Congresswoman Draws Link Between 2011 Gibson Guitars Lacey Act Raid and IRS Scandal
A Tennessee congresswoman wants President Obama to provide a “full explanation” of the 2011 Lacey Act raids on Gibson Guitar, linking the raid to the recent Internal Revenue Service scandal. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said in a May 29 statement…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
that recent administration scandals “raise a number of questions about who they choose to target and why. The arrogance and lack of transparency displayed by this President and his cabinet officials in events such as the raids on Gibson Guitar and the IRS targeting of conservative groups show a complete disregard for the rule of law.” Gibson and the Justice Department settled their Lacey Act violation dispute -- related to the purchase of wood from Madagascar and India -- in August 2012 (see 12080721). Blackburn was one of a group of representatives who sent a letter to the Justice and Interior departments following the 2011 raid, asking why it was necessary. In her statement, Blackburn said the administration assured no musicians would be targeted, but "provided no real answers about the raid itself." The White House and Gibson didn't return requests for comment.