Gregory T. Stricker, Clean Water Act Violation, Ohio 2011

CLEVELAND, OH – Gregory T. Stricker, along with his brother Thomas J. Stricker and their metal plating company, Stricker Refinishing Company (SRC), have been penalized for knowingly circumventing environmental regulations and illegally discharging industrial wastewater into the City of Cleveland sewer system. The case, investigated by a multi-agency task force, highlights a deliberate effort to bypass pollution control measures, potentially endangering both public health and the environment.

According to court documents, between March and August 2007, the Strickers directed SRC employees to bypass the facility’s pretreatment system. This system was specifically designed to remove harmful pollutants – including copper, nickel, silver, zinc, and cyanide – generated by the metal plating process. By disabling the system, the company avoided the costs associated with proper wastewater treatment, instead opting to discharge untreated, potentially toxic effluent into the city’s sewer network. The EPA’s investigation revealed numerous instances of this unlawful practice.

A Multi-Agency Investigation

The investigation was spearheaded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training, with significant contributions from the Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. This collaborative effort, operating under the Northeast Ohio Environmental Crimes Task Force, underscores the increasing emphasis on interagency cooperation in combating environmental crimes.

Legal Ramifications and Penalties

On December 3, 2010, the Strickers and SRC were formally charged with violating the Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which prohibits knowingly violating an approved pretreatment program. Both Gregory and Thomas Stricker pleaded guilty to the charge on January 6, 2011. On June 6, 2011, each brother received a sentence of 36 months probation, a $30,000 federal fine, and an additional $25,000 judicially mandated fine directed towards Ducks Unlimited as a community service payment. They were also ordered to complete 500 hours of community service with a non-profit environmental organization.

SRC itself was sentenced to 36 months of probation and fined $30,000, with a further $20,000 allocated to Ducks Unlimited. In total, the penalties levied against the Strickers and their company amount to $160,000 in fines and community service contributions. Randall K. Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. EPA, emphasized that the prosecution serves as a “clear message that those that refuse to operate lawfully and pollute our waters will be vigorously prosecuted and will be held accountable for their illegal actions.”

Key Facts

• Defendant(s): Gregory T. Stricker, Thomas J. Stricker, Stricker Refinishing Company (SRC)
• Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Crime: Illegal discharge of industrial wastewater in violation of the Clean Water Act.
• Dates of Violation: March 2007 – August 2007
• Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Knowingly violating an approved pretreatment program.
• Penalties: 36 months probation for each brother and SRC; $30,000 federal fine per defendant/company; $25,000/$20,000 community service payment to Ducks Unlimited; 500 hours of community service per brother.
• Investigating Agencies: U.S. EPA, Department of Defense DCIS, Ohio BCI&I, Ohio EPA, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences for companies and individuals who prioritize profit over environmental compliance. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of the Clean Water Act to safeguard the nation’s waterways and protect public health.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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