May 2000
Underground Storage Tank Testing Fraud: Indictments Handed Out
Ten individuals from seven states were indicted on a charge of
conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud in connection with the testing of
underground storage tanks (USTs).
According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, three UST testing companies, AST and ASTI in Little Rock,
Arkansas and AUST in Austin, Texas claimed to use the Horner EZY-CHEK III
method to test the tanks. This test usually takes a
bout
three hours to perform, but the indictment alleges that employees did not
stay on-site long enough to properly conduct the tests, did not have the
proper equipment to do the tests and sent in falsified results by mail and
fax.
Falsifying data can cause leaks to go
undetected, and USTs are a major source of groundwater contamination in some
areas. Learn more about USTs.
Other stories in this month's report:
