Howard Norman Angell, Environmental Crime, WA 1998

Seattle, WA – Howard Norman Angell was sentenced to over two years in prison in 1998 following a multi-faceted environmental crime spree involving illegal fuel discharge, hazardous material removal, and unlicensed contracting. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Washington State authorities, revealed a pattern of reckless disregard for both public safety and environmental regulations.

The investigation began to coalesce in September 1997, when Angell was indicted on ten counts of violating Washington state contracting laws (RCW 18.27.010 and 020) for performing underground oil tank work without proper registration. These charges stemmed from incidents at private residences where Angell failed to adhere to required standards for safe removal and handling of underground storage tanks. He continued operating despite not being a registered contractor.

However, the scope of Angell’s criminal activity extended far beyond unlicensed contracting. Federal prosecutors subsequently charged Angell with violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Clean Air Act (CAA). According to court documents, Angell discharged approximately 13,000 gallons of gasoline and gasoline-contaminated water directly into Henderson Bay, a sensitive marine ecosystem. This discharge, a clear violation of 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), posed a significant threat to aquatic life and potentially impacted the local shellfish industry.

Adding to the severity of the charges, Angell illegally removed approximately 14,000 square feet of asbestos from a building in Seattle, failing to notify the appropriate authorities as required by law. This blatant disregard for asbestos handling protocols, a violation of 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1), created a public health hazard, exposing workers and potentially residents to the dangerous fibers. The improper removal of asbestos is known to cause severe respiratory illnesses, including cancer.

Facing mounting evidence, Angell pled guilty to all charges – both state and federal – in December 1997 and April 1998. On April 1, 1998, he received a 24-month prison sentence and a 36-month period of supervised release for the federal environmental crimes. Just days later, on April 3, 1998, he received an additional three-month prison sentence, six months of probation, and was ordered to pay $5,800 in restitution to business owners he had defrauded through his unregistered contracting activities. The restitution aimed to compensate those impacted by his substandard and illegal work.

The Angell case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with environmental crimes. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue individuals and companies that prioritize profit over public health and environmental protection. The combined federal and state penalties demonstrate the commitment of authorities to hold offenders accountable for their actions and deter future violations.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Howard Norman Angell
Location: Washington State
Year: 1998
Laws Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)), Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(1)), Washington State Contracting Laws (RCW 18.27.010 and 020)
Environmental Damage: 13,000 gallons of gasoline discharged into Henderson Bay, illegal asbestos removal.
Penalties: 24 months incarceration (federal), 36 months supervised release (federal), 3 months incarceration (state), 6 months probation (state), $5,800 restitution (state)

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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