==========================================START OF PAGE 1====== SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. LITIGATION RELEASE NO. 15278 / March 10, 1997 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION v. THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC., GARY ALAN SINGER and STEVEN GREGG SINGER, Defendants, and KAREN SUE SINGER, NORMA SINGER BRANDES, NORMEL CONSTRUCTION CORP., BRANDES AND SINGER and ROMULUS HOLDINGS, INC., Relief Defendants, Civil Action No. 92-8166 (JFK) (S.D.N.Y. November 10, 1992) The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today the settlement of a previously filed civil action against Gary Alan Singer ("Singer"), a former co-chairman of The Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper"). The Commission's complaint alleged that Singer engaged in several fraudulent schemes in the market for high yield bonds. The Final Judgment, which Singer consented to based upon the jury verdict and judgment of conviction entered as to him in a related criminal case (U.S. v. Gary Singer, 92 Cr. 964 (RJW)), permanently enjoins Singer from violating Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5, 13b2-1 and 13b2-2 thereunder and violating, or aiding and abetting violations of, Section 204 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Final Judgment also permanently enjoins Singer from: (i) holding or acquiring any debt or equity securities of Cooper; (ii) voting or attempting to assert control over the voting of any securities of Cooper; (iii) future employment or service with Cooper in any capacity whatsoever; (iv) attempting in any other way to assert control over or influence the management of Cooper; and (v) acting as an officer or director of a public company. The Commission previously obtained disgorgement and pre- judgment interest arising from Singer's violations in the amount of $4,182,994. No civil penalty was imposed against Singer based on his demonstrated inability to pay. Singer was the last remaining defendant in this matter. The other defendants and relief defendants have all previously settled with the Commission.