DoJ Announces Fraud Indictment Over EPA Superfund Sites

Various charges ranging from fraud, kickbacks, conspiracy, international money-laundering, and tax violations to bid-rigging and obstruction of justice at two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated Superfund sites, Federal Creosote and Diamond Alkali, were unsealed friday. The 12-count indictment, originally filed under seal in late August, charges Gordon D. McDonald — a former project manager for a prime contractor — with, among other things, engaging in separate conspiracies with sub-contractors James E. Haas Jr. and John A. Bennett. In addition to heavy fines, McDonald faces more than 70 years in prison, and Bennett and Haas face up to 10 years. The three men are presumed innocent and await trial.