Accused Of Defrauding The Federal Government With Knockoff Helicopter Parts

Members of the Bettencourt family of Coos Bay, OR, have filed a series of lawsuits for the recovery of assets that were seized in an investigation of the alleged delivery of fraudulent helicopter parts. The family members have consistently claimed their innocence in the matter.

The family operated Kustom Products Inc., which had received a DoD contract for parts totalling $31 million. The Oregon newspaper The World reports that the government has accused Kustom Products and the Bettencourts of furnishing knockoff lugnuts ... also known as "Jesus Nuts" ... which attach a helicopter's main rotor to the mast. Had they been installed and failed, aircraft and personnel could have been lost.

But the Bettencourts say they did not defraud the government. Company president Harold Bettencourt II told the paper last year that the company had done nothing wrong, and each member of the family is now suing for the return of their property. Those items are reported to include several pickups including a Hummer H2, boats and other watercraft, and more than $350,000.

There has also been a charge of steroid use involving a police officer that has cropped up during the search and subsequent investigation. While no charges have yet been filed, the FBI says they are coming next year.

FMI: www.fbi.gov