Atlantic States ex-supervisor sentenced to 70 months on conviction for environmental, OSHA violation

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Lehigh Valley Live

by Tom Quigley

Former Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. plant manager John Prisque was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison for his part in a conspiracy that created unsafe working conditions, covered up workplace injuries and polluted the Delaware River.

Prisque, 59, of Bethlehem, is one of four former company employees slated to be sentenced this week by U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper after a seven-month trial that ended in April 2006, the longest criminal environmental trial in the history of the federal courts. The plant also faces sentencing Friday with the possibility of a $500,000 fine.

In U.S. District Court in Trenton, Cooper gave Prisque the minimum sentence called for in sentencing guidelines, citing his service in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and his lack of a prior criminal record. The U.S. Attorney's Office pushed for more than the maximum of 87 months.


AP File PhotoPlant manager John Prisque, 59, of Bethlehem, was sentenced today.


The company and four managers were convicted of engaging in a conspiracy to pollute the Delaware River, expose employees to dangerous conditions and impede federal investigations into their activities.



Read more: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2009/04/post_8.html

[imdjh]

1. K&R

[OwnedByFerrets]

2. Too bad for him that he didnt torture his employees.....

he would never have been prosecuted.....yes, I'm pissed and it shows.

[SomeGuyInEagan]

3. I know many EHS professionals, both in industry and government ...

... my jaw drops when I get with them and they start telling horror stories over beers. Industry in this country - of all sizes - continues to mangle its employees and destroy the environment at an alarming rate. We only hear about the truly nasty stuff that is discovered and actually prosecuted. Agencies are severely underfunded, understaffed and bullied by politicians, so most violations - even horrific ones - never see a real investigation.