Benn’s Church, VA – Robert Blackwood Gill, operator of DLG Public Utility Corporation, Inc., was sentenced in December 2002 following a guilty plea to multiple violations of the Clean Water Act. The case, originating from incidents in 1999, highlights a pattern of negligence and intentional disregard for environmental regulations impacting Jones Creek, a tributary of the Pagan River in Virginia.
According to court documents, Gill knowingly allowed the unlawful operation of DLG’s wastewater treatment facility servicing the Queen Anne’s Court housing development. The facility, authorized to discharge treated wastewater under a permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), consistently failed to meet established standards. Investigators discovered that on June 2, 1999, untreated sewage was directly discharged into Jones Creek. This wasn’t an isolated incident; the facility also failed to comply with mandatory monthly water monitoring requirements for March, April, and May of the same year.
The DEQ permit mandated regular monitoring of pollutants, including ammonia, fecal coliform, total suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand – critical indicators of water quality. Gill’s failure to properly staff and maintain the wastewater plant in May 1999 exacerbated the problems, leading to further potential contamination. Adding to the severity of the offenses, Gill repeatedly ignored telephone and mail inquiries from the DEQ seeking information and compliance.
The investigation, which led to charges on August 13, 2002, revealed a systemic disregard for the permit’s stipulations. Gill faced seven counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A). His guilty plea on September 16, 2002, acknowledged these failures and paved the way for sentencing.
Penalties and Restitution
On December 9, 2002, Gill received a 24-month prison sentence, followed by 36 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee and a substantial restitution of $146,751 to the State of Virginia, intended to cover the costs associated with remediating the environmental damage caused by his negligence. The case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences for those who prioritize profit over environmental protection and public health.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Robert Blackwood Gill, DLG Public Utility Corporation, Inc.
- Location: Benn’s Church, Virginia
- Statutes Violated: Clean Water Act – 33 U.S.C. 1311(a) & 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)
- Incident Date: June 2, 1999 (untreated sewage discharge), March-May 1999 (monitoring failures)
- Sentence: 24 months incarceration, 36 months supervised release, $100 assessment, $146,751 restitution
- Impact: Contamination of Jones Creek, a tributary of the Pagan River
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on those who put our natural resources at risk.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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