Casa Grande, AZ – A former superintendent of a municipal wastewater treatment facility has been sentenced to probation for falsifying reports submitted to state environmental regulators. Jerry Lee Anglin, who oversaw operations at the City of Casa Grande’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) for over 26 years, pled guilty to a Clean Water Act violation after a federal investigation revealed a pattern of inaccurate and missing data concerning wastewater discharge.
According to court documents, Anglin, serving as superintendent from approximately July 1983 to October 2009, was responsible for monitoring wastewater discharged from the facility and reporting the findings to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). These reports, known as Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), are crucial for ensuring compliance with the City’s AZPDES permit and safeguarding water quality. The investigation uncovered a series of discrepancies spanning from August 2007 to August 2009.
Investigators found that Anglin *negligently* failed to properly monitor and calculate the daily discharge flow rate on multiple occasions. This resulted in the submission of inaccurate flow records to ADEQ for months including August-December 2007, April-June 2008, November-December 2008, and January-May 2009, as well as August 2009. Further compounding the issue, Anglin also failed to submit discharge flow records altogether for several months – January-March 2008, August 2008, September 2008, and June-July 2009. The falsification and omission of this data prevented ADEQ from accurately assessing the facility’s compliance with environmental regulations.
Legal Ramifications
Anglin was formally charged on October 18, 2012, with violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), which addresses negligent violations of the Act. He also faced charges under 18 U.S.C. 1001 for knowingly making false statements to a federal agency – in this case, through the submitted DMRs. While the potential penalties for such violations can include significant fines and imprisonment, Anglin received a sentence of 24 months of probation on December 5, 2012, with no monetary fine imposed.
Impact and Ongoing Concerns
Environmental advocacy groups have expressed concern that the relatively lenient sentence may not adequately deter similar misconduct in the future. While the City of Casa Grande cooperated with the investigation, the incident raises questions about oversight and accountability within municipal wastewater treatment facilities. The ADEQ continues to emphasize the importance of accurate reporting and diligent monitoring to protect Arizona’s water resources. GrimyTimes is following up on reports of similar discrepancies at other facilities across the state.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Jerry Lee Anglin
- Location: Casa Grande, Arizona
- Years of Activity: 2007-2009
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) (Clean Water Act – Negligent Violation), 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements)
- Sentence: 24 months probation, no fine
- Position Held: Superintendent of City of Casa Grande Wastewater Treatment Facility
This is a developing story. Check back with GrimyTimes for updates.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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