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PA LABORATORY DIRECTOR CHARGED
Release Date: 06/27/97
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 1997
LABORATORY DIRECTOR CHARGED
Michael L. Klusaritz, former Laboratory Director at Hess Environmental Laboratories in East Stroudsburg, Pa., and former operator of the now closed Phase II Laboratories in Catasauqua, Pa., was charged on June 19, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Philadelphia, Pa., with four felony counts involving false statements and three felony counts of mail fraud. He allegedly defrauded customers who were billed more than $214,000 for environmental lab tests that were never performed. The two companies were hired to perform tests such as Total Organic Halides, Volatile Organic Chemicals and the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. Accurate reporting of these tests ensure compliance with environmental laws and determine remedies in cases where hazardous materials are indicated. If convicted, he faces a maximum of up to 35 years in prison, three years supervised release, and/or fines of up to $1,750,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, EPA’s Office of Inspector General and the Criminal Investigation Division of the U.S. Army, with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center.
R-96 # # #
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