George Timothy Mercier, Fraud, TX 1987

HOUSTON, TX – Former Gulf States Oil and Refining Company fuel-blending operation head, George Timothy Mercier, was sentenced in July 1987 following a guilty plea to federal charges of conspiracy and submitting false statements to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case, stemming from a 1984 investigation into lead content in gasoline, revealed a deliberate effort to underreport the amount of lead used in the company’s fuel blending process.

The investigation began in 1986, leading to a five-count indictment against both Mercier and company chemist, McLeod. The charges alleged violations of several federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. 1001 (false statements to a federal agency) and 18 U.S.C. 371 (conspiracy). The core of the case centered around quarterly reports submitted to the EPA as part of the Clean Air Act’s lead phase-down regulations, specifically Section 211.

McLeod quickly entered a guilty plea in August 1986 to a two-count superseding information, admitting to conspiracy and false reporting under the Clean Air Act, specifically 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2). He received a sentence of twelve months probation and a $6,000 fine. This plea likely contributed to the evidence used against Mercier, who initially faced the original five-count indictment. A subsequent superseding information in July 1987 focused the charges against Mercier, mirroring the charges accepted by McLeod.

Mercier ultimately pleaded guilty to all five counts in the superseding information. Prosecutors demonstrated that Mercier knowingly directed the falsification of reports to conceal the true amount of lead being utilized in the fuel blending operations. This deliberate misreporting was a direct attempt to circumvent regulations designed to reduce harmful emissions and protect public health. The scheme aimed to create the *appearance* of compliance with the Clean Air Act while continuing to utilize higher levels of lead than permitted.

Judge sentenced Mercier to a $15,000 fine and 35 days of incarceration on each of the five counts, with the sentences to run concurrently. While the jail time was limited, the conviction stands as a warning against environmental fraud and underscores the EPA’s commitment to enforcing regulations designed to protect the environment and public health. The case highlights the potential for significant penalties, even for those in positions of authority who prioritize profit over compliance.

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Key Facts

Defendant: George Timothy Mercier
Location: Texas
Year: 1987
Violated Statutes: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2), Clean Air Act Sec. 211
Charges: Conspiracy and submitting false statements regarding lead content in gasoline.
Penalty: $15,000 fine and 35 days incarceration (concurrently)
Co-Defendant: McLeod, company chemist, pleaded guilty to related charges and received 12 months probation and a $6,000 fine.

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Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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