OXNARD : Investigators Search Firm, Remove Files

Federal investigators served a search warrant Tuesday and spent the day removing records from an Oxnard manufacturing company that sells military parts to the government.

Agents with an investigative unit of the Department of Defense, assisted by inspectors from the Navy, Army and the FBI, served the warrant about 9 a.m. and removed several boxes of records, said Gary Steakley of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, which is heading the inquiry.

Steakley said he could not comment on the specifics of the investigation because an affidavit filed with the search warrant is under court seal. But he said it is “a fairly good assumption” that agents are looking into “some type of Department of Defense fraud.”

Del Manufacturing has been in business since the late 1940s and manufactures a variety of products for the military, including practice bombs and lug nuts for attaching bombs to aircraft, Steakley said. He would not say how long the company has been under investigation.

The business, owned by Manual Delgado, also has a commercial operation that manufactures aluminum wheels, Steakley said.

Records seized Tuesday will be reviewed and presented to the U. S. attorney’s office in determining whether to prosecute, Steakley said. No charges have been filed, he said. Del Manufacturing will continue its defense contracts during the investigation, Steakley said.

Assistant U. S. Atty. Charles Kreindler and the FBI had no comment on the investigation. Delgado also declined to comment Tuesday.