Pinellas County, FL – Universal Circuits, Inc., a Florida-based electronics manufacturer, and two of its employees faced federal charges and penalties in 1997 and 1998 following a probe into illegal wastewater discharge. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of negligent violations of federal clean water regulations, ultimately leading to substantial fines and probationary sentences.
The investigation began to unfold in December 1996 when employee Robert Boldt was initially charged with five counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1). According to court documents, Universal Circuits was discharging wastewater containing excessive levels of copper into the Pinellas County South Cross Bayou Sewage Treatment plant. These levels exceeded the permissible limits established to protect the facility and the surrounding environment.
Boldt quickly entered a plea agreement, admitting guilt to a single count of the CWA violation in March 1997. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped the remaining four charges. The scope of the investigation then broadened to include the company itself and its manager, David Bedard, who were both charged in April 1997 with similar negligent violations of the CWA. Bedard also pled guilty to the charges against him.
Universal Circuits, Inc. followed suit, entering a guilty plea in August 1997. The company’s admission of guilt signaled a recognition of its responsibility in the illegal discharge. The EPA’s enforcement actions underscored the agency’s commitment to holding industrial facilities accountable for adhering to environmental regulations and protecting vital water resources.
Sentencing & Penalties
The sentencing phase saw both individuals and the company penalized for their roles in the environmental crime. In August 1997, both Boldt and Bedard were sentenced to 24 months of probation. Bedard faced an additional financial penalty of a $5,000 fine. The most substantial penalty, however, was levied against Universal Circuits, Inc. in November 1997. The company was sentenced to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay a hefty $500,000 fine. The charges stemmed from violations of 33 U.S.C. 1346, pertaining to the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, although the violations were related to industrial discharge, not maritime activity.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Universal Circuits, Inc.
- Location: Pinellas County, Florida
- Year: 1998 (charges primarily resolved in 1997)
- Crime: Negligent violation of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1) and 33 U.S.C. 1346)
- Individuals Charged: Robert Boldt (employee), David Bedard (manager)
- Penalties:
- Robert Boldt: 24 months probation
- David Bedard: 24 months probation, $5,000 fine
- Universal Circuits, Inc.: 36 months probation, $500,000 fine
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential legal and financial consequences for companies and individuals who prioritize profit over environmental compliance. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against polluters, aiming to safeguard public health and the nation’s waterways.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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