The former project manager at an oil processing plant that exploded in Montana in 2012 injuring three employees was sentenced today to two years of probation and fined $5,000. Mark Hurst pleaded guilty on February 27th to negligent endangerment under the federal Clean Air Act.
On September 27th, a jury convicted co-defendant Peter Margiotta of all three counts against him related to the plant explosion. The jury found Margiotta guilty of conspiracy and two violations of the Clean Air Act (general duty and knowing endangerment). Margiotta was president and director of Custom Carbon Processing, Inc., a Wyoming company that constructed the Michels Disposal Well and Oil Processing facility in Wibaux in 2012. Hurst testified against Margiotta at trial.
Although Hurst had notified his superiors of serious problems at the plant, he continued to operate the plant and kept it open. Simply notifying management of problems is not sufficient to avoid criminal liability under federal environmental laws.
On September 27th, a jury convicted co-defendant Peter Margiotta of all three counts against him related to the plant explosion. The jury found Margiotta guilty of conspiracy and two violations of the Clean Air Act (general duty and knowing endangerment). Margiotta was president and director of Custom Carbon Processing, Inc., a Wyoming company that constructed the Michels Disposal Well and Oil Processing facility in Wibaux in 2012. Hurst testified against Margiotta at trial.
Although Hurst had notified his superiors of serious problems at the plant, he continued to operate the plant and kept it open. Simply notifying management of problems is not sufficient to avoid criminal liability under federal environmental laws.
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