Violating federal environmental laws can result in serious criminal penalties. Here’s how we helped our client avoid being charged.
Last week, our firm successfully resolved a criminal investigation initiated by the Environmental Protection Agency focusing one of our corporate clients – an energy corporation engaged in selling used oil. After three years of representing the client in responding to subpoenas and negotiating with the prosecutor, the government agreed not to pursue charges for alleged violations of federal environmental laws and dismiss the case.
Our client hired us in April 2015 after receiving a “target letter” notifying the owner of the business that Florida and federal authorities were investigating his company for violating federal environmental laws by submitting false documentation to the EPA and violating regulations governing the sale of used oil.
The EPA was investigating our client for suspected violations of Title 40, Part 279 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which governs the proper procedures and standards for transporting and distributing used oil. Our client was accused of submitting false documentation in connection with his company’s used oil sales.
While there were some misleading statements included in the documentation, we didn’t think a crime had been committed. But the federal prosecutors involved in the case tried to convince the owner of the business to enter a “guilty” plea to a felony offense, he took our advice and refused the government’s offer. We did not believe that there was enough evidence to show criminal wrongdoing given our client’s lack of intent. Realizing that we were not going to accept a felony plea, the government backed off. The case was closed.
Our firm has represented several businesses and individuals investigated for violating federal environmental laws. Though not as common as civil actions, the federal government does criminally prosecute individuals and corporations for suspected violations of environmental law. Since criminal prosecution is generally reserved for the most serious cases, the stakes are much higher for those accused of violations.
In addition to violations of these specific environmental regulations, it’s important to remember that other criminal laws apply in the environmental context. For example, making a false statement or submitting false documentation to the EPA is an independent federal crime, as would be obstructing a civil or criminal investigation by the EPA.
It is critically important to retain counsel if you are ever on the receiving end of a target letter or subpoena sent by the federal government. Hiring an experienced federal criminal defense attorney early in the case allows the lawyer to review the relevant documents, interview key witnesses, plot an effective defense strategy, and engage the prosecutors and agents in discussions before a decision about criminal charges has been made.
If you have received a target letter from an agency of federal government, or if you have reason to believe you may be under investigation, you need to act quickly. A federal criminal defense attorney experienced in dealing with the federal environmental crime investigations can be a major asset in resolving your case, and in some cases, may be able to help you avoid criminal prosecution completely.
Page Pate is an accomplished trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience in criminal defense, civil litigation, and whistleblower representation. Page is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Top 100 Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, and named to the list of Super Lawyers for the past 15 consecutive years. Page is a frequent expert legal analyst for local and national media and has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia Law School. Read Page’s reviews on AVVO. Follow Page on Twitter @pagepate and on Linkedin.
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