RAY CALDWELL, 60, of Longview, Wash., was sentenced to 27 months in prison for orchestrating a decade-long scheme that funneled over two million gallons of waste into the city’s sewer system. Caldwell’s company, ALL-OUT SEWER AND DRAIN SERVICE, INC., and he himself were found guilty of multiple felony violations, including twenty-five counts of violating the Clean Water Act and six counts of mail fraud.
The scheme, which spanned over a decade, involved Caldwell and his partner, Randy Dingus, clandestinely disposing of waste during early morning hours to avoid detection. When Longview’s 2010 review threatened to expose the deception, they resorted to submitting falsified documents. The misdeeds were finally exposed in August 2012 when law enforcement surveillance activities based on citizen complaints led to Caldwell’s arrest.
Caldwell was caught on video footage dumped waste directly into the sewer port from a storage tank at his facility. He was also convicted of using the mail system for fraud and making false statements in a mandated survey. Caldwell will also serve three years of supervised release and pay a fine of $250,000. His company shares in the fine and is on probation for three years.
U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan emphasized the severity of the crime: “The Caldwell scheme not only stole public funds but damaged honest ratepayers who paid for services they received.” Judge Benjamin Settle echoed the sentiment, noting that those engaging in fraud against local government face real consequences.
Caldwell’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences for environmental crimes and fraud. The case underscores the importance of holding corporations and individuals accountable for violations that harm public health and safety.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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