Thomas Charles Wise, Violating State Environmental Regulations, Washington 2015

Seattle, WA – Thomas Charles Wise, owner of Tank Wise, LLC, was sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty to illegally discharging oil and oil sludge into the King County sanitary sewer system. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID), revealed a deliberate and years-long effort to bypass environmental regulations and pollute the waterways near Seattle’s Duwamish River.

The investigation began in March 2014, when Seattle Public Utilities forwarded an Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS) report – #646936 – to the EPA-CID. The report detailed allegations of an illicit connection, a black PVC pipe, running from Tank Wise’s South Seattle property directly into a storm water or sanitary sewer line. Investigators determined that Tank Wise was utilizing this unauthorized connection to dump petroleum waste, avoiding the necessary permits and oversight required for proper disposal.

According to court documents, Wise knowingly directed the illegal discharge of oil and sludge, effectively using the public sewer system as an unregulated dumping ground. This practice not only violated state environmental regulations but also posed a significant threat to the health of the Duwamish River and surrounding ecosystems. The Duwamish River, already heavily industrialized and facing numerous environmental challenges, is particularly vulnerable to such illicit discharges.

On January 12, 2015, Thomas Charles Wise was formally charged with violating State Environmental Regulations. Shortly thereafter, on March 23, 2015, Tank Wise, LLC itself was also charged with the same violations, holding the company accountable for the actions of its owner and the broader operation. Both Wise and the company entered guilty pleas on April 2, 2015.

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Penalties & Sentencing

The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the offense. Thomas Charles Wise received a 12-month incarceration sentence, a direct consequence of his deliberate disregard for environmental laws. Tank Wise, LLC was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine to the state, intended to contribute to environmental remediation efforts and deter future violations. While the financial penalty for the company is substantial, legal experts note that the imprisonment of Wise sends a stronger message about personal accountability in environmental crimes.

Key Facts

Defendant: Thomas Charles Wise & Tank Wise, LLC
Location: South Seattle, Washington, near the Duwamish River
Crime: Illegal discharge of oil and oil sludge into the King County sanitary sewer system
Evidence: Illicit black PVC pipe connected to sewer line, ERTS report #646936
Statutes Violated: Washington State Environmental Regulations (specific statutes not cited in provided data)
Penalties: Thomas Wise – 12 months incarceration; Tank Wise, LLC – $10,000 fine

The EPA-CID continues to investigate environmental crimes throughout the region, working in conjunction with state and local authorities to protect public health and the environment. This case serves as a reminder that intentional violations of environmental regulations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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