Spartan Motors Chassis Inc., has agreed to pay $6 million for its role in a kickback scheme designed to steer millions of dollars in business its way. The company will plead guilty to “knowingly and willfully making a false statement” on a government form.
Spartan manufactures custom chassis to the makers of American Coach, Entegra, Fleetwood, Newmar and Tiffin motorhomes.
The U.S. attorney charged that Spartan intentionally falsified a December, 2005 agreement with military provider Force Protection that stated, among other things, that it “had not paid and will not pay consideration of any kind to any employee in connection with the purchase order.” It turns out, it had been.
Since 2005, Spartan Chassis has served as a military subcontractor, providing specialty chassis, vehicle interiors, comprehensive automotive integration, assembly, parts and service for the nation’s primary MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) manufacturers, including BAE Systems, Force Protection and General Dynamics Land Systems. Spartan currently supplies more than 20 different threat-specific, mine-protected vehicle variants, including specialized configurations of MRAP, such as those customized for ambulance duties, ordinance removal or transporting Special Operations troops. Force Protection had subcontracted with Spartan to provide 136 chassis.
In a November press release, Spartan Motors president and CEO John Sztykiel, said, “Spartan Chassis has helped produce more mine-resistant vehicles than any other U.S. manufacturing facility, and we are proud of the vital role our team has played in getting these lifesaving vehicles to our soldiers and Marines within an extraordinarily short timeframe. “A significant factor in our success has been the hard work, dedication and specialized skills of our workforce.”
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