Wetlands Destroyed: Rome Man’s Guilty Plea Reveals Years-Long Scheme to Dispose of Hazardous Debris
Julius DeSimone, a resident of Rome, N.Y., has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act and make false statements to federal law enforcement. The charges against DeSimone, 50, stem from a multi-year scheme to illegally dump 8,100 tons of pulverized construction and demolition debris in Frankfort, N.Y.
According to court documents, DeSimone and his co-conspirators fabricated a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) permit and forged the name of a DEC official to conceal their crimes. However, once the DEC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered the illegal dumping, DeSimone lied to federal agents in an attempt to cover up his involvement.
DeSimone’s plea agreement states that he faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each felony count. He may also be ordered to pay for portions of the cleanup at the site.
The case was investigated by the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Internal Revenue Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting the case.
This is not the first time that individuals involved in this scheme have faced charges. Eagle Recycling and Jonathan Deck previously pleaded guilty to similar conspiracy charges in 2009 and 2011.
DeSimone’s guilty plea is a significant development in the ongoing effort to hold individuals accountable for environmental crimes in New York State. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our state’s natural resources and enforcing the laws that govern our environment.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: Julius DeSimone
City and State: Rome, N.Y.
Crime Date: Not specified
Sentence: Up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine per felony count
Dollar Amounts: $250,000
Tags: Environmental Crime, Conspiracy, Clean Water Act, Wetlands Destruction
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Domermuth, Clean Water Act Violations, Tennessee 2023 · Hawaii
- Bobby Babak Khalili, Clean Air Act Violation, Nevada 2022 · California
- Tonawanda Coke, Environmental Crimes, New York 2024 · New York
- Chase Michael Courville, Migratory Bird Act Violation, Tennessee 2023 · Louisiana
- Mazza & Sons Inc., Environmental Crime, New York 2012 · New Jersey
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Environmental Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Environmental CrimeEnvironmental CrimeEnvironmental CrimeEnvironmental Crime