Matthew Barrasso, Tampering with Public Records, Pennsylvania 2024

Matthew Barrasso, 43, of Mohnton, has been arrested and charged with Tampering with Public Records, violating the Safe Drinking Water Act, Forgery, and Unsworn Falsification. The owner of Barrasso Excavation Inc. is accused of falsifying lab reports for water samples following the installation of new water mains in Berks and Lancaster Counties.

The case was referred to the Office of Attorney General by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In June 2017, Barrasso Excavation, Inc. replaced a water main in Wyomissing Borough. The complaint alleges that Barrasso changed lab results to indicate that samples from the water main were negative for total coliform and E. coli.

Relying on these results, Wyomissing connected the new water main to the Wyomissing distribution system that served approximately 40 residential connections. Barrasso also allegedly engaged in the same conduct in Quarryville, Lancaster County. The falsified reports put the health and wellbeing of dozens of citizens at risk.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro stated, “Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to pure water—and I will do everything in my power to defend that right.” Shapiro added, “This defendant recklessly changed lab results to lie about the quality of the drinking water for dozens of households, putting the health and wellbeing of those citizens at risk.”

The Office of Attorney General has made it a priority to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes, including those that violate the Safe Drinking Water Act. In February 2019, Attorney General Shapiro filed 161 criminal charges against the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority for failing to notify residents when the agency replaced lead water lines – creating health risks for affected households.

The charges against Barrasso were filed before Magisterial District Judge Steven Chieffo in Berks County District Court. The case is being prosecuted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Franz. The arrest of Barrasso is a significant step in holding individuals accountable for environmental crimes and protecting the health and wellbeing of Pennsylvania residents.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Office of Attorney General will continue to work together to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes. The public is encouraged to report any suspected environmental crimes to the authorities. By working together, we can protect the health and wellbeing of our communities and ensure that those who commit environmental crimes are held accountable.

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