Deerfield fireworks company, accused of illegal sales, will pay

DEERFIELD (AP) -- A Northeast Ohio company accused of selling illegal fireworks has agreed to turn over $30,000 in profits to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The commission announced the deal Monday with Midwest Fireworks Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Any product that contains 50 milligrams or more of explosive flash powder is considered a professional grade firework and is banned from consumer sale.
The banned fireworks Midwest Fireworks sold included M-80s, M-100s and quarter sticks, said Scott Wolfson, commission spokesman.
Midwest Fireworks' owner and president, Larry Lomaz, said he agreed to settle the claim but had not yet signed the agreement.
"We did not confess to any wrongdoing," Lomaz said. "It was merely an economic decision."
Lomaz said he believes there are "overbearing regulations" on fireworks in the United States and disagrees with the commission that the banned products are too dangerous.
The commission said its investigation showed that Lomaz violated a 2000 court order to stop selling the fireworks.
"We will not allow a company to breach the rule of law and then profit from putting the public in harm's way," said Hal Stratton, chairman.