FORM 8-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 12, 2001
Oregon Trail Financial Corp.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Oregon 0-22953 91-1829481
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State or other jurisdiction Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation File Number Identification No.)
2055 First Street, Baker City, Oregon 97814
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number (including area code): (541) 523-6327
Not Applicable
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events
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The Registrant announced that State Circuit Court Judge Janice R. Wilson
has granted the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Charles H. Rouse, a
Director of the Registrant, who had been sued by the Stilwell Group.
For further information, reference is made to the Registrant's press
release dated September 12, 2001 which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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Exhibit
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99 Press Release dated September 12, 2001
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SIGNATURES
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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.
OREGON TRAIL FINANCIAL CORP.
DATE: September 12, 2001 By:/s/Berniel L. Maughan
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Berniel L. Maughan
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit 99
Press Release Dated September 12, 2001
OREGON TRAIL FINANCIAL CORP.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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STILWELL SUIT AGAINST OREGON TRAIL DIRECTOR ROUSE DISMISSED
Baker City, OR, September 12, 2001 / Oregon Trail Financial Corp.
(Nasdaq:OTFC), the holding company for Pioneer Bank, announced today that
State Circuit Court Judge Janice R. Wilson has granted the Motion for Summary
Judgment filed by Charles H. Rouse, an Oregon Trail Financial Director sued by
the Stilwell Group (State ex rel. Stilwell Associates, L.P. vs. Charles Henry
Rouse; Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County, Case No.
01-02-01777). Stilwell Associates had alleged that Mr. Rouse was holding
office illegally because he violated the Company's residency requirement for
directors. The Judge granted the motion after hearing oral argument from
lawyers for both parties, and specifically found that there is "no evidence"
to support the case.
Mr. Rouse said: "I am pleased that the Court recognizes that I did
nothing wrong. I only hope our shareholders will see what's really going on
here."
Stephen Whittemore, Chairman of the Board of Oregon Trail stated: "This
is the first of two meritless cases filed by the Stilwell Group trying to
remove directors of our Company. What is particularly outrageous is the
Stilwell Group's abuse of our Courts in filing unfounded claims for wrong
doing, causing the Company to incur tens of thousands of dollars in legal
costs, and then complaining to shareholders that our earnings are too low. On
top of that, the Stilwell Group is soliciting proxies for its candidate based
in part on these same false and misleading allegations."
CONTACT: Berniel L. Maughan, President and CEO, Oregon Trail Financial Corp.,
(541) 523-6327.