U.S. Won’t Join False Claims Suit Against Hughes

The U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday that it has decided not to join a multibillion-dollar whistle-blower lawsuit filed by a former Hughes Aircraft Co. engineer against the giant defense contractor.

Michael C. Denlinger, a former staff engineer for the company’s Ground Systems Group in Fullerton, filed a $9.6-billion-dollar suit against Hughes in June, 1989, alleging that the company covered up flaws in 4.75 million microchips installed in key defense systems since 1984.

Denlinger filed the false-claims action in U.S. District Court here under the federal whistle-blower law, which requires the federal government to review such actions to decide whether it will join them. The Justice Department has joined about 30 whistle-blower suits and refused to participate in about 70 others.

Dan Reeder, a Hughes spokesman, said the company was “satisfied” with the government’s decision.

A spokesman for the Justice Department, Michael W. Robinson, declined to comment.

Denlinger’s attorney, Frank P. Barbaro of Santa Ana, said his client plans to press on with the case.

“Former Hughes employees have come forward, and we have videotaped interviews which have strengthened this case incredibly,” Barbaro said.

He accused the Justice Department of having done a cursory investigation.

“The government never called us, never requested any information,” Barbaro said. “All they have done is delayed us in the prosecution of this matter.”