The Justice Department announced on September 30, 2025, that a federal grand jury in Denver had indicted two Denver-area companies, Endless Sales Inc. and Octane Forklifts, Inc., and three executives for allegedly selling Chinese forklifts to federal agencies as made in the USA and evading more than $1 million in tariffs.
The allegations
The indictment, returned on August 21, 2025, charges current executives Brian Firkins and Jeffrey Blasdel and former executive J.R. Antczak. Prosecutors allege the defendants imported forklifts from China, hid their origin, and sold them to agencies including the Department of Defense and FEMA while representing them as manufactured in the USA and compliant with the Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act. The indictment also alleges they worked with a Chinese national and a Chinese manufacturer to create fake invoices that undervalued the imports.
Task & Purpose reported that the indictment describes workers removing Chinese decals and inspection tags, a process prosecutors called an effort to “de-Chinese” the equipment, and replacing them with English data plates showing a USA flag. It said the forklifts were made at a factory in Zhejiang, China.
“Defendants fraudulently hid the origins of the products they sold the government and conspired to avoid paying tariffs.”
Abigail Slater, Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division
The charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, false statements and conspiracy to enter goods into the USA by false statements. An indictment is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Why it matters for Made in USA
This is a criminal case, not an FTC advertising case. False origin claims in government sales can bring wire fraud and customs charges, with prison terms of up to 20 years per wire fraud count for individuals.
It also shows how a fake USA claim can be built: remove the foreign markings, add a flag, and certify compliance. Buyers, public and private, should ask for proof of where products are actually made.
FAQ
Who was indicted?
Endless Sales Inc., Octane Forklifts, Inc., executives Brian Firkins and Jeffrey Blasdel, and former executive J.R. Antczak.
What did prosecutors allege?
That Chinese forklifts were relabeled and sold to federal agencies as made in the USA, and that fake invoices were used to avoid more than $1 million in tariffs, duties and fees.
Which agencies bought the forklifts?
The DOJ named agencies including the Department of Defense and FEMA.
Source & credit
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, September 30, 2025: “Two Companies and Three Executives Indicted for Fraudulently Selling Chinese Forklifts to U.S. Government as Made in America and Evading Tariffs“
Additional reporting: Task & Purpose (Patty Nieberg), October 2, 2025: Forklifts sold to military as made in USA were actually from China, feds say