Summary of Criminal Prosecutions
FISCAL YEAR: 2011
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Anthony Sharpe
E.D. Michigan 2:10-CR-20584-NGE-RSW
E.D. Michigan 2:10-CR-20584-NGE-RSW
2. DEFENDANT: Sharpe Environmental
E.D. Michigan 2:10-CR-20584-NGE-RSW
E.D. Michigan 2:10-CR-20584-NGE-RSW
A lead testing consultant, Anthony Sharpe, owner of Sharpe Environmental, falsified lead sample results/reports for a multi-unit apartment building located in the City of Detroit as well as several other multi-family dwellings in the metro Detroit area and Ohio. These reports were subsequently either submitted to EPA Region V, HUD, and or delegated HUD authorities in order to prove compliance with the various lead based paint regulations administered by the agencies.
The buildings for which the falsified reports were generated are known to have families with children under the age of six residing in some of the units and housed children with confirmed elevated blood lead levels. Evidence collected to date indicates a pattern of Sharpe not conducting appropriate sampling in the buildings yet generating laboratory results on City of Detroit laboratory forms indicating that samples taken were analyzed for lead based paint. In all instances the buildings were cleared for having lead based paint when in fact it was present and in some cases in very poor condition. In at least one instance Sharpe and a subcontractor, MoReno Taylor, reportedly took hundreds of XRF readings in one day in a large apartment building. The State of Michigan conducted an administrative search warrant at this building prior to EPA CID involvement in the case and confirmed the presence of lead based paint and documented the poor condition of the paint in certain areas. Taylor was interviewed and confirmed that he did not conduct the required XRF readings nor did he compile the XFR data contained in the Sharpe Environmental report.
The buildings for which the falsified reports were generated are known to have families with children under the age of six residing in some of the units and housed children with confirmed elevated blood lead levels. Evidence collected to date indicates a pattern of Sharpe not conducting appropriate sampling in the buildings yet generating laboratory results on City of Detroit laboratory forms indicating that samples taken were analyzed for lead based paint. In all instances the buildings were cleared for having lead based paint when in fact it was present and in some cases in very poor condition. In at least one instance Sharpe and a subcontractor, MoReno Taylor, reportedly took hundreds of XRF readings in one day in a large apartment building. The State of Michigan conducted an administrative search warrant at this building prior to EPA CID involvement in the case and confirmed the presence of lead based paint and documented the poor condition of the paint in certain areas. Taylor was interviewed and confirmed that he did not conduct the required XRF readings nor did he compile the XFR data contained in the Sharpe Environmental report.
September 30, 2010
The defendants were indicted charges of making false statements, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001; 4 counts of mail fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; and transportation of stolen goods... a violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314.
CITATION: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 2314
September 26, 2011
Anthony Sharpe was sentenced to 18 months incarceration, 24 months probation and was ordered to pay $1,600 in restitution.
Sharpe Environmental was sentenced to 60 months probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 federal fine.
STATUTE:
- Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code (TITLE 18)