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Non-Tech : Auric Goldfinger's Short List -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: pilapir who wrote (9559)	4/3/2002 1:14:49 AM
From: StockDung	Respond to of 19428

"EUniverse, a Los Angeles operator of entertainment Web sites, hired Aura Private in January, 2001 to provide investor relations services for three years. Aura was paid warrants valued at $495,232, according to SEC filings by Euniverse." 04/03 00:09 Ex-Broker Rafi Khan Is Subject of New SEC Fraud Probe (Update2) By David Evans Los Angeles, April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Rafi Khan, an ex- stockbroker banned from the securities industry in May, is under investigation for fraud in promoting shares of four California companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission said. Khan allegedly issued ``buy'' recommendations on the companies -- GenesisIntermedia Inc., Aura Systems Inc., Euniverse Inc. and Ontro Inc. -- in exchange for stock or warrants issued by the companies to Pakistani firms owned by Khan's brother-in-law, including Aura Private Ltd., according to documents filed by the SEC in federal court in Los Angeles. The payments weren't disclosed, as required by law, according to the SEC. The Pakistani companies also allegedly traded shares of the four companies and transferred the proceeds to Khan's wife, Rubina Khan, according to the documents. ``Rafi Khan may be using a brokerage account held in the name of Rubina Khan in an attempt to conceal his activities,'' SEC attorney Andrew Petillon said in a sworn statement filed with the court. The SEC probe, which was elevated to a formal investigation on Nov. 13, became public after the agency asked a federal judge yesterday to require Rubina Khan to provide testimony about her bank and brokerage accounts. Ontro Allegations Khan and his wife, who live in La Canada, California, didn't return calls to their home. Officials at GenesisIntermedia, Aura and Euniverse didn't return calls. Kevin Hainley, Ontro's chief financial officer, declined to comment. Ontro may have illegally concealed Khan's ownership and control of the company, according to the SEC's formal order of investigation, filed with the court. Ontro's most recent proxy statement lists Aura Private Ltd. as its largest shareholder, with 2.2 million shares, or 27 percent of the Poway, California-based developer of self-heating beverage containers. Khan isn't listed as a shareholder. Last year, Ontro permitted Aura Private to appoint two directors to Ontro's board. Harry Kurtzman, then chief executive of Los Angeles-based Aura Systems, was one of those named to Ontro's board by Aura Private. Kurtzman resigned as CEO of Aura Systems on Dec. 31, after the SEC's staff recommended securities fraud charges against him and the money-losing maker of portable electric generators. EUniverse, a Los Angeles operator of entertainment Web sites, hired Aura Private in January, 2001 to provide investor relations services for three years. Aura was paid warrants valued at $495,232, according to SEC filings by Euniverse. FBI, SEC Probes In a four-page report last May titled ``The Genie in Genesis Potentially a Mega Blow for the Shorts,'' Khan suggested a short squeeze would drive up shares of the money-losing company, which operates now-shuttered Internet kiosks in shopping malls. In a short squeeze, investors who have lent shares to others demand them back. That forces the borrowers to buy shares, driving up the price of the stock and creating losses for the short sellers, who bet the price would fall. Khan wrote the report after several days of meetings with GenesisIntermedia executives, said Robert Bleckman, then director of investor relations for GenesisIntermedia, in an interview at the time. Bleckman denied his company, controlled by Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, paid Khan for the report. GenesisIntermedia shares soared from $11.48 to $16.25 after Khan's report. Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the SEC are investigating allegations of stock manipulation and false accounting. GenesisIntermedia gained a penny today to $0.011. Euniverse shares fell 95 cents to $4.65, Aura fell 3 cents to 32 cents, and Ontro was unchanged at $1.99. Rafi Khan pleaded guilty in September 1999 to filing a false tax return and was sentenced to probation. Banned Last May, Khan was barred from the securities industry after agreeing to a permanent injunction forbidding him from committing securities fraud in the future. He neither admitted nor denied SEC allegations that he pocketed $552,500 by orchestrating two stock manipulations in 1993 and 1995 through ``wildly exaggerated earnings and price projections.'' Khan has previously said he made clients millions of dollars in the summer of 1993 by recommending companies such as Future Communications and Spectrum Information Technologies Corp. Share prices of both increased four-fold. He also led an unsuccessful battle to oust former Yugoslavian Prime Minister Milan Panic from his post as head of ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc.

To: pilapir who wrote (9559)	4/3/2002 12:10:34 PM
From: StockDung	Respond to of 19428

Update on Tom Heysek's Good (for Tom) & Sound (money get away) Investment Program Your 30,000 dollars is now worth 199 dollars Tom's record is impecable! Recommended Actionable Investment Plan: For the Long Term Investor: Commit $30,000 to accumulate up to 10,000 shares of THAO over the next five trading days through your online broker. Then, await corporate developments during the 2nd quarter (ending June 2001), as the Company ramps up sales and earnings. For the New Investor: Commit $1000. - $5000.00 to accumulate between 300 - 1500 shares of THAO over the next month. This will allow you to put aside a good investment program for yourself inside the Thaon model and help you to reap the rewards of a sound investment program for your financial future. This week's Featured Company: Thaon Communications ("THAO": NASDAQ OTCBB) Important Common Stock Data for your Information. Recent Price: $2.50 Shares Outstanding: 59.3 million 52 Week High: 3.25 (11/29/00) Float: 17.5 million 52 Week Low: 1.63 (07/19/00) Market Capitalization: $148. million Forecast of THAO's results for: 12/31 financial year Sales (mm) Earnings Per Share P/E 2000 (p) $28 ($0.03-) n/c 2001 (e) 50 0.05 50 times 2002 (e) 90 0.25 10 times Other Advertising Companies: Recent Price EPS P/E Interpublic (IPG) $34.15 $1.30 27 times True North (TNO) 38.25 1.00 38 times History and Nature of Business Thaon Communications "THAO" is a holding company whose subsidiaries provide communications and marketing solutions through television and the Internet. The CastPro subsidiary provides live and on-demand webcasts for corporations (shareholders' meetings, Regulation FD compliance, Analysts' Q&A) and for major events (sports, entertainment, etc), utilizing digital wireless mobile production units (MPU's). CastPro also operates a 10,000 square foot studio in downtown Los Angeles. The Prime Time Media subsidiary provides television placements, branding and product developments worldwide. Having been a factor in infomercial placement since 1995, Prime Time has seamlessly meshed into conventional advertising this year, entering into contracts with Mandalay Sports Direct and Mantra Films. Prime Time is also working on the following projects---all of which are expected to contribute to first quarter operating results (to be reported in mid-April): Multiple campaigns for artists under the SONY label (Bob Dylan, Billy Gilman and the Baha Men) Campaigns for Grammy Award nominees Gloria Estefan and Barbara Streisand Playboy's Greatest Parties (Blind Date) …To name a few of the projects underway, and utilizing the CastPro business unit's production facility. As illustrated in Table I, Advertising Expenditures represents approximately a quarter of a trillion dollar industry. While the overall growth in Advertising Expenditures is expected to taper off this year after an exceptionally robust 2000, industry observers project those segments of that industry space in which Thaon operates to exhibit 10%-15% growth this year. Network television, Cable television and Internet advertising (Thaon's media markets) represent about 30% of total Advertising Expenditures. Table I: National Advertising Expenditures Chg 1998 1999 2000 (p) 2001 (e) % ------------------------in Billions------------------------ $ % $ % $ % $ % '98-'00 Newspapers 44 22% $47 $49 $45 19% Magazines 10½ 5% 11 13 10 4% Network Television 1 39 19% 40 45 45 19% Cable Television 1 8 ½ 4% 10 12 15 6% Radio 15 7% 17 23 25 11% Internet 1 1 1% 2 4 8 3% 118 58% 127 146 148 62% +25% All other 2 84 42% 88 96 87 38% + 4% Total 202 100% 215 242 235 100% +16% 1 = Network TV, Cable TV and Internet $48½ $52 $61 $68 + 42% Percent of Total Advertising Expenditures 24% 24% 25% 29% 2 = Yellow Pages, Direct Mail and Trade Journals Thaon's Top Level Management Adam Anthony, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Anthony was co-founder of Prime Time Media Solutions at the time it was acquired by Thaon Communications last December…at which time he was appointed CEO of Thaon and elected to the Board of Directors. A former All-American golf and touring professional, his competitive capabilities, leadership style and business skills were instrumental in developing Prime Time's reputation as a reliable source of innovative media planning and advertisement placement strategies. This was widely evident in Prime Time's burgeoning and recurring revenue base. This now becomes an important component of Thaon's recurring revenue base. In conjunction with Mark Jones, formerly President of Prime Time Media and now President of Thaon's Prime Time Media subsidiary, within four years of inception, Prime Time's annual revenues surpassed $50 million. Robert McNeill, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. McNeill had previously been Regional Vice President of Security National Bank, managing the Financial Institutions and Private Banking Departments of that bank. He was also an SVP at Sanwa Bank, where he developed and implemented business development strategies, and prior to this, Corporate Finance Operations Officer for Pacific National Bank. His banking and finance focus includes corporate finance solutions for emerging growth companies. Mark Jones, President of Prime Time Media Solutions. Mr. Jones is the other co-founder of Prime Time, and now heads-up this Thaon Business Unit. His achievements at Prime included the establishment of paid-programming of regional sports networks across the country. Prior to Prime Time, Mr. Jones was National Sales Manager for a San Antonio- based media placement firm, and extensive experience as a media-placement specialist. In addition, Mr. Jones provides Thaon with strong relationships with television networks, which has enabled the placement of prime time media solutions at competitive rates. The combination of his creative applications, practical experience and know-how at developing media strategies augurs well for Thaon to offer its clients cost-effective media exposure. Geno Brunton, President of CastPro.com. Prior to this position, Mr. Brunton was Senior Producer, Writer and Director of TVA Productions since 1995. Business World News is a national television property, and was originally broadcast on CNBC, then TLC (The Learning Channel, part of the Discovery Channel). From 1988 to 1998, he was employed in positions of progressively increasing responsibility in the Production and Advertising industry, including conceptualizing, marketing and producing documentaries and internationally distributed films. Thaon's Earnings Model Our earnings model for Thaon Communications follows. At this point, with all key members of management having recently been installed (since December), we are probably a month away from formalizing a quarterly forecast of operating results--- however, a reasonably transparent earnings model can be assembled on an annual basis. The 2001 financial year represents the first full operating year under this management team, and in fact, our top-line and earnings expectations for this year mirror results from 1999. Summary for the Potential Investor: Just as I wrote in the beginning of this article, I believe that there still are great companies available today who are growing and offer excellent investment opportunities. Thaon Communications is one of those companies. They have a solid business model in a truly growing industry. The revenues prove it, the market proves it, and bottom line if you've read this far, you believe it. We certainly do too. Please take a couple of extra minutes and click here to subscribe for more updates and new information with NO Obligation from Thaon Communications. If you have questions for our Research Analyst, then click here and complete our Contact Form and ask your question. Our staff will be happy to assist you and if you'd like we will even contact you directly via the telephone or email. Until then, if you would like an Action Plan to begin investing into Thaon Communications, then please review the following. Recommended Actionable Investment Plan: For the Long Term Investor: Commit $30,000 to accumulate up to 10,000 shares of THAO over the next five trading days through your online broker. Then, await corporate developments during the 2nd quarter (ending June 2001), as the Company ramps up sales and earnings. For the New Investor: Commit $1000. - $5000.00 to accumulate between 300 - 1500 shares of THAO over the next month. This will allow you to put aside a good investment program for yourself inside the Thaon model and help you to reap the rewards of a sound investment program for your financial future. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ME CONCERNING THIS ADVICE, PLEASE CLICK HERE AND COMPLETE OUR CONTACT FORM. Thank you for your time and if you haven't already, please subscribe now for weekly updates on Thaon as well as other updates from The Micro-caps News. The Staff @ The Micro-Caps FREE Financial Newsletter. Please Read our Disclaimer!

To: pilapir who wrote (9559)	4/3/2002 5:12:31 PM
From: StockDung	Respond to of 19428

Uncertain Future for Madden's Shoes By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO .c The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) - With funky shoe designer Steve Madden set to be sentenced this week on securities-fraud and money-laundering charges, some industry observers fear that any significant prison time could derail the company he founded - which has so far managed to stay on track. Madden, who in 1990 founded the company known for its chunky shoes for teens, could serve a prison term of up to 51 months. He pleaded guilty to 23 counts in May 2001 and is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in Manhattan federal court. Despite the company's steps to move forward - it restructured its management team and Madden relinquished his chairman and chief executive titles last year - its founder remains very involved in the $243 million business. Madden still works closely with the merchandise and retailers, and last month was seen pitching the latest designs at a major footwear trade show in Las Vegas, analysts said. ``Steve Madden's contribution to the company has not changed since he pled guilty. He is still involved in the design process and is in the marketplace, visiting stores and keeping an eye out on the product,'' said Joe Teklits, an analyst at Wachovia Securities. ``Right now, business is tracking very strongly. No retailer has backed away from the brand. But he is still very strong in the company.'' Madden's 10-year contract, signed in May 2001 after he gave up his titles, shows that the board still highly regards his services - though his generous compensation has angered a shareholder who is suing the company and designer in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. The suit, filed by Pedro Herrera, charges that Madden's pay package could total $35 million in bonuses, base salary, expense allowances and options over a ten-year period and is ``an unlawful scheme'' to stick shareholders with the fines and penalties the designer must pay. Dennis Block, Steve Madden Ltd.'s counsel, said the suit is ``without merit'' and maintained that the compensation includes payment for the ``unlimited rights'' to use Madden's name in other product categories and also ensures that it keeps the designer. Laurence D. Paskowitz, Herrera's attorney, said the company ``already had the rights it needed.'' Teklits said the compensation package is not ``outside the lines'' of the industry, but he is concerned that Madden's absence for two or more years could trigger the departure of talented employees not willing to ``stick it out.'' The Long Island City, N.Y.-based company already lost its president, Rhonda Brown, last September to rival Nine West Group Inc., though analysts expressed confidence in her successor Richard Olicker, who has also kept his chief operating officer title. Analysts also say the company's design team is talented, but wonder whether the designers have the ability to continue Madden's spirit. ``When Steve is gone, the creative force, the driving force will be gone. He has a lot of talented people, but they don't have the idea of how to develop something new that is going to sell,'' said Harry Bernard, a partner of Colton Bernard Inc., a San Francisco-based apparel consulting firm. Block, however, maintained that Madden ``has handpicked an elite design team, some of whom have been working with him for ten years. It is this team that is responsible for the products you see today, and will remain the foundation for the creative process going forward.'' Some fashion observers, though, are already noticing that Steve Madden's women's shoes are looking a little tired compared with rivals Sketchers, Kenneth Cole and Nine West - all of which have been fast chasing the newer trends of vintage Adidas shoes and dressier looks. ``Steve Madden seems to be stuck on the platform casual shoes,'' said Michael Wood, vice president of Teenage Research Unlimited, a market research firm in Northbrook, Ill. ``Over the past six months, it has gotten more mainstream and too predictable.'' ``That makes me a little nervous,'' he said, given that Madden's core audience is trendsetting teens. Others say Steve Madden is still going strong. Wendy Red, a women's buyer at Up Against the Wall, a Washington, D.C.-based trendy apparel and accessories chain, said she is still pleased with the merchandise. And, she added, ``No one will really notice that he is gone.'' AP-NY-04-03-02 1634EST

To: pilapir who wrote (9559)	4/3/2002 8:26:14 PM
From: StockDung	Respond to of 19428

ONLY LOST A BILLION->Homestore posts Q4 loss, warns on legal costs By Andrea Orr and Ben Berkowitz PALO ALTO, Calif., April 3 (Reuters) - Online real estate services company Homestore.com Inc <HOMSE.O> Wednesday reported a fourth quarter net loss of more than $1 billion, as it reduced reported revenues for the prior three quarters and warned that it may incur heavy legal costs as a result of extensive accounting errors over the past two years. The latest numbers should close the book on a months-long process of removing false revenue from old income statements, but not on the lawsuits related to its accounting errors. In a separate filing Homestore made on Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it continued to face a number of challenges, including 23 lawsuits filed against it, and possible additional asset sales. For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, Westlake Village, California-based Homestore reported a net loss of $1.1 billion, or $9.51 per share, compared with a loss in the year-ago quarter of $53.6 million, or 65 cents per share. The results included charges of $960 million for acquisitions, restructuring and certain assets. Excluding the charges, the company said it lost $146.6 million, or $1.26 per share. Homestore, whose Web site features information related to buying or renting a home, decorating and moving, said quarterly revenues grew to $79.8 million from $52.6 million the year before. CLOSES ASSET SALE The company, which last month restated its year 2000 results to correct for improperly booked revenues, on Wednesday said 2001 results had also been significantly overstated. Homestore reduced revenue for the first nine months of 2001 to $227.9 million from $350.9 million, and increased its net loss for the period to $359 million from $245.8 million. As with the accounting errors for 2000, most of the overstatement in 2001 came from barter deals in which Homestore swapped advertising space on its site in exchange for ads on another site. Barter deals were once a common practice among Internet companies, but often were recorded in a misleading way on income statements. Homestore said it had about $52.2 million in unrestricted cash at the end of last year, and expects it had about $28 million as of March 31. Homestore also announced the sale of its consumer credit division, ConsumerInfo.com, for $130 million, which is expected to result in net proceeds of $115 million. Some $58 million of that amount is set aside as a potential claim by a company that had sold assets to Homestore in exchange for a stock payment at a time when the stock price was inflated. Homestore shares, which rose 5 cents on Wednesday to close at $2.30, are down from a 52-week high of $37.16. A company spokeswoman declined to comment Wednesday on Homestore's future plans or possible sales of additional assets. But in its SEC filing, Homestore warned, "it is possible that we may be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs in connection with the litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition." The company said it could also be subject to substantial penalties or sanctions as a result of its past accounting errors. 19:07 04-03-02