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ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY FINED $9 MILLION IN FRAUD CASE
Release Date: 02/22/2002
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2002
ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY FINED $9 MILLION IN FRAUD CASE
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
Intertek Testing Services Inc. (ITS), of Richardson, Texas, was fined $9 million for falsifying the results of environmental tests. ITS conducted environmental sample analysis, primarily as a subcontractor, for environmental consulting firms, engineering firms and federal, state and local governments nationwide. The test results were used for decision making at Superfund sites, Department of Defense facilities and hazardous waste sites to determine site safety and to monitor the migration of hazardous wastes, including cancer-causing petrochemicals. The migration could affect ground water, drinking water and soil conditions in places where people might be exposed. Falsifying test results related to potential routes of human exposure can create a risk of serious medical problems, including increased risk of cancer. In addition to the fine levied against ITS, James Neil Mayhew, of Lewisville, Texas, a former ITS employee, was sentenced to six months home detention and 36 months probation for mail fraud in connection with the case. Four other former ITS employees, Rodney L. Rolland of Rowlett, Texas, Victor DeAnthony Littles of Glendale, Ariz.,Valerie Hong Truong of McAllen, Texas and Melissa K. Duncan of St. Peters, Mo., were all sentenced to 24 months probation for making false claims. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center, the EPA Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigation, the EPA Region 6 Environmental Services Branch, the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
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