The Justice Department is seeking criminal charges against Lumber Liquidators in an ongoing investigation over imported products.

Requests follow TV report that raised concerns over levels of formaldehyde in its Chinese-made laminate flooring from embattled company.

Lumber Liquidators stocks have plummeted in recent days as the company announced that the U.S. Department of Justice is “contemplating seeking criminal charges under the Lacey Act,” according to company corporate filings.

After 16x9 released its investigation online into illegally sourced timber by Lumber Liquidators the company announced important new policies on sourcing and oversight of wood procurement.

Timber thieves are stealing wood from the Russian Far East, processing it in China and then shipping it to North America, a 16x9 investigation has found.

In the heart of the Siberian forest, men risk their lives for the chance to make a fortune cutting timber – a crime that involves some of the biggest corporations in the U.S. and Canada.

Chinese-made flooring sold in North America has high levels of formaldehyde – a known carcinogen – according to tests done by the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association.

Much if not most hardwood flooring sold by reno chains and direct-to-public retailers now hails from China. Many consumers aren't being told that though.