SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Litigation Release No. 17352 / February 5, 2002

   SEC v. Wayne F. Gorsek, Lyndell Parks, P. Brenden Gebben and Troy
   Justus, U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, C.A.
   No. 99 CV 3072 (JES)

   Jury Finds P. Brenden Gebben Liable for Unlawful Stock Touting,
   Judge Directs Verdict For the Commission against Gebben for Securities
   Fraud

   On Wednesday, January 30, 2002, after deliberating for two hours, a
   jury in the federal district court for the Central District of
   Illinois in Springfield, Illinois, found that defendant P. Brenden
   Gebben ("Gebben") violated Section 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933
   ("Securities Act"), the anti-touting provision of the Securities Act.
   The previous day, on January 29, 2002, U.S. District Court Judge
   Jeanne E. Scott directed a verdict in the Commission's favor on its
   claim that Gebben violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange
   Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act").

   Gebben was the "Lead Analyst" and "Assistant Director of Research and
   Communications" of Strategic Investment Advisory ("SIA"), a company
   based in Springfield, Illinois. The Commission's complaint alleged
   that Gebben, along with co-defendants Wayne F. Gorsek, Lyndell Parks,
   and Troy Justus, fraudulently promoted approximately 20 microcap
   companies through SIA. The Complaint alleged that SIA deceived
   investors into believing that it was an independent securities
   research firm providing objective investment advice about
   "undiscovered" companies. In fact, the SEC alleged, SIA was merely a
   paid promotional firm that uncritically published glowingly optimistic
   recommendations of the securities of its clients in exchange for cash
   and securities.

   In April 2001, Judge Scott granted the Commission's motion for summary
   judgment against defendants Gorsek and Parks and found them liable for
   violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5
   thereunder, and Section 17(b) of the Securities Act for their conduct
   at SIA. The Court will hold further proceedings on the Commission's
   claims that Gorsek and Parks defrauded their brokerage customers in
   violation of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act, and Section 10(b) of
   the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, while they were
   registered representatives and owners of Strategic Investments, Inc.,
   a Springfield, Illinois-based broker-dealer.

   The Court also previously entered a consent judgment against defendant
   Justus that permanently restrained and enjoined him from violating