BRIEFCASE NORTHROP TO HEED JUSTICE REQUEST.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

CENTURY CITY - Northrop Grumman Corp. announced Thursday that it intends to ``comply promptly'' with a request from the U.S. Department of Justice for additional information regarding its proposed acquisition of TRW Inc.

The request came late Wednesday, according to Northrop Grumman, which said it was expected.

The company also reiterated that it does not anticipate any significant antitrust issues.

The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act will expire 30 days after Northrop Grumman substantially complies with the request - unless it's extended by court order or by the consent of the company.

On Feb. 22, Northrop Grumman sent a letter to TRW, offering to negotiate a proposed transaction in which its shareholders would receive a number of shares of common stock of Northrop Grumman equal to $47 per TRW share.

On March 3, Northrop Grumman announced it had begun an exchange offer for all outstanding shares of common stock and preference stock of TRW.

Northrop Grumman filed notification March 11 with the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission of its intention to acquire TRW.

Pinnacle names Mirage man CEO 

GLENDALE - Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. announced Thursday that former Mirage Resorts executive Daniel R. Lee will become the Glendale company's chief executive officer and board chairman, subject to regulatory approvals.

Lee, formerly chief financial officer and senior vice president of development of Mirage Resorts, will replace Paul Alanis, who resigned.

The company also announced that it expects to report a quarterly net loss in the range of $2.5 million to $3.7 million, or 10 cents to 15 cents per diluted share before any goodwill impairment charges, compared with analysts' estimates of a net loss of 22 cents to 25 cents per diluted share.

Importers expand jelly candy recall

WASHINGTON - Two more importers of an Asian-made jelly candy that poses a choking hazard to children are recalling their brands.

The recalls by Fuwa Trading Co. of El Monte and Oriental Foodbank of Commerce bring to at least 20 the number of recalls of conjac jelly candy, also known as konjac, konnyakku or yam flour.

Six American children have died from this type of sticky candy, sold by myriad small companies under dozens of brand names.

The brightly colored gel candies come in mouth-size servings, often with a piece of fruit embedded inside. The fruit does not readily dissolve, and rescue workers have reported being unable to dislodge the sticky gel from the throats of choking children.

Recalled Thursday were 100 cases of mini jelly candies sold under the Fuji brand name in retail establishments in California, Nevada and Arizona.

The Food and Drug Administration urged consumers to return the candies to the place of purchase for a refund.

Korn/Ferry drops Andersen for E&Y

Korn/Ferry International announced Thursday that its Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young as the independent accountants for the firm, replacing embattled Arthur Andersen LLP.

The international executive search firm, with nearly 90 offices in 36 countries, is based in Los Angeles.

APP to distribute anti-cancer drug

American Pharmaceutical Partners has entered into an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with SuperGen Inc. for generic mitomycin.

Mitomycin is used in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the stomach and pancreas in combination with other approved chemotherapeutic agents, and is the generic equivalent of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Mutamycin.

Under the agreement, APP will be the exclusive marketer in the United States of SuperGen's mitomycin to the hospital market, alternate care sites and government entities, both federal and state.