DALE COUNTY, AL – A former foreman received a 30-month federal prison sentence this week stemming from a 2015 scheme to falsify water quality tests during a crucial infrastructure project in Dale County, Alabama. Darin Evan Lewis, 42, pled guilty earlier this year to conspiring to commit wire fraud, a charge related to his actions while working for Roberson Excavation, Inc.
The case originated with a contract awarded to Roberson Excavation in 2014 by the Dale County Water Authority to install new water lines in the Marley Mill area. When the project ran significantly behind schedule, incurring daily penalties of $500, Lewis allegedly devised a plan to expedite the process by submitting fraudulent bacteriological testing results. Instead of testing water from newly installed, untested sections of the line, Lewis knowingly submitted samples from previously tested areas, falsely claiming they represented the new work.
This deception allowed Roberson Excavation to place the incomplete water lines into service, potentially exposing residents to harmful bacteria. Investigators determined that Lewis acted on behalf of the company, submitting the falsified results to a testing laboratory. The scheme was ultimately uncovered, leading to a federal investigation and subsequent criminal charges.
Legal Ramifications
Lewis was convicted under 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy to Commit Offense or Fraud) and 18 U.S.C. 1343 (Wire Fraud). The wire fraud charge specifically stems from the use of electronic communication – in this case, the transmission of falsified test results – to execute a fraudulent scheme. Lewis’s 30-month sentence reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities view such endangerment of public health and safety.
Company Also Faces Penalties
Roberson Excavation, Inc. initially proceeded to trial but ultimately changed its plea and admitted guilt to committing wire fraud. The company was sentenced to pay a $60,000 criminal fine and $154,000 in restitution, intended to cover any costs associated with rectifying the improperly installed water lines and ensuring public safety. The restitution will likely cover re-testing of the lines and any potential health-related expenses if residents were exposed to contaminated water.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Darin Evan Lewis
- Company Involved: Roberson Excavation, Inc.
- Location: Dale County, Alabama
- Year of Offense: 2015
- Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. 371), Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343)
- Lewis Sentence: 30 months federal prison
- Roberson Excavation Penalty: $60,000 fine, $154,000 restitution
- Nature of Crime: Falsification of water quality tests to bypass penalties for delayed infrastructure project.
This case highlights the critical importance of adherence to safety regulations and the potential consequences of prioritizing profits over public health. Federal authorities continue to emphasize that those who compromise essential infrastructure and endanger communities will be held accountable.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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