Ohio Fireworks Manufacturer Violates Court Order
Agrees To Turn Over Profits From Sales of Illegal Fireworks
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2003
Release # 03-142
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051
Ohio Fireworks Manufacturer Violates Court Order
Agrees To Turn Over Profits From Sales of Illegal Fireworks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Based on serious violations of a January 2000 court
order to stop buying or selling banned fireworks, the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission and Department of Justice have taken action
against an Ohio fireworks company, in which it will forfeit profits.
Midwest Fireworks Manufacturing Co. Inc., of Deerfield, Ohio, has
agreed to turn over $30,000 in profits to the federal government, after
a CPSC and DOJ investigation found that the company was selling illegal
consumer fireworks. This action directly violated a permanent
injunction issued in January 2000 by the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Ohio.
"The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a close eye on
companies we have taken enforcement action against. We will not allow a
company to breach the rule of law and then profit from putting the
public in harm's way," said Commission Chairman Hal Stratton.
The agreement between the government and Midwest Fireworks and its
president Larry Lomaz also calls for future shipments of fireworks
to be tested by the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory prior to
importation. AFSL's standards incorporate the performance and labeling
requirements of CPSC as well as transportation, shipping, and storage
regulations established by the Department of Transportation.
Additionally, Midwest Fireworks is required to inform the Commission of
all its imports of fireworks devices.
The Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Litigation handled
the earlier and current injunctive litigation.