Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana – A scheme to fraudulently secure a wastewater treatment contract with the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office culminated in guilty pleas and sentencing for three individuals and their company, WTSO, in July 2000. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pursued through state statutes, revealed a deliberate attempt to manipulate the bidding process for critical infrastructure work at the parish prison.
According to court documents, Darnell P. St. Romain, who oversaw the day-to-day operations of WTSO, along with Julie St. Romain – responsible for the company’s finances and Baton Rouge office administration – and then-General Manager Marc McCulley, conspired to submit falsified bids. In the spring of 1998, WTSO submitted a legitimate bid alongside two deliberately crafted, losing bids originating from shell, or “dummy,” corporations. This tactic aimed to create the illusion of competitive bidding while ensuring WTSO would secure the contract.
The indictment, handed down on December 9, 1999, initially charged all three defendants with five counts of violating state environmental statutes related to the bidding process. While the charges stemmed from a contract for wastewater treatment – a clear environmental concern – the core of the crime lay in the fraudulent manipulation of the bidding system itself, undermining fair competition and potentially compromising the quality of essential public services.
The defendants ultimately pled guilty to two counts of violating state statutes on July 14, 2000. Each of the St. Romains and McCulley received a 12-month probationary sentence, were ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, and assessed a $300 state fine. The corporate entity, WTSO, faced a more substantial penalty, receiving 36 months of probation and being ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. $1,000 of the restitution was directed to the Southern Environmental Enforcement Network (SEEN), and $1,000 to the EPST Baton Rouge District Attorney’s office to cover prosecution costs.
In addition to the probationary period and restitution, WTSO was also hit with a significant $10,000 federal fine. The penalties reflect the seriousness of the offense and the EPA’s commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in contracting for environmentally sensitive projects. Sources close to the investigation suggest the EPA pursued the case not just for the fraudulent bids, but to set a precedent against companies attempting to circumvent regulations through dishonest practices within the environmental sector.
Key Facts
- Defendant(s): Darnell P. St. Romain, Julie St. Romain, Marc McCulley, WTSO
- State: Louisiana
- Year: 2000
- Statutes Violated: State environmental statutes related to fraudulent bidding practices (specifically regarding the Clean Water Act due to the nature of the contract).
- Penalties: 12 months probation & $300 fine for each individual; 36 months probation, $3,000 restitution, and $10,000 federal fine for WTSO.
- Scheme: Submission of a legitimate bid alongside two falsified bids from dummy corporations to manipulate the bidding process for a wastewater treatment contract.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
