NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stull, Stull & Brody announced today that it has filed its initial brief on the issue of whether Plaintiff's claim for Plan-wide relief under ERISA Section 502(a)(2), 29 U.S.C. Section 1132(a)(2), may continue notwithstanding an order denying class certification. Stull, Stull & Brody's initial brief was filed in the on-going ERISA 401(k) class action against American Electric Power Co., Inc. (NYSE:AEP) ("AEP"). The class action, Bridges v. American Electric Power, 2:03-cv-67 (S.D. Ohio), was brought on behalf of all participants in AEP's 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan who purchased and/or held shares of the AEP Stock Fund at any time between December 9, 1998 and December 31, 2002. The case alleges that AEP and other fiduciaries of AEP's 401(k) plan negligently managed and administered the 401(k) plan, and failed to disclose important information to the participants of the plan, including information about AEP's allegedly improper energy trading and reporting practices. Stull, Stull & Brody's initial brief contends that there is no requirement that claims under ERISA Section 502(a)(2), which requires that fiduciaries who breach their duties and cause loss to a 401(k) plan must make good to the plan for such losses, proceed as a class action. Stull, Stull & Brody's initial brief is available on the firm's website at http://www.ssbny.com/aepbrief.pdf. All briefing on this issue is scheduled to conclude by October 27, 2008.
If you were a participant in AEP's 401(k) plan holding AEP stock in your plan account at any time between December 9, 1998 and December 31, 2002 and would like more information about the lawsuit, or about how you may participate in the lawsuit in a lead or non-lead capacity, you may contact Stull, Stull & Brody. There is no cost or obligation. The contact information is Edwin J. Mills, Esq. and Michael J. Klein, Esq. at Stull, Stull & Brody by calling toll-free 1-800-337-4983, or by e-mail at SSBNY@aol.com, or by fax at 212/490-2022, or by writing to Stull, Stull & Brody, 6 East 45th Street, New York, NY 10017.
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.globenewswire.com/ca.