Denham Springs, LA – Roy E. Madden, a former environmental consultant, was sentenced to four months in federal prison on June 27, 2013, after pleading guilty to forging a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) document. The 46-year-old Madden intentionally misled a client regarding the presence of wetlands on a property in Louisiana, facilitating a fraudulent real estate transaction.
According to court documents, Madden was hired to assess a parcel of land to determine if it contained protected wetlands. Instead of conducting an honest evaluation, Madden altered an official letter from the USACE, manipulating the language and fraudulently affixing the agency’s seal along with a forged signature of a Corps official. The fabricated document falsely stated the property was free of wetlands.
Madden then presented this counterfeit letter to his client, knowing full well the property *did* contain wetlands. Relying on this fraudulent assurance, the client, along with another individual, proceeded with the sale of the land. The deception ultimately came to light, forcing the rescission of the deal, but not before significant time and resources were wasted due to Madden’s criminal actions.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was a joint effort by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Alan A. Stevens led the prosecution for the Middle District of Louisiana. The investigation highlighted the potential for environmental regulations to be deliberately undermined for financial gain, and the importance of verifying official documentation.
Legal Ramifications
Madden was charged with violating Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, Section 506, which specifically prohibits the counterfeiting or forgery of seals of departments and agencies of the United States. This federal offense carries a potential prison sentence and other penalties. In Madden’s case, he received a four-month incarceration sentence, followed by a 24-month term of supervised release. No fine was imposed. The relatively light sentence may reflect factors considered by the judge, such as Madden’s guilty plea and any demonstrated acceptance of responsibility.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Roy E. Madden
- Location: Denham Springs, Louisiana
- Crime: Forgery and Counterfeiting of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers document
- Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. § 506
- Sentence: 4 months imprisonment, 24 months supervised release
- Agencies Involved: EPA Criminal Investigation Division, FBI
- Impact: Facilitated a fraudulent real estate transaction based on false wetland assessment.
This case serves as a warning to those who would attempt to circumvent environmental regulations through fraudulent means. The EPA and FBI continue to prioritize investigations into such schemes, ensuring that those who prioritize profit over environmental integrity are held accountable for their actions.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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