According to court papers, On February 7, 2012, Luba submitted a bid for a contract with the DoD to supply American-made wing pins for use in the F-15 combat aircraft and was awarded the contract. On April 2, Luba received an international Federal Express delivery of the wing pins from India at his residence.
Despite knowing that the wing pins were made in India, Luba shipped these foreign-made wing-pins to the DoD and accepted payment for them, federal prosecutors alleged.
On October 10, 2012, the DoD contacted Luba with an urgent e-mail, reporting that the wing pins under this contract, and a second contract with Allied Components, were not of the hardness required under the contract.
"Luba e-mailed One Source requesting a certification of the materials used in the manufacture of the wing pins, as well as inspection records, to provide to the DoD. One Source sent Luba material certifications and inspection records for the wing pins, which listed only a New Jersey address for the company," the Justice Department said.
"On October 12, 2012, Luba sent these false and misleading certifications and inspection records to a contracting officer at the DoD," it said.
"The US Air Force ultimately grounded 47 F-15 fighter aircraft for inspection and repair as a result of the non-conforming wing pins, resulting in a loss to the government of about $166,000," the Department said.
