Multiple Trucking Companies Involved in Million Dollar Scandal
Two trucking companies faced legal action recently for their involvement in a plan to disable the emissions control systems on semi trucks.
The companies, Accurate Truck Service, LLC, and Griffin Transportation, Inc., were collectively fined a maximum of $1 million. They were also placed on a year of probation, as disclosed in an announcement by U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan on October 17.
The heads of the trucking companies, Craig Scholten and Ryan Bos, were individually fined $6,000 and sentenced to four months of home detention as part of their one-year probation. Another individual, Douglas Larsen, received a $7,500 fine and two months of home detention during his one-year probation period. Scott DeKock faced a $10,000 fine and a one-year probation sentence.
Everyone involved in the case had previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act.
Environmental and Health Risks a Major Concern
According to authorities, Accurate Truck Service, LLC, owned by Larsen, Scholten, and Bos, was found to have tampered with the hardware components of heavy-duty diesel trucks responsible for controlling emissions. Another entity, Diesel Freak LLC, was implicated in reprogramming the engine computers of the trucks. This allowed them to continue working even after the hardware had been removed or altered. This process, known as “deletion,” has the potential to enhance vehicle performance and fuel efficiency while cutting maintenance costs. However, it also leads to considerable negative environmental impacts. These effects include heightened emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons in vehicle exhaust. Increased exposure to these substances is associated with severe health risks.
Hundreds of Vehicles Tampered With
Griffin Transportation, Inc., and a company formerly owned by DeKock were found to have engaged the services of Accurate Truck Service, LLC, and Diesel Freak LLC to delete the emissions controls from trucks they owned, operated, or leased. Throughout the conspiracy, Diesel Freak LLC was involved in a minimum of 362 deletions, while Accurate Truck Service, LLC, participated in at least 83 deletions, Griffin Transportation, Inc., in at least 12 deletions, and DeKock’s former company in at least 4 deletions. The owner of Diesel Freak LLC, Ryan Lalone, and a Diesel Freak employee, Wade Lalone, are scheduled for sentencing before Judge Maloney on December 11, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Totten emphasized the importance of the case, stating, “This case is one of the most significant of its kind ever prosecuted in the United States, and today’s sentences convey a clear message that individuals who violate environmental laws will face consequences.” He stressed the critical role of environmental regulations in protecting the well-being of people and the planet.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Lisa Matovic of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division underscored the health risks associated with exposure to diesel exhaust. Asthma, respiratory illness, and the deterioration of air quality are all known risks. Matovic emphasized the need to hold people accountable for their disregard of laws designed to safeguard communities from air pollution.
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