East Lyme Executive Avoids Prosecution in EPA Reporting Scheme
A Connecticut executive has avoided criminal charges after entering into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with federal authorities over a scheme to mislead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). John Jackson, 60, of Milford, and former Vice President of Embalmers Supply Company (ESC) of East Lyme, admitted to fabricating a document in an attempt to evade penalties for failing to file mandatory pesticide production reports.
The case, investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, centers around ESC’s non-compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). FIFRA requires pesticide-producing establishments to submit annual production reports to the EPA detailing the types and amounts of pesticides produced, sold, or distributed. ESC failed to submit these reports for 2008 and 2009, resulting in a $10,800 penalty assessment from the EPA.
According to court documents, Jackson falsely claimed that ESC had notified the EPA of a company address change in 2007, hoping to demonstrate that the agency should have been aware of the updated contact information. He then fabricated and backdated a letter, signing it himself, to support this claim. The EPA investigated and determined the document to be fraudulent after ESC was contacted regarding the unpaid penalty.
Instead of pursuing a formal prosecution, federal authorities entered into an 18-month Deferred Prosecution Agreement. As part of the agreement, Jackson has resigned from all Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) duties at ESC and is prohibited from seeking or obtaining similar employment for four years. He also agreed to contribute $25,000 to the Connecticut Statewide Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) Account, earmarked for projects focused on pesticide-related environmental protection. A public apology was also issued by Jackson.
If Jackson successfully completes the terms of the agreement within 18 months, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will seek dismissal of the charges. This case underscores the commitment of both the EPA and the Department of Justice to aggressively pursue violations of environmental regulations and hold individuals accountable for attempts to deceive federal agencies. The agreement demonstrates a willingness to prioritize environmental remediation and future compliance over punitive measures in certain cases.
Key Facts
- Defendant: John Jackson, 60, of Milford, CT
- Company: Embalmers Supply Company (ESC), East Lyme, CT
- Crime: Fraudulent submission of a document to the EPA
- Statutes Violated: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and other federal statutes related to false statements.
- Penalty: 18-month Deferred Prosecution Agreement, resignation from EHS roles, $25,000 contribution to environmental fund, public apology, and a four-year ban from EHS employment.
- Timeline: Agreement reached December 7, 2011.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Felice M. Duffy and Dianne Chabot led the prosecution in this matter.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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