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LOUISIANA LABORATORY AND PRESIDENT PLEAD GUILTY

Release Date: 07/21/2000
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2000

LOUISIANA LABORATORY AND PRESIDENT PLEAD GUILTY

Enviro-Comp Laboratories Inc. and Shawn Decareaux-Kilgarlin, the owner and president of the company both pleaded guilty on July 6, in U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge to making material false statements. In addition Decareaux-Kilgarlin pleaded guilty to witnessing tampering. Enviro-Comp was an independent laboratory that performed tests and provided analytical results on water, food and drug samples. In 1999, the laboratory sought accreditation by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to perform water tests for clients who were required to meet state environmental regulations under an EPA delegated program. In August 1999, while preparing for an LDEQ pre-accreditation audit, Decareaux-Kilgarlin knowingly made false statements in Enviro-Comp’s log books and certification analyses relative to water testing for the purpose of misleading the LDEQ auditor. In addition she directed Enviro-comp’s employees to falsify the company’s log books and certification analyses. In December 1999 and January 2000, she paid a former employee to provide false information to an EPA Special Agent and further promised the employee additional funds for providing false testimony at any subsequent trial. When sentenced, Decareaux-Kilgarlin faces up to 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $500,000. Enviro-Comp faces a fine up to $500,000 and/or up to five years probation when sentenced. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, LDEQ, the Louisiana Department of Justice and the Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Baton Rouge.

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