Oswego, NY – In a brazen attempt to pad profits, Matthew R. Talamo, a 38-year-old New Haven, NY resident, and owner of Southern Diesel Truck Co. and Southern Diesel and Off-Road LLC, was sentenced to 4 years of probation and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine for conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act.
According to federal prosecutors, Talamo and his associates tampered with emission control monitoring devices and systems on 244 diesel vehicles between January 2018 and November 2022, often charging thousands of dollars for the modifications. The defendants, in a blatant disregard for the law, disabled emission controls, removed tailpipes and mufflers, and replaced them with ‘straight pipes’ that lacked diesel particulate filters and other systems designed to reduce harmful emissions.
The scheme, which was uncovered by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, resulted in the release of substantial amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Diesel vehicle owners, seeking to avoid the costs of maintaining and repairing emission control components, sometimes sought out such illegal modifications to increase speed and fuel efficiency.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, who presided over the case, ordered Talamo to complete 150 hours of community service during his term of probation and to abide by the terms of a compliance program agreed to as part of his plea agreement. The program includes regular inspections of Southern Diesel to ensure that the company is not violating the Clean Air Act.
The investigation, which was led by the EPA-CID, was assisted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case. U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman praised the efforts of the EPA-CID and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in uncovering the scheme.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of environmental crimes on public health and the environment. As the federal government continues to crack down on companies that prioritize profits over the law, it is clear that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Environmental Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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