Richmond, VA – Robert Thomas Barnes, a former vice president and managing partner of an unnamed company, was sentenced in late October 1983 for falsifying reports submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding wastewater discharge. The case, stemming from work performed for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit holders, highlights a deliberate effort to conceal the true environmental impact of industrial pollutants.
Barnes pleaded guilty on June 10, 1983, to two counts of making false statements in violation of the Clean Water Act, specifically Section 309(c)(2) – codified as 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2). The falsified Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) were submitted as part of the NPDES permitting process, which aims to regulate and monitor pollutants discharged into U.S. waterways. These DMRs are legally required documents, and intentional misrepresentation carries significant criminal penalties.
The investigation revealed that Barnes, while holding a leadership position within the company, oversaw the manipulation of data within the DMRs. This deception aimed to present a more favorable environmental picture than reality, potentially shielding the company from regulatory scrutiny and associated costs. The specifics of the pollutants involved and the extent of the misreporting have not been publicly released, but the EPA considered the actions a serious breach of environmental regulations.
The company itself also faced charges and entered a guilty plea on November 14, 1983, to two counts of violating the same section of the Clean Water Act. The corporate entity was fined $5,000. The fact that both Barnes and the company were prosecuted underscores the EPA’s commitment to holding individuals *and* corporations accountable for environmental crimes. This dual prosecution sends a clear message that environmental compliance is not solely the responsibility of the company, but extends to its leadership.
Barnes received a sentence of a $500 fine, six months of probation on each count (to run concurrently), and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. While the financial penalties and probationary period appear relatively modest by today’s standards, the case remains a landmark example of early EPA criminal enforcement under the Clean Water Act. It demonstrates the agency’s growing authority to pursue legal action against those who intentionally mislead regulators and endanger public health and the environment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Robert Thomas Barnes
- State: Virginia
- Year: 1984
- Crime: Falsifying Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
- Statute Violated: Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)
- Penalty (Barnes): $500 fine, 6 months probation (concurrent), 100 hours community service
- Penalty (Company): $5,000 fine
- Role of Defendant: Vice President, Managing Partner, Minority Stockholder
GrimyTimes will continue to follow EPA enforcement cases and report on environmental crimes as they unfold.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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