For Immediate Release - June 20, 2003
Contact: BIS Public Affairs - (202) 482-2721

Missouri Manufacturer Settles Antiboycott Allegations

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that Cook Composites and Polymers Company (Cook Composites), of North Kansas City, Missouri, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $6,000 to settle allegations that the company violated the antiboycott provisions of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) charged that Cook Composites furnished information about its business relationships with Israel when, in January 1998, in connection with a shipment to a customer in Bahrain, it provided a certificate to a bank stating that the goods being shipped were not of Israeli origin and did not contain Israeli materials. BIS also alleged that Cook Composites failed to report its receipt of the request for the information as required by the EAR.

The antiboycott provisions of the EAR prohibit U.S. persons from furnishing information about their, or any person’s, business relationships with Israel. Additionally, the EAR requires that persons report their receipt of certain boycott requests. BIS investigates alleged violations of the antiboycott provisions, provides support in administrative or criminal litigation of cases involving the antiboycott provisions, and prepares cases for settlement.

While neither admitting nor denying the allegations, Cook Composites agreed to pay the civil penalty for the two alleged violations.

Acting Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Lisa A. Prager commended Senior Compliance Officer Shirley Rockenbaugh, who conducted the investigation of this case.