U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Litigation Release No. 18982 / November 22, 2004

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP OF AVENTURA, INC., DAVID H. SIEGEL AND EDWARD M. CHISM, SR., Case No. 02-22198-CIV-MARTINEZ/SIMONTON

FINAL JUDGMENT OF PERMANENT INJUNCTION AND OTHER RELIEF ENTERED AGAINST EDWARD CHISM, SR.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that on November 9, 2004, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a Final Judgment of Permanent Injunction and Other Relief against Defendant Edward Chism, Sr. The Final Judgment, entered with Chism's consent, enjoins him from violations of Sections 5(a), 5(c) and 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. It also provides for an Officer and Director Bar. In addition to injunctive relief, the Final Judgment orders Chism to pay disgorgement in the amount of $1,150,000.

For further information, see Litigation Release No. 18192 (June 16, 2003).