The administrator of a Florida-based electronics company pleaded guilty to her role in selling counterfeit computer chips to contractors servicing the U.S. military.
Stephaine A. McCloskey, 38, of Clearwater, pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role in importing counterfeit integrated circuits from China and selling them to the U.S. Navy and others, marketing the chip as “military-grade” in some cases, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington D.C.
McCloskey worked as an office administrator for Clearwater-based VisionTech Components, whose owner, Shannon Wren, has also been indicted on charges of conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and mail fraud. Wren is still awaiting trial.
Sentencing for McCloskey has not yet been scheduled; she faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of her plea deal, McCloskey has agreed to cooperate with the investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. That presumably could include testifying against Wren.
