Current:Home > MarketsEbay faces up to $2 billion in fines over selling "rolling coal" devices-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Ebay faces up to $2 billion in fines over selling "rolling coal" devices
lotradecoin advanced analytics dashboard View Date:2024-12-26 01:47:48
Ebay may have to cough up as much as $2 billion in fines for allegedly allowing the distribution and sale of hundreds of thousands of products that significantly increase pollution spewing from diesel pickup trucks.
The e-commerce giant is accused of letting more than 343,000 aftermarket "rolling coal" devices — made to neutralize motor vehicle emission controls — be sold through its platform in violation of the Clean Air Act, according to a Justice Department complaint filed in Brooklyn federal court.
EBay sold the products between November 2015 and January 2023, with each device that was sold subject to a $5,580 fine, the federal agency said in its lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Products that override autos' emissions controls are used to boost a diesel truck's power and to enable it to spew a plume of black exhaust in what's known as a "roll coal." States including Colorado and Maryland have banned the practice in which drivers of diesel pickup trucks intentionally target pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists with the visible black smoke to protest electric or hybrid cars or seemingly as a prank, if one goes by videos on social media.
According to the EPA, coal rolling is a major source of air pollution because of the nitrogen oxide released into the air. Exposure to exhaust fumes also puts people at risk of developing respiratory troubles such as asthma and bronchitis, research has shown.
The EPA also claims eBay unlawfully sold at least 23,000 pesticide products, including a high toxicity insecticide banned in the U.S., and over 5,600 products containing methylene chloride, also a toxic chemical.
"Laws that prohibit selling products that can severely harm human health and the environment apply to e-commerce retailers like eBay just as they do to brick-and-mortar stores," Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division said in a Sept. 27 statement announcing the suit against eBay. "We are committed to preventing the unlawful sale and distribution of emissions-defeating devices and dangerous chemicals that, if used improperly, can lead to dire consequences for individuals and communities."
Ebay called the government's unprecedented and vowed to defend itself. The company is already "blocking and removing more than 99.9% of the listings for the products cited by the DOJ, including millions of listings each year," the online retailer said in a statement.
The company said it cooperates with law enforcement in trying to prevent third-parties from selling dangerous or illegal products on its platform.
"And eBay has partnered closely with law enforcement, including the DOJ, for over two decades on identifying emerging risks and assisting with prevention and enforcement."
California parts maker Sinister Mfg. Co. pleaded guilty to criminal charges and agreed to pay $1 million in fines for tampering with the monitoring device of an emissions control system of a diesel truck, the Justice Department said in August. The company sold nearly 40,000 defeat devices, including at least 35,960 kits that disable vehicles' exhaust gas recirculation systems, according to the agency.
veryGood! (52418)
Related
- White House says deals struck to cut prices of popular Medicare drugs that cost $50 billion yearly
- Trial wraps up for French justice minister in unprecedented case, with verdict set for late November
- Grand Canyon, nation’s largest Christian university, says it’s appealing ‘ridiculous’ federal fine
- Florida university system sued over effort to disband pro-Palestinian student group
- Traveling? Here Are the Best Life-Saving Travel Accessories You Need To Pack, Starting at Just $7
- Climate change in Texas science textbooks causes divisions on state’s education board
- Judge declares mistrial after jury deadlocks in trial of ex-officer in deadly Breonna Taylor raid
- Judge allows Ja Morant’s lawyers to argue he acted in self-defense in lawsuit about fight with teen
- The State Fair of Texas is banning firearms, drawing threats of legal action from Republican AG
- U.S. business leaders meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Ranking
- Big Georgia county to start charging some costs to people who challenge the eligibility of voters
- Rep. George Santos won’t seek reelection after scathing ethics report cites evidence of lawbreaking
- 'The Dukes of Hazzard' cast reunites, Daisy Duke star Catherine Bach hints at potential reboot
- New Subaru Forester, Lucid SUV and Toyota Camry are among vehicles on display at L.A. Auto Show
- Demi Lovato opens up about how 'daddy issues' led her to chase child stardom, success
- Comedian Marlon Wayans expresses unconditional love for his trans son
- Stock market today: Asian stocks pulled lower by profit warnings and signs the US economy is slowing
- Puerto Rico signs multimillion-dollar deal with Texas company to build a marina for mega yachts
Recommendation
-
Giants trading Jordan Phillips to Cowboys in rare deal between NFC East rivals
-
At a Global South summit, Modi urges leaders to unite against challenges from the Israel-Hamas war
-
China could send more pandas to the U.S., Chinese President Xi Jinping suggests
-
Swedish dockworkers are refusing to unload Teslas at ports in broad boycott move
-
Giants trading Jordan Phillips to Cowboys in rare deal between NFC East rivals
-
U.S. business leaders meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping
-
U.N. Security Council approves resolution calling for urgent humanitarian pauses in Gaza and release of hostages
-
China could send more pandas to the U.S., Chinese President Xi Jinping suggests