C.R. Laurence has announced that it has reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice and US Customs & Border Protection in a False Claims Act action. The company denies “…engaging in any of the alleged wrongful conduct, we are happy to have reached this settlement agreement …”
C.R. Laurence has announced that it has reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice and US Customs & Border Protection in a False Claims Act action captioned as United States ex. rel. Valenti v. Tai Shan Golden Gain Aluminum Products, Ltd., et al., Civil Action No. 3:11CV368, pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The Government’s complaint in intervention in that litigation alleged that defendants, including C.R. Laurence, wrongfully evaded antidumping, countervailing, and other duties owed in connection with certain imports of aluminium extrusions.
C.R. Laurence maintains that it did not engage in any wrongdoing and is not liable for the alleged conduct, and denies the Government’s allegations, including the allegation that it was responsible for any duties owed on the relevant aluminium extrusion imports. The aluminium extrusions at issue were purchased on Free In Store terms making the seller responsible for importing the goods into the US, including the payment of appropriate duties, according to CRL.
According to Lloyd Talbert, president of C.R. Laurence: “While we deny engaging in any of the alleged wrongful conduct, we are happy to have reached this settlement agreement so that we can ensure that our resources and focus remain on best serving our customers’ needs without further cost or distraction.”