A 52-year-old Pearland man pleaded guilty to making false statements in an aircraft maintenance log, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani on Wednesday.
Ronald P. Franklin admitted that on or about Oct. 9, 2020, he knowingly and willfully falsified an aircraft’s annual inspection records. Franklin had fraudulently represented himself as an Inspection Authorization holder and falsely certified he performed an annual inspection on an aircraft and determined it was in airworthy condition.
The Federal Aviation Administration regulates domestic aircraft and air travel and they require most U.S.-registered general aviation aircraft to undergo annual inspections to ensure they are airworthy which an FAA-certified mechanic must perform. Following an annual inspection, FAA regulations require an IA holder to make an entry in the aircraft’s log book certifying the inspection was properly completed and that the furnished information is true and correct. IA holders must certify each annual inspection they perform using their unique FAA certificate number.
According to officials, Franklin was not an IA holder and did not perform the inspection as he falsely claimed. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison accepted the plea and will sentence Franklin on May 24. Franklin faces up to five years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.The Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christian Latham and Jay Hileman are prosecuting the case.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Facing lawsuit from Arizona attorney general, Cochise County supervisors hire outside attorneyThe county plans to hire Phoenix-based attorney Timothy La Sota, although questions remain about where the money to pay him will come from
Read more »
Pearland OKs $6.9 million contract to company to help guide wastewater plant upgradeThe city of Pearland has hired a company to serve as project advisor as it embarks on a...
Read more »
Why Pearland is spending nearly $90K to attract arts and cultural tourismPearland approves $89K contract with national firm to develop arts and cultural master plan
Read more »
Attorney: 'If you just change the color of the people,' case wouldn't have been indictedLeeyonna Ward's attorney said she would not have been charged if she were white and the carjacker she shot was Black.
Read more »
Portland's Crime Crisis: Soros-backed DA creating lawless, 'free-for-all' mentality, trial attorney saysSome Portland residents say lack of prosecution is contributing to the city's crime crisis. Here's how Portland's prosecution rates compare to neighboring counties.
Read more »
Arizona man indicted for PPP loan fraud, attorney general saysThe alleged fraud happened between June 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021, and involves $3,715,276.50 worth of PPP loans.
Read more »