LEX-18 TV News
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A federal affidavit unsealed today says Galls, Inc. exported and attempted to export crime control commodities around the world. And the document says the Lexington, Ken. company exported the commodities without a proper license.
Special Agent Steven Fisher of the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement says Galls has systematically exported crime control commodities listing the same, invalid license number.
Fisher said no real license exists for the products.
Earlier Friday, a spokeswoman for Galls Incorporated denied allegations by former employees that the company shipped military supplies to Iran.
Galls spokeswoman Kristine Grow told LEX 18 News that “Galls does not ship to embargoed countries.”
Two former employees made the allegations of the shipments to Iran after Galls was raided by federal officials Wednesday.
Joe Hainen told LEX 18 News that he often questioned where some of the military supplies were going, especially when some allegedly were sent to Iran.
“I think we did to Iran, yeah,” said Hainen. “I questioned it in my mind. You wouldn’t get any answers there.”
Another former employee, Debbie Rawlins, said management told her not to be concerned about where shipments were going.
“I’d see, like, night vision goggles going over to other countries and I’d be like, why are they sending this stuff over there?” said Rawlins. “Who are these people getting all of this? I’d go to a manager and they would say, ‘don’t worry about it.’”
Grow that the company is cooperating with federal authorities.
Galls is the world’s largest mail-order supplier of uniforms and equipment to public safety professionals, according to its Web site. The site says it distributes equipment such as night vision goggles and bulletproof vests.
The Lexington store has been in business for 35 years. Galls has two other locations in California, according to its Web site.
Associated Press Wire Services Contributed To This Report.