Grimmel Industries, Clean Water Act Violation, New Hampshire 2013

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – In a shocking display of environmental recklessness, Grimmel Industries, L.L.C. has been found guilty of violating the Clean Water Act.

The case centers around Christopher Garrity, the terminal manager at the time of the discharge, who admitted to discharging a pollutant into the navigable waters of the Piscataqua River without a permit.

The Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Division launched an investigation after the Portsmouth Harbor Master discovered polluted water from a tanker truck being discharged through a hose directly to the river on June 26, 2013.

Garrity was aware that the tanker truck storage of the polluted water was part of a civil agreement between Grimmel Industries and the EPA to avoid discharges to the river, but he chose to disregard this agreement and allow the discharge to occur.

The EPA investigation identified Garrity as the individual responsible for connecting the hose to the truck and allowing the discharge to the river.

Garrity will be sentenced on February 2, 2016, and faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years and a possible maximum fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than $50,000 per day of violation.

If Garrity is sentenced to prison, he will also serve a period of supervised release that begins upon his release from prison.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, with the Portsmouth Harbor Master’s Office of the Pease Development Authority, Division of Ports and Harbors playing a crucial role in the successful investigation and prosecution of this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfred Rubega is prosecuting this case.

Grimmel Industries, L.L.C. has been held accountable for their reckless disregard for the environment, and we hope that this case will serve as a warning to others who would seek to disregard the laws protecting our natural resources.

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