​NEWS RELEASE

FROM: Stephen Gibbons, Assistant District Attorney   CONTACT PERSON:
Robin B. Wakshull, Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Protection Unit
(408) 792-2584   For release on August 19, 2004      CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWSUIT SETTLED WITH BASALITE   District Attorney George Kennedy today announced that his office joined with the Offices of the District Attorneys of Monterey and Merced Counties in resolving a civil action against Basalite Concrete Products LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of masonry, cement and sand products. The civil complaint and stipulated final judgment were filed in Monterey County Superior Court, signed by Judge Kay Kingsley on August 19, 2004. Without admitting wrongdoing or liability, Basalite consented to entry of a judgment that includes injunctive provisions and the payment of $150,000 in civil penalties and $46,672 in investigative costs and restitution.   The multi-county complaint alleges that Basalite produced and sold masonry products that were short-weight and did not contain the true net weight of product represented on the packages. The case was initiated and investigated by inspectors from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Departments of Agriculture and Divisions of Weights and Measures from ten counties.   Basalite cooperated with inspectors and the District Attorneys’ offices during the investigation of its weighing and labeling practices. In addition to the injunctive provisions and the payment of civil penalties and costs, Basalite has made changes in its quality control and quality assurance programs. Basalite purchased additional equipment to ensure that future violations are avoided.   ###