The US Department of Justice charged 31 people, including three Coast Guard employees, in regards to a test-score fixing scheme at a United States Coast Guard exam center.
Specifically, according to the indictment that was announced on November 23, a Coast Guard credentialing specialist at an exam center in Mandeville, Louisiana, was authorized to enter scores for examinations that merchant mariners were legally required to pass in order to obtain licenses to serve in various positions on vessels.
It should be highlighted that the examinations are being conducted to test mariners’ knowledge and training to safely operate vessels under the authority of licenses.
The indictment stated that for seven years the credentialing specialist followed a scheme that included taking bribes to fix exam scores, enabling license applicants to bypass the required testing. This led in the applicants illegally obtaining a range of licenses for officer-level positions, including the most important positions on vessels, such as master, chief mate, and chief engineer, according to the District Attorney’s statement on the indictments.
Moreover, the indictment alleges that two former Coast Guard employees, followed the bribing scheme as well.
In addition, another 24 current and former merchant mariners have been charged with unlawfully receiving officer-level licenses. As alleged, each received false scores from Smith, with some receiving false scores on multiple occasions. In addition, our maritime industry workers acted as intermediaries in the scheme and also had their own scores fixed.
Similarly, the indictment charges another twenty-four current and former merchant mariners with unlawfully receiving officer-level licenses. As alleged, each received false scores, with some receiving false scores on multiple occasions.
Overall, the other 24 defendants are charged with receiving, possessing, and intending to unlawfully use mariner licenses, to which they were not lawfully entitled.
Concluding, if the defendants are to be convicted, they face a sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment, $ 250,000.00 fine, three years of supervised release and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment.
