Investigations

West Coast Aluminum Heat Treating Co., of Los Angeles and its president, June Fitch, were found guilty of conspiracy and making false statements in a jury trial in March 1999. The firm had falsely attested that military and commercial aluminum aircraft parts had been properly heat-tempered and tested. At the close of the trial, Fitch's son Eugene, vice-president of the firm, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy, making false statements and obstruction of justice. The latter charge stemmed from his ordering the destruction of documents. Heat-treating boosts the strength and useful life of the parts. OIG jointly investigated the case with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and NASA/OIG.