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Briefs

November's jobless rate stands pat

By Times staff and wires
Published December 8, 2007

WASHINGTON - Employers hired at a moderate pace in November and the unemployment rate held steady at a relatively low 4.7 percent, reassuring signs for an economy that is fighting to avoid a recession. The Labor Department's report Friday showed that companies are still adding to their ranks even as the housing and credit markets are weighing heavily on national economic activity. Employers added a net 94,000 jobs last month.

Deal for CompUSA will close stores
DALLAS  - Consumer electronics retailer CompUSA said Friday it will close its stores after the holidays following sale of the company to an affiliate of Gordon Brothers Group LLC, a restructuring firm. CompUSA operates 103 stores, including four in the Tampa Bay area, which plan to run store-closing sales.

Citigroup board may choose CEO
NEW YORK  - Citigroup Inc.'s board of directors is expectedto choose a new chief executive next week, Dow Jones Newswires reported. The frontrunner for the CEO job is the head of Citi's investment bank and alternative investments businesses, Vikram Pandit, Dow Jones said.

Brandon man gets 10 years for fraud
TAMPA - Hillsborough Circuit Judge Mark Wolfe sentenced Michael Danish of Brandon to 10 years in prison Friday for a mortgage fraud scheme targeting the elderly. Danish pleaded guilty last month to aggravated white collar crime, failure to disburse funds and notary fraud. He arranged financing for elderly homeowners who wanted to buy air conditioners, but converted more than $400,000 of the loan proceeds for his own use. Co-defendant Donna Whitlock of Bay Point Title was sentenced to probation for one count of notary fraud. They also were ordered to pay restitution.

Worker confidence at low point of year
FORT LAUDERDALE - The national employee confidence index fell to its lowest level of the year in November, according to data released Friday by Spherion Corp., a Fort Lauderdale company that surveyed more than 3,000 workers.

[Last modified December 7, 2007, 22:52:53]