Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) accepted a $900,000 offer in compromise from Warsteiner Importers Agency Inc. for alleged violations of the trade practice provisions of the Federal Alcohol Administration (FAA) Act.
This is the largest single offer in compromise for trade practice violations accepted by TTB to date.
Warsteiner Importers Agency Inc. is alleged to have engaged in Tied House, Commercial Bribery, and Exclusive Outlet violations that either placed, or had the potential to place, the retailer’s independence at risk. This offer in compromise was submitted to settle all possible alleged violations.
TTB remains committed to actively enforcing the trade practice provisions of the FAA Act so that consumers can continue to enjoy a wide selection of products and that industry members can compete for those consumers in a fair and open marketplace.
Comment: TTB Administrator John Manfreda has repeatedly warned the Bureau was intent of pursuing violations of this nature. That’s a view that’s apparently shared across the agency: When we interviewed a retired deputy to Manfreda last week, he told us he thought the Bureau’s most important benefit to the nation was insuring a level playing field.