Judge orders Spectrum Brands to pay $1.9 million in civil penalties

MADISON, Wis. ( — A Wisconsin-based consumer products company has been ordered to pay $1.9 million in civil penalties for waiting to report a defect in coffee carafes that resulted in injuries to nearly 70 people, and for continuing to sell the carafes even after they were recalled.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that U.S. District Judge William Conley issued the order against Spectrum Brands on Friday. It was based on a 2016 court ruling that found the company violated the Consumer Product Safety Act by waiting years to tell the Consumer Product Safety Commission about complaints that Black & Decker SpaceMaker carafe handles were breaking.

The company received about 1,600 reports of broken handles from November 2008 through April 2012.

A company spokesman says the company hasn’t decided if it will appeal.

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