The EPA’s Most Wanted

Frerik Pluimers, a former CEO, 'conspired to bribe various Panamanian officials with funds from United States bank accounts, dealing with independent petrochemical laboratory testing.'

The Environmental Protection Agency is taking a leaf out of the FBI’s book in their fight against “environmental crimes.” EPA has established a Most Wanted list, including mug shots, of offenders who have been charged with violating environmental laws or regulations. The list was established to put a spotlight on environmental crime and to signal that the agency is taking these crimes very seriously.

Some examples of offenses are:
– Selling hundreds of asbestos inspection licenses to untrained workers
– Smuggling ozone-destroying coolants
– Building a secret pipeline to funnel pollutants into a tributary of the Mississippi River

EPA has 180 armed agents patrolling the country for these and other criminals, according to Sunday’s New York Times story.  There are currently 21 fugitives on the list. Check out their mug shots on the EPA Fugitives page and, if you spot one,  inform your local police.

But, however egregious their crimes, the page urges that you “do not attempt to apprehend any of these individuals.”

Good advice.