
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 2, 1995                   TAG: 9505020135
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WESTERN SIZZLIN PRESIDENT DENIES SUIT ALLEGATIONS

In reply to a lawsuit, a Roanoke businessman has denied any improper conduct in connection with the termination of the former president of Western Sizzlin Corp.

Victor Foti said in his reply filed Monday in Tennessee that the plaintiff, former president David Wachtel Jr., was fired by the board for cause, which he did not specify.

Foti said in his pleadings for the Chancery Court of Davidson County, Tenn., that he is not personally liable in the case because he merely was voting as a member of the board for Wachtel's termination.

Foti, who had been chief financial officer of the corporation, became president after Wachtel was terminated Feb. 28.

Wachtel is seeking $11.2 million from Western Sizzlin, Foti and Joe Cowart of Twin City, Ga., for what he said was wrongful termination of his contract which would not have expired until 1998.

Wachtel alleged that Foti and Cowart induced the board to breach his contract. Wachtel owns 13 percent of the company and is its largest shareholder.

by CNB