OTHER NEWS - Dec. 30, 1992

Firm Says U.S. Refused to Settle Bias Case: An Encino-based firm that is the target of the first lawsuit under the new Americans With Disabilities Act says the Justice Department refused its settlement offer and filed the suit “for publicity’s sake.” Becker CPA Review Course, which prepares accountants for CPA exams, faces penalties of up to $50,000 in the suit filed in Washington. The firm is accused of illegally refusing to make proper accommodations for deaf students. Firm President Newton D. Becker said deaf students are provided with written transcripts of what instructors say in class. Faced with a suit, the firm agreed to the demand that it also supply a sign-language interpreter, Becker said, but Justice sued anyway. A Justice spokeswoman said the firm’s final settlement offer was inadequate.