BY FRANK DELANO
Two British employees of the O'Gara Group are among 22 suppliers of military equipment charged last month with violating a U.S. law that prohibits bribing officials of foreign governments to obtain business.
James Noe, president of O'Gara's Training and Services Division, said yesterday the company fired David Painter and Lee M. Wares after their arrest in Las Vegas Jan. 19.
Noe said Painter and Wares had "no connection whatsoever" with O'Gara's tactical training center in Montross.
Painter and Wares were the founders of London-based
The agent told Painter and Wares that a potential $15 million sale of night-vision equipment and armored vehicles depended on a 20 per-cent "commission" to be divided among the agent and the country's defense minister. Painter and Wares paid the agent a $12,183 "commission" for a test shipment of equipment accompanied by bogus invoices, the indictment alleges.
Painter, Wares and 19 other dealers in weapons and military equipment were all arrested when they went to Las Vegas to attend the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show. Painter and Wares remain in federal custody and will be arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Washington, according to court documents.
Noe said O'Gara is cooperating with the federal investigation.
Some Westmoreland County residents have filed legal challenges to the county's approval of O'Gara's operation in Montross. A hearing on those challenges is scheduled for March 30 in Westmoreland Circuit Court.
Frank Delano: 804/761-4300
Email: fpdelano@gmail.com