ScottsMiracle-Gro Enters into Settlement Agreements

[Monday, September 10, 2012]  The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has finalized settlement agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency related to certain company products distributed and sold through 2009.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge James L. Graham accepted the company's plea agreement related to misdemeanor charges associated with product registration issues and wild bird food products. That agreement includes a fine of $4 million, with $500,000 in community service.

Separately, the company entered into a civil administrative agreement and agreed to pay a fine of $6.05 million related to some of the company's product registration records. While the company stressed that the agreement neither admits nor denies the allegations, it believes concluding the matter is in the best interest of the company, its shareholders and its associates. Read More ...