Federal authorities have indicted Endless Sales Inc. and Octane Forklifts, Inc., two Denver-area companies, along with their top executives, Brian Firkins, Jeffrey Blasdel, and J.R. Antczak, for allegedly committing a massive fraud against the U.S. government. The companies are accused of importing forklifts from China, falsely claiming they were made in the United States, and then selling them to federal agencies. This case has drawn attention to serious violations of trade and government procurement laws.
According to court documents, the executives allegedly conspired to disguise the forklifts’ true origin. These forklifts were then sold to federal agencies, including disaster recovery programs like FEMA and Department of Defense contracts. Misrepresenting foreign goods as American-made is a violation of the Buy America Act, which requires that certain products purchased with taxpayer money must be made in the U.S.
Authorities say the companies deliberately sought to profit by misleading the government while avoiding proper tariffs on imported goods. Investigators claim this scheme cost the government over $1 million in unpaid tariffs, duties, and fees.
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How the Fraud Allegedly Happened
The indictment states that Endless Sales, Octane Forklifts, and the executives allegedly worked with an unnamed Chinese national and a Chinese manufacturer to create fake invoices. These invoices reportedly undervalued the cost of forklifts imported from China, allowing the companies to evade full tariffs. By misrepresenting the products’ value, the companies allegedly defrauded the U.S. government and gained a financial advantage.
Brian Firkins, Jeffrey Blasdel, and J.R. Antczak are also accused of wire fraud. Blasdel faces additional charges for making false statements to government officials. Wire fraud involves using electronic communications, like emails or wire transfers, to carry out a fraudulent scheme. Making false statements to the government is also a serious crime that carries its own penalties.
This alleged scheme threatens the integrity of government procurement. The U.S. government relies on honesty from contractors to ensure taxpayer money is spent correctly. Fraudulent claims about product origin and value undermine trust in federal programs and weaken rules that protect American manufacturing.
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Legal Consequences and Federal Response
If convicted, each executive could face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud and fines up to $250,000. The companies could be fined up to $500,000, or possibly more, depending on the financial impact of the offense. Blasdel also faces up to five years in prison and an additional fine for making false statements to the government.
Officials from multiple federal agencies—including the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Defense Contract Audit Agency—participated in the investigation. The Westminster, Colorado Police Department also assisted.
Authorities emphasized that defrauding the U.S. government by hiding the origin of products and avoiding tariffs is more than just a legal violation—it threatens national security and misuses taxpayer funds. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that those who profit from goods made in adversarial nations like China undermine both economic and national security. Other officials, including Abigail Slater, Steve Stebbins, Robert Erickson, Joseph V. Cuffari, Jason T. Hein, Derek Tilton, and Anthony Heddell, highlighted the seriousness of protecting taxpayer money and ensuring integrity in government contracts.
The indictment makes clear that selling foreign products as American-made, falsifying invoices, and committing wire fraud are crimes that carry heavy penalties. The accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.