Good question; an Empire official said his company would keep the dorms rent-free.

And one said that Empire officials joked about the two sets of numbers at a party.

However, he added, if Empire officials knew that what they submitted was false, criminal prosecutions would be in order.

Empire officials have said they expect the hearings to be volatile.

Empire officials say they have worked mightily to resolve the technical problems that have led to complaints about service.

He said Empire officials consulted him before their announcement.

The accountants will look at 1992 figures that Empire officials describe as most crucial to its viability.

Empire officials, who received a draft of the report last fall, declined to discuss it yesterday.

Most of the residents are former Empire officials.

But Empire officials said they would begin sending out new bills next week and would continue to do so through most of January.