East Northport Man Sold Defective Airplane Parts to US Government: USAO

An East Northport businessman was arrested Monday for selling defective airplane parts that were used to assemble the federal government’s aircraft, including military aircraft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Paul Skiscim, 62, served as President of Aerospec, Inc. from 2003 to 2013 until he and the company were debarred for supplying the government with defective airplane parts, the USAO reports.

Skiscim allegedly continued to bid, contract and supply defective airplane parts to the federal government after his debarment. He did so by using a series of shell companies that were under the names of relatives and fictitious people to hide his involvement, the USAO reports.

Since 2013, these shell companies received over $2.8 million for the supply of airplane parts, including the parts that were proven defective, according to the USAO.

“It is critical that federal aircraft, including military aircraft, be built with the best parts available,” stated United States Attorney Robert L. Capers said in a statement. “The defendant’s alleged scheme of supplying defective parts not only violated the law but showed a callous disregard for the safety of federal employees and our military personnel.”

Skiscim was arraigned Monday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.

“America’s warfighters deserve the very best to perform their jobs in these difficult times,” Defense Criminal Investigative Service Resident Agent-in-Charge Kenneth J. Siegler said. “It is inexcusable that individuals endeavor to enrich themselves by stealing from the U.S. taxpayer through fraud, especially by denying critical goods to our service men and women combating terrorism in a hostile overseas environment.”