Springfield, TN – A former employee of Hollingsworth Oil Company’s Environmental Services and Petroleum Maintenance division has admitted to forging environmental compliance documents, avoiding potential fines and maintaining a façade of regulatory adherence. David Vick, 56, of White House, Tennessee, pled guilty in January 2014 to 23 counts of forgery as part of a scheme to mislead the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
The case, initially brought to light by the 19th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, began in June 2012 with a request to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to investigate potential irregularities within the company’s environmental reporting. Subsequent search warrants executed at the Hollingsworth Oil facility on Memorial Boulevard in Springfield uncovered evidence of widespread document falsification. The investigation revealed that Vick, along with co-defendant Scott Hawkersmith, coerced fellow employees into forging inspection logs related to storage tanks and containment systems – critical components in preventing hazardous spills.
According to the TBI, the forged documents were submitted to TDEC as proof of regular inspections and proper maintenance, assuring the state agency that the company was in compliance with environmental regulations. The purpose of the forgery was to avoid potential penalties and maintain operational continuity without addressing actual deficiencies in the company’s environmental safety protocols. Investigators believe the scheme spanned from January 2011 to February 2012, a period during which the falsified logs were routinely presented to regulators.
Legal Ramifications
Vick and Hawkersmith were both indicted by a Robertson County grand jury on multiple counts of forgery and one count of criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, violations of Tennessee state law. Forgery, depending on the value of the falsified documentation, can carry significant penalties under Tennessee law, including imprisonment and substantial fines. While the precise financial impact of the forged documents remains undisclosed, the intent to deceive a regulatory agency elevates the seriousness of the offenses.
Hawkersmith, the former supervisor of Environmental Services and Petroleum Maintenance, also pled guilty in March 2014, receiving the same sentence as Vick. Both men were sentenced to 24 months of probation, a relatively lenient outcome considering the number of charges leveled against them. The sentencing has raised questions among environmental watchdogs regarding the severity of penalties for environmental fraud in Tennessee.
Key Facts
- Defendant: David Vick, Scott Hawkersmith
- Crime: Forgery, Criminal Conspiracy
- State: Tennessee
- Year: 2014
- Victim: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
- Statutes Violated: Tennessee State Forgery Laws, Criminal Conspiracy
- Penalties: 24 months probation for both defendants.
- Investigation Agency: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. The incident underscores the importance of robust oversight and diligent enforcement of environmental regulations to protect public health and the environment.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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