Maker of bullet-proof vests known to be defective agrees to settle False Claims Act allegations

Armor Holdings Products LLC has reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department concerning allegations under the federal False Claims Act that the company knowingly manufactured and sold defective bullet-proof vests. The government alleged that Armor Holdings sold its Zylon bullet-proof vests even though it knew that the vests’ Z Shield Zylon laminate insert degraded quickly over time and should not be used for ballistic protection. Armor Holdings sold its dangerous vests to the U.S. government and to many state, local and tribal police agencies, which agencies were partially reimbursed under the federal government’s Bulletproof Vest Partnership program.

The Zylon material was manufactured by Toyobo Co. Ltd. and the Z Shield insert was made by Honeywell Corporation. Both companies were sued by the U.S. Government. As part of Armor Holdings’ settlement, the company has agreed to cooperate in the federal government’s continuing investigation surrounding the body armor industry.

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