Olive Branch, MS – Tech manufacturer View, Inc. has been sentenced following a guilty plea to negligent pollution of a municipal wastewater system, according to court documents unsealed this week. The California-based company, operating its sole manufacturing facility in Olive Branch, Mississippi, illegally discharged wastewater without the required permits, impacting the DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority’s (DCRUA) capacity.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation revealed that between December 11, 2018, and June 28, 2021, View, Inc. knowingly discharged wastewater from its glass processing—including cutting, grinding, washing, and polishing—directly into the city’s sewer system. This discharge occurred without an application for, or receipt of, a valid state permit as mandated by federal law. View, Inc. is classified as a ‘Significant Industrial User’ by the DCRUA, contributing a substantial 248,000 gallons of wastewater *daily* – over 38% of the POTW’s total 537,000 gallon permitted capacity.
Details of the Violation
Federal prosecutors argued that View, Inc.’s negligence placed undue strain on the DCRUA’s wastewater treatment facilities. The lack of proper pretreatment and permitted discharge levels risked exceeding the POTW’s capabilities, potentially leading to untreated wastewater being released into the environment. The EPA’s criminal enforcement division pursued the case under the Clean Water Act, highlighting the importance of adhering to environmental regulations even for large industrial operations.
Sentencing and Restitution
On August 15, 2023, the court imposed a three-year term of probation on View, Inc. and levied a hefty $3,000,000 fine. Beyond the financial penalties, the court ordered the company to contribute $450,000 in community service payments to the DCRUA. These funds are specifically earmarked for expanding wastewater treatment capacity within DeSoto County, directly addressing the impact of View, Inc.’s prior actions.
Civil Penalties & Agreed Order
The criminal sentencing is coupled with a separate, related civil Agreed Order with the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality (MECQ) and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). This civil agreement assesses an additional penalty of $1,500,000, bringing the total financial burden on View, Inc. to $4.5 million. The combined penalties underscore the severity of the environmental violations and the commitment of both federal and state authorities to enforce environmental laws.
Key Facts
- Defendant: View, Inc.
- Crime: Negligent discharge of wastewater in violation of the Clean Water Act
- Location: Olive Branch, Mississippi
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(1)(A)
- Penalty: $3,000,000 fine, 3 years probation, $450,000 community service payment to DCRUA
- Civil Penalty: $1,500,000 assessed by Mississippi MECQ/MDEQ
- Wastewater Volume: 248,000 gallons per day (38% of POTW capacity)
This case serves as a stark reminder to industrial facilities nationwide that compliance with environmental regulations is not optional. The EPA and state agencies continue to prioritize enforcement actions against companies that prioritize profit over environmental stewardship, particularly when those actions threaten public health and vital infrastructure like wastewater treatment plants.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Unbanked Inc, Deposit Insurance Scam, Georgia 2023 · Mississippi
- Mahant Singh, Pollution, MS 2017 · Mississippi
- Terminal Railroad Association, Pollution, IL 1998 · Mississippi
- Chunghwa Execs, Price-Fixing, San Francisco CA, 2023 · Mississippi
- Ticketmaster, Antitrust Violation, New York NY, 2023 · Wisconsin
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime