Lake Park, FL – William Onuska, Jr., owner and operator of Hard Chrome Plating, was sentenced in March 1998 after pleading guilty to violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a deliberate scheme to illegally discharge hazardous waste and mislead regulatory authorities.
Onuska operated Hard Chrome Plating, a facility involved in the chromium plating process, without adhering to established environmental regulations. The EPA’s investigation uncovered that Onuska was discharging wastewater containing harmful levels of chromium directly into the local sanitary sewer system – a clear violation of federal law. Critically, these discharges occurred *without* the necessary permits, bypassing crucial oversight designed to protect public health and the environment.
The deception didn’t end with the illegal discharges. Onuska actively concealed the full scale of his operation from state regulators. Investigators discovered a second, unpermitted section of the plating shop, effectively disguising the true volume of waste being generated and discharged. This deliberate concealment served to further evade compliance with environmental standards and allowed the illegal activity to continue undetected for a period of time.
The EPA initiated criminal charges on December 23, 1997, citing Onuska with two counts of violating the Clean Water Act. The first charge, 33 U.S.C. §1317, concerned violations of pretreatment effluent standards – the regulations governing what can be discharged into publicly owned treatment works. The second charge, 33 U.S.C. §1319(c)(2)(A), alleged that Onuska knowingly violated the CWA, demonstrating a clear intent to break the law.
Facing mounting evidence, Onuska entered a guilty plea on January 27, 1998. The sentencing, handed down on March 15, 1998, included a 54-month probationary period, a $100 special assessment fee, and substantial financial penalties. Onuska was ordered to pay $15,000 in fines and $28,269 in restitution, intended to cover the costs associated with the environmental damage and remediation efforts.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the EPA’s commitment to pursuing criminal enforcement against those who knowingly endanger the environment and public health through illegal pollution. The investigation and subsequent prosecution of William Onuska underscore the importance of adhering to environmental regulations and the consequences of attempting to circumvent the law.
Key Facts
- Defendant: William Onuska, Jr.
- Business: Hard Chrome Plating, Lake Park, Florida
- Crime: Illegal discharge of chromium plating waste and concealment of facility size.
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. §1317, 33 U.S.C. §1319(c)(2)(A)
- Plea: Guilty
- Sentence: 54 months probation, $100 assessment, $15,000 fine, $28,269 restitution
- Date of Sentencing: March 15, 1998
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
