William Joseph Rutherford, Making False Statements, Tennessee 2005

Caryville, TN – A Tennessee lab technician has been sentenced for his role in a scheme to falsify wastewater discharge reports, violating federal environmental regulations. William Joseph Rutherford, formerly of Standard Laboratories, Inc., pled guilty to one count of making false statements under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and received a probationary sentence.

The case stems from an investigation into the Caryville-Jacksboro Utilities Commission (CJUC) and its compliance with the CWA. The CJUC operates the Caryville-Jacksboro Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and is required to regularly analyze wastewater samples to ensure they meet discharge standards set by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). While some analyses were conducted in-house, the CJUC contracted with Standard Laboratories, Inc. for additional testing.

In 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that the CJUC participate in a quality assurance study. This study required the submission of test results from the CJUC’s regular laboratories. However, Earl G. Wilson, an operator at the STP, allegedly contacted Rutherford, seeking a workaround. Rutherford then subcontracted the analyses to Appalachian State Analytical (ASA), but crucially, arranged for a falsified report to be created.

According to court documents, Rutherford assisted Wilson in generating a report that falsely indicated the results originated either from Standard Laboratories or the CJUC’s own in-house lab. This fabricated report was then presented to the CJUC director for signature and subsequent submission to regulatory authorities, effectively concealing potential violations of the CWA. The scheme aimed to mislead regulators regarding the true quality of the treated wastewater being discharged into the environment.

Rutherford was initially charged on June 8, 2005, and subsequently sentenced on July 6, 2005, to 24 months probation, a $100 special assessment fee, and a $250 federal fine. A further sentencing on October 24, 2005, reinforced the probation term and added a requirement for 150 hours of community service, alongside the existing financial penalties.

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Key Facts

Defendant: William Joseph Rutherford
State: Tennessee
Year: 2006
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4) – False Statements under the Clean Water Act
Penalties: 24 months probation, 150 hours community service, $100 special assessment, $250 federal fine
Co-conspirator: Earl G. Wilson, operator at Caryville-Jacksboro STP
Agencies Involved: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)

The case highlights the importance of accurate reporting and adherence to environmental regulations. The EPA’s enforcement of the CWA aims to protect the nation’s waterways from pollution, and the falsification of data undermines these critical efforts. Further investigations into the actions of other parties involved, including Earl G. Wilson and the potential knowledge of CJUC leadership, remain unclear based on publicly available records.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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