TYLER, TX – Thomas R. Rudd, former President of Striping Technology, Inc. (STI), the largest pavement marking company in Texas, was sentenced in 1997 following a guilty plea to knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. Rudd directed the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, a scheme that contaminated groundwater and a tributary of Black Fork Creek.
According to court documents, Rudd oversaw the burial of hundreds of barrels containing paint waste – a toxic cocktail of toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, and lead – in unlined pits. These pits were deliberately dug to intersect with the groundwater flow, ensuring the contaminants leached into the surrounding environment and ultimately reached a nearby waterway. The deliberate nature of the disposal strongly suggests an attempt to conceal the illegal activity and minimize detection.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched an investigation following reports of suspicious activity at multiple STI sites throughout East Texas. Evidence gathered revealed a pattern of clandestine waste burial, designed to circumvent proper hazardous waste disposal regulations and save the company money. Investigators uncovered five distinct locations where Rudd had ordered the dumping, each posing a significant threat to both the ecological health of the area and potential human exposure.
Rudd was initially charged on June 13, 1996, with violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) of the Clean Water Act – specifically, the provision covering knowingly violating discharge requirements. Remarkably, Rudd entered a guilty plea on the very same day, potentially in an effort to mitigate the severity of the eventual sentencing. However, the EPA and the Department of Justice pursued a substantial penalty reflecting the scope and severity of the environmental damage.
Sentencing and Restitution
On July 30, 1997, Judge Ron Clark handed down a 15-month incarceration sentence, followed by a 12-month probationary period. Beyond imprisonment, Rudd was held financially responsible for the complete cleanup of all five contaminated sites. Furthermore, he was ordered to establish a trust fund of $250,000 to benefit the East Texas Ecological Education Center, a local organization dedicated to environmental education and preservation. A $4,000 fine was also levied against Rudd.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with environmental crimes. The deliberate and calculated nature of Rudd’s actions, prioritizing profit over environmental responsibility, resulted in significant damage and a substantial legal penalty. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of the Clean Water Act, holding individuals and corporations accountable for polluting our nation’s waterways.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Thomas R. Rudd
- Company: Striping Technology, Inc. (STI)
- Location: East Texas
- Crime: Illegal hazardous waste disposal (Clean Water Act violation)
- Contaminants: Toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, lead
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A)
- Sentence: 15 months incarceration, 12 months probation, $4,000 fine, site cleanup costs, $250,000 trust fund
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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