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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of l934
Date of Report: August 16, 1996
(Date of earliest event reported)
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FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
1-7806 7l-0427007
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
2005 Corporate Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38l32
(Address of principal executive offices)
(901) 369-3600
(Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
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In its Current Reports on Form 8-K dated April 30, 1996 and June
7, 1996, Federal Express Corporation (the "Company" and the "Registrant")
reported the filing by customers of the Company of three separate
class-action lawsuits generally alleging that the Company has breached its
contract with the plaintiffs in transporting packages shipped by them by
continuing to collect a 6.25% federal excise tax on the transportation of
property shipped by air after the tax expired on December 31, 1995.
A fourth class-action lawsuit was filed against the Company on
August 16, 1996 in the Circuit Court of Greene County, Alabama. This
lawsuit contains allegations substantially similar to the first three
lawsuits and alleges that the Company has obtained a benefit in excess of
$30,000,000 at the expense of the plaintiffs. Like the first three cases,
the plaintiffs seek certification as a class action, damages, and an award
of attorneys fees and costs. The plaintiffs in the Alabama case also seek
punitive damages against the Company and prejudgment interest. A
conditional order granting nationwide class-action status has been issued
by Circuit Court in the Alabama case.
During June 1996, the Company reached an agreement with the
plaintiffs in the first three lawsuits to consolidate them in the United
States District Court for the District of Minnesota. The plaintiffs in
these cases are in the process of filing the necessary motions to
accomplish this consolidation.
On August 20, 1996, President Clinton signed legislation
reenacting the 6.25% federal excise tax on the transportation of property
shipped by air effective August 27, 1996.
The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in these cases.
No amount has been reserved for these contingencies.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
FEDERAL EXPRESS CORPORATION
By: /s/ JAMES S. HUDSON
_______________________________
James S. Hudson
Vice President & Controller
(principal accounting officer)
Dated: August 28, 1996
