BEAUMONT, Texas – Matthew Lawrence Bowman, 41, of Houston, the former president of Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services, LLC (PACES), has admitted to a callous disregard for human life, pleading guilty to federal crimes directly resulting in the death of an employee. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn, reveals a pattern of negligence and deceit that put profits above the safety of workers and the public.
The Department of Justice, along with the Environmental and Natural Resources Division, announced Bowman pleaded guilty to violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and making a false statement. The charges stem from the December 18, 2008, death of truck driver Joey Sutter, who succumbed to exposure to hydrogen sulfide – a deadly poisonous gas – while working at the PACES facility. Bowman knowingly failed to implement basic safety protocols to protect his employees from this lethal threat.
But the negligence didn’t stop there. Following a moratorium placed on PACES shipments by a disposal facility due to hydrogen sulfide contamination, Bowman directed employees to falsify transportation documents, concealing the fact that the hazardous wastewater originated from PACES. This deliberate act of deception was a blatant attempt to circumvent regulations and continue operating with impunity. The scheme was a calculated risk to cover up dangerous practices and maintain the company’s bottom line.
“In this day and age, it seems inconceivable that workers would be exposed to the level of danger that was routine at PACES,” stated U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. “Mr. Bowman’s actions as the leader of the company were more than just cavalier, they were criminal and he is being held to account. We continue to grieve for the needless loss of life and the pain and suffering of Mr. Sutter’s family and friends.”
Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “Bowman’s actions showed a preference for profit above the safety of his employees, putting them and the public in life threatening situations by not properly identifying the dangerous materials PACES was handling. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce laws enacted for the protection of human health and the environment.” The investigation, a collaborative effort between multiple agencies, revealed PACES operated from November 2008 to November 2010, producing caustic materials – and a steady stream of deadly hydrogen sulfide.
Federal investigators noted hydrogen sulfide is a leading cause of sudden death in the workplace, and OSHA requires employers to implement stringent safety controls. Bowman ignored these requirements, creating a predictably fatal environment. Max Smith, Regional Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, warned, “The plea agreement reached today sends a strong signal to all who would illegally transport hazardous materials.” Ivan Vikin, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Texas, added, “The defendant admitted that his actions directly led to the death of one of his employees. This plea demonstrates that EPA and its partner agencies…will prosecute anyone whose actions place the public at risk.” Sentencing for Matthew Lawrence Bowman is pending.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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