Pennsylvania sentences 14 people for fraudulent testing of fuel tanks

Testing of underground fuel storage tanks is required both by the EPA and by state law in order to protect soil and groundwater. However, investigation by authorities including the Environmental Protection Agency and the FBI found that during the 1990’s, employees of three testing companies failed to carry out adequate tests, with their activities consisting of not using the proper equipment or not staying on site for the required three hours. Employees also published falsified results.

Of the 14 defendants, two were sentenced to 33 months in prison with two years probation; one person was sentenced to 13 months incarceration with two years probation; and the remaining sentences ranged from two years probation, five months of which are to be spent under house arrest, to a $500 fine.