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NORTH CAROLINA MAN GUILTY OF FALSE REPORTING IN WEST VIRGINIA

Release Date: 04/05/2001
Contact Information:


FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2001

NORTH CAROLINA MAN GUILTY OF
FALSE REPORTING IN WEST VIRGINIA

Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / [email protected]


Carmen J. Carter of Concord, N.C., pleaded guilty on March 27 to knowingly violating the Clean Water Act by filing false discharge monitoring reports with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Carter was the manager and treatment operator of the Arbuckle Public Service District wastewater treatment plant in Raleigh County, W.Va. He falsified the reports to unlawfully conceal the fact that the plant was exceeding the pollutant limits in its discharge permit and was releasing higher than allowed levels of pollutants into Arbuckle Creek which is a tributary of the New River. Exceeding discharge limits can introduce levels of pollution into surface waters that can make the waters unfit for use as a drinking water source, recreational purposes and for the support of fish and wildlife. When sentenced, Carter faces a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charleston, W.Va.

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