Patrick E. Perrin, Toxic Lies, MO 1988

Holden, Missouri – Former plant manager Patrick E. Perrin was sentenced in July 1988 following a guilty plea to federal charges stemming from the illegal handling and disposal of hazardous waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposed a deliberate scheme to falsify records and circumvent regulations governing the safe management of toxic substances.

Perrin, who oversaw operations at the Martha C. Rose Chemical Company, was indicted on August 20, 1987, on a ten-count indictment. The charges alleged a conspiracy to violate the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), alongside multiple counts of making false statements to federal authorities. Martha C. Rose Chemical Company specialized in the transportation and disposal of equipment like electrical transformers and capacitors – items frequently containing highly toxic PCBs.

The investigation revealed Perrin knowingly directed the company to operate in violation of TSCA regulations. Specifically, the company failed to properly manifest, store, and dispose of PCB-containing materials, posing a significant environmental and public health risk. Rather than adhere to stringent disposal protocols, Perrin allegedly authorized the falsification of paperwork submitted to the EPA, misrepresenting the nature and volume of hazardous waste handled by the facility. These false statements were intended to conceal the company’s non-compliance and avoid potential penalties.

The indictment detailed how Perrin and others conspired to deceive regulators, creating a paper trail that masked the true extent of the PCB contamination. Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting the company prioritized cost-cutting measures over environmental safety, jeopardizing the health of workers and the surrounding community. The EPA’s criminal enforcement program aims to deter such behavior through robust investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes.

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Penalties and Legal Ramifications

On April 2, 1988, Perrin entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371). On July 20, 1988, he received a 24-month prison sentence. In addition to incarceration, Perrin was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment fee and a $50 fine. The violations included 18 U.S.C. 1001 (False Statements), 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy), and 15 U.S.C. 2615(b) – a section of the Toxic Substances Control Act prohibiting specific actions related to PCB disposal.

Key Facts

Defendant: Patrick E. Perrin
Location: Holden, Missouri
Company: Martha C. Rose Chemical Company
Crime: Illegal handling and disposal of PCB-containing waste; False Statements
Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 371, 15 U.S.C. 2615(b)
Sentence: 24 months incarceration, $75 in fines/assessments
Hazardous Substance: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with environmental crimes and the EPA’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for endangering public health and the environment. The illegal disposal of PCBs, known carcinogens, can have long-lasting and devastating effects on ecosystems and human populations.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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