Whistleblower Gets $170,000 in Customs Duty Evasion Case
Xing Wei received $170,000 for her role as a whistleblower in a customs duty evasion case settled between the Justice Department and a garment wholesaler in 2017 (see 1710030048), Wei's lawyer Timothy McInnis said in a news release. Notations, the…
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wholesaler, admitted to failing to prevent the obvious customs fraud committed by importer, Yingshun Garments (see 1609280038), as part of the settlement. McInnis said the settlement is significant for two reasons. “First, the government pursued duties fraud claims against a US-based 'downstream' commercial purchaser and re-seller, not just the foreign manufacturer and importers,” he said. “And, second, the whistleblower received an award for opening the door to the investigation and later helping uncover Notations' role even though her qui tam complaint did not name Notations specifically.” Asked why it took so long after the 2017 settlement for Wei to receive her portion, McInnis said by email that “there is no specific reason for the delay” and that some things “just take time.”