Canadian Company to settle defective armor allegations
Barrday Inc. and two related companies have agreed to pay the United States over $1 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act in connection with their role in the weaving of Zylon fabric used in the manufacture and sale of defective Zylon bullet-proof vests, according to the Justice Department.
The United States alleged that Barrday’s woven Zylon fabric was used in the manufacture of bullet-proof vests sold by Second Chance Body Armor Inc., Point Blank Body Armor Inc. and Gator Hawk Armor Inc. These vests were purchased by the United States, and other law enforcement agencies. The government alleged that the Zylon in these vests lost its ballistic capability quickly, especially when exposed to heat and humidity.
Barrday was allegedly aware of the defective nature of the Zylon by at least December 2001, but continued to sell Zylon for use in ballistic armor until approximately 2003, when two police officers were shot through their Second Chance Zylon vests.
This settlement is part of a larger investigation of the body armor industry’s use of Zylon in body armor. The United States previously has settled with four other Zylon makers for over $46 million.
