Georgetown, KY – Kenneth Gravitt, the former operator of Global Environmental Services (GES), a Kentucky-based electronic waste recycling facility, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and ordered to pay over $5.5 million in restitution for a multi-year scheme involving the illegal storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and investigated by federal authorities, highlights the growing problem of improperly handled electronic waste and the significant environmental and financial consequences that follow.
According to court documents, Gravitt, through GES, collected substantial quantities of electronic devices – primarily old television and computer monitors containing Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) – beginning around 2013. While GES initially operated as a legitimate recycling business, it quickly became overwhelmed by the volume of CRTs received. CRTs contain significant amounts of lead, classifying them as hazardous waste under federal law. Instead of responsibly recycling the devices, Gravitt directed the illegal dumping and burial of the toxic materials.
The investigation revealed a pattern of deliberate circumvention of environmental regulations. GES began sending crushed CRTs to a landfill in Central Kentucky that lacked the necessary permits to handle hazardous waste. Further, in October 2015, GES employees illegally buried large quantities of CRT-bearing devices directly behind the company’s Georgetown facility. Investigators subsequently discovered additional stockpiles of unprocessed CRTs at GES-managed warehouses in Cynthiana and Winchester, Kentucky, compounding the environmental threat.
Legal Ramifications
Gravitt pleaded guilty in May 2018 to one count of conspiracy to commit crimes related to the handling of hazardous waste and one count of illegal storage of hazardous waste. The charges stemmed from violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4), which prohibits the knowing endangerment associated with handling hazardous waste, and 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), concerning the unlawful storage of hazardous waste. These violations fall under Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code, outlining federal crimes and their penalties.
Cleanup Costs & Restitution
The EPA estimates the total cost to remediate the contaminated sites—the Georgetown burial site, the improperly filled landfill, and the warehouses in Cynthiana and Winchester—to be several million dollars. On February 28, 2019, the court ordered Gravitt to pay $5,540,709.35 in restitution to Winchester Warehouse Company LLC, Stratton Properties, Georgetown Warehouse, and the Kentucky State Treasurer to help cover these extensive cleanup costs.
The Growing E-Waste Problem
This case serves as a stark reminder of the environmental risks associated with the rapidly growing stream of electronic waste. While many companies operate responsibly, the temptation to cut corners and avoid the costs of proper recycling can lead to dangerous and illegal practices. Federal and state authorities continue to prioritize enforcement actions against those who prioritize profit over environmental protection and public health.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Kenneth Gravitt
- Company: Global Environmental Services (GES)
- Location: Georgetown, Cynthiana, Winchester, Kentucky
- Year of Offense: 2013 – 2018
- Hazardous Waste: Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs) containing lead
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A)
- Sentence: 36 months imprisonment
- Restitution: $5,540,709.35
- Cleanup Costs: Estimated at several million dollars
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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