8-K 1 dt8k.txt AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT - August 1, 2002 (Date of Earliest Event Reported) AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Commission File No. 1-5380 Delaware 04-2269444 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------- (State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 2418 Main Street, Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067 ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (860) 257-2000

Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant. On August 1, 2002, Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte") advised Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames" or the "Company") that the Company had been accepted as an audit client by Deloitte. Subsequent to that, the Company informed its former independent auditors, Arthur Andersen LLP ("Andersen") that it had been formally dismissed. The Company's Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, had previously authorized the engagement of Deloitte as the Company's new independent auditors. Deloitte will audit the financial statements of Ames for the fiscal year ending February 1, 2003 ("Fiscal 2002") and will perform quarterly reviews for Fiscal 2002. Because the Company is in bankruptcy proceedings, the appointment of Deloitte will be subject to bankruptcy court approval. During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended February 2, 2002, and the subsequent interim period through August 1, 2002, there were no disagreements between Ames and Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused Andersen to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports. None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K occurred within the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended February 2, 2002 or within the interim period through August 1, 2002. None of the audit reports of Andersen on the consolidated financial statements of Ames as of and for the fiscal years ended February 3, 2001 and February 2, 2002 contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion nor was any such audit report qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except that the audit report for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002 contained a qualified opinion as to going concern. During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended February 2, 2002, and the subsequent interim period through August 1, 2002, Ames did not consult with Deloitte regarding any of the matters or events set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K. The Company requested that Andersen furnish it with a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether it agrees with the statements made in this report, and if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. Andersen has indicated to the Company that Andersen no longer issues such letters.

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC. Date: August 1, 2002 By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore ------------------------ Name: Joseph R. Ettore Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director Date: August 1, 2002 By: /s/ Rolando de Aguiar ------------------------ Name: Rolando de Aguiar Title: Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

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