*EPF505 08/01/2003
Text: U.S. Company Fined for Export Violations
(Unlicensed pumps could be used for chemical, biological weapons) (300)

A Connecticut-based company has agreed to pay a $171,500 civil penalty for violating Export Administration Regulations by exporting unlicensed centrifugal pumps to China, Taiwan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, according to a July 28 Department of Commerce news release.

Following is the text of the July 28 Department of Commerce news release:

(begin text)

Immediate Release

July 28, 2003 Connecticut Company Settles Charges Concerning Unlicensed
Pump Exports to China, Taiwan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Sundstrand), of Windsor Locks, Conn., has agreed to pay a $171,500 civil penalty to settle allegations that the company violated the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) alleged that Sundstrand exported or re-exported centrifugal pumps to various end-users in China, Taiwan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, without obtaining the required Department of Commerce export licenses. Sundstrand is a manufacturer of centrifugal pumps used for general, industrial, and chemical process application. These pumps are controlled for chemical and biological weapons reasons, as well as for anti-terrorism reasons.

BIS also alleged that Sundstrand made false statements on Shipper's Export Declarations (SEDs), stating that no export license was required, when in fact a license was required. Additionally, BIS alleged that Sundstrand failed to file SEDs as required, and failed to provide certain required information on those SEDs that Sundstrand did file. Sundstrand voluntarily disclosed these violations to BIS and cooperated throughout the investigation.

Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Lisa A. Prager commended the efforts of Special Agent Renee Bohrer from BIS's field office in Los Angeles, Calif., and Special Agent Randall Robinson from BIS's field office in Chicago, Ill., who investigated the case.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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