Free Notice on Supplying Information Voluntarily - Federal

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

Notice on Supplying Information Voluntarily
When we request that you provide information to us voluntarily, the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that we tell you how we can use the information and that we cannot sanction you if you fail to provide all or any part of it to us. However, as discussed below, sanctions may apply if you provide false or misleading information to us. Various laws authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to request information from you: Sections 19 and 20 of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 321 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, Section 42 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, Section 209 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Title 17 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 202.5. How We May Use Your Information Our principal purpose for requesting information from you is to respond to inquiries and complaints from the public. The SEC may also use your information to determine whether any person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate any provision of the federal securities laws or rules that the SEC enforces, such as the rules of the securities exchanges and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. The SEC may use the information you provide in an enforcement proceeding. If the information you provide points to violations of other laws or regulations, we may turn your information over to other governmental agencies, including United States Attorneys and state prosecutors. We generally do not disclose to you whether we have done so or not. The SEC will not agree to limit its use of your information in any way, unless the SEC or its staff explicitly agrees to do so in writing. Routine Uses of the Information You May Provide Listed below are the ways we may routinely use your information: 8. 1. To coordinate law enforcement activities between the SEC and other federal, state, local or foreign law enforcement agencies, securities self-regulatory organizations, and foreign securities authorities. By SEC personnel for purposes of investigating possible violations of, or to conduct investigations authorized by, the federal securities laws. 7. 5. 3. Where there is an indication of a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature, and whether arising by general statute or particular program statute, or by regulation, rule or order issued pursuant thereto, the relevant records in the system of records may be referred to the appropriate agency, whether federal, state, or local, a foreign governmental authority or foreign securities authority, or a securities self-regulatory organization charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violation or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute or rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto. In any proceeding where the federal securities laws are in issue or in which the Commission, or past or present members of its staff, is a party or otherwise involved in an official capacity. To a federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority or foreign securities authority maintaining civil, criminal or other relevant enforcement information or other pertinent information, such as current licenses, if necessary to obtain information relevant to an agency decision concerning hiring or retention of an employee, the issuance of a security clearance, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant or other benefit, To a federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority or foreign securities authority, in response to its request, in connection with the hiring or retention of an employee, the issuance of a security clearance, the reporting of an investigation of an employee, the letting of a contract, or the issuance of a license, grant or other benefit by the requesting agency, to the extent that the information is relevant and necessary to the requesting agency's decision on the matter. In connection with proceedings by the Commission pursuant to Rule 102(e) of its Rules of Practice 17 CFR 201.102(e). When considered appropriate, records in this system may be disclosed to a bar association, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a state accountancy board or other federal, state, local or foreign licensing or oversight authority, foreign securities authority, or professional association or self-regulatory authority performing similar functions, for possible disciplinary or other action. In connection with investigations or disciplinary proceedings by a state securities regulatory authority, a foreign seSEC 2405 (7-96)

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curities authority, or by a self-regulatory organization involving one or more of its members. 10. As a data source for management information for production of summary descriptive statistics and analytical studies in support of the function for which the records are collected and maintained or for statistical information (without personal identification of individuals) under the Freedom of Information Act or to locate specific individuals for personnel research or other personnel management functions. 11. In connection with their regulatory and enforcement responsibilities mandated by the federal securities laws (as defined in Section 21(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u(g)), or state or foreign laws regulating securities or other related matters, records may be disclosed to national securities associations that are registered with the Commission, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, the federal banking authorities, including but not limited to, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, state securities regulatory or law enforcement agencies or organizations, or regulatory law enforcement agencies of a foreign government, or foreign securities authority. 12. To any trustee, receiver, master, special counsel, or other individual or entity that is appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction or as a result of an agreement between the parties in connection with litigation or administrative proceedings involving allegations of violations of the federal securities laws (as defined in Section 21(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u(g)) or the Commission's Rules of Practice, 17 CFR 202.1 et seq., or otherwise, where such trustee, receiver, master, special counsel or other individual or entity is specifically designated to perform particular functions with respect to, or as a result of, the pending action or proceeding or in connection with the administration and enforcement by the Commission of the federal securities laws or the Commission's Rules of Practice. 13. To any persons during the course of any inquiry or investigation conducted by the Commission's staff, or in connection with civil litigation, if the staff has reason to believe that the person to whom the record is disclosed may have further information about the matters related therein, and those matters appeared to be relevant at the time to the subject matter of the inquiry. 14. To any person with whom the Commission contracts to reproduce, by typing, photocopy or other means, any record within this system for use by the Commission and its staff in connection with their official duties or to any person who is utilized by the Commission to perform clerical or stenographic functions relating to the official business of the Commission. 2

15. Inclusion in reports published by the Commission pursuant to authority granted in the federal securities laws (as defined in Section 21(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u(g)). 16. To members of advisory committees that are created by the Commission or by the Congress to render advice and recommendations to the Commission or to the Congress, to be used solely in connection with their official designated functions. 17. To any person who is or has agreed to be subject to the Commission's Rules of Conduct, 17 CFR 200.735-1 et seq., and who assists in the investigation by the Commission of possible violations of securities laws (as defined in Section 21 (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u (g)), in the preparation or conduct of enforcement actions brought by the Commission for such violations, or otherwise in connection with the Commission's enforcement or regulatory functions under the federal securities laws. 18. Disclosure may be made to a Congressional office from the record of an individual in response to an inquiry from the Congressional office made at the request of that individual. 19. To respond to inquiries from Members of Congress, the press and the public which relate to specific matters that the Commission has investigated and to matters under the Commission's jurisdiction. 20. To prepare and publish information relating to violations of the federal securities laws as provided in Section 21(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78u(a), as amended. 21. To respond to subpoenas in any litigation or other proceeding. 22. To a trustee in bankruptcy. False Statements and Documents Section 1001 of Title 18 of the United States Code provides as follows: Whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations, or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

The information you give the SEC may be used against you in any federal, state, local or foreign administrative, civil or criminal proceeding brought by the Commission or any other agency. You may refuse to give any information that may tend to incriminate you or subject you to fine, penalty or forfeiture in accordance with the rights guaranteed to you by the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The Freedom of Information Act The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) generally allows the SEC to make your information available to the public upon request. You may request that your information not be released to the public by writing a letter asking that it remain confidential under one of the exemptions described in FOIA. See 5 United States Code, Section 552. The SEC determines whether your claim of an exemption is valid when someone requests your information under FOIA. Rule 83 of the SEC's Rules on Information and Requests (17 CFR, section 200.83) explains how you should make your request for confidentiality. Your letter may be sent or faxed to our FOIA Officer at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., MS 0-5, Washington, DC 20549 or fax # (703) 914-1149.

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