Dupage County, IL – A former operator of multiple municipal sewage treatment plants in Dupage County, Illinois, has been sentenced for falsifying reports submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Raymond Borowski pled guilty to charges stemming from a scheme to deliberately underreport pollutant levels discharged from the facilities he oversaw between October 1977 and July 1978.
The case, brought to light through a federal investigation, revealed that Borowski systematically understated the amount of pollutants being released by approximately 50% when filing mandatory Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) as required by the Clean Water Act. These reports are crucial for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and protecting public health and waterways.
On February 23, 1983, a thirteen-count indictment was returned against Borowski, initially charging him with submitting false statements in violation of Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 1001. The investigation uncovered a pattern of deliberate misreporting across three separate sewage treatment plants under Borowski’s control, suggesting a calculated effort to conceal environmental violations.
The charges were later reduced to a two-count superseding information, focusing on violations of the Clean Water Act itself – 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(a) – which specifically addresses the falsification of records and monitoring reports. Borowski entered a guilty plea on April 22, 1983, admitting to intentionally providing inaccurate data to the EPA.
On June 1, 1983, Borowski received a sentence of 36 months probation. In addition to the probationary period, the court ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service, a penalty intended to reflect the public harm caused by his actions. While the sentence may appear lenient by today’s standards, it represents a significant enforcement action for the early 1980s, when environmental crime prosecution was still developing.
The case underscores the importance of accurate reporting and diligent oversight of wastewater treatment facilities. The falsification of DMRs not only violates federal law but also jeopardizes the integrity of environmental monitoring systems and potentially endangers the health of communities downstream from these plants. The EPA continues to prioritize the prosecution of individuals and entities who attempt to circumvent environmental regulations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Raymond Borowski
- Location: Dupage County, Illinois
- Years Active: 1977-1978 (reporting violations occurred during this period)
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(a)
- Charge: Falsification of Discharge Monitoring Reports
- Penalty: 36 months probation, 200 hours community service
- Indictment Date: February 23, 1983
- Plea Date: April 22, 1983
- Sentencing Date: June 1, 1983
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and provide updates as they develop.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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