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) April 26, 1996
ANNTAYLOR STORES CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-10738 13-3499319
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(State of other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation) File Number) Identification Number)
142 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 541-3300
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(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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ITEM 5. Other Events
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On April 26, 1996, certain alleged stockholders of AnnTaylor
Stores Corporation (the "Company"), filed a purported class action
lawsuit in the United States District Court Southern District of
New York against the Company, its wholly owned subsidiary
AnnTaylor, Inc. ("Ann Taylor"), certain officers and directors of
the Company and Ann Taylor, Merrill Lynch & Co. ("Merrill") and
certain affiliates of Merrill (Novak v. Kasaks, et. al., No. 96 CIV
3073 (S.D.N.Y. 1996)). The complaint alleges causes of action
under Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, by alleging that the Company and the other
defendants engaged in a fraudulent scheme and course of business
that operated a fraud or deceit on purchasers of the Company's
common stock ("Common Stock") during the period commencing February
3, 1994 through May 4, 1995 due to false and misleading statements
about the Company and Ann Taylor. The complaint seeks, among other
things, certification as a class action on behalf of all purchasers
of Common Stock during the period commencing February 3, 1994
through May 4, 1995, the awarding of compensatory damages to the
plaintiffs and purported members of the class, the awarding of
costs, including pre-judgment post-judgment interest, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expert witness fees to the plaintiffs and
purported members of the class and equitable and/or injunctive
relief. The Company believes that the complaint is without merit
and intends to vigorously defend the action.
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SIGNATURES
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.
AnnTaylor Stores Corporation
Date: May 2, 1996 By: /s/ Walter J. Parks
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Walter J. Parks
Senior Vice President -
Finance
