Time Line

1979

Ruth Ibarra beginsworking for Hughes Aircraft company's Microelectronic Circuit Division (Hughes MCD) in Newport Beach, CA

1981

Margaret Gooderal begins working for Hughes MCD as a supervisor for assembly on the hybrid production floor and as a supervisor in the hybrid engineering lab

1984

Ibarra becomes supervisor for hybrid quality assurance

1985

Goodearl asks Ibarra to look at errors in paperwork, Ibarra brings errors to the attention of her supervisors and was told to keep quiet. This begins time period where Goodearl/Ibarra become aware of problems in hybrid chip testing and paperwork.

1986

Goodearl becomes supervisor for seals processing in the environmental testing area.

1986

False Claims Act (31 U.S. C 3729-3733) becomes False Claims Reform Act of 1986 making it stronger and easier to apply.

Oct. 1986

Goodearl/Ibarra report problems ot Hughes management, and, after the problems were not fixed, Goodearl/Ibarra reported the allegations of faulty testing to the United States Department of Defense.

Jan 9, 1987

Earliest date that Hughes may have stopped neglecting environmental screening tests.

1988

Ibarra leaves Hughes feeling that her job had been stripped of all real responsibility.

March 1989

Goodearl is laid off from Hughes.

1995

Goodearl and her husband are divorced.

1990-1996

United States of America, ex rel. Taxpayers Against Fraud, Ruth Aldred (was Ibarra), and Margaret Goodearl v. Hughes Aircraft Company, Inc.

1990

Goodearl fles wrongful discharge suit against Hughes and a number of individual managers, which was eventually dropped in favor of the civil suit.

May 29, 1990

Thinking the government investigation was taking too much time, Goodearl/Aldred file civil suit against Hughes under False Claims Reform Act of 1986 with the help of Taxpayers Against Fraud and Washington law firm Phillips and Cohen.

December 1992

Under provisions of the FCA, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division takes over the civil case.

Sep. 10, 1996

Hughes found guilty in civil trial. Pays U.S. Government 4,050,00 dollars and each relator 891,000 dollars plus a separate payment of 450,000 dollars to cover attorney's fees, costs, and expenses.

1991-1993

United States of America v. Hughes Aircraft Co., and Donald LaRue

December 13, 1991

After a lengthy investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense charges Hughes and Donald A. LaRue with a 51-count indictment accusing it of falsifying tests of microelectronic circuits (criminal suit).

June 15, 1992

Hughes found guilty of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Government in criminal case, co-defendent LaRUE acquitted following 4-week trial. Goodearl/Aldred called as witnesses in trial. Hughes appeals.

Oct. 29, 1992

Hughes fined 3.5 million in criminal trial decision.

December 2, 1993

Appellate court upholds 1992 criminal conviction and sentence. Hughes appeals.