Leonard Johnson, Clean Water Act Fraud, Louisiana 2014

Kenner, Louisiana – Leonard Johnson, former laboratory supervisor at Laboratory Technology (LT), was sentenced to 36 months of probation and a $250 fine for his role in a multi-year scheme to falsify water toxicity tests for oil and gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), reveals a deliberate effort to circumvent Clean Water Act regulations and provide inaccurate data to federal authorities.

Laboratory Technology, based in Kenner, Louisiana, was contracted by numerous oil and gas companies to perform crucial toxicity testing on “produced water” – a byproduct of oil and gas extraction. The Clean Water Act mandates these tests to ensure that any discharged water meets strict pollutant limits established by the EPA. Companies rely on the accuracy of these lab results when submitting Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), which are sent directly to the EPA.

According to court documents, between July 2008 and June 2015, Johnson intentionally disregarded established EPA protocols for conducting toxicity tests. Instead of performing legitimate testing, he directed LT employees, including co-owner Martha Hebert, to fabricate data—specifically, to enter false weight numbers into reports provided to clients. This fabricated data was then used by the oil and gas companies to populate their DMRs, creating the illusion of regulatory compliance.

The scheme was particularly egregious because Johnson knowingly signed off on the falsified reports, certifying their accuracy despite his awareness of the fraudulent activity. Hebert, while aware of the manipulation, failed to report the misconduct to the appropriate authorities. This inaction further compounded the violation of federal regulations. The EPA emphasized the importance of accurate testing data in protecting the environment and ensuring responsible oil and gas production.

Johnson was initially charged on November 26, 2013, with violating 33 U.S.C. 1319 (c)(4), which prohibits knowingly making false statements in reports required by the Clean Water Act. He subsequently pleaded guilty on January 23, 2014. The sentencing on June 11, 2014, while resulting in probation rather than imprisonment, underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities view environmental crimes and the importance of holding individuals accountable for jeopardizing public health and the environment.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Leonard Johnson
Location: Kenner, Louisiana
Crime: Falsification of water toxicity test results, violating the Clean Water Act
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319 (c)(4)
Dates of Scheme: Approximately July 2008 – June 2015
Penalty: 36 months probation and $250 fine
Co-conspirator: Martha Hebert, co-owner of Laboratory Technology

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for fraud within the environmental testing industry and the critical need for robust oversight to ensure the integrity of data used to protect our waterways. The FBI continues to investigate similar cases, highlighting a growing focus on environmental enforcement.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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