United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NEW FAIRFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned an Indictment charging ROBERT P. KNOWLES, 64, of Alpine Road, New Fairfield, Connecticut, with two counts of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense.  The Indictment was returned yesterday, April 22.

According to the Indictment, KNOWLES was president of Druck, Inc., located in New Fairfield.  Druck produces Air Data Test Systems that are used to measure the accuracy of certain aircraft cockpit instruments that show such functions as altitude, air speed, rate of climb and engine pressure.  Druck sells the test systems for commercial and military use, and one of its customers has been the Government of Israel, Ministry of Defense.

Sales to the Israeli Ministry of Defense have been financed through Foreign Military Financing (“FMF”) under the direction of the United States Department of Defense, Defense Security Cooperation Agency.  Through FMF, the United States Government loans money to the governments of United States allies to purchase goods and services from United States businesses to improve the allies’ defense capabilities.

Because the purchases were financed by the United States Government, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency required that an Israeli Ministry of Defense purchase order include a certification that “seller represents and warrants that no element of the Order includes any commission or other contingent fees.”  As president of Druck, KNOWLES, along with one other corporate officer, was required to sign the purchase order and return it to the Ministry of Defense.  Druck kept a copy of the purchase order for possible subsequent inspection by a United States Government representative.

The Indictment alleges that KNOWLES signed two such purchase orders, one on August 29, 2002 and the other on February 26, 2003.  The Indictment further alleges that, when he signed them, KNOWLES knew that the purchase price for the Air Data Test System included a commission that was intended to be paid to an agent of Druck.

If convicted, KNOWLES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count.

Acting United States Attorney Dannehy stressed that an indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Calvin B. Kurimai.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov