Civilian Navy intelligence official indicted in unregistered silencer scheme

A civilian Navy intelligence official has been indicted by a grand jury for his rule in an alleged scheme to illegally manufacture hundreds of unregistered firearm silencers for Navy SEALs.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced Friday that 52-year-old Lee M. Hall has been charged with conspiracy and theft of government money. The Washington Post reports prosecutors say Hall arranged for a contract to bill the government $1.6 million for silencers that cost only $10,000. Another person involved in the alleged scheme, Mark Stuart Landersman of California, was indicted on a conspiracy charge in the case in November.

Hall faces a maximum penalty of 15 years on prison. His attorney, Danny Onorato, did not immediately return telephone and e-mail messages Saturday.