Air Trek was established in 1978 and operates throughout the Western Hemisphere, Western Europe and the Pacific Rim. It is based at the Charlotte County Airport.
The federal agents arrived at Air Trek's hangar before noon in several unmarked cars. DCIS Resident Agent in Charge Brooke Harris confirmed they were executing a search warrant, but would not discuss the matter further. Neither Air Trek president and CEO Wayne Carr or his brother, Vice President Dana W. Carr, could be reached for comment, but the company issued a statement.
"This morning agents from the Department of Defense arrived to execute a search warrant to conduct an analysis of billing practices for DOD-related transports completed in 2006," the statement said. "This investigation is the result of a complaint issued by a competitor ... Air Trek shall initiate and investigate to determine who falsely and maliciously initiated this process and seek compensatory and punitive damages against all involved individuals." The competitor was not named, but the statement alleged it was not licensed to operate in Florida.
In the statement, Air Trek said the company is cooperating with the DOD while conducting business as usual. Air Trek has contracted with the DOD in the past, but the Sun could not determine Wednesday whether the company had a current contract with the DOD. The company's Web site said it was DOD-approved through 2007.
Air Trek's former medical director, Dr. Richard Spindler, of Sebring, died in a cell at the Hardee County Jail in August. He had been arrested on sexual battery and child molestation charges for allegedly having an inappropriate seven-year relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time of his arrest. It appeared he had hanged himself. In January 2007, an Air Trek airplane crashed in Pennsylvania after sliding off an icy runway; four crew members suffered minor injuries. An Air Trek airplane crash in Panama in 2004 resulted in seven deaths.
Those familiar with Air Trek expressed surprise at Wednesday's raid.
"The company is an icon at the airport, and it's one of the largest air charter and air ambulance services in the country," said James Kantor, former head of Eastern Avionics. "I simply can't imagine what could possibly be of interest to anyone."
Kim Guenther, office manager at nearby Southwest Florida Aviation, said she saw "car after car" pull into Air Trek's parking lot Wednesday morning as she went in to work. She assumed the cars were arriving for a business meeting, she said.
For the military to be investigating the business "doesn't make sense," Guenther said. She recalled she and other colleagues have visited Air Trek, including during annual Christmas luncheons, and the premises were always well maintained.
"That (raid) just amazes, just because everything's always been so clean and in place; everything just seems so organized," she said.
By CAROLYN QUINN, GREG MARTIN and NICOLE PAPAGEORGE
