Reporting a possible ITAR violation

michellemmm

Quest For Quality
If you have been told about a company that could be violating ITAR, what would you do?

If a company subcontracting a government contract to illegal immigrants to take home to do, aren't they violating ITAR?

Any advise?
 

Jim Wynne

Leader
Admin
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

If you have been told about a company that could be violating ITAR, what would you do?

If a company subcontracting a government contract to illegal immigrants to take home to do, aren't they violating ITAR?

Any advise?

ITAR = Wikipedia reference-linkInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations

I would think that contacting the nearest FBI office would be the thing to do if you're reasonably sure about your information. You might also want to consult with an attorney before you blow the whistle.
 

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

If you have been told about a company that could be violating ITAR, what would you do?

If a company subcontracting a government contract to illegal immigrants to take home to do, aren't they violating ITAR?

Any advise?

ITAR = Wikipedia reference-linkInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations

I would think that contacting the nearest FBI office would be the thing to do if you're reasonably sure about your information. You might also want to consult with an attorney before you blow the whistle.
this thread contains an explanation of WHY you ought to consult an attorney first
Ethics - Moral law vs. Criminal law

 

Kales Veggie

People: The Vital Few
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

If you have been told about a company that could be violating ITAR, what would you do?

If a company subcontracting a government contract to illegal immigrants to take home to do, aren't they violating ITAR?

Any advise?

ITAR has to do with access to products and product information that falls under the ITAR regulation.

Illegal immigrants and taking information off-premises (= losing control) is an ITAR violation.

FBI has nothing to do with ITAR. It is DCMA (contracting office) or the Department of State).

You should contact the ITAR officer at your company and let them handle.

(Not reporting is a crime as well. Tread carefully)
 

Jim Wynne

Leader
Admin
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

FBI has nothing to do with ITAR. It is DCMA (contracting office) or the Department of State).
It appears to me that ITAR investigations are primarily under the aegis of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) which is under the Department of Homeland Security, but the FBI is also frequently involved in ITAR investigations. In any event, because there are many local FBI offices, it's always a good place to start in reporting a suspected violation of federal criminal law.
 

michellemmm

Quest For Quality
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

It appears to me that ITAR investigations are primarily under the aegis of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) which is under the Department of Homeland Security, but the FBI is also frequently involved in ITAR investigations. In any event, because there are many local FBI offices, it's always a good place to start in reporting a suspected violation of federal criminal law.


Can reporting be done anonymously?
 

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

Can reporting be done anonymously?
One of the reasons you might want to consult an attorney first. If the case goes to criminal action, normally, the policing body (FBI or whoever) will have to show probable cause to investigate (meaning a real informant) or a good defense attorney can have charges dismissed as "fruit from a forbidden tree."
 

Wes Bucey

Prophet of Profit
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

Just a minor point here. You say "If you have been told about a company that could be violating ITAR, what would you do?"

Does this mean you are not a direct witness? If you are not certain and you make a claim which results in a disruptive investigation which shows no wrongdoing, you could open yourself up to a claim for damages from the company and from individuals. Just defending such a claim can be ruinously expensive, regardless if you win.
 

Jim Wynne

Leader
Admin
Re: Reporting possible ITAR violation.

One of the reasons you might want to consult an attorney first. If the case goes to criminal action, normally, the policing body (FBI or whoever) will have to show probable cause to investigate (meaning a real informant) or a good defense attorney can have charges dismissed as "fruit from a forbidden tree."
We shouldn't be playing lawyer here. Criminal Investigations are initiated on the basis of anonymous tips every day.
 
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