FieldTurf Duraspine fields are showing premature deterioration

State lawmakers want to examine whether FieldTurf sold fields in New Jersey, such as this one at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, after knowing its turf was faulty. (Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

The state Legislature will hold hearings to examine the conduct of the nation's leading maker of artificial sports fields, FieldTurf, after a report that the company made millions selling high-end turf for years after knowing it was falling apart.

Sen. Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) said Friday the Senate Commerce Committee wants to hear from top officials at the company, Montreal-based FieldTurf, as well as school districts and local officials to determine the extent of the alleged fraud.

"Millions of dollars in taxpayer funds were spent on this product that the company reportedly knew was defective and after its own executives began sounding alarms within the organization about the product failure," Pou said in a statement.

She added, "The company must be held accountable."

A date for the hearing has not yet been set.

The announcement comes after top legislative leaders condemned the company's actions and called for a review of all legal options, including an investigation by the state attorney general as well as potential lawsuits against the company.

On Wednesday, the Newark school system filed a class-action lawsuit in state Superior Court in Essex County against FieldTurf, accusing the company of fraud. FieldTurf is a division of French flooring maker Tarkett, a publicly traded company.

The state School Boards Association is also assisting local officials with legal action.

FieldTurf officials have declined to comment on the lawsuit, but in statements this week they have strongly denied allegations of fraud and maintained that anyone who examines the matter will find its customers were well-served.

The officials have also emphasized the problem does not affect player safety.

Christopher Baxter may be reached at cbaxter@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cbaxter1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.