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April 30, 2009
Oklahoma Water Supervisor Guilty of Report Fraud
Christopher Neil Gauntt, the former supervisor of the Fort Gibson Water Treatment Plant in Fort Gibson, OK., pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Muskogee, OK (pictured), to faking the monthly report on the water safety of the drinking water from the facility.
Gauntt stated that on or about June 12, 2008, he submitted a monthly operating report containing false data for drinking water that is provided to residents of Fort Gibson as well as residents of Muskogee Rural Water Districts 4 and 7, Cherokee Water drinking water systems, and the water systems for Corral Creek Subdivision and Ozark Water Inc.
"All citizens should be confident that they are receiving drinking water that is safe for consumption. Those who knowingly compromise the regulatory protections of the Safe Drinking Water Act will be prosecuted," said John C. Cruden, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "The prosecution in this case demonstrates that the government vigorously acts to ensure all of our citizens have good drinking water and the Safe Drinking Water Act's requirements are being complied with."
"Accurate information is essential for the federal government and the State of Oklahoma to assure good drinking water for the public," said Warren Amburn, Special Agent in Charge of EPA's criminal enforcement program in Dallas. "Individuals who submit false reports or bogus data undermine those efforts and they will be vigorously pursued."
"Falsifying information about the safety of the drinking water supply is dangerous," Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. "Ensuring an adequate supply of safe, clean water is an important public health issue. We will continue to work with our partners at all levels of government to protect the people of this state and the water they drink."
Gauntt faces a possible five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000, as reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Posted by Stephen Betheil at April 30, 2009 03:23 PM
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