Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
DALLAS (AP) — University Furnishings LP and its partner, Freedom Furniture Group Inc., have agreed to pay $15 million to settle a dispute over duties on imports.
The Department of Justice announced the agreement Monday. University Furnishings sells items for student housing.
Dallas-based University Furnishings faced allegations that it made false statements to avoid paying duties on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China. The shipments were from 2009 to mid-2012.
Investigators say University Furnishings classified the cargo as office or similar items not subject to duties, when the pieces were actually furniture for dormitory rooms.
A competitor, University Loft Company of Greenfield, Indiana, raised allegations of wrongdoing. University Loft will receive more than $2.2 million as its share of the settlement.
The agreement resolves the allegations and does not determine liability.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
