Detroit, MI – MoReno Rondell Taylor Sr. was sentenced to home confinement and probation in June 2011 after pleading guilty to a federal charge of making false statements related to widespread lead paint violations in Detroit and surrounding areas. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA CID), revealed a scheme to fraudulently clear multi-unit apartment buildings of lead-based paint hazards, potentially endangering the health of children.
The investigation centered around Anthony Sharpe, owner of Sharpe Environmental, a lead testing consultant. Sharpe allegedly falsified reports claiming compliance with federal and state lead-based paint regulations. These reports were submitted to the EPA Region V and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or delegated authorities, as proof that properties were safe for residents, particularly families with young children. Evidence indicated Sharpe routinely skipped proper sampling procedures while submitting fabricated laboratory results using official City of Detroit forms.
Taylor, a subcontractor working with Sharpe Environmental, admitted to not performing the required XRF (X-ray fluorescence) readings – a key method for detecting lead-based paint – despite data appearing in the reports attributed to him. In one instance, Taylor confirmed to investigators that he and Sharpe purportedly completed hundreds of XRF readings in a single day at a large Detroit apartment complex, a feat considered physically impossible and indicative of deliberate falsification. A subsequent administrative search warrant executed by the State of Michigan at the same building confirmed the presence of deteriorating lead-based paint in multiple units.
The gravity of the situation was heightened by the fact that the affected buildings were known to house families with children under the age of six, and some of those children had already been diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. Exposure to lead-based paint, particularly in dilapidated condition, can cause severe health problems in children, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues. The fraudulent reports effectively concealed these hazards, leaving vulnerable residents unknowingly exposed.
Legal Ramifications
Taylor was initially charged with 14 counts of making false statements, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count. However, he ultimately pled guilty to a single count of the same charge. On June 23, 2011, he received a sentence of 120 days of home confinement followed by 24 months of probation. Notably, no fine was imposed. Sharpe’s legal outcome was not detailed in the provided case data.
Key Facts
- Defendant: MoReno Rondell Taylor Sr.
- Location: Detroit, Michigan and surrounding areas, including Ohio.
- Crime: Falsifying lead testing reports to fraudulently clear properties of lead-based paint hazards.
- Victims: Residents of multi-unit apartment buildings, particularly families with young children.
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, and violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act.
- Sentence: 120 days home confinement, 24 months probation.
This case underscores the critical importance of accurate and reliable lead testing, and the severe consequences of prioritizing profit over public health. The EPA CID continues to investigate and prosecute those who attempt to circumvent environmental regulations, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities across the nation.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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