Tammy Lynn Young, Making False Statements to a Government Agency, Oregon 2012

Coos Bay, OR – A former water treatment plant supervisor in Coos Bay, Oregon, has been sentenced to probation and community service after admitting to falsifying water quality reports. Tammy Lynn Young, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to a government agency, a federal crime that jeopardized the safety of the local drinking water supply.

According to court documents and a Department of Justice press release, Young, while employed as both Water Treatment Plant Supervisor and Water Quality Technician for the Coos Bay/North Bend Public Water Board, deliberately submitted monthly monitoring reports to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) containing inaccurate test results for coliform bacteria. These reports were crucial for ensuring the water system’s compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The falsification of these reports raised serious concerns about the potential for contaminated water reaching the public. Coliform bacteria, while not always harmful themselves, can indicate the presence of other, more dangerous pathogens. Accurate monitoring is vital for public water systems to maintain safe drinking water standards. While authorities have stated there is no evidence Young’s actions *caused* any illness, the deliberate manipulation of data undermined the integrity of the safety protocols.

Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation was spearheaded by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Oregon Health Authority’s Center for Health Protection. Federal prosecutors highlighted the severity of Young’s actions, emphasizing the public trust placed in those responsible for water safety. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy E. Potter.

“The public puts great trust in those responsible for overseeing our water supplies,” stated U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall. “There is a reason why strict guidelines and monitoring of our drinking water have been put into place, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with the EPA and OHA to ensure that the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act are strictly enforced.” Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in the Northwest, added that Young’s actions threatened drinking water safety at local schools, a hospital, and a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station.

Penalties and Legal Ramifications

Young was sentenced on July 24, 2012, to three years of probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. The charge stemmed from a violation of Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, Section 1001(a)(2), which prohibits knowingly making false statements to the federal government. This is a felony offense. While the penalty in this case was relatively lenient, it underscores the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting those who compromise public safety through fraudulent reporting.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Tammy Lynn Young, 45
• Location: Coos Bay/North Bend, Oregon
• Year: 2012
• Crime: Falsifying water quality reports
• Statute Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2) – False Statements
• Penalty: 36 months probation, 100 hours community service
• Agencies Involved: EPA-Criminal Investigation Division, Oregon Health Authority, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon

The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining public health and the serious consequences faced by those who intentionally deceive government agencies.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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