Problem With ClassCasting

[mike hengst]

This is my problem:
if LastName map contains the key of this emp's lastname
extract the value object(an arraylist) from the map and add
the current emp object reference to it
else
instantiate a new arraylist and add the emp reference to it
then add the last name key and the arraylist value object
to the map
Here is what I have so far:

    public void createLastCollections(Employee emp) {
        ArrayList  emps;
        System.out.println("createLastCollections() Employee emp passed " + emp);
        String     lname  = emp.getLastName();
        System.out.println(lname + " last name");
        System.out.println((byLast.containsKey(lname)) + " (byLast.containsKey(lname))");
        if(byLast.containsKey(emp.getLastName())) {
            System.out.println("inside if return of emp.getlastName()" + emp.getLastName());
            //System.out.println("adding lastname " + lname);
            ((ArrayList)byLast.get(emp.getLastName())).add(emp);
//             ((ArrayList)byLast.get(lname)).add(emp);
        }
        else {
            emps = new ArrayList();
            emps.add(emp);
            byLast.put(emp.getLastName(), emp);
            System.out.println("last name put into hashmap" + lname);
        }
    }

The problem is that when I run into the second instance of a last name(inmy case smith) it throws a ClassCastException on this line:
((ArrayList)byLast.get(emp.getLastName())).add(emp);
What should I do??? It does seem that this is the only forum that I can get serious answers to my problems and I truly appreciate that fact. So thatnk you to anyone who can help me straighten out my code.
[ April 07, 2003: Message edited by: mike hengst ]

[mike hengst]

I have solved the problem. It is adding everybody in now. Now onto the other errors. HA they nver end.

[Cindy Glass]

You are not going to share your solution?
Pleeeeeeeese?