FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Bill Ackman or George Sard/David Reno
David Berkowitz Sard Verbinnen & Co
Gotham Partners (212) 687-8080
(212) 286-0300
GOTHAM PARTNERS DENIES FIRST UNION REAL ESTATE'S LATEST CLAIM
AND CALLS IT LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO AVOID DEFEAT
New York, May 7, 1998 - Gotham Partners, L.P. today said that First
Union Real Estate Investments (NYSE:FUR) latest filing in federal district
court is a last-ditch effort by desperate management to avoid defeat at the
Company's May 19th meeting. Gotham emphatically denied all claims made by
First Union Real Estate in its latest filing.
In a recent ruling against the Company, an Ohio court ruled that
management was "primarily motivated by a desire to derail Gotham's efforts
to change the Company's course and replace top management. First Union's
management's efforts to disenfranchise Gotham do not appear to be designed
to protect First Union's REIT status but rather management."
Gotham does not believe that management and the Board can defend the
Company's record of poor performance. Since James Mastandrea became CEO,
the Company's share price has declined and dividends have been
substantially slashed. But at the same time Mr. Mastandrea's compensation
has dramatically increased from approximately $1.5 million in 1994 to
approximately $6 million in 1997.
It is clear to Gotham from these figures why Mr. Mastandrea wants to
keep his position. But it is equally clear why shareholders must vote for
Gotham's proposal at the May 19th meeting to put an end to the Company's
poor performance.
Gotham said that it will vigorously defend itself against all of First
Union's claims and remains undeterred by management's entrenchment tactics.
At the May 19 meeting, shareholders will vote on a proposal by Gotham
Partners to increase the size of the First Union Real Estate Board from
nine members to 15 members. Gotham has also nominated a slate of nominees
to fill the three existing seats as well as the six new seats that would be
created under the Gotham proposal.
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