Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Training
    • Class Registration
    • On-demand Training
  • Useful Links
  • Team Directory
    • Albany Counselor
    • Atlanta Counselors
    • Augusta Counselor
    • Carrollton Counselor
    • Columbus Counselor
    • Gainesville Counselor
    • Savannah Counselor
    • Warner Robins Counselor
  • Directions
    • Atlanta – Training Facility
    • Atlanta – Office
    • Albany
    • Augusta
    • Carrollton
    • Columbus
    • Gainesville
    • Savannah
    • Warner Robins
  • New Client Application
  • Contact Us

Five indicted in TN for fraudulent ‘Made in the USA’ sales to Armed Forces

September 22, 2016 By Nancy Cleveland

A federal grand jury in Tennessee has indicted five individuals for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, major fraud against the United States, and smuggling in connection with Chinese-made military boots to the U.S. Armed Forces and others.

Justice Dept. sealThese individuals appeared in court on Sept. 15, 2016 and pleaded not guilty.  All were released on bond pending trial, which has been set for Nov. 1, 2016, in U.S. District Court, in Greeneville, TN.

If convicted, they all face a term of 20 years in prison as to each wire fraud charge and smuggling charge, and up to 10 years in prison for the charge of major fraud against the United States.  Additionally, they face fines of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release as to each count.  The indictment also seeks forfeiture of approximately $8.1 million.

Details of this conspiracy are included in the indictment on file with the U.S. District Court, which alleges that these individuals, all of whom were executives and management at Wellco Enterprises, Inc., conspired from December 2008 through August 2012 to defraud the United States government and other purchasers through a scheme to fraudulently import military-style boots that were made in China into the United States and then deceptively market and sell those boots to the United States Armed Forces, government contractors, and the general public as “Made in the USA,” and as compliant with certain domestic content preference laws, including the Trade Agreements Act and the Berry Amendment.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Air Force Office of Special Investigation, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Defense Contracts Audit Agency.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until his/her guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/five-indicted-fraud-against-us-government-and-other-purchasers-made-usa-marketing

Filed Under: Contracting News Tagged With: DCAA, DCIS, DHS, DOJ, domestic content preference, fraud, Government Contracting News Tagged With: Berry Amendment, GSA, indictment, Justice Dept., smuggling, Trade Agreements Act, wire fraud

Recent Posts

  • Contractors must update EEO poster
  • SBA scorecard shows federal government continues to prioritize small business contracting
  • The risk of organizational conflicts of interest
  • The gap widens between COFC and GAO on late is late rule
  • OMB releases guidance related to small business goals

Popular Topics

8(a) abuse Army bid protest budget budget cuts certification construction contract awards contracting opportunities cybersecurity DoD DOJ False Claims Act FAR federal contracting federal contracts fraud GAO Georgia Tech government contracting government contract training government trends GSA GSA Schedule GTPAC HUBZone innovation IT Justice Dept. marketing NDAA OMB SBA SDVOSB set-aside small business small business goals spending subcontracting technology VA veteran owned business VOSB wosb

Contracting News

SBA scorecard shows federal government continues to prioritize small business contracting

OMB releases guidance related to small business goals

OMB issues guidance on impact of injunction on government contractor vaccine mandate

Changes coming to DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification under CMMC 2.0

Judge issues nationwide injunction halting enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Read More

Contracting Tips

Contractors must update EEO poster

The risk of organizational conflicts of interest

The gap widens between COFC and GAO on late is late rule

Are verbal agreements good enough for government contractors?

CMMC 2.0 simplifies requirements but raises risks for government contractors

Read More

GTPAC News

VA direct access program events in 2022

Sandia National Laboratories seeks small business suppliers

Navy OSBP hosting DCAA overview (part 2) event Jan. 12, 2022

Navy OSBP hosting cybersecurity “ask me anything” event Dec. 16th

State of Georgia hosting supplier systems training on January 26, 2022

Read More

Georgia Tech News

Undergraduate enrollment growth reflects inclusive excellence

Georgia Tech delivers $4 billion in economic impact to the State of Georgia

Georgia Tech awards first round of seed grants to support team-based research

Georgia Tech announces inaugural Associate Vice President of Corporate Engagement

DoD funds Georgia Tech to enhance U.S. hypersonics capabilities

Read More

  • SAM.gov registration is free, and help with SAM is free, too
APTAC RSS Twitter GTPAC - 30th Year of Service

Copyright © 2023 · Georgia Tech - Enterprise Innovation Institute