Jeffrey Lavelle, Mail and Wire Fraud, Missouri 2014

Grimy Times Exclusive: In a shocking turn of events, Jeffrey Lavelle, owner and operator of J. L. Manufacturing, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of mail and wire fraud in connection with a bribery/kickback scheme involving Boeing military aircraft parts.

According to the investigation, Lavelle, who resides in Mukilteo, WA, used non-public competitor bid information and historical price information provided by Deon Anderson, a Procurement Officer for Boeing, to prepare and submit bids on behalf of J.L. Manufacturing to Boeing for approximately nine different Boeing requests for quotes relative to various purchase orders.

The scheme resulted in J.L. Manufacturing being awarded seven purchase orders to supply United States military aircraft parts to Boeing, totaling in excess of approximately $2,052,746. In exchange for the information, Lavelle made cash payments to Anderson in St. Louis and in California.

Lavelle, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud before United States District Judge Henry Autrey, in St. Louis, on October 15, 2014. Sentencing has been set for October 27, 2014.

Co-defendants Deon Anderson, St. Louis; William P. Boozer, Hacienda Heights, CA; and Robert Diaz, Jr., Alta Loma, CA, previously pleaded guilty to related charges and are scheduled for sentencing on October 15, 2014, August 15, 2014, and September 2, 2014, respectively.

Each count of mail and wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The case was investigated by Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, NASA-Office of Inspector General, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Navy Criminal Investigative Service, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This is not the first time Lavelle has been involved in controversy. In 2011, J.L. Manufacturing was accused of violating the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) by failing to disclose a change in the manufacturing process for aircraft parts. The company ultimately paid a fine of $10,000 to settle the claim.

Related Federal Cases