Raleigh, NC – Stanley Winborne, Jr., former president of General Wood Preserving Company, received a 30-day jail sentence and three years of probation earlier this year following a federal conviction for illegally disposing of hazardous waste and conspiracy. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a deliberate pattern of environmental violations at the wood treatment facility.
The investigation revealed that Winborne, who held one-third ownership of General Wood Preserving Company, directly ordered and supervised the unlawful burial of “several thousand gallons” of wood treatment chemicals and associated waste materials on company property. The dumping occurred without any permits or adherence to regulations outlined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the nation’s primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
The timeline of the case began to unfold in April 1990 with the sentencing of Steven Michael Hutchison, an employee involved in the scheme. Hutchison received 36 months of probation, 300 hours of community service focused on environmental remediation, a $10,000 fine, and a $50 special assessment. This initial conviction seemingly paved the way for investigators to focus on the leadership at General Wood Preserving, ultimately leading to charges against Winborne.
On November 26, 1990, a federal jury found Winborne guilty on two counts: violating RCRA through illegal hazardous waste disposal and conspiracy to violate RCRA. The charges specifically cited 18 U.S.C. 371 (conspiracy to defraud the United States) and 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which addresses the unlawful disposal of hazardous waste without a permit. Prosecutors argued Winborne knowingly circumvented environmental regulations to cut costs and maximize profits, endangering both the local environment and public health.
Despite the severity of the violations, Winborne’s sentencing on March 25, 1991, was relatively lenient. He was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine plus a $100 special assessment, serve 30 days in jail, and complete a 36-month probationary period. Critics argue the punishment doesn’t fully reflect the scale of the environmental damage and the deliberate nature of the offenses.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about corporate responsibility and the consequences of prioritizing profit over environmental compliance. The EPA continues to pursue enforcement actions against individuals and companies that violate RCRA, seeking to deter future illegal dumping and protect communities from hazardous waste contamination. The long-term environmental impact of the buried chemicals at the General Wood Preserving Company site remains a concern for local authorities.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Stanley Winborne, Jr.
- Company: General Wood Preserving Company
- State: North Carolina
- Year: 1991
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA violations and conspiracy.
- Penalty: $5,000 fine + $100 assessment, 30 days incarceration, 36 months probation.
- Crime: Illegal disposal of several thousand gallons of wood treatment and waste.
- Co-defendant: Steven Michael Hutchison (sentenced to probation, community service, and a fine in April 1990)
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
