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COLORADO EXECUTIVE INDICTED ON CLEAN WATER ACT CHARGES
Release Date: 03/30/2001
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2001
COLORADO EXECUTIVE INDICTED
ON CLEAN WATER ACT CHARGES
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818/hester.luke@epa.gov
ON CLEAN WATER ACT CHARGES
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818/hester.luke@epa.gov
Mahesh Patel of Aurora, Col., Executive V.P. of Jemm Co., Denver, was arrested on March 19. Previously, Patel and the Jemm Co. were indicted on sixteen counts of allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. Patel, who is a chemist, is alleged to have disposed of, and directed employees to dispose of, plating waste containing chromium, copper, nickel and zinc into a publically-owned sewage treatment system owned by Denver’s Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District (Metro) in violation of a permit. In addition, Patel is alleged to have provided false information regarding his activities. The release of unpermitted amounts of toxic metals into wastewater treatment systems can prevent the proper treatment of sewage and can damage expensive sewage treatment equipment. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI and the Denver Metro Waste Water District with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center. It is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Denver. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
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