Charter Puts COO on Leave

ST. LOUIS -- Responding to the close scrutiny and speculation resulting from this morning's announcement that David G. Barford, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, is on paid leave status, Charter Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR) issued the following prepared statement: "Due to the pendency of a previously announced grand jury subpoena, the company determined that the most appropriate course of action at this time is to place Mr. Barford on paid leave pending the result of the investigation, after which this status would be reviewed. We continue to cooperate fully with the grand jury subpoena and reiterate our belief that Charter's financial statements comply with generally accepted accounting principles, in all material respects, and they, and the related SEC filings, provide an accurate picture of the company, its financial condition, results of operations, and the assumptions underlying them. Carl Vogel, President and Chief Executive Officer, has assumed Mr. Barford's responsibilities on an interim basis." Charter Communications