Roland E. Tondini, Conspiracy to Defraud the United States, Illinois 2021

Chicago, IL – Roland E. Tondini, a former employee of A&R Logistics, was sentenced on December 3, 2021, after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a decade-long scheme to falsify environmental reports and illegally discharge polluted wastewater into the city’s sewer system. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice, reveals a deliberate effort to circumvent regulations designed to protect public health and the environment.

A&R Logistics, operating a tanker truck cleaning facility in Illinois, was permitted to discharge wastewater, but under strict pH level limitations – between 6.0 and 10.0 – and with mandatory regular reporting to verify compliance. However, the facility lacked the necessary equipment to properly treat the highly caustic wastewater generated from cleaning tanker trucks that previously contained various bulk products. Rather than invest in updated infrastructure, former employees allegedly engaged in a criminal conspiracy to deceive regulators.

According to court documents, Tondini and co-defendant Richard W. Stubblefield systematically tampered with the facility’s wastewater monitoring devices and fabricated sample data. This manipulation concealed the true levels of pollutants being discharged into the municipal sewage system for nearly ten years. The scheme allowed A&R Logistics to avoid costly upgrades and maintain operational efficiency while knowingly violating environmental laws. Investigators believe the falsified reports presented a misleading picture of the facility’s environmental performance to both the city and federal authorities.

The EPA’s criminal enforcement division uncovered the fraudulent activity, leading to federal charges under Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 371 – Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. This statute addresses schemes to obstruct lawful government functions, which in this case, involved the accurate monitoring and reporting of wastewater discharge.

Tondini was sentenced to pay a $10,000 fine and serve a two-year term of probation. Richard W. Stubblefield, also convicted in the scheme, received a lighter sentence of a $1,000 fine and one year of probation. While both men have faced consequences, environmental advocacy groups are questioning whether the penalties adequately reflect the severity and duration of the environmental damage caused by the deliberate deception.

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by environmental regulators in ensuring compliance with pollution control laws. It underscores the importance of robust monitoring, independent verification, and stringent penalties for those who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility. The Department of Justice continues to pursue cases of environmental crime, aiming to deter future violations and protect communities from harmful pollution.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Roland E. Tondini
Location: Illinois
Year: 2022
Crime: Falsifying environmental reports and illegal discharge of pollutants.
Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy to Defraud the United States)
Penalty: $10,000 fine and two years of probation.
Co-defendant: Richard W. Stubblefield (fined $1,000, 1 year probation)
Company Involved: A&R Logistics – tanker truck cleaning facility.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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