Marietta, OH – William Scott Elliott, president of Marietta Industrial Enterprises, Inc. (MIE), has been sentenced following a guilty plea to charges stemming from years of concealed environmental violations at the company’s mineral processing facility in Warren Township, Ohio. The case, brought forward by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and investigated with the assistance of the US Attorney’s Office, reveals a deliberate pattern of non-compliance with the Clean Air Act and subsequent obstruction of justice.
Court documents detail how, beginning in 2006, MIE employees routinely deactivated critical air pollution control equipment – specifically, large electric fans powering a baghouse system designed to capture emissions from the processing of medium carbon ferromanganese alloy. While Elliott halted the practice in May 2009, the company failed to report these years of non-compliant operation to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) as required by their operating permit. Between 2006 and 2009, and continuing through August 2010, MIE submitted quarterly and annual reports to the Ohio EPA that falsely indicated the baghouse system was operating as intended.
The scheme came to light through investigation, revealing that MIE knowingly withheld information about the deactivated fans, effectively allowing increased levels of air pollutants to be released into the environment. Elliott, as president, was found to be an accessory after the fact for failing to notify the Ohio EPA of these ongoing violations. The deliberate omission constitutes a serious breach of environmental regulations and a calculated attempt to avoid accountability.
Penalties and Restitution
On March 28, 2014, Elliott was sentenced to 48 consecutive hours in jail, followed by five months and 28 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring. He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Marietta Industrial Enterprises, Inc. was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay a total of $50,000 – a $37,500 fine and a $12,500 community service payment to the Warren Township Fire Department. Furthermore, MIE is required to conduct a comprehensive environmental audit of its facilities and rectify any identified deficiencies.
Legal Basis of the Case
The prosecution hinged on violations of both the Clean Air Act and Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code. Specifically, Elliott and MIE were charged under 18 U.S.C. 3 (accessory after the fact) and 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2)(b), which prohibits knowingly making false statements in reports required by the Clean Air Act. These charges carry significant penalties, reflecting the gravity of environmental crimes and the importance of truthful reporting to regulatory agencies.
Key Facts
- Defendant: William Scott Elliott, Marietta Industrial Enterprises, Inc.
- Location: Warren Township, Ohio
- Year: 2014
- Violations: Clean Air Act, False Reporting, Accessory After the Fact
- Penalty (Elliott): 48 hours jail, 5 months/28 days home confinement, $5,000 fine
- Penalty (MIE): 3 years probation, $37,500 fine, $12,500 community service, environmental audit
- Timeline: Violations occurred from 2006-2010. Charges filed November 5, 2013. Sentencing March 28, 2014.
This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not merely suggestions, but legally binding requirements. The EPA continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of individuals and companies who prioritize profit over the health of the environment and the safety of communities. The GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on further developments.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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