UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

LITIGATION RELEASE NO. 17406 / March 11, 2002

   PAUL DOUGLAS CATCHINGS - A FUGITIVE FOR FOUR YEARS - ARRESTED AND
   INDICTED FOR CONSPIRACY AND FRAUD

   On February 1, 2002 the United States Attorney for the Central
   District of California announced that Paul Douglas Catchings was
   arrested after arriving in the United States at San Francisco
   International Airport on an international flight from Bankok,
   Thailand. The U.S. Attorney also announced that Catchings has been
   indicted for, among other things, conspiracy, mail fraud, and
   securities fraud in connection with the operation of First Zurich
   National, USA, LLC and Compunomics 139, Inc. If convicted of all
   charges Catchings could face a sentence of 55 years in federal prison.

   On February 13, 1998, the United States District Court for the
   District of Wyoming issued an order for civil contempt and arrest
   against Paul Douglas Catchings for violating the Court's temporary
   restraining orders of February 10, 1998 and February 3, 1998. The
   Court also issued a preliminary injunction against First Zurich
   National USA, LLC ("First Zurich"), Compunomics and Catchings in an
   action involving an affinity fraud largely targeting African
   Americans. The Court enjoined each from violating the antifraud
   provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange
   Act of 1934.

   Also indicted with Catchings was Tony Alvin Ashley, age 41 of Las
   Vegas, Nevada, formerly the chief financial officer for Compunomics
   and Marcus Bruce Farrow of Compton, California who was formerly
   Compunomics' chief operating officer. Ashley has agreed to plead
   guilty to conspiracy and mail fraud charges.

   Securities and Exchange Commission v. First Zurich National USA, LLC,
   Compunomics 139, Inc. and Paul Douglas Catchings, Civil Action No.
   98-CV-29D (USDC WY)

   For Further information on the SEC's civil action see litigation
   releases (February 3, 1998); (February 10, 1998); (February 18, 1998);
   (December 29, 1998).
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Modified 03/12/2002