A Berlin-based business owner has agreed to a $300,000 civil settlement agreement to resolve allegations he shipped products from China for federal contracts in contravention of the Trade Agreement Act and Buy American Act.
Thomas DeSantos and his company, LED Lighting Solutions LLC, had a contract to supply lighting products to the General Services Administration, which were used by the Air Force, Coast Guard, Department of Agriculture and Department of State.
The Trade Agreement Act generally bars government procurements of end products from foreign countries that have not entered into trade agreements with the U.S. Â
The government contends that DeSantos falsely certified he was providing these agencies with products that complied with the Act when, in fact, some of the end products were manufactured in China.
LED Lighting Solutions also entered into delivery orders with the Air Force, Army and Federal Emergency Management Agency, which required compliance with the Buy American Act, when some of the products were foreign end products.
In addition to paying a civil settlement, LED Lighting also agreed to withdraw two appeals pending before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals for termination of an Army contract.
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