New London, CT – Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, formerly known as Faria Limited, LLC, has avoided criminal conviction through a deferred prosecution agreement stemming from years of illegal wastewater discharge into the New London municipal sewage system. The company will pay $1 million, with the majority earmarked for environmental conservation projects along the Connecticut coastline, according to a statement released Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
The case centers around conduct occurring between April 2004 and May 2011, when, under the leadership of then-President and CEO Thomas H. Faria, Sheffield Pharmaceuticals allegedly discharged industrial wastewater without obtaining the necessary permits or installing a pretreatment system. This violated the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which mandates permits for industrial wastewater discharge and adherence to pretreatment standards. The lack of treatment posed a potential threat to the Thames River, which receives effluent from the New London wastewater treatment plant.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Faria was repeatedly informed by both employees and environmental consultants that Sheffield’s practices were illegal and that installing a pretreatment system was essential for compliance. Despite these warnings, and the significant financial investment required, Faria allegedly prioritized cost savings over environmental responsibility. This decision ultimately led to a criminal investigation and, in 2014, a guilty plea from Faria himself, who received three years of probation, a $30,000 fine, and 300 hours of community service.
The deferred prosecution agreement requires Sheffield Pharmaceuticals to refrain from any further criminal activity and maintain full compliance with all environmental laws and regulations for a seven-year period. Should the company adhere to these terms, the criminal information filed against it will be dismissed. The current leadership, headed by CEO Jeffrey Davis – a former Sheffield manager who had previously advocated for compliance – has reportedly implemented a whistleblower protection program and demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship.
U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly emphasized the importance of the resolution, stating that it sends a clear message that “sound environmental stewardship is good business.” Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division for New England, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the agency’s commitment to protecting Connecticut’s environment. Commissioner Robert Klee of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection added that holding individuals accountable for environmental violations is crucial.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, LLC (formerly Faria Limited, LLC)
- Crime: Violation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A))
- Location: New London, Connecticut
- Timeframe of Violations: April 2004 – May 2011
- Penalty: $1 million payment, including a $150,000 fine and $850,000 for coastal environmental projects.
- Former CEO Thomas H. Faria: Pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Clean Water Act in 2014 and received probation, a fine, and community service.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Kenyon prosecuting the case. While Sheffield Pharmaceuticals avoids a criminal record through this agreement, the case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of prioritizing profit over environmental compliance.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- SCP Management LLC, Clean Air Act Violation, New York 2024 · New York
- Letitia James Convicts Google of Ad Monopoly Violation, New York, 2023 · Illinois
- Ticketmaster, Antitrust Violation, New York NY, 2023 · Nevada
- Aleks Rakaj, Asbestos Removal Violation, CT 2023 · Connecticut
- $30K Embezzlement Lands Fairfield Housing Exec in Hot Water · Connecticut
