Environmental Crimes Blog

Meet The Regulators – Fred Burnside

Fred Burnside is retiring at the end of this month.  He is currently the director of the agency's Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training.  I first met Fred back in October 1988.  He was a somewhat junior case agent back then and had been sent to the federal courtroom to secure the table closest to the jury box for the prosecutors in an environmental crimes case.  Fred, you have come a long way, my friend!!!

Fred sat for an interview with Inside EPA on December 7, 2010.  You can read the entire interview at http://insideepa.com/Inside-EPA/Inside-EPA-12/10/2010/drop-in-epa-criminal-enforcement-cases-linked-to-new-tiering-system/menu-id-67.html.

Some of the highlights of the article are Fred’s insight into the recent drop in new criminal enforcement cases, who will succeed him, the newly implemented “tiering” system, and Cynthia Giles’ memorandum outlining leadership changes in the criminal division. 

The interview is a great insight into the inner workings of the criminal division and is a worthy read.  Also, Fred is speaking at the ABA’s Annual Environmental Seminar in Salt Lake City in 2011.  I am sure he will provide additional candid insight into his soon-to-be former employer. 

From my discussions with Fred, he is planning on setting up a consulting firm, focusing on environmental criminal issues.  I am sure that we will keep him busy.

Good luck Fred!!!

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me via e-mail at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

WDJiii

USEPA 2010 ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE RESULTS

The USEPA recently announced its annual enforcement and compliance results.  In its 2010 fiscal year, the USEPA took enforcement and compliance actions that require companies to pay more than $110,000,000.00 in civil penalties.  The USEPA also received commitments in these enforcement and compliance actions that would require these companies to spend an estimated $12,000,000,000.00 on pollution controls, cleanup, and environmental projects that benefit local  communities.  

Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, was quoted as stating: “At EPA, we are dedicated to aggressively go after pollution problems that make a difference in our communities through vigorous civil and criminal enforcement.  Our commitment to environmental enforcement is grounded in the knowledge that people not only desire, but expect, the protection of the water they drink, the air they breathe and the communities they call home.”

The USEPA’s criminal enforcement program opened 346 new environmental crime cases in its 2010 Fiscal Year, which led to 289 defendants being charged with committing environmental crimes.  These numbers show an up-swing when compared to the last five years.  The report shows 198 convictions and $41,000,000.00 assessed in fines and restitution.

You can see the 2010 Fiscal Year results and the announcement message from Cynthia Giles at http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/reports/endofyear/eoy2010/index.html

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me via e-mail at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

WDJiii