November 06, 2007
Hexcel, an aerospace supplier, will pay $15 million to settle allegations it violated the federal False Claims Act.
The government alleged that Hexcel supplied defective bulletproof vests to law enforcement agencies. The vests contained Zylon fiber that the government claimed Hexcel knew was defective. The fibers degraded quickly when exposed to heat, light and humidity.
As part of the settlement with the Justice Department, Hexcel agreed to cooperate in the government’s ongoing investigation of other participants involved in actions alleged to have violated the False Claims Act, according to the Department’s October 30, 2007 press release.