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PA THREE INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANY CHARGED IN CFC CASE

Release Date: 2/28/97
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PA THREE INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANY CHARGED IN CFC CASE

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1997

THREE INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANY CHARGED IN CFC CASE

On Feb. 12, in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Ohio, Herman E. Brodzenski of Canton, Ohio, Charles Warren Joseph of Houston, Texas, Ralph James Rubar of Houston, Texas, and Refrigerant Certifications Services Inc., (RCS) of Houston, Texas, were indicted for allegedly conspiring to issue approximately 100 false refrigeration technician certificates, thereby obstructing EPA's administration of the CFC technician certification program. The certificates are required for a technician to work with chloroflourocarbon (CFC) refrigerants. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they damage the earth's ozone layer which protects people from the effects of harmful ultraviolet radiation that can cause skin cancer. The certificates were allegedly issued without requiring the technicians to pass examinations. In addition, Brodzenski, who was the exam proctor for RCS was charged with one count of making false statements. If convicted, Brodzenski faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500,000. If convicted, Joseph and Warren face maximum penalties of up to five years in prison and/or fines of up to $250,000. If convicted, RCS faces a maximum penalty of $500,000. This case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division offices in Cleveland and Houston.

EPA SETS MEETING ON ALTERNATIVE ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT STRATEGIES

The Agency's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance will hold a second public meeting on Monday, March 17, as part of its National Performance Measures Strategy. The purpose of the Performance Measures Strategy is to develop and implement an enhanced set of performance measures for EPA's enforcement and compliance assurance program. The meeting is scheduled from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and will take place at the Holiday Inn, Civic Center, 50 8th St., San Francisco, Calif. 94103; telephone: 415-626-6103 or 1-800-243-1135. At this meeting, EPA and state officials will hear from two panels, comprised primarily of western-based representatives from industry, states and local governments, environmental policy organizations and environmental and environmental justice community groups. Additional information about the meeting can be obtained from the Federal Register, 62 Fed. Reg. 8014-8016 (Feb. 21). Persons or organizations interested in making presentations at the March 17 meeting should prepare a proposal and contact: Michelle Angelich, Science Applications International Corporation, 1710 Goodridge Drive, MS1-11- 8, McLean, Virginia, 22102; telephone: 703-821-4432; fax: 703-903- 1373. EPA is accepting proposals for presentations at this meeting until Friday, March 7, 1997.

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