Summary

On August 17, 2015, Luc Quirion, of Newport, Vermont, was charged via criminal complaint and arrested by DOT-OIG agents for making a false statement to the Federal Aviation Administration. In May 2015, Quirion entered into a Pre-trial Diversion Agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO), Burlington, Vermont, for falsifying his application for an FAA medical certificate.

Quirion failed to disclose a history of arrests involving driving while intoxicated and the use of prescribed medications for a diagnosed mental condition. Prosecution for this offense was to be deferred for two years; however, the USAO learned that Quirion had failed to abide by the terms of the Agreement, which resulted in the charges being reinstated.

This investigation was initiated in June 2014 after Quirion crashed his single-engine aircraft at the Newport State Airport in Newport, Vermont, and fled the scene. According to witnesses, he had consumed alcohol prior to operating the aircraft. The investigation also revealed that he did not possess a valid medical certificate and was operating an unregistered aircraft.

We conducted this investigation with assistance from the FAA.

Note:  Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.