Warner Robins company fined for defrauding Air Force

MACON - A federal judge in Macon has ordered a Warner Robins company to pay more than $24,000 in fines and restitution for defrauding the Air Force out of more than $14,000. <br> <br> U.S. District Judge Wilbur Owens Junior also sentenced Cobra Technologies Wednesday to five years probation and ordered it to pay a $10,000 fine. He also ordered the company to pay a $400 court fee and restitution of more than $14,000. <br> <br> The probation could turn out to be moot. <br> <br> In a plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney&#39;s Office agreed to prosecute only Cobra Technologies and not pursue criminal charges against individuals in the company. Cobra CEO Ferman Hatton pleaded guilty on the company&#39;s behalf in June and represented the company in court for the sentencing. <br> <br> Cobra attorney George Williams told the judge before sentencing that the company is in poor financial shape and will have to borrow the money for the restitution and fine. <br> <br> The company admitted in June that it submitted altered parts documents on a contract for ``tube assemblies,&#39;&#39; overcharging the Air Force by more than $14,000. A Robins Air Force Base spokesman said the contract was not handled through Robins.