Jeffrey Pytlarz, Clean Water Act Violation, IL 1992

Chicago, IL – Jeffrey Pytlarz, former owner and president of P&H Plating Co., Inc., received a 15-month prison sentence in 1992 for knowingly directing the illegal discharge of toxic plating solutions into the Chicago area’s waterways. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and prosecuted as a criminal matter, revealed a deliberate effort to bypass environmental regulations and pollute the North Shore Channel and North Branch of the Chicago River.

According to court documents, Pytlarz commanded his employees, Cheryl Emrich – the company’s technical and environmental manager – and Andrew Neulande, the wastewater treatment supervisor, to divert untreated plating waste through an unmonitored drain. This bypass circumvented standard wastewater treatment processes, allowing highly toxic chemicals to flow directly into the sewer system and, ultimately, into public waterways. The scheme was designed to avoid the costs and scrutiny associated with proper waste disposal.

The EPA’s investigation uncovered evidence that Pytlarz was fully aware of the illegal activity and actively directed its execution. Emrich and Neulande, acting under Pytlarz’s orders, carried out the discharges. All three individuals eventually pled guilty to violating the Clean Water Act. The case highlights the dangers of prioritizing profit over environmental protection and the potential consequences for those who knowingly endanger public health and the ecosystem.

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Legal Ramifications & Sentencing

Pytlarz was convicted of violating 33 U.S.C. 1317(b) and (d), and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(a) of the Clean Water Act. These statutes prohibit the unauthorized discharge of pollutants and the knowing endangerment of a permitted treatment facility. In addition to the 15-month incarceration, Pytlarz received 12 months of supervised probation and a $50 special assessment.

Emrich received 36 months of probation, 220 hours of community service, and a $50 special assessment. Neulande was sentenced to four months of home detention, 36 months probation, 200 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment. The comparatively lighter sentences for Emrich and Neulande likely reflect their roles as subordinates acting under the direct orders of Pytlarz, while Pytlarz was deemed the principal architect of the environmental crime.

Key Facts

Defendant: Jeffrey Pytlarz
Company: P&H Plating Co., Inc.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Crime: Illegal discharge of plating solutions into waterways
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(b), (d), and 1319(c)(2)(a)
Pytlarz Sentence: 15 months incarceration, 12 months probation, $50 assessment
Emrich Sentence: 36 months probation, 220 hours community service, $50 assessment
Neulande Sentence: 4 months home detention, 36 months probation, 200 hours community service, $100 assessment

This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry significant legal penalties, and individuals who prioritize economic gain over environmental responsibility will be held accountable. The EPA continues to pursue criminal enforcement actions against polluters to protect our nation’s vital water resources.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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