SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15d of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest
event reported) February 14, 2000
WLR Foods, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Virginia 0-17060 54-1295923
(State of (Commission File (IRS Employer Iden-
Incorporation) Number) tification No.)
P.O. Box 7000 22815
Broadway, Virginia (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal executive offices)
(540) 896-7001
(Registrant's telephone number,
including area code)
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Item 5 Other Events.
On February 14, 2000 the Circuit Court of Hardy County West
Virginia granted the motions of WLR and its Wampler Foods, Inc.
subsidiary to dismiss the pending litigation brought by the West
Virginia Attorney General on behalf of certain West Virginia growers.
The suit, originally filed on February 24, 1999, alleged violations of
the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act and the West
Virginia Antitrust Act.
In its Order dismissing the suit, the Circuit Court ruled that the
Consumer Credit and Protection Act does not apply, and that the
claimed violation of the Antitrust Act lacked essential elements as a
matter of law.
Item 7 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
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 thereunto duly authorized.
WLR FOODS, INC.
__February 17, 2000__ By:_/s/ Dale S. Lam__
Date Dale S. Lam
Chief Financial Officer and
Vice President of Finance
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit 99 Press release dated February 15, 2000
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Exhibit 99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kathleen W. Lawrence
Director of
Corporate Communication
(540) 896-0406
COURT DISMISSES WEST VIRGINIA LAWSUIT AGAINST WAMPLER FOODS
Broadway, Virginia, February 15, 2000 - WLR Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: WLRF)
today announced that, in a 24-page opinion and order, the Circuit
Court of Hardy County, West Virginia has upheld WLR and its
subsidiary, Wampler Foods, in the year-long litigation brought and
pursued by the West Virginia Attorney General. In its Order of
February 14, 2000, the Circuit Court dismissed the
entire lawsuit, ruling that the West Virginia Consumer Credit and
Protection Act does not apply to Wampler's longstanding grower
contracts, and that the West Virginia Antitrust allegations are also
meritless.
In commenting on the Circuit Court's action, Wampler Foods' Vice
President of Chicken Operations, Walt Shafer, remarked that the
Company felt vindicated by the Court's decision and the extensive,
well-reasoned explanation of the favorable rulings. "We're pleased
that the Court has agreed with our arguments and position, in which we
have always believed. I respectfully now call on the Attorney General
to drop his litigation.""The Attorney General has repeatedly said that
he simply wanted this case to be decided locally, in a West Virginia
state court. Now that a decision has been issued, we believe it is in
the best interest of our growers, employees, and shareholders, and the
people of West Virginia, to put this matter behind us."
Shafer continued, "As we have done all along, we will continue to work
with and help our growers. During this past year, we have improved
our grower contracts, and we will be continuing our open lines of
communication with every grower."
In closing, Shafer emphasized, "We are even more focused on doing what
is necessary to compete successfully in a very competitive industry.
We are fortunate to have over 2,000 dedicated West Virginia growers
and employees who appreciate that we must work together, growing our
business, so that Wampler Foods can continue to invest over $60
million annually in payroll and grower payments in the state of West
Virginia.
WLR Foods is a fully integrated provider of high quality turkey and
chicken products primarily under the Wampler Foods(R) brand. It is
nationally ranked as the seventh largest poultry processor by sales
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volume and is an international leader in poultry exports. WLR Foods
has processing operations in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia,
and Pennsylvania.
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