Detroit, MI – Aram Moloian, President of Chem-Serve, was sentenced to a year in federal prison after pleading guilty to a single count of knowingly making false statements related to hazardous waste management, according to court records unsealed this week. The case, stemming from a protracted investigation by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals a pattern of negligence and deliberate misrepresentation at the Chem-Serve facility.
The MDEQ had been monitoring Chem-Serve for years, issuing multiple Letters of Warning as early as 2007 regarding the accumulation of off-specification chemicals. These warnings centered around the prolonged storage of materials exceeding regulatory limits, effectively constituting illegal disposal of solid waste under Michigan statutes. An October 31, 2007 inspection revealed approximately 2,000 drums on the property, with half suspected of containing hazardous waste – a clear indication of systemic issues at the facility.
Federal charges were formally filed against Moloian on November 9, 2010. Initially, he faced four counts under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Three of those counts – citing 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – alleged the knowing treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste without the required permits. The fourth count, 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(3), accused Moloian of knowingly omitting material information and making false statements to authorities regarding the facility’s waste handling practices.
The prosecution argued that Moloian deliberately misrepresented the nature and volume of hazardous waste stored at Chem-Serve, hindering regulatory oversight and potentially endangering public health and the environment. While the majority of the initial charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement, Moloian admitted guilt to the charge of providing false information. This admission proved sufficient to secure a conviction and a significant prison sentence.
The case highlights the EPA’s ongoing commitment to enforcing RCRA regulations and holding individuals accountable for environmental crimes. “Proper management of hazardous waste is critical to protecting communities and the environment,” stated an EPA spokesperson. “This sentencing sends a clear message that those who attempt to circumvent environmental laws will face prosecution.” Industry experts suggest that the relatively light sentence, despite the prolonged nature of the violations, may reflect the challenges of proving *mens rea* – the intent to commit a crime – in complex environmental cases.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Aram Moloian, President of Chem-Serve
- Location: Michigan
- Year of Conviction: 2012 (charges filed 2010, sentencing 2011)
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(3) – False statements regarding hazardous waste
- Penalty: 12 months incarceration
- Investigation Initiated By: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)
- Evidence: 2,000 drums, half containing suspected hazardous waste, observed during a 2007 inspection. Multiple Letters of Warning issued by MDEQ.
Chem-Serve’s future remains uncertain. While Moloian is incarcerated, the facility’s ability to operate in compliance with environmental regulations is under scrutiny. The EPA has indicated that continued monitoring and potential further action may be necessary to ensure the site is properly remediated and future violations are prevented.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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