6/15/2024
WT Staff
 CWA CrimeBox
Environmental Crimes Historic Conviction: Fiscal Year 2002; Case ID# CR_1027(California)
Supervisor locked up for making false reports
June 15, 2024 134 pm EDT
One of 72 Clean Water Act Criminal Prosecutions in the State of California (from 1989-2023)
The defendant in this case was responsible for overseeing the operations of nine wastewater treatment plants on a military base near San Diego, California. Discharges from the wastewater plants must be monitored and reported to the permitting authorities under the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System.
The civilian staffer admitted to falsifying discharge characteristics from one of the plants under his supervision, in order that it would appear compliant with the discharge permit. The true nature of the discharge was in excess of the allowed chlorine levels. Even low levels of chlorine are toxic to aquatic life, therefore regulated under the Clean Water Act for the protection of US waterways and habitats. The non-compliant discharge was allowed to enter a stream in the Santa Marguerita watershed.
The defendant was charged with seven counts of falsifying reports and pled guilty on one count. Federal district judge sentenced the defendant to serve four months behind bars in addition to a federal fine, special assessment and three years probation.
Prison: 4 months Federal Fine: $500; Probation: 36 months; Special Assessment: $100
CWA CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.
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