JANET McCONNAUGHEY
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lawyers for people who say defective Chinese drywall wrecked their homes have filed a new lawsuit against the manufacturers. It adds a new defendant — the Chinese commission that oversees 117 widespread companies including aerospace, nuclear power and electronics.

Attorney Lenny Davis says, “We’re trying to get their attention.”

The lawsuit filed Wednesday comes two weeks after U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon held Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd. and related defendants in contempt of court for ignoring court proceedings over harm allegedly done by the drywall. He ordered Taishan to pay $55,000 in fines and attorneys’ fees, and to stop doing business in the United States.

The new lawsuit adds to the list of defendants China’s State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, or SASAC.

Taishan’s New Orleans attorney declined to comment.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.