California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : License Applicants Lied, FAA Charges

Two would-be private pilots were charged Friday with concealing past criminal convictions, the first such prosecutions in California during a nationwide investigation, U.S. Atty. William McGivern said. A federal grand jury indicted Richard Watson, 45, of Aptos on four counts of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration, and Pierre Borduas, 45 of Alameda on two counts of the same felony charge. Each count is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The FAA, the Department of Transportation and federal prosecutors have joined in a probe of criminal records of applicants for FAA medical certificates, required of all pilots. Federal law requires disclosure of all past convictions for alcohol-related traffic offenses, drug crimes and other serious crimes. However, one conviction does not necessarily disqualify an applicant, officials said.