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FISCAL YEAR: 2011
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Gregory T. Stricker
N.D. Ohio 1:10CR505-SL
N.D. Ohio 1:10CR505-SL
2. DEFENDANT: Stricker Refinishing
N.D. Ohio 1:10CR505-SL
N.D. Ohio 1:10CR505-SL
3. DEFENDANT: Thomas J. Stricker
N.D. Ohio 1:10CR505-SL
N.D. Ohio 1:10CR505-SL
On December 3, 2010, Thomas J. Stricker, Gregory T. Stricker, and SRC were charged in a one-count Information for illegally discharging industrial wastewater into the City of Cleveland sewer system. Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker are the owners and operators of SRC a metal plating company located in Cleveland, Ohio. As a part of the plating processes at SRC metals and chemicals such as copper, nickel, silver, zinc, and cyanide are used. Therefore, some wastewaters generated by SRC also contain copper, nickel, silver, zinc, and cyanide. To reduce the amount of pollutants discharged into the sewer system to an acceptable level, SRC processes its wastewater using a pretreatment system.
The information charged that from March 2007, through August 2007, on numerous occasions, Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker, bypassed or directed employees to bypass the pretreatment system at the SRC facility.
The information charged that from March 2007, through August 2007, on numerous occasions, Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker, bypassed or directed employees to bypass the pretreatment system at the SRC facility.
December 3, 2010
The defendants were charged with one count of violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) {33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) - knowingly violates}.
CITATION: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a)
January 6, 2011
The defendants pled guilty to the CWA count for violating an approved pretreatment program.
June 6, 2011
Gregory Stricker was sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to pay $30,000 in federal fines and $25,000 in judicially mandated fines (community service payment to Ducks Unlimited). The defendant shall perform 500 hours of community service to a non-profit agency that works for the betterment of the environment.
Thomas Stricker was sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to pay a federal fine in the amount of $30,000 and $25,000 in judicially mandated fines (community service payment to Ducks Unlimited). The defendant shall perform 500 hours of community service to a non-profit agency that works for the betterment of the environment.
Stricker Refinishing was sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to pay a $30,000 federal fine and $20,000 in judicially mandated fines (community service payment to Ducks Unlimited).
U.S. Department of Justice
Northern District of Ohio
June 6, 2011
For Release
Thomas J. Stricker, age 50, of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, Gregory T. Stricker, age 51, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Stricker Refinishing Company, Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, were sentenced in United States District Court, Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today.
Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker were each sentenced to three years of probation. In addition, both were fined $30,000 and ordered to make a community service payment in the amount of $25,000 to Ducks Unlimited.
During their term of probation, Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker will perform 500 hours of community service. SRC was sentenced to two years of probation. In addition, SRC was fined $30,000 and
ordered to make a community service payment in the amount of $20,000 to Ducks Unlimited.
In total, the Strickers and SRC were ordered to pay $160,000 in fines and community service for their conduct of conviction.
On December 3, 2010, Thomas J. Stricker, Gregory T. Stricker, and SRC were charged in a one-count Information for illegally discharging industrial wastewater into the City of Cleveland sewer system. Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker are the owners and operators of SRC a metal plating company located in Cleveland, Ohio. As a part of the plating processes at SRC metals and chemicals such as copper, nickel, silver, zinc, and cyanide are used. Therefore, some wastewaters generated by SRC also contain copper, nickel, silver, zinc, and cyanide. To reduce the amount of pollutants discharged into the sewer system to an acceptable level, SRC processes its wastewater using a pretreatment system.
The information charged that from March 2007, through August 2007, on numerous occasions, Thomas J. Stricker and Gregory T. Stricker, bypassed or directed employees to bypass the pretreatment system at the SRC facility.
“Our natural resources must be protected from illegal discharges,” said Randall K. Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. “This prosecution sends a clear message that those that refuse to operate lawfully and pollute our waters will be vigorously prosecuted and will be held accountable for their illegal actions. ”
This case was being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad J. Beeson following an investigation by the U.S. EPA Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics, and Training, the Department of Defense - Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, all members of the Northeast Ohio Environmental Crimes Task Force.
U.S. Department of Justice
Northern District of Ohio
June 6, 2011
For Release
STATUTE:
- Clean Water Act (CWA)