News Release

For Immediate Release
August 25, 2006                                                                                                 
Contact:  Mike Ward
(662) 449-3699

MS Court Orders Halt to TN Interference in Maddox Foundation
 
Hernando, MS. On Thursday, the Maddox Foundation asked a Mississippi court to take action to stop the on-going interference of lawyers, family members, attorneys and for-profit corporations in Tennessee in its finances, management and philanthropic activities.

Attorneys representing the Maddox Foundation asked the court to enforce its earlier judgment in the matter. "In October of 2005, 10 months ago, a Mississippi court determined that the Maddox Foundation's move and reorganization as a Mississippi non-profit was proper. The court said clearly in November that no party should attempt to remove or otherwise interfere with the Foundation and its resources," said Ronnie Musgrove of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush.

"Unfortunately, the District Attorney General Victor Johnson, Tommye Maddox Working and others in Tennessee didn't get the message and continue to attempt to undermine the financial strength and integrity of this Mississippi non-profit, an organization which has served so admirably the people and the communities of North Mississippi and Middle Tennessee," Musgrove continued. "Instead the district attorney and Mrs. Working in alliance with Diversified Trust Corporation of Memphis continue to meddle in ways which cause irreparable harm."

In response, the Chancery Court for DeSoto County, Mississippi, entered an order that temporarily restrains Ms. Working, Diversified Trust, District Attorney Johnson, and their lawyers, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, PLLC, from interfering with any assets of the Maddox Foundation, from seeking the appointment of a receiver, special master, or any other official to interfere in or attempt to take over management of the affairs of the Maddox Foundation, and from otherwise taking any steps to attempt to relocate the Maddox Foundation to Tennessee. The Court has set a hearing on the Maddox Foundation's request to make that order permanent for next Friday, September 1.

. "The Court's action allows Ms. Costa and the Maddox Foundation to concentrate on the foundation's noble work to support charitable organizations, the work that Dan and Margaret Maddox began so long ago," Musgrove stated. "We appreciate the court's action yesterday. Our courts and our non-profit organizations are deserving of greater respect than has been demonstrated by Ms. Working and her cohorts. We are determined not to let them destroy the Maddox Foundation.

The Maddox Foundation serves as a catalyst for building strong and viable communities that meet the needs of their citizens through collaborative action and services. The Foundation focuses its grant making activity on middle Tennessee and Northwest Mississippi, including, but not limited to select counties in the two states. Following years of service to the Maddox family businesses, Robin G. Costa now serves as President and CEO of the Maddox Foundation.