Baltimore, MD – Howard J. Goldstein, owner of A&A Waste Oil Company, was sentenced to a year in prison and hefty financial penalties following a protracted case involving both environmental violations and obstruction of a federal investigation. The case, originating with an illegal discharge of waste oil into Baltimore’s sewer system, culminated in Goldstein’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing in September 2001.
The initial offense occurred in September 1996 when A&A Waste Oil Company illegally discharged approximately 10,000 gallons of oil into the Baltimore sewer system. This act violated the Clean Air Act, specifically 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1), triggering a grand jury investigation. However, the investigation quickly broadened to include allegations of tampering with evidence.
Between November 1998 and May 1999, as the grand jury investigation gained momentum, Goldstein took deliberate steps to hinder the proceedings. According to court documents, Goldstein directed the removal and destruction of documents that were subject to subpoena and ordered the deletion of data from the company’s computer systems. This constituted a clear attempt to obstruct justice and impede the investigation into the initial environmental crime.
On February 9, 2001, Goldstein was formally charged with one count of obstruction of justice, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1505. He subsequently pled guilty to the charge on March 7, 2001. The obstruction charge proved to be the more severe penalty driver, overshadowing the original environmental violation in terms of sentencing.
Sentencing and Restitution
On September 7, 2001, Judge Marvin J. Garbis handed down the sentence: 12 months of incarceration, followed by a 24-month period of supervised probation. Beyond the prison term, Goldstein was ordered to pay $36,130 in restitution to the City of Baltimore to cover the costs associated with cleaning up the initial oil spill. He was also assessed a federal fine of $30,000. The financial penalties highlight the seriousness with which federal authorities treat both environmental crimes and attempts to interfere with legal investigations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Howard J. Goldstein
- Company: A&A Waste Oil Company
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Initial Crime: Illegal discharge of 10,000 gallons of oil into the sewer system.
- Statute Violated (Environmental): 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1) – Clean Air Act
- Statute Violated (Obstruction): 18 U.S.C. 1505 – Obstruction of Justice
- Sentence: 12 months incarceration, 24 months probation
- Restitution: $36,130 to the City of Baltimore
- Federal Fine: $30,000
This case serves as a stark reminder that attempts to cover up wrongdoing will be met with serious legal consequences, often exceeding the penalties for the original offense. The combined environmental damage and obstruction of justice charges underscore the importance of corporate accountability and transparency in the face of potential wrongdoing.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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