Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Investigations

Date

Arizona Man Sentenced, Ordered to Pay $24,700 Involving Aircraft Parts Fraud Scheme

On September 26, 2005, Joseph P. Smyth, III, of Phoenix, AZ ordered by a U.S. District Court judge in Phoenix to pay restitution of $24,700 for conspiring to commit aircraft parts fraud. Smyth was also placed on five years probation and was ordered to spend 180 days in a community detention facility to treat his drug addiction. An OIG investigation determined Smyth Aerospace Manufacturing LTD, purchased used aircraft parts and illegally repainted and re-plated the parts while undergoing refurbishment. The parts were then fraudulently sold as certified new original manufacturers' equipment or unused government surplus. All suspect parts have been seized and are in law enforcement custody. Investigators were not able to determine if additional suspect parts were installed in other aircrafts. Flight safety alerts regarding the affected parts have been issued. 8