U.S. Department of Justice Marcos Daniel Jiménez United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
	99 N.E. 4th Street Miami, FL 33132 (305) 961-9001

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION EMPLOYEE
CHARGED WITH FALSE STATEMENTS TO AGENCY

Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Barbara L. Barnet, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; and Jackson Smith, Regional Manager of the Federal Aviation Administration Security and Investigation Division, announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in Miami, Florida, returned an indictment charging Michael C. Lebhaft with making materially false statements to his employer, the Federal Aviation Administration.

If convicted, Lebhaft faces a possible sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain or loss from his relevant conduct under federal sentencing guidelines as well as being required to make restitution to any victim of his offense.

According to the indictment, Lebhaft asserted in records that he filed with his employer that he was performing his official duties on that date when in fact he was engaged in a private business pursuit unrelated to his official activities.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Watts-FitzGerald.

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