Former Employees of Parts Firm Plead Guilty

Joseph Patrick Smith III and Thomas Edward Smith, formerly employed at Smyth Aerospace Manufacturing, recently pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to commit aircraft parts fraud. The company, which had offices in Phoenix and Shannon, Ireland, purchased used aircraft parts, refurbished them and then resold them as either certified new or unused government surplus. The parts involved (such as aircraft lever bearing assemblies) were designed for use on U.S. Air Force T-37s and T-38s, NASA fleet aircraft and Learjets. Sentencing for both employees is scheduled for June 20. Smyth Aerospace Manufacturing is no longer in business.