Viacom.

A $13 million settlement has received preliminary approval in the class action lawsuit filed against Viacom on behalf of former cable customers from ten Northern California counties. The suit alleged that the company failed to return the monthly property tax surcharges that were charged to plaintiffs from August 14, 1991 through July 31, 1996 as promised. Under the terms of settlement, the approximately 650,000 plaintiffs may receive $5 to $15 each. The hearing to approve the settlement will be held on October 21, 2003. (Aug-12-03)