SMC Systems Inc., Falsifying Energy Star Certificates, Florida 2021

Florida-based SMC Systems Inc., dba Skyetec, has agreed to pay $2.35 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) between 2014 and 2021 by knowingly and intentionally making false statements to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other entities about the results of inspections it was performing under the EPA’s Energy Star Program.

Between 2014 and 2021, SMC Systems Inc. allegedly made false statements to the EPA, RESNET and others that it had properly performed thermal bypass inspections when, in fact, it had failed to do so. The company obtained payment from a third party for a thermal bypass inspection and an Energy Star certificate from EPA based on the material misrepresentation that a thermal bypass inspection occurred.

The Energy Star Program is a voluntary public-private partnership to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings, to reduce energy consumption, to improve energy security and to reduce pollution through labeling of, or other communication about, products and buildings that meet the highest energy conservation standards.

“EPA’s Energy Star program is an important vehicle for promoting energy efficiency and improving energy security,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton. “We will hold accountable those who undermine these critical objectives and seek to profit by knowingly failing to comply with the program’s requirements.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring integrity in the Energy Star certification process for both home buyers and financial institutions that assist borrowers in financing their homes, as well as holding accountable those who falsely certify Energy Star homes.

SMC Systems Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

The defendant/respondent is SMC Systems Inc., dba Skyetec, a company based in Jacksonville, Florida.

The exact criminal charges are violations of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), for knowingly and intentionally making false statements to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other entities about the results of inspections it was performing under the EPA’s Energy Star Program.

The exact date of the crime is between 2014 and 2021.

The sentence or outcome is $2.35 million in payment to resolve allegations.

The dollar amount is $2.35 million.

Related Federal Cases