/raid1/www/Hosts/bankrupt/CAR_Public/020108.mbx              C L A S S   A C T I O N   R E P O R T E R
  
              Tuesday, January 8, 2002, Vol. 4, No. 5

                          Headlines

ALOE FLEX: Recalls "Weider's Eyedrops" Due To Serious Health Risks
CALIFORNIA: Court Rules in Favor of Consumer, Upholds Anti-Spam Law
CISCO SYSTEMS: Recalls 95,000 Power Adapters For Potential Fire Hazard
COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES: Ex-Employee Sues Dallas Plant For Racial Bias
DEVILBISS AIR: Recalls Portable Generators Due To Leaking Fuel Tank

HOMEMASTER INC.: Recalls Lighting Timers For Potential Shock Hazard
JP MORGAN: Plaintiffs Intent On Pursuing Suit Over Safety Deposit Boxes
LIBERTY LIFE: Asserts No Wrongdoing in Implementing Race-Based Pricing
MERCI GMBH: Recalls Chocolates Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
NBG INTERNATIONAL: Recalls Christmas Lights For Fire, Shock Hazards

OHIO: Court Certifies Prisoners' Suit Challenging Pay-To-Stay Program
PROCTOR-SILEX: Voluntarily Recalls Juice Extractors For Injury Risk
STATE FARM: Agrees To Settle Georgia Insurance Suit For $250 Million
STEWARTS BEVERAGES: Recalls Potential Ammonia-Contaminated Beverages
SULZER MEDICA: Court Extends Opt-Out For Settlement To May 2, 2002

TERRORIST ATTACK: Victims' Relatives Ask For Revisions To WTC Fund
WINSTAR INTERNATIONAL: Recalls Christmas Lights For Shock, Fire Hazards

                       Securities Fraud    

ACLN LTD.: SEC Commences Financial Statements, Disclosures Probe
ACLN LTD.: Stull Stull Commences Securities Suit in S.D. New York
APW LTD.: Marc Henzel Sues For Securities Act Violations in E.D. WI
GLOBIX CORPORATION: Stull Stull Commences Securities Suit in S.D. NY
HOMESTORE.COM: Abbey Gardy Commences Securities Suit in C.D. California

HOMESTORE.COM: Berger Montague Commences Securities Suit in C.D. CA
RENT-A-CENTER INC.: Milberg Weiss Lodges Securities Suit in E.D. TX
VAN WAGONER: Milberg Weiss Commences Securities Suit in Delaware Court
WILLAMETTE INDUSTRIES: Sued By WPM Co. For Breach of Fiduciary Duty

                          *********


ALOE FLEX: Recalls "Weider's Eyedrops" Due To Serious Health Risks
------------------------------------------------------------------
Aloe Flex Enterprise is cooperating with the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in recalling all lots of its 1-ounce bottles of
"Weider's Eyedrops" due to potentially serious health risks associated
with bacterial contamination.

Samples analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration were found to
contain bacteria including Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii, which
in some cases can cause sight-threatening injury.  

The product is labeled "Weider's Eyedrops" with the company name of
"Flex Enterprises."  Some lots of the product have also been marketed
under a second brand name, "Welder's Eyedrops."  The recalled "Weider's
Eyedrops" and "Welder's Eyedrops" were sold over-the-counter in
Dickinson, Texas.

To date, there have been no reports of injury in connection with these
products. Individuals who have used these products and have experienced
any adverse reactions are advised to contact their healthcare provider.

For more information, and a full refund, contact the Company by Phone:
281-337-2240 or contact FDA's MedWatch Program by Mail: MedWatch, HF-2,
FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787 by Phone: 1-800-FDA-
1088 by Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178 or visit the MedWatch Website:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html.


CALIFORNIA: Court Rules in Favor of Consumer, Upholds Anti-Spam Law
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sonoma County resident Mark Ferguson won a major battle this week as
the First District Court of Appeals overturned a lower court's ruling
that California's tough 1998 law regulating unwanted commercial
messages violates the dormant Commerce Clause of the US Constitution.

Mr. Ferguson filed the class action against Palo Alto businesses
Friendfinders and Conru Interactive for allegedly clogging his email
with unsolicited advertisements he found deceptive and misleading.
Under California's law, the unsolicited email must include "ADV" - to
signify it contains an advertisement. If the email is pornographic,
then it must contain the letters "ADV:ADLT."

According to the plaintiffs' attorney John J. Fallat, "This was a major
win for consumers.It's against the law to send unsolicited email
messages without clearly labeling them as advertisements so they can be
deleted immediately from your email system without reading them. This
is particularly important to those of us who don't want to be subjected
to adult materials."

The state statute defines "unsolicited email documents" as "any emailed
document or documents consisting of advertising material for the lease,
sale, rental, gift offer, or other disposition of any realty, goods,
services, or extension of credit," he explained. He said he was hopeful
that other frustrated spam recipients will come forward to eliminate
this annoying marketing practice.

For more information, contact John L. Fallat by Phone: 1-415-457-3773


CISCO SYSTEMS: Recalls 95,000 Power Adapters For Potential Fire Hazard
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cisco Systems, Inc. in cooperation with CSA International is
voluntarily recalling about 95,000 power adapters for replacement.
These power adapters are used with certain Cisco Asymmetrical Digital
Subscriber Line (ADSL) Routers. The adapters can overheat and melt a
hole through the housing, posing a potential fire hazard. In addition,
the exposed wires pose a potential shock hazard.  The Company received
one report of an adapter overheating, although no injuries or property
damage have been reported.

This recall involves only power adapters with the part number "34-0949-
02." The part number is located on the adapter label, below the Cisco
Systems logo. The power adapter is a small, black AC unit, which
establishes a connection between the router and an electrical outlet.
The adapters are used with the ADSL Routers that provide secure, high-
speed Internet access for small businesses, small offices, home offices
and corporate tele-workers. The power adapters were shipped with the
following ADSL routers:

     (1) Cisco 827,

     (2) Cisco 827-4V,

     (3) Cisco 826,

     (4) Cisco SOHO77,

     (5) Cisco SOHO77-50, or

     (6) Cisco 827-EUR

Service providers and distributors worldwide sold routers with these
power adapters, from April 2000 through September 2001.

For more information, contact the Company by Phone: 800-553-2447 or
visit the firm's Website: http://www.cisco.com


COCA-COLA ENTERPRISES: Ex-Employee Sues Dallas Plant For Racial Bias
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. faces a class action filed by a former
employee in the US District Court in Dallas, accusing the Company's
Buckner, Dallas bottling plant of racial discrimination.

William McAfee filed the suit in behalf of employees in the Buckner
plant, saying the Company had "racially biased employment practices and
procedures."

Debbie Moody, a spokesperson for Dallas Coca-Cola Bottling Co., the
local unit of CCE that operates the plant, told the Wall Street
Journal, "Our local management team strives to have a fair and
equitable workplace where everyone is respected and valued. We don't
tolerate discrimination of any kind in the workplace."


DEVILBISS AIR: Recalls Portable Generators Due To Leaking Fuel Tank
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DeVilbiss Air Power Co. is cooperating with the US Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) by voluntarily recalling about 600 Porter-
Cable portable generators. A small hole in the generator's fuel tank,
where it mounts to the frame, can leak fuel and pose a fire hazard to
consumers.  The Company has received 10 reports of leaking fuel tanks,
though no injuries have been reported.

The recalled gasoline-powered generators have the model number BSI550-W
printed on the fuel tank between the handles. These generators also
have the date code "09-10-01" printed on a bar code label on the
gasoline tank support rail. The generators are red with a black fuel
tank and have the brand "Porter-Cable" printed on the fuel tank.

Major home centers nationwide sold these generators from September 2001
through October 2001 for approximately $600. However, generators
produced on dates other than "09-10-01" are not included in this
recall.

For more information, contact the Company by Phone: 866-422-4282
between 8 am and 6 pm CT Monday through Friday to arrange for a free
tank replacement.


HOMEMASTER INC.: Recalls Lighting Timers For Potential Shock Hazard
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Homemaster Inc. is recalling 50,000 Outdoor Lighting Timers. The timers
have reversed polarity in the wiring, potentially allowing a current to
flow through a consumer's body, posing a shock hazard to consumers.
The Company has not received any reports of injuries or incidents. This
recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The recalled timers have the model number "HOT100" printed on the back.
The plastic timers are about 5 inches long, dark green, and have a
timing switch on the front that ranges from 1 to 8 hours or from dusk
to dawn. A three-prong plug at the end of a 6.5-inch green cord extends
from the top of the timer. Menards stores nationwide sold the timers
from October 2000 through October 2001 for about $10.

For more information, contact the Company by Phone: 800-443-0224
between 9 am and 4 pm ET Monday through Friday.


JP MORGAN: Plaintiffs Intent On Pursuing Suit Over Safety Deposit Boxes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Plaintiffs in the consumer suit against JP Morgan Chase seeking to
recover their safety deposit boxes destroyed in the September 11
terrorist attack are still intent on pursuing their class action,
despite the Bank's statement saying it had recovered many of the safe
deposit boxes that it had previously said were lost in its World Trade
Center bank branch.

The Company's retail banking arm had declared more than 1,000 boxes as
"unrecoverable."  However, after customers protested the development,
the Company announced it had been able to retrieve about two-thirds of
the boxes, and would allow their customers to view the contents.

Plaintiffs' attorney David Wollmuth, said the development was a
"positive step" but his clients were far from satisfied.  The
plaintiffs, in pursuing their suit, allege that the Company is liable
for the valuables that were stored in the boxes and destroyed in the
fires following the September 11 attacks.

Mr. Wollmuth said in a statement, "The fact of a compensation plan is
only half the question.The real issues are: what will compensation be
paid for, what level of proof of loss is required and who will decide
whether that level of proof has been met? To allow Chase to decide
those issues itself, in my opinion, would be to let the wolf guard the
chicken coop."

The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, includes several claims,
including negligence and breach of contract. According to a Financial
Times report, the suit alleges that the bank failed to exercise
ordinary care and diligence because it did not provide boxes able to
withstand damage from fire and debris. It also accuses the bank of
"negligent misrepresentations" concerning insurance coverage on the
contents of the boxes.

Lead plaintiff Sylvia Yamamura has also accused the Company of being
uncommunicative with regard to the status of the boxes. She asserts "I
feel our suit has ended the wall of silence that I faced and I believe
many of us faced.(It) has allowed safe deposit box holders to come
together as a group and have leverage with Chase we could not have had
as individuals."


LIBERTY LIFE: Asserts No Wrongdoing in Implementing Race-Based Pricing
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Attorney for Liberty Life Insurance Company Frank Ellerbe asserts that
the Company did not break the law when it used race to price policies,
The Augusta Chronicle reported recently.  The Company faces a
discrimination class action, due to their allegedly "race-based
pricing," in which blacks are charged more than whites for low cost
life insurance policies.

Attorney Ellerbe has requested a hearing before an administrative law
judge to address allegations raised by the state Insurance Department.  
The department that regulates insurance companies doing business in
South Carolina has issued an order saying that the Company violated
state law by differentiating rates based on race and continuing to
collect premiums based on the race of the insured.

In his order, Insurance Department Director Ernst Csiszar said the
Company has to pay $2 million within 30 days of the order's issuance.  
The order also orders the company to make restitution on those policies
charging race-based premiums and to set aside $1 million for future
claims.  Mr. Csiszar also ordered that Liberty be suspended from doing
business in South Carolina for one year.

Mr. Ellerbe said that while Liberty is "not comfortable with the way
the policies were issued - the way they were underwritten" - it did not
break the law.  "We believe Liberty's issuance of the policies was
lawful at the time," Mr. Ellerbe said.

Mr. Csiszar said it has never been legal to use race as a determinant
of life expectancy for pricing an insurance policy.  He said some
companies say they were using lifestyle issues, but it was clear that
these companies were charging different prices based solely on race.  
"It was only black and white," Mr. Csiszar said.  "It was blatant
racism."


MERCI GMBH: Recalls Chocolates Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Merci GMBH has instituted, together with the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA), a recall of chocolates produced by the Company due to
the possible presence of salmonella. Some of these products have been
imported into Canada. Consumers are advised not to consume the affected
products.

These products are affected by the recall:

     (1) Merci Vielfalt (Lot Code Nos. 01-04-02 and 01-05-02) and

     (2) Merci Pur (Lot Code Nos. 01-04-02 and 01-05-02)

The Company is removing these products from the marketplace due to a
possible association with a number of illness complaints in Europe. The
CFIA is working with Canadian Importers to have all affected products
that have come into Canada recalled from the marketplace. There have
been no reported Salmonella illnesses in Canada associated with the
affected products.

For more information, contact Davendra Sharma (English) by Phone: 613-
755-2890 or BenoOt Blangez (French) by Phone: 613-760-4068


NBG INTERNATIONAL: Recalls Christmas Lights For Fire, Shock Hazards
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NBG International Inc. recalled about 100,000 strings of "Rice Light"
decorative Christmas lights, for possible electric shock or fire
hazards due to undersized wiring.  The Company has not received any
reports of injuries or incidents associated with these Christmas
lights, and conducted the recall to prevent electric shocks and fires.

The Rice Christmas lights are 21-feet long with 140 non- replaceable
mini-bulbs. The lights have a control box that allows for an eight-
function, four-way flashing light show. The attached 3-inch control box
has a round dial on top numbered "1" through "8." The wires are
available in three colors: black, white or green. The lights have a
fused plug, and are sold in a green box that included the writing "Rice
Light," "140 Mini Bulb String" and "MADE IN CHINA." There is no mark of
an independent testing laboratory. Novelty and holiday stores sold
these lights nationwide from June 1998 through November 2001 for
between $7 and $10.

For more information and a free replacement set, contact the firm by
Phone: 877-532- 8949 between 10:30 am and 6:30 pm CT Monday through
Friday, or by E-mail: nbgjf@worldnet.att.net.


OHIO: Court Certifies Prisoners' Suit Challenging Pay-To-Stay Program
---------------------------------------------------------------------
An Ohio trial court certified as a class action the lawsuit filed
against the Hamilton County Sheriff and the Hamilton County Board of
Commissioners by correctional facility detainees alleging the county
violated the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution by depriving them of
personal property without due process of law.

The suit was commenced when Hamilton County adopted a Prisoner
Reimbursement Policy, also known as the Pay-to-Stay Program, which
allows counties to seek reimbursement from prisoners for administrative
costs and services resulting from their confinement. The Pay-to-Stay
Program includes a $30 book-in fee to help cover booking expenses. If a
prisoner is acquitted of criminal charges or if those charges are
dismissed, the detainee may apply for a refund of the book-in fee. The
plaintiffs allege that the book-in fee, taken from a detainee's
personal property in the form of cash on hand, check or credit card,
violates the constitutional rights of pre-trial detainees since the fee
is confiscated from personal property prior to conviction.

The suit was filed on behalf of all persons whose funds were
confiscated before conviction under the Hamilton County Pay-to-Stay
Program and is seeking to stop the collection of book-in fees prior to
conviction as well as restitution of all funds illegally confiscated.


PROCTOR-SILEX: Voluntarily Recalls Juice Extractors For Injury Risk
-------------------------------------------------------------------
In cooperation with CSA International, Proctor-Silex Canada, Inc. is
voluntarily recalling their juice extractor Model C67207, type CJ04.
The company has reported that the juice extractor's strainer basket and
lid can break apart, posing a potential risk of injury.

Approximately 100,000 units were produced between 1992 and 1995. They
were sold through discount and department stores across Canada. The
company has received reports of injuries involving this juice
extractor.

For more information, contact the Company by Phone: 1-888-772-2433
Monday - Friday, between 9:00am-7:00pm EST.


STATE FARM: Agrees To Settle Georgia Insurance Suit For $250 Million
--------------------------------------------------------------------
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company will settle for $250
million a class action filed by Georgia insurance policyholders,
alleging that their vehicles had lesser value after it was damaged, no
matter how well they were repaired.

The Georgia Supreme Court had earlier ruled that the Company must pay
for the diminished value of cars damaged in collisions, as well as
their repairs, according to an earlier issue of the Class Action
Reporter.  The Supreme Court upheld, as well, Superior Court Judge Doug
Pullen's order that the insurer must begin compiling the information
needed to begin reimbursing clients for the diminished value of their
repaired cars.

Under the settlement, as many as 700,000 Georgia motorists could
receive compensation for their vehicles.  The settlement, according to
an Associated Press report, requires the Company to pay $100 million in
diminished value reimbursements for accident claims filed since
December 22, 1993. An additional $50 million will be paid for court
costs and attorneys' fees.  Eligible policyholders will receive at
least $25 and up to several thousand dollars, depending on the amount
of the original claim.

State Farm and the plaintiffs, in a joint statement, said the
settlement served the interests of company policyholders by avoiding
the risks of further litigation.


STEWARTS BEVERAGES: Recalls Potential Ammonia-Contaminated Beverages
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Stewart's Beverages, Inc. is recalling certain of its beverages because
they have the potential to be contaminated with ammonia. At elevated
concentrations, ammonia causes a burning sensation in the throat and
gastritis. Ingestion of large doses of ammonia could also lead to
nausea, vomiting, thirst, headache and acidosis.

The products affected bear the plant code CT571 on the bottles. This
code usually appears on the shoulder of the bottle on the 12oz. and 32
oz. glass bottles and near the seam of the 16oz. barrel bottle. Dark
bottles should be tipped and held towards the light for easier viewing.
Continue to turn the bottle until black ink jet code is visible.

This recall affects all Stewart's flavors in these package sizes:

     (1) 12oz. glass bottle - Flavors: Birch Beer, Black Cherry,
         Cherries `n Cream, Cream, Diet Orange `n Cream, Diet Root
         Beer, Ginger Beer, Grape, Key Lime, Orange `n Cream, Peach,
         Root Beer and Strawberries `n Cream

     (2) 16oz. glass barrel bottle - Flavors: Cherries `n Cream, Cream,
         Diet Root Beer, Grape, Key Lime, Orange `n Cream and Root Beer

     (3) 32oz./quart glass bottle - Flavors: Cherries `n Cream, Cream,
         Diet Root Beer, Key Lime, and Orange `n Cream and Root Beer

These beverages have been widely distributed in these states:
New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia
and Washington DC. However, these beverages have very limited
distribution in the following states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Texas, and
Wisconsin.

This voluntary recall is the result of Stewart's testing of product
produced by a third party bottler, Hillside Bottling in Hillside, NJ.
Stewart's has ceased production and distribution of these products at
this location and is continuing its investigation as to what caused the
problem. To date, there have been no reported illnesses.

For more information, contact the Company by Phone: 1-866-789-2787.


SULZER MEDICA: Court Extends Opt-Out For Settlement To May 2, 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------
US District Court Judge Kathleen O'Malley extended the opt-out deadline
to May 2,2002 for plaintiffs in the class action against Sulzer Medica,
Inc. The ruling granted patients affected by hip or knee implants
additional time to decide whether they wish to participate in the class
action settlement.

The suits commenced after the Company recalled 40,000 hip implants and
withdrew some knee implants last year.  The implants allegedly were not
bonding properly to their bones.  Later, the Company determined that
oil residue on the hip and knee implants caused the problem.

Later, the Company proposed a $783 million agreement to settle the
class actions.  Under the settlement, the Company will pay patients who
needed surgery after receiving the faulty hip or knee implants between
$57,500 and $97,500 in cash and stock.

Judge O'Malley also scheduled the fairness hearing for the settlement
to begin May 14, 2002. The final notice, providing patients with terms
of the final settlement agreement, will be mailed to class action
members on March 1, 2002.

"We welcome the extension of this deadline," said Sulzer Medica CEO Dr.
Stephan Rietiker, "as it provides us with the opportunity to explain to
patients the advantages of the settlement in greater detail, which will
also help to further limit the number of opt-outs. It is still our goal
to provide all affected patients with fair and fast compensation by way
of this settlement."


TERRORIST ATTACK: Victims' Relatives Ask For Revisions To WTC Fund
------------------------------------------------------------------
Surviving family members of victims of the September 11 terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Center have asked for revisions to the
interim rules in the government's compensation fund, set up to hasten
compensation for the families and protect companies from possible class
action suits.

Fund overseer Kenneth Feinberg earlier announced that the compensation
that the family members would receive would depend on the victim's
family size, age and earnings and that the average family could receive
about $1.6 million.  According to an Associated Press report, the
regulations could give the family of each victim $250,000 for non-
economic losses such as pain and suffering. Life insurance and pension
fund payments would be subtracted from the awards, but charitable
contributions would not.  Relatives who apply to the fund would also
give up their right to sue.

Members of Congress have also joined the call for revisions.  Rep.
Peter King said in a news conference, "It would be terrible if the
families of those victims were to be victimized again by the
regulations that are being enacted by the special master."

Rep. Felix Gucci, a Republican, also told Associated Press, "We're
talking about a $250,000 cap.You could slip and fall on the sidewalk as
you walk out of here, and I'm not suggesting that anybody do that, but
probably earn more on a slip-and-fall claim than these people will get
for losing their loved ones."

Beverly Eckert, wife of victim Sean Rooney, asserts "This is about
fairness.We're here because the figure that Special Master Kenneth
Feinberg selected for pain and suffering in no way represents what the
people who died went through."

Mr. Feinberg said that he will try to address all concerns, "We're
reviewing all the regulations. I am concerned that there are families
of the victims who are troubled by this."  He has until Jan. 21 to
finalize the rules.


WINSTAR INTERNATIONAL: Recalls Christmas Lights For Shock, Fire Hazards
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Winstar International Inc. is recalling about 9,000 strings of
Christmas lights, for possible electrocution, electric shock and fire
hazards, due to undersized wiring and lack of over-current protection.
They pose electrocution and electric shock hazards to consumers and
also are fire hazards.

These are miniature Christmas lights with 100 lights on each string of
various colors, including green, blue, red, yellow, purple and clear.
The plug has "125V-3A" imprinted on it. There is no other labeling on
the string of lights, and no mark of an independent testing laboratory.
The packaging is a red box with a photo of a Christmas tree on the
right side and a window showing the lights inside. Writing on the box
includes, "JUEGO DE LUCES DE NAVIDAD," "100 MINIATURE LIGHTS," "FIVE-
WAY FLASHER," "PRE-TESTED," and "ENERGY SAVER."

Discount and dollar stores in New York and New Jersey sold these
Christmas lights from October 2000 through November 2001 for about $1.
The Company is not aware of any injuries or incidents associated with
these Christmas lights. This recall is being conducted to prevent
injuries.

For more information, contact the Company by Phone: 718-768-5172
between 9 am and 5 pm ET Monday through Friday.


                          Securities Fraud    


ACLN LTD.: SEC Commences Financial Statements, Disclosures Probe
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Securities and Exchange Commission has commenced an investigation
into the financial disclosures of car transport company ACLN Ltd.
(NYSE:ASW).  The Company has recently become the target of eight
securities class actions, alleging that the Company issued false and
misleading statements about its business prospects and finances.

The suits were commenced after media reports, notably from
TheStreet.com, questioned the possible disappearance of Company shares,
the business roles and dealings of its officers and the credibility of
its financial reports, according to a Reuters story.

The Company's share price tumbled more than 70% since mid-December,
before the lawsuits were filed.  The Company has denied any wrongdoing
and declined to comment on the pending suits.  In a statement, the
Company said "The SEC staff has advised the company that it had serious
questions regarding disclosures made by A.C.L.N in Commission filings."

Aldo Labiad, the Company's Chief Executive, said ACLN has suffered
greatly from "a loss of trust by suppliers, customers and port agents,"
and that its level of car shipments dropped in the fourth quarter.


ACLN LTD.: Stull Stull Commences Securities Suit in S.D. New York
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stull Stull and Brody initiated a securities class action against ACLN,
Ltd. (NASDAQ:ASW) on behalf of all persons who acquired the Company's
common stock between September 30, 2000 and December 20, 2001,
inclusive against the Company and some of its officers and directors.

The suit, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York, charges that the defendants violated Sections
10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10-b(5)
by, among other things, issuing false and misleading statements
regarding:

     (1) the Company's ownership of key assets and its financial
         condition, including discrepancies in its publicly reported
         earnings; and

     (2) the ownership and disposition of million of shares of the
         Company's stock, which vanished from the "principal and
         management shareholders" list in the Company's filing.

The Company has still failed to explain these irregularities which only
came to light as a result of the efforts of an investigative financial
journalist, Herb Greenberg of TheStreet.com. As a result of the
eventual disclosure of this concealed information, the price of the
Company's stock plunged over 60% in one day.

For more information, contact Stull, Stull & Brody by Phone: 1-888-388-
4605 or visit the firm's Website: http://www.secfraud.com


APW LTD.: Marc Henzel Sues For Securities Act Violations in E.D. WI
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Law Office of Marc S. Henzel initiated a securities class action in
the United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, on
behalf of purchasers of the securities of APW, Ltd. (NYSE: APW) between
September 26, 2000 and March 20, 2001, inclusive. The action is pending
against the Company and Directors Richard G. Sim and William P.
Albrecht.

The suit alleges that defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated
thereunder, by issuing materially false and misleading statements to
the market. Specifically, throughout the class period, defendants
repeatedly issued statements indicating that, among other things, the
Company was growing at a rapid pace, due, in significant part, to
strong demand for its product offerings by its customers.

The suit alleges that these statements were materially false and
misleading because, among other things, they failed to disclose or
misrepresented that:

     (1) in fact, the Company was experiencing decreased demand for its
         products as its primary customers were substantially
         decreasing their orders;

     (2) due to the declining demand, the Company's customers were
         overstocked with products and, accordingly, would be
         decreasing their orders in the future while they worked down
         their bloated inventories; and

     (3) in response to these negative factors, the Company was
         attempting to slash costs and, in this regard, had started to
         reduce its workforce.

In March 2001, the defendants finally disclosed this information and
reported that the Company's sales growth had slowed dramatically and
reported a loss of $0.15 per share, compared to analysts' expectations
of a $0.27 per share profit. Defendants also disclosed that the
Company's reduced performance, combined with other factors, caused it
to be in breach of certain covenants in its credit agreement.

In response to this announcement, the price of the Company's common
stock dropped from $20.65 per share on March 20, 2001, to close at
$7.39 per share on March 21, 2001. Prior to this disclosure, defendant
Albrecht was able to sell shares of his personally-held stock for gross
proceeds of more than $1.7 million and the Company was able to complete
its acquisition of Mayville Metal Products, which was partially paid
for using the Company's stock as currency.

For more information, contact Marc S. Henzel by Mail: 273 Montgomery
Ave., Suite 202, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 by Phone: 610-660-8000 or 888-
643-6735 by Fax: 610-660-8080 by E-Mail: mhenzel182@aol.com or visit
the firm's Website: http://members.aol.com/mhenzel182
      

GLOBIX CORPORATION: Stull Stull Commences Securities Suit in S.D. NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Stull Stull and Brody initiated a securities class action in the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, on behalf
of those who purchased or otherwise acquired common stock of Globix
Corporation (NASDAQ: GBIX) between November 16, 2000 and December 27,
2001, inclusive against the Company and:

     (1) Marc Bell,

     (2) Peter Herzig, and

     (3) Brian Reach

The suit charges that defendants violated federal and state securities
laws by, among other things, issuing false misleading statements
regarding the Company's financial condition as well as its present and
future business prospects.

As alleged in the complaint, in November 2000, in an effort to
stabilize the price of Company stock and to assuage investor concerns
over the Company continuing as going concern, defendants set-forth the
Company's business plan which stated in no uncertain terms that it
would be fully funded to fiscal 2003 and thereafter cash flow positive.
This sentiment was repeated in the Company's annual report filed on
Form 10-K with the Securities Exchange Commission and numerous times
thereafter in Company press releases and conference calls.

Despite such assurances, in December 2001, the defendants shocked the
investing community by announcing that management had been secretly
negotiating with its bondholders and preferred stock holders to
effectuate a pre-packaged bankruptcy that would result in a near total
dilution of the existing common stockholders' interest in the Company.

For more information, contact Michael D. Braun by Phone: 888-388-4605
by E-mail: mbraun@secfraud.com or visit the firm's Website:
http://www.secfraud.com.



HOMESTORE.COM: Abbey Gardy Commences Securities Suit in C.D. California
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Abbey Gardy LLP initiated a securities class action on behalf of all
persons who acquired Homestore.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOMS) common stock
between July 20, 2000 and December 21, 2001 in the United States
District Court for the Central District of California against the
Company and:

     (1) Stuart H. Wolff, Chairman and CEO,

     (2) Peter B. Tafeen, Vice President of Business Development, and

     (3) Joseph J. Slew, CFO

The suit charges defendants with violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated
thereunder and alleges, among other things, that defendants issued a
series of materially false and misleading statement regarding the
Company's financial condition.

The suit alleges that as part of their effort to boost the price of the
Company's stock, defendants misrepresented its true prospects in an
effort to conceal the Company's improper acts until they were able to
sell at least $16 million of their own stock. In order to overstate
revenues and assets in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Quarters 2000 and the 1st, 2nd
and 3rd Quarter 2001, the Company violated generally accepted
accounting principles and SEC rules by engaging in improper
transactions. These transactions had the effect of dramatically
overstating revenues and assets.

On December 21, 2001, the Company disclosed that the Board of Directors
was conducting an inquiry into the Company's accounting practices. The
Company announced that it would restate certain of its financial
statements. In response to this announcement, the NASDAQ stock market
halted trading of the Company's stock.

On January 2, 2002, the Company announced that based on the inquiry to
date, it has overstated its on-line advertising revenues in the first 3
quarters of 2001 by between $54 million and $95 million in connection
with certain advertising transactions that should have been accounted
for as barter transactions. The Company also announced that its 2000
fiscal results may also be restated.

The suit alleges that defendants knew that the Company's revenues were
inflated and sold thousands of shares of their holdings while in
possession of that adverse information. The suit further alleges that
defendants' misrepresentations caused the price of common stock to be
artificially inflated throughout the class period.

For further details, contact Nancy Kaboolian by Phone: 800-889-03701 or
1-800-889-3701 by E-mail: NKaboolian@abbeygardy.com or visit the firm's
Website: http://www.abbeygardy.com  


HOMESTORE.COM: Berger Montague Commences Securities Suit in C.D. CA
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Berger & Montague PC filed a class action suit against Homestore.com,
Inc. (Nasdaq: HOMS) and certain of its principal officers and directors
in the United States District Court for the Central District of
California on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased the
Company's stock between July 20, 2000 and December 21, 2001, inclusive.  

The suit alleges that defendants violated Section 10(b) and 20(a) of
the Securities and Exchange Act of l934 by issuing a series of
materially false and misleading statements about the Company's
financial results for part of 2000 and the first three quarters of
2001.

More specifically, on December 21, 2001, after the close of the market,
the Company admitted that its past accounting for its prior results was
inaccurate, and that it would have to restate certain of its financial
statements. On this news, the Company's shares were halted and have not
traded since.

Then, on January 2, 2002, defendants admitted that the Company's
revenue for 2001 had been overstated by as much as $95 million. The
Company stated that an internal investigation revealed that between $54
million and $95 million of barter transactions during the first three
quarters of 2001 were booked incorrectly as advertising transactions.
The restatement could amount to as much as 27 percent of the Company's
revenue during the first three quarters of 2001. The defendants also
admitted that "additional material restatements" could follow,
including restatements of financial results for 2000.

The suit alleges that, as a result of these false and misleading
statements, the price of the Company's common stock was artificially
inflated throughout the class period, causing plaintiff and other
members of the class to suffer damages.

For more information, contact Sherrie R. Savett, Michael T. Fantini or
Kimberly A. Walker by Mail: 1622 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
by Phone: 888-891-2289 or 215-875-3000 by Fax: 215-875-5715 by E-mail:
InvestorProtect@bm.net or visit the firm's Website:
http://www.bergermontague.com


RENT-A-CENTER INC.: Milberg Weiss Lodges Securities Suit in E.D. TX
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Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP initiated a securities class
action on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Rent-A-Center Inc.
(NASDAQ: RCII) between April 25, 2001 and October 8, 2001 inclusive in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,
Texarkana Division against the Company and:

     (1) J. Ernest Talley, Chairman and CEO until October 8, 2001,

     (2) Mitchell E. Fadel, President and Director,

     (3) Robert D. Davis, CFO and Treasurer and

     (4) Mark E. Speese, Director until October 8, 2001, thereafter
         Chairman and CEO

The suit charges that defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated
thereunder, by issuing a series of materially false and misleading
statements to the market between April 25, 2001 and October 8, 2001.

For example, in April 2001, the Company issued a press release
announcing record results for the first quarter of 2001 and
highlighting its resilience in a weakening economy. The representations
in the press release were, according to the allegations of the
complaint, materially false and misleading because the Company did not
disclose that its expenses were rising dramatically as it attempted to
combat weakening demand with deep discounts and promotions.

While in possession of this adverse non-public information, the Company
completed a secondary offering of 3,200,000 shares of its common stock
at $42.50 per share, on May 25, 2001. Defendant Talley sold 1,700,000
shares in the secondary offering, grossing over $72 million, and
defendant Speese sold 500,000 shares, grossing over $21 million. Then,
on May 31, 2001, defendant Talley sold an additional 1,955,000 shares
of common stock at $40.38 per share, grossing over $78 million.

Subsequently, on October 8, 2001, only five months after the secondary
offering, the Company issued a press release announcing that earnings
for the third and fourth quarter of 2001 would be significantly less
than its previous guidance to the market, due to rising expenses. In
response to this announcement, the Company's stock price dropped by 19%
in one day on heavy trading volume.

For more information, contact Steven G. Schulman or Samuel H. Rudman by
Mail: One Pennsylvania Plaza, 49th fl. New York, NY, 10119-0165 by
Phone: 800-320-5081 by E-mail: rentacentercase@milbergNY.com or visit
the firm's Website: http://www.milberg.com/rentacenter/


VAN WAGONER: Milberg Weiss Commences Securities Suit in Delaware Court
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP initiated a securities class
action on behalf of purchasers of the shares of Van Wagoner Emerging
Growth Fund (NASDAQ: VWEGX) between April 28, 2000 and June 30, 2001,
inclusive. The suit was filed in the United States District Court for
the District of Delaware against the Fund and defendants:

     (1) Van Wagoner Funds Inc.,

     (2) Van Wagoner Capital Management Inc.,

     (3) Garrett Van Wagoner,

     (4) Ernst & Young, LLP and

     (5) Sunstone Financial Group Inc.

The lawsuit charges that defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated
thereunder, Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Section 36(b) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, by issuing a series of materially
false and misleading statements to the market between April 28, 2000
and June 30, 2001.

The suit also alleges that defendants filed, during the class period, a
registration statement and annual report with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which purported to report the Fund's net asset
value (NAV) and performance. The suit further alleges that the
representations concerning the Fund's performance were materially false
and misleading because defendants had materially overvalued certain
private companies held by the Fund, inflating its NAV and causing the
price of the its shares to be artificially inflated throughout the
class period.  The true value of the private companies' securities was
revealed, for the first time, on June 30, 2001, when the Fund filed its
Semi-Annual Report for the year 2001.

For more information, Steven G. Schulman or Samuel H. Rudman by Mail:
One Pennsylvania Plaza, 49th fl., New York, NY, 10119-0165 by Phone:
800-320-5081 by E-mail: vanwagonercase@milbergNY.com or visit the
firm's Website: http://www.milberg.com


WILLAMETTE INDUSTRIES: Sued By WPM Co. For Breach of Fiduciary Duty
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Wyser-Pratte Management Co. Inc (WPM) is commencing a class action
against certain officers and directors of Willamette Industries for
breach of fiduciary duty in connection with their announcement
rejecting a $55 tender offer from Weyerhauser, Inc.  Joining the
litigation as a named plaintiff is Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, on
behalf of its advisory clients, including Mutual Series, a member of
Franklin Templeton Investments.

Among other allegations, the suit contends that Willamette officials
have engaged in an ongoing pattern of entrenchment, designed to deprive
public shareholders of any ability to assess and accept a significant
premium for their Willamette shares. Such actions violate the duty of
honesty and full disclosure to its shareholders, the suit asserts.

WPM President, Guy Wyser-Pratte said in a press statement, "We simply
want directors to act in the best interests of shareholders, especially
in contrasting a $55 cash offer with unknown and potentially
unprecedented asbestos liability exposure. We have seen mishap after
mishap where directors seem to disregard their duties of loyalty and
good faith to the detriment of public shareholders. Enron was a classic
example and we want to avoid a repeat performance. We believe
shareholders who are tendering their shares reflect strong support for
the option presented Weyerhaeuser, and a strong repudiation of actions
by Willamette directors."

For more information, contact Eric Longmire by Phone: 212-495-5350 or
Holly Gibson Brady by Phone: 650-312-4701.

                              *********


S U B S C R I P T I O N   I N F O R M A T I O N

Class Action Reporter is a daily newsletter, co-published by
Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc., Trenton, New Jersey, and
Beard Group, Inc., Washington, D.C.  Enid Sterling, Aurora Fatima
Antonio and Lyndsey Resnick, Editors.

Copyright 2002.  All rights reserved.  ISSN 1525-2272.

This material is copyrighted and any commercial use, resale or
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Information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be
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