One day after raid, Austal announces new Navy contract

One day after the revelation Austal USA is involved in a federal investigation, the company offered some positive news, announcing a $16.3 million Navy contract to do post-delivery work in Mobile.

Company official remained tight-lipped about the investigation, with a spokesperson saying it had nothing to add to a very brief statement the company issued Thursday after company offices in Mobile reportedly were raided by federal agents. That statement said Austal was "working with the U.S. Navy on an open investigation" and would be "continuing business as usual."

Various federal agencies were equally unforthcoming on Thursday, with the office of the Navy Chief of Information, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service all directing questions to the Department of Justice in general or the U.S. attorney's office in particular. A representative for the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Alabama said he could not confirm or deny anything related to the investigation.

Austal USA's Australian parent company, meanwhile, also reported it was cooperating with an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, apparently focused on market statements that affected its stock price in 2016.