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 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 31, 1994
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Incorporated in New York 1-4315 13-1727729
(State or Other (Commission (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of File Number) Identification
Incorporation) Number)
One Blue Hill Plaza, Pearl River, New York 10965
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (914) 352-6000
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Items 1. - 4. Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Events.
On March 31, 1994, Bernstein v. Orange and Rockland
Utilities, Inc. and James F. Smith, a purported shareholder class
action complaint, was filed in the United States District Court,
Southern District of New York. Plaintiff alleges that various
Securities and Exchange Commission filings of the Company during
the period between March 2 and August 18, 1993 contained false
and misleading information or omitted to state material facts
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
thereby violated Section 10 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder,
by failing to disclose what the plaintiff alleges was a "scheme"
by the Company to make illegal political payments and campaign
contributions to various public officials and politicians. As a
result, plaintiff claims, during such period persons who
purchased the Company's stock did so at artificially inflated
prices.
The Bernstein complaint also asserts a claim against Mr.
Smith, a Director of the Company, under Section 20 of the
Exchange Act. Plaintiff alleges that during the time period in
question, Mr. Smith, then the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, was a
controlling person of the Company and thus should be held liable
under Section 20 for causing, or preventing the Company from
engaging in, the wrongful acts alleged in the complaint.
The complaint seeks unspecified money damages. The Company
intends to vigorously contest the claims brought against it in
this complaint.
Items 6. - 8. Not Applicable.
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.
ORANGE AND ROCKLAND UTILITIES, INC.
By:/s/ Victor A. Roque
Victor A. Roque
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Dated: April 13, 1994
