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Kory B. Willis, President of Power Performance Enterprises Inc., Pleads Guilty to Violating the Clean Air Act
Power Performance Enterprises Inc. (PPEI) and its President and owner, Kory B. Willis, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act and to violating the Clean Air Act by tampering with the monitoring devices of emissions control systems of diesel trucks.
The crime occurred from the incorporation of PPEI in 2009 until 2019. During this period, PPEI and Willis were among the nation’s most prominent developers of custom software known as “tunes,” and in particular, “delete tunes.” These devices allowed drivers to illegally tamper with emissions controls in diesel trucks, causing dramatic increases in emissions.
According to court documents, the defeat devices illegally sold by the defendants are expected to cause the release of over 100 million pounds of excess air pollutants over the life of the diesel trucks in which they were installed.
Under the criminal plea agreements, PPEI and Willis agreed to pay a total of $3.1 million in criminal fines and civil penalties. In addition, both Willis and the company agree not to manufacture, sell or install any device that defeats emissions controls.
“The manufacture and sale of illegal delete devices and tunes such as the ones targeted by today’s actions put at risk decades of progress in controlling harmful pollution from motor vehicles in this country,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana.
The defendants’ actions have caused and will continue to cause the emissions of dangerous compounds into the environment which could contribute to serious health issues, said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown for the Western District of Louisiana.
This proposed civil settlement sends a clear message that these types of violations will not be tolerated and those who violate these environmental laws will be held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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