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Engineer Guilty of Obstruction of Justice
Inigo Albina, 57, a citizen of the Philippines, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in a U.S. District Court in Louisiana. The Chief Engineer of the M/T Stolt Facto oil tanker violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 1505 by falsifying records and instructing his crew to lie to Coast Guard inspectors.
According to the court documents, Albina made and signed all entries in the Oil Record Book, stating that bilge water had passed through the Oil Water Separator before being discharged overboard. However, the bilge water was actually pumped into the sewage holding tank, bypassing the Oil Water Separator, and discharged into the ocean.
On January 15, 2013, the M/T Stolt Facto was boarded by the United States Coast Guard while anchored in the Mississippi River near New Orleans. Inspectors found hoses and a pump used to bypass the Oil Water Separator. When questioned, the engine room crew denied bypassing the separator, despite some having been ordered to assist with the connection.
After the Coast Guard’s initial interviews, Albina conducted an all-hands meeting with the crew and instructed them to deny knowledge of the hoses going to the sewage holding tank. Albina admitted to trying to influence the Coast Guard inspection by telling the crew to lie.
As a result of his actions, Albina faces a maximum of five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. Upon release, he will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 7, 2013.
The case was investigated by the United States Coast Guard and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Greenfield.
Albina’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the maritime industry, highlighting the importance of honesty and transparency in record-keeping and operations. The Coast Guard’s efforts to protect the environment and ensure safety at sea have been vindicated by this conviction.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether other individuals will be held accountable for their roles in the alleged obstruction of justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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