SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                   Washington, D.C.

             S.E.C. v. Francis Tribble and Sloane Fitzgerald
             Civil Action No. 98-8699 (RVX ) (C.D. Cal. October 27, 1998).

             Litigation Release No.  15959/ October 27, 1998

             SEC Fines Internet Stock Promoter Responsible for Massive
             Spam Campaign

                  The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil
             action in federal district court against Francis A. Tribble,
             a stock promoter, and Sloane Fitzgerald, Inc., a public
             relations firm which Tribble owns, alleging that Tribble and
             Sloane Fitzgerald touted two microcap stocks over the
             Internet without disclosing contractual arrangements with
             the issuers of those stocks to pay stock and cash
             compensation for those promotional efforts.  The Complaint
             alleges that Tribble, through Sloane Fitzgerald, entered
             into contractual agreements with Eventemp Corporation and
             JT's Restaurants, Inc. to promote their companies and
             securities over the Internet and elsewhere for stock and
             cash compensation.  According to the complaint, between
             November 1997 and August 1998,  Tribble disseminated several
             million Internet e-mails, known as "spams;" designed and
             maintained several Internet websites; and distributed an
             online investment newsletter, each of which recommended
             investment in Eventemp or JT's Restaurants common stock,
             without making legally sufficient disclosure of Tribble's
             compensation arrangements with those issuers.  Without
             admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint,
             Tribble and Sloane Fitzgerald have consented to be enjoined
             from violating Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933,
             and Tribble has consented to pay a civil penalty of $15,000.

                  The Complaint alleges that Tribble sent out millions of
             spams to Internet users touting the potential earning power
             of Eventemp and JT's Restaurants stock.  Many of the spams
             purported to be from independent stock promoters such as
             "HotStock," "Net-Vest," and "Cyber-Stock," which were
             actually only names Tribble invented.  Tribble's spams also
             referred readers to a variety of Internet websites which he
             built, containing additional information about the companies
             he was touting and recommendations to buy their stock.
             Finally, in August 1998, Tribble wrote an online investment
             newsletter touting JT's Restaurants and distributed it over
             the Internet to 200 subscribers whom he had solicited
             through previous Internet e-mails and websites.

                  In conducting this Internet promotional campaign, the
             Complaint alleges, Tribble failed fully to disclose that he
             had a vested interest in an increase in the price of the
             stocks he was touting, or that he would be compensated by
             the companies he was touting in cash or securities of those
             companies.  Tribble's activities violated Section 17(b) of
             the Securities Act of 1933, which makes it unlawful for any
             person to recommend stock for consideration, whether past or
             prospective, without disclosing the fact, nature, and amount
             of that consideration.

                  Investors are advised to read the SEC's "Cyberspace"
             Alert before purchasing any investment promoted on the
             Internet.  The free publication, which alerts investors to
             the telltale signs of online investment fraud, is available
             on the Investor Assistance and Complaints link of the SEC's
             Home page on the World Wide Web <www.sec.gov>.  It can also
             be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330."  Investors are
             encouraged to report suspicious Internet offerings (or other
             suspicious offerings) via e-mail to <enforcement@sec.gov>.
             A user-friendly form to assist you in making a report is
             available at the Enforcement Complaint Center, Mail Stop 8-
             4, 450 Fifth Street, Washington, D.C.  20549."