EMPIRE OF CAROLINA INC
10-K405/A, 2000-05-02
GAMES, TOYS & CHILDREN'S VEHICLES (NO DOLLS & BICYCLES)
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================================================================================
                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K/A

(Mark One)
[X]     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
                                OR

[  ]    TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
        ACT OF 1934

         For the transition period from _____________ to _______________

                          Commission file number 1-7909

                            EMPIRE OF CAROLINA, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                  DELAWARE                                     13-2999480
         (State or other jurisdiction                         (IRS Employer
       of incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)

 5150 Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida                     33484
   (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (561) 498-4000

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

  Title of each class:                Name of each exchange on which registered:
  Common Stock, par value $.10        American Stock Exchange
  per share (including the
  associated preferred Stock
  Purchase Rights)

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item
405 of Regulation S-K (ss.229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive
proxy or information statements incorporated by reference to Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X ]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant, as of March 24, 2000, was $12,539,149 (assuming solely for the
purpose of this calculation that all directors and officers of the registrant
are "affiliates").

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock, par value
$.10 per share, as of March 24, 2000, was 20,062,639.

Documents Incorporated By Reference: None. Part III information contained
herein.


<PAGE>

                            EMPIRE OF CAROLINA, INC.

                                    FORM 10-K
                                      INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                                                                                     <C>
  PART III.................................................................................................

     ITEM 10.       DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.....................................
     ITEM 11.       EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.................................................................
     ITEM 12.       SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.........................
     ITEM 13.       CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.........................................

  PART IV.......    .......................................................................................

     ITEM 14.       EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K........................

  SIGNATURES...............................................................................................

</TABLE>


                                       2


<PAGE>

                                     PART I

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                         Age    Position
- ----                                         ---    -----------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>   <C>
Timothy Moran...........................      36    Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                                                    Executive Officer

Charles S. Holmes.......................      55    Director

Lenore H. Schupak.......................      45    Director

James J. Pinto..........................      48    Direcor

John J. Doran...........................      50    Director

Frederick W. Rosenbauer, Jr.............      65    Director

Mark S. Rose............................      57    Director

Thomas Wenzler..........................      33    Vice President and General Manager

Thomas MacDougall.......................      36    Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
</TABLE>

         Timothy Moran has served as a director, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company since May 1998. He was President and Chief Operating
Officer from February 1998 to May 1998. Since February 1993, Mr. Moran was
President of Apple Sports, Inc. and Apple Golf Shoes, Inc.

         Charles S. Holmes has served as a director of the Company since May
1997 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since June 1997. Since 1991, Mr.
Holmes has served as principal of and is the sole stockholder of Asset
Management Associates of New York, Inc. , a New York-based firm specializing in
acquisitions of manufacturing businesses. Mr. Holmes is also an officer of HPA
Associates, LLC.

         Lenore H. Schupak has served as a director of the Company since May
1997. Since 1990, Ms. Schupak has been President and principal owner of LHS
Environmental Management, Inc., a New Jersey based company which provides
environmental management consulting services in North America and Europe. From
1979 to 1989, she was an executive with American Standard, Inc., most recently
serving as Corporate Director, Environmental Technology.

         James J. Pinto has served as a director of the Company since September
1997. Since 1990, Mr. Pinto has been the President of the Private Finance Group
Corp. a merchant banking company, and has been an officer of HPA since October
1996. Mr. Pinto is a director of the following publicly traded companies:
Anderson Group, Inc. (an electronics manufacturer), Bristol Hotels and Resorts
and National Capital Management Corp.

         John J. Doran has served as a director of the Company since November
1997. Since September 1985, Mr. Doran has been the President of Citizens Medical
Corporation, a pharmacy benefit management company.


                                       3


<PAGE>


         Frederick W. Rosenbauer, Jr. has served as a director of the Company
since February 1998. In December 1998, Mr. Rosenbauer retired from the United
States Trust Company of New York, where he served as a Vice President since
1988.

         Mark S. Rose has served as a director of the Company since June 1999.
Mr. Rose has twelve years experience in the sporting goods industry. He served
as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Apple Sports, Inc. from
1986 until May 1998 when Apple Sports Inc. was purchased by the Company. Since
1991, he has been chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Clare
Rose of Nassau, Inc., an Anheuser Busch wholesale beverage distributor for Long
Island, New York.

         Thomas Wenzler has served as Vice President and General Manager of the
Company since September 1999. Since May 1997, Mr. Wenzler was Vice President and
General Manager of Apple/Dorson Sports Inc. Mr. Wenzler joined the Company in
May of 1991 as Regional Sales Manager. He was later promoted to General Manager
of Apple/Dorson Sports Inc. in May of 1993. Mr. Wenzler holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration from Towson State University.

         Thomas MacDougall has served as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Company since September 1999. Mr. MacDougall joined
Apple/Dorson Sports, Inc. in June of 1995 as controller. Prior to employment
with Apple Sports, Inc. Mr. MacDougall was the Financial Analyst for Collection
Clothing Corporation. Before Collection Clothing Corporation, Mr. MacDougall
served as controller of Stage II Apparel. Mr. MacDougall holds a Bachelor of
Business Administration degree in Accounting from Siena College.



ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

         The following summary compensation table (the "Compensation Table")
summarizes compensation information with respect to the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and each of the Company's most highly compensated executive
officers who earned on an annualized basis more than $100,000 for services
rendered during the year ended December 31, 1999 (collectively, the "Named
Executive Officers").



                                       4


<PAGE>

                           Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Securities      All Other
                                  Fiscal                             Other Annual       Underlying     Compensation
Name and Principal Positins(s)     Year     Salary($)  Bonus($)      Compensation       Options(#)         ($)
- ------------------------------    ------   ----------  --------      ------------       ----------     -------------
<S>                                <C>      <C>         <C>                   <C>         <C>                 <C>
Charles S. Holmes                  1999          0           0                0                 0             0
  (Chairman of the Board)          1998     80,328           0                0           112,500             0
  through 06/08/1999               1997     65,000           0                0                 0             0

Timothy Moran                      1999    200,000     200,000                0                 0             0
  (Chief Executive Officer and     1998    123,007     100,000                0           200,000             0
    President)(Chairman of the     1997          0           0                0           250,000             0
    Board- 06/08/1999 to present

Thomas Wenzler                     1999    127,892      12,423                0            50,000             0
  Vice President                   1998         --          --                0                --             0
                                   1997         --          --                0                --             0

Thomas MacDougall                  1999     73,462       1.404                0            10,000             0
  (Chief Financial Officer and     1998         --          --                0                --             0
  Secretary since 8/99)            1997         --          --                0                --             0
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------

        The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock
options granted to each of the Named Executive Officers during 1999:


                        Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Individual Grants
                   -------------------------------------------

                                          Percent of
                                            Total
                         Shares            Options
                       Underlying         Granted to          Exercise or                        Grant Date
                         Options           Employees          Base Price        Expiration         Present
                         Granted           in 1999(%)         ($/Share)            Date          Value ($)(1)
                      ------------        -----------        -------------     -------------    --------------
<S>                        <C>                 <C>           <C>                  <C>             <C>
Timothy Moran                   0               0.0          $        --              --          $     --

Thomas Wenzler             50,000              30.8          $       1.00         2/26/04         $     --

Thomas MacDougall          10,000               6.2          $       1.00         2/26/04         $     --
</TABLE>


- --------------------

(1) The amounts shown as present values were estimated using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model using the weighted-average assumptions of dividend yield of
0.0%, expected volatility of 114.98%, risk free interest rate of 5.05% and
expected life of 3 years.


                                       5


     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock
options granted to each of the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding at
December 31, 1999:

                           Aggregated Option Exercises
                 in Last Fiscal Year and Year-End Option Values
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Shares                                                               Value of Unexercised In-the-
                          Acquire                       Number of Unexercised Options                 Money Options (1)
                           Upon             Value       -------------------------------       -------------------------------
Name                   Exercise (#)        Realized     Exercisable      Unexercisable        Exercisable       Unexercisable
- ----------------       ------------        --------     -----------      -------------        -----------       -------------
<S>                             <C>               <C>      <C>                <C>                     <C>                   <C>
Timothy Moran                   0                 0        233,334            216,666                  0                    0

Thomas Wenzler                  0                 0              0             50,000                  0                    0

Thomas MacDougall               0                 0              0             10,000                  0                    0
</TABLE>


- --------------------
(1)  Based on the $.0.219 per share closing price of the Company's common stock
     on the American Stock Exchange on December 31, 1999.

Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment Arrangements

     On July 15, 1994, Steven Geller entered into an employment agreement
pursuant to which he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EII, the
Company's principal subsidiary. Subsequently, the obligations of EII under such
agreement were assigned to the Company, and Mr. Geller became Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The agreement provided for a
base salary of $300,000 per annum, which was increased by the Compensation
Committee to $325,000 per annum effective January 1, 1995. The initial term of
the agreement expired on July 15, 1998, provided that such term was
automatically extended for successive one-year periods on July 15 of each year
(the "Extension Date") commencing July 15, 1996, unless either the Company or
Mr. Geller gives 60 days' prior written notice to the other party that it or he
elects not to extend the term of the agreement.

     In May 1998, Mr. Geller agreed to terminate his employment contract in
consideration of the Compensation Committee's agreement to enter into a
consulting agreement with him. The agreement provided for a minimum one-year
term, a base salary of $100,000 per year and payment of certain expenses. In
addition, the Committee agreed to extend the period during which Mr. Geller's
stock options vest or may be exercised until June 1, 2003. The Company did not
renew Mr. Geller's consulting agreement beyond May 31, 1999.

Compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Company's directors and
executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the common stock
are required to file certain reports, within specified time periods, indicating
their holdings of and transactions in the common stock. Based solely on a review
of such reports provided to the Company and written representations from such
persons regarding the necessity to file such reports, the Company has determined
that the Company's directors and executive officers and beneficial owners of
more than 10% of the common stock timely filed all required Section 16 reports
during 1999.


                                       6


<PAGE>


Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 1999, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors was
composed of independent, outside directors, Mr. James Pinto and Ms. Lenore
Schupak. As noted above, the Company's compensation program for its executives
is administered by the Board of Directors with the advice and counsel of the
Compensation Committee. As a result, Mr. Moran provides input to the
deliberations by the Committee and the Board concerning executive compensation.
Mr. Moran did not vote as a member of the Board in the Board action which
affected his compensation.

Neither of the compensation committee members is or has been an officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, neither Mr.
Pinto nor Ms. Schupak has, or has had, any relationship with the Company which
is required to be disclosed under "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions." No Company executive officer currently serves on the compensation
committee or any similar committee of another public company.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.


         The table below shows, as of April 28, 2000, the number of shares of
common stock and Series A preferred stock beneficially owned by:

     o    each person who we know beneficially owns more than 5% of the common
          stock,

     o    each director,

     o    each executive officer included in the Summary Compensation Table, and

     o    all executive officers and directors as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Percentage
                                                     Common              Series A          Series C          Ownership on
 Name And Address of Beneficial                       Stock             Preferred         Preferred           an As Voted
            Owner(1)                               Ownership(2)         Stock (3)          Stock (4)           Basis(5)
- ------------------------------------------    ------------------    ---------------    -----------------   ---------------
<S>                                                <C>                     <C>                    <C>           <C>
Timothy Moran                                      1,914,103(6)             50,000                    0          6.0%

Charles S. Holmes                                  4,517,742(7)            145,000                    0         12.8%

James J. Pinto                                     3,922,919(8)            110,000                    0         11.2%

Mark S. Rose                                       2,966,538(9)             50,000                    0          9.4%

John J. Doran                                      1,389,167(10)            10,000                    0          4.4%

Frederick W. Rosenbauer, Jr                           81,667(11)                 0                    0            *

Lenore H. Schupak                                    262,501(12)            22,500                    0            *

Thomas Wenzler                                        16,667(13)                 0                    0            *

Thomas MacDougall                                      3,334(14)                 0                    0            *

All Current or Proposed Directors                 15,074,638               387,500                    0         37.3%
and Executive Officers as a                             62.5%                 29.3%                 0.0%
Group (9 persons above)

          Other 5% Stockholders

WPG Corporate Development                          6,421,325(15)                 0                1,148         17.4%
Associates, IV, L.P.                                    24.0%                  0.0%                76.5%
  One New York Plaza
  New York, New York 10004

</TABLE>

                                       7


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              Percentage
                                                     Common              Series A          Series C          Ownership on
 Name And Address of Beneficial                       Stock             Preferred         Preferred           an As Voted
            Owner(1)                               Ownership(2)         Stock (3)          Stock (4)           Basis(5)
- ------------------------------------------    ------------------    ---------------    -----------------   ---------------
<S>                                                <C>                     <C>                    <C>           <C>
WPB Corporate Developments                         1,513,006(16)                 0                  277          4.6%
Associates, IV (Overseas, Ltd.                           6.8%                  0.0%                18.5%
  One New York Plaza
  New York, New York 10004

J. F. Shea Co., Inc. as Nominee                    1,600,000(17)           200,000                    0          4.9%
  Edmund H. Shea, Jr., VP                                7.1%                 15.1%                 0.0%
  655 Brea Canyon Road
  Walnut Creek, CA 91789

* Less than 1%.
</TABLE>

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons and entities
named in the above table is care of Empire of Carolina, Inc., 5150 Linton
Boulevard, Delray Beach, Florida 33484. Unless otherwise indicated, each person
has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares listed in the
table, subject to community property laws, where applicable.

(2) For purposes of this column, a person or group of persons is deemed to have
"beneficial ownership" of any shares of common stock which such person has the
right to acquire within 60 days. For purposes of computing the percentage of
outstanding shares of common stock held by each person or group of persons, any
security which such person or group of persons has the right to acquire within
60 days is deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership for such person or persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for
the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(3) Percentages are based solely upon the number of shares of Series A preferred
stock held as of April 28, 2000. As of April 28, 2000, 1,322,487 shares of
Series A preferred stock were outstanding. Each share of Series A preferred
stock has a stated value of $10 (the "Stated Value"). Each share of Series A
preferred stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into
common stock at a rate of one share of common stock for each $1.25 of Stated
Value of Series A preferred stock. Each share of Series A preferred stock votes
on all matters to be voted on by the Common Holders on an as if converted basis.

(4) There are a total of 1,500 shares of Series C preferred stock authorized,
and, as of April 28, 2000, 1450.9607 of such shares were outstanding. Holdings
of Series C preferred stock have been rounded to the nearest whole number in the
chart. Each share of Series C preferred stock has a Stated Value per share of
$10,000 and is convertible at any time, at the option of the holder thereof,
into one share of common stock for every $2.00 of Stated Value of Series C
preferred stock. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law or the Company's
Certificate of Designation of the Series C preferred stock or Bylaws, the Series
C preferred stock is non-voting.


                                        8
<PAGE>


(5) On an "as voted" basis, as of April 28, 2000, a total of 31,277,735 shares
of common stock would be outstanding. This amount is composed of (i) the
20,967,839 shares of common stock outstanding and (ii) the 10,579,896 shares of
common stock issuable upon conversion of the 1,322,487 shares of Series A
preferred stock outstanding, reflecting a conversion rate of 8 for 1. Common
stock and Series A preferred stock are the only voting stock of the Company
which is currently outstanding. The percentage represents the percentage of such
total represented by the shares of common stock owned by each such person as
reflected in the column of this table headed "Common Stock Ownership."

(6) Represents (a) 50,000 shares of Series A preferred stock which Mr. Moran has
the right to convert into 400,000 shares of common stock, (b) 50,000 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of
$1.375 per share, (c) 1,230,769 shares of common stock and (d) options to
purchase 233,334 shares pursuant to the 1994 and 1998 Option Plans which are
exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.

(7) Represents (a) 145,000 shares of Series A preferred stock which are
convertible into 1,160,000 shares of common stock; (b) 2,773,752 shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants by Mr. Holmes at an exercise
price of $1.375 per share; (c) 370,656 shares of common stock and (d) 113,334
shares of common stock which Mr. Holmes has the right to acquire within sixty
days pursuant to options granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan.

(8) Represents: I. Securities owned directly by Mr. Pinto: (a) 24,500 shares of
Series A preferred stock which are convertible into 196,000 shares of common
stock; (b) 2,613,252 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
warrants at an exercise price of $1.375 per share; (c) 237,500 shares of common
stock and (d) 116,667 shares of common stock which Mr. Pinto has the right to
acquire within sixty days pursuant to options granted under the 1994 Stock
Option Plan and the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. II. Securities
owned by TelCom Partners, L.P. of which Mr. Pinto is the sole general partner
and has shared voting and investment power: (a) 72,500 shares of Series A
preferred stock which are convertible into 580,000 shares of common stock and
(b) 62,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an
exercise price of $1.375 per share. III. Securities owned by Churchill
Associates, L.P., of which Mr. Pinto owns 50% of Churchill, Inc., the sole
general partner and has shared voting and investment power: (a) 13,000 shares of
Series A preferred stock which are convertible into 104,000 shares of common
stock and (b) 13,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of
warrants at an exercise price of $1.375 per share.

(9) Represents (a) 2,362,692 shares of common stock owned directly by Mr. Rose,
(b) 153,846 shares of common stock owned by E. Joy Rose, over which Mr. Rose has
shared voting and investment power, (c) 50,000 shares of Series A preferred
stock which are convertible into 400,000 shares of common stock, (d) 50,000
shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise
price of $1.375 per share, and 1,667 shares of common stock which Mr. rose has
the right to acquire within sixty days pursuant to options granted under the
Non-Emloyee Director Stock Option Plan.

(10) Represents (a) 45,000 shares of common stock, (b) 10,000 shares of Series A
preferred stock which are convertible into 80,000 shares of common stock, (c)
10,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an
exercise price of $1.375 per share and (d) 4,167 shares of common stock which
Mr. Doran has the right to acquire within sixty days pursuant to options granted
under the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

(11) Represents (a) 77,500 shares of common stock and (b) 4,167 shares of common
stock which Mr. Rosenbauer has the right to acquire within sixty days pursuant
to options granted under the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.


                                       9


<PAGE>


(12) Represents (a) 55,000 shares of common stock, (b) 22,500 shares of Series A
preferred stock which are convertible into 180,000 shares of common stock, (c)
22,500 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an
exercise price of $1.375 per share and (d) 5,001 shares of common stock which
Ms. Schupak has the right to acquire within sixty days pursuant to options
granted under the Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

(13) Includes 16,667 shares of common stock which Mr. Wenzler has the right to
acquire within sixty days pursuant to options granted under the 1994 Employee
Stock Option Plan.

(14) Includes 3,334 shares of common stock which Mr. MacDougall has the right to
acquire within sixty days pursuant to options granted under the 1994 Employee
Stock Option Plan.

(15) Includes (a) 679,127 shares of common stock, and (b) 1,148.4396 shares of
Series C preferred stock which is currently convertible into 5,742,198 shares of
common stock. Voting and dispositive powers are exercised through its fund
investment adviser member, WPG P.E. Fund Adviser, L.P.

(16) Includes (a) 128,363 shares of common stock, and (b) 277 shares of Series C
preferred stock which is currently convertible into 1,384,643 shares of common
stock. Voting and dispositive powers are exercised through its overseas general
partner, WPG CDA IV (Overseas), Ltd.

(17) Includes 200,000 shares of Series A preferred stock which are convertible
into 1,600,000 shares of common stock.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

              The Company's policy is that all transactions between the Company
and its executive officers, directors and principal shareholders occurring
outside the ordinary course of the Company's business be on terms no less
favorable than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties or are subject
to the approval of the Company's disinterested directors.

In connection with the Series A preferred stock transactions described in Note 8
to the Financial Statements, the following members of the Company's Board of
Directors made investments in the Company during 1997, which balances may
subsequently have changed through December 31, 1999:

                                     Shares of               Warrants to
                                      Series A                 Acquire

                                  Preferred Stock           Common Stock

                                  -----------------        ----------------
        Charles S. Holmes              125,000               2,753,752
        James  J. Pinto                100,000               2,678,752
        Lenore H. Schupak               22,500                  22,500
        John Doran                      10,000                  10,000


                                       10



<PAGE>


Timothy Moran, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, who was a
significant shareholder of the Apple Companies, and Mark S. Rose, the majority
shareholder of the Apple Companies, participated in the Series A preferred stock
transactions, acquiring 50,000 shares of Series A preferred stock and warrants
to acquire 50,000 shares of common stock, each. Mark S. Rose is the
father-in-law of Timothy Moran.

Weiss, Peck & Greer, L.L.C. ("WPG"), on behalf of investment funds for which
they were managers, in June 1997 exchanged $14,900,000 of debentures for 1,490
newly-issued Series C preferred stock of the Company. See Note 8 to the
Financial Statements. WPG released, among other things, their claims to accrued
and unpaid interest, fees and expenses. Two principals of WPG were members of
the Company's Board of Directors from 1994 through November 1997.

Steven Geller, former Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, has
the right to vote 734,039 shares of common stock of the Company owned by Barry
Halperin. Mr. Geller's right to vote such shares terminates upon Mr. Halperin's
disposal thereof. Mr. Geller has certain rights of first refusal relative to Mr.
Halperin's disposal of the remaining shares. Mr. Geller had a one year
consulting agreement with the Company which expired in May 1999.

Mark S. Rose, a director of the Company and father-in-law of Timothy Moran, is
an 80% owner of Vets Park Associates, which is the landlord of office and
warehouse space in Ronkonkoma, New York, rented to Apple Sports, Inc. and Dorson
Sports, Inc. Apple Sports and Dorson Sports are subsidiaries of the Company.
During fiscal 1999, the Company paid rent to Vets Park Associates in the amount
of $313,997.




                                       11



<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, Empire of Carolina, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 1, 2000                      EMPIRE OF CAROLINA, INC.
                                       (Registrant)


                                       By:  /s/ Timothy Moran
                                            ---------------------------------
                                           Timothy Moran, Chairman of the Board,
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       SIGNATURE                                TITLE                               DATE
       ---------                                -----                               -----
<S>                                           <C>                               <C>
/s/Timothy Moran                              Chairman of the Board,            May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------    President and  Chief Executive
Timothy Moran                                 Officer
                                              (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Thomas MacDougall                         Chief Financial Officer,          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------    Secretary and Treasurer
Thomas MacDougall                             (Principal Accounting and
                                              Financial Officer)

/s/ John J. Doran                             Director                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------
John J. Doran

/s/ Charles S. Holmes                         Director                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------
Charles S. Holmes

/s/ James J. Pinto                            Director                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------
James J. Pinto

/s/ Frederick W. Rosenbauer, Jr.              Director                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------
Frederick W. Rosenbauer, Jr.

/s/ Lenore Schupak                            Director                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------
Lenore Schupak

/s/ Mark S. Rose                              Director                          May 1, 2000
- ------------------------------------------
Mark S. Rose
</TABLE>


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