Utah-based Young Living Essential Oils, L.C., has been sentenced to pay $760,000 in fines, forfeiture, and community service after pleading guilty to violating the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act.
The company, headquartered in Lehi, Utah, was charged with illegally trafficking rosewood oil and spikenard oil in violation of the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act.
According to the plea agreement, several company employees and contractors harvested, transported, and distilled rosewood (Aniba roseaodora) in Peru and imported some of the resulting oil into the United States, through Ecuador.
The company lacked an internal compliance program or formal procedures, training, or means to review and resolve problems and identify and stop potential violations. An internal investigation was conducted and the company made a voluntary disclosure to the government in 2015.
The investigation revealed that, in addition to the conduct disclosed by the company, in December 2015, the company exported spikenard oil harvested in Nepal to the United Kingdom, without a CITES permit.
Young Living Essential Oils was sentenced to a fine of $500,000, $135,000 in restitution, a community service payment of $125,000 for the conservation of protected species of plants used in essential oils, and a term of five years’ probation with special conditions.
The company must implement a corporate compliance plan, conduct audits, and publish statements regarding its convictions.
“The importation of illegally harvested wood and timber products harms law-abiding American companies and workers and threatens forest resources around the world,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“While the natural resource violations by certain employees of Young Living were intentional and substantial, the Company’s decision to conduct an internal investigation, voluntarily disclose the initial violations to government enforcement authorities, and cooperate throughout the ensuing investigation is to be commended,” said U.S. Attorney John W. Huber for the District of Utah.
The defendant:
Young Living Essential Oils, L.C.
Exact criminal charges:
Lacey Act and Endangered Species Act Violations
City and state:
Lehi, Utah
Exact date:
Not specified
Sentence or outcome:
$500,000 fine, $135,000 in restitution, $125,000 community service payment, five years’ probation
Dollar amounts:
$760,000 total
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Environmental Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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