A former metallurgist pleaded guilty in federal court in Tacoma, Wash., on Monday to falsifying test results about the strength of steel used to build U.S. submarines for more than three decades.
Elaine Thomas worked as director of metallurgy at Bradken Inc., the leading steel provider for the U.S. Navy’s submarines. She pleaded guilty to major fraud and could face up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
