John J. Cassese

On October 3, 2003, John J. Cassese, the former chairman and president of Computer Horizons Corp., was convicted in Manhattan federal court on one count of insider trading after a one-week jury trial. As alleged in the Indictment and proven at trial, Cassese violated Section 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 14e-3 thereunder by engaging in insider trading in the stock of Data Processing Resources Corporation ("DPRC") while in possession of material, nonpublic information about a tender offer for DPRC common stock by Compuware Corporation. Computer Horizons (based in New Jersey), DPRC (based in Orange County, California) and Compuware (based in Michigan) each engaged in the business of providing temporary staffing of computer and information technology personnel. According to the Indictment and evidence at trial, on June 21, 1999, Cassese learned through his business relationship with Compuware that Compuware would be making a tender offer to acquire DPRC. Nevertheless, as alleged in the Indictment and proven at trial, the next day, while in possession of this material, nonpublic information, Cassese purchased 15,000 shares of DPRC common stock and subsequently sold these shares at a profit of approximately $150,000. Cassese faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million.

In an earlier proceeding brought by the Commission, Cassese, without admitting or denying the allegations in the Commission's complaint, consented to the entry of a final judgment that permanently enjoined him from future violations of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14e-3 thereunder. Cassese also agreed to disgorge $150,937.50 in ill-gotten gains, plus prejudgment interest, and to pay a civil penalty of $150,937.50. SEC v. John J. Cassese, Civil Action No. 02-01605 FMC (AJWx) (C.D. Cal.) (Litigation Release No. 17378).