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): August 11, 1998 ERLY Industries Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) California (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-7894 95-2312900 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 10990 Wilshire Boulevard, #1800 Los Angeles, California 90024-3955 (Address of Principal (Zip Code) Executive Offices) (213) 879-1480 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Item 5. Other Events Chapter 11 Filing By Subsidiary of Company ------------------------------------------ American Rice, Inc. ("ARI"), a subsidiary of ERLY Industries Inc. ("ERLY"), filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on August 11, 1998. ERLY owns 81% of the voting rights of ARI. On August 12, 1998, ERLY issued a press release reporting ARI's Chapter 11 filing. The information contained in such press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits Exhibit 99 - Press Release dated August 12, 1998 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. Date: September 8, 1998 ERLY INDUSTRIES INC. -------------------- (Registrant) By: /s/ Richard N. McCombs ---------------------- Vice President and Chief Financial Officer