Center For Safety I st, Incorporated
Transcription
Center For Safety I st, Incorporated
© Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33353 Center For Environmental Health VII Safety I st, Incorporated PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. "Eric S. Somers, State BarNo. 139050 Mark N. Todzo, State Bar No. 168389 Todd E Robins, State Bar No. 191853 LEXINGTON LAW GROUP, LLP 151 Vermont Street, Ste. l lA San Francisco, CA 94103 Tel. (415) 554-3520 Fax (415) 554-3521 6 ENDORSED s _ FILED an PranclsGo Count~ Superior Court OCT1-B2000~: GORDON PARK-LI, Clerk BY:, Attorneys for Plaintiff CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PLAf.I I r' ' T9 7 STATUS 8 News-33354 J MAR JUN P. PANELO Deputy Clerk 2 3--200] 9 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA 10 IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO 11 12 13 CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, a non-profit corporation; and PlaintiffDOES 1 through 10,000, inclusive, 14 Plaintiffs, 15 18 I COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND CIVIL PENALTIES V. 16 17 r Health & Safety Code w et seq.; Bus. & Prof. Code w et seq. SAFETY 1", E~4C.; and Defendant DOES 1 through 200, inclusive, Defendants. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Comp!m, (Other) © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 1 PROP65 News-33355 Plaintiffs, by and through their counsel, hereby allege the following: 2 INTRODUCTION 3 1. This complaint seeks to remedy defendants' continuing failure to warn 4 individuals in California that they are being exposed to lead and lead compounds (collectively 5 referred to herein as "lead"), chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth 6 defects and other reproductive harm. Such exposures have occurred, and continue to occur, 7 through the sale and use of defendants' baby monitors made with plastic parts that contain lead 8 (the "Products"). Lead is found in the cords and other parts of the Products that are made of 9 plastic. Lead from the Products comes into contact with the skin when people use or handle the 10 11 Products. Lead from the Products is ingested when people touch their hands to their mouths after using or handling such Products. 2. 12 13 Eead'i~'especially hazardous to children and pregnant women. As these Products are designed for use in children's bedrooms and playrooms, and are designed for use by parents, including women who may be pregnant with other children, lead exposures from these 14 15 Products poses a particular hazard. Through the intended use of the Products, adults including pregnant women, children and infants who use or touch the Products or touch people who have 16 used or touched the Products, are exposed to lead, chemicals which are known to cause cancer, 17 birth defects and other reproductive harm, as well as other serious adverse health effects 18 including brain damage. PARTIES 19 3. 20 21 22 23 corporation dedicated to protecting the environment, improving human health and supporting environmentally sound practices. CEH is based in Oakland and incorporated under the laws of the State of California CEH is a "person" within the meaning of California Health & Safety Code w 24 25 Plaintiff Center For Environmental Health ("CEI-F') is a non-profit l(a) 2 and is bringing this enforcement action in the public interest pursuant to Health & Safety Code w and on behalf of the general public pursuant to Business & Professions Code w17204. 26 4. PlalntiffDOES 1 through 10,000 are each a "person" under Business & 27 28 All statutory references are to California Codes unless otherwise indicated. Comphmt -2- PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 1 Professions Code w167 2 defendants who have purchased the Products since October 17, 1996. 5. 3 4 5 and 17535. PlaimiffDOES 1 through 10,000 are customers of The true names ofPlalntiffDOES 1 through 10,000 are unknown to Plaintiff CEH at this time. When their identities are ascertained, the complaint shall be amended to reflect their true names. 6. 6 News-33356 The term "Plaintiffs," as used herein, is defined to mean PlalntiffCEH, as well as all Plaintiff DOES referred to in paragraphs 2-.4. 7 7. Defendant SAFETY 1", INC. is a person in the course of doing business 8 within the meaning of Health & Safety Code w 9 Business & Professions Code w17201. Defendant SAFETY 1", INC. manufactures, distributes, 10 markets and/or sells the Products for use in California. An example of one of the Products sold 11 by SAFETY 1n, INC. is the Safety 1'~ Crystal Clear Monitor. 8. 12 13 14 15 17 Defendant DOES 1-100 ("UCL DEFENDANTS") are each a person in the course of doing business within the meaning of Health & Safety Code w and a person within the meaning of Business & Professions Code w17201. The UCL DEFENDANTS manufacture, distribute and/or sell the Products for sale or use in California. 9. 16 and a person within the meaning of Defendant DOES 101-200 are each a person in the course of doing business within the meaning of Health & Safety Code w and a person within the meaning of Business & Professions Code w17201. Defendant DOES 101-200 manufacture, 18 distribute and/or sell the Products for sale or use in California. Defendant DOES 101-200 and 19 SAFETY 1", INC. are referred to herein as the "PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS." 20 10. The true names of Defendant DOES 1 through 200 are unknown to 21 Plaintiffs at this time. When their idemities are ascertained, the complaint shall be amended to 22 reflect their true names. l I. 23 24 Defendant DOES l through 200. STATUTORY AND FACTUAL BACKGROUND 25 12. 26 27 The term "Defendants," as used herein means SAFETY I", INC., and The People of the State of California have declared by referendum under Proposition 65 their right "[t]o be informed about exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm." Proposition 65, w 28 C~l~t - 3 - PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 1 13. News-33357 To effectuate this goal, Proposition 65 requires that individuals be 2 provided with a "clear and reasonable warning" before being exposed to chemicals fisted by the 3 State of California as causing cancer or birth defects and other reproductive harm unless the 4 business responsible for the exposure can prove that it fits within a statutory exemption. Health 5 & Safety Code w states, in pertinent pan: No person in the course of doing business shall knowingly and intentionally expose any individual to a chemical known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity without first giving clear and reasonable warning to such individual.... 6 7 8 14. 9 10 Under Proposition 65, an exposure is "knowing" where the party responsible for such exposure has: knowledge of the fact that a discharge of, release of, or exposure to a chemical listed pursuant to Health & Safety Code w is occurring No knowledge that the discharge, release or exposure is urdaw-ful is required. 11 12 13 14 15 22 CCR w12201 (d). This knowledge may be either actual or constructive. Final Statement of Reasons, 22 California Code of P,,egulations Division 2, Section 12201. 15. 16 17 18 19 chemical known to cause reproductive toxicity. Lead became subject to the Proposition 65 "clear and reasonable" reproductive toxicity warning requirement one year later beginning on February 27, 1988. 22 California Code of Regulations w 16. 20 21 22 23 24 27 Health & Safety Code w et s e q On October 1, 1992, the State of California officially listed lead and lead compounds as chemicals known to cause cancer. Lead and lead compounds became subject to the Proposition 65 "clear and reasonable" carcinogen warning one year later beginning on October 1, 1993. 22 California Code of Regulations w Health & Safety Code w seq. 17. 25 26 On February 27, 1987, the State of California officially listed lead as a Plaintiffs are informed and believe, and based on such information and belief allege, that pans and components of the Products made of plastic, including, but not limited to cords, contain lead. 18. 28 C~nplAi,~t Young children are especially susceptible to lead's toxic effects. In fact, -4- et © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33358 lead is now recognized as the single most significant environmental health threat to American children. Measuring Lead Exposure m Infants, Children, and Other Sensitive Populaaons, National Research Council, 1993, p. 1, Preventing Lead Poisoning In Young Children, Centers for Disease Control, October 1991. Children show a greater sensitivity to lead's effects than do adults. Adverse health impacts from lead exposure generally occur in children at lower blood lead levels than in adults. Children absorb and retain more lead in proportion to their weight than do adults. Young children also show a greater prevalence of iron deficiency, a condition that can increase gastrointestinal absorption of lead. The body accumulates lead over a lifetime and 9 releases it slowly, so even small doses received in childhood, over time, can cause adverse health L0 impacts, including but not limited to reproductive toxicity, later in life. For example, in times of 11 physiological stress, such as pregnancy, the body can mobiliTe accumulated stores of lead in 12 tissue and bone, thereby increasing the level of lead in the blood and increasing the risk of harm 13 to the fetus. Case Studies in Environmental Medicine: Lead Toxicity, U.S. Department of Health 14 and Human Services, Public Health Service, U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 15 Registry (ATSDR), 1995. The plague of childhood lead poisoning is not only deadly but it is 16 pervasive, The California Department of Health Services estimates that over 130,000 children in 17 California between the ages of one and five have elevated blood lead levels, 40,000 of which 18 require active case management. 19 19. Plaintiffs are informed and believe, and based on such information and 20 belief allege, that lead fr0m-theProducts comes into contact with the skin when people, including 21 infants, use or handle the Products. Lead from the Products is ingested when people touch their 22 hands to their mouths after using or handling such Products. Infants are also exposed after their 23 parents or other caretakers use or touch the Products and then touch, hold, feed or otherwise take 24 care of them 20. 25 Plaintiffs are informed and believe, and based on such information and 26 belief allege, that Defendants know that the Products contain lead and that people are exposed to 27 lead through the intended use of the Products. 21. 28 Complaint Plaintiffs are informed and believe, and based on such information and -5- J l= r © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33359 1 belief allege, that Defendants intend that the Products are used in a manner that results in users of 2 the Products being exposed to the lead contained in the Products. 3 22. Defendants have, since on or after February 27, 1988, failed, and continue 4 to fail, to provide clear and reasonable warnings regarding the reproductive toxicity, 5 carcinogenicity or any other adverse health effects caused by exposure to lead from use of the 6 Products. Moreover, Defendants have failed, and continue to fail, to disclose the fact that the 7 Products contain lead and will expose people to lead. 23. 8 9 Any person has standing to enforce violations of Proposition 65 provided that such person has supplied the requisite public enforcers with a valid 60-Day Notice of 10 Violation and such public enforcers are not diligently prosecuting the action within their 11 respective jurisdictions within such time. Health & Safety Code w 12 24. On or about June 12, 2000, CEH provided a 60-Day "Notice of Violation 13 of Proposition 65" (the "Notice") to the California Attorney General, the District Attorneys of 14 every county in California, the City Attorneys of every California city with a population greater 15 than 750,000, and to Defendant SAFETY 1", INC. In compliance with 22 CCR w 16 Health & Safety Code w 17 address of the violator; the statute violated; the time period during which violations occurred; the 18 routes of exposure to lead from the Products and specific descriptions of the violations, including 19 product categories and specific examples of Products sold and used in violation of Proposition 20 65, as well as identifying lead, the specific Proposition 65-listed chemical that is the subject of 21 the violation described in the Notice. 22 25. and the Notice included the following information: the name and On information and belief, Plaintiffs allege that the appropriate public 23 enforcement agencies have failed to commence and diligently prosecute a cause of action under 24 Health & Safety Code w 25 Notice and herein. 26 26. et seq. against Defendants based on the claims asserted in the Proposition 65 provides for injunctive relief and civil penalties up to 27 $2,500 per day for each violation of Proposition 65. An action for injunctive relief and 28 restitution is also specifically authorized under Business & Professions Code w17203. Compl~mt - 6 - © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 27. 1 PROP65 News-33360 Business & Professions Code 817205 provides that "the remedies or 2 penalties provided by this chapter are cumulative to each other and to the remedies or penalties 3 available under all other laws of this state." 28. 4 Defendants failure to provide proper warnings in violation of Proposition 5 65 constitutes an act of unfair competition which may be enjoined by the Court pursuant to 6 Health & Safety Code 825249.7(a) and Business & Professions Code 817203. 29. 7 Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief to compel defendants to provide California 8 purchasers and users of the Products with clear and reasonable warnings regarding certain known 9 health hazards of exposure to chemicals listed under Proposition 65 that are contained in the 10 Products, as well as to disclose the presence and identity of such chemicals. 30. 11 Plaintiffs also seek civil penalties against defendants for their violations of 12 Proposition 65, as provided for by Health & Safety Code 825249.7(b), and restitution, as 13 provided for by Health & Safety Code 825249.7 and Business & Professions Code w17203. dlSRISDICTION AND VENUE 14 31. 15 The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Health & Safety 16 Code 825249.7, and Business & Professions Code 8817203 and 17204, which allow enforcement 17 in any court of competent jurisdiction. The California Superior Court has jurisdiction over this 18 action pursuant to California Constitution Article VI, Section 10, which grants the Superior 19 Court "original jurisdiction in all cases except those given by statute to other trial courts." The 20 statutes under which this action is brought do not grant jurisdiction to any other trial court. 32. 21 This Court has jurisdiction over Defendants because, based on information 22 and belief, each is a corporation that has sufficient minimum contacts in California, is a citizen of 23 California, or otherwise intentionally avails itself of the California market either through the 24 distribution or sale of the Products in the State of California or by having a manufacturing, 25 distribution or other facility located in California so as to render the exercise of jurisdiction over 26 it by the California courts consistent with traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice., 3 3. 27 28 Venue is proper in the San Francisco Superior Court because one or more of the violations arise in the County of San Francisco. Camplmt -7- © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 1 News-33361 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION 2 (Violations of the Health & Safety Code w By the PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS) 3 Injunctive Relief 4 5 PROP65 34. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference as if specifically set forth herein Paragraphs l through 33 inclusive. 6 35. By placing the Products into the stream of commerce, the PROPOSITION 7 65 DEFENDANTS are each persons in the course of doing business within the meaning of 8 Proposition 65. 9 36. The PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS know that users of the Products 10 are exposed to lead through the reasonably foreseeable use of the Products. The PROPOSITION II 65 DEFENDANTS intend that the Products are used in a manner that results in users ofthe 12 Products and those who come into contact with such users being exposed to lead from the 13 Products. 14 37. The PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS have failed, and continue to fail, 15 to provide clear and reasonable warning regarding the carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity 16 of lead to those who are exposed to lead fi'om the Products. 17 18 38. Lead is a chemical listed by the State of California as known to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. 19 39. By committing the acts alleged above, the PROPOSITION 65 20 DEFENDANTS have, since on or after February 27, 1988, violated Proposition 65 by knowingly 21 and intentionally exposing individuals to lead without first giving clear and reasonable Warnin~ 22 regarding the carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity of lead to such individuals. 23 Wherefore, Plaintiff prays judgement against Defendants as set forth hereinafter 24 SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION 25 (Violations of the Health & Safety Code w By the PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS) Penalties 26 27 28 40. Plainti~ reallege and incorporate by reference as it"specifically set forth herein Para~aphs 1 through 39 inclusive. Compl~nt -8- © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. I 4 I. PROP65 News-33362 By placing the Products into the stream of commerce, the PROPOSITION 2 65 DEFEN'DA,\'TS are each persons in the course of doing business within the meaning of 3 Proposition 65. 4 42. The PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS know that users of the Products 5 are exposed to lead through the reasonably foreseeable use of the Products. The PROPOSITION 6 65 DEFENDA_N'TS intend that the Products are used in a manner that results in users of the 7 Products and those who come into contact with such users being exposed to lead from the 8 Products. 9 43. The PROPOSITION 65 DEFENDANTS have failed, and continue to fail, 10 to provide clear and reasonable warning regarding the carcinogenic'iv/and reproductive toxicity 11 of lead to those who are exposed to lead from the Products. 12 13 44. Lead is a chemical listed by the State of California as known to cause cancer, birth detects and other reproductive harm. 14 45. By committing the acts alleged above, the PROPOSITION 65 15 DEFENDANTS have, since on or after February 27, 1988, violated Proposition 65 by knowingly 16 and intentionally exposing individuals to lead without first giving clear and reasonable warning 17 regarding the carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity of lead to such individuals. 18 Wherefore, Plalntiffprays judgement against Defendants as set forth hereinafter. 19 CAUSE OF .ACTION 20 (Violations of Business & Professions Code w et seq. Based On Commission Of Unlawful Acts Of Violating Health & Safety Code w By All Defendants) 21 9 Injuncfive Relief 22 46 Plaintiffsreallegeand incorporate by reference as ifspecificallyset forth 23 herein Para6aphs 1 through 45 inclusive. 24 47. Since on or afterFebruary 27, 1988, Defendants have engaged in conduct 25 which violatesHealth & Safety Code w et seq. This conduct includes intemionally 26 placing Products into commerce which Defendants know will expose individualsto lead without 27 firstproviding such individualswith a clearand reasonable warning regarding the 28 Cas:s:pl~t -9- © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 1 PROP65 News-33363 : carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity of lead. 2 48. By committing the acts alleged above, Defendants have engaged in an 3 unlawful business practice which constitutes unfair competition within the meaning of Business 4 & Professions Code w17200. 5 Wherefore, Plaintiff prays judgement against Defendants as set forth hereinafter. 6 FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION 7 (Violations of Business & Professions Codew et seq. Based On Commission Of Unlawful Acts Of Violating Health & Safety Code w By All Defendants) Notification, Restitution and Other Relief 8 9 49. 10 Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference as if specifically set forth herein Paragraphs 1 through 48 inclusive. 11 50. 12 Since on or H e r February 27, 1988, Defendants have engaged in conduct et seq. This conduct includes intentionally which violates Health & Safety Code w 13 14 placing Products into commerce which Defendants know will expose individuals to lead without first providing such individuals with a clear and reasonable warning regarding the 15 carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity of lead. 16 51. 17 18 By committing the acts alleged above, Defendants have engaged in an unlawful business practice which constitutes unfair competition within the meaning of Business & Professions Code w17200. 19 Wherefore, Plaintiff prays judgement, against Defendants as set forth hereinafter. 20 21 22 FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION(Violations of Business & Professions Code w Based on Unfair Acts Of Knowingly, Intentionally and Unnecessarily Exposing Individuals ToLead By All Defendants) Injunctive Relief 23 24 52. et seq. Plaintiffs reaUege and incorporate by reference as if specifically set forth herein Paragraphs 1 through 51 inclusive. 25 53. Defendants place the Products into the stream of commerce with 26 knowledge that, through the intended use of such Products, individuals who use or come into 27 contact with those who use the Products, including pregnant women, infants and young children, 28 will be exposed to lead. Ccmplmt - 10- © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 54. PROP65 News-33364 Defendants know or should know that lead is known to cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm as well as other adverse health effects including, but not limited to, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, brain damage, and at very high levels, seizures, coma and even death. 55. Defendants know or should know that pregnant women, infants and young 6 children, around whom the Products are intended to be used, constitute the segment of the 7 population most vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead. Defendants also know or should know 8 that childhood lead exposures accumulate in the body and can lead to adverse health effects, 9 including but not limited to reproductive harm, later in life. Nevertheless, Defendants have 10 failed to inform consumers and users of the Products of these health hazards. Moreover, 11 Defendants have failed to even disclose that lead is contained in the Products. 12 56. The conduct described above offends established pubLic policy, is immoral 13 and unethical. Consequently, Defendants have engaged in and continue to engage in unfair acts 14 pursuant to Business & Professions Code w17200 et seq. 15 57. By committing the acts alleged above Defendants have engaged in unfair 16 business practices which constitute unfair competition within the meaning of Business & 17 Professions Code w17200 et seq. 18 19 20 21 Wherefore, Plaintiff prays judgement against Defendants as set forth hereinafter. SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION(Violations of Business & Professions Code w Based on Unfair Acts Of Knowingly, Intentionally and Unnecessarily Exposing Individuals To Lead By All Defendants) No6fication, Restitun'on and Other Relief 58. et seq. Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference as if specificaLly set forth 22 herein Paragraphs 1 through 57 inclusive. 23 59. Defendants place the Products into the stream of commerce with 24 knowledge that, through the intended use of such Products, individuals who use or come into 25 contact with those who use the Products, including pregnant women, infants and young children, 26 will be exposed to lead. 27 60. Defendants know or should know that lead is known to ~ : ~ a n c e r 28 -II- PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33365 1 and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm as well as other adverse health effects including, 2 but not limited to, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, brain damage, and at very high 3 levels, seizures, coma and even death. 4 61. Defendants know or should know that pregnant women, infants and young 5 children, around whom the Products are intended to be used, constitute the segment of the 6 population most vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead. Defendants also know or should know 7 that childhood lead exposures accumulate in the body and can lead to adverse health effects, 8 including but not limited to reproductive harm, later in life. Nevertheless, Defendants have 9 failed to inform consumers and users of the Products of these health hazards. Moreover, 10 Defendants have failed to even disclose that lead is contained in the Products. I1 62. The conduct described above offends established public policy, is immoral 12 and unethical. Consequently, Defendants have engaged in and continue to engage in unfair acts 13 pursuant to Business & Professions Code w17200 et seq. 14 63. By committing the acts alleged above Defendants have engaged in unfair 15 business practices which constitute unfair competition within the meaning of Business & 16 Professions Code w17200 et seq. 17 Wherefore, Plaintiff prays judgement against Defendants as set forth hereinafter. 18 SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION 19 (Violations of Business & Professions Code w et seq. Based On Fraudulent Acts Of Deceptively Marketing Lead-Containing Products With No Warning Or Even Disclosure Regarding Presence Of Lead In The Products By All Defendants) 20 Injunctive Relief 21 64. 22 23 herein Paragraphs 1 through 63 inclusive. 65. 24 25 26 27 28 Plainfiff_~reaUege and incorporate by reference as if specifically set forth Defendants' failure to disclose the presence of lead in the Products to users of the Products is likely to deceive the general public in California regarding the presence of lead in the Products. Moreover, Defendants' failure to inform users of the Products that such Products contain lead, a chemical known to cancer, reproductive "harm and other adverse health effects, is likely to deceive the general public in California regarding the tmure and rafety of ~la/at - 12- II I t I © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33366 1 i Defendants' Products. Further, Defendants' marketing of the Products in a fashion which is 2 likely to create expectations of safety and well-being among users of the Products, is likely to 3 deceive the general public in California regarding the nature and safety of Defendants' Products. 4 66. By committing the acts alleged above Defendants have engaged in 5 fraudulent business practices which constitute unfair competition within the meaning of Business 6 & Professions Code w17200. 7 9Wherefore, Plaintiff prays judgement against Defendants as set forth hereinafter. 8 9 10 11 EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION (Violations of Business & Professions Code w etseq. Based On Fraudulent Acts Of Deceptively Marketing Lead-Containing Products WithNo Warning Or Even Disclosure Regarding Presence Of Lead In The Products By All Defendants) Notification, Restitution and Other Relief 67, 12 13 herein Paragraphs 1 through 66 inclusive. 68. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 Defendants' failure to disclose the presence of lead in the Products to users &the Products is likely to deceive the general public in California regarding the presence of lead in the Products. Moreover, Defendants' failure to inform users of the Products that such Products contain lead, a chemical known to cancer, reproductive harm and other adverse health effects, is likely to deceive the general public in California regarding the nature and safety of Defendants' Products. Further, Defendants' marketing &the Products in a fashion which is likely to create expectations of safety and well-being among users of the Products, is likely to deceive the general public in California regarding the nature and safety of Defendants' Products. 69. 22 23 Plaintiffs reallege and incorporate by reference as if specifically set forth By committing the acts alleged above Defendants have engaged in fraudulent business practices which constitute unfair competition within the meaning &Business & Professions Codew 17200. .PRAYER FOR RELEgT 25 Wherefore, plaintiff prays for judgment against defendants as follows: 26 Pursuant to the First Cause of Action, plaintiffprays: 27 1. 28 Compla/nt That the Court, pursuant to Health & Safety Code w - I3 - © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33367 1 preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants fi'om offering the Products for sale in 2 California without providing clear and reasonable warnings regarding the carcinogenicity and 3 reproductive toxicityof lead, as Plaintiffsshallspecify in further application to the Court; 4 5 That the Court grant plaintiffits reasonable attorneys'fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit; and 6 7 2. proper. 8 Pursuant to the Second Cause of Action, plaintiffprays: 9 1. That the Court, pursuant to Health & Safety Code w assess civil 10 penalties against each of the Defendants in the amount of $2,500 per day for each violation of I1 Proposition 65 alleged herein; 12 13 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit; and 14 15 2. proper. 16 Pursuant to the Third Cause of Action, plaintiff prays: 17 1. That the Court, pursuant to Business & Professions Code w17203, 18 preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from offering the Products for sale in 19 California without providing clear and reasonable warnings regarding the carcinogenicity and 20 reproductive toxicity of lead, as Plaintiffs shaH specify in further application to the Court; 21 22 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit; and 23 24 2. proper. 25 Pursuant to the Fourth Cause of Action, plaintiff prays : 26 1. That the Court order each Defendant to notify each and every customer of 27 such Defendant who purchased the Products since October 17, 1996, in order to give such 28 customers an opportunity to obtain restitution from such Defendant; and that the Court order the Comot~ - 14- : © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33368 1 Defendants to pay restitution, disgorgement and be subject to such other relief as may be 2 necessary to restore to any person in interest any money or property, real or personal, which may 3 have been acquired by means of the acts alleged herein that occurred after October 17, 1996; 4 5 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit; and 6 7 2. proper. 8 Pursuant to the Fiith Cause of Action, plaintiff prays: 9 1. That the Court, pursuant to Business & Professions Code w17203, 10 preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from offering the Products for sale without 11 disclosing the presence of lead in such Products. 12 13 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit, and 14 15 2. proper. 16 Pursuant to the Sixth Cause of Action, plaintiffprays: 17 1. That the Court order each Defendant to notify each and every customer of 18 such Defendant who purchased the Products since October 17, 1996, in order to give such 19 customers an opportunity to obtain restitution from such Defendant, and that the Court order the 20 Defendants to pay restitution, disgorgement and be subject to such other relief as may be 21 necessary to restore to any person in interest any money or property, real or personal, which may 22 have been acquired by means of the acts alleged herein that occurred after October 17, 1996, 23 24 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit, and 25 26 2. proper. 27 Pursuant to the Seventh Cause of Action, plaintiffprays: 28 1. Complaint That the Court, pursuant to Business & Professions Code w17203, - 15 - © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33369 preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from offering the Products for sale without disclosing the presence of lead in such Products; 3 4 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit; and 5 6 2. proper. 7 Pursuant to the Eighth Cause of Action, plaintiffprays: 8 1. ; 9 That the Court order each Defendant to notify each and every customer of such Defendant who purchased the Products since October 17, 1996, in order to give such 10 customers an opportunity to obtain restitution from such Defendant; and that the Court order the 11 Defendants to pay restitution, disgorgement and be subject to such other relief as may be 12 necessary to restore to any person in interest any money or property, real or personal, which may 13 have been acquired by means of the acts alleged herein that occurred aiter October 17, 1996; 14 15 That the Court grant plaintiff its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs of 3. That the Court grant such other and further relief as may be just and suit; and 16 17 2. proper. 18 19 Dated: October 16, 2000 Respectfully submitted, 20 21 LEXINGTON LAW GROUP 22 23 24 Edc~S. Somers, Esq,. Attorneys for Plaintiff CENTEK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 25 26 27 28 Compllfiat - 16- PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. ATTORNEYORP.N~YWrTHC~rTA1"rORNEY(Namea , ' ~ TELEPHONENO.: ERIC S. SO~[F__.RS (Bar# 13905b, - LEXINGTON LAW GROUP 151 Vermont Street, Suite I IA San Francisco, California 94103 FORC ~ ' T USEGt4.y (415) 554-3520 ENDORSED FILED San Francisco County Superior Cou~t Arro~'Y~oR~Vam,~:Center for Environmental Health, Plaintiff ; Inae~ name of r and name of )uoic=at ~smcl and ~ NOV1 5 court. ~ ~n~. SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT GORDON BY: SNORT TITLE OF CASE: OATE. DEPT./ON.: ZOO0 P A R K - L I , Clerk LINDA ALLSTON Deputy Clerk CEH v. SAFETY 1ST, INC. PROOF OF SERVICE (Summons) News-33370 CASE NUMBER: 315901 1. At the time of service I was at least 18 years of age and not a party to this action, and I served copies of the (~ec/fy documents): Summons; Complaint; Notice to Plaintiff re Status & Setting Con.t'ercnce; Blank: Status and Setting Confei-e~ce Statement; Alternative Dispute Resolution Guide 2. a. Party served (specify name of party as shown on the documents served): Safety 1st, Inc. b. Person served: [ - - ' 7 party in item 2a ~ other (specify name and title or relationship to the party named in item 2a): Michael Lcmcr, CFO c. Address: 45 Dan Rd. CAnton, ~ 0202] 3. I served the path/named in item 2 a. i"-'-7 by personally delivering the copies (1) on (date): (2) at (time): b. ~ by leaving the copies with or in the presence of (name and tit/e or re/ationship to person indicated in item 2b): (1) (business) a person at least 18 years of age apparently in charge at the officer usual place of business of the person served. I informed him or her of the general nature of the papers, (2) c.~'-] (home) a competent member of the household (at least 18 years of age) at the dwelling house or usual place of abode of the person served. I informed him or her of the general nature of the papers. (3) on (date): (4) at (time): , (5) ~ - ~ A declaration of diligence is attached. (Substituted service on natural person, minor, conservatee, or candidate.) by mailing the copies to the person served, addressed as shown in item 2c, by first-~dass mail, postage prepaid, (1) on (date): October 13, 2000 (2) from (city): San Francisco with two copies of the Notice and Acknowledgment of Receipt and a postage-paid return envelope addressed to me, (4) V - ~ to an address outside California with return receipt requested. (Attach completed form.) d. [ ~ by causing copies to be mailed. A declaration of mailing is attached. e. ['--"1 other (sl~ecify other manner of service and authorizing code section): 4. The "Notice to the Person Served" (on the summons) was completed as follows: a. [---7 as an individual defendanL b. [ ' - " 7 as the person sued under the fictitious name of (specify): c. I ' ~ on behalf of (specify): SafeWI~ Inc. under: ~ CCP 416.10 (corporation) CCP 416.60 (minor) F'--] other: [~ CCP 416,20 (defunct corporation) CCP 416.70 (conservatee) CCP 416.40 (assoc~tton or partnership) CCP 416.90 (individual) 5. Person serving (name, address, and telephone No.): a. Fee for service: $ (3) Aaron Daley 151 Vermont Street, Suite 1 IA San Francisco, CA 94103 b. _ ~ Not a registered California process server. c, ~ Exempt from n ~ undwBS~a w d. [ ' - - 7 RegiaterN ~ pmcel= mf~er, (1) r - I ~=.~==~rsc~. (2) RagCeln~ No.: (3) co..~. 6. I ~ J I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws ofthe State of CaOfomla that the ~ : ~ g 7. [----1 I am 9 California sheriff, marshal, o r c o r . d a b i e and I certlfy . ,-:'v ~ Date: Octolx~-27, 2000 F = m / ~ m d W ~umN2 Judlml C=un=ld C a ~ r ~ From=fir Re~=cs TM . - ': is blJe ~ ~ PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33371 l ~lt~ of 9 Complete items 1, 2, and 3. Also complete i~em 4 if Restricted Delivery is desired. 9 Print your name ancl aclc~ress on the reverse so that we can return the card to you. 9 Attach this carol to the back of the mailpiece, or on the front if space permits. 1. Article Ac~resaer to: Tf YES. enter ~elivery aclcfmss be(ow:.i O~ent D ~ I"l Yes E3No 3, Service Type C] RegisteR=el Q Insur~ Ma~l 4. ResvCt~ 0 e ~ 2. A,.,~le NUII'~U' (Uc~y f~m ,~m~ce ~ eS R:wn 3 8 1 1 , Jury 1 ~ < , 9. . . . . .* .4 .~:. ~ .- - ~ ~-~.~M~ t)om=== R~Jrn R~mot [ ] Return Rec~m for Merc~arK [ ] C.O,D. (E=='aF~) D Yes © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROP65 News-33372 PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. M o r s e Mehrban, Esq. (SBN P.O. Box 2 5 1 7 2 2 Los A n g e l e s CA 90025 310-471-2033 Attorney Consumer News-33373 ORIGINALFILED 169082 OCT 1 7 2O0O LOS ANGELES For Plaintiff, Cause, Inc. SUPERIORCOURT SUPERIOR COURT COUNTY OF LOS OF THE STATE ANGELES, OF C A L I F O R N I A CENTRAL DISTRICT I0 CONSUMER CAUSE, Case INC., No. II I~ C 2 3 8 6 1 3 z 'g gc m tf3 x~o 0 13 V. DRUGSTORE.COM, ~1 ~ o x c~ C O M P L A I N T FOR PENALTY, INJUNCTION & RESTITUTION Plaintiff, t2 INC., 9 ,-4 mr-~ m r163 '-; u~ ,qr 15 Defendant. I O uO~'~ n , < m 16 0 17 u, m e ,...? . Plaintiff the is a p e r s o n general public who brings pursuant this action to B u s i n e s s on b e h a l f & Professions of Code 19 section 17204. Plaintiff is a p e r s o n who brings this 20 21 action 22 Code 23 . At in the section all times public interest pursuant to H e a l t h & Safety 25249.7(d). mentioned herein, defendant was a person 24 within the m e a n i n g of B u s i n e s s & Professions Code section 25 17201 and Health times mentioned & Safety Code section 25249.11(a). 26 27 herein, defendant has had I0 or m o r e 28 Complaint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution At all PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33374 . I employees. 2 Defendant has its principal place of business in Washington. 3 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION FOR VIOLATION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE 4 SECTION 25249.6 5 Cate~o~ 6 7 3. 1: Testosterone While in the course of doing business, 8 through this date, from May 15, 1999 and continuing each and every day 9 thereafter, defendant has been and is knowingly and I0 intentionally exposing California II each county and city thereof, :r residents, located in including but not limited to r ~ c~o 13 ~1 ('N r ~ O ~ m~l the city and county of Los Angeles, to a chemical known to m the state to cause cancer, 9 ,.~ ~ ~ r -, ~ "1 I UJ O 15 California Code of Regulations, ~o~ 16 o I? ~ as set forth in Title 22, California storage, 20 12000. residents have been and are being exposed to this chemical 19 section as a result of their acquisition, consumption, or other reasonably of consumer products manufactured, purchase, foreseeable use distributed and sold by 21 defendant. 2;' 5. These consumer products 23 24 are: 9 TABLETS~!~PILLS,<I'!i~I:<CAPSULES,~ ~ CAPLETS, 25 POWDERS A N D LIQUIDS CONTAINING DHEA; 26 9 TABLETS, !<RILLS,.~APSULES, CAPLETS, P O W D E R S A N D LIQUIDS 2"/ 28 CONTAINING DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE; Complaint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. 9 TABLETS, PILLS, CONTAINING 9 CAPLETS, POWDERS AND LIQUIDS POWDERS AND LIQUIDS ANDROSTENEDIONES; PILLS, CONTAINING 5 6 TABLETS, CAPSULES, CAPSULES, CAPLETS, ANDROSTENEDIOLS; 9 WEIDER DHEA TABLETS, CAPSULES, PILLS 9 WEIDER ANABOLIC; 9 WEIDER MEGABOLIC; 9 WEIDER ANDROSTENEDIOL 9 WEIDER ANDROSTENEDIONE 9 TWINLAB TESTOSTERONE 9 TWINLAB GROWTH 9 TWINLAB IGF 9 TWINLAB TRIBULUS FUEL; 9 TWINLAB TRIBULUS FUEL STACK; 9 TWINLAB MAXILIFE MEGA DHEA; 9 TWINLAB MAXILIFE DHEA ANTIOXIDANT 9 TWINLAB MAXILIFE DHEA; 9 TWINLAB MAXILIFE WOMEN'S 9 TWINLAB MAXILIFE DHEA WOMEN'S 9 TWINLAB DHEA 27 9 TWINLAB FEMALE 28 9 TWINLAB MALE AND PACKS; 7 8 9 I0 II m ~o 0 ~r" 15 z~ 16 o ~ 17 ~ ,< ,..3 ,n hl 0 en uO h3 ~ " "2 I ~d 0 u. u~ 4 CAPSULES TABLETS, AND CAPSULES PACKS; AND PACKS; FUEL BOOSTER; 13 V, p- o x TABLETS, 12 UD r =: 18 19 FUEL; FUEL; 20 FORMULA; 21 22 23 24 News-33375 PHYTOESTROGEN PROTECTOR; FORMULA; 25 FUEL; 26 FUEL; FUEL PLUS; 3 compi'aint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution PROP65 News-33376 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. I 9 TWINLAB RIPPED FUEL (THERMOGENIC 9 TWINLAB RIPPED FUEL 9 BRONSON ANDRO 9 BRONSON DHEA; 9 BASIC 9 GNC 9 NATROL 9 PHARMASSURE 9 MUSCLETECH NORTESTEN; 13 9 MUSCLETECH ANOTESTEN; 14 9 MUSCLETECH ACETABOLAN-II; 9 PINNACLE ANDROSTAT I00; 9 PINNACLE ANDROSTAT 150 CYCLO 9 PINNACLE ANDROSTAT i00 POPPERS; 9 PINNACLE ANDROSTAT PRO SIX; 9 PINNACLE ANDROSTAT POPPERS; 22 9 PINNACLE ANDROSTAT 6 POPPERS; 23 9 PINNACLE TRIBESTROL; 9 PINNACLE ANDRO POPPERS; 9 SEXRX; 9 PINNACLE ANDRO CYCLO 9 PINNACLE ANDRO-FLAV MALE FORMULA); 2 TESTOSTERONE BOOSTER; 3 4 5 FORMULA; 6 NUTRITION DHEA; 7 DHEA TABLETS, CAPSULES, AND VITA PAKS; 8 9 I0 DHEA TABLETS DHEA AND CAPSULES; TABLETS AND CAPSULES; 12 (D := U] O ~c~o U2 C.4 ~ ~n t- ~ O ~-<o7 r 15 0 turn .a ~ ~.1 W O 16 t~ o ~ 17 POPPERS; < ,..1 18 19 20 2~ 24 25 26 27 POPPERS; 28 STACK; 4 Complaint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. c I News-33377 C 9 REVITALIFE MEN'S PACK; 9 REVITALIFE WOMEN'S 9 ANDROPLEX 9 DHEA; 2 PACK; 3 4 5 6 SIX; WEIDER DHEA TABLETS, CAPSULES, WEIDER ANABOLIC; 9 WEIDER MEGABOLIC; I0 WEIDER ANDROSTENEDIOL WEIDER ANDROSTENEDIONE PILLS A N D PACKS; 7 8 TABLETS, CAPSULES AND PACKS; and II LZ :x: m X~o u'b r ,0 U~ t . 4 0 ~ . consumers' acquisition, or o t h e r 14 ~< reasonably ,.-q AND PACKS. storage, to cause use of these ......... !:a c h e m i c a l ..... t h e m to<~0~i*s[s California ~ purchase, foreseeable ~,~:.,~:~ exposes 0 ~ u3,~ ,m n.~ ,-.1 i u~ 0 o CAPSULES consumption, 13 rt"9 (D V) r " The TABLETS, cancer. (Title 22, products known Cal. to Code Regs., w 17 < |9 12000(b) The ingestion. The a b o v e - l i s t e d 20 to be and are 21 the 22 levels ingestion, route of e x p o s u r e ingested to the c h e m i c a l consumer by c o n s u m e r s of t e s t o s t e r o n e in their the t e s t o s t e r o n e products is are d e s i g n e d in order to i n c r e a s e bodies. Following in the c o n s u m e r ' s body is what is 23 increased to a level that is above and b e y o n d 24 normal, 25 26 27 28 . As safe stated 25249.6 and healthy. in C a l i f o r n i a Health and 2 5 2 4 9 . 1 1 ( b ) , employees shall knowingly & Safety no e n t i t y and with Code sections ten or m o r e intentionally expose 5 Complaint for Penalty, In3unction & RestitUtion any PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33378 F 1 individual 2 to cause to a chemical cancer without known to the state of California first giving clear and reasonable 3 warning to such individual. refused and fails Defendant has failed and 4 and refuses to give the warning required 5 6 by California 7 individuals 8 their Health & Safety Code section who use the above-listed foreseeable 25249.6 consumer to those products in and intended manner. 9 . On May 15, 2000, plaintiff served a statutory 60-day notice I0 for defendant's violation of Health and Safety Code Section 11 ~: 12 25249.6 13 the District o=~u ~ 14 ox ~r'" 15 ~r ~ i l.o 0 ~db I ~ o ~,-~ c ~' Attorney the City A t t o r n e y Attorney General, for each county for each California population exceeding 750,000. provisions of 22 C a l i f o r n i a in California, city having The notice and a complied with 16 Code of .Regulations section 17 < 9~ the California 0,1 IC~o 0 upon defendant, 12903. 18 19 . 20 None of the public currently prosecutors prosecuting identified any action against above is any defendant 21 herein for the violations set forth above. 22 Categor~ 2: Progesterone 23 24 25 26 I0. While in the course through this date, thereafter, of doing business, and continuing defendant from June 23, each and every day has been and is knowingly 1996 and 27 intentionally exposing California residents, located in 28 each county and city thereof, including but not 6 Complaint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution limited to PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33379 {" I the city and county of Los Angeles, 2 the state to cause cancer, as set to a chemical known to forth in Title 22, 3 California Code of Regulations, California residents section 12000. 4 ii. have been and are being exposed to 5 6 this 7 storage, 8 chemical as a result of their acquisition, consumption, of consumer or other reasonably products manufactured, purchase, foreseeable distributed use and sold by 9 defendant. I0 12. II = O,J ,.,a 0 Z~o 0 ca ~ These consumer products 12 Maximum 13 and Living's are: P R O G E S T I M A X Natural Progesterone Cr@me; cq ~ I 13. Dixie Health's PROGESTONE The consumers' acquisition, uO ~ 16 o l? or other 18 exposes ~ 19 reasonably 900 Cr@me gel. purchase, foreseeable them to progesterone, California to cause cancer. storage, consumption, use of these products a chemical (Title 22, known to Cal. Code Regs., 2O 12000(b)). The route of exposure to the chemical is dermal 2i contact. 22 The defendant 23 apply the products 24 contain progesterone. instructs to the skin. Following product purchasers The products themselves application, the 25 progesterone is absorbed into the skin and enters the 26 user's body. 27 4. 28 As stated 25249.6 in C a l i f o r n i a and 25249.11(b), Health to & Safety Code sections no entity with ten or more 7 Comp~int for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33380 .. ! employees shall knowingly and intentionally expose any 2 individual to a chemical known to the state of California 3 to cause cancer without first giving clear and reasonable 4 warning to such individual. Defendant has failed and 5 refused and fails and refuses to give the warning required 6 by California Health & Safety Code section 25249.6 to those 7 8 individuals who use the above-listed consumer products in 9 their foreseeable and intended manner. I0 II ,= u'3 ta 0 Xc~m ,,1 r 15. On June 23, 2000, plaintiff served a statutory 60-day 12 notice for defendant's violation of Health and Safety Code 13 Section 25249.6 upon defendant, ~ General, t the District Attorney for each county in California, oz~ t, ~ , < o the California Attorney o3 c'3 g and the City Attorney for each California city 16 having a population exceeding 750,000. 17 < The notice complied with provisions of 22 California Code of Regulations 19 20 section 12903. 16. None of the public prosecutors identified above is 2l currently prosecuting any action against any defendant 22 herein for the violations set forth above. 23 24 SECOND 25 26 CAUSE OF ACTION FOR VIOLATION CODE 17. SECTION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS 17200 Plaintiff incorporates herein by reference all foregoing 27 paragraphs of this complaint as if set forth fully herein. 28 Complaint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. News-33381 C 1 18. 2 The acts and practices, Business & Professions as described Code section above, 17200 violate in that 3 defendant's acts and practices violate Health & Safety constitute unlawful Code 4 section 5 25249.6 6 business 7 Professions and, consequently, acts or practices Code section 8 within the meaning of Business 17200. PRAYER 9 WHEREFORE, plaintiff requests against defendant: I0 II :~ A. A permanent 12 Code t3 25249.7(a); injunction section pursuant 17203 and Health to Business & Safety & Professions Code section & Safety Code section r gO ('-d O~ 0.3 14 X m t'N ~-I B. Penalties, pursuant to Health 25249.7(b) in the amount 15 uO z~ 16 m 17 i.u u. 0 ,.-1 o C. 18 19 20 of $2,500 per day per violation; An order to pay restitution, Business & Professions D~ Costs E. Reasonable F. Any Code pursuant section to California 17203; of suit; attorney fees and costs; and 21 further relief that the Court deems just and equitable. 22 Da t ed: 23 LAW OFFICES OF MORSE MEHRBAN 24 25 26 27 9 se Mehrban,. Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff, Consumer Cause, Inc. 28 Complaint for Penalty, Injunction & Restitution & PROP65 © Prop 65 News. All Rights Reserved. PROOF OF SERVICE BY MAIL I am over the age of 18 and not a party to this case. I am a resident of or employed in the county where the mailing occurred. My business address is P.O. Box 251722, Los Angeles, CA 90025, and my phone number is 213-382-3821. On this date, I served the C O M ~ L A I N T FOR PENALTY, INJUNCTION & RESTITUTION by enclosing a true copy in a sealed envelope addressed to each person whose name and address is shown below and d e p o s i t i n g the envelope in the United States mail with first class postage fully prepaid. Place of mailing: Los Angeles, CA Name and address of each person to whom document was m a i l e d : Office of C a l i f o r n i a A t t o r n e y General Attn: Deputy A t t o r n e y General Edward G. Weil 1515 Clay St., 2 0 th Floor Oakland, CA 94612 I declare under p e n a l t y of perjury under the laws of the State of C a l i f o r n i a that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated: November 29, 2000 ~'~'Z ~ xx. . Morse Mehrban Proof of Service / News-33382