Posted: Thu, Jun 26, 2003, 9:45 AM ET (1345 GMT)
Two former Boeing employees implicated in the theft and misuse of sensitive Lockheed Martin launch vehicle documents have been formally indicted by federal prosecutors on charges of theft and conspiracy. The US Attorney's office in Los Angeles filed the charges against William Esrkine and Kenneth Branch late Wednesday. The government claims that Branch, at Erskine's request, provided sensitive Lockheed Martin documents related to its bid for an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) contract with the Air Force. If convicted, the two could face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $850,000. The Air Force is continuing its own investigation into Boeing's practices when bidding for that 1998 contract, and earlier this month Lockheed Martin filed a civil lawsuit against Boeing.

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