The State - News from May 7, 1986

Three business executives have been sentenced in San Francisco to federal prison for selling substandard parts to the Navy for use on fast-attack nuclear submarines. The case was “potentially one of the most serious breaches of the safety and security of naval vessels in recent years,” said John R. Eaton, acting director of the Naval Material Quality Assessment Office. U. S. District Judge Marilyn Patel imposed two-year sentences and a fine of $10,000 each on Fred D. Hawley, president of Golden Gate Forge Inc. of San Francisco, and Gary E. Fleming, a company vice president. Shipping manager Neil Halloran was sentenced to six months in prison and 500 hours of community service work. The men were among five people indicted last year for selling faulty flanges, which are used to connect large pipes aboard the submarines. The flanges were replaced before serious damage took place, U. S. Atty. Joseph Russoniello said.