Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe, Pollution, NJ 2009

Phillipsburg, NJ – Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co., a division of McWane, Inc., has been brought to justice following a protracted legal battle exposing years of environmental crimes, worker endangerment, and obstruction of justice. The case, culminating in sentencing in April 2009, revealed a systemic disregard for both the law and the safety of its employees at the Phillipsburg plant.

A 34-count indictment unsealed in January 2006 detailed an eight-year conspiracy to pollute the air and the Delaware River, creating a hazardous work environment, and actively hindering investigations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Prosecutors alleged a deliberate pattern of concealing dangerous conditions and falsifying reports to regulatory agencies. The company’s actions weren’t merely negligent; they were calculated to avoid accountability and maintain profits at the expense of public health and worker well-being.

The trial, lasting nearly seven months, resulted in convictions across the board for the company and several of its managers. Atlantic States was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States, making false statements to federal and state agencies, obstructing OSHA investigations, and multiple violations of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. While individual defendants faced varying degrees of acquittal on some charges, the core of the conspiracy was undeniably proven in court. The evidence presented painted a grim picture of a workplace where safety concerns were routinely ignored, and employees were exposed to significant risks.

The consequences were severe. Prisque received a 70-month prison sentence, while Maury was sentenced to 30 months. Faubert faced 41 months incarceration, and Davidson received a six-month sentence. Beyond the individual penalties, Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. was sentenced to 48 months of monitored probation, requiring biannual reports to the court, and a staggering $8 million federal fine, in addition to a $12,000 special assessment. This financial burden underscores the scale of the company’s wrongdoing and the seriousness with which the courts viewed the offenses.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of corporate malfeasance and the importance of robust environmental and workplace safety regulations. The deliberate concealment of worker injuries, including one fatality, highlights the callous disregard for human life exhibited by the company’s leadership. The EPA and OSHA’s relentless pursuit of justice in this case sends a clear message: those who prioritize profits over people will be held accountable.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. (division of McWane, Inc.)
Location: Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Years of Conspiracy: 2000-2006
Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements), 18 U.S.C. 1519 (Obstruction of Investigation), 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) & 7413(c)(1) (Clean Water Act Violations), 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy)
Penalties: $8 million federal fine for Atlantic States; 6-70 months imprisonment for individual managers; 48 months monitored probation for the company.
Fatalities: One employee death linked to dangerous workplace conditions.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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