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Minnesota Metal Finisher Convicted in Sewer Line Case
Release Date: 11/23/2004
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(11/23/2004) Kenneth Heroux, owner of Hardcoat Inc., in St. Louis Park, Minn., was convicted on Nov. 5 on two counts of making false statements to officials from the U.S. EPA and Hennepin County by a jury sitting in U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The defendant falsely told state and federal investigators that a sewer pipe used to discharge pre-treated industrial wastes from the Hardcoat facility did not show any problems with leakage. In reality, the pipe had several breaks through which pre-treated industrial wastes could have leaked. The defendant replaced the pipe, but he knowingly lied to officials about the fact that the pipe had been compromised. Sewage pipes that have breaks create a potential source for groundwater pollution. Two other defendants, Hardcoat Inc., and George Miklasevics were acquitted. The case was investigated by the Minneapolis Office of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis.
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