News Release

ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE MCGRATH
STATE OF MONTANA

FOR RELEASE: November 22, 2002

CONTACT: Judy Beck or Lynn Solomon, 444-0582

Status Changes for 12 Escrow Account Defendants

HELENA - The status of a number of tobacco companies named as defendants in a February 2002 Department of Justice lawsuit against "non-participating manufacturers" has changed. The litigation originally charged that the companies failed to establish or properly fund escrow accounts as required by Montana law.

The companies listed below are either now in compliance with the Montana Tobacco Products Reserve Act, Mont. Code Ann. § 16-11-041 et seq.; are not tobacco product manufacturers as defined by the statutes or have joined the Master Settlement Agreement.

Settlement has been reached and/or litigation has been dismissed against:

Asia Pacific Trading Group
Bailey Tobacco Co.
Carolina Tobacco Co.
Charles Falmorn Handels GMBH
Flandria Tobacco
Heupink and Bloeman
J.B.G. Bloeman
Joh. Wilh. Von Eiken
North Atlantic Operating Co.
P.T. Gudang
RBJ Sales
Republic Tobacco

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