Trial as to Legitimacy of Anthony Thomas’ Claim in Bahia Emerald Ownership Dispute Will Start Friday, September 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM

LOS ANGELES--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--A bench trial before the Hon. John A. Kronstadt to determine whether or not Anthony Thomas has a legitimate claim to ownership of the Bahia Emerald will begin on Friday, September 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA. Judge Kronstadt will hear oral arguments only as to the cross-examination of testimony previously submitted to the Court in writing. Ownership claims to the Bahia Emerald made by Mark Downie will be heard at a later date, which has yet to be determined. Ken Conetto By Eric Kitchen His Attorney In Fact (Petitioner) vs. Kit Morrison and Todd Armstrong (Respondents); Mark Downie (Intervenors) vs. Eric Kitchen et al., Kit Morrison and Todd Armstrong (Respondents), Case No. BS118649.

“We continue to stand behind Kit Morrison and his group as being the appropriate owners of the Bahia Emerald”

On September 8, 2010, Respondents Kit Morrison, Todd Armstrong, Jerry Ferrara, FM Holdings, Inc. and Market Link, Inc. reached an undisclosed settlement with Petitioners Ken Conetto and Forrest Wayne Catlett.

Browne Greene with the Santa Monica, CA. law firm of Greene Broillet & Wheeler (www.greene-broillet.com) and Daniel K. Balaban and Andrew J. Spielberger with the Santa Monica, CA. law firm of Balaban & Spielberger (www.balaban-spielberger.com) represent Respondents Kit Morrison, Todd Armstrong, Jerry Ferrara, FM Holdings, Inc. and Market Link, Inc. At 840 pounds, the Bahia Emerald is said to be the world’s largest raw emerald. Until the case is resolved, the Bahia Emerald will remain in custody with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

In 2001, the Bahia Emerald was discovered in Brazil and was registered with the Brazilian Government by owner Renata Joias e Embalagens Ltda. On August 31, 2004, an Assignment & Bill of Sale was made from Renata Joias e Embalagens Ltda. to Gemworks Mining, Inc. (Panama). Three years later on August 22, 2007, there was an assignment of the Bahia Emerald from Gemworks Mining, Inc. (Panama) to B & B Services, Inc.

In 2008, Respondents Kit Morrison, Todd Armstrong, Jerry Ferrara and their companies Market Link, Inc. and FM Holdings, Inc. obtained valid legal title to the Bahia Emerald. They also allege that they have an equitable claim to title as bona fide purchasers of the Bahia Emerald based on their seven-figure payment for the Bahia Emerald.

“We continue to stand behind Kit Morrison and his group as being the appropriate owners of the Bahia Emerald,” stated Browne Greene, “as it was conveyed to them through a valid chain of legal title and that they are also bona fide good faith purchasers under the law. What’s important here is to unravel all of the claims and to set the record straight so that there is no question whatsoever that our clients rightfully own the Bahia Emerald.”

Editor’s Note:

Respondents Kit Morrison, Todd Armstrong, Jerry Ferrara, FM Holdings, Inc. and Market Link, Inc. are represented by Browne Greene with the Santa Monica, CA. law firm of Greene Broillet & Wheeler (www.greene-broillet.com) and Daniel K. Balaban and Andrew J. Spielberger with the Santa Monica, CA. law firm of Balaban & Spielberger (www.balaban-spielberger.com); Tel: [phone].

Kenneth Conetto is represented by Eric C. Kitchen of Santa Barbara, CA; Tel: [phone].

Anthony Thomas and Wendi Thomas are represented by Randy M. Hess with Adleson Hess & Kelly of Campbell, CA; Tel: [phone].

Mark Downie is represented by Steven H. Haney with Haney, Buchanan & Patterson of Los Angeles, CA.; Tel: [phone].

Dave Fisher is represented by William Frazer with the Torrance, CA. Law Offices of Steven R. Bangerter; Tel: [phone]; and Darwin Fisher of St. George, UT; Tel: [phone].

Forrest Wayne Catlett and Gemworks Mining Inc. (Panama) are represented by Jerry Kaplan with Kaplan Kenegos & Kadin of Beverly Hills, CA; Tel: [phone].