AUG. 19 I GIBSON I LEGAL
Gibson's Saga Continues

In a recently filed lawsuit, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Middle Tennessee is seeking forfeiture of six guitars from Gibson that are partially made of ebony and other pieces of rare wood.

Authorities raided the Nashville, Tenn., manufacturer's guitar plant last November and seized ebony wood in various forms that were deemed illegal.

The civil action suit, which seeks possession of property already in authorities’ custody, cites the Lacey Act, which “authorizes forfeiture of all plants” imported, exported, transported and in any way acquired in violation of federal statutes that protect various natural resources.

Gibson has previously stated that it was “fully cooperating” with the investigation. The company has been supported by the National Resource Defense Council, and before the raid, Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz was a board member of the Rainforest Alliance. In 2008, the organization approved Gibson's factory after an inspection that did not include reviewing its supply chain for ebony.

gibson.com