Valley Federal Savings & Loan stockholders voted...

Valley Federal Savings & Loan stockholders voted on a bid by Hecco Ventures, a major investor in the Van Nuys-based thrift, to gain three seats on Valley Federal’s 10-member board. But the results were not immediately known following the S&L;’s annual meeting. Regardless, the proxy fight may have to be settled in court. Shortly before the meeting, Valley Federal sued Hecco, alleging that the investment firm improperly solicited proxies and that its candidates were therefore ineligible for election. Hecco, which denied any wrongdoing, also is a major stockholder of Glendale-based Citadel Holding Corp., which has been pursuing a hostile takeover of Valley Federal since November.