Defense Contractor Sentenced For Stealing Medical Equipment Intended For Deployed Marines

United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that a Camp Pendleton defense contractor was sentenced today for his role in a scheme involving the theft of costly medical equipment that the military had planned to ship overseas to treat injured Marines.

In today’s court hearing, U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo sentenced Michael Tuisee to serve 6 months in prison, followed by 6 months of house arrest with GPS monitoring, and 3 years of supervised release. Judge Bencivengo also ordered Tuisee to forfeit $8,250 in illegal proceeds and pay $179,698.50 in restitution to the U.S. Marine Corps.

According to court records, Tuisee and his two co-conspirators worked in warehouses run by 1st Medical Logistics Company (“1st MEDLOG”) aboard Camp Pendleton. 1st MEDLOG is the unit responsible for maintaining medical equipment and shipping necessary medical items to combat forces throughout the world. By virtue of his employment as a civilian defense contractor, Tuisee had unfettered access to sophisticated medical equipment stored at 1st MEDLOG warehouses. Prior to sentencing, Tuisee admitted that he conspired to steal expensive medical equipment from 1st MEDLOG, including ventilators, autoclaves, defibrillators, headlights, and laryngoscopes. Tuisee repeatedly stole these costly medical items, loaded them into his personal vehicle, and surreptitiously sold them to medical equipment resellers – often meeting with buyers during nighttime rendezvous in secluded parking lots.

During today’s sentencing, Judge Bencivengo told Tuisee he abused his position and breached the Government’s trust when he stole military medical equipment and sold it for personal profit. U.S. Attorney Duffy echoed those sentiments, noting that she will continue to “vigorously investigate and prosecute those who seek profit at the expense our men and women in uniform.” Duffy reminded the public that these charges were the result of ongoing efforts to root out corruption among our area defense contractors. She encouraged the public to contact the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at 1- 800-264-6485 or www.ncis.navy.mil if they have any information relevant to the ongoing investigation into theft of medical equipment at Camp Pendleton.

DEFENDANT		Case Number: 13cr0338-CAB
Michael Tuisee
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Conspiracy to Engage in Theft of Government Property, Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (all defendants)
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Naval Criminal Investigative Service