HARTFORD, Conn., March 13, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Schatz Nobel Izard P.C., which has significant experience representing investors in prosecuting claims of securities fraud, announces that a lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina on behalf of all persons who purchased the common stock of Force Protection, Inc. ("Force Protection" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:FRPT) between August 14, 2006 and February 29, 2008, inclusive (the "Class Period").
The Complaint charges that Force Protection and certain of its officers and directors violated federal securities laws. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that defendants issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, financial results and prospects. Specifically, defendants continually boasted Force Protection's dominance in the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected ("MRAP") market was due to its superior product design and rapid delivery rates. However, in a report dated June 27, 2007, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense questioned both of these claims and criticized the awarding of contracts to Force Protection on a sole source basis and without competitive bidding. Then, on February 29, 2008, after the market closed, Force Protection announced it would have to delay the release of its 2007 Form 10-K and restate its Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007. On this news, Force Protection's stock collapsed to close at $3.58 per share on March 3, 2008, a one-day decline of 13% and an 88% decline from the Class Period high of $30.27 per share.
If you are a member of the class, you may, no later than May 9, 2008, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff of the class. A lead plaintiff is a class member that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Although your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision whether or not to seek appointment as a lead plaintiff, lead plaintiffs make important decisions which could affect the overall recovery for class members.
While Schatz Nobel Izard P.C. has not filed a lawsuit against the defendants, to view a copy of the Complaint initiating the class action or for more information about the case, class action cases in general, and your rights, please contact Schatz Nobel Izard P.C. toll-free at (800) 797-5499, or by e-mail at firm@snilaw.com, or visit our website: www.snilaw.com.