John Floyd and Nelson Wu, both civilian employees of the United States Navy’s Fuels Department at Pearl Harbor, have been indicted for allegedly conspiring to make false statements to the Hawaii Department of Health regarding a jet fuel spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson.
According to the indictment, Floyd served as Deputy Director and Wu as Supervisory Engineer in the Fuels Department during the period between May 6, 2021 and October 1, 2021. On May 6, 2021, a failed pipeline coupling at Red Hill resulted in an aborted transfer that led to approximately 20,000 gallons of jet fuel spilling into a tunnel. The Hawaii Department of Health, acting as regulator under authorization from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requested information from the Navy about this incident.
The indictment alleges that Floyd and Wu caused the Navy to submit a response on October 1, 2021 falsely stating that only about 1,618 gallons had spilled. They are also accused of omitting material information and records relevant to the request for information.
“If convicted of the charged offenses, Floyd and Wu face a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 on each charge.”
Authorities emphasized that these charges are accusations; “the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” Sentencing would be determined by a United States District Judge according to statutory factors and federal guidelines if there is a conviction.
The investigation is being conducted by several agencies: Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, EPA Criminal Investigation Division, and EPA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan is prosecuting the case.
