By AP/KWMU
Chicago, ILl. – Boeing on Monday fired its chief financial officer for what it calls "unethical conduct."
Mike Sears used to head the St. Louis-based Missile Defense Systems. His dismissal involves a controversial plan for the Air Force to lease Boeing planes - instead of buying them - for use as refuelers.
Boeing says Sears was dismissed as the result of the hiring of former Air Force official Darleen Druyun, who was fired Monday.
The Pentagon is investigating whether Druyun acted improperly by giving Boeing financial information about a competing bid on the $21 billion lease deal.
Druyun had been Boeing's vice president and deputy general manager of Missile Defense Systems.
Chicago-based Boeing says Sears violated company policies by communicating with Druyun about employment when she had not disqualified herself from government business with Boeing.
The aerospace giant named James Bell as acting chief financial officer. He has been serving as senior vice president of finance and corporate controller.