Ronald A. Wright, Falsifying Documents, Pennsylvania 2009

Seal of the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Pennsylvania

Ronald A. Wright, 44, of Pleasantville, Pennsylvania, has been charged with falsifying documents on well plugging. According to a three-count indictment, Wright submitted false Certificates of Well Plugging, claiming that he had properly plugged abandoned oil wells when he had not.

The indictment, presented to the court, alleges that Wright committed the crimes between September 2009 and April 2011. During this time, Wright relied on the forms being approved by the EPA, which were necessary for permits issued for Class II injection wells. However, all abandoned wells within a quarter mile of the injection well site were required to be properly plugged before the permits were approved.

Wright’s actions put the public and the environment at risk. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both. The actual sentence imposed would be based on the seriousness of the offenses and Wright’s prior criminal history, if any.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case. The Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Environmental Crimes Section, and the U.S. Forest Service – Law Enforcement and Investigations, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

“When individuals knowingly submit false reports or data to the government as alleged in this case, our ability to protect public health and the environment is undermined,” said David G. McLeod, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program for the Mid Atlantic States. “Anyone thinking about submitting false information should seriously consider today’s indictment. EPA and its partner agencies will not hesitate to seek prosecution of those who violate our nation’s environmental laws.”

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Related Federal Cases