Business Notes TAKEOVERS

Anyone who is tired of hearing about Real Estate Mogul Donald Trump's latest megadeal or his timely escape, unscathed, from the stock-market crash may have felt a certain satisfaction last week. According to FTC: Watch, a biweekly newsletter that reports on the Federal Trade Commission, the agency has asked the Justice Department to prosecute the New York developer for illegal use of a "parking agreement." Under such an arrangement, a corporate raider employs one or more third parties, like an investment bank, to help him secretly amass shares in a takeover target in violation of federal law. Trump admits he used that type of agreement with Bear Stearns during his accumulation of a 9.9% stake in Bally Manufacturing, but denies it was illegal. Should the Government press the case, Trump vows, "we'll fight all the way."