Ex-Intel Officer Pleads Guilty in Exports

SAN DIEGO -- A former Navy intelligence officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally exporting military aircraft parts overseas, saying he acted on behalf of a convicted Pakistani arms dealer.

George Charles Budenz II, a retired commander, said he shipped engine parts for F-5 fighters, T-38 military trainers and Chinook helicopters to Malaysia and Belgium without a U.S. State Department permit.

Investigators said the F-5 parts may have wound up in Iran, a country that Budenz has visited.

Budenz, 57, had faced a 30-year prison term, but prosecutors said they would recommend up to 6 1/2 years under a plea agreement when he is sentenced in January. Budenz surrendered his passport and was freed on $35,000 bond.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101801966.html

Sounds like he got himself a good deal.

Mechanical parts with possible military use being sold to other countries?

Unless it's the US government selling to allies like, oh, Saddam Hussein?

(er, Belgium?)

Seems very odd.

Who is he working for? The so-called Defence Industry, DUH!