Countertop Importer to Pay $12.4M to Settle Claims It Evaded AD/CVD
Importer Allied Stone agreed to pay $12.4 million to settle claims that it violated the False Claims Act by evading antidumping duties and countervailing duties on quartz surface products from China, DOJ announced. The FCA case was initially filed by Melinda Hemphill, a whistleblower in the case, who will receive a $2,170,875 cut of the settlement.
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Hemphill and the U.S. alleged that Allied Stone knowingly evaded or conspired to evade duties on Chinese quartz surface products that were imported between Sept. 29, 2018, and Feb. 7, 2023. The government alleged that Allied Stone misrepresented Chinese quartz surface products as other merchandise subject to lesser duties, "such as marble or crystallized glass," to avoid paying applicable AD/CVD. The government also alleged that Allied Stone failed to declare and pay applicable AD/CVD owed to the U.S. on entries of Chinese quartz surface products.
“This settlement reflects our commitment to hold accountable those who evade or conspire to evade duties owed on imported goods, including antidumping and countervailing duties that level the playing field for American manufacturers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of DOJ's Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will zealously pursue those who seek an unfair advantage in U.S. markets by evading or conspiring with others to evade duties owed.”