George Metts, Pollution Crime, SC 2003

Greenville, SC – George Metts, along with several co-defendants and the Tin Products company, faced federal charges in 2003 for a deliberate and damaging pollution scheme that impacted waterways in South Carolina. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice, revealed a pattern of illegal discharges and falsified reporting designed to skirt environmental regulations.

According to court documents, Metts and his colleagues, while employed by Tin Products, knowingly discharged organotin waste products directly into a local creek. This highly toxic substance, a byproduct of the company’s manufacturing processes, posed a significant threat to aquatic life and the surrounding ecosystem. Furthermore, the company operated a wastewater pretreatment facility *without* the necessary permits, exacerbating the environmental damage.

The unlawful discharges didn’t stop at a single point source. The unpermitted facility contributed to the impairment of the County Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), overloading its capacity and hindering its ability to effectively treat sewage. The culmination of these violations resulted in a documented fish kill in nearby Crystal Lake, a clear indication of the severity of the pollution.

The investigation, launched in 2002, quickly uncovered evidence of a conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act. On May 22, 2002, Metts and others were charged with conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), knowingly violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)), and making false statements to authorities (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4)). All defendants ultimately pled guilty to the charges.

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Sentencing and Penalties

Sentencing varied among the defendants. In May 2003, one co-defendant, Purvis, received a five-month prison sentence, followed by 36 months of probation, and was ordered to pay a $7,500 federal fine. Goldman was sentenced to 18 months incarceration and an additional 12 months probation. Metts himself received a sentence of 60 months probation. Notably, Tin Products as a corporate entity was also held accountable, receiving 60 months of probation. The penalties reflect the seriousness of the offenses and the damage inflicted on the environment.

Key Facts

Defendant: George Metts and Tin Products
Location: South Carolina
Year: 2003
Violated Laws: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) – Clean Water Act, 18 U.S.C. 371 – Conspiracy, 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4) – False Statements
Environmental Impact: Illegal discharge of organotin, impairment of WWTP, fish kill in Crystal Lake
Penalties: Prison sentences, probation, and substantial fines.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable for their actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of environmental regulations and the consequences of ignoring them.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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