Albuquerque, NM – Former circuit board manufacturer Norbert Pohl was sentenced to over a year in prison for knowingly violating federal environmental regulations, according to court records unsealed this week. Pohl, the former owner and operator of Service Circuits, Inc. (SCI), pled guilty to illegally storing and disposing of hazardous waste at his New Mexico facility.
The case, initially brought forward in July of 1993, stemmed from a seven-count indictment alleging violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA). Investigators discovered SCI was operating without the necessary permits for handling hazardous materials and was discharging wastewater containing dangerously high levels of lead into the Albuquerque municipal sewer system. This posed a significant risk to both the environment and public health.
According to the indictment, Pohl deliberately circumvented proper waste disposal procedures, opting instead for cheaper, illegal methods. Furthermore, Pohl repeatedly failed to submit mandated quarterly reports to the City of Albuquerque, concealing the extent of the hazardous waste generated and improperly discharged from the SCI facility. These reports are crucial for monitoring environmental impact and ensuring compliance with permit conditions.
On September 22, 1993, Pohl reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, admitting guilt to two counts of violating 42 U.S.C. 6928(d) – specifically, the unlawful storage and disposal of hazardous waste without a permit. In exchange for the guilty plea, the remaining five counts, including the CWA violation and the failure to submit quarterly reports, were dropped. While the CWA violation was dismissed, the severity of the RCRA offenses was enough to warrant significant punishment.
On December 20, 1993, Pohl was sentenced to 12 months and one day of incarceration, followed by a 12-month period of supervised release. Notably, no financial fine was imposed. Legal experts suggest this may be due to Pohl’s agreement to cooperate with investigators or the company’s limited financial resources at the time of sentencing. The lack of a fine, however, does not diminish the seriousness of the environmental crimes committed.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Norbert Pohl
- Company: Service Circuits, Inc. (SCI)
- Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Charges: Illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste without a permit
- Sentence: 12 months and 1 day incarceration, 12 months supervised release
- Fine: None imposed
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations and the consequences for those who prioritize profit over public safety and environmental protection. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue individuals and companies that engage in illegal hazardous waste practices.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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