WASHINGTON D.C. – A Georgia man has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally dumping waste into the Potomac River while simultaneously holding a contract to maintain the National Mall’s storm sewer system. Patrick Donell Brightwell, 48, of Bogart, Georgia, received a 10-month prison sentence on September 23, 2014, after pleading guilty in June to charges stemming from the clandestine discharges that occurred between 2009 and 2011.
Brightwell managed a company contracted by the National Park Service to clean the storm water sewer system beneath the National Mall. The contract stipulated that all collected waste be disposed of legally, adhering to both District of Columbia regulations and federal law. However, investigators found that Brightwell directed his employees and subcontractors to bypass proper disposal procedures, instead illegally dumping waste into a storm drain near East Potomac Park, directly impacting the Potomac River. Discharges also occurred at a manhole near Fort McNair.
According to court documents, Brightwell’s scheme involved using a vacuum truck to collect waste from the Mall’s drains. Rather than transporting the full truck to a designated disposal facility, workers were instructed to dump approximately two-thirds of the contents into the illicit locations. The remaining waste was taken to a proper facility in Fort Washington, Maryland. Throughout this period, Brightwell continued to bill the National Park Service for the full cost of the contracted cleaning services, effectively defrauding the government.
Legal Ramifications
Brightwell was convicted of violating the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319), specifically for knowingly discharging a pollutant without a permit. He also pled guilty to 18 U.S.C. 287, which covers false claims against the United States. In addition to the 10-month prison sentence, Brightwell was ordered to pay $270,667 in restitution to the National Park Service to cover the costs of the improperly performed work. A forfeiture money judgment of $230,899 was also levied against him. Upon release, he will serve three years of supervised release.
Broader Investigation
The case is part of a wider investigation into the illegal dumping practices. B&P Environmental LLC, a subcontractor working under Brightwell, and one of its employees also pled guilty to Clean Water Act violations in November 2014 and are awaiting sentencing. Both have agreed to cooperate with authorities. Federal officials emphasized the collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the United States Park Police, and the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in bringing Brightwell to justice.
Officials Speak Out
“This government contractor is now paying the price for ripping off the taxpayer and dumping waste in the Potomac River,” stated U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. “This prison sentence demonstrates how serious we are about enforcing the Clean Water Act.” EPA Special Agent in Charge David G. McLeod added, “The Potomac is a national treasure, and EPA is committed to keeping it safe and clean… Wastewater that is illegally discharged is a danger to public health and a threat to the environment.”
Key Facts
- Defendant: Patrick Donell Brightwell
- Location: Potomac River, East Potomac Park, Washington D.C.
- Years Active: 2009 – 2011
- Crime: Illegal discharge of waste into the Potomac River and fraud against the National Park Service.
- Laws Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319 (Clean Water Act), 18 U.S.C. 287 (False Claims)
- Sentence: 10 months imprisonment, $270,667 restitution, $230,899 forfeiture.
- Contract Value: Approximately $406,000 in payments from the National Park Service.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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