SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

Gradco Under Scrutiny: Gradco Systems Inc., a copier products maker based in Irvine, reported in a recent filing that the Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting an informal investigation into the company’s financial reports.

The SEC is looking at reports filed by Gradco under the leadership of Keith B. Stewart, the former chief executive who was ousted in a bitterly contested proxy fight in October, the filing said. Specifically, the SEC is looking at reports for the fiscal years ending March 31, 1989, and March 31, 1990, the filing said.

The company’s new management, led by New York publisher Martin E. Tash, said it is cooperating with the investigation. Arnold Stone, attorney for Stewart, said Stewart has not been contacted by the SEC in connection with the investigation.