Summary

On February 15, 2013, in U.S. District Court, Washington, DC, Luis Rodriguez was charged with false statements in conjunction with a contract proposal he submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD).

OIG's investigation revealed that Rodriguez submitted a proposal to a MARAD official, under the business name Guardian, for a lucrative contract providing maritime security services to combat Somali pirates attacking private merchant vessels off the African Coast.  Throughout the proposal, Rodriguez included numerous false representations concerning Guardian's capacity to carry-out the proposal's mission.  For example, Rodriguez indicated that his company could provide a private army of 3,000 men; however, his company did not have any employees, executive officers, or personnel.

This case was investigated with assistance from MARAD.

Note:  An indictment, information, and criminal complaint are only accusations by the Government.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.