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PENNSYLVANIA LABORATORY AND FORMER OFFICERS PLEAD GUILTY
Release Date: 07/22/99
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1999
PENNSYLVANIA LABORATORY AND FORMER OFFICERS PLEAD GUILTY
Hydro-Analysis Associates Inc. (HAA) of Kutztown, Pa., and HAA’s former President Randy S. Haring pleaded guilty on July 15, and HAA’s former Laboratory Director Robert J. Spare pleaded guilty on July 8 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Easton to various federal crimes associated with providing false laboratory results to hundreds of customers. Between 1994 and January 1998 the defendants falsely told their customers that they were using proper instruments and equipment and that they were using EPA certified methods to perform tests on drinking water, wastewater, soils and underground storage tanks. HAA’s customers included the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, businesses, municipalities, nursing homes, residential communities, and elementary and secondary schools. Accurate drinking water testing is necessary to protect the public from a variety of diseases, including intestinal infections. Haring pleaded guilty to mail fraud, making false statements, and violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). He could face a maximum sentence of up to 17 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1 million. Haring also faces liability for up to $500,000 in restitution to HAA customers. HAA pleaded guilty to mail fraud, making false statements and violating the CWA. HAA could face maximum fines of up to $1 million. Spare pleaded guilty to false statement, mail fraud and CWA charges and could face a maximum sentence of up to 12 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $750,000. As the result of this investigation HAA was closed on Nov. 30, 1998. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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