Deadlines Loom for Shareholders Seeking Lead Plaintiff Status In Fraud Actions, According To Berman DeValerio & Pease LLP.

Business Editors & Legal Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 2000

Berman, DeValerio & Pease LLP, a law firm that has represented wronged investors since 1982, today announced that shareholders wishing to appear as lead plaintiffs face September deadlines in securities fraud class actions against Anicom Inc., Avista Corp., CapRock Communications Corp., MTI Technology, Inc., and Unify Corporation.

Please read the following news items to determine whether you are a member of the class and, if so, the date by which you must petition the court for lead plaintiff status. You may contact Berman, DeValerio & Pease to learn more about your rights and interests in these cases and your ability to potentially recoup your losses, or you may hire counsel of your own choice.

Anicom Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIC)

Anicom is charged with issuing false financial statements. The company announced that it is "investigating . . . possible accounting irregularities, which if confirmed, could result in revision of previously issued financial statements." It also warned investors that its 1998 and 1999 financial statements are not reliable and placed its president and chief executive officer and its chief financial officer on "administrative leave." If you purchased Anicom stock during the period February 24, 1998 through July 18, 2000, you may be eligible for inclusion in the class. The lead plaintiff motion must be filed by September 18, 2000.

AVISTA CORP. (NYSE: AVA)

The case charges that, despite assurances to the contrary, Avista entered into derivative contracts as a means to "limit the exposure to market risk." After the price of electricity skyrocketed, Avista suffered staggering losses on these derivative contracts. Its stock price plunged in reaction to these revelations. If you purchased Avista common stock during the period April 7, 2000 through June 21, 2000 and suffered a loss on your investment, you may be eligible for inclusion in the class. The lead plaintiff motion must be filed by September 26, 2000.

CAPROCK COMMUNICATIONS CORP. (NASDAQ: CPRK)

CapRock and its top officers are charged with knowing that $30 million of an expected $70 million in revenues would not be achieved because the sales contract for the $30 million in revenues had never been signed. CapRock completed an $83 million common stock offering just days before acknowledging the lack of expected revenue. The announcement caused its stock price to plummet as low as $12 per share from a Class Period-high of $36 per share. Investors who purchased between April 28, 2000 and July 6, 2000 may participate in the class action. The lead plaintiff motion deadline is September 25, 2000.

MTI TECHNOLOGY, INC. (NASDAQ: MTIC)

Shareholders have accused MTI Technology of failing to disclose a new commissions and bonus plan that caused the company to report a loss for its 1999 fiscal fourth quarter. The lawsuit charges that while knowing the company would lose money in its fourth quarter, MTI's top officers sold more than $12 million of their stock. Investors who purchased shares between July 22, 1999 and July 27, 2000 may be part of the class. The lead plaintiff motion is to be filed by September 29, 2000.

UNIFY CORPORATION (NASDAQ: UNFY)

Unify and certain of its officers are charged with causing the company to report false financial statements. The company has stated that it "engaged in improper accounting practices" and that previously issued financial statements would have to be restated. Prior to the public announcement of the improper practices, top company officers sold almost $8 million worth of their common stock. If you purchased Unify common stock between May 19, 1999 and July 28, 2000 you may be part of the class. Motions for lead plaintiff must to be filed by September 29, 2000.

With offices in Boston and San Francisco, Berman, DeValerio & Pease LLP has prosecuted shareholder class actions since 1982, recovering more than $1 billion for defrauded investors during that time. The firm has acted as lead counsel in numerous lawsuits in which its clients accused companies of violating federal securities laws. It prides itself on its responsiveness to shareholders and their needs.

If you are an investor in any of the companies listed above, or have any questions about any of these securities class actions, please contact the firm at [phone]. To be participant in any of these class actions, you need not take any action at this time. If you do have questions, please call us and ask to speak to one of the attorneys handling the case you are seeking information about or ask for Jeffrey C. Block, Esq. or Michael G. Lange, Esq. You can also write the firm at One Liberty Square, Boston, MA 02109, send us a facsimile at [phone] or send us an e-mail at [e-mail].

To learn more about any of these cases, or class actions in general, visit the firm's website at www.bermanesq.com.