeron Antitrust Settlement
QWEST COMMUNICATIONS: Consents To SEC Injunction, $250M Penalty

R.R. DONNELLEY: Reaches $15M Settlement in IL Race Bias Lawsuit
REMEDIA LTD.: Reaches Out-Of-Court Settlement For Faulty Formula
SALTON INC.: 3 AR Groups To Share in George Foreman Grill Pact
SCHERING-PLOUGH: AR Receives Share in Claritin Price Settlement
SPRING HOUSE: Recalls Cows Milk Due To Incomplete Pasteurization

STARLINK CORN: Claims in Producer Suit Settlement Done By Dec.
SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES: NY Court Approves Shareholder Settlements
TAI TUNG INTERNATIONAL: Recalls 128,880 Toys For Choking Hazard
TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES: Recalls 1,647 Motorcycles For Crash Hazard
UNITED STATES: Islanders Seek Mediator in $2.8B Lawsuit V. USDA

UPS INC.: CA Judge Orders Halt On Discrimination V. Deaf Drivers
U.S.I. HOLDINGS: Named As Defendant in NY Marsh & McLennan Suit
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA: Recalls Audi A6 Cars Due to Crash Hazard
VOLVO CARS: Recalls 1719 Cars Due To Vacuum Leak, Crash Hazard
WAL-MART STORES: Certification Sought for NJ Janitor's Wage Suit

                  New Securities Fraud Cases

ACE LIMITED: Wolf Haldenstein Lodges Securities Fraud Suit in NY
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL: Wolf Haldenstein Lodges Stock Suit in NY
HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Scott + Scott Lodges Securities Suit in CT
HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Shepherd Finkelman Lodges CT Securities Suit
LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR: Lerach Coughlin Lodges OR Securities Suit

METLIFE INC.: Wolf Haldenstein Files Securities Fraud Suit in NY
MONDAVI CORPORATION: Brian M. Felgoise Lodges CA Securities Suit
STAR GAS: Lerach Coughlin Lodges Securities Fraud Lawsuit in CT
STAR GAS: Scott + Scott Lodges Securities Fraud Lawsuit in CT
TECO ENERGY: Scott + Scott Lodges Securities Fraud Suit in FL


                        *********


AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL: Faces Federal Jury Fraud Investigation
--------------------------------------------------------------
Prominent insurance firm American International Group, Inc.
faces a federal grand jury investigation over its "non-
traditional insurance" or "income smoothing" products, the
Associated Press reports.

The United States attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
informed the Company, also known as AIG, of the probe.  The
probe concerns allegations about the insurance products that
were directed at creating agreements with businesses that would
appear to be insurance and would be accounted for as insurance,
but did not involve any actual risk transfer, AIG told AP.

The probe specifically focuses on a contract between the Company
and Indiana-based cellular phone distributor Brightpoint, Inc.
The Securities and Exchange Commission commenced an
investigation on the contract, alleging the Company fraudulently
helped Brightpoint falsify its earnings report and hide losses.
The SEC further alleged that the Company also failed to provide
documents that were subpoenaed during the government's
investigation of the alleged fraud involving financial reports
by Brightpoint.

The Company settled the probe in September 2003.  Under the
settlement, the Company agreed to pay a $10 million civil fine.
The Company neither admitted nor denied the SEC'S allegations in
its settlement, in which it also forfeited a $100,000 fee paid
by Brightpoint.

The announcement comes as AIG is being investigated in New York
over insurance brokerage fees, and said last week that it has
stopped using questionable incentives that are part of the
probe, AP reports.


AT&T: FL Court Allows A.G. Crist's Telemarketing Suit To Proceed
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Leon County Circuit Court in Florida allowed state Attorney
General Charlie Crist to move forward with a case against AT&T,
following a ruling in a Tallahassee court.  State judge Nikki
Ann Clark denied motions by AT&T attorneys for a summary
judgment against consumers and another motion to send the case
to an administrative hearing under the authority of the Florida
Public Service Commission (FPSC).

AG Crist sued the Company on April 30 after an investigation
into complaints from consumers who received charges on their
telephone bill from AT&T for services they neither requested nor
received.  The complaints indicated that when consumers called
to complain, they were subjected to telemarketing sales pitches
for AT&T services.  Some were told that they would not receive
refunds unless they signed up for these services.

"This ruling means that consumers will have their day in court,"
said AG Crist.  "We believe they were played as pawns in a
marketing scheme to enhance AT&T's bottom line. That is wrong
and they deserve to be compensated."

The judge denied AT&T's motion to move the case to the
jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission.  Rejecting the
assertions of the AT&T lawyers, Judge Clark said the Attorney
General's allegations "do not raise 'complex technical issues'
that are 'beyond the ordinary experience of judges and juries'
or within the 'special competence of the FPSC.' "

On May 20, the Attorney General obtained a court order requiring
AT&T to promptly refund those consumers who were improperly
billed and to cease the practice of pitching consumers who
called to complain. Eight days later, Judge Clark denied AT&T's
motion to stay the May 20 order.


BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE: Court Mulls Steeltex Suit Certification
--------------------------------------------------------------
Superior Court Judge Christopher Sheldon agreed to consider a
plaintiff's bid to pursue a national class action lawsuit
against Bridgestone-Firestone claiming defects in Firestone
Steeltex tires, the Associated Press reports.

The Riverside County judge, who originally refused to certify
the class-action bid in March, decided this time to take the
request for class status under advisement and gave both sides
until November 3 to file additional documents.

According to attorney Joseph Lisoni, who is pressing the anti-
Steeltex, due to the earlier dismissal "without prejudice," he
was able to seek a rehearing. He adds that by making the suit a
class action up to 5 million plaintiffs could be added to the
case.

However, Dan MacDonald, a spokesman for the Nashville,
Tennessee-based Company expressed confidence that the judge
would again reject the motion for class action status against,
which according to him is completely without merit.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit is Robert R. Littel, who has
claimed he had four blowouts of Steeltex tires, which have been
on the market since 1991 as a utilitarian light truck tire, on
his motor home in 2001 and 2002.


BRISTOL-MYERS: Taxol Distribution Program Begins For KY Patients
----------------------------------------------------------------
A Free Taxol distribution program that will provide free anti-
cancer drugs to needy patients in Kentucky has been launched, as
part of an antitrust settlement that Kentucky and the other 49
states, plus six U.S. territories, entered with Bristol-Myers
Squibb concerning the popular cancer drug, state Attorney
General Greg Stumbo announced in a statement.

The states are receiving 13,000 vials of Taxol to be distributed
to indigent patients who cannot otherwise pay for the drug.
Taxol is used primarily to treat breast and ovarian cancer.  The
program will expire once the 13,000 vials of Taxol have been
distributed, which is estimated to take about a year and treat
between 1,000 to 2,000 patients nationwide.

Kentucky, along with the other states, contracted with an
administrator, RxHope, Inc., to accept applications from doctors
on behalf of their medically indigent patients who have been
prescribed Taxol infusions as part of their cancer chemotherapy
treatments.  RxHope will take applications from doctors,
hospitals and other cancer facilities online or through an 800
number since patients cannot apply directly to RxHope on their
own behalf for the prescription drug.

Interested doctors, hospitals or other cancer facilities can
apply by visiting RxHope on the Internet or by calling
(800) 589-0834. Interested patients should ask their doctors
about the plan.

"Settlement of the Taxol case is a part of our efforts to secure
affordable prescription drugs for Kentuckians," AG Stumbo said.
"It is vital that everyone with a potentially life-threatening
illness be able to receive the medication they need to
effectively fight their disease."

In order to qualify to receive the free Taxol, a patient cannot
be covered by any public insurance program, such as Medicare or
Medicaid, and cannot have private health insurance that includes
coverage for chemotherapy drugs.  There are also some household
income and asset restrictions, and the patient must be receiving
treatment in the United States at a DEA- approved hospital or
cancer center.

Currently, over 150 institutions nationwide have agreed to
participate in the states' Free Taxol program through RxHope.
The participating hospitals in Kentucky are the University of
Louisville Cancer Center and the University of Kentucky Cancer
Center.

In January 2003, the states reached an agreement with Bristol-
Myers Squibb to settle antitrust charges stemming from the
company's patent on Taxol.  A $12 million national consumer fund
reimbursed patients who allegedly paid too much for the drug
because of Bristol-Myers Squibb's actions, and $37 million was
returned to the states to reimburse state agencies that
purchased the drug.

In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration gave Bristol-Myers
five years of exclusive marketing rights to help bring
paclitaxel, the drug's active pharmaceutical ingredient, to the
public. The National Cancer Institute initially discovered
paclitaxel and developed and tested the drug for more than 30
years at an expense to taxpayers of more than $30 million before
Bristol-Myers began manufacturing commercial quantities of its
drug, which it named Taxol.  Paclitaxel is used in the treatment
of ovarian, breast, and other cancers.

The lawsuit alleged that Bristol-Myers told a congressional
committee in 1993 that paclitaxel was not patentable and that
"near-term generic competition for Taxol is a certainty." The
lawsuit further alleged that Bristol-Myers knowingly manipulated
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office process by fraudulently
obtaining patents on a drug the company testified was "not
patentable." The suit alleges these patents prevented generic
drug manufacturers from entering the paclitaxel market until
2000, although Bristol-Myers' five-year marketing exclusivity
from the FDA for Taxol ended in 1997. Bristol-Myers' sales of
Taxol since 1998 have totaled at least $5.4 billion and a
standard course of treatment for Taxol can cost from $6,000 to
$10,000 per patient.

For more information, please contact the Office of the Attorney
General by Mail: State Capitol, Suite 118, Frankfort, Kentucky
40601 by Phone: (502) 696-5300.


CALIFORNIA: A.G. Lockyer Urges Consumers To Fight Price-Gouging
---------------------------------------------------------------
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer urged consumers and
pharmacists to provide his office information about price-
gouging by flu vaccine suppliers and warned he will take
enforcement action against those who exploit the supply shortage
by charging unconscionable prices.

"You cannot sink much lower than illegally cashing in on a
vaccine shortage that threatens the health of millions of
Americans, and hundreds of thousands of Californians," said AG
Lockyer in a statement.  "This is a time to do all we can to
serve the public interest, not self-interest. I urge
Californians to report evidence of price-gouging to my office.
If the evidence warrants, I will not hesitate to take
enforcement action against unlawful profiteering."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) - which
has launched a program to ease the supply shortage - has
received many complaints about price gouging from around the
country.  Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline recently sued
Florida-based Meds-Stat, alleging deceptive and unconscionable
acts.

AG Lockyer said his office has not yet received complaints about
price gouging.  However, given the size of its market, he noted
California could well experience problems reported in other
states.  AG Lockyer said his office will carefully evaluate flu
vaccine gouging complaints for evidence of unconscionability or
violations of laws governing consumer protection and unfair
business practices.  He added he and other attorneys general are
coordinating their efforts to monitor conduct in the flu vaccine
market.

The flu vaccine shortage was triggered last week when Chiron
Corporation had to junk 48 million doses after British
regulators closed its factory in England.  Those 48 million does
comprised about 50 percent of the U.S. supply.  The Chiron
factory closure cost California roughly 574,000 doses.  The CDCP
hopes to redirect vaccines from other manufacturers to high-risk
consumers in California and across the nation.  Still, millions
of Americans and possibly hundreds of thousands of Californians
will not receive their flu shots.

Complaints can be filed online:
http://www.ag.ca.gov/consumers/mailform.htmor by Mail: The
Public Inquiry Unit of the Attorney General's Office, P.O. Box
944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550.


COMPUTER ASSOCIATES: Investor Demanding $144M Pact Be Overturned
----------------------------------------------------------------
A major Computer Associates International, Inc. investors wants
to reopen a class action settlement to force former executives
to return hundreds of millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains,
Accounting Web reports.

According to Newsday, officials of major investor Ranger
Governance Ltd. asked the software developer to join Ranger in a
motion to overturn the $144-million shareholder settlement.  The
agreement calls for the distribution of 5.7 million CA shares to
injured stockholders and a release of liability for CA and its
former and current executives. Calling the settlement "a
pittance of what was ripped off," Ranger officials want former
executives Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar to return personal
profits gained from stock sales.

Texas billionaire Sam Wyly leads the group.  Mr. Wyly led in
2001 a public fight to oust majority of the CA board, which
allegedly ignored bookkeeping irregularities in the Company.
Mr. Wyly asserts that the settlement was reached under false
pretenses because CA's former general counsel, Steve Woghin,
produced "vital documents" for internal investigators only after
the settlement was approved, Accounting Web reports.

"These former executives made money from the market, pumping
that stock price up. It's the shareholders that got ripped off,"
Bill Brewer, the Dallas-based lead attorney for Wyly and Ranger,
told Accounting Web.  "Those market losses are what the class
action should have gotten back. Instead it got none of that."

Mr. Brewer continued that the Company is being asked to join the
motion to determine whether it is a "new day at CA."  "Are these
really people who feel like they were duped and are now
compelled to help right the wrongs?" he said.

In a statement, CA officials said that the Company is working to
recover money from the former executives by working with federal
prosecutors. "CA believes the government is in the best position
to obtain disgorgement from wrongdoers. We will provide the
government with active assistance, including accounting and
legal support," officials said, according to Accounting Web.


CONNECTICUT: Six States Sue Over Pesticides in Public Housing
-------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal with five other
states filed a lawsuit in September 2004 against the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) over the
agency's failure to reduce use of pesticides in public housing
as required by federal law.

The lawsuit seeks to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals by
children and families who live in public housing.  The suit asks
the Court to direct HUD to promote and use "Integrated Pest
Management" (IPM), a more effective method of pest control that
reduces the use of toxic pesticides whenever possible.  The
states also ask the Court to find that HUD's prior inaction on
this matter violated federal law.

Insects and rodents pose serious problems in many public housing
developments, but IPM can effectively address the problems
without excessive pesticide use that can lead to severe health
concerns.

"HUD is solving one problem with another problem - controlling
pests, but poisoning public property and the children and
citizens who live in public housing," AG Blumenthal said in a
statement.  "There are safer and sounder affordable alternatives
to these pesticides. Prevention and Integrated Pest Management
is key to reducing the use of toxic chemicals that can make
children vulnerable to brain and nervous system injury caused by
overexposure to pesticides. This federal agency has failed to
comply with the law, so we have no choice but to vigorously
fight until they do."

The multi-state group is basing the lawsuit on a provision of
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act that
says: "Federal agencies shall use Integrated Pest Management
techniques in carrying out pest management activities and shall
promote Integrated Pest Management through procurement or
regulatory policies, and other activities."

On October 8, 2003, AG Blumenthal and Attorneys General from
other states petitioned HUD to promote IPM by requiring HUD-
funded public housing developments to adopt and implement IPM.
HUD denied the request in December 2003.  While HUD did not
dispute the accuracy of the evidence presented in the petition,
it argued that its modest and insufficient efforts to address
the problem met its obligations under the law.

AG Blumenthal is joining Attorneys General from Illinois, New
Mexico, New York, Wisconsin and the U.S. Virgin Islands in this
lawsuit.


FLORIDA: A.G. Crist Sues 12 Leasing Firms Over Trade Practices
--------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist filed a civil complaint
against a group of 12 leasing companies for violating Florida's
deceptive and unfair trade practices statute.  The leasing
companies demanded payments from consumers for services despite
knowing that services were not being provided.

The leasing companies purchased contracts from NorVergence
beginning in 2003 after NorVergence had entered into agreements
with approximately 700 small Florida businesses to provide local
telephone, mobile phone and high-speed Internet services at
reduced rates.  NorVergence allegedly used high-pressure sales
tactics, including claims that the offer was for a limited
duration and available only to a few select companies, in order
to finalize contracts that cost consumers as much as $1,000 per
month.

"Small businesses were hurt by the false, deceptive, misleading
and unfair sales tactics used by NorVergence," said AG Crist.
"The leasing companies knew the scheme and compounded the harm
by making intolerable demands to be paid for services that were
unconscionably priced and never provided."

NorVergence targeted small businesses that had good credit
ratings and that were owned by persons who were age 60 or older
but lacked in-house legal and technology personnel to protect
them.  The small business owners agreed to sign contracts with
NorVergence with an understanding of the following terms:

     (1) they were obtaining telephone services directly from
         NorVergence;

     (2) NorVergence would provide the consumers with unlimited
         long distance, cell phone and high-speed Internet at
         greatly reduced rates;

     (3) In order to use the NorVergence services, customers
         would have to rent a "Matrix" box.

These business terms were later found to be inaccurate.  Many
consumers never received telecommunication service, and in any
event NorVergence terminated service when it went into
bankruptcy. The Company failed to install the Matrix box for
consumers who had entered the agreement and thus failed to
deliver the promised reduced rates.

Additionally, it was found that the Matrix was nothing more than
a commercial router that sells for $500 to $1,200, creating an
unconscionably large disparity between the value of the box and
the $1,000-per-month lease payments due under the rental
agreement.

In further violation of the agreement, the leasing companies
then began demanding payments for services that were never
provided. When customers missed their monthly bills, the leasing
companies accelerated payments and demanded payment in full, in
sums ranging from $10,000 to more than $90,000.

After receiving subpoenas from the Attorney General, three
leasing companies - CIT Technology Financial Services, Inc.,
Northland Capital Financial Services and BB&T Leasing Company -
agreed to a moratorium of the payment demands and are not
currently facing charges.

The 12 leasing companies that the Attorney General is suing are:

     (1) Wells Fargo,

     (2) Commerce Commercial Leasing, LLC,

     (3) Court Square Leasing Corporation,

     (4) Dolphin Capital Corporation,

     (5) IFC Credit Corporation,

     (6) National City Commercial Capital Corporation (formerly
         known as Information Leasing Corporation),

     (7) Irwin Business Finance,

     (8) Liberty Bank Leasing,

     (9) Patriot Leasing Co. Inc.,

    (10) Popular Leasing U.S.A., Inc.,

    (11) Preferred Leasing, LLC and

    (12) Sterling National Bank

Each is charged with two counts of violating Florida's unfair
and deceptive trade practices statute.  If convicted of the
charges, the companies face a $10,000 fine for each violation of
the statute and a $15,000 fine for each violation involving a
senior citizen, as well as consumer restitution and attorney
fees and costs.  The Attorney General is also seeking an
injunction to prevent the leasing companies from making further
efforts to collect on these unconscionable agreements.


FORSTMAN LITTLE: Settles For $15 Million CT Pension Fund Lawsuit
----------------------------------------------------------------
Forstmann Little & Co. has agreed to pay the Connecticut Pension
Fund $15 million to resolve all issues in a lawsuit charging
that the company breached its contract and fiduciary
responsibility to the state, Connecticut Treasurer Denise L.
Nappier and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced in a
statement.

In exchange for the payment, Ms. Nappier and AG Blumenthal have
agreed to end further prosecution in the case.  In addition to
the $15 million settlement, the Company has agreed to return to
the pension fund $1.2 million that had been withheld from the
state earlier this year to cover legal expenses stemming from
the suit.

"From the outset, we had two unequivocal goals: recover money
for the pension fund, and demonstrate in court that Forstmann
Little had breached its contract," Ms. Nappier said.  "The
unanimous jury verdict and monetary settlement achieve both
goals, so for the Connecticut pension fund, this is a win-win
and a landmark victory."

"In this ground breaking fight, we have held Forstmann Little
accountable -- and made it pay a price -- for gravely violating
the state's legal rights," AG Blumenthal said.  "A jury found
that the company acted negligently and in bad faith -- willfully
ignoring its contractual obligations to make highly speculative
and spectacularly bad investments. My office will act
aggressively to assure that investment firms strictly adhere to
their agreements and duties when investing state retirement
funds."

Ms. Nappier and AG Blumenthal sued the Company in February 2002
after the private equity firm lost $125 million of state pension
funds making investments that were not consistent with its
contract. At issue were investments made in two telecom industry
firms, McLeod USA and XO Communications.

On July 1, a Connecticut Superior Court jury agreed with Ms.
Nappier and AG Blumenthal, finding that the Company repeatedly
breached its contract with the state, violated its fiduciary
duty and acted "with gross negligence, in bad faith or with
willful misconduct."  The jury, however, awarded the state no
monetary damages.

Ms. Nappier and AG Blumenthal filed motions with the court
arguing that it made no sense for the jury to find that
Forstmann Little repeatedly violated its contract and acted in
bad faith, but then award the state no damages. Those motions
will be withdrawn as part of the settlement.

"What's the bottom line of this litigation? For the Connecticut
pension fund, the recovery of $16.2 million," Ms. Nappier said.
"However, what we ultimately achieved with this case is a
recognition of the rights of limited partners in the private
equity industry, and that's priceless."

"This case broke new and significant ground," said Ms. Nappier,
principal fiduciary of the $20 billion Connecticut Retirement
Plans and Trust Funds (CRPTF).  "For the first time, a limited
partner successfully raised and pursued serious questions about
the actions of a general partner and prevailed. This case marks
a critical turning point in the evolving relationship between
limited and general partners in the investment industry."

Ms. Nappier and AG Blumenthal said the case and the jury verdict
underscore the importance of private equity firms selecting only
those investments that are consistent with the investment
approach agreed to at the time investors commit capital to a
firm.  The settlement was reached following more than two months
of negotiations among the parties, including a face-to-face
meeting between Nappier and Forstmann Little founder Ted
Forstmann in her Hartford offices.

"Two months ago, a jury found unanimously that Forstmann Little
breached its contract with Connecticut and did so in bad faith,"
Ms. Nappier said.  "Today, the state pension fund is in receipt
of $15 million as a result of the settlement, and an additional
$1.2 million recovered from the firm's reserve fund for legal
expenses. In effect, we went from zero to $16.2 million in about
80 days."

The $15 million being returned to the pension fund represents an
amount equivalent to the CRPTF's share of the third investment
Forstmann Little made in XO Communications. In the state's view,
this investment was the most egregious of the breaches of
contractual obligations and of the Company's fiduciary duty.

"Notwithstanding the unfortunate conduct in this instance, the
firm is among the giants in the industry, and well poised to
provide the pension fund with a good return on those investments
we are obligated to see through," said AG Nappier, noting that
the CRPTF remains a Forstmann Little investor, and has thus far
received in excess of $51.3 million in cash distributions from
Forstmann Little investments.

"We have a job to do in safeguarding and growing our pension
fund assets, and so does Forstmann Little on our behalf, so it
is time to move forward. Our primary concern remains to serve
the best interests of the pension fund beneficiaries, and we
will continue to operate the pension fund with strict attention
to the highest standards of integrity, prudence and
accountability," Ms. Nappier said.

"We will also continue to take a measured approach to litigation
whenever we believe that our investment managers have acted
improperly, which fortunately is not indicative of the industry
as a whole. an industry that has enjoyed stellar performance by
highly responsible investment professionals," she concluded.


INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS: Recalls 1,600 Rattles For Choking Risk
----------------------------------------------------------------
International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, New Jersey is
cooperating with the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission by voluntarily recalling about 1,600 Earlyearsr
Spirolly Rattles.

The spiral section of the rattle can come apart, releasing small
balls inside. This can pose a choking hazard to young children.
The firm has received one report of the spiral section of the
toy coming apart. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled product is a rattle designed for children ages 3
months and up. It is approximately 5.5-inches long with a clear,
spiral tube in the center containing eight yellow and purple
balls inside that travel around the spiral. The ends of the
rattle are green and purple and orange and yellow. The straight
center tube is blue with a shaker inside. The item number E00148
is written on the packaging.

Manufactured in China, the rattles were sold at all specialty
toy stores nationwide from August 2004 through September 2004
for about $9.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled rattle away from
young children and contact International Playthings for a refund
or replacement.

Consumer Contact: Consumers should contact International
Playthings at (800) 445-8347 anytime or visit the firm's Web
site: http://www.intplay.com/recall


LIFESTYLES FITNESS: To Refund Consumers For Unused Memberships
--------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Vice Chancellor John W. Noble granted the State's
motion for a permanent injunction against Lifestyles Fitness and
Racquet Club, Inc. (d/b/a Images Health Spa) and its owner,
Darrell Nagle on October 7,2004, restraining them from violating
the Health Spa Registration Act, Consumer Fraud Act and the
Deceptive Trade Practices Act and from engaging in the health
spa business in Delaware in the future, unless they fully comply
with the Order, state Attorney General M. Jane Brady announced
in a statement.

The State sought, and the Vice Chancellor ordered, reimbursement
in the amount of 65,264.00 to the Health Spa Guarantee Fund,
which represents the amount paid to consumers for the unused
portion of their memberships when the health spas close their
doors.

Attorney General Brady said, "This case reinforces the wisdom of
creating a fund for restitution to victims when health spas
close their doors. This office will now seek enforcement of the
Order to reimburse the Fund for monies we paid to victims in the
Images case."

The Health Spa Guarantee Fund was established to ensure
reimbursement to consumers for pre-paid memberships in the event
that a Delaware health spa closed. The defendants operated two
health spas, one in Dover and one in Milford, under the trade
name "Images". A civil enforcement action was filed by the
Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit in June of 2002,
after both health spas closed abruptly. Proceedings are still
pending against Lisa Nagle.


MARSH & MCLENNAN: Keller Rohrback Initiates ERISA Investigation
---------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Keller Rohrback LLP initiated an investigation
against Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. ("Marsh & McLennan" or
the "Company") (NYSE:MMC) for violations of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). The
investigation focuses on investments in Company stock by the
Marsh & McLennan Companies Stock Investment Plan and the Putnam
Investments Profit Sharing Retirement Plan (the "Plans") between
October 15, 1999 through the present (the "Class Period").

Keller Rohrback's investigation focuses on concerns that Marsh &
McLennan and the plan administrators may have breached their
fiduciary duties of loyalty and prudence to the Plans'
participants. A breach may have occurred if the fiduciaries
failed to prudently manage the Plans' assets, by among other
things, offering Marsh & McLennan stock as a Plan investment
option, requiring participants to invest in the stock, and
investing and holding matching contributions in the stock at a
time when the stock was not a suitable and appropriate
investment option. A breach also may have occurred if the
fiduciaries withheld or concealed material information from the
Plans' participants with respect to the Company's business,
financial results and operations, thereby encouraging
participants and beneficiaries to continue to make and maintain
substantial investments of company stock in the Plans.

For more details, contact Jennifer Tuato'o, Paralegal of Keller
Rohrback LLP by Phone: 800/776-6044 by E-mail:
investor@kellerrohrback.com or visit their Web site:
http://www.erisafraud.comor http://www.seattleclassaction.com


MEDS-STAT: CT A.G. Blumenthal Files Vaccine Price-Gouging Suit
--------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has sued a
Florida-based pharmaceutical wholesaler that has charged
unconscionably high prices for the flu vaccine and illegally
conducted business in this state.

In the midst of a nationwide flu vaccine shortage, Meds-Stat
inflated vaccine prices as high as $900 per vial - more than 10
times the standard market value, the Attorney General said in a
statement.  The unethical and oppressive pricing potentially
exposed vulnerable Connecticut citizens to significant health
and safety risks.  The lawsuit also alleges that Meds-Stat
illegally sold or offered to sell the flu vaccine in Connecticut
without obtaining a certificate of authority to do business.

The Attorney General's lawsuit, brought on behalf of Department
of Consumer Protection (DCP) Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez,
seeks civil penalties, restitution and the disgorgement of all
revenues, profits and other gains that Meds-Stat reaped through
its CUTPA violations.

"As vicious as the flu virus is the human virus of greed
exploiting it - huge price hikes, putting our most vulnerable
citizens at even greater risk," AG Blumenthal said in a
statement.  "This lawsuit is a shot in the arm - strong medicine
and a simple message for anyone profiteering or price gouging in
a public health emergency. Unconscionable and unscrupulous
prices for a potentially lifesaving vaccine cannot be tolerated.
Incredibly, in just a few days, Meds-Stat raised prices from $90
to $900 per vial, a tenfold or 1,000 percent increase and well
above the market standard. Need, not wealth, should determine
access to healthcare. Our investigation is continuing, and we
will take additional action as appropriate."

"It's outrageous that anyone would take advantage of a potential
public health crises to fill their pockets with extra profit,"
Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez said.  "My
department will work closely with the Governor's Office, the
Attorney General and the Chief State's Attorney, and take every
legal action at our disposal to do away with such disgraceful
acts of greed."

Earlier this month, one of the two primary flu vaccine suppliers
was forced to shutdown, significantly reducing about half of the
vaccine supply in the United States.  This inadequate supply has
been deemed insufficient to vaccinate those citizens who are at
greatest risk from serious complications from the flu - citizens
65 years of age and older, children between six and 23 months of
age, and citizens who suffer certain chronic disorders.

Prior to this significant supply disruption, the price of flu
vaccine for the 2004-05 season in Connecticut was about $69 to
$80 per vial (each vial containing 10 doses).  Meds-Stat was
selling the vaccine for between $70 and $90 per vial prior to
the shortage.

On October 5, on the day Chiron formally notified government
authorities of its Liverpool plant's problems, Meds-Stat began
charging $600 per vial, and then on October 8, further inflated
its prices to as much as $900 per vial.

Any corporation doing business in the State of Connecticut must
obtain a certificate of authority from the Secretary of the
State's office.


MEDS-STAT: FL A.G. Crist Sues Over Flu Vaccine Price-Gouging
------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist filed a lawsuit against a
Florida company for violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair
Trade Practices Act regarding pricing of flu vaccines.  Fort
Lauderdale-based ASAP Meds, Inc., doing business as Meds-Stat,
is named in the suit.

Earlier this month pharmaceutical maker Chiron, which provided
the majority of the nation's flu vaccine, announced that it
would be unable to provide vaccines this year.  Following the
announcement of a severe shortage of this medication, Meds-Stat
sold vials of flu vaccines to a Kansas City pharmacy at a rate
of $900 per vial (10 doses per vial).  The vaccine is usually
priced at $63 to $85 per vial, amounting to a markup exceeding
900%.

"This behavior is totally unacceptable raw exploitation," said
AG Crist.  "While millions of Americans will be forced to do
without vaccines this year, some businesses are attempting to
take advantage of children, the elderly and the frail by unfair
and unconscionable business acts. Preying on the fears of the
consuming public is not a description of good corporate
citizens."

The Attorney General has asked the Broward County Circuit Court
to enjoin Meds-Stat from selling flu vaccines at unconscionable
prices.  Anyone with information on artificially high vaccine
prices involving Meds-Stat, or any other distributor, should
call the Attorney General's Fraud Hotline: 1-866-966-7226.


MERCK & CO.: MO Attorneys Seeking Plaintiffs For Vioxx Lawsuits
---------------------------------------------------------------
Missouri's local attorneys are preparing to file lawsuits
against Merck & Co., over its arthritis drug Vioxx, KYTV
(Springfield, MO) reports.

A government study has linked Vioxx to more than 27,000 heart
attacks and sudden deaths, causing the Company to pull the drug
off the shelves.  Several class actions have already been filed
in different states, on behalf of consumers and users of the
drug.

Local attorneys are preparing for what is shaping up to be a
tidal wave of legal action.  They have published and aired
several ads, soliciting business from people who may have been
harmed by the drug or their survivors.

"Attention, have you or a loved one taken the potentially
dangerous drug Vioxx?" asks one ad, according to KYTV.  "Choose
a local law firm," says another.

At least eight firms have placed broadcast ads, including the
firm of attorney Jay Kirksey of Springfield.  "You are fighting
against millions and billions of dollars," the ad says,
according to KYTV.

Mr. Kirksey's company has taken hundreds of phone calls from
potential clients.  "I anticipate adding anywhere from 10 to 20
persons if this gets as large as I expect it to," he told KYTV.
He said the new employees would be a combination of attorneys
and paralegals.

The Vioxx case promises to be a huge class action lawsuit
against one of the country's most powerful pharmaceutical
companies, Merck.  That company has left a message on its
answering machine for people who call about Vioxx, according to
KYTV.  "Patients who are currently taking Vioxx should contact
their health care providers to discuss discontinuing use of
Vioxx and possible alternative treatments," the message says.

"People need attorneys who know what they are doing - and I'm
sorry it sounds like another commercial but this is serious,"
said Kirksey.

Attorney John Holstein, a former Missouri Supreme Court judge,
is a member of the Missouri Bar Committee on Professionalism.
He says anyone who is considering legal action should pick an
attorney carefully.  "If you don't hit it off with that
attorney, then I would discourage you from hiring that
attorney," said Holstein, KYTV reports.  "It's all right to
check with one or two or three or five of those that advertise
and see what they have to offer and which one is most attractive
to you."


NEXGRILL INDUSTRIES: Recalls 10.9T Gas Grills Due To Fire Hazard
----------------------------------------------------------------
Nexgrill Industries Inc., of Walnut, California is cooperating
with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission by
voluntarily recalling about 10,900 Beefmaster Explorer Outdoor
Gas Grill Model Number 720-0001.

As consumers adjust the gas pressure regulator (on/off gauge)
leading to the propane cylinder, the label on the valve can
become positioned in such a manner that it is difficult to read.
This can cause consumers to inadvertently leave the gas valve
on, posing a fire hazard. Nexgrill has received two reports of
consumers leaving the gas valve on. No injuries or property
damage has been reported.

This recall involves the Beefmaster Explorer Outdoor Gas Grill
Model Number 720-0001. The tabletop grill is made of stainless
steel and is used with a disposable propane cylinder, which is
purchased separately. Each grill has one main burner and a
cooking grid that sits over the burner. Model numbers are
located on the back panel of the grill. The brand name
"Nexgrill" is on a plate on the grill lid.

Manufactured in China, the gas grills were sold at all Academy,
Bar-B-Que Galore, Crate & Barrel, Home Town and discount
department stores nationwide. Crate & Barrel also sold the
grills through their catalog and at
http://www.crateandbarrel.com.The grills were sold from January
2002 through June 2003 for about $100.

Consumers should contact Nexgrill to obtain a free replacement
gauge. Consumers can also return the product to the company for
installation of the replacement gauge at no charge. In addition,
Crate & Barrel customers should contact Crate & Barrel to obtain
a free replacement gauge or to make arrangements to return the
product to the company for installation of the replacement gauge
at no charge.

Consumer Contact: Contact Nexgrill toll-free at (800) 913-8999
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or by E-mail:
info@nexgrill.com OR Crate & Barrel customers should contact
Crate & Barrel toll-free by Phone: (800) 451-8217 between 7 a.m.
and 9 p.m. CT daily or at http://www.crateandbarrel.comOR
Nexgrill Media Contact: Ms. Christine Hsu by Phone: 909-598-8799
OR Crate & Barrell Media Contact: Mr. Harvey Silverstone by
Phone: (847) 239-6111 or E-mail:
hsilverstone@cratebandbarrel.com


NISSAN NORTH: Recalls 96 Cars For Brake Light Defect, Crash Risk
----------------------------------------------------------------
Nissan North America, Inc. is cooperating with the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by voluntarily
recalling 96 passenger cars, namely:

     (1) INFINITI / M45, model 2004

     (2) INFINITI / Q45, model 2004

On certain passenger vehicles, the brake lamp switch may
malfunction.  If this occurs, the brake lights will not
illuminate when the brake is applied which could result in a
crash.

Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch.  The recall is
expected to begin during October 2004.  For more details,
contact the Company by Phone: 1-800-662-6200 or contact the
NHTSA's auto safety hotline: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).


ORGANON USA: Maryland AG Reveals Completion Of $36M Settlement
--------------------------------------------------------------
Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. publicly revealed
the completion of a proposed $36 million nationwide settlement
for consumers, state purchasers, and other indirect purchasers
with drug maker Organon USA Inc. and its parent company Akzo
Nobel N.V. over the antidepressant drug, Remeron. A multi-state
complaint and preliminary settlement papers were filed in New
Jersey federal court recently. Subject to court approval,
Organon will pay monies that will bring financial relief to
state agencies and thousands of consumers. A ten month state
investigation led to this settlement, which was joined by every
U.S. state and territory. The settlement resolves claims brought
by state attorneys general, as well as a private class action
brought on behalf of a class of indirect purchasers.

"Affordable drug costs for consumers is one of this office's
highest priorities - that is why I established our drug-pricing
website earlier this year, and that is why we pursued these
defendants. Pharmaceutical companies that engage in what we
contend is illegal conduct that results in higher cost
prescription drugs for the State and for our citizens, will not
be tolerated," said Mr. Curran.

The states' complaint alleged that Organon misled the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration about the scope of a new "combination
therapy" patent it had obtained in order to extend its monopoly.
In addition, the complaint alleged that Organon delayed listing
the patent with the FDA in another effort to deter the
availability of lower-cost generic substitutes. This resulted in
higher prices to those who paid for the drug. With annual sales
in excess of $400 million at its peak, Remeron is Organon's top-
selling drug.

Organon has also agreed to strong injunctive relief that will
require the company to make timely listing of patents and
prohibits Organon from submitting false or misleading listing
information to the FDA. Conduct undertaken by defendants that
fails to comply with the terms of the States' Injunction could
lead to contempt of court charges, regardless of whether the
conduct was legal or illegal.

Maryland consumers will be among consumers nationwide who can
submit claims for reimbursement. If the court approves the
settlement, the Attorneys General will implement a claims
administration process for consumers who purchased Remeron or
its generic equivalent between June 15, 2001 and the present.

Maryland will also receive monies for damages incurred by
certain governmental entities that purchased Remeron or its
generic equivalent.

For more details, contact Kevin Enright by Phone:
+1 410 576 6357 OR Attorney General of Maryland by Phone:
+1 888 743 0023


ORGANON USA: DE A.G. Brady Joins Remeron Antitrust Settlement
-------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Attorney General M. Jane Brady has completed a proposed
$36 million nationwide settlement with drug maker Organon USA
Inc. and its parent company Akzo Nobel N.V. over the
antidepressant drug, Remeron.

Attorney General Brady joined with the other 49 states and all
U.S. territories to file a multi-state complaint and preliminary
settlement papers in a New Jersey federal court.  Subject to
court approval, Organon will pay monies that should bring
financial relief to thousands of consumers and defrauded state
agencies as well.  A ten-month state investigation, led by
Texas, along with Florida and Oregon, led to this settlement
which resolves claims brought by state attorneys general as well
as a private class action brought on behalf of other consumers.

"The conduct of the defendants in this case prevented consumers
from having access to low-cost generic equivalents of this drug.
This lawsuit represents one way for us to help keep prescription
drug costs lower for consumers," Attorney General M. Jane Brady
said in a statement.

The states' complaint alleged that Organon unlawfully extended
its monopoly by improperly listing a new "combination therapy"
patent with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition,
the complaint alleged that Organon delayed listing the patent
with the FDA in another effort to delay the availability of
lower-cost generic substitutes.  This resulted in higher prices
to those who paid for the drug.  With annual sales in excess of
$400 million at its peak, Remeron is Organon's top-selling drug.

Organon has also agreed to strong injunctive relief that will
require the company to make timely listing of patents and
prohibits Organon from submitting false or misleading listing
information to the FDA.

Delaware consumers will be among consumers nationwide who can
submit claims for reimbursement. If the court approves the
settlement, the Attorneys General will implement a claims
administration process for consumers who purchased Remeron or
its generic equivalent between June 15, 2001 and the present.


QWEST COMMUNICATIONS: Consents To SEC Injunction, $250M Penalty
---------------------------------------------------------------
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Qwest
Communications International Inc., one of the largest
telecommunications companies in the United States, with
securities fraud and other violations of the federal securities
laws. The commission's complaint alleges that, between 1999 and
2002, Qwest fraudulently recognized over $3.8 billion in revenue
and excluded $231 million in expenses as part of a multi-faceted
fraudulent scheme to meet optimistic and unsupportable revenue
and earnings projections. Without admitting or denying the
allegations in the complaint, Qwest consented to entry of a
judgment enjoining it from violating the antifraud, reporting,
books and records, internal control, proxy, and securities
registration provisions of the federal securities laws.

The judgment also directs Qwest to pay a civil penalty of $250
million and $1 disgorgement. The entire penalty amount will be
distributed to defrauded investors pursuant to the Fair Funds
provision of Sarbanes-Oxley. In assessing the penalty amount,
the Commission considered Qwest's current financial condition.

In addition, Qwest is required to maintain permanently a chief
compliance officer (CCO) reporting to a committee of outside
directors and responsible for ensuring the company conducts its
business in compliance with the federal securities laws. The CCO
shall aid the board in maintaining, implementing and enforcing
standards of conduct for the corporation. The CCO shall also
respond to employee concerns that may implicate matters of
ethics or questionable business practices.

The Commission's complaint, which was filed in United States
District Court for the District of Colorado, alleges as follows:

FRAUDULENT USE OF NON-RECURRING REVENUE

After its initial public offering in 1997, Qwest touted itself
as a progressive, new-generation technology company with
enormous growth potential. Beginning in 1999, in fact, Qwest's
CEO consistently predicted publicly that Qwest would achieve
double-digit revenue and earnings growth. By mid-1999, it became
clear to Qwest senior management that the market for
telecommunications services was declining and that revenue from
those services would not sustain Qwest's projected revenue and
earnings growth.

To "fill the gap" between its actual and projected revenue,
Qwest, at the direction of its senior management, began selling
indefeasible rights of use (IRUs). An IRU is an irrevocable
right to use a specific fiber strand or specific amount of fiber
capacity for a specified time period. Thus, to meet revenue
expectations that it created, Qwest sold what the company had
previously identified in Commission filings and press releases
as its "principal asset." When the demand for IRUs declined,
Qwest engaged in IRU "swaps" whereby Qwest bought IRUs from
other companies in exchange for agreements from those companies
to buy IRUs from Qwest. As another "gap filler," Qwest sold
capital equipment. Both IRU and equipment sales were referred to
internally as "one hit wonders." Indeed, the investment
community generally discounted such non-recurring revenue
sources when valuing telecommunications companies because non-
recurring revenue sources were not sustainable.  Qwest's use of
one-time transactions to fill the gap between actual and
projected revenue became so common that many Qwest employees
likened the practice to an "addiction" and the non-recurring IRU
and equipment sale transactions as Qwest's "heroin."

In Commission filings and other public statements, Qwest
fraudulently characterized non-recurring revenue from IRU and
equipment transactions as recurring "data and Internet service
revenues," thereby masking its declining financial condition and
artificially inflating its stock price.

FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTING FOR IRU AND EQUIPMENT SALE TRANSACTIONS

In addition to fraudulently characterizing non-recurring revenue
as recurring revenue, Qwest ignored generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) by recognizing upfront revenue from
IRU transactions and equipment sales. Qwest, in fact, employed
fraudulent devices such as backdated contracts and secret side
agreements to conceal the fact that its IRU and equipment
transactions did not meet GAAP's requirements for upfront
revenue recognition. Under GAAP, Qwest should either have
not recognized any revenue on these transactions or recognized
revenue ratably over the lives of the contracts.

OTHER FRAUDULENT CONDUCT

Qwest engaged in a variety of other fraudulent conduct.  In
particular:

     (1) Qwest fraudulently failed to disclose in periodic
         filings with the Commission that Qwest committed to buy
         millions of dollars of equipment that it never intended
         to deploy in its network and entered into strategic
         relationships with, and invested in, many equipment and
         service vendors in part for the personal benefit of
         certain members of its senior management. Qwest also
         failed to disclose that Qwest executives received, as
         compensation, investment opportunities in some of
         Qwest's vendors.

     (2) Qwest made misleading statements in Commission filings
         concerning revenue from its directory services unit,
         Qwest Dex, Inc.  In particular, Qwest stated that
         changes in period-over-period revenue were attributable
         to changes in the "number," "mix," or "length" of
         directories published. In fact, Qwest had advanced the
         publication dates of certain directories and extended
         the lives of others for the sole purpose of meeting
         revenue or earnings targets.

     (3) Qwest fraudulently concealed the fact that, based on a
         series of accounting errors, it improperly recognized
         $112 million of revenue between 2000 and 2002 from its
         Wireless division.

     (4) Qwest fraudulently understated expenses relating to
         sales commission plans and compensated absences.

OTHER SECURITIES LAW VIOLATIONS

Qwest's lack of internal controls and inadequate books and
records resulted in numerous other accounting errors during the
same period, including a $56 million overstatement in operator
services revenue, $200 million in improper capitalized costs
associated with its design service centers, and a total of $850
million understatement of expenses in accounting for its merger
with US West, Inc. and in certain restructuring charges.
Further, Qwest failed to disclose a related party transaction
with Anschutz Company and sold unregistered securities.

The Commission's investigation into matters related to Qwest's
financial fraud is continuing. The action is titled, SEC v.
Qwest Communications International Inc., Civ. No. 04-Z-2179
(OES) USDC, District of Colorado.


R.R. DONNELLEY: Reaches $15M Settlement in IL Race Bias Lawsuit
---------------------------------------------------------------
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (NYSE: RRD) received preliminary
approval of a settlement agreement in the Edith Jones, et al. v.
R.R. Donnelley & Sons class action lawsuit. The lawsuit stemmed
from the 1994 closing of RR Donnelley's Chicago manufacturing
plant. The lawsuit alleged that there was unfair treatment of
African-American employees in connection with the plant closing.

"We are very pleased to put this 10-year-old litigation behind
us and to focus instead on growing and prospering in the years
ahead and building on our commitment to diversity and
inclusion," said RR Donnelley Chief Administrative Officer,
Theodore J. Theophilos. "RR Donnelley is committed to providing
a work environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and
respect, and where everyone can contribute fully, feel valued,
and be rewarded for their contributions."

Judge Matthew F. Kennelly of the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division granted
preliminary approval of the settlement agreement at a hearing.
Notices are to be sent to all plaintiffs on November 5, 2004,
while any objections are to be returned by November 19, 2004. A
Fairness Hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2004. Under terms
of the agreement, RR Donnelley will pay $15 million for
distribution to the plaintiffs and their attorneys. The
settlement agreement specifically provides that RR Donnelley
does not admit any of the allegations of wrongdoing and that the
settlement is made in connection with the plaintiffs releasing
the company from all discrimination claims.


REMEDIA LTD.: Reaches Out-Of-Court Settlement For Faulty Formula
----------------------------------------------------------------
An out-of-court settlement has been reached by parties involved
in three class action suits that were initiated against Remedia,
Ltd. over its defective Super Soya 1 baby formula that led to
sickness and three deaths in November 2003, the Ha'aretz
reports.

Remedia is set to pay NIS 7.25 million to end the suits by
families that bought the formula, however those whose children
suffered sickness or death are not included in the settlement.
According to the settlement, parents must prove their child had
taken the formula between July and November 2003 so as to be
included in the class, and that payment will be based on the
child's age at that time.

Under the terms of the settlement, NIS 4 million will be
appropriated to the families while NIS 2 million will be split
equally among five public organizations; Izzy Shapiro House in
Ra'anana, Dana Children's Hospital in Tel Aviv, the Children's
Hospital of Laniado Hospital in Netanya, the pediatric
department of Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer and the
nutrition department of the Agriculture Faculty in Rehovot. The
remainder of the settlement will go to the lawyers of the
plaintiffs.

Compensation for those families whose babies suffered or died is
being dealt with separately by Remedia's German parent company,
Humana.  The plaintiffs had claimed that the company misled
consumers by failing to inform them that the formula lacked
vitamin B1, which harmed their babies.


SALTON INC.: 3 AR Groups To Share in George Foreman Grill Pact
--------------------------------------------------------------
Three organizations dedicated to bettering the health and
nutrition of Arkansas residents will each receive $25,000 to
continue their efforts, as part of a settlement with Salton,
Inc., the manufacturer of the George ForemanT contact grills,
Attorney General Mike Beebe announced in a statement.

One of the recipients, the Arkansas Foodbank Network (AFN), has
spent the past 20 years distributing donated food to
organizations that feed the hungry.  In 2003, AFN distributed
more than seven million pounds of food through their network and
related programs.

Another organization receiving funds is the Arkansas Rice Depot.
The Depot has operated since 1982 to provide food to individual
households and to schoolchildren through 335 public schools
statewide. Last year, they provided food to more than 96,000
families.

The third recipient is the Northeast Arkansas Clinic Charitable
Foundation, which runs health-assistance programs throughout the
state, like the Medicine Assistance Program, created to help
low-income Arkansans obtain free-or reduced-price prescription
medication. In two years, the program has already grown to serve
6,000 people.

In 2002, then-Attorney-General Mark Pryor and AGs in 43 other
states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia settled an
antitrust lawsuit filed against Salton, Inc.  In the lawsuit,
the states alleged that Salton used strong-arm tactics to force
retailers to sell George Foreman grills at a set price, and
would suspend retailers who sold competitors' products.
Nationwide, Salton paid $8 million in damages and agreed not to
participate in future anticompetitive behavior.

"These deserving organizations will best be able to ensure that
this money helps Arkansans who need it the most," Attorney
General Beebe said.  "I appreciate the work that went into
securing this money, and am glad that we can help distribute it
to these statewide programs."

For questions, contact the Attorney General's Office by Mail:
200 Catlett-Prien Tower Building, 323 Center Street, Little
Rock, AR 72201 by Phone: (501) 682-2341 or 1-(800) 482-8982.
Spanish-speaking consumers can also call (501) 683-3130. TDD
service is available for the hearing-impaired 682-6073.


SCHERING-PLOUGH: AR Receives Share in Claritin Price Settlement
---------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas received a check for $403,674 to refund money overpaid
by state Medicaid programs for the allergy drug Claritin, state
Attorney General Mike Beebe announced in a statement.  The
refund comes as part of a nationwide settlement with Claritin's
manufacturer, Schering Plough Corporation of New Jersey.

Arkansas and other states have been investigating Schering
Plough for not offering Claritin at the drug's "best price" as
required by federal and state drug-pricing laws.  The
manufacturer entered into agreements with two HMOs that appeared
to improperly offer those providers Claritin at a lower price
than those paid by state and federal programs.  Earlier this
year, Schering Plough agreed to settle the matter with all 50
states and the District of Columbia.

Arkansas' share of the refunds will go to the Department of
Human Services Division of Medicaid Services for use in state
health programs.  The money will likely be eligible for matching
federal funds that could quadruple the total to more than $1.6
million.

In addition to the state refunds, Schering Plough has entered
into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of the
Inspector General to better report and monitor future pricing
practices.


SPRING HOUSE: Recalls Cows Milk Due To Incomplete Pasteurization
----------------------------------------------------------------
Spring House Creamery are asking their customers to return any
Creamline Chocolate Cow milk carrying a "sell-by" date of 10/20.
This product comes in quart and «-gallon sized plastic
containers. Please return this product to the store where it was
purchased for a full refund. It should not be consumed.

The milk recalled was distributed to parts of the Bay/Thumb and
mid Michigan areas as well as throughout Southeast Michigan.
Spring House Creamery apologizes for any inconvenience this may
cause, and assures their customers that this is a voluntary
recall and no illnesses have been reported.  This particularly
dated product was labeled as pasteurized although the added
cocoa and sugar did not go through the pasteurization process.

For more information contact William "Bill" Marshall, Spring
House Creamery at 810-679-4910.


STARLINK CORN: Claims in Producer Suit Settlement Done By Dec.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Producers frustrated that they have not yet received their share
of a $110 million StarLink corn class action settlement should
receive it in time for Christmas, the lawsuit's claims
administrator said in a statement.

A roughly $3-per-acre payout originally was to be made by the
end of September to eligible "non-StarLink" producers, in the
form of a debit-type card good for retail purchases or
redeemable for cash.  No cards have yet been mailed, but farmers
should receive letters of notification within the next four
weeks regarding settlement status.  Cards reportedly will be
sent two weeks later.

The class action was open to those who harvested non-StarLink
corn in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 or 2002, regardless of whether
crops or stored corn suffered actual StarLink protein
contamination.  For more details, contact the Claims
Administrator by Mail: P.O. Box 9000, No. 6075, Merrick, NY
11566-9000 or by Phone: 1-888-833-4317.


SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES: NY Court Approves Shareholder Settlements
--------------------------------------------------------------
Symbol Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:SBL), The Enterprise Mobility
CompanyT, revealed that the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of New York has approved the Company's
shareholder class action lawsuit settlements that were reached
on June 3, 2004. As part of the Pinkowitz and Hoyle shareholder
class action settlements, Symbol has agreed to pay stock and
cash totaling $98 million to the class. Symbol currently
anticipates that it will distribute the settlement amount to
class members in the second or third quarter of 2005.

"The court approval of Symbol's shareholder class action
settlement is another positive step in the Company's efforts to
resolve problems created by the Company's former management,"
said Peter Lieb, Symbol senior vice president and general
counsel. "This approval now paves the way for Symbol to make its
payment to the class, further restoring shareholder confidence
and compensating members of the class for wrongdoing that
occurred during the tenure of the former management team."

Shareholders of record during the period between February 15,
2000, and October 17, 2002, are members of the class. Affected
shareholders who choose to participate in the settlement will be
required to submit a claim form no later than October 29, 2004.
Claim forms may be obtained by visiting
http://www.symbolsettlement.com


TAI TUNG INTERNATIONAL: Recalls 128,880 Toys For Choking Hazard
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tai Tung International, Inc., of Los Angeles, California is
cooperating with the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission by voluntarily recalling about 128,880 Toy Ice Cream
Car, Police Car and Washing Machine.

The multicolored beads inside the toys can become accessible to
children, posing a choking hazard to young children.

The recall includes an ice cream car, police car and a toy
washing machine. The multicolored cars are about 5-inches long
and contain various stickers. The pink, white, or red toy
washing machines are 4.5-inches high. The toys make animal and
music sounds. When the music and animal sounds play, lights
flash and the toy's multicolored beads can be seen moving
inside. "CE" and "MADE IN CHINA" are written on the battery
cover.

Manufactured in China, the toys were sold at all toy and
discount stores nationwide from June 2000 through September 2004
for about $3.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from
young children and return them to the store where purchased for
a refund.

Consumer Contact: Call Tai Tung by Phone: (800) 516-2988 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m. PT or by E-mail: sales@toystoreonline.com


TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES: Recalls 1,647 Motorcycles For Crash Hazard
---------------------------------------------------------------
Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. is cooperating with the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by voluntarily
recalling 1,647 motorcycles, namely:

     (1) TRIUMPH / BONNEVILLE, model 2004

     (2) TRIUMPH / BONNEVILLE AMERICA, model 2004

     (3) TRIUMPH / BONNEVILLE BLACK, model 2004

     (4) TRIUMPH / BONNEVILLE T100, model 2004

     (5) TRIUMPH / SPEEDMASTER, model 2004

     (6) TRIUMPH / THRUXTON, model 2004

On certain motorcycles, there may be a poor weld on the rear
suspension unit body.  Failure of the rear suspension unit may
compromise the stability of the motorcycle which could result in
a crash.

Dealers will replace the rear suspension units. The recall is
expected to begin on October 30,2004.  For more details, contact
the Company by Phone: 1-678-854-2010 or contact the NHTSA's auto
safety hotline: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).


UNITED STATES: Islanders Seek Mediator in $2.8B Lawsuit V. USDA
---------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Virgin Islanders have asked a federal judge to appoint a
mediator to help settle their US$2.8 billion class action
lawsuit against the U.S. government for allegedly unfairly
denying them agricultural loans, the Associated Press reports.

According to Douglas Inman, an attorney for the plaintiffs, the
lawsuit, which was filed in 2000, claims that the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) either failed to give them
application forms or refused to provide them with information
needed to properly fill them out. In a September ruling, Judge
Thomas Moore allowed the case to proceed as a class-action suit.

Mr. Inman recently asked Judge Moore on behalf of about 3,000
U.S. Virgin Islanders most of whom are from St. Croix, which is
the largest and poorest island in the territory of 110,000
people, to appoint a prominent mediator to help reach a
settlement. He also stated to the judge that his clients
preferred a U.S. Congressional representative or another well-
known person from the U.S. mainland due to fears that the
government would not take someone from the U.S. Caribbean
territory seriously.

The plaintiffs' attorney also pointed out that since the early
1980s thousands of U.S. Virgin Islanders have sought
agricultural loans, but the Department of Agriculture has only
granted three or four a year.

He also stated that government records don't reflect the number
of petitions from the territory, since many were never given
application forms. Instead they were placed on a waiting list
for forms, which Mr. Inman argues as being illegal.


UPS INC.: CA Judge Orders Halt On Discrimination V. Deaf Drivers
----------------------------------------------------------------
In a class action lawsuit that represents as many as 1,000 would
be drivers, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson has ruled that
UPS Inc. violates anti-discrimination laws by barring the deaf
and hearing-impaired from driving parcel delivery trucks, the
Associated Press reports.

According to the federal judge, the Atlanta-based company's
practices breach the Americans with Disabilities Act, and
ordered revisions in UPS' policies within 30 days.

Judge Henderson also stated that those with poor hearing should
"be given the same opportunities that a hearing applicant would
be given to show that they can perform the job of package-car
driver safely and effectively."

Under a $10 million settlement in the same case last year, UPS
agreed to track promotions and ensure that hearing-impaired
employees and job applicants have access to certified
interpreters. They also agreed to provide text telephones and
vibrating pagers to alert poor-hearing employees to emergency
evacuations. However, the settlement failed to resolve the
driver dispute.

The Oakland-based Disability Rights Advocates is representing
the current and former employees who were passed over for the
driving positions, and others who acquiesced to what the group
dubbed UPS's "deaf-need-not-apply" policy.

Caroline Jacobs, an attorney for the plaintiffs, explains that
the dispute centered on UPS's custom of denying hearing-impaired
workers jobs operating delivery trucks weighing less than 10,000
pounds. She points out that federal rules demand that trucks
exceeding 10,000 pounds be staffed by those meeting certain
vision and hearing requirements, and demands those drivers
become certified. However, the government leaves it up to
companies to decide which drivers are qualified to operate
lighter vehicles.

Among the named plaintiffs, Babranti Oloyede, has been a truck
loader in Oakland for 13 years and has been denied a promotion
to driver.

However, UPS spokeswoman Peggy Gardner upon the judge's ruling
against the Company stated that they are considering appealing
the case. She emphasizes that the case is a public safety issue
and not a discrimination issue.


U.S.I. HOLDINGS: Named As Defendant in NY Marsh & McLennan Suit
---------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.I. Holdings Corporation ("USI") (Nasdaq: USIH) recently
revealed that the Company has been named in a class action suit
filed in New York on behalf of a client of a Marsh & McLennan
subsidiary against the 10 largest U.S. insurance brokers and
four of the largest commercial insurers relating to the pricing
and placement of insurance.

U.S.I., a leading distributor of insurance and financial
products and services to businesses throughout the United States
with headquarters in Briarcliff Manor, NY, and operating out of
59 offices in 19 states is in the process of reviewing the
complaint.

For more details, contact Maria F. Slippen or Robert S.
Schneider of U.S.I. Holdings Corporation by Phone: 914-749-8511
or 914-749-8702 or by E-mail: maria.slippen@usi.biz or
rschneider@usi.biz


VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA: Recalls Audi A6 Cars Due to Crash Hazard
---------------------------------------------------------------
Volkswagen of America, Inc. is cooperating with the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by voluntarily
recalling 28,300 Audi A6 passenger cars, model 1998-1999.

On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8L, V6 5-valve
engines, and automatic transmissions, while driving during
extremely low ambient temperatures, the throttle may freeze in
an open position due to ice accumulating in the throttle body.
If this occurs, the vehicle may fail to reduce speed when the
driver lifts his/her foot from the gas pedal.  This loss of
vehicle control could result in a crash without warning.

Audi will install a replacement throttle body kit free of
charge.  The recall is expected to begin during October 2004.
Owners may contact the Company by Phone: 1-800-822-2834.  Owners
of vehicles which are not registered in the cold-weather states
of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and
Wyoming, will be notified of a service action under which they
will be provided the free remedy upon request.

For more details, contact the NHTSA's auto safety hotline:
1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).


VOLVO CARS: Recalls 1719 Cars Due To Vacuum Leak, Crash Hazard
--------------------------------------------------------------
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC is cooperating with the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by voluntarily recalling
1,719 passenger cars, namely:

    (1) VOLVO / S40, model 2004

    (2) VOLVO / V40, model 2004

On certain passenger vehicles, the non-return valve may crack
due to a poor weld causing a vacuum leak.  If this occurs, more
brake pedal force may be required to stop the vehicle and/or may
experience a rough engine idle, which could result in a crash.

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the vacuum hose.
The recall is expected to begin during October 2004.   For more
details, contact the Company by Phone: 1-800-458-1552 or the
NHTSA's auto safety hotline: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).



WAL-MART STORES: Certification Sought for NJ Janitor's Wage Suit
----------------------------------------------------------------
A lawsuit filed by 17 janitors who worked at Wal-Mart Stores
Inc. and claim they were underpaid for their work should be
expanded to include every janitor who has worked at the discount
retailer's stores since 1996, according to attorney James L.
Linsey, the plaintiffs' attorney, the Asbury Park Press reports.

In the meantime, a lawyer for the nation's largest retailer
requested that the lawsuit be dismissed due to the fact that the
workers were fairly compensated and that they were employed not
by Wal-Mart but by independent contractors.

These were the arguments in a case that U.S. District Judge
Joseph A. Greenaway Jr. of New Jersey declined to make a ruling
on, a case which spotlights what has become a very common
practice in the U.S. economy, a major employer contracting its
work to companies that are using low-paying, immigrant labor.

Among the plaintiffs in the case is Victor Zavala Jr., a Red
Bank resident and an illegal immigrant from Mexico, who was
hired by Facility Solutions International to clean Wal-Mart
stores in Old Bridge and Piscataway.

Mr. Zavala was among 250 workers arrested a year ago at 60 Wal-
Mart stores in 21 states in a federal raid, who would eventually
sue the company, saying executives at the giant retailer's
headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, knew their stores were
being cleaned by undocumented workers and looked the other way.

According to the Mr. Linsey, many of his clients were paid $350
a week and worked upwards of 60 hours a week without receiving
overtime pay. He further states that Wal-Mart is responsible for
all work done on its property and that whether or not the
janitors were working legally is beside the point.

Furthermore, the worker's attorneys contends that the lawsuit
should include every janitor who worked at the company since
1996, the year the federal government first investigated a Wal-
Mart store over the hiring of undocumented workers.

However, Wal-Mart attorney David Murray pointed out that
individual store managers and not corporate executives decided
which janitorial companies to hire and that those companies that
were hired by the managers were responsible for supervising and
paying the workers.

He also expressed opposition to expanding the case as a class
action to include every janitor saying that it would pose major
hurdles, since the company has some 3,000 stores and uses
hundreds of contractors that employ some janitors, who worked in
several stores or even in several states and many of whom do not
have proper documentation.


                  New Securities Fraud Cases

ACE LIMITED: Wolf Haldenstein Lodges Securities Fraud Suit in NY
----------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP initiated
a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of New York, on behalf of all persons who
purchased the securities of ACE Limited ("ACE" or the "Company")
(NYSE: ACE) between May 30, 2002 and 10:58a.m, Eastern Daylight
Time on October 14, 2004, inclusive, (the "Class Period")
against defendants ACE and certain officers and directors of the
Company.

The case, Burda v. ACE Limited, et al, alleges that defendants
violated the federal securities laws by issuing materially false
and misleading statements throughout the Class Period that had
the effect of artificially inflating the market price of the
Company's securities.

The complaint further alleges that defendants made statements
during the class period that were materially false and
misleading because they failed to disclose and misrepresented
the following adverse facts:

     (1) the Company had implemented and executed an
         unsustainable business practice whereby the Company
         participated in a business plan under which it entered
         into "placement service agreements" with Marsh &
         McLennan and agreed to pay them "contingent
         commissions" in return for steering it business and
         shielding it from competition;

     (2) the Company's illicit scheme exposed it to significant
         regulatory penalties and threatened loss of consumer
         goodwill jeopardizing the Company's ability to sustain
         any performance in its legitimate business practices;

     (3) the Company's revenues and earnings would materially
         overstated and would have been significantly less had
         the Company not engaged in such unlawful practices; and

     (4) at no time during the Class Period did defendants
         disclose the fact that, or the extent to which, ACE's
         business, revenue, and income were dependent upon the
         unlawful and unsustainable business practices alleged
         herein.

For more details, contact Mark C. Rifkin, Esq., Gustavo
Bruckner, Esq., Christopher S. Hinton, Esq., or Derek Behnke of
Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP by Mail: 270 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016 by Phone: (800) 575-0735 by E-mail:
classmember@whafh.com or visit their Web site:
http://www.whafh.com


AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL: Wolf Haldenstein Lodges Stock Suit in NY
----------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP
initiated a class action lawsuit in the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York, on behalf of all
persons who purchased or acquired the securities of American
International Group, Inc. ("AIG" or the "Company") (NYSE: AIG)
between October 28, 1999 and 10:58a.m, Eastern Daylight Time on
October 14, 2004, inclusive, (the "Class Period") against
defendants AIG and certain officers and directors of the
Company.

The case name is Scuilla v. American International Group, Inc.,
et al. The complaint alleges that defendants violated the
federal securities laws by issuing materially false and
misleading statements throughout the Class Period that had the
effect of artificially inflating the market price of the
Company's securities.

The complaint further alleges that during the class period
defendants made statements that were materially false and
misleading because they failed to disclose and misrepresented
the following adverse facts:

     (1) the Company had implemented and executed an
         unsustainable business practice whereby the Company
         participated in a business plan under which it entered
         into "placement service agreements" with Marsh &
         McLennan and agreed to pay them "contingent
         commissions" in return for steering it business and
         shielding it from competition;

     (2) the Company's illicit scheme exposed it to significant
         regulatory penalties and threatened loss of consumer
         goodwill jeopardizing the Company's ability to sustain
         any performance in its legitimate business practices;

     (3) the Company's revenues and earnings would have been
         significantly less had the Company not engaged in such
         unlawful practices.

For more details, contact Mark C. Rifkin, Esq., Gustavo
Bruckner, Esq., Christopher S. Hinton, Esq., or Derek Behnke of
Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP by Mail: 270 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016 by Phone: (800) 575-0735 by E-mail:
classmember@whafh.com or visit their Web site:
http://www.whafh.com


HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Scott + Scott Lodges Securities Suit in CT
--------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Scott + Scott, LLC initiated a class action in
the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
on behalf of purchasers of The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc. ("Hartford Financial") (NYSE:HIG) publicly traded
securities during the period between November 5, 2003 and
October 13, 2004 (the "Class Period").

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period defendants
disseminated materially false and misleading financial
statements. The true facts, which were known by each of the
defendants but concealed from the investing public during the
Class Period, were as follows:

     (1) that the Company was paying illegal and concealed
         "contingent commissions" pursuant to illegal
         "contingent commission agreements;"

     (2) that by concealing these "contingent commissions" and
         "contingent--commission agreements" the defendants
         violated applicable principles of fiduciary law,
         subjecting the Company to enormous fines and penalties
         totaling potentially tens, if not hundreds, of millions
         of dollars; and

     (3) that as a result, the Company's prior reported revenue
         and income was grossly overstated.

The complaint charges Hartford Financial and certain of its
officers and directors with violations of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Hartford Financial is a diversified
insurance and financial services company. Through its
subsidiaries, the Company provides investment products and life
and property and casualty insurance to both individual and
business customers in the United States and internationally.
Hartford stock plunged from over $64 a share to close yesterday
at $54.61.

For more details, contact Neil Rothstein of Scott + Scott, LLC
by Mail: 108 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415 by Phone:
800-404-7770 (EDT), 800-332-2259 (PDT), (860) 537-3818 or
619-233-4565 (California direct) by Fax: (860) 537-4432 or by E-
mail: nrothstein@scott-scott.com or
HartfordGroupLitigation@scott-scott.com


HARTFORD FINANCIAL: Shepherd Finkelman Lodges CT Securities Suit
----------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah, LLC
initiated a class action in the United States District Court for
the District of Connecticut on behalf of all purchasers of the
stock and other publicly traded securities of The Hartford
Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG - News; "The Hartford"
or the "Company") from November 5, 2003 through October 13, 2004
inclusive (the "Class Period").

The Complaint charges The Hartford, Ramani Ayer, David M.
Johnson, David K. Zwiener, Robert J. Price and Thomas M. Marra
with violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder.

The Complaint specifically alleges that the Company failed to
disclose and misrepresented the following material adverse facts
which were known to Defendants or recklessly disregarded by
them:

     (1) the Company entered into and concealed illegal
         contingent commission agreements that it entered into
         with other insurance companies, including Marsh, Inc.,
         a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan, Inc.;

     (2) the Company engaged in bid-rigging whereby the Company
         agreed to provide brokers with artificial quotes which
         were not justified by underwriting analysis;

     (3) as a result of the bid-rigging, the Defendants
         guaranteed The Hartford material amounts of business;

     (4) by concealing these "contingent commissions" and such
         "contingent commission agreements," Defendants violated
         applicable principles of fiduciary law; and

     (5) as a result, the Company's prior reported revenue and
         income was grossly overstated.

On October 14, 2004, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
("Spitzer") filed a suit against Marsh & McLennan, Inc.,
alleging that it steered unsuspecting clients to insurers with
whom it had lucrative payoff agreements, and that the firm
solicited rigged bids for insurance contracts. Spitzer's
Complaint also named The Hartford as an alleged participant in
bid-rigging. On these revelations, the Company's shares fell
$3.78 per share, or 6.08 percent, to close at $58.40 per share
on unusually high trading volume on October 14, 2004. By October
15, 2004, shares of The Hartford fell another $2.10 per share,
or 3.60 percent, to close at $56.30 per share.

For more details, contact Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah,
LLC attorneys; James E. Miller, Esq. by Phone: 866/540-5505 or
by E-mail: jmiller@classactioncounsel.com or James C. Shah, Esq.
by Phone: 877/891-9880 by E-mail: jshah@classactioncounsel.com
or visit their Web site: http://www.classactioncounsel.com


LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR: Lerach Coughlin Lodges OR Securities Suit
----------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins
LLP ("Lerach Coughlin") initiated a class action in the United
States District Court for the District of Oregon on behalf of
purchasers of Lattice Semiconductor Corp. ("Lattice")
(NASDAQ:LSCC) common stock during the period between April 22,
2003 and March 18, 2004 (the "Class Period").

The complaint charges Lattice and certain of its officers and
directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Lattice designs, develops and markets programmable logic
devices ("PLDs") and related software.

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants
caused Lattice's shares to trade at artificially inflated levels
through the issuance of false and misleading financial
statements. As a result of this inflation, Lattice was able to
complete a $200 million private placement on June 17, 2003. On
March 18, 2004, just months after this offering was completed,
Lattice revealed that its Q1-Q3 2003 results, and possibly
results for other quarters, were false when issued. The Company
announced that "the restatement will result in a reduction of
2003 year-to-date revenue of approximately $10 to $11 million, a
reduction of 2003 year-to-date cost of sales of approximately
$1.5 to $2 million and an increase of 2003 year-to-date net loss
of approximately $8.5 to $9.5 million." The stock dropped to
below $8 per share on this news.

For more details, contact William Lerach or Darren Robbins of
Lerach Coughlin by Phone: 800-449-4900 by E-mail:
wsl@lerachlaw.com or visit their Web site:
http://www.lerachlaw.com/cases/lattice/


METLIFE INC.: Wolf Haldenstein Files Securities Fraud Suit in NY
----------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP
initiated a class action lawsuit in the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York, on behalf of all
persons who purchased the securities of MetLife, Inc. ("MetLife"
or the "Company") (NYSE: MET) between April 5, 2000, through
9:31 a.m., Eastern Time, October 14, 2004, inclusive, (the
"Class Period") against defendants MetLife and certain officers
and directors of the Company.

The Complaint alleges that defendants violated the federal
securities laws by issuing materially false and misleading
statements and failing to disclose material facts regarding the
Company's financial performance throughout the Class Period that
had the effect of artificially inflating the market price of the
Company's securities.

The Complaint specifically alleges that during the class period
MetLife failed to disclose that in order to steer business its
way, the Company paid tens of millions of dollars of contingent
commissions "kickbacks." In fact, on October 19, 2004, MetLife
admitted that in 2003 alone, it paid $25 million in contingent
commissions. In addition, MetLife also paid other fees for data
processing, billing and "communication" services.

For more details, contact Mark C. Rifkin, Esq., Gustavo
Bruckner, Esq., Christopher S. Hinton, Esq., or Derek Behnke of
Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP by Mail: 270 Madison
Avenue, New York, NY 10016 by Phone: (800) 575-0735 by E-mail:
classmember@whafh.com or visit their Web site:
http://www.whafh.com


MONDAVI CORPORATION: Brian M. Felgoise Lodges CA Securities Suit
----------------------------------------------------------------
The law offices of Brian M. Felgoise, P.C. initiated a class
action on behalf of shareholders of Mondavi Corporation
("Mondavi") (NASDAQ: MOND) in connection with the offer by
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ) (ASX: CBR), to acquire
Mondavi Corporation.

The case is pending in the State Court of California against
certain key Mondavi officers and directors. The goal of the
lawsuit is to seek the highest possible offer for the public
shares, and does not seek any damages, or make any claims,
against Mondavi itself. It does seek an injunction against
completion of an unfair bid or damages from the named defendants
(but not Mondavi) if the bid is wrongfully accepted.

The action charges that Constellation Brands, Inc. has a
controlling interest in Mondavi and thus is able to control the
Board, and to influence the possible acceptance of an inadequate
cash and stock bid worth approximately $53.00 per share for the
Class A Shareholders and $61.75 per share for the Class B
Shareholders. The action also alleges that the bid was not the
result of arm's length bargaining, and seeks to benefit the
controlling shareholder at the expense of the public
shareholders.

For more details, contact Brian M. Felgoise, Esq. by Mail: 261
Old York Road, Suite 423, Jenkintown, PA 19046 by Phone:
(215) 886-1900 or by E-mail: FelgoiseLaw@aol.com


STAR GAS: Lerach Coughlin Lodges Securities Fraud Lawsuit in CT
---------------------------------------------------------------
The law frim of Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins
LLP ("Lerach Coughlin") initiated a class action in the United
States District Court for the District of Connecticut on behalf
of purchasers of Star Gas Partners, L.P. ("Star Gas") (NYSE:SGU)
(NYSE:SGH) publicly traded securities during the period between
December 4, 2003 and October 18, 2004 (the "Class Period").

The complaint charges Star Gas and certain of its officers and
directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Star Gas is a diversified home energy distributor and
service provider, specializing in heating oil, propane, natural
gas and electricity.

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants
caused Star Gas's shares to trade at artificially inflated
levels through the issuance of false and misleading statements.
As a result of this inflation, Star Gas was able to complete a
secondary public offering of 1.3 million common units and two
note offerings totaling $65 million, raising net proceeds of $95
million during the Class Period. The true facts, which were
known by each of the defendants but concealed from the investing
public during the Class Period, were as follows:

     (1) that the Company was experiencing massive delays in the
         centralization of its dispatch system and causing its
         customers to flee to competitors;

     (2) that the Company's Petro heating oil division's
         business process improvement program was faltering and
         not generating the benefits claimed by defendants;

     (3) that contrary to defendants' earlier indications, the
         Company was not able to increase or even maintain
         profit margins in its heating oil segment;

     (4) that the Company's second quarter 2004 claimed profit
         margins were an aberration and not indicative of the
         Company's success or ability to pass on the heating oil
         price increase because the Company had earlier acquired
         heating oil (sold in the second quarter) at a much
         lower basis; and

     (5) that as a result, defendants were facing imminent
         bankruptcy and would no longer be able to service the
         Company's debt, all of which would halt the Company's
         ability to maintain the Company's credit rating and/or
         obtain future financing.

On October 18, 2004, TheStreet.com issued an article, entitled
"Stocks In Motion: Star Gas," which stated: "Earnings at Star
Gas' heating oil unit are expected to decline substantially, the
company said, which will not permit it to meet the borrowing
conditions under its working capital line. Star is currently in
talks with lenders to modify conditions and other terms that
would allow its business unit to operate through the winter. If
lenders do not agree, however, to offer modified terms, Star
said it could be forced to seek alternative financing on
'extremely disadvantageous' terms or even be forced to seek
bankruptcy protection." On this news, Star Gas's stock dropped
to $4.32 per share from a closing price of $21.60 on the
previous trading day.

For more details, contact William Lerach or Darren Robbins of
Lerach Coughlin by Phone: 800-449-4900 by E-mail:
wsl@lerachlaw.com or visit their Web site:
http://www.lerachlaw.com/cases/stargas/


STAR GAS: Scott + Scott Lodges Securities Fraud Lawsuit in CT
-------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Scott + Scott, LLC initiated a complaint in the
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut on
behalf of all purchasers of Star Gas Partners, Inc. ("Star or
the Company") (NYSE:SGU) (NYSE:SGH) securities from December 4,
2003 to October 18, 2004 (the "Class Period") inclusive.

This is an action on behalf of purchasers of Star Gas Partners,
L.P. publicly traded securities during the period from December
4, 2003 to October 18, 2004. Star Gas is a diversified home
energy distributor and service provider, specializing in heating
oil, propane, natural gas and electricity. During the Class
Period, defendants caused Star Gas's shares to trade at
artificially inflated levels through the issuance of false and
misleading statements.

As a result of this inflation, Star Gas was able to complete a
secondary public offering of 1.3 million common units and two
note offerings totaling $65 million, raising net proceeds of $95
million during the Class Period.

On October 18, 2004, TheStreet.com issued an article entitled
"Stocks In Motion: Star Gas". The article stated in part:
"Earnings at Star Gas' heating oil unit are expected to decline
substantially, the company said, which will not permit it to
meet the borrowing conditions under its working capital line.
Star is currently in talks with lenders to modify conditions and
other terms that would allow its business unit to operate
through the winter. If lenders do not agree, however, to offer
modified terms, Star said it could be forced to seek alternative
financing on "extremely disadvantageous" terms or even be forced
to seek bankruptcy protection."

On this news, Star Gas's stock dropped to $4.32 per share from a
closing price of $21.60 on the previous trading day. The true
facts, which were known by each of the defendants but concealed
from the investing public during the Class Period, were that the
Company was experiencing massive delays in the centralization of
its dispatch system and causing its customers to flee to
competitors; that the Company's Petro heating oil division's
business process improvement program was faltering and not
generating the benefits claimed by defendants; that contrary to
defendants' earlier indications, the Company was not able to
increase or even maintain profit margins in its heating oil
segment; and that the Company's second quarter 2004 claimed
profit margins were an aberration and not indicative of the
Company's success or ability to pass on the heating oil price
increase because the Company had earlier acquired heating oil
(sold in the second quarter) at a much lower cost.

As a result, defendants were facing imminent bankruptcy and
would no longer be able to service the Company's debt, all of
which would halt the Company's ability to maintain the Company's
credit rating and/or obtain future financing. Star Senior Notes:
Star has $265 million in principal amount of unsecured senior
notes due February 13, 2013 at the parent company level. Star
has retained Peter J. Solomon Company, LP an independent
investment banking firm, to advise Star on possible
restructuring alternatives and other strategic options.

For more details, contact Neil Rothstein of Scott + Scott, LLC
by Mail: 108 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415 by Phone:
800-404-7770 (EDT), 800-332-2259 (PDT), (860) 537-3818 or
619-233-4565 (California direct) by Fax: (860) 537-4432 or by E-
mail: nrothstein@scott-scott.com


TECO ENERGY: Scott + Scott Lodges Securities Fraud Suit in FL
-------------------------------------------------------------
The law firm of Scott + Scott, LLC initiated a complaint in the
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
on behalf of all purchasers from October 30, 2001 through
February 4, 2003 inclusive (the "Class Period") charging TECO
Energy (NYSE:TE) and certain of its officers and directors with
violations of the Federal Securities Laws (Securities Exchange
Act of 1934). TECO is a holding company for regulated utilities
and other unregulated businesses.

Those who purchased the following securities are welcome to join
the action and these are as follows:

Offering Date = Security
01/10/02 = 9.5% Adjustable Conversion Rate Equity Security Units
06/05/02 = TECO Common Stock
10/10/02 = TECO Common Stock
05/08/02 = 6.125% Notes due 05/01/07
05/08/02 = 7% Notes due 05/01/12
11/15/02 = 10.5% Notes due 12/01/07
01/02/03 = 10.5% Notes due 12/01/07 -- Exchange Offer

The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants
concealed problems with several independent power plant
construction ventures. TECO would be fully responsible for them,
including the Company's full exposure to the demise of Enron
Corporation and the vulnerability of the Company's large cash
dividend. This caused TECO shares to trade at artificially
inflated levels, permitting defendants to sell over $4.2 million
of their own stock and to raise over $792 million selling equity
securities in the capital markets.

Then, through a series of events in late 2002 and early 2003,
the Company's intricate financing scheme began to unravel as
several of these large projects and their liabilities were "put"
to TECO, moving hundreds of millions of dollars of off-balance
sheet debt and onto TECO's balance sheet, resulting in the
Company taking over a billion dollars in impairment charges and
causing the price of its common stock to plummet from a Class
Period high of over $28 per share on April 23, 2002 to below $13
per share on February 4, 2003, erasing hundreds of millions of
dollars in market capitalization.

For more details, contact Neil Rothstein of Scott + Scott, LLC
by Mail: 108 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, CT 06415 by Phone:
800-404-7770 (EDT), 800-332-2259 (PDT), (860) 537-3818 or
619-233-4565 (California direct) by Fax: (860) 537-4432 or by E-
mail: nrothstein@scott-scott.com


                            *********


A list of Meetings, Conferences and Seminars appears in each
Wednesday's edition of the Class Action Reporter. Submissions
via e-mail to carconf@beard.com are encouraged.

Each Friday's edition of the CAR includes a section featuring
news on asbestos-related litigation and profiles of target
asbestos defendants that, according to independent researches,
collectively face billions of dollars in asbestos-related
liabilities.

                            *********


S U B S C R I P T I O N   I N F O R M A T I O N

Class Action Reporter is a daily newsletter, co-published by
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Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.  ISSN 1525-2272.

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