Brimer v. Hunter Manufacturing Group, Inc., et al.

On September 22, 2005, Russell Brimer and Hunter Manufacturing Group, Inc. reached a settlement agreement that resolved citizen enforcer Russell Brimer's allegations that Hunter manufactured, distributed or sold glasses, mugs, bowls, teapots and other glassware and ceramicware with colored designs and/or artwork on the exterior containing lead and cadmium in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.

As part of the settlement, Hunter agreed not to sell in California glassware or ceramicware with exterior decorations unless they conform to the lead and cadmium content standards pursuant to section 2.3 of the Consent Judgment, or to have prominently placed Proposition 65 warnings provided in a conspicuous manner such that a consumer is likely to view, read, and easily understand the warning.

The settlement required payments of $136,000, divided therein between civil penalties, 75% of which are paid to California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and compensation to whistleblower Mr. Brimer and his counsel for their successful enforcement of this matter in the public interest.