Californian Loses Appeal: He Sold 2 Planes to Libya
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WASHINGTON — A California businessman sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined $6.6 million for selling two airplanes to Libya lost a Supreme Court appeal today.
The court, without comment, let stand Edward Elkins’ conviction and sentence for conspiracy and violating U.S. export restrictions.
Elkins, who owned a Santa Maria, Calif., company that made armored products, was convicted in a 1987 federal trial in Georgia of selling the planes for $87 million to a West German company owned by Libyans. Elkins made a $7-million profit on the sales.
Prosecutors said Elkins obtained an export license from the Commerce Department for two other Lockheed planes, both L-100-30s and that he told the Libyans the planes could be modified to permit in-air refueling so they would be suitable for military use.
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