SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – A former employee of a San Diego County aircraft company was sentenced Monday to two years in federal prison for selling defective parts for use in Navy and Marine Corps helicopters. 57-year-old Joel Potter, a former employee of Mackenzie Aircraft in Vista, admitted he sold 16,000 parts to military contractor Science Applications International Corporation during a four year period beginning in 2004.
Among the parts he sold were bolts used to attach rotor blades to the helicopters. The defective parts were discovered during installation and the military sent out a worldwide bulletin warning troops not to use the parts. Federal Judge John Houston ordered Potter to pay $244,660 in restitution.
When a person sells a faulty product with knowledge or recklessness, he or she can be held criminally as well as civilly liable for the resulting injuries and harms caused. In this case, there was no information about physical injury. However, if someone was injured, he or she may have a claim in products liability law.
The lawyers at Berman & Riedel, LLP in San Diego, California have experience handling all kinds of personal injury cases. If you would like to discuss your case with a qualified lawyer, the staff lawyers at Berman & Riedel, LLP are available to set up a case consultation with you. Our lawyers will honestly evaluate your case and chances of recovery free of charge. Contact the firm to set up your meeting by phone at 858 350-8855 or through the main firm website at www.bermanlawyers.com.
