Martin Rosenblum, Water Pollution, Minnesota 2006

Minneapolis, MN – A Minnesota metal finishing company and its top executives deliberately polluted the environment and actively deceived regulators, according to court documents unsealed this week. Eco Finishing Co., along with its former CEO Martin Rosenblum and Plant Manager Martin Meister, were brought to justice following a multi-year investigation into Clean Water Act violations.

The investigation, spearheaded by federal environmental authorities, revealed a pattern of disregard for environmental regulations. Eco Finishing, operating in Minnesota, discharged industrial wastewater containing dangerous levels of metals and cyanide into the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) sewer system. While permitted to discharge, the company was required to pre-treat the wastewater to meet strict pollutant limits. However, internal monitoring consistently showed the company exceeding those limits – and then actively concealing the evidence.

According to prosecutors, the scheme involved manipulating production and wastewater treatment processes specifically *during* regulatory inspections. When MCES officials arrived for compliance testing, Eco Finishing would temporarily alter operations to artificially lower pollutant levels, creating a false impression of adherence to environmental standards. Once the inspectors left, the company would resume its normal, polluting practices. A whistleblower within the company reported these violations, triggering the federal investigation. The plant manager, Meister, was reportedly aware of the failing cyanide destruction system and the falsified reporting.

The case unfolded over several years, beginning with charges against Eco Finishing in May 2006 for knowingly violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)). The company initially pled guilty in February 2007, receiving 36 months probation, a $225,000 federal fine, and an order to pay $25,000 in extraordinary restitution to the Federal Transport Program. However, the investigation didn’t stop there. In August 2007, Rosenblum and Meister faced additional charges including discharging pollutants, falsifying analytical results, failing to report violations, and conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371).

A jury ultimately convicted Rosenblum in March 2008 on one count of felony conspiracy to defraud the United States, two counts of felony Clean Water Act violations (33 U.S.C. 1311(a) & 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)), and ten counts of negligent violation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4)). Meister was convicted of eight counts of negligent violations of the Clean Water Act. Rosenblum received a 15-month prison sentence, 200 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution to the Mississippi River Fund. Meister was sentenced to 24 months probation, 150 hours of community service, and $2,501 in restitution to the same fund.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant(s): Eco Finishing Co., Martin Rosenblum, Martin Meister
Crime: Clean Water Act violations, conspiracy, fraud
Location: Minnesota
Year: 2009 (case spanned 2006-2008)
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4), 18 U.S.C. 371
Penalties: Company – $225,000 fine, 36 months probation, $25,000 restitution. Rosenblum – 15 months imprisonment, $250,000 restitution, 200 hrs community service. Meister – 24 months probation, $2,501 restitution, 150 hrs community service.
Method: Deliberate discharge of pollutants exceeding permitted limits, falsification of reports, manipulation of processes during inspections.

This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry significant consequences, and that regulatory deception will not be tolerated. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of corporate responsibility and transparency in protecting our waterways.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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