Spring Park firm eyed in illegal-export probe

Federal authorities are investigating Global Engineering Associates of Spring Park for allegedly trying to ship restricted military equipment overseas without required registration or licensing.

A federal search warrant unsealed this week in Minneapolis says that the company tried to ship a restricted "pressure indicator" and a military electronics mount to a company in Singapore. The investigation, which began in February, found that the invoices listed on several shipping bills did not match the contents of the packages sent by Global Engineering.

According to a sworn statement by Daniel Schwartz, special agent in charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Minneapolis, Global Engineering CEO Martin Leff is "at the center of a scheme" to export restricted military parts.

ICE spokesman Tim Counts declined to comment concerning the case. While such investigations can result in criminal charges, Counts said it doesn't happen often.

"A lot of times they result in a technical violation, or we find that the company was actually in compliance," Counts said.

Leff, 77, divides his time between homes in Long Lake and Bonita Springs, Fla. Messages left at his homes Thursday seeking comment were not returned. The phone numbers listed for Global Engineering offices in Minnesota and Florida have been disconnected.

Investigators searched Global Engineering's office at 2400 Interlachen Road on March 27.

On March 6, authorities intercepted three boxes sent by Global Trading in Florida to the CEO of Ultramare Singapore Pte, Schwartz said. Schwartz said investigators found a pressure indicator manufactured for the Navy in 1991 that was on the list of restricted export items.

Investigators intercepted four more boxes from Global Trading to Ultramare on March 12. Again, the invoices on the packages did not accurately reflect the contents, Schwartz said. An initial review indicated that they contained three items, totaling 15 pieces, on the restricted exports list, he said.

Leff applied for an export license in 1999, but never completed the form properly, so his license registration expired, Schwartz said.

Investigators found no record indicating that Leff or his company had tried to contact Customs to find out what happened to the seized shipments, which were valued at $123,191 on the invoices.