Forwarder “vindicated” against US military fraud claims
05 / 01 / 2010
THE founder of New York-based National Air Cargo has been “vindicated” from allegations of fraud. Christopher Alf (left) and his wife Lori are now back on the forwarder’s board of directors after a district judge ruled that the US military’s reasons for debarment were “logically flawed”.“Based on the materials submitted and arguments proffered…it appears that the decision to debar the plaintiff…was logically flawed,” said US district judge, Ricardo Urbina.The company will now be allowed to resume bidding on US military contracts.The government claimed in 2008 that the company was acting fraudulently when it shipped US Air Force shipments, which were originally meant to be shipped by air, were instead transported by truck. National Air Cargo said that sometimes shipments in remote locations were sent by truck, it being the fastest and most economical mode available.Colonel (Ret) Glen Joerger, a former transportation executive with the US Air Force, conducted an independent analysis of the delivery statistics used in the original case and concluded that National Air cargo consistently delivered on-time or early.“We are relieved that after fighting for this long that the judge found this case fundamentally flawed and lacking legal merit,” Alf said. “It was worth fighting for our innocence.”