Robert Blackwood Gill, Pollution, VA 2003

Benn’s Church, VA – Robert Blackwood Gill, owner and 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, stemming from the negligent operation of a wastewater treatment facility servicing the Queen Anne’s Court housing development, highlights a pattern of disregard for environmental regulations and public health in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

According to court documents, Gill knowingly allowed the unlawful discharge of untreated sewage into Jones Creek, a tributary of the Pagan River, on June 2, 1999. This blatant disregard for environmental safeguards resulted in significant pollution of the waterway. The DLG facility, permitted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to discharge treated wastewater, was consistently operating outside the bounds of its permit limitations.

The violations weren’t limited to direct pollution events. Gill also failed to adhere to crucial monitoring requirements outlined in the Clean Water Act permit. Monthly water quality reports for March, April, and May of 1999 were never submitted to the DEQ, obscuring the true extent of the facility’s non-compliance. Furthermore, investigators discovered evidence of inadequate staffing and maintenance at the plant during May 1999, contributing to its degraded operational state. Compounding the issue, Gill ignored repeated attempts by the DEQ to contact him via telephone and mail regarding these ongoing concerns.

The investigation, which led to charges being filed on August 13, 2002, revealed a systemic failure to prioritize environmental protection. Gill faced seven counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A). His eventual guilty plea on September 16, 2002, signaled an admission of wrongdoing but did little to immediately address the damage already inflicted upon Jones Creek and the surrounding ecosystem.

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Penalties and Restitution

On December 9, 2002, Gill received a 24-month prison sentence, followed by a 36-month period of supervised release. In addition to incarceration, he was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee and a substantial restitution of $146,751 to the State of Virginia. The restitution aims to cover the costs associated with environmental remediation and the restoration of Jones Creek.

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))
Violations: Illegal discharge of untreated sewage, failure to submit monitoring reports, inadequate facility maintenance, ignoring regulatory inquiries.
Sentence: 24 months incarceration, 36 months supervised release, $100 assessment, $146,751 restitution.
Impact: Pollution of Jones Creek, a tributary of the Pagan River.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences faced by individuals and corporations who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. The GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on those who threaten the health of our communities and ecosystems.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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