Richard Allen Taggert, False Statements, OR 1985

Portland, OR – Richard Allen Taggert, former plant superintendent of Evans Transportation Company, pled guilty in May 1985 to making false statements regarding the handling of hazardous waste. The case, prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a growing trend of corporate deception surrounding environmental regulations in the mid-1980s. Taggert’s guilty plea followed that of Egan, the plant manager, marking a significant, though limited, victory for federal environmental enforcement.

The charges stem from deliberate misrepresentations made to a State of Oregon inspector. Investigators discovered that Taggert and Egan knowingly provided inaccurate information concerning the accumulation of hazardous wastes at the Evans Transportation facility. The exact nature of the hazardous waste was not publicly detailed in court documents, but the false statements obscured the true extent of the facility’s environmental liabilities.

The EPA’s investigation, initiated in April 1985, quickly uncovered discrepancies between the company’s reported waste management practices and the actual conditions observed at the plant. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, had begun to establish a “cradle-to-grave” system for tracking hazardous waste, and compliance was becoming increasingly scrutinized. Taggert and Egan’s actions directly undermined this system, potentially jeopardizing public health and the environment.

Federal prosecutors brought a one-count information charging both men with violating Section 3008(d)(3) of RCRA, codified as 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(3). This section of the law specifically addresses the making of false statements in any record, report, or document required to be submitted or kept under RCRA. The EPA argued that the false statements were not merely technical errors, but intentional attempts to conceal violations and avoid responsibility.

While the penalties in this case appear lenient by today’s standards, the $2,500 fine levied against both Taggert and Egan represented a tangible consequence for environmental wrongdoing at the time. Critics argue that the fines were insufficient to deter similar behavior by other companies, and that stronger penalties – including potential imprisonment – were needed to effectively enforce environmental laws. The case nevertheless served as a cautionary tale for other facilities handling hazardous materials.

The Taggert and Egan case, though relatively small in scale, contributed to the broader narrative of increased environmental awareness and enforcement during the 1980s. It underscored the importance of accurate reporting and transparency in the handling of hazardous waste, and signaled the EPA’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for violations of RCRA.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Richard Allen Taggert
Location: Oregon
Year: 1985
Crime: Making false statements regarding hazardous waste accumulation.
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(3) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Sec. 3008(d)(3)
Penalty: $2,500 fine
Co-Defendant: Egan (Plant Manager, also pled guilty)
Investigating Agency: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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