A consent order reached between the U.S. Department of Justice and Brightstar Group, Inc., a California importer and retailer of children’s products, and its owner, Sherry Chen, of Arcadia, California, to settle charges that the company imported illegal and dangerous children’s products, has been approved by a federal district court in California. A second consent order involving Unik Toyz Trading Inc. (Unik), a Los Angeles importer and retailer of children’s products and toys, Unik’s owner, Julie Tran, 33, and the company’s manager, Kiet Tran, 38, both of Arcadia, California, was approved by the court in October [see Products Liability Law Daily’s October 20, 2015 analysis]  (U.S. v. Brightstar Group, Inc., November 9, 2015, Wright, O.).

The DOJ, at the request of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, had filed two separate civil actions in federal court in the Central District of California seeking to enjoin the importation and sales activities of these defendants. The two complaints, which were filed at the request of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), alleged that the companies and defendants were responsible for importing children’s products containing, among other things, lead, phthalates and small parts posing a choking hazard for children under the age of three. In accordance with the consent orders, Unik, Tran, and Tran have agreed to be bound by the conditions of a permanent injunction. For complete details on these complaints and consent orders, see Products Liability Law Daily’s October 7, 2015 analysis.

The cases are Nos. 2:15-cv-7822 (Brightstar Group, Inc. complaint and consent decree) and 2:15-cv-7821 (Unik Toyz Trading, Inc. complaint and consent decree)

Attorneys: Benjamin C. Mizer, Assistant Attorney General, for the United States of America.

Companies: Brightstar Group, Inc.; Unik Toyz Trading Inc.