Environmental Fraud

August 3, 2021

Trucking operator Complete Logistics Company, LLC (CLC) has agreed to a $2.38 million settlement to resolve allegations of falsely certifying compliance with California’s emissions regulations in order to obtain $2.2 million in state grants under the state’s Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program, which incentivizes trucking companies to reduce emissions by offering grants for newer, cleaner trucks.  The alleged misconduct occurred during a health-related absence by CLC’s owner; upon the owner’s return in 2017, immediate remedial measures were taken.  CA AG

June 17, 2021

Subject to court approval, CITGO Petroleum will pay $19.7 million to resolve federal and state claims for damages arising from the company’s 2006 discharge of untreated wastewater from its Lake Charles refinery into the Calcasieu River.  An earlier court proceeding had found that the spill was the result of CITGO’s gross negligence in the operation and maintenance of its wastewater treatment facility and the lack of adequate storage and treatment capacity, and that CITGO had failed inform the Coast Guard of the true nature of the incident.  DOJ

April 21, 2021

Rockwater Northeast LLC and its parent company Select Energy Services, Inc. will collectively pay a $4.3 million in criminal fines and penalties for violations of the Clean Air Act through tampering with the emissions systems on heavy-duty diesel trucks owned by the companies and installing “defeat devices” that disabled emissions diagnostic systems on the trucks.  The company’s parent company entered into a non-prosecution agreement that included the implementation of a compliance program and cooperation with ongoing investigations.  Six individuals, including former employees of Rockwater, have been prosecuted in connection with the investigation.  USAO MDPA

April 13, 2021

ExxonMobil Oil Corporation agreed to pay penalties of $1.5 million to the federal government and State of Illinois and undertake $10 million in specified physical and operational changes at its petroleum refinery in Joliet to reduce air emissions and resolve claims that the company violated the Clean Air Act and a 2005 Consent Decree applicable to the facility.  EPA

March 9, 2021

Aftermarket automotive parts seller Premier Performance, together with related companies JB Automotive, RallySportDirect, and Stage 3 Motorsports, will pay a $3 million penalty under the Clean Air Act to resolve allegations that they illegally sold emissions-control defeat devices to businesses and individuals throughout the U.S. EPA

February 18, 2021

The owner of the vessel Kota Harum, Pacific International Lines (Private) Limited, and employees Maung Maung Soe and Peng Luo Hai, pleaded guilty to charges under the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and Clean Water Act related to the vessel's unlawful discharge of oily bilge water into Apra Harbor, Guam, and the failure to maintain complete and truthful oil record books.  The company will pay a $3 million criminal penalty and defendants are on probation.  DOJ

February 9, 2021

American Zinc Recycling Corp. agreed to pay penalties of $3.3 million to the federal government and State of Pennsylvania and undertake $4.3 million in specified physical and operational changes at its Palmerton recycling facility to reduce lead dust exposure and resolve claims that the company violated a 1995 Consent Decree applicable to the facility, as well as its operating permit and environmental laws including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act. EPA