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Any ideas regarding Hansen, Francis ?

 

February 8, 2017

 

A federal judge has granted a motion to seal filings that would reveal the investigation, even from Hansen Helicopters, whose fleet of helicopters was seized by the feds.

 

Guam - The federal government has expressed concerns that Hansen Helicopters, a local tour company whose fleet of helicopters was seized by the feds, could attempt to destroy evidence or even attempt to flee the country if they knew what kind of charges they could be facing as part of a criminal investigation.

 

Hansen Helicopters filed for return of seized property last month, noting that they were never provided any explanation for the seizure of their helicopters.

 

Hansen’s attorney, David Lujan, even warned Assistant US Attorney Stephen Leon Guerrero in a letter that continued refusal to provide an explanation through an affidavit would be frowned upon by the courts.

 

Quite the contrary, however, as US Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan has agreed that there is enough evidence to keep the affidavit a secret for now. The judge granted a motion filed by the federal government to seal their response in court. The motion not only applies to the public, but the affidavit will also be kept from Hansen Helicopters.

 

"The court finds that a compelling governmental interest requires the affidavit be kept under seal from both the plaintiff and the public," Manibusan said in his decision.

 

Manibusan noted that the basis for the request was the federal government’s belief that “disclosing the affidavit to the plaintiff and the public may seriously jeopardize the progress of the ongoing investigation" or "would give the suspects an opportunity to destroy evidence and/or likely cause flight from prosecution.”

 

As much as 15 helicopters were seized from Hansen Helicopters along with their aircraft registrations and certificates of airworthiness, effectively crippling their operations, according to Attorney Lujan.

 

Hansen Helicopters provides scenic tours around Guam and the Marianas as well as services to the federal government.

 

Court Documents…

 

Motion and orders the Clerk’s Office to file the affidavit attached to Ex Parte Motion under seal, nunc pro tunc to February 7, 2017.

 

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION BY HANSEN HELICOPTERS, INC. FOR ORDER DIRECTING RETURN OF SEIZED PROPERTY

Edited by iChris
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  • 1 year later...

Unfortunately this is only the tip of the iceberg.

The update is that the owner (John Walker) and three top management team are all on bail, and are quite likely to do time in the big house.

Hansen Helicopters owner pleads not guilty, released to 5000-acre Missouri farm
Jasmine Stole Weiss, Pacific Daily NewsPublished 5:41 p.m. ChT June 8, 2018
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Hansen Heli copters executives face numerous charges in a federal

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(Photo: Rick Cruz/PDN)

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The 52-year-old owner of Hansen Helicopters, Inc. pleaded not guilty on Friday to all counts in the federal indictment that accused him and three of his employees of violating federal aviation safety regulations and falsifying documents in order to maximize the company’s profits.

More: Four Hansen Helicopters executives arrested and charged

More: Hansen Helicopter owner, employees indicted, accused of falsifying records in fatal crash

Owner John D. Walker surrendered to federal authorities in Oklahoma last week, according to his attorney Mack Martin. Walker was ordered to appear in the District Court of Guam Friday.

Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan Jr. allowed Walker to be released on a property bond. Walker can return to his 5,000-acre farm in Missouri and will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office in his district.

Walker is charged along with the company Executive Vice President Marvin Reed, Director of Operations Kenneth Crowe and Director of Maintenance Phillip Kapp.

They are accused of getting previously destroyed or scrapped aircraft and falsifying or hiding facts in documents submitted to agencies in order to get airworthiness certificates for those aircraft, the indictment states.

They are also accused of falsifying information about necessary inspections and hiding backgrounds of aircraft, according to the indictment.

The company’s executives charged in the case are also accused of giving an FAA inspector an aircraft, and in exchange the inspector issued and re-issued airworthiness certificates for Hansen aircraft without inspecting them.

While Walker is released pending the trial, he has to follow certain conditions, including not consuming alcohol or illegal drugs. Walker had DUI convictions in 2002 and 2006, said Judge Manibusan.

He’s also prohibited from talking to Reed, Kapp and Crowe about the case when their lawyers are not present. Over the prosecution’s objections, the court allowed the four men to speak to each other about Hansen business.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Leon Guerrero said the defendants’ communications and their business dealings are the basis for the charges against them.

Martin countered that not allowing the four men to speak to each other would be effectively shut the business down.

The trial date, which was previously set for August, was taken off the calendar. The prosecution and defense will work with the court on scheduling another trial date because there are thousands of documents to go through to prepare for a trial.

Walker was indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, conspiracy to defraud the FAA, honest services fraud, wire fraud and money laundering.

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Not a surprise, the condition of a Bell 47 that I flew for them briefly was at best suspect. Another Pilot who was flying one of their MD-500c's walked off the boat at the same time, when it made port in Truk. Hansen has been flying junk and lying about it for decades.

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