Federal agents last week stormed the Gibson Guitar factories in the Tennessee cities of Nashville and Memphis, confiscating pallets of exotic woods, computer equipment and several guitars, the Financial Times reported yesterday.
According to the FT, the raids were part of an ongoing investigation into Gibson’s procurement of the materials it uses to construct its instruments, which includes the Les Paul, the best-selling guitar of all time.
The investigation seemingly began after a shipment of Indian ebony was detained by customs officers in Dallas, Texas, in June, the FT article continues. The ebony included in the shipment was illegal under a US law that bars the transport or sale of endangered woods and plants.
This is the second time that Gibson factories have been raided. In 2009, the company was investigated for allegedly using illegally imported woods from Madagascar but no criminal charges were pursued.
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gray36New AFfiliatePosted on 08/29/2011 at 16:45:54I hate to say it, but when the heat is on, because of the quality guitars out there, Gibson breaks the rules again! Their punishment should be refunding everyone who has ever bought a Gibson, half off, they would still be making profit! Just makes me that much prouder to own an Epiphone! Although I do wish my LP Custom had an Ebony fretboard!
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