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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)
American Communications Services, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
02520B102
(CUSIP Number)
Carolyn S. Reiser, Esq.
Shartsis, Friese & Ginsburg LLP
One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 421-6500
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive
Notices and Communications)
April 3, 1998
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule
13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule
13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f)
or 13d-1(g), check the following box / /.
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed
original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.
See Rule 13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a
reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the
subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment
containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a
prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall
not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the
liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all
other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of
information contained in this form are not required to respond
unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
SEC 1746 (10-97)
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 2 of 11 Pages
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
West Highland Capital, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY -----------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 2,000,000
REPORTING -----------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
-----------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
2,000,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
2,000,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES* / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
4.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO and IA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 3 of 11 Pages
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Lang H. Gerhard
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY -----------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 1,660,000
REPORTING -----------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
-----------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,660,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,660,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES* / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
3.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 4 of 11 Pages
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Estero Partners, LLC
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* AF
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY -----------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 1,660,000
REPORTING -----------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
-----------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,660,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,660,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES* / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
3.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
OO
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 5 of 11 Pages
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
West Highland Partners, L.P.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY -----------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 1,420,000
REPORTING -----------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
-----------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,420,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,420,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES* / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
3.1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 6 of 11 Pages
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS OR IRS IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Buttonwood Partners, L.P.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) / X /
(b) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* WC
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
California
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF 7 SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES -0-
BENEFICIALLY -----------------------------------------
OWNED BY 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH 240,000
REPORTING -----------------------------------------
PERSON 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
WITH -0-
-----------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
240,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
240,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES* / /
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
0.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 7 of 11 Pages
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.
This statement relates to shares of Common Stock (the "Stock") of
American Communications Services, Inc. ("ACS"). The principal
executive office of ACS is located at National Business Parkway,
Annapolis Junction, Maryland 20701.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
The persons filing this statement and the persons enumerated in
Instruction C of Schedule 13D and, where applicable, their
respective places of organization, general partners, directors,
executive officers and controlling persons, and the information
regarding them, is as follows:
(a) Lang H. Gerhard ("Gerhard"); West Highland Capital, Inc., a
California corporation ("WHC"); Estero Partners, LLC, a
California limited liability company ("LLC"); West Highland
Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("WHP");
Buttonwood Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership
("BP").
(b) The business address of Gerhard, WHC, LLC, WHP and BP is 300
Drakes Landing Road, Suite 290, Greenbrae, California 94904.
(c) Gerhard is the sole director and occupies all the executive
offices of WHC, which is an investment adviser. Gerhard is
the sole manager of LLC. WHC, LLC and Gerhard are the general
partners of WHP and BP, which are investment limited
partnerships.
(d) During the last five years, none of such persons has been
convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic viola-
tions or similar misdemeanors).
(e) During the last five years, none of such persons was a party
to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of
competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was
or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining
future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities
subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Gerhard is a citizen of the United States of America.
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 8 of 11 Pages
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
The source and amount of funds used in purchasing the Stock were as
follows:
Purchaser Source of Funds Amount
WHC Funds Under Management(1) $17,111,018.64
WHP Working Capital $11,922,235.95
BP Working Capital $ 2,045,965.61
(1) Includes funds invested by WHP and BP in Stock.
ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.
The sole purpose of the acquisitions of the Stock reported herein
was and is for investment.
ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
The beneficial ownership of the Stock of the persons named in
Item 2 of this statement is as follows at the date hereof:
Aggregate
Beneficially
Owned Voting Power Dispositive Power
Name Number Percent Sole Shared Sole Shared
WHC 2,000,000 4.4% -0- 2,000,000 -0- 2,000,000
Gerhard 1,660,000 3.7% -0- 1,660,000 -0- 1,660,000
LLC 1,660,000 3.7% -0- 1,660,000 -0- 1,660,000
WHP 1,420,000 3.1% -0- 1,420,000 -0- 1,420,000
BP 240,000 0.5% -0- 240,000 -0- 240,000
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 9 of 11 Pages
The persons filing this statement effected the following transac-
tions in the Stock on the dates indicated, and such transactions
are the only transactions by the persons filing this statement in
the Stock since February 1, 1998:
Purchase Number Price
Name or Sale Date of Shares Per Share
BP S 03/09/98 17,000 14.5000
WHC P 03/09/98 17,000 14.5000
WHC S 04/06/98 17,000 17.9375
BP S 04/06/98 3,000 17.9375
WHP P 04/06/98 20,000 17.9375
BP S 04/08/98 20,000 17.6875
WHC P 04/08/98 20,000 17.6875
All purchases and sales were executed as open market transactions.
The persons filing this statement ceased to beneficially own more
than five percent of the outstanding Stock as of April 3, 1998.
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 10 of 11 Pages
ITEM. 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS
WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Gerhard, WHC and LLC are the general partners of WHP and BP
pursuant to limited partnership agreements providing to Gerhard,
WHC and LLC the authority, among other things, to invest the funds
of WHP and BP in Stock, to vote and dispose of Stock and to file
this statement on behalf of WHP and BP. Pursuant to such limited
partnership agreements, the general partners of WHP and BP are
entitled to allocations based on assets under management and
realized and unrealized gains, if certain conditions are met.
Pursuant to investment management agreements, WHC is authorized,
among other things, to invest funds of its various investment
advisory clients, and to vote and dispose of those securities.
Such investment management agreements may be terminated by either
party on notice as provided in such agreements and provide for fees
payable to WHC based on assets under management and realized and
unrealized gains.
ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
A. Agreement Regarding Joint Filing of Statement on Schedule 13D
or 13G (previously filed).
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
DATED: April 15, 1998.
/s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P.
Lang H. Gerhard
WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P.
ESTERO PARTNERS, LLC
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, Manager
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SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 02520B102 Page 11 of 11 Pages
EXHIBIT A
AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING
OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G
The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule
13D or Schedule 13G (and any amendments or supplements thereto)
required under section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, in connection with purchases by the undersigned
of securities of American Communications Services, Inc. For that
purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint West
Highland Capital, Inc., a California corporation, as their true and
lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority
for and on behalf of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be
prepared, sign, file with the SEC and furnish to any other person
all certificates, instruments, agreements and documents necessary
to comply with section 13(d) and section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with said
purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and proper to
be done incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully
as the undersigned might or could do if personally present.
DATED: December 31, 1997.
/s/ Lang H. Gerhard WEST HIGHLAND PARTNERS, L.P.
Lang H. Gerhard
WEST HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INC. By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, President BUTTONWOOD PARTNERS, L.P.
ESTERO PARTNERS, LLC
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard,
General Partner
By: /s/ Lang H. Gerhard
Lang H. Gerhard, Manager
