Patrick W. Paciesas, Illegal PCB Disposal, OH 1987

CINCINNATI, OH – Patrick W. Paciesas, former president of Sea Bright Environmental Company, Inc., avoided jail time but received a probationary sentence in September 1987 after pleading guilty to illegally disposing of oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighted a concerning pattern of improper hazardous waste handling by a company contracted to manage dangerous materials.

Sea Bright Environmental, authorized to operate in both Ohio and Kentucky, specialized in the removal, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste, including the decommissioning of electrical transformers and capacitors—equipment often containing PCBs. These chemicals, once widely used in electrical systems, are now known to be highly toxic and pose significant environmental and health risks. The EPA’s investigation revealed Paciesas knowingly allowed PCB-contaminated oil to be spilled, leaked, or discharged onto the ground, a direct violation of federal regulations.

The charges stemmed from an information filed on March 8, 1987, accusing Paciesas of willfully violating the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Specifically, the complaint cited sections 15 and 16(b) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2614 and 2615(b)), along with EPA regulations outlined in 40 CFR 761.60, which govern the handling and disposal of PCBs. These regulations are designed to prevent the release of PCBs into the environment due to their persistence and potential to bioaccumulate in the food chain.

Paciesas quickly entered a guilty plea to the misdemeanor charge on the same day the information was filed. While the precise location of the illegal dumping was not publicly disclosed in available records, the EPA’s swift action and subsequent conviction signaled a commitment to prosecuting those who endanger public health and the environment through improper hazardous waste management. The case underscores the critical importance of adhering to strict protocols when dealing with substances like PCBs.

During sentencing on September 28, 1987, Judge [Judge’s name not available in case data] imposed a 24-month probationary period on Paciesas. As part of the sentence, Paciesas was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and participate in a mandatory alcohol treatment program, suggesting potential contributing factors to the violations. The relatively lenient sentence, compared to potential jail time, likely reflected Paciesas’s guilty plea and cooperation with investigators.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Patrick W. Paciesas
Company: Sea Bright Environmental Company, Inc.
Location: Ohio (operations extended to Kentucky)
Crime: Illegal disposal of PCB-contaminated oil
Statutes Violated: Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. 2614 & 2615(b), 40 CFR 761.60, and 18 U.S.C. 1001
Penalty: 24 months probation, 100 hours community service, mandatory alcohol treatment
Date of Plea: March 8, 1987
Date of Sentencing: September 28, 1987

The Paciesas case remains a cautionary tale, demonstrating the EPA’s ongoing efforts to enforce regulations surrounding hazardous waste and hold individuals accountable for environmental crimes. GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental enforcement cases, bringing to light those who put profit over public safety.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases