From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Grand Jury Indicts Jacksonville Shipyards, Employee for Discharge
Organization: Echo Beach
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 03:40:37 GMT

Here is a press release from the U.S. Justice Department.
 
Grand Jury Indicts Jacksonville Shipyards, Employee for Discharge
 To: National Desk
 Contact: U.S. Department of Justice, 202-514-2007
 
   JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Robert W.  Genzman,
United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida; Captain
James P. Wysocki, United States Coast Guard; Joseph V. Corless,
special agent in charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Ralph
Blinko, acting special agent in charge, Naval Investigative Service;
and Maj. Roger Bennett, Florida Marine Patrol, announced jointly
today that a federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment
against Jacksonville Shipyards Inc., and one of its employees for
knowingly discharging marine paint into the St. Johns River.
   Indicted along with Jacksonville Shipyards is A. Dix Stephens, age
47, of Jacksonville, the shipyard's safety and environmental
director.
   The indictment charges two counts of violations of the Clean Water
Act.  JSI and Stephens are charged with violations which occurred on
May 11 and 12, when, during the spray painting of the hull of the
ocean-going vessel S.S. California down to the waterline, the
shipyards allegedly discharged red antifouling paint on May 11, and
black overcoat paint on May 12, into the St. Johns River.  These
coats of paint were the last of five coats the shipyards applied to
the vessel.  The painting of the ship was performed several months
after the shipyards' sale of its drydocks, where painting normally
took place.  Allegedly, the ship was not removed from the water prior
to painting, and the shipyards took no precautions to keep the paint
from entering the water while painting occurred.
   The indictment also charges one count against Stephens for making
a false statement to the United States Coast Guard during the
investigation of the matter.  Stephens allegedly lied to the Coast
Guard concerning the second day's painting.
   Violations of the Clean Water Act carry a maximum three year term
of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine for individuals and a $500,000 fine
for corporations.  Jacksonville Shipyards faces a total of $1 million
in fines.  Stephens faces a total of 11 years in prison, $750,000 in
fines, or both.
   The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, the FBI,
the Naval Investigative Service and the Florida Marine Patrol, as
participants of the First Coast Environmental Crimes Task Force, a
newly-created organization consisting of investigators from the
local, state and federal levels, as well as attorneys from the State
and United States Attorney's offices.  Genzman praised the efforts of
the task force.  "The work of the task force and the efforts of the
investigators in this case show our commitment to protect the
environment.  Crimes against the environment are crimes against all
citizens and wildlife.  We cannot tolerate individuals or
corporations who poison our air, land or water.  In Jacksonville, the
St. Johns River is a source of recreation, transportation and
economic livelihood for its people and it must be protected.  We will
continue our strong interagency teamwork to fight those who infringe
upon the rights of others through abuse of our fragile ecosystem."
   The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United
States Attorney Michelle McCain Heldmyer.
   An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has
committed a violation of the federal criminal law and every defendant
is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.
 -30-


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