CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – The co-owner and manager of Reliance Laboratories, Inc., in Bridgeport, has admitted to violating the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act.
Tenley Megan Miller, 42, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to making a false representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency. She faces up to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000.
Federal prosecutors said the City of Martinsburg sent water samples to Miller’s company in May 2021 and Miller reported that the samples were tested and were safe. Investigators then discovered that Miller did not test the samples because her laboratory equipment was not operational. Martinsburg reported the false test results to the state DEP and federal EPA.
“The defendant in this case knowingly submitted falsified water analysis results, jeopardizing the health and safety of the impacted communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Nic Evans of the EPA’s Office of Inspector General. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General’s commitment to holding accountable those who attempt to undermine the laws designed to protect the safety of the public’s drinking water supply.”
The Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General and the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Department investigated.