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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

San Diego Firm Defrauded Air Force|On Titanium Jet Parts, Feds Say

SAN DIEGO (CN) - Western Titanium and four of its executives defrauded the United States by falsely claiming they had tested titanium parts used for Air Force jet engine mounts and in a spacecraft, federal prosecutors say. The 8-count indictment involves parts used on F-15 and F-22 fighter jets, C-17 transport planes and NASA's Kepler spacecraft.

Also charged were CEO Daniel Schroeder, former vice president John Cotner, present vice president Brian Misak, and quality assurance manager Cheem Ang. The U.S. Attorney's Office says they "repeatedly issued false and fraudulent certifications for titanium they sold that was used to make engine mounts for the F-15 fighter jet and other aircraft parts. ...

"The indictment alleges that the defendants falsely certified that the titanium they sold was tested and met the specific stringent testing requirements, when in fact it did not, causing purchasers to unwittingly place into serviceable stock for use on the aircraft, parts made from substandard and nonconforming titanium."

All the defendants are from San Diego except Kotner, who lives in Torrance.

Fraud involving aircraft of spacecraft parts is punishable by up to 20 years in prison per count, plus a $1 million fine.

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