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January 16, 2018

Posted  January 22, 2018

Virginia-based home furnishings company Bassett Mirror Company agreed to pay $10.5 million to resolve allegations it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly making false statements on customs declarations to avoid paying antidumping duties on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China. According to the government, Bassett Mirror evaded antidumping duties owed on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China by misclassifying the furniture as non-bedroom furniture which at the time of the alleged conduct was not subject to an antidumping duty. The allegations originated in a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by Kelly Wells, an Alabama merchant who sells furniture on line. Ms. Wells will receive a whistleblower award of roughly $1.9 million from the proceeds of the government’s recovery. DOJ

Tagged in: Customs Fraud, FCA Federal, Whistleblower Case, Whistleblower Rewards,