Boykin & Associates Environmental Services, Inc., Falsifying Data, South Carolina 2010

Timmonsville, SC – Boykin & Associates Environmental Services, Inc. was sentenced in April 2010 following a guilty plea to falsifying data related to the operation of the City of Timmonsville’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The company, contracted to operate and maintain the facility, repeatedly misrepresented sampling results submitted to regulatory authorities, a scheme that deliberately concealed potential environmental violations.

According to court documents, Boykin & Associates intentionally directed employees to withhold crucial toxicity testing data and, on other occasions, refused to collect samples altogether. This manipulation extended to the monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) provided to the Timmonsville Mayor. These reports falsely indicated that required tests weren’t performed because the WWTP wasn’t discharging, even when effluent *was* being released into the environment. The WWTP is considered a large facility by the EPA’s Region IV standards, meaning the potential impact of unreported pollution was significant.

The investigation revealed a pattern of deliberate deception. Rather than address potential issues with the wastewater treatment process, Boykin & Associates opted to conceal unfavorable results, potentially putting public health and the local ecosystem at risk. The falsification of DMRs is a serious offense, as these reports are the primary method by which the EPA and state environmental agencies monitor compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The case originated on August 7, 2009, when Boykin & Associates was formally charged with one count of violating the Clean Water Act. The charge stemmed from the company’s intentional misrepresentation of sampling data. After a period of legal proceedings, the company entered a guilty plea on October 28, 2009.

Ultimately, on April 21, 2010, the court sentenced Boykin & Associates to a 60-month probationary period. In addition to probation, the company was ordered to pay a $1,000 federal fine. While the financial penalty appears relatively modest, legal experts note that the conviction and probationary period serve as a deterrent to other companies considering similar violations. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of the Clean Water Act, particularly regarding accurate reporting of wastewater discharge data.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Boykin & Associates Environmental Services, Inc.
Location: Timmonsville, South Carolina
Crime: Falsifying data and submitting inaccurate reports related to wastewater treatment.
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4) – Making false statements under the Clean Water Act.
Penalty: 60 months probation and a $1,000 federal fine.
Timeline: Charges filed August 7, 2009; Guilty Plea October 28, 2009; Sentencing April 21, 2010.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on developments as they unfold.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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