Charleston, W.Va. - Two former Freedom Industries officials, Michael E. Burdette and Robert J. Reynolds, pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston today to environmental crimes in connection with the January 2014 Elk River chemical spill, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. Both men pleaded guilty to negligently discharging MCHM into the Elk River without a permit. Sentencing is set for June 24, 2015.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Environmental Protection Agency - Criminal Investigation Division.
Burdette’s and Reynolds’ plea agreements, which include stipulations of facts in which they admit their criminal conduct, are linked below.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
