Score:   1
Docket Number:   ND-CA  3:20-cr-99999
Case Name:   USA v. District Court for the Northern District of California
  Press Releases:
SAN FRANCISCO - Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corporation has agreed to a settlement valued at $4.4 million to resolve allegations that it violated the civil False Claims Act by providing defective communications systems for the United States Coast Guard’s National Security Cutters, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office Amanda Thandi. 

Lockheed, headquartered in Maryland, provided communications systems for the Coast Guard’s National Security Cutters.  The United States alleges that the Radio Frequency Distribution System (RFDS) Lockheed provided fails to meet the requirement of transmitting and receiving several different radio signals at the same time without undue interference (known as simultaneous operations).  The Coast Guard has taken delivery of the first six Cutters and three additional Cutters are under construction.  All nine Cutters have versions of the same RFDS.  To settle the allegations, Lockheed has agreed to pay $2.2 million, and to provide the Coast Guard with repairs to the RFDS on the nine Cutters at no charge.  The repairs are valued at $2.2 million.

“This office remains committed to fighting fraud and false claims against the federal government,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tse.  “It is essential that the communications systems on the Coast Guard’s National Security Cutters work properly.  I am pleased that Lockheed has agreed to repair the systems so that they fully function to support the Coast Guard’s important mission.” 

The settlement, unsealed today, resolves a whistleblower lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.  An engineer who formerly worked for Lockheed filed the case pursuant to the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under those provisions, private citizens, known as “relators,” may file lawsuits on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the proceeds of a settlement or judgment.  In this case, the relator will receive $990,000 as his share of the government’s recovery from Lockheed.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Winslow is handling the case with the assistance of Kathy Terry.  The settlement is the result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service.  Technical aspects of the settlement were made possible by the verification and coordination of United States Navy engineers, led by the Principal Engineer from the Coast Guard.

 

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California entered judgment against fugitive defendant Candelaria Dagandan Vazquez and her surety Candelaria Antoinette Sapp in the amount of $50,000, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch.  The Honorable Susan Illston, U.S. District Judge entered the judgment after the defendant failed to appear for court proceedings.

On June 21, 2016, a federal grand jury indicted Vazquez, 39, of Richmond, Calif., for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and for distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846.  The complaint authorizing Vazquez’s arrest by federal authorities alleges that Vazquez and her co-defendant Kia Zolfaghari manufactured and sold counterfeit oxycodone pills online that were laced with fentanyl, a powerful opiate.  Following her arrest, Vazquez was released on a pretrial bond of $50,000 co-signed by her daughter, Sapp, guaranteeing Vazquez’s appearance.

Vazquez absconded from her residence in Richmond, where she was required to reside, in April 2017, and failed to appear at her scheduled status conference on May 19, 2017.  A warrant has been issued for her arrest.  She remains a fugitive.  

The federal court therefore entered judgment on the bond against both Vazquez and her surety, Sapp, in the amount of $50,000.  The entry of judgment essentially means the entire amount is due and payable immediately to the United States government.  Further, pursuant to the terms of the bond, if the amount remains unpaid, the government retains the right to place liens on property owned by Sapp and to garnish Sapp’s wages to satisfy the judgment.

At the hearing on the government’s motion to enter judgment on the bond, which was held on August 25, 2017, the federal court observed that it retains the power to set aside some or all of the judgment against Sapp if Vazquez turns herself in or is arrested.

Vazquez’s co-defendant Kia Zolfaghari fled in April 2017 as well, and failed to appear at a hearing scheduled for a change of his plea.  A warrant has issued for his arrest, and he remains a fugitive.  The government’s motion to enter judgment on Zolfaghari’s bond against both Zolfaghari and his surety Behrooz Zolfaghari is scheduled to be heard on October 27, 2017.  

 

Docket (0 Docs):   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MoCIVwWR8gYYwEhEgQFxrNncOjqceUggEzLVlfaDbWg
  Last Updated: 2021-05-29 06:03:46 UTC
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