[Great Dane]

Does anyone here know anything about Pete-Marwick, [sp] our City has hired them to do a study on ban effects. Some people has suggested this firm has repeatedly been found guilty in court, don't know the crimes, would like to know more...... if anyone can help.

[Gabz]

The firm is good. I can't think of the correct spelling myself at the moment, but you came very close!!!!

There is a good possibility that the city will not like what they say. they don't particularly care about the interest of who is paying them - they do the study based on the numbers, not for the interest of a particular group.

It will be interesting - especially if the city doesn't like what they say. My suggestion is keep an eye on it - and make sure the city releases the results, regardless of which way they go.

[Max McGarrity]

Great Dane, KMPG Peat Marwick is probably no better or worse than any other accounting/pollster firm. The secret, of course, is in how questions are phrased and to whom those questions are put. Don't EVER take the reports of ANY poll results as gospel until you've seen the actual poll.

Peat Marwick has been on the receiving end of several lawsuits, including one by the SEC, the Law Society and this one: "KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP. (KPMG) has agreed to pay the United States over $9 million to settle allegations of preparing false hospital cost reports that were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid, the Justice Department announced today."