-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MuzpgURkThX6HnRvAa2UFPqUh5b1O4eOO7y41UMHCH0Ymf0x8jBh6mlfR/mCrIOr SiMMZuSVL0fcjxczNQ2+2A== 0000933537-97-000028.txt : 19971114 0000933537-97-000028.hdr.sgml : 19971114 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000933537-97-000028 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19971112 SROS: NYSE GROUP MEMBERS: AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION GROUP MEMBERS: AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC ET AL GROUP MEMBERS: AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. GROUP MEMBERS: CARL H. LINDNER GROUP MEMBERS: CARL H. LINDNER III GROUP MEMBERS: KEITH E. LINDNER GROUP MEMBERS: S. CRAIG LINDNER SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000101063 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION - CROPS [0100] IRS NUMBER: 041923360 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-31075 FILM NUMBER: 97713425 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 E FIFTH ST CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45202 BUSINESS PHONE: 5137848011 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: UNITED BRANDS CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19900403 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC ET AL CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000943523 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331] IRS NUMBER: 311422526 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OH FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE EAST FOURTH STREET SUITE 919 CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45202 BUSINESS PHONE: 5135792540 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN PREMIER GROUP INC ET AL DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950405 SC 13D/A 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 38) Chiquita Brands International, Inc. --------------------------------------- (Name of Issuer) Common Capital Stock, $.33 Par Value --------------------------------------- (Title of Class of Securities) 170032-10-6 ------------------- (CUSIP Number) James C. Kennedy, Esq. One East Fourth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513) 579-2538 ------------------------------------------------------ (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) See Item 5 ------------------------------------------------------ (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d- 1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ]. Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [ ]. Page 1 of 19 Pages CUSIP NO. 170032-10-6 13D Page 2 of 19 Pages 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS American Financial Group, Inc. 31-1422526 American Financial Corporation 31-0624874 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* N/A 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Ohio corporations 7 NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: SOLE VOTING POWER - - - 8 SHARED VOTING POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - - - 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ] 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 40.4% (See Item 5) 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* HC HC CUSIP NO. 170032-10-6 13D Page 3 of 19 Pages 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Carl H. Lindner 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* N/A 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States Citizen 7 NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: SOLE VOTING POWER 42,600 (See Item 5) 8 SHARED VOTING POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 42,600 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 24,038,895 (See Item 5) 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ] 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 40.5% (See Item 5) 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IN CUSIP NO. 170032-10-6 13D Page 4 of 19 Pages 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Carl H. Lindner III 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* N/A 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States Citizen 7 NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: SOLE VOTING POWER - - - 8 SHARED VOTING POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER - - - 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ] 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 40.4% (See Item 5) 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IN CUSIP NO. 170032-10-6 13D Page 5 of 19 Pages 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS S. Craig Lindner 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* N/A 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States Citizen 7 NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: SOLE VOTING POWER --- 8 SHARED VOTING POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER --- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ] 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 40.4% (See Item 5) 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IN CUSIP NO. 170032-10-6 13D Page 6 of 19 Pages 1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS Keith E. Lindner 2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X] (b) [ ] 3 SEC USE ONLY 4 SOURCE OF FUNDS* N/A 5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] 6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States Citizen 7 NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH: SOLE VOTING POWER --- 8 SHARED VOTING POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER --- 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 23,996,295 (See Item 5) 12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [ ] 13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 40.4% (See Item 5) 14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IN Item 1. Security and Issuer. This Amendment No. 38 to Schedule 13D is filed on behalf of American Financial Group, Inc. ("American Financial" or "AFG"), American Financial Corporation ("AFC"), and Carl H. Lindner, Carl H. Lindner III, S. Craig Lindner and Keith E. Lindner (collectively, the "Lindner Family") (AFG, AFC and the Lindner Family are collectively referred to as the "Reporting Persons"), to amend and update the Schedule 13D most recently amended by AFC and Carl H. Lindner on September 13, 1995, relative to the common capital stock par value $.33 per share ("Common Stock") issued by Chiquita Brands International, Inc. ("Chiquita"). The principal executive offices of Chiquita are located at 250 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Schedule 13D, as amended. Items not included in this amendment are either not amended or are not applicable. As of September 30, 1997, the Lindner Family beneficially owned approximately 36% of the outstanding common stock of AFG and AFG beneficially owned all of the common stock of AFC (approximately 76% of AFC's outstanding voting equity securities). Through their ownership of common stock of American Financial and their positions as directors and executive officers of American Financial and AFC, the members of the Lindner Family may be deemed to be controlling persons with respect to American Financial and AFC. Item 2. Identity and Background. See the schedule attached hereto as Exhibit 1 which contains additional information concerning the Lindner Family, AFG and AFC. - 7 - Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer. As of October 31, 1997, the Reporting Persons beneficially owned 24,038,895 shares (or approximately 40.5% of the outstanding shares) of Chiquita Common Stock as follows: Holder Number of Shares --------------- ---------------- Carl H. Lindner 42,600* AAL 39,649 ACC 1,000,000 ADSLIC 29,065 AEIC 75,717 AESIC 63,705 AESLIC 959,447 AFC 884,470 AGR 25,574 ANF 41,217 ASI 73,134 EAI 27,281 EPI 37,238 GAI 14,422,151 GALIC 2,672,572 INFIN 400,000 MCC 563,755 OSC 58,561 RICA 1,236,844 SHIC 5,135 SIC 644,543 TICO 18,227 TRANS 118,010 WIC 600,000 ---------- TOTAL 24,038,895 ========== *Includes 12,600 shares issuable pursuant to employee stock options exercisable within sixty days. - 8 - AAL = American Alliance Insurance Company (a) ACC = Atlanta Casualty Company (b) ADSLIC = American Dynasty Surplus Lines Insurance Company (a) AEIC = American Empire Insurance Company (a) AESIC = Agricultural Excess and Surplus Insurance Company (a) AESLIC = American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance Company (a) AGR = Agricultural Insurance Company (a) ANF = American National Fire Insurance Company (a) ASI = American Spirit Insurance Company (a) EAI = Eagle American Insurance Company (a) EPI = Eden Park Insurance Company (a) GAI = Great American Insurance Company ("GAI") (b) GALIC = Great American Life Insurance Company (c) INFIN = Infinity Insurance Company (b) MCC = Mid-Continent Casualty Company (a) OSC = Oklahoma Surety Company (a) RICA = Republic Indemnity of American (b) SHIC = Seven Hills Insurance Company (a) SIC = Stonewall Insurance Company (a) TICO = TICO Insurance Company (a) TRANS = Transport Insurance Company (a) WIC = Windsor Insurance Company (b) (a) 100% owned subsidiaries of GAI (b) 100% owned subsidiary of AFC (c) 81% owned subsidiary of AFG Each company listed above shares with the Reporting Persons the power to vote or to direct the voting of, and the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of, the Chiquita Common Stock held by such company. - 9 - Certain officers and directors of AFG and AFC beneficially own shares of Chiquita Common Stock. Holder Number of Shares* Fred J. Runk 125,129 Thomas E. Mischell 139,137 Robert C. Lintz 58,880 * Includes options exercisable within 60 days. In addition, certain of these officers and directors are participants in the Chiquita Savings and Investment Plan. The shares held in the Plan are voted by the Plan trustees. Fred J. Runk, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of AFG, purchased 56 shares of Chiquita Common Stock at $14.71 on September 29, 1997 and 18 shares of Chiquita Common Stock at $16.00 on October 13, 1997. As of October 31, 1997 and within the past 60 days, to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned and other than as set forth herein, no transactions involving Chiquita Common Stock had been engaged in by the Reporting Persons, by AFG's or AFC's directors or executive officers. Item 7. Material to be filed as Exhibits. (1) Schedule referred to in Item 2. (2) Agreement required pursuant to Regulation Section 240.13d-1(f)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (3) Powers of Attorney executed in connection with filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. - 10 - After reasonable inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of the undersigned, it is hereby certified that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: November 12, 1997 AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. By: James C. Kennedy --------------------------------- James C. Kennedy General Counsel and Secretary AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION By: James C. Kennedy ---------------------------------- James C. Kennedy, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary James C. Kennedy --------------------------------- James C. Kennedy, As Attorney-in-Fact for: Carl H. Lindner Carl H. Lindner III S. Craig Lindner Keith E. Lindner - 11 - Exhibit 1 Item 2. Identity and Background. AFG is a holding company which was formed to acquire and own all of the outstanding common stock of both American Financial Corporation ("AFC") and American Premier Underwriters, Inc. in a transaction which was consummated in 1995. AFG is engaged primarily in specialty and multi-line property and casualty insurance businesses and in the sale of tax-deferred annuities and certain life and health insurance products. Carl H. Lindner's principal occupation is as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of AFG. Mr. Lindner has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of AFC since it was founded over 35 years ago and has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of American Premier Underwriters, Inc. since 1987. Carl H. Lindner III's principal occupation is as Co- President of AFG. He is also Co-President of AFC. S. Craig Lindner's principal occupations are as Co-President of AFG and President of American Annuity Group, Inc., an affiliate of AFG. He is also Co-President of AFC. Keith E. Lindner's principal occupations are as Co-President of AFG and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chiquita Brands International, Inc., an affiliate of AFG. He is also Co- President of AFC. The identity and background of the executive officers, directors and controlling persons of AFG and AFC (other than the Lindner Family, which is set forth above) are as follows: 1. Theodore H. Emmerich is a retired managing partner of Ernst & Young, certified public accountants, Cincinnati, Ohio. He is presently a director of AFG and AFC. Mr. Emmerich's address is 1201 Edgecliff Place, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45206. 2. James E. Evans' principal occupation is as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of AFG. He is also Senior Vice President and General Counsel of AFC. - 12 - 3. Thomas M. Hunt's principal occupation is as President of Hunt Petroleum Corporation, an oil and gas production company. He is presently a director of AFG and AFC. Mr. Hunt's business address is 5000 Thanksgiving Tower, 1601 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, 75201. 4. William R. Martin's principal occupation is as Chairman of the Board of MB Computing, Inc., a privately held computer software development company. He is presently a director of AFG and AFC. Mr. Martin's business address is 245 46th Avenue, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida 33706. 6. Gregory C. Thomas, for more than five years prior to his retirement in September 1996, was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Citicasters Inc. Mr. Thomas' address is 1026 Stephens Road, Maineville, Ohio 45039. 7. William W. Verity's principal occupation is as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ENCOR Holdings, Inc., develop and manufacture of plastic molded components. He is also a director of Chiquita. Mr. Verity's address is 3905 Vincennes Road, Suite 305, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268. 8. Alfred W. Martinelli's principal occupation is as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Buckeye Management Company, which is the sole general partner of Buckeye Partners, L.P., a limited partnership principally engaged in pipeline transportation of refined petroleum. Mr. Martinelli's address is 269 Glenmoor Road, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania 19035. He is also a director of AAG. 9. Fred J. Runk's principal occupation is as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of AFG. He is also Senior Vice President and Treasurer of AFC. 10. Thomas E. Mischell's principal occupation is as Senior Vice President - Taxes of AFG. He is also a Senior Vice President of AFC. The following are persons who are executive officers of AFC who are not also executive officers of AFG: 1. Sandra W. Heimann's principal occupation is as a Vice President of AFC. 2. Robert C. Lintz's principal occupation is as a Vice President of AFC. The Lindner Family and AFG may be deemed to be controlling persons with respect to AFC. -13- Unless otherwise noted, the business address of AFG, AFC and each of the persons listed above is One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, and all of the individuals are citizens of the United States. None of the persons listed above have during the last five years (i) been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. - 14 - Exhibit 2 AGREEMENT This Agreement executed this 7th day of April, 1995, is by and between American Premier Group, Inc. ("American Premier") and American Financial Corporation ("AFC"), both Ohio corporations, located at One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, and Carl H. Lindner ("CHL"), Carl H. Lindner III (CHL III), S. Craig Lindner ("SCL") and Keith E. Lindner ("KEL"), each an individual, the business address of each is One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. CHL, CHL III, SCL and KEL are referred to herein collectively as the Lindner Family. WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, American Premier owns 100% of the common stock of AFC and the Lindner Family beneficially owns approximately 49.9% of American Premier's outstanding Common Stock and each member of the Lindner Family is a director and executive officer of American Premier and AFC; WHEREAS, the Lindner Family may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities held by AFC and its subsidiaries pursuant to Regulation Section 240.13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; WHEREAS, American Premier and AFC and their subsidiaries from time to time must file statements pursuant to certain sections of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning the ownership of equity securities of public companies; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that American Premier, AFC and the Lindner Family, do hereby agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission any schedules or other filings or amendments thereto made by or on behalf of American Premier, AFC or any of their subsidiaries pursuant to Section 13(d), 13(f), 13(g), and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. AMERICAN PREMIER GROUP, INC. AMERICAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION By: /s/ James E. Evans James E. Evans Vice President & General Counsel /s/ Carl H. Lindner Carl H. Lindner /s/ Carl H. Lindner III Carl H. Lindner III /s/ S. Craig Lindner S. Craig Lindner /s/ Keith E. Lindner Keith E. Lindner - 15 - Exhibit 3 POWER OF ATTORNEY ----------------- I, Carl H. Lindner, do hereby appoint James C. Kennedy and Karl J. Grafe, or either of them, as my true and lawful attorneys- in-fact to sign on my behalf individually and as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of American Financial Group, Inc. or as a director or executive officer of any of its subsidiaries and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any schedules or other filings or amendments thereto made by me or on behalf of American Financial Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 13(d), 13(f), 13(g), 14(d) and 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand at Cincinnati, Ohio as of the 5th day of November, 1997. /s/ Carl H. Lindner ----------------------------------- Carl H. Lindner - 16 - POWER OF ATTORNEY ----------------- I, Carl H. Lindner III, do hereby appoint James C. Kennedy and Karl J. Grafe, or either of them, as my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact to sign on my behalf individually and as an officer or director of American Financial Group, Inc. or as a director or executive officer of any of its subsidiaries and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any schedules or other filings or amendments thereto made by me or on behalf of American Financial Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 13(d), 13(f), 13(g), 14(d) and 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand at Cincinnati, Ohio as of the 5th day of November, 1997. /s/ Carl H. Lindner III ----------------------------------------- Carl H. Lindner III - 17 - POWER OF ATTORNEY ----------------- I, S. Craig Lindner, do hereby appoint James C. Kennedy and Karl J. Grafe, or either of them, as my true and lawful attorneys- in-fact to sign on my behalf individually and as an officer or director of American Financial Group, Inc. or as a director or executive officer of any of its subsidiaries and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any schedules or other filings or amendments thereto made by me or on behalf of American Financial Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 13(d), 13(f), 13(g), 14(d) and 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand at Cincinnati, Ohio as of the 5th day of November, 1997. /s/ S. Craig Lindner ----------------------------------------- S. Craig Lindner - 18 - POWER OF ATTORNEY ----------------- I, Keith E. Lindner, do hereby appoint James C. Kennedy and Karl J. Grafe, or either of them, as my true and lawful attorneys- in-fact to sign on my behalf individually and as an officer or director of American Financial Group, Inc. or as a director or executive officer of any of its subsidiaries and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any schedules or other filings or amendments thereto made by me or on behalf of American Financial Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 13(d), 13(f), 13(g), 14(d) and 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand at Cincinnati, Ohio as of the 5th day of November, 1997. /s/ Keith E. Lindner ----------------------------------------- Keith E. Lindner - 19 - -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----