I would expect people involved in Airworthiness to have a definition of it framed on the office wall, but I'm a picture framer.
I think you are now barking up the wrong tree, this stage of your battle has been won. (Congratulations, Sir, and good luck for the future)
These guys knew exacly what they were doing. They fudged the issue and will now be held to account.
Why did they do it?
We already know the answer.