INTERNATIONAL

Indictments in China Textile Scheme: Federal authorities announced the first indictment over an alleged scheme by China to avoid paying millions of dollars in U.S. import duties on textiles. Although the indictment involves a relatively small sum--underpayment of $120,000 in duties--Carol Hallett, commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service, said it is a key case that will lead to other prosecutions. She said there are 50 separate ongoing investigations as part of the government’s probe into fraudulent imports from China. The indictment charges four individuals and three companies with participating in a scheme to undervalue textiles and clothing imported from China and to defraud the Internal Revenue Service.