Ben Alan Hasson, Fraud, WA 2003

Ridgefield, WA – Ben Alan Hasson was sentenced to a month in federal prison and a year of probation in 2002 for his role in a scheme to falsify water quality data submitted to Washington state regulators. The case, brought forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and investigated by federal authorities, revealed a deliberate effort to misrepresent the operational status of the City of Ridgefield’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), also known as the Ridgefield Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).

The investigation uncovered that Hasson, along with co-defendants Snoey and Strickler, knowingly submitted inaccurate sampling data. This fraudulent reporting concealed potential deficiencies in the WWTF’s management and operations, potentially jeopardizing public health and the surrounding environment. The falsified reports were intended to mislead state environmental agencies responsible for overseeing compliance with water quality standards.

On October 7, 2002, Hasson and his co-defendants were initially charged with three counts of violating state environmental regulations. All three ultimately entered guilty pleas, acknowledging their involvement in the deceptive practice. The EPA’s criminal enforcement action highlighted the agency’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for environmental fraud, particularly when it involves the integrity of vital public infrastructure.

The sentencing, handed down on November 1, 2002, varied between the defendants. Hasson received the most severe penalty – one month of incarceration, followed by twelve months of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay a $110 special assessment fee and a $500 federal fine. Snoey and Strickler each received a one-day confinement sentence and were ordered to pay a $500 fine. While relatively lenient, the penalties served as a warning against similar misconduct.

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Legal Ramifications

Hasson and his accomplices violated Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 1001, which prohibits knowingly making false statements to the federal government. This statute is frequently employed in environmental enforcement cases involving falsified data or misleading reports submitted to regulatory agencies. The prosecution successfully argued that the submitted data constituted material misrepresentations with the intent to deceive.

Key Facts

Defendant: Ben Alan Hasson, along with co-defendants Snoey and Strickler
Location: Ridgefield, Washington
Year: 2003 (charges filed in 2002)
Crime: Falsification of water quality data submitted to state regulators.
Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements)
Penalties: Hasson – 1 month incarceration, 12 months probation, $610 in fines/fees. Snoey & Strickler – 1 day confinement, $500 fine each.

The case serves as a stark reminder that accurate reporting is paramount in environmental regulation. The EPA continues to prioritize investigations into environmental fraud, aiming to protect both the environment and public trust in essential services like wastewater treatment. Further details regarding the specific nature of the falsified data and the potential environmental impact remain limited in publicly available records.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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