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The government awards contracts to companies with histories of misconduct such as contract fraud and environmental, ethics, and labor violations. In the absence of a centralized federal database listing instances of misconduct, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is providing such data. We believe that it will lead to improved contracting decisions and public access to information about how the government spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer money each year on goods and services. Report an instance of misconduct »

General Electric

Hennigan v. General Electric, et al. (Defective Microwave Ovens)

Date: 05/19/2009 (Date of Filing)

Misconduct Type: Consumer Affairs

Enforcement Agency: Non-Governmental

Contracting Party: None

Court Type: Civil

Amount: $0

Disposition: Pending

Synopsis: A lawsuit filed against the General Electric Company and Samsung Electronics America, Inc. alleges GE-branded microwave ovens manufactured on or after January 1, 2000 have a defect that makes them susceptible to activating on their own, leading to smoke and potentially extensive fire damage. (Samsung is alleged to have participated in the design and/or manufacturing of the microwave ovens and/or its parts or components.) The complaint alleges both companies were aware of the defect as early as 2002 but failed to take the necessary corrective measures or warn consumers. Timothy Hennigan alleges he purchased a GE-branded microwave oven in February of 2001 and that, in June of 2008, the microwave began running completely on its own, causing smoke-related damage to his home.