James E. Spain, Pollution, IL 2009

Chicago, IL – Former Crown Chemical Inc. president James E. Spain has completed his sentence of home confinement and probation following a guilty plea to illegally dumping industrial waste and obstructing a federal investigation. The case, stemming from a long-running pattern of environmental violations, highlights the risks posed by industrial pollution and the lengths to which some companies will go to conceal their actions.

Spain, 62, was sentenced on February 4, 2009, in U.S. District Court in Chicago to 12 months of home confinement, a $30,000 criminal fine, and three years of probation. The charges against him, brought in 2006, centered around the deliberate discharge of untreated acidic and caustic wastewater from Crown Chemical’s Crestwood, Illinois facility into the regional sewer system. The illegal dumping reportedly spanned 16 years, from 1985 until 2001, when EPA special agents executed a criminal search warrant at the plant.

Court documents reveal Spain not only directed employees to dump the waste but also actively coached them to lie to federal investigators during the 2001 search. He allegedly contacted employees before their arrival, instructing them to falsely claim the wastewater had been properly treated before discharge. Furthermore, Spain admitted to instructing employees to dilute the waste with water in an attempt to mask the illegal activity.

Crown Chemical Inc. itself also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and was fined $100,000. The company was placed on one year of probation and ordered to issue a public apology. Catalino Uy, the company’s manager, received a $5,000 fine and two years of probation for his involvement in the scheme. The case underscores the EPA’s commitment to holding both corporations *and* their leadership accountable for environmental crimes.

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Legal Ramifications

Spain and Crown Chemical were charged with violating several federal statutes. Specifically, Spain was charged with violating 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) of the Clean Water Act, 18 U.S.C. 371 (conspiracy), and 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2) (false statements). The penalties reflect the severity of the crimes, with Spain’s home confinement and substantial fines serving as a deterrent to future misconduct. Crown Chemical’s fine and probation demonstrate that companies can face significant repercussions for prioritizing profit over environmental compliance.

Key Facts

Defendant: James E. Spain, Crown Chemical Inc., Catalino Uy
Location: Crestwood, Illinois
Years of Illegal Dumping: 1985 – 2001 (16 years)
Statutes Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1311(a)), Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), False Statements (18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2))
Spain’s Sentence: $30,000 fine, 12 months home confinement, 3 years probation
Crown Chemical’s Sentence: $100,000 fine, 1 year probation, public apology
Uy’s Sentence: $5,000 fine, 2 years probation

The EPA’s investigation, which led to the indictments in August 2006, serves as a reminder that environmental regulations are in place to protect public health and the environment. Failure to comply with these regulations will be met with swift and decisive action, including criminal prosecution.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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