Valerii Georgiev, Environmental Crimes, New Jersey 2023
A Russian citizen has been sentenced to prison for his role in a major environmental crime. Valerii Georgiev, 42, was sentenced to three months in prison for failing to maintain an accurate oil record book in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS).
The crime occurred on April 27, 2014, when Georgiev, as the chief mate of the ocean cargo vessel M/V Murcia Carrier, directed crew members to dump overboard several barrels containing hydraulic oil.
The dumping occurred in international waters off the coast of Florida while the vessel was in transit from Costa Rica to New Jersey.
According to the government, approximately 20 barrels of hydraulic oil were dumped overboard, but Georgiev disputes the number of barrels.
The dumping was not recorded in the ship's oil record book, and Georgiev instructed crew members to deny that dumping had occurred.
On June 17, 2015, Norbulk Shipping UK Ltd, the operator of the M/V Murcia Carrier, pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an accurate oil record logbook and providing false statements. The company was sentenced to pay a fine of $750,000 and placed on probation for three years.
The case was investigated by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service. The case was prosecuted by Joel La Bissonniere of the Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathleen O'Leary and Matthew Smith of the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of New Jersey.
The sentencing occurred in New Jersey, and the crime was committed in international waters off the coast of Florida.
The defendant's real full name is Valerii Georgiev, a Russian citizen. The exact criminal charges are failing to maintain an accurate oil record book in violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS). The city and state are not applicable, but the crime was committed in international waters. The exact date of the crime is April 27, 2014. The sentence is three months in prison. There is no dollar amount applicable in this case.
The company involved in the crime, Norbulk Shipping UK Ltd, was sentenced to pay a fine of $750,000 and placed on probation for three years.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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