Thomas H. Faria, Knowingly Violating the Clean Water Act, Connecticut 2015

New London, CT – Thomas H. Faria, 38, formerly of Portland, Oregon, has been sentenced for knowingly violating federal clean water regulations while serving as CEO and president of Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, a New London manufacturing company. The sentencing, handed down in Hartford federal court on February 13, 2015, concludes a case highlighting a deliberate disregard for environmental protection in pursuit of profit.

According to court documents, Sheffield Pharmaceuticals discharged industrial wastewater containing potentially toxic pollutants into the New London public sewage system – ultimately flowing into the Thames River – for approximately 25 years, from 1986 to July 2011, *without* obtaining the required permits from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). Crucially, Faria took the helm of the company in 2003 and, upon learning of the ongoing, unpermitted discharges, chose to continue the practice despite repeated warnings from both employees and environmental consultants. These consultants explicitly advised Faria that installing a wastewater pretreatment system and obtaining a CT DEEP permit were legally mandated.

Investigators revealed that Faria prioritized cost savings over compliance, refusing to invest in the necessary infrastructure to treat the wastewater before discharge. Four separate environmental consulting firms cautioned him that the company’s actions were illegal, yet the unpermitted discharges continued unabated for nearly a decade under his leadership. An unannounced inspection by CT DEEP in April 2011 finally uncovered the violations, resulting in a Notice of Violation. While Sheffield Pharmaceuticals eventually submitted a permit application and installed a pretreatment system in July 2011, the damage had already been done.

Legal Ramifications

Faria pleaded guilty on July 8, 2014, to one count of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2). The Clean Water Act mandates that industrial facilities obtain permits before discharging wastewater and adhere to strict regulations regarding pollutant levels. Faria’s actions constituted a direct breach of these regulations, exposing the environment and public health to potential harm. As a result of the guilty plea, Faria resigned from Faria Limited (doing business as Sheffield Pharmaceuticals) on March 7, 2014, and is permanently barred from any future role in the company’s operations. U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson sentenced Faria to three years of probation, 300 hours of community service, and a $30,000 fine.

A Warning to Industry

U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly emphasized the severity of the offense, stating, “Managers of Connecticut factories who knowingly violate federal and state environmental law risk federal prosecution and a felony conviction.” The case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not optional, and corporate officers will be held accountable for decisions that endanger public resources. EPA Special Agent in Charge Tyler Amon added that Faria “cheated the public utility and undercut his competitors” by avoiding the costs associated with proper wastewater treatment.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Thomas H. Faria
• Company: Faria Limited, LLC (doing business as Sheffield Pharmaceuticals)
• Location: New London, Connecticut
• Crime: Violation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2))
• Period of Violation: Approximately 1986 – July 2011 (with Faria as CEO from April 2003)
• Penalty: 3 years probation, 300 hours community service, $30,000 fine, and permanent ban from Sheffield Pharmaceuticals.
• Discharge Location: New London Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW), discharging into the Thames River

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, with the case prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Kenyon. This prosecution underscores the commitment of federal and state agencies to protect Connecticut’s waterways and hold polluters accountable for their actions.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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