A Florida man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for defrauding NASA space launch system and faces fines.
Florida man sentenced to prison after defrauding space launch system
A man from Florida has been sentenced to prison and fines totaling $800,000 for attempting to defraud NASA’s space launch system.
Steven Lukens, aged 54, will spend 21 months behind bars as part of his punishment.
Additionally, he must repay $271,024.35 and provide restitution of $689,280.03 after admitting to wire fraud earlier this year.
Lukens, who hails from Port Charlotte, confessed to wire fraud regarding NASA’s space launch system at the Kennedy Space Center.
As the CEO of Gulf Atlantic International Supply, LLC, Lukens entered a subcontract with another company.
The subcontract was to obtain materials for NASA’s space launch system.
An investigation into his activities uncovered that Lukens had falsified over 190 documents, including Certificates of Compliance, Pressure Testing certificates, and test reports.
Ensuring the quality and safety of the components supplied to NASA required these crucial documents.
Lukens intended the materials he supplied to support NASA’s Artemis mission.
Lukens’ critical role and breach of contract in supplying NASA
This mission includes the Orion spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts to the moon and eventually to Mars.
He was specifically responsible for providing parts for hyperbolic systems.
These systems handle hazardous liquids that are highly reactive and can cause fires, explosions, or toxic exposure.
Despite the importance of these components, Lukens submitted fake quality control documents.
As a result, he provided NASA with products that failed to meet the strict standards required by the contract.
Collaboration between NASA-OIG and U.S. Attorney’s office in fraud investigation
The NASA Office of Inspector General investigated the case, emphasizing the agency’s dedication to maintaining integrity in its procurement processes.
The prosecution of this case involved collaboration between the OIG and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold accountable companies that seek to defraud NASA.
Robert Steinau, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations at NASA-OIG, highlighted the agency’s commitment to verifying the authenticity of NASA’s component procurements.
He highlighted the importance of working alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate and prosecute instances of fraud against NASA