Whatever happened to the Gibson Raid outcome?

XtheDeadPawn · #1 01-06-2012, 01:54 PM

I was just watching a Youtube video then saw in the related videos the Gibson raid confrence (Misspelt I know) the CEO held outside their Nashville factory. He said that the Goverment halted all Gibson production while they investigated wether Gibson's woods were legally obtained.

Well Gibson is making guitars again so what happened did the DA drop the case on Gibby or did Gibby get it all squared away with Uncle Sam?

I think the woods in question were Rosewood and Ebony acquired from India and Madagascar respectivly.

4001 · #2 02-29-2012, 12:49 PM

"They...come in with weapons, they seized a half-million dollars worth of property, they shut our factory down, and they have not charged us with anything," says Gibson Guitars CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, referring to the August 2011 raid on his Nashville and Memphis factories by agents from the Departments of Homeland Security and Fish & Wildlife.

The feds raided Gibson for using an inappropriate tariff code on wood from India, which is a violation of the anti-trafficking statute known as The Lacey Act. At issue is not whether the wood in question was endangered, but whether the wood was the correct level of thickness and finish before being exported from India. "India is wanting to ensure that raw wood is not exported without some labor content from India," says Juskiewicz.

Andrea Johnson of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) counters that "it's not up to Gibson to decide which laws...they want to respect." She points out that Gibson had previously been raided under The Lacey Act for imports from Madagascar.

This much is clear: The government has yet to file any charges or allow Gibson a day in court to makes its case, much less retrieve its materials. "This is not about responsible forestry and sustainable wood or illegal logging, this is about a bureaucratic law," argues Juszkiewicz, who testified last year before a congressional hearing convened by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). It is, he says, "a blank check for abuse."

About 6 minutes. Written, produced, and narrated by Anthony L. Fisher; shot by Joshua Swain.

The Great Gibson Guitar Raid: Months Later, Still No Charges Filed - YouTube

The Great Gibson Guitar Raid: Months Later, Still No Charges Filed - Hit & Run : Reason Magazine

Ron Plichta · #3 02-29-2012, 01:43 PM

After what Juskewicz tried to do to Paul Reed Smith with his bogus lawsuit on the PRS Singlecut, I have no sympathy for him.

otherclef · #4 02-29-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Plichta

After what Juskewicz tried to do to Paul Reed Smith with his bogus lawsuit on the PRS Singlecut, I have no sympathy for him.

But that's not the issue here is it.

hdracer · #5 02-29-2012, 01:52 PM

You have to dig deep to find the truth.
We are not allowed to talk about it here.

4001 · #6 02-29-2012, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

We are not allowed to talk about it here.

hdracer · #7 02-29-2012, 04:33 PM

Every thread has been shut down

**colcifer** · #8 02-29-2012, 05:05 PM

Every thread has been political.

4001 · #9 02-29-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Every thread has been shut down

This one is still open...

bassmeknik · #10 02-29-2012, 05:24 PM

big brother at his worst. Without clear laws the government can do what ever it wants, and has for most of my life. Get out there and have a say.... VOTE and write your congressman (about all you can do)

bassmeknik · #11 02-29-2012, 05:27 PM

With out getting into my own party affiliation I will say I have ALWAYS felt my vote was for the lessor of two evils. Not for the "best candidate" as I haven't liked any of them in decades. I do believe I MUST vote or I give up my say and my power.

hdracer · #12 02-29-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colcifer

Every thread has been political.

There is no way of talking about it because the whole thing is political.

hdracer · #13 02-29-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4001

This one is still open...

Because nothing has been disgust about it.

bassmeknik · #14 02-29-2012, 05:31 PM

absolute power corrupts absolutely

otherclef · #15 02-29-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Because nothing has been disgust about it.

I thought it was pretty disgusting... jus my $.02

hdracer · #16 02-29-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otherclef

I thought it was pretty disgusting... jus my $.02

LOL true. Auto correct bites again.

beggar98 · #17 02-29-2012, 05:49 PM

I work in import/export and deal with US Customs all the time. The Lacey Act is pretty straight forward. If they're in violation it is either intentional or they are dumb.

bassmeknik · #18 02-29-2012, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beggar98

I work in import/export and deal with US Customs all the time. The Lacey Act is pretty straight forward. If they're in violation it is either intentional or they are dumb.

ok then why would the government seize the product and not charge the offender?

beggar98 · #19 02-29-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmeknik

ok then why would the government seize the product and not charge the offender?

I'm not sure. Could be that they could prove the woods were illegally obtained, but couldn't prove Gibson knowingly pursued illegal material. Usually the offending goods are simply seized and there is no criminal charge unless there is strong evidence of a plot to deceive.

svtb15 · #20 02-29-2012, 06:02 PM

I saw an article on Monday .. and maybe on You-tube with Rand Paul describing NEW legislation that will exclude the USA form adhering to other coutrys laws in regards to provisions in the Lacy agreement so that companies such as Gibson will not be hunted down and deprived their due Process.. Im sure there is something about it in a Rand Paul site somewhere..