Elkview, WV – Bonita Witt-Hird, 60, of Thorpe, West Virginia, began serving a year-and-a-day federal prison sentence on March 26, 2015, after pleading guilty to filing fraudulent water quality reports while employed at Richmorr Associates, Inc. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), reveals a deliberate scheme to falsify environmental data submitted to state regulators.
Witt-Hird, who served as office manager for the Elkview-based environmental engineering firm, was responsible for handling water sampling results from wastewater treatment plants across West Virginia. These plants are legally obligated to regularly test their wastewater discharges and report the findings to the WVDEP, ensuring compliance with federal and state water quality standards. The WVDEP relies on this data to enforce environmental regulations and protect public health. False reporting can lead to undetected pollution, posing significant risks to waterways and communities.
According to court documents, between April 2012 and June 2013, Witt-Hird fabricated approximately 80 reports. Instead of submitting current test results, she copied data from previous years, creating the illusion that wastewater plants were meeting environmental standards when their actual performance was unknown. This deception effectively concealed potential violations and prevented the WVDEP from taking necessary corrective action.
A Pattern of Deceit
The conviction for falsifying water quality reports is not Witt-Hird’s first foray into criminal activity. In September 2013, she pleaded guilty to obstructing an IRS investigation and served a separate one-year sentence for that offense. Investigators suggest this pattern of behavior demonstrates a disregard for the law and a willingness to engage in fraudulent practices.
Legal Ramifications
Witt-Hird was sentenced under 33 U.S.C. 1319 (c)(4) of the Clean Water Act, which criminalizes the falsification, forgery, or knowing omission of information in any report required by the Act. Violations of this statute can carry penalties of up to three years in prison and substantial fines. In this case, the court opted for a 12-month and one-day sentence, reflecting the seriousness of the offense and the potential environmental harm caused by the fraudulent reporting.
Investigation & Prosecution
The investigation was spearheaded by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, working in conjunction with the WVDEP and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes led the prosecution, successfully demonstrating Witt-Hird’s intentional deception and securing the conviction. The case serves as a stark reminder that falsifying environmental data is a serious federal crime with significant consequences.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Bonita Witt-Hird
- Location: West Virginia
- Year: 2015
- Crime: Filing fraudulent water quality reports
- Employer: Richmorr Associates, Inc.
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319 (c)(4) – Clean Water Act
- False Reports: Approximately 80 fabricated reports submitted to WVDEP.
- Sentence: One year and one day in federal prison.
- Prior Conviction: Witt-Hird previously served a year for obstructing an IRS investigation.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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