San Francisco, CA – Federal officials are investigating allegations that Home Depot is providing Chinese-made products and other foreign goods to government customers in violation of the Buy American Act.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The investigation was disclosed in a Department of Justice court filing earlier this year in a Los Angeles federal court. The DOJ is mulling whether take over a whistle-blower lawsuit that alleges the country’s largest home improvement provider has violated the 1933 law mandating U.S. materials be used in public construction projects.
A company spokesman said Home Depot is cooperating with the investigation and “would never knowingly sell prohibited goods under any circumstances.” Spokesman Stephen Holmes said the plaintiffs have an “inaccurate view of the facts.”
A judge has set a trial date for early next year.
if true
heavy fines and prison terms
I wouldn’t be surprised if the “whistle blower” was the one in charge of fulfilling the orders and the one who shipped the non-america goods.
I know of other such cases where the whistle blower was the one who actually did the illegal act, was granted immunity and in fact collected a huge payout while the corporation suffered the consequences.