A federal indictment that had a San Diego executive and his defense firm tangled in a Navy bribery probe has been tossed out, according to recent court records. Tuesday's dismissal lifts a cloud that had hung over Mark Larsen and Cask Technologies since the case was unsealed in 2024.
Larsen’s attorneys say prosecutors voluntarily dropped the case after reviewing evidence the defense turned over. Aaron Dyer of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, speaking to the Times of San Diego, called the move “incredibly rare” and said it effectively clears Larsen and Cask of the allegations.
What prosecutors alleged
Federal prosecutors had accused Cask Technologies, LLC and former executive Mark Larsen of providing things of value, including pricey meals, golf outings and jobs for family members, in exchange for favorable treatment on Navy contracts. The indictment, unsealed on Oct. 30, 2024, charged conspiracy to commit bribery and related offenses and was filed as Case No. 24-cr-2111-TWR, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
How the dismissal connects to a larger probe
The case against Larsen and Cask was one piece of a broader corruption investigation that has already produced guilty pleas from former Naval Information Warfare Center staff and convictions for other contractors. Former NIWC employee James Soriano admitted in 2024 that he accepted meals, event tickets and job offers in exchange for steering government work, as reported by the Times of San Diego, and prosecutors said his plea touched on work involving Cask.
Hoodline’s earlier coverage and what’s next
Hoodline previously detailed the original indictment in an October 2024 story on the explosive charges against Cask and Larsen, laying out the core allegations. Defense lawyers now say the dismissal resolves the matter for both Larsen and Cask, and court entries reflect the government’s notice of dismissal while offering little explanation for the reversal. At this point, no federal charges remain pending against Larsen or Cask Technologies in the Southern District of California.
