Atlanta, GA – William Brett Allen, a former employee of AA Petroleum, was sentenced to probation and fined after admitting to falsifying underground storage tank (UST) testing reports across Georgia in 2006 and 2007. The scheme involved submitting documentation to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) falsely indicating that required UST integrity tests had been performed, despite evidence suggesting the tests were either incomplete or never conducted at all.
According to court records, Allen, while employed by AA Petroleum – a company specializing in UST testing – repeatedly failed to adhere to mandated testing protocols at multiple gas stations. Crucially, the gas stations continued to operate and sell fuel during these purported inspections, a direct violation of safety regulations designed to prevent leaks and potential environmental contamination. Investigators determined that Allen falsified reports on at least eight separate occasions.
The fraudulent reports were then faxed to the Georgia EPD, leading the agency to believe the USTs at these locations were compliant with state environmental standards. This deception potentially put both the public and the environment at risk, as undetected leaks from compromised tanks could contaminate soil and groundwater. The EPD began investigating after inconsistencies were flagged during routine audits of submitted testing data.
Allen was initially indicted on six counts of violating state environmental regulations on August 11, 2006, and subsequently arrested on August 28, 2006. The investigation revealed a pattern of negligence and deliberate misrepresentation, with Allen prioritizing expediency and profit over adherence to safety protocols. While AA Petroleum’s role in the scheme remains unclear from available records, the case highlights the potential for fraudulent practices within the environmental testing industry.
Legal Ramifications
On February 27, 2007, Allen pled guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine to the state of Georgia. The specific statutes violated were not publicly released, but fall under Georgia’s regulations governing underground storage tank integrity testing and reporting requirements. These regulations are designed to protect groundwater resources and ensure the safe operation of fuel storage facilities.
Key Facts
- Defendant: William Brett Allen
- Company: AA Petroleum (employer)
- Location: Various gas stations throughout Georgia
- Crime: Falsifying UST testing reports
- Statutes Violated: Georgia state environmental regulations regarding UST integrity testing
- Penalty: 36 months probation and $1,000 fine
- Timeline: Fraudulent activity occurred throughout 2006, with indictment in August 2006 and sentencing in February 2007.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and investigate potential systemic issues within the UST testing industry in Georgia.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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