MARSEILLES, OH – A contractor for Ohio Fresh Eggs, LLC (OFE), Myron P. Lawler, has been sentenced to three years of probation following a negligent discharge of wastewater into a local waterway. The incident, occurring in March 2007, saw contaminated egg wash water flow into Kreisel Ditch, a tributary of Tymochtee Creek, impacting the local environment. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of regulating runoff from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
OFE, the largest egg producer in Ohio with twelve facilities across the state, operates a large commercial egg farm in Marseilles, housing approximately three million laying hens. The egg washing process generates significant wastewater containing broken eggs, soap, and manure. While OFE holds a permit to apply this wastewater to nearby fields as a disposal method, authorities determined that negligence in the application process led to the illegal discharge.
According to court documents, Lawler directed a crew to apply the wastewater to a designated field over the night of March 6th and into the morning of March 7th, 2007. The application exceeded the field’s capacity, resulting in overflow that entered drainage tiles, subsequently contaminating Kreisel Ditch and ultimately Tymochtee Creek. Investigators found the over-application was the direct cause of the pollution event.
Legal Ramifications & Penalties
Lawler pled guilty to a negligent violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A). He received a three-year term of probation with no fine imposed. OFE also pled guilty and faced a $150,000 federal fine and was ordered to pay an additional $150,000 in restitution. This restitution was distributed to the Marion County Soil and Water Conservation District, Wyandot County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Sandusky River Watershed Coalition, intended to aid in local environmental restoration efforts.
Facility Improvements Mandated
As part of their sentence, OFE was also placed on a three-year probation period during which they are required to implement improvements to their facility. These improvements include the addition of another field dedicated to the application of egg wash water, presumably to increase capacity and reduce the risk of future over-application incidents. The EPA’s enforcement action underscores the agency’s commitment to holding CAFOs accountable for protecting water quality.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Myron P. Lawler
- Company Involved: Ohio Fresh Eggs, LLC (OFE)
- Location: Marseilles, Ohio
- Date of Incident: March 6-7, 2007
- Statutes Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)), 18 U.S.C. 1001
- Lawler’s Sentence: 3 years probation, no fine
- OFE’s Penalties: $150,000 fine, $150,000 restitution, 3 years probation with facility improvements
- Contaminant: Egg wash water containing broken eggs, soap, and manure
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on further developments regarding environmental enforcement in Ohio.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Duke Energy Beckjord LLC, Clean Water Act Violation, Ohio 2014 · Ohio
- Ticketmaster, Antitrust Violation, New York NY, 2023 · Nevada
- William Robles, Pesticide Law Violation, FL 2024 · Ohio
- Dr. John Doe Sentenced to 2+ Years for Bribery, O.C. CA, 2024 · Ohio
- Ex-Chairman John Smith, Ran $250M Securities Fraud Scheme, New York… · Ohio
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime