Mark Hyman, Water Pollution, California 2009

Oxnard, CA – Alliance Finishing & Manufacturing, a metal finishing facility, and its owner, Mark Hyman, have been sentenced following a guilty plea to charges of illegally discharging industrial wastewater into the public sewer system. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights ongoing concerns regarding industrial compliance with environmental regulations and the potential harm to local water infrastructure.

According to court documents, Alliance Finishing & Manufacturing repeatedly violated the terms of its pretreatment permit, which governs the allowable levels of pollutants discharged into the Oxnard municipal wastewater treatment plant – commonly known as the POTW (Publicly Owned Treatment Works). The unauthorized discharge of untreated industrial wastewater bypassed critical treatment processes designed to remove hazardous substances before water is released back into the environment.

The investigation, which began in early 2009, revealed a pattern of non-compliance. On February 2nd, 2009, the company was formally charged with one count of violating effluent limitations under 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), a section of the Clean Water Act addressing discharge standards. Simultaneously, Mark Hyman faced a charge of knowingly violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) – specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – pertaining to improper handling and disposal of hazardous waste, though the details of the RCRA violation were not extensively publicized.

After months of legal proceedings, both Alliance Finishing & Manufacturing and Mark Hyman entered guilty pleas on June 22nd, 2009. The sentencing, also handed down on that date, included a combined penalty of $50,000 in criminal fines. Alliance was ordered to pay a $25,000 federal fine and contribute $15,000 towards community service projects to be overseen by the California Hazardous Materials Investigator’s Association. Hyman received a similar sentence – a $25,000 fine and a $15,000 community service contribution – and was placed on 24 months of probation. The company itself received 36 months of probation.

The community service component of the sentence is intended to bolster environmental protection efforts within California, utilizing the funds to support hazardous materials investigation and training programs. While the financial penalties represent a direct cost to the defendants, environmental watchdogs emphasize the importance of consistent enforcement to deter future violations and safeguard public health and the environment.

This case serves as a stark reminder that industrial facilities have a legal and ethical responsibility to adhere to environmental regulations. Failure to do so can result in significant financial penalties, reputational damage, and – more importantly – potential harm to the environment and the communities they serve. GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on violations that threaten public safety.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Alliance Finishing & Manufacturing and Mark Hyman
Location: Oxnard, California
Year: 2009
Crime: Illegal discharge of untreated industrial wastewater in violation of the Clean Water Act.
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)
Penalties: $50,000 in fines ($25,000 from the company, $25,000 from Hyman) and $30,000 in community service projects.
Probation: Alliance – 36 months, Hyman – 24 months

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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