Attorney General Sues Maker Of Bullet-Proof Vests

A maker of bullet-resistant vests that deteriorate faster than expected -- and the manufacturer of the defective fabric -- are targeted in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mike Beebe. The state bought hundreds of Second Chance Body Armor vests for use by law officers. Earlier this year, Beebe sought 446-thousand dollars in refunds from Second Chance. The lawsuit filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court today names Second Chance as a defendant, along with Tyobo of America, the U-S subsidiary of a Japanese-owned textile company. The lawsuit seeks the purchase price of 557 vests purchased by the state. Greg Smith, a spokesman for Second Chance, says company officials have NOT seen the suit but is working with law enforcement agencies around the country to resolve problems with the vests. Kent Jarrell, a spokesman for Toyobo of America, says that company does NOT believe its product is at fault in any problems with the vests. Posted By Mike Hellgren