Proceedings are slated to begin July 7 in the contempt trial in Los Angeles of Juan Dominguez, a U.S.-based attorney accused of trying to defraud Dole Food of billions by filing pesticide-exposure lawsuits using testimony from bogus Nicaraguan banana workers. Thousands of Latin American banana workers have claimed in numerous cases that they were left sterile or injured by heavy plantation use of the chemical dibromochloropropane, or DBCP, in the 1960s and 70s. They allege Dole and other companies continued to apply the chemical, which kills microscopic worms that attack the roots of banana plants, after becoming aware of its harmful effects. In April, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Victoria Chaney called for the investigation of Dominguez in connection with alleged crimes including... [Log in to read more]