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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): October 1, 1997
CITYSCAPE FINANCIAL CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 0-27314 11-2994671
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Number) Identification No.)
565 Taxter Road, Elmsford, New York 10523-5200
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (914) 592-6677
Former name or former address,
if changed since last report
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Item 5. Other Events.
Legal Proceedings.
As previously disclosed, on or about October 1, 1997, a putative class
action lawsuit was filed against Cityscape Financial Corp. ("Cityscape"), and
two of its officers and directors in the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of New York (the "Ceasar Action") on behalf of all purchasers
of Cityscape Common Stock during the period from April 1, 1997 through August
15, 1997. On or about October 14, 1997 and October 22, 1997, two additional
class action complaints were filed in the same court against the same
defendants. On or about October 28, 1997, the plaintiff in the Ceasar Action
filed an amended complaint naming three additional directors and officers as
defendants. The amended complaint in the Ceasar Action also extended the
proposed class period from November 4, 1996 through October 22, 1997.
In these actions, plaintiffs allege that Cityscape and its senior
officers engaged in securities fraud by affirmatively misrepresenting and
failing to disclose material information regarding the lending practices of
Cityscape's United Kingdom subsidiary, City Mortgage Corporation Limited, and
the impact that these lending practices would have on Cityscape's financial
results. Plaintiffs allege that a number of public filings and press releases
issued by Cityscape were false or misleading. In each of the complaints,
plaintiffs have asserted violations of Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages, including
pre-judgment interest, attorneys' and accountants' fees and court costs.
Although no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these lawsuits,
Cityscape believes that the allegations in each of these actions are without
merit and that its disclosures were proper, complete and accurate. Cityscape
intends to vigorously defend against these actions and seek their early
dismissal. These lawsuits, however, if decided in favor of all of the
plaintiffs, could have a material adverse effect on Cityscape.
Cityscape Financial Corp. is a consumer finance company that, through
its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cityscape Corp. and City Mortgage Corporation
Limited, is engaged in the business of originating, purchasing, selling and
servicing mortgage loans in the United States and the United Kingdom, secured
primarily by one- to four-family residences.
Cityscape was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Elmsford, New
York with regional processing offices in California, Georgia, Illinois and
Virginia.
This report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements which
involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a
result of certain factors.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report on Form 8-K to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CITYSCAPE FINANCIAL CORP.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Robert C. Patent
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Name: Robert C. Patent
Title: Executive Vice President
Dated: October 29, 1997