[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47171-47172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17088]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

[Docket No. 16-15]


World Imports, Ltd., World Imports Chicago, LLC, and World 
Imports South, LLC v. OEC Group New York; Notice of Filing of Complaint 
and Assignment

    Notice is given that a complaint has been filed with the Federal 
Maritime Commission (Commission) by World Imports, Ltd., World Imports 
Chicago, LLC, and World Imports South, LLC (collectively ``World 
Imports''), hereinafter ``Complainants,'' against OEC Group New York 
(``OEC''), hereinafter ``Respondent.'' Complainants state that they are 
corporations ``formerly engaged in the business of buying furniture 
wholesale and selling it to retail distributors.'' Complainant alleges 
that Respondent is a New York corporation and a ``freight forwarder/
logistics provider'' providing non-vessel-operating common carrier 
services.
    Complainants allege that Respondent ``was in possession of multiple 
landed shipments of merchandise for delivery'' to Complainants but 
failed to release those goods on the basis of freight charges owed to 
Respondent for goods Respondent had ``previously delivered and 
unconditionally released.'' Further Complainant alleges that Respondent 
has ``transmogrified what would have been an unsecured claim in World 
Imports' bankruptcy proceedings into a secured maritime lien.'' 
Complainant alleges that Respondent has violated section 10(d)(1) of 
the Shipping Act, 46 U.S.C. 41102(c), which provides that a common 
carrier ``may not fail to establish, observe, and enforce just and 
reasonable regulations and practices relating to or connected with 
receiving, handling, storing, or delivering property.''
    Complainant requests the following relief: ``an order be made 
commanding OEC to: (1) Cease and desist from the aforesaid violations; 
(2) establish and put in force such practices as the Commission 
determines to be lawful and reasonable; (3) to pay to World Imports by 
way of reparations for the unlawful conduct herein described the sum of 
$172,075.50, with interest and attorney's fees or such other sum as the 
Commission may determine to be proper as an award of reparation; (4) to 
reimburse World Imports any sum it may be ordered to pay to OEC as a 
secured creditor in World Imports' bankruptcy case, insofar as such 
sums reflect charges, fees, or the like demanded in violation of 
Section (10)(d)(1); and (5) that such other and

[[Page 47172]]

further order or orders be made as the Commission determines to be 
proper in the premises.''
    The full text of the complaint can be found in the Commission's 
Electronic Reading Room at www.fmc.gov/16-15.
    This proceeding has been assigned to the Office of Administrative 
Law Judges. The initial decision of the presiding officer in this 
proceeding shall be issued by July 14, 2017, and the final decision of 
the Commission shall be issued by January 29, 2018.

Karen V. Gregory,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-17088 Filed 7-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6731-AA-P