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TAMPA — A U.S. District Court judge in Tampa has dismissed a lawsuit against defense contractor DSE Inc. that was brought in 2008 by a former quality assurance manager at a company facility in Orlando.
Judge Steven D. Merryday granted the Tampa-based defense contractor's motion to dismiss the False Claims Act lawsuit, according a court document issued by the U.S. District Court's Middle District, Tampa Division.
Merryday issued his ruling after whistleblower John D. King objected to an earlier recommendation in the case by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins. Merryday overruled King's objections, and adopted the magistrate's report and recommendation, according to the court document.
King had alleged that the company received millions of dollars in defense funds while providing defective parts to the government, according to a 2011 report in Orlando Sentinel report.
DSE, which makes ammunition and ammunition products, as well as precision metal components, for the federal government and its military services, challenged King's credibility, according to a statement from the company.
"DSE is a responsible and qualified government contractor with a 25-year track record of providing safe and reliable ammunition and components to U.S. troops serving around the world," says Paul Heidenreich, DSE's chief operating officer, in the statement. The company is committed to defending its reputation, and is gratified that the claims were dismissed, adds Heidenreich.
In 2011, the company decided to close the factory where King had worked, DSE Fuzing LLC, which produced grenade fuses for the armed forces, and all 103 workers received layoff notices, the Sentinel reported. The company cited budget pressures in its decision.
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