Houston, TX – John R. Cooke, the sole owner of now-defunct chemical brokerage firms RHT Investments, Inc. and Petroleum Distributors, Inc., was sentenced in June 1999 following a guilty plea related to the illegal storage and abandonment of hazardous waste in the Houston area. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposed a pattern of negligent handling of vinyl acetate, a potentially dangerous chemical compound.
According to court documents, Cooke, through RHT Investments, stored significant quantities of material containing vinyl acetate in above-ground storage tanks beginning in 1994. As market conditions shifted, Cooke reportedly failed to secure buyers for the chemical, leading to its prolonged and improper storage. In 1995, facing mounting costs and lacking a viable disposal plan, Cooke abandoned the material at a tank farm, effectively leaving a hazardous liability for the state and potentially endangering the surrounding environment.
The abandonment culminated in a release of hazardous waste when a valve on one of the storage tanks was intentionally opened. This incident triggered an investigation by both state and federal authorities, revealing that RHT Investments had operated without the necessary permits for storing hazardous waste, a clear violation of federal regulations. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division played a central role in gathering evidence and building the case against Cooke and his companies.
Legal Ramifications
An indictment was filed against RHT Investments on October 18, 1996, charging the company with two counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Specifically, the charges centered on 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the knowing transport, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste without a valid permit. While initially facing two counts, RHT Investments, with Cooke as its sole owner, ultimately pled guilty to one count of improper storage on February 5, 1999.
Sentencing and Restitution
On June 4, 1999, the court sentenced RHT Investments to a probationary period of 60 months. More significantly, Cooke, through the company, was ordered to pay $130,450 in restitution to the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to cover the costs associated with the cleanup and remediation of the hazardous waste site. The case serves as a stark reminder of the serious legal and financial consequences associated with improper hazardous waste management.
Key Facts
- Defendant: John R. Cooke/RHT Investments, Inc.
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Years of Activity: 1994-1995 (Abandonment in 1995, sentencing in 1999)
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA, improper hazardous waste storage
- Restitution: $130,450 paid to the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission
- Sentence: 60 months probation
- Hazardous Material: Vinyl Acetate
GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments related to environmental crimes and hold those responsible accountable for endangering public health and the environment.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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