A Florida naval engineer has been charged with falsely certifying the safety of two ocean-going cargo ships.
Federal prosecutors in Miami said Thursday that 60-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez is facing a five-count indictment that includes making false statement and obstruction charges. If convicted Gonzalez could get five years behind bars.
The charges involve two cargo ships. Prosecutors say Gonzalez falsely certified that one ship had a hull inspection in dry-dock when that never occurred.
In the other instance, Gonzalez is accused of issuing a safety certificate without checking the ship's equipment and seaworthiness.
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The goal was to keep the ships operating without costly repairs. The ships were registered in Panama and Bolivia.
Court records did not list an attorney for Gonzalez.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
