Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Failure to Get Export Licenses, Falsifying Documentation
A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 42 months in prison Jan. 17 for violations of the International Emergence Economic Powers Act, said the Department of Justice. Timothy Gormley failed to get Bureau of Industry and Security licenses for controlled items, and falsified documents to make it appear that he had obtained the required authorizations. According to DoJ, Gormley said he was swamped at work and too busy to go through the licensing process.
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Gormley was an employee of Amplifier Research, a manufacturer and supplier of microwave amplifiers. Many of the company’s items are controlled for National Security reasons on the Commerce Control List, and require a license for export to most countries outside of Europe. Amplifier Research filed a voluntary self-disclosure with BIS in 2011 after becoming aware that Gormley had committed violations of the Export Administration Regulations between 2006 and 2011.
Gormley pleaded guilty in October, admitting he had altered invoices and shipping documents to conceal the correct classification of exported amplifiers so they would be shipped without the required licenses; listed false license numbers on export documentation; and lied to fellow employees about the status and existence of licenses. Gormley’s actions resulted in at least 50 unlicensed exports to destinations such as China, India, Hong Kong, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan and Thailand, DoJ said. Gormley said he was overwhelmed at work and “too busy” to get the licenses.