WALLA WALLA, WA – Smith Chrome Plating, Inc. and its operator, James L. Christian, were sentenced last November for criminal violations of the Clean Water Act, stemming from a pattern of falsified reporting to state and federal environmental agencies. The case, investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, reveals a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations designed to protect the Walla Walla River and the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
According to court documents, between December 2009 and April 2010, Christian knowingly submitted monthly discharge monitoring reports to the Washington Department of Ecology falsely stating that Smith Chrome Plating had “zero discharge” from its facility. These reports were required under the company’s State Waste Discharge Permit, a crucial component of the Clean Water Act’s framework for regulating industrial pollution. However, despite claiming no discharge, the facility *was* releasing wastewater containing pollutants, and no monitoring, sampling, or record-keeping was conducted as mandated by the permit.
The deception was uncovered during a routine compliance review, prompting a federal investigation. Christian, 54, ultimately pleaded guilty to one felony count of making false statements under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4)) and one misdemeanor count of violating a pretreatment requirement. Smith Chrome Plating also entered a guilty plea to the misdemeanor pretreatment violation (33 U.S.C. 1311(a)). The company’s actions directly undermined the integrity of the City of Walla Walla’s publicly owned treatment works, potentially overloading the system and increasing the risk of untreated wastewater being released into the environment.
Penalties and Prosecution
Judge Fred Van Sickle sentenced Christian to a five-year term of probation, including four months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service. Smith Chrome Plating, Inc. received a five-year probationary sentence and was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine, payable in installments. Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Goeke prosecuted the case, emphasizing the importance of holding industrial facilities accountable for environmental compliance. The initial charges, filed in August 2012, included negligent violation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)) in addition to the false statements charge.
U.S. Attorney Michael C. Ormsby stated that the prosecution underscores the commitment of his office and the EPA to aggressively pursue violations of environmental laws within the Eastern District of Washington. This case serves as a warning to other industrial facilities: falsifying reports and deliberately circumventing environmental regulations will not be tolerated. The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division continues to prioritize cases involving intentional violations of the Clean Water Act, which pose a direct threat to public health and the environment.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Smith Chrome Plating, Inc. and James L. Christian
- Location: Walla Walla, Washington
- Crime: Criminal violations of the Clean Water Act, including false reporting and failure to comply with discharge permits.
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4)
- Penalties: James Christian – 5 years probation, 4 months home confinement, 200 hours community service. Smith Chrome Plating – 5 years probation, $15,000 fine.
- Timeline: Violations occurred between December 2009 and April 2010; charges filed August 2012; guilty pleas entered November 2012.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on further developments regarding environmental enforcement in the region.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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