Kam Industries, Pollution Crime, PA 2001

Warminster, PA – Kam Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania machine shop, has been slapped with hefty fines and faced criminal charges following a years-long investigation into illegal pollutant discharges into the Warminster Township Municipal Authority (WTMA) sewer system. The case, stemming from deliberate violations of environmental regulations and false reporting, highlights a pattern of disregard for public health and environmental safety.

According to court documents, Kam Industries was initially notified in 1995 of its obligation to obtain an Industrial User Permit under the Clean Water Act (CWA) due to its industrial wastewater contributions. Despite this notification, the company failed to apply for the necessary permit for over three years, finally submitting an application in October 1998. The delay itself raised red flags with the WTMA, but the subsequent actions of Kam Industries and company representative, Perkins, proved far more egregious.

Once issued a permit, Kam Industries and Perkins knowingly violated its conditions, exceeding established local limits for pollutant discharge. Crucially, the defendants allegedly submitted false statements on their permit application, specifically claiming that no chemical compounds containing metals or inorganics would be discharged into the WTMA treatment works. This claim proved demonstrably false, as subsequent investigations revealed significant levels of prohibited substances entering the municipal system.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office brought charges against Kam Industries and Perkins on February 15, 2001. The indictment included one count of making false statements, a violation of Title 18 U.S. Code §1001, and two counts of violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1319(c)(2)(A) – knowingly violating). Both defendants swiftly entered guilty pleas on March 6, 2001, admitting to the unlawful conduct.

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Sentencing and Penalties

On June 6, 2001, the court handed down its sentences. Kam Industries was sentenced to five years of probation (72 months), ordered to pay $24,000 in restitution to the Warminster Township Municipal Authority to cover damages and cleanup costs, and assessed a substantial $76,000 federal fine. Perkins, the individual responsible for the false statements and overseeing the illegal discharges, received a 10-month prison sentence, followed by five years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and a $5,000 federal fine.

This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not merely suggestions, but legally binding requirements. The deliberate falsification of permit applications and the knowing discharge of pollutants demonstrate a clear intent to circumvent the law and endanger the local environment. The WTMA continues to monitor industrial users to ensure compliance and protect the integrity of its wastewater treatment facilities.

Key Facts

Defendant: Kam Industries, Inc. and Perkins
State: Pennsylvania
Year: 2001
Laws Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1319(c)(2)(A)), Title 18 U.S. Code §1001 (False Statements)
Penalties: Kam Industries – 72 months probation, $24,000 restitution, $76,000 fine. Perkins – 10 months imprisonment, 72 months probation, 200 hours community service, $5,000 fine.
Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants and false reporting to regulatory authorities.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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