Investigations
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February 13, 2017
President of South Florida Aircraft Repair Facility Sentenced for Conspiring To Bribe an FAA Inspector
On February 13, 2017, Rolando Suarez was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Miami, Florida, to 24 months’ incarceration, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release; a $20,000 fine; and a $100 special assessment for conspiracy to bribe a public official.
Suarez, president of Avcom Avionics & Instruments (Avcom), an FAA-authorized repair station in South Florida, conspired to bribe an FAA aviation safety inspector. Suarez was charged via information in August 2016 and pleaded guilty in September 2016.
The investigation revealed that from approximately 2010 to 2013, Suarez employed an active FAA inspector, who provided Avcom with unauthorized technical publications, notices and warnings about inspections and investigations, and competitors’ confidential information. In exchange, Suarez provided monies and gifts, all with the intent to encourage acts in violation of the inspector’s official duty.
DOT-OIG conducted this investigation jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.