MODEL PLEADINGS ------- From: Nancy Tommelleo 2/14/95 4:50PM (2502 bytes: 71 in) SI arlene Davis David Savage, Patricia Strougal ct: message to office Message Contents — Sharlene: please send this message to the dflice. Thanks NLT NEW MATERIAL AND EXAMPLE PLEADINGS FOR LIBRARY Hardcopies of the following documents have been givet to David Savage for placement in the Library. ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTS 1. Warrant Order for Entry and Investigation Pursuant Section 9(B) of FIFRA 2. Subpoena Ad Testificandum and Subpoena Duces Tecum under TSCA 3. Summary Memorandum: “The Pr paration and Execution of Administrative Warrants” FINANCIAL DISCOVERY PLEADINGS 1. Memo: “Using Financial Discovery to Rebut an Inability to Pay Claim” 2. Motion for Order Compelling Response to Request for Production of Documents 3. Memo of Law in Opposition to Motion for Order Compelling Response to Prod. of Docs 4. Complainant’s Reply to Respondent’s Opposition 5. Compi’s Motion for Leave to Request Production of Documents 6. Request for Production of Documents 7. Motion for Ruling on Compi’s Motion for Leave to request Production of Documents 8. Compl’s Motion for Reconsideration of Ruling on Request for Production of Documents 9. Compi’s Prehearing Exchange (on inability to pay issue) 10. Subpoena Duces Tecum and Subpoena Ad Testificandum (under CERCLA 122 (e) (3) (B) ------- 11. TSCA Section 11(c) Subpoena OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO FINANCIAL MATTERS INCLUDE: IRS Sourcebook: 12/91 (repository of information useful in locating taxpayers, their assets and financial records) NEIC’s Financial Analysis Memo: (reflects general documents needed by NEIC to perform a financial analysis). For those of you dealing with inability to pay issues in major cases—you may want to review these documents. NLT ------- c c c ç i rn L M cu ‘y \oc - Y \ C XX ) 1 I ‘ c € Q C ( - -- - - - - - - CafLQci - - c \ s’). V (Ac Q (S N f ro u — 3V\o \ 4c ( c cd A C i\\ r - ( Q( 0 d\ \OY\ y • OCLrrr Q 3 — Y \ c\or Tb J 3 O (\ 1-i, >, j. 4- b c — O c •k• — 4 r L Vc Qc cL’ & o O C Y’ % Q%c_c \Jc _ 3( 9 ( 0 CtLJC* Y\ 4 -L 4 - Acv r’ QX N TO Q(c4 — CNG - . ôc ( 0 ( ‘Qf 4 D c’ s — L’Y Y ------- C Jc . \2L ( ) - ------- ENFORCEMENT CONF IDENT ZAL FINANCIAL ANALYSIS GENERAL SYNOPSIS NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER 1/24/95 GENERAL COMMENTS This worksheet is provided as a guide and reflects only general documentation to be obtained to perform a financial analysis. It provides only limited insight into potential issues. An important point to keep in mind, while reviewing the below information, is the benefits associated with bringing an analyst in early. Early involvement in the case will allow the analyst to: • Acquire historical knowledge of the case • Provide assistance in on the spot reviews or discussions • Provide assistance in other financial areas besides ability to pay • Provide enough interjection to persuade the respondent that raising the ability to pay issue would not be prudent • The case will be handled in a more timely fashion because an ability to pay case can take anywhere from 2 to 12 months. Waiting to start this process, when the liability issues are resolved, will add (potentially) another 2 to 12 months to the case. So, consult with any analyst EARLY. STEPS I. INITIAL DOCUMENTATION TO BE PROVIDED BY ATTORNEY 1. Request memo detailing the following: • Synopsis of the case (complete history) • Inspection date • Program personnel involved - names & phone numbers • Violation details • Penalty amount • Current status of case • Description of business activity, type of entity (individual or corporation) ------- ENFORCEMENT CONY IDENT IAL FINANCIAL ANALYSIS GENERAL SYNOPSIS NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER Details of ability to pay What is Respondents position? — Respondent needs to provide this in writing, not only their position but also all documents substantiating their position • Description of documents which have been provided b Respondent and include copies • Attorney’s opinion as to ability to pay argument settlement • Hearing potential 2. Copies of the complaint, answer, prehearing exchanges, motions, etc.,? 3. Respondents written position in re: Ability to Pay ano copies of all supporting documentation received. 4. Provide ABEL results • If 80%, attorney can rely on ABEL for negotiations. No need to bring analyst in except for general advice. If settlement fails then discuss with analyst. ABEL is not to be used in trial. 5. Tax returns and financial statements (5 year)-copies only 6. Depreciation schedule, all inclusive since date of incorporation 7. Affiliation schedule, detailing corporate affiliaiions 8. D & Bs, & other data base searches 9. Other considerations • Has an asset search been run? • Has an executive search been run? • Have the SEC filings been reviewed? • Provide copies of all above output. I I. WHEN THE CASE IS RECEIVED. 1. Review package, and pre plan case. • Make sure you have only COPIES ; originals are to be maintained by attorney. • Make sure all requested information has been received. ------- ENFORCEMENT CONF IDENT IAL FINANCIAL ANALYS IS GENERAL SYNOPS NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER • Review synopsis of case to get general idea of status of case • Read through complaint, answer, prehearing exchanges, etc. 2. Call program personnel involved in the case to get general history and additional details as to what he/she knows about the entity, its officers, business dealings etc. 3. Discuss with attorney. 4. Begin set up of case file • Develop time line • Organization chart • Options available 5. Verify that all the appropriate (to date) searches have been done. IF NOT, ORDER THOSE NECESSARY. 6. Review the return to determine other assets, locations, officers, related entities, legal actions, new loans, etc., for which additional data base searches should be conducted. These services can be obtained through your regional library or by contacting Irene Erhart, Information Services, NEIC (303) 236—3636, ext. 558. 7. Review the ABEL output provided by the attorney. 8. Consider civil investigator (CI)involvernent in your region (primarily Superfund) or Multi- Media CI Support from NEIC. CIs can collect other financial information which may help validate and/or supplement information provided by the respondent and other sources. Some services offered by the NEIC Civil Investigator program include: • Asset information gathering • Corporate affiliation and structure identification • Witness location and interview services • Other information gathering services • For more information contact the Civil Investigator Branch Chief, Jeff Lightner, at NEIC (303) 236-3636 ext. 504. Telephonic discussion of proposed case specifics and requirements prior to official request is desirable ------- ENFORCEMENT CONF IDENT IAL F INANCIAL ANALYS IS GENERAL SYNOPSIS NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER 9. If necessary, research counties which are not on line, and request assistance from them. Have them call the various counties, etc. to request the needed information. (This is performed if return information and data base searches already conducted indicate the firm can not pay the penalty.) 10. If any lawsuits discovered, review synopsis and possibly order copies of complaint and decision. 11. Identify Issues. Research applicable laws environmental and tax etc., where necessary so that you will know what elements need to be addressed in your write-up. 12. Review applicable penalty policies. 13. Develop organizational chart and time line. 14. Discuss up-to-date status with attorney. Outline alternatives, etc. 15. Develop document request. 16. Develop initial interview questions. 17. Schedule initial interview through the attorney. III. CONDUCT THE INITIAL INTERVIEW IV. REQUEST ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS 1. Voluntary document request submitted. 2. Subpoenas • The Respondent has the burden-of-proof? (New Waterbury) • Instances where they have provided information which superficially indicates inability to pay. 3. Motion to produce - filed with the court. V. WHEN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS RECEIVED 1. Review the additional information and identify additional sources of funds. Address issues which were identified in ------- ENFORCEMENT CONY IDENT IAL FINANCIAL ANALYSIS GENERAL SYNOPSIS NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS CENTER step II, such as thinly capitalized, additional debt capacity, loans to shareholders = capital, liquid assets, unnecessary assets, unreported income, etc. 2. Third party contacts. The attorney should have already discussed this with the respondent when ability to pay was initially raised. Third party verification is a necess : step in a financial analysis. 3. Go out to the field if necessary. VI. DISCUSS WITH ATTORNEY CONCLUSIONS AND COURSES OF ACTION TO DATE VII. SCHEDULE CONFERENCE CALL OR SETTLEMENT MEETING 1. Discuss conclusion with respondent; ask additional questions to further support our case and answer any questions they may have. 2. Depending on the course of the case, this may be the time to identify to whom we may need to issue subpoenas if conflicting or missing information. VIII. ISSUE SUBPOENAS FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED TO SUPPORT OUR CASE IN COURT. 1. Make sure we have ALL the necessary evidence to support our case/rebut their position. Ix. SETTLE THE CASE. OR x. GO TO COURT ------- JAN03 1994 DRAPT--DRAPT Enforcement Confidential Not to be released under FOIA MEMORANDUM To: Jonathan Libber, OE From: Alexandra Callam, Assistant Regional Counsel Office of Regional Counsel, Region II Kimberly Zanier, C.P.A. Financial Analyst — NEIC Subject: Using Financial Discovery to Rebut an Inability to Pay Claim: A Case Summary Date: December 30, 1993 The following is a summary of an administrative case in which EPA, Region II, used the discovery allowed under the consolidated rules to obtain financial documents from a Respondent claiming an inability to pay the proposed civil penalty. The summary may be useful in those cases where a Respondent asserts this affirmative defense but does not provide all of the financial information EPA believes is necessary to adequately evaluate the claim. Backaround Cray Valley Products is a wholly—owned subsidiary of a large foreign parent corporation. It also has various sister subsidiaries that are in the same business as Cray Valley — a manufacturer and importer of resins for the coating industry. EPA brought an administrative penalty case under TSCA against Cray valley, seeking a $600,000 pen alty for violations of the PMN and import certification requirements for several of this company’s chemical substances. In its Answer to the Complaint, ------- 2 Cray Valley raised the affirmative defense that it had the inability to pay the proposed penalty. Cray Valley’s Defense Cray Valley’s first sought to “prove” this inability by providing EPA with “pro forma” income tax returns, which contained Cray Valley’s federal tax. information, to run the ABEL computer program. •Cray Valley asserted that these “pro forma” returns contained the relevant tax information that its parent used in the submission-of its consolidated tax return filed with the federal government. Cray Valley refused to provide these consolidated tax returns, or any other information on its parent or sisters subsidiaries, because EPA named only Cray Valley as a Respondent in the Complaint. It claimed that unless EPA was planning to “pierce the corporate veil” and name its parents or other related companies in the litigation, it needed only to provide the tax information relating to it to prove its inability to pay. Cray Valley argued, in other words, that for EPA to consider its financial information relating to its parent and sister subsidiaries, EPA would have to show that Cray Valley’s corporate structure was a mere facade, i.e. that Cray Valley’s parent corporation had such complete control over Cray valley’s finances, policy, and business practices that Cray Valley had no separate existence from these related entities. EPA’s Theory EPA argued that an entity’s ability to pay is a factual question, and is dependent on factors which include its interrelatedness to other entities. EPA claimed a court would ------- 3 look at a company’s entire business operations, including the financial transactions entered between parent and subsidiary corporations, in determining ability to pay. In this case, from the D & B alone, it appeared that in addition to being wholly- owned by its parent, Cray Valley was in the same business as its parent and sister subsidiaries, it had intercompany loans and advances from these entities, and it had intercompany merchandise transactions with these entities. Thus, EPA asserted that to assess Cray Valley’s ability to pay, it needed to know how much this company’s financial health was linked to these other entities. The Case Development Cray Valley first maintained it had the ability to pay only $XX.XXX, a number based on the 1980 TSCA Civil Penalty Policy’s suggestion that four percent of the gross sales of a company is an indicator of ability to pay. Though it disagreed with EPA’S theory, Cray Valley eventually provided to EPA additional financial information in its pre—hearing exchange, including an analysis by Coopers & Lybrand of its relationship with its related subsidiaries to show how it was not manipulating finances such that i s corporate veil could not be pierced. It appeared that Cray Valley wanted to show the court that it had submitted enough financial information to EPA such that the burden of proving its abililty to pay could be shifted to EPA. Though several inches thick, the documents Cray Valley submitted lacked much of the basic financial information needed to evaluate the ------- 4 company’s finances and its relationzhips with its parent. EPA thus still maintained that it needed more information on Cray Valley’s business and on the nature of these relationships to adequately evaluate the ability to pay. As the litigation and negotiations progressed, Cray Valley increased its initial offer considerably, but maintained that, in court, it still would assert that it could afford only a $XX,xxx civil penalty. In anticipation of an eventual trial, EPA prepared to force the issue by drawing up a specific list of financial documents and informally giving Cray Valley a chance to produce these documents on its own. Included in this list were the parent’s consolidated tax returns, as well as Cray Valley’s financial statements, loan agreements, insurance policies, sales and purchase records, etc. — information needed to adequately evaluate Cray Valley’s financial wherewithal to pay a civil penalty. As expected, Cray Valley would not provide any of these documents to EPA; therefore, - EPA filed a “Motion for Order Compelling Response to Request For Production of Documents” (Attachment I). This “discovery” request was filed pursuant to 40 C.F.R. Z .19(f), which allows for “additional” discovery after documents are traded in the prehearing exchanges, if certain criteria are met. The Motion averred that the information Cray Valley had submitted was incomplete and contained internal inconsistencies, and thus the Region was unable to assess Cray Valley’s inability to pay claim. ------- 5 Cray Valley opposed this Motion, asserting that it had provided all of the information EPA needed to evaluate an inability to pay claim, and that EPA could not show that the documents it sought had significant probative value. Its main argument rested on its view that EPA assesses ability to pay by running the ABEL program, and because it had supplied “pro forma” tax returns with the requisite inputs to run this program, no more information was necesary. (Attachment II). The Administrative Law Judge, Judge Greene, responded by requesting that the Region, in its Reply, address how Cray Valley’s information was incomplete, why the ability to pay could not be analyzed using the documents already submitted, and what internal inconsistencies were contained in the documentation (Attachment III). EPA filed a Reply, in which it specifically discussed how each of the documents in its Request was significantly probative for evaluating Cray Valley’s ability to pay, and why it was unable to assess the ability to pay with the documents Cray Valley had submitted (Attachment IV). Cray Valley wrote a letter to the Judge in response to this Reply, in which it claimed EPA was in error when it stated that the consolidated tax returns did not contain separate individual tax information on subsidiaries (Attachment V). EPA responded with a letter that cited the Treasury regulations that require affiliation schedules to be provided with the consolidated returns (Attachment VI). ------- 6 The Result Almost immediately, Judge Greene granted the Region’s discovery motion, stating that EPA “...demonstrated the need for and relevance of certain documents in connection with (the]... asserted inability to pay...” (Attachment VII). Within a week, Cray Valley agreed to settle the case. ------- JAli -‘ - ATT, t !& r I. --- _ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II x In the Matter of : CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS, INC., : MOTION FOR ORDER : COMPELLING RESPONSE TO : REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF : DOCUMENTS (FIRST SET) Respondent. : Docket No. - : IITCSA—P!fl -92-0222 Proceeding under Section 16(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act. u— — — — — — — — ——— — —x Complainant, the Director of the Environmental Services Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), Region II, submits this motion, pursuant to 40 C. F. R. SS 22.01(c), 22.04(c), 22.16(a), and 22.19(f), for an order requiring the Respondent in this matter to respond to the attached Request for Production of Documents. Discussion In its Answer and initial prehearing exchange, Respondent has asserted an inability to pay the proposed penalty. The documentation provided by Respondent to Complainant on this issue to date has been incomplete and contains a number of significant internal inconsistencies. For this reason, Complainant has been unable to assess Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty. ------- 2 In the interest of expediting a fair resolution of this matter, Complainant seeks the assistance of this Court in obtaining further discovery from Respondent. This request meets the test for such discovery set forth at 40 C.F.R. § 22.19(f) (1). See also In the Matter of Chautauaua Hardware Corn. , EPCRA App. No. 91—1 (June 24, 1991). The request will not in any way unreasonably delay the proceeding, since the request requires a compilation of information that should be readily available to the Respondent. In addition, the information is necessary in order for the proceeding to move forward, since without it an assessment of Cray Valley’s financial condition cannot be made. In addition, the information is not otherwise obtainable by Complainant, because it is information uniquely within Respondent’s control, and cannot be provided by any other source.’ ‘ Section 2610(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act, which states that (i]n carrying out this chapter, the Administrator may by. subpoena require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of reports, papers, documents, answers to questions, and other information that the Admjnstrator deems necessary, may be viewed as another means to obtain this information. However, use of this authority is not a method by which EPA can “otherwise obtain” this information within the scope of this adminstrative proceeding. Furthermore, EPA could only enforce such a subpoena in a US. district court, and thus the mechanism is not clearly a means to obtain the, information without potential delay. ------- 3 Also, the information has obvious significant probative value with respect to the question of Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty. In Chautauaua , the Court noted that the phrase “probative value” “denotes the tendency of a piece of information to prove a fact that is of consequence to the case.” Chautauaua at 10. There, the Court explained that “(t]he ability of the company to continue doing business is...a factual issue...(which will] have some bearing on the appropriateness of - the proposed penalty.” Chautauqua at 11. Clearly, the information requested seeks to discover signifcant and probative facts about the Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty. Relief Sought In the interest of expediting the fair resolution of this matter, counsel for Complainant requests that the Court order Respondent to respond to the attached Request for Production of Documents. ------- 4 Da t ed:c k ‘l /‘ Li / ‘J Respectfully submitted, Alexandra K. Callam Assistant Regional Counsel Office of Regional Counsel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 (212) 264—9898 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY - REGION II x ) In The Matter of ) ) CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS, INC. ) Docket No. II TSCA-PMN-92-0222 Respondent. ) x REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OP DoCvxrni’rS oP U • S. PA CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS. INC. (FIRST SET ) Complainant requests that Cray Valley Products, Inc. (“Respondent”) produce copies of, or make available for inspection and copying at a location agreed upon by counsel for both parties, the following documents which may be in Respondent’s possession, custody or control. Pursuant to regulations appearing at 40 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart B, Respondent is entitled to assert a business confidentiality claim covering any part of the submitted documents. Unless such a confidentiality claim is asserted at the time that the requested documents are submitted, EPA may make these documents available to the public without further notice to you. Documents subject to a business confidentiality must conform to the requirements set forth in 40 C. F.R. § 2.203(b). DEFINITIONS MID INSTRUCTIONS 1. “Documents” means all (and all copies containing additional matter) written, typewritten, printed, or graphic matter of any kind or nature however produced or reproduced, and form of collected data for use with electronic data processing ------- 2 equipment and other data compilations from which information can be obtained, translated, if necessary, by Respondent through detection devices into reasonably usable form, now or formerly in the possession, custody or control of Respondent, including all documents as defined in the broadest sense permitted by Rule 34, Fed.R.Civ.P. “Documents” include, among other things, all letters, correspondence, records of conferences or meetings, memoranda, notes, -telegrams, telephone logs and.records, teletypes, telexes, banking records, notices or wire transfer of funds, canceled checks, books of account, budgets, financial records, contracts, agreements of proposed agreements, invoices, speeches, transcripts, depositions, affidavits, communications with government bodies, interoffice communications, working papers, newspaper or magazine articles, computer data, tax returns, vouchers, papers similar to any of the foregoing and other writings of every kind and description (whether or not actually used) and other records of voice recordings, film, tapes, and other data compilations from which information can be obtained 2. “Cray Valley Products, Inc.” means the Respondent together with its respective officials, employees, agents, servants, and attorneys. 3. This discovery is deemed continuing and must be supplemented if Respondent obtains further or different information. ------- 3 4. Documents produced pursuant to this request shall be segregated by the request numbers to which they are responsive and grouped and labeled accordingly. 5. The singular includes the plural and vice versa. The masculine includes the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa. The past tense includes the present tense and vice versa. 6. These requests cover all documents and information in Respondent’s immediate possession ot control and all documents - and other sources of information to which it has access. All documents in the possession of experts or consultants should also be consulted. 7. If any document requested is no longer in Respondent’s possession, custody or control, state a. what was done with the document; b. when this action occurred; c. the identity or address of the current custodian of the document; d. the person who made the decision to transfer or dispose of the document; e. the reasons for transf disposition. 8. Where anything has b n eleted from a document produced in response to a request, st p a. the specific nature of the material deleted; b. the reason for its deletion; and C. the identity of the person responsible for the deletion. 9. Whenever you are unable to produce documents in response ------- 4 to a request, state in detail all steps taken to locate responsive documents. 10. For each document produced, identify the sources and its record keeper. 11. For each document produce identify whether it is a true copy, and if it is not a true copy, explain why. REOUEST : Produce the- following documents: - 1. Complete copies of the tax returns Cray Valley filed with the Internal Revenue Service for the years 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1 92, including all attachments, exhibits, and disclosures. 2. A copy each of the consolidated Coates Brothers, Inc. tax returns for the years indicated in Request #1. Respondent’s initial prehearing exchange stated that prior to 1991, Respondent filed a consolidated return with Coates Brothers, Inc. “See Exhibit F” - however, Exhibit P did not contain the consolidated returns as indicated. 3. A copy each of the consolidated 1991 and 1992 federal tax returns for Total A]nerióa, Inc. In Respondent’s initial prehearing exchange, it states that “(b]eginning in 1991, Total America, Inc. filed a consolidated federal tax return, including CVP. See Exhibit S.” Exhibit S does not contain the consolidated return. ------- 5 4. Complete copies of Cray Valley’s audited (if unavailable, unaudited) financial statements prepared for the years 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. 5. A copy of the Form 5472 that was required to be filed with Cray Valley’s 1991.tax return. 6. A complete copy of the depreciation schedule for Cray Valley from the date of incorporation. The schedule should include assets description, date of purchase, cost of p*frchase, accumulated depreciation, adjusted basis, and dates of sales, if any. 7. A copy of the bill of sale for the vehicle Cray Valley purchased on July 1, 1990. 8. A copy each of the payroll tax returns Cray Valley filed for 1990, 1991, and 1992, including the 940’s, 941’s, W—2’s and W—3’s. 9. A copy each of the 1099’s, 1098’s and 1096’s Cray Valley filed for 1990, 1991, and 1992. 10. A copy of the schedule of what is included in Addition 263 costs, for the amount of $263,721, from Schedule A, of the Cray Valley 1991 tax return. 11. Copies of any insurance policies that cover Cray Valley’s assets of business or cover environmental claims, including a schedule of assets covered by the policies. 12. A copy of the schedule that details the recipient of Royalties and Commissions for the tax years 1990, 1991 and 1992. Indicate payment by payee, date of payment and amount of payment. ------- 6 13. A copy of all lease agreements for which rent is being paid each year for the facility at 7571 Rossman Road, Stuyvesant, New York 12173. 14. A copy of the loan agreement between Coates Brothers and Cray Valley. 15. A signed Form 8821, which allows disclosure of tax related information to EPA personnel. This form will be used to: a. Verify that the-tax returns submitted by Cray Valley are in fact the same as those filed with the Internal Revenue Service and b. Determine whether any Form TD 90-22.1’s (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts), Form 8300’s (Report of Cash Payments over $10,000), Form 4790 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments), or Form 4789 16. A list of all of Cray Valley’s customers (those entities that purchased in excess of $9,000 in any one year), and the total sales to each for the years 1989 through 1992. 17. A list of all Cray Valley’s suppliers (from which Cray purchased in excess of $9,000 in any one year) and the total purchases from each, for the years 1989 through 1991. 18. A copy of the corporate organization chart that identifies all of the entities related to Cray Valley Products and the percentage of common control. 19. The following books and records for Cray Valley for the time period January 1, 1990, (with the following noted exceptions) through the present: ------- 7 a. The Sales Journal from January, 1989, through the present. b. The Purchases Journal from January, 1989, through the present. c. The complete General Ledger from the date of incorporation. d. Cash Disbursements Journal. e. Accounts Payable Journal. f. Account Receivable Journal. g. General Journal. h. Trial Balances for each year. i. Chart of Accounts. j. Board Minutes from the date of inception. k. Stock Record Book. ------- IN THE MATTER OF CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS, INC . Respondent, Docket No. II TSCA-PMN—92-0222 Certificate of Service I hereby certify that the following Motion for Order Compelling .Resoonse to Rectuest for Production of Documents (and the attached. Request for Production of Documents), dated September 30, 1993 , was mailed this day in the following manner to the addressees below: Original by Hand to: Karen Maples Regional Hearing Clerk U.S. EPA - 5th Floor 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 Copy by Pouch Mail to:.. Honorable J.F. Greene -- Administrative Law Judge Mail Code A—hO U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Copy by Regular Mail to: Barry S. Neuman, Esq. Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis 1111 Nineteenth Street, N.W. Suite 1000 Washington, D.C. 20036 Jake Hart, Esq. Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis Suite 3600 1600 Market Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 Dated: c9cf tkLø4 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II x In the Matter of CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS, INC., Respondent, Docket No. Proceeding under Section 16(a) of : II TSCP -PMN-92-O222 the Toxic Substances Control Act : - x RESPONDENT CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS, INC.’ S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION FOR ORDER COMPELLING RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS (FIRST SET) Respondent, Cray Valley Products, Inc. (“CVP”) hereby submits this Memorandum in opposition to the EPA’S Motion For Order Compelling CVP to Respond to Request for Production of Documents (the “Motion”). I. INTRODUCTION . In its Motion, the EPA asserts that it needs the documents listed in Request for Production of Documents of U.S. EPA to Cray Valley Products, Inc. (First Set) (the “Requests”) to .determine whether CVP is unable to pay the EPA’s proposed penalty. ------- Upon close examination of the Requests, the public information available concerning the EPA ABEL computer program, which the EPA uses to assess a party’s ability to pay, and the information that CVP already has provided to the EPA, it is clear that the EPA does not need the documents listed in the Requests to assess CVP’s ability to pay. Rather, the Requests are an overly broad and burdensome fishing expedition that do not seek information of significant probative value, that would delay the proceeding significantly and that are contrary to public policy. II. FACTS . In December 1992, CVP submitted in this matter a Statement of Evidence. CVP submitted with the Statement of Evidence documents relevant to its defense that it is unable to pay the EPA’s proposed penalty. The documents included p oforma U.S. Corpora- tion Income Tax Returns for CVP, which were used in preparation of the consolidated tax returns of its parent corporations. 1 Copies of the pro forma tax returns are attached as Exhibit “A” to this Memorandum. In addition, CVP provided copies of its General Business Corporation Franchise Tax Returns for the State S 1. For the tax years 1988 through 1990, Coates Brothers, Inc. was CVP’s parent corporation. Total America, Inc. subse- quently acquired Coates Brothers and was CVP’S parent for the 1991 tax year. -2- ------- of New York for the years 1988 through 1991. Copies of the state tax returns are attached as Exhibit “B”. CVP also provided an expert report from Coopers & Lybrand. A copy of the Expert Report is attached as Exhibit “C”. Coopers & Lybrand concluded that, based upon information from CVP’s tax returns and use of the information in the EPA’s ABEL computer program, CVP is not able to pay a penalty of more than approximately $80,000. The EPA’S ABEL computer program relies upon data from a respondent’s tax returns and variables with standard values to calculate a respondent’s ability to pay. A copy of the ABEL User’s Manual dated September 1991 is attached as Exhibit “D”. CVP has provided significant information to the EPA concerning its relationships with its parent corporations and affiliates. The information includes that CVP originally was a 100 percent subsidiary of Coates Brothers, Inc., that Total America, Inc. subsequently became the parent corporation of Coates Brothers, Inc., the identities of the director and of f 1- cers of CVP and their relationship to Sartomer, a Total America subsidiary, the existence and details of loan agreements between CVP and Coates Brothers anc between CVP and Total America, its relationships with companies affiliated with Coates Brothers and Total America and documents relating to those relationships. See Statement of Evidence at 7-10 and related exhibits. -3- ------- The documents that the EPA seeks in the Requests include: (a) The Sales Journal from January 1989 through the present; (b) The Purchases Journal from January 1989 through the present; Cc) The complete General Ledger from the date of incorpora- tion; Cd) Cash Disbursements Journal for January 1, 1990 through the present; Ce) Accounts Payable Journal for January 1, 1990 through the present; (f) Account Receivable Journal for January 1, 1990 through the present; (g) General Journal for January 1, 1990 through the present; (Ii) Trial Balances for each year. Ci) Chart of Accounts for January 1, 1990 through the present; (j) Board Minutes from the date of inception, and (k) Stock Record Book for January 1, 1990 through the present. Request No. 19 (a-k). In order to respond to Request No. 19 only, CVP would h ave to produce copies of more than 1,000 pages of documents. -4- ------- III. ARGUMENT . A. The EPA’S Motion Should Be Denied Because CVP Has Provided the Information That the EPA Needs to Assess CVP’s Ability to Pay. Under 40 C.F.R. 22.19(f), discovery, other than exchange of witness lists and documents as provided by 40 C.F.R. 22.19(b), is permitted only when the Presiding Officer determines that; Ci) the discovery will not in any way unreasonably delay the proceeding; (ii) the information to be obtained is not otherwise obtainable, and (iii) the information has Significant probative value. 40 C.F.R. 22.19(f) (1). The party requesting additional discovery has the burden of showing that the discovery should be permitted. 40 C.F.R. 22.19(f) (3); In the Matter of Hawaiian Independent Refin- ery. Inc. , Docket No. RCRA-09-91-0007, Order Denying in Part and •,Granting in Part Motion for Discovery, 1992 WL 175710 (E.P.A.), - at *5 (July 14, 1992) According to the ABEL User’s Manual, the EPA needs information from CVP’s tax returns, which are in turn entered into the ABEL program and considered with standard variables to assess the ability to pay. ABEL User’s Manual at 3-4--3-15. By -5- ------- providing its pro forma tax returns and state tax returns, CVP has produced the information necessary to use the ABEL program to assess CVP’s ability to pay, as shown by the fact that Coopers & Lybrand used the program to determine CVP’s ability to pay. Furthermore, the EPA has not explained why it needs documents other than the tax returns already provided to ascertain CVP’s ability to pay. It thus is cl.ear that the EPA cannot show that the documents it requests have significant probative value in regard to CVP’s ability to pay, as required by 40 C.F.R. 22.19 (f) (1,3). Therefore, the Motion should be denied. B.., An Order Compelling CVP to Respond to the EPA’s Reauest Would Delay Unreasonably the Proceeding . As pointed out earlier, EPA seeks via Request No. 19 numerous miscellaneous books and records of CVP. To respond to request No. 19 alone, CVP would have to provide more than 1,000 pages of documents to EPA. In turn, EPA and its counsel would have to expend numerous man-hours reviewing the documents. Given the large number of pages of documents that are responsive to request No. 19, it is clear that CVP’s response to the Requests, and EPA ’s review of responsive documents, are likely to delay unreasonably this proceeding. Therefore, EPA’S Motion should be denied on the grounds that any response to the Requests would be contrary to 40 C.F.R. 22.19(f) (1) Ci). -6- ------- C. The EPA Cannot Justify Its Request For Consolidated Tax Returns of Coates Brothers, Inc. and Total America, Inc. and Other Information Concerning Corporations Related to CVP . In the Requests, the EPA also seeks consolidated tax returns of Coates Brothers, Inc., CVP’s parent corporation for tax years 1988 through 1990, and Total America, Inc., CVP’s parent corporation beginning in the 1991 tax year. Request Nos. 2-3. Additionally, the EPA requests a corporate organization chart that shows all of the entities related to CVP. Request No. 18. Upon examination of the information that CVP has provided concerning its relationship with Coates Brothers, Total America, and other affiliates, the ABEL User’s Manual, and the Motion, it is clear that the EPA cannot show any need for further information concerning corporations related to CVP. Therefore, the Motion should be denied to the extent it seeks to compel responses. to Request Nos. 2, 3 and 18. CVP has provided significant information to the EPA concerning its relationships with its parent corporations and affiliates. The information includes that CVP originally was a 100 percent subsidiary of Coates Brothers, Inc., that Total America, Inc. subsequently became the parent corporation of Coates Brothers, Inc., the identities of the director and off i- cers of Cvp and their relationship to Sartotner, a Total America -7- ------- subsidiary, the existence and details of loan agreements between CVP and Coates Brothers and between CVP and Total America, its relationships with companies affiliated with Coates Brothers and Total America and documents relating to those relationships. Statement of Evidence at 7-10. According to the ABEL User’s Manual, such information is relevant to determine whether a subsidiary corporation’s finances have been manipulated. ABEL User’s Manual at 3-1. CVP has been forthright i-n- pi oviding -information about its corporate parents and affiliates. Confronted with the infor- mation, the EPA does not contend in its Motion that the informa- tion already provided suggests manipulation of CVP’s finances or that it has any reason whatsoever to assert that CVP’s finances have been manipulated. 2 In light of the lack of any contention by the EPA that CVP’s finances have been manipulated, it is clear that the agency cannot show that he documents sought via Requests Nos. 2, 3 and 18, have significant probative value. The Motion thus should be denied to the extent it seeks to compel responses to Request Nos. 2, 3 and 18. 2. In fact, the information shows that CVP’s finances have not been manipulated. See Coopers & Lybrand Report at 3 (Coopers & Lybrand was unable to “identify any excessive, non-essential expenses or assets that may be available to support the penalty payment”). -8- ------- D. It is Not Necessary, and Contrary to Public Policy, To Compel CVP To Respond to the EPA’s Reauest No. 15 . -__ Se’- In its Requests, the EPA seeks from CVP a signed form ( 8821, which would allow disclosure of tax related information to EPA personnel. Request No. 15. The form would be used to (a) verify that the tax returns submitted by CVP are in fact the same as those filed with the Internal. Revenue Service, and (b) determine whether various forms have been filed with the Internal - .\1 Revenue Service. Id . -— J As pointed out above, CVP’s tax returns are pro forma returns used to prepare the consolidated returns of- its parent \ ‘ r corporations. Therefore, CVP’s providing a signed Form 8821 would not verify that the tax returns submitted by CVP are the same as those filed because CVP has not filed any tax returns. Therefore, the signed Form 8821 will not lead to the EPA’s obtaining information of “significant probative value” and should be denied. In addition, the EPA does not explain why it needs to know whether CVP has filed any Form TD 90-22.1’s, Form 8300’s, Form 4790’s or Form 4789’s in connection with determining CVP’s ability to pay. Therefore, CVP should not be required to provide a signed Form 8821 because the EPA cannot show that the agency’s use of the document will lead to its obtaining information of “significant probative value” as required by 40 C.F.R. 22.19(f). ------- There is a strong public policy against unnecessary disclosure of tax information provided to federal authorities. Maldonado v. St. Croix Discount. Inc., , 77 F.R.D. 501, 502 (D.V.I. 1978); Biliske v. American Live Stock Insurance Co. , 73 F .R . D. 124, 126 n.1 (W.D. Okia. 1977). The reason for this public policy rule is that restrictions on disclosure of such informa- tion promote the filing of complete and accurate tax information. Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corp. v. Krueger , 55 F.R.D. 512, 514 (N.D. Ill. 1972). Thus, the Courts have held that it is improper to require parties in civil litigation to produce tax returns when the information sought is readily obtainable by other means”or from other sources. E.g., Maldonado , 77 F.R.D. at 502. In the instant case, CVP has provided its pro forma federal income tax returns and state tax returns, which contain the information that the EPA needs to determine CVP’s ability to pay. Given that CVP has provided these documents, CVP should not be compelled to provide a signed Form 8821, as requested by the EPA, because it would be contrary to the public policy that unnecessary disclosure of tax information should be avoided. This is especially true in the instant case because the EPA has• not shown why it needs to know whether CVP has filed any Form TD 90-22.1’s, Form 8300’s, Form 4790’s or Form 4789’s. -10- ------- IV. CONCLUSION . For the reasons set forth in this Memorandum, Respondent Cray Valley Products, Inc. requests that the EPA’S Motion for Order Compelling Response to Requests for Production of Documents be denied. Respectfully submitted, Ja’ b P. Hart Ro ey B. Griffith Sc ADER, HARRISON, SEGAL & LEWIS 0 Market Street, Suite 3600 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 (215) 751-2502 Attorney for Cray Valley Products, Inc. Dated: October 11, 1993 -11- ------- ,4TTA -c/-tMENT UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460 IN THE MATTER OF Cray Valley Products, Inc. Respondent . Dkt. No. TSCA-II—P -92-0222 . ORDER SETTING DATE FOR REPLY Complainant shall have through October 22, 1993, in which to reply to respondent’s opposition to the motion for order compelling response to request for production of documents. Complainant shall set forth, in its reply (1) why respondent’s ability to pay cannot be analyzed using the documents already submitted by respondent, and (2) how respondent’s submission has been incomplete to date; and (3) what internal inconsistencies are contained in the documentation. Dated: October 12, 1993 Washington, D.C. Administrative Law Judge ------- ,4Y ; 4 (-r-’ - 7. — - -- -. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II x In the Matter of CRAY VALLEY PRODUCTS, INC., Respondent. : ‘Docket No. II TCSA—PMN-92—0222 Proceeding under Section 16(a) of : the Toxic Substances Control Act. : COMPLAINANT’ S REPLY TO RESPONDENT’S OPPOSITION TO EPA’S MOTION FOR ORDER COMPELLING RESPONSE FOR PRODUCTION OP DOCUMENTS Pursuant to this Court’s Order dated October 12, 1993, Complainant submits this Reply which addresses, as directed by this Court’s Order, how respondent’s submission has been incomplete to date, why respondent’s ability to pay cannot be analyzed using the documents already submitted by respondent, and what internal inconsistencies are contained in the documentation. Introduction As part of its December, 1992, prehearing exchange, Cray Valley Products, Inc. (“Cray Valley”) submitted selected financial documents and a “Statement of Evidence” as its proof that it cannot afford to pay the proposed penalty in this case. Because the information was incomplete and contained internal inconsistencies, EPA drew up the list of specific business ------- 2 records that contain the relevant financial information necessary to evaluate Cray Valley’s inability to pay claim. Without these documents, neither EPA nor this Court could conduct a complete financial analysis of Cray Valley’s financial status. Arqument I. Cray Valley’s Submission to Date is Incomplete; EPA Needs the Requested Documents Because They Would Provide Significant Probative Information Needed to Assess Cray Valley’s-Inability to Pay. Claim. Cray Valley has not submitted the most basic documentation of financial infor]nationthat is necessary to analyze whether it has the ability to pay the proposed penalty in this case. Documents on Cray Valley’s income, dividends paid, net worth, sales, payments, stocks, accounts, firm size, financial stability, the structure of the entity, the relationship it has to its owners and other entities, would enable EPA to conduct a comprehensive financial analysis of this company. Cray Valley has provided its own select sample of documents from which only a ‘partial picti:ire of its financial health can be gleaned. In its request, EPA lists those documents Cray Valley did not provide and which contain probative information to enable EPA to evaluate adequately the company’s claim that it is unable to pay the proposed penalty. These documents also would verify some of the unsubstantiated assertions Cray Valley makes in its “Statement of Evidence.” Without these documents, EPA cannot conduct a complete financial analysis to determine whether Cray Valley has the ability to pay the proposed penalty. ------- 3 An essential part of an ability to pay analysis requires information from a company’s federal tax return. In this case, because Cray Valley is a wholly-owned subsidiary, its federal income tax information is submitted as part of the consolidated income tax return its parent submits to the federal government. EPA needs the consolidated tax return because it is on this return that Cray Valley’s tax information is submitted tothe federal government. The “pro forma” federal tax returns Cray -: Valley submitted are not the returns that were submitted to the federal government. These forms are not signed, so there is no verification that the information contained on them is the same information that was submitted on the consolidated tax return.’ A copy of the consolidated tax return on which Cray Valley’s tax information was submitted would document this federal tax information. The state tax returns Cray Valley filed with New York (the General Business Corporation Franchise Tax Return) do not require the same information as that required on the federal tax returns. For example, the state returns do not include figures for annual sales, costs of goods sold, any indication of most of the expenses incurred by a corporation, or current or long term costs ‘ The ABEL User’s Manual states that “all returns submitted for an ABEL analysis must be signed.” ABEL User’s Manual at 3-1, Exhibit D of Cray Valley’s Memorandum of Law. It also notes that, “(w]ithout the signature, you have no guarantee that this information is accurate.” ABEL User’s Manual at 3-1. ------- 4 — all information that is relevant to determine ability to pay. 2 Therefore, as specified in its Request #1, #2, and #3, EPA needs Cray Valley’s verified federal tax information that was filed as part of the consolidated tax returns of its parent companies. In addition, EPA asks in its Request #15 for a signed Form 8821, which would allow EPA to verify the tax information -- relating to Cray Valley on the consolidated tax return. As the request notes, the form would allow EPA to verity whether-any- of.. the forms regarding foreign bank or financial accounts (Form TD 90—22.1), cash payments made over $10,00 (Form 8300), or money coming into or out of the country (Form 4790) were filed for Cray Valley. The information on these forms relates to assets owned by a company, and thus has significant probative value in assessing Cray Valley’s inability to pay claim. There are numerous other documents Cray Valley did not provide that contain significant probative information needed to conduct a complete financial analysis. For instance, Cray Valley has not provided the firm’s financial statements for the years 1988 through 1992 (Request #4), its depreciation schedule from the date of incorporation (Request #6), or payroll tax returns filed in 1990 through 1992 (Request #8). Other missing documents include copies of insurance policies (Request #11), which would indicate what Cray Valley’s assets are covered by insurance, and whether business and environmental claims are covered. Certainly 2 In addition, the data from the state forms is not used to run the ABEL computer analysis. ------- 5 this type of information is a pertinent part of an analysis to determine what sources of income could fund a penalty. In addition, EPA seeks in its Request #12 financial information on Cray Valley’s royalties and commissions for the tax years 1990 through 1992. In its “Statement of Evidence,” Cray Valley asserts that it paid--Sartomer (a sister subsidiary) a 2% commission and that for 1992 that commission has been 20% --including salaries and costs. Because neither of these--- - statements is accompanied by any verifying documentation, EPA’s Request #12 asks for this schedule. The documents that would respond to Requests #16 and #17, a list of Cray Valley’s customers and suppliers, and Cray Valley’s sales and purchases, would provide relevant data on Cray Valley’s income and expenditures, information that has probative value to an ability to pay assessment. Likewise, EPA asks for the specified forms in Request #9 to document whether and what amount Cray Valley paid in contract labor (not wages) (Form 1099), the amount it received for interest in any loans to another entity (Form 1098), and information that reconciles these two forms (Form 1096), because the information relates to money received or paid out by Cray Valley and thus would make up another relevant part of the financial analysis of the company. The documents listed in Request #19 also would constitute an important part of a financial analysis because these records and books provide the details of Cray Valley’s sales, purchases, accounts payable and receivable, and stocks — all of which have ------- 6 obvious significant probative value in determining Cray Valley’s ability to pay a penalty. 3 Because information on payments Cray Valley makes is relevant to its financial status, EPA asks in Request #7 for the bill of sale for the vehicle Cray Valley purchased on July 1, 1990. This document would verify the amount of mofl y spent on this purchase. Similarly, Request #13, that asks for a copy of all lease agreements, would document how much Cray Valley pays in rent each year. The copy of the lease agreement Cray Valley provided is dated July, 1986, and ends September, 1991. In two other requests, EPA asks for documents that should have been provided with the 1991 tax return but were not. Request #5 asks for a copy of the Form 5472 that was required to be filed with Cray Valley’s 1991 tax return. Request #10 asks for the schedule indicating what makes up the “addition 263 costs” from the 1991 tax return. In its Request #18, EPA asks for a copy of the organizational chart that identifies all of the entities related to Cray Valley and the percentage of common control. Cray Valley’s inability to pay claim must be analyzed within the context of its status as a wholly-owned subsidiary and its relationship to its parent and sister companies. Though Cray EPA’s request states that CVP “produce copies of, or make available for inspection and copying at a location aareed upon by counsel for both parties. . .“ these documents (emphasis added). ThUS, any burden to ClIP in providing this information can be lessened by allowing EPA to examine these books to determine which portions may need to be copied. ------- 7 Valley has provided a “Statement of Evidence” that contains some of this information, it does not provide documentation that lists all of the entities related to it or that details the financial transactions that occur among them. Much of the information Cray Valley provided on its parent and related entities is in the form of unsupported statements that contain only the select information Cray Valley wants to have considered. For example, on page 9 of its “Statement of Evidence,” Cray Valley states it has “customers among Coates— affiliated corporations” which include Coates Bros. Inks U.S.A., Inc., and Colonial Printing Inks Corp. However, no other information on how these entities are related to Cray Valley, nor documentation on the amount of sales from these customers, is given. In another example, also on page 9, Cray Valley states that it “uses Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis for this action.” This statement does not indicate who pays for this representation, though documents sent to EPA by Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis all have a fax cover sheet that state, “Client: Sartomer.” In addition, the “pro forma” tax returns Cray Valley submitted all have the notation “From: Sartomer Finance” on the top of the pages. These seem to indicate the existence of a financial relationship between Sartomer and Cray Valley that is not explained or documented in the information provided. Another reason why EPA requests the consolidated tax returns of Cray Valley’s parent corporations is because this wholly-owned subsidiary’s financial health may be integrally ------- 8 related to the financial health of its parent or 5lster subsidiaries. As demonstrated by hat Cray Valley does provide, its submission to date is incomplete. The company does not provide its basic business records, as outlined in EPA’s Request For Production of Documents, that contain significant probative financial information needed to determine whether this company can afford to pay the proposed penalty in this case. II. Cray Valley’s Inability to Pay Claim Cannot be Analyzed with the Documents Already Submitted; EPA Needs the Requested Documents to Assess Adequately Its Claim. Cray Valley states that it has provided the information EPA needs because, it asserts, EPA needs no information other than the tax returns required to run an ABEL computer analysis to assess an inability to pay claim. Cray Valley can cite no case law or even an EPA policy to support this baseless proposition. In fact, it acknowledges that other financial information is pertinent in assessing its claim by its submission of various other documents and statements not relating to its tax returns. Furthermore, even its “expert report” provided in Exhibit LE of its December, 1992, prehearing exchange (Exhibit C,of its Memorandum of Law) notes that, “if ABEL predicts a company does not have the ability to pay a proposed penalty, then additional financial information of the company should be analyzed.” Exhibit EE at 4. ------- 9 The use of the ABEL program is limited and is not designed to provide a complete analysis of a company’s ability to finance a penalty. EPA uses the ABEL program for settlement purposes only to aid agency personnel who are not financial experts in making a quick assessment of a respondent’s claim of inability to pay. ABEL looks at a violator’s cash flow, and provides a fast, conservative estimate of a firm’s ability to pay. Thus, if the - - ABEL re ialt is negative or indeterminate, the government must look further as there are many other potential sources of income from which penalties can be funded.. To adequatel-y- determine or rebut Cray Valley’s claim of inability to pay requires a more extensive analysis of the firms business records, and its structure and relationship to its parent and other entities. The “expert” report contains Coopers & Lybrand opinion but provides no financial documentation for EPA to analyze. The report simply reflects the results of Coopers & Lybrand’s running of the ABEL computer model. As stated above, the ABEL program does not provide the only type of financial information needed by EPA or this Court to make a determination of Cray Valley’s financial wherewithal to pay the proposed penalty. In addition, even if it did, the federal tax data needed to run this program must be the verified data that was submitted to the federal government, data that is not provided by the submission of a “pro forma” tax return. Furthermore, as noted above, the Coopers & Lybrand report acknowledges that when the ABEL program indicates an inability to ------- 10 pay, “additional financial information” should be analyzed. However, this report does not then analyze such information to determine whether Cray Valley has the ability to pay. Instead, the report simply jumps to an analysis of additional financial information solely to determine whether, in its opinion, upon review of Cray Valley’s relationship with related entities, such “related entities could be pursued in seeking payment of the proposed penalty.” Exhibit EE at 4. Such an analysis is . . irrelevant to the question of whether information other than tax return have probative value in determining Cray Valley’s ability to pay a penalty. Curiously, the “additional financial information” Coopers & Lybrand looked at includes the same documents EPA requests but that Cray Valley will not provide to EPA. These documents are “the capital structure of CV? taken from the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return Form 1120 for the years 1988 through 1991 filed by CVP’s arand arent companies, ” “documentation related to loans from affiliated companies,” “various accounts relating to activities with affiliated companies,” and “dividend payment history.” Exhibit EE from Cray Valley’s prehearing exchange, at page 7. 8 its submission of this opinion, then, Cray Valley acknowledges that these documents have probative value in assessing an inability to pay claim. In addition, with regard to information other than tax returns, Cray Valley claims in the “Facts” section of its Memorandum of Law that it has “provided significant information ------- 11 to EPA concerning its relationship with its parent corporation and affiliates.” Notwithstanding that this information is incomplete, as detailed above, some of this and other financial information is inconsistent with the exhibits referenced in support of it. For example, Cray Valley states on page 7 of the “Statement of Evidence” that it “had a factory built to manufacture...inaterials in the United States. The factory was built on a property in Stockport, New York....” The only documentation accompanying this statement is a lease for a building identified jn the lease as the “Midvale. Paper Board plant” - a building that apparently already occupied the property at the date of the lease. Also, on page 7 of this “Statement of Evidence,” Cray Valley states that “Coates Brothers, Inc. filed a consolidated income tax return, including CVP. See Exhibit P.” Similarly, on page 7, Cray Valley states that “(b)eginning in 1991, Total America, Inc. filed a consolidated federal tax return, including CVP. See Exhibit S.” Neither of these exhibits contain the referenced consolidated tax return filed by these parent corporations. Other information Cray Valley provided contains unverified and apparently inconsistent data. Regarding the 1991 “pro forma” tax return, the balance sheet numbers on Schedule L do not reconcile to balance sheet numbers reported elsewhere on the return, and the computation of income does not reconcile with these numbers. In addition, Form 4562 appears to be incomplete, and the information included on this form does not reconcile to the balance sheet. ------- 12 Also, on page 3 of the 1991 pro forma tax return, Cray Valley indicates that the Form 5472 is attached, but it is not provided. Thus, EPA cannot analyze Cray Valley’s inability to pay claim with the documents submitted because the tax data is not verified, the “expert” opinion does not contain the documents upon which the opinion is based, and the information is incomplete and contains inconsistencies. Conclusion The fact that Cray Valley has not provided the verified federal tax information or the numerous other financial documents listed in EPA request evidences how Cray Valley submission is incomplete. In addition, the discrepancies identified, and the incomplete nature of the information submitted underscore why CVP has not provided sufficient information for EPA to conduct a complete financial analysis of the company. Therefore, EPA respectfully requests that its Motion for Production of Documents be granted so that it can conduct a complete financial analysis of Cray Valley so that its inability to pay claim can be assessed. ------- 13 Respectfully submitted, Alexandra K. Callam Assistant Regional Counsel Air, Waste, & Toxic Substances Branch Office of Regional Counsel Environmental Protection Agency 26 Federal Plaza - Room 400 New York, New York - 10278 -- (212) 264—9898 Dated: ________ ------- % 1 k 1l .i -. Apc 1M6kjT SCHNADER. HARRISON. SEGA. ATTORNEYS AT LAW SurrE 3600 1600 MARKET STREET PHILADELPHIA. PENNSYLVANIA 19103-4252 215-751-2000 FAX 215-751-2205 .JACOB P HART TELEX 53-4280 • CABL WALEW 215-751-2046 October 28, 1993 VIA UPS NEXT DAY AIR Honorable J. F. Greene Administrative Law Judge Mail Code A-lb U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: In the Matter of Cray Valley Products, Inc.. Docket No. II TSCA-PMN-92-0222 Dear Judge Greene: On behalf of Cray Valley Products, Inc., this letter is submitted as a Surreply to Complainant’s Reply to Respondent’s Opposition to EPA’s Motion for Order Compelling Response For Production of Documents. In its Reply, counsel for the EPA asserts that the EPA needs the consolidated tax returns of CVP’s parent corporations because it is in the consolidated tax returns that Cray Valley’s tax information is submitted to the United States. In making this assertion, counsel for the EPA apparently makes the inaccurate assumption that the consolidated tax returns contain specific information about the income, expenses and assets of CVP. That assumption simply is not- true. In a consolidated tax return, information about the income, assets and expenses of individual affiliated corporations are combined into totals. The consolidated tax returns thus will not provide the information that the EPA allegedly needs for the ABEL Program. PHILADELPHIA • WASHINGTON • NEW YORK. HARRISBURG NORRISTOWN . SCRANTON - CHERRY HILL ------- SCMNADCR. HARRISON. SCGAL & LEWIS Honorable J. F. Greene -2- The only source of that information is CVP’s pro forma income tax returns, which have been provided to EPA. The pro forma returns are business records and should be considered as reliable as signed tax returns for the purposes of operating the ABEL Program. Counsel for EPA also asserts that there are certain inconsistencies between schedules for the pro forma returns and entries in the pro forma returns. CVP will review the returns and schedules and will clarify any inconsistencies. In addition, counsel for EPA also argues that it should be provided the consolidated tax returns for CVP’s parent corporation and other financial information concerning CVP because experts for CVP relied upon information about CVP from the tax returns and upon other financial data about CVP. Reply at 10. To the extent that it has not already done so, CVP will provide to the EPA the financial information relied upon by CVP’s experts. Clari fica- tion of any inconsistencies in the pro forma tax returns, and the data relied upon by CVP’s experts, along with the financial information already provided to the EPA, should be more than sufficient to allow the EPA to determine CVP’s ability to pay. CVP thus respectfully requests, for the reasons set forth in this letter and CVP’s opposition to EPA’s motion for order compelling response to production of documents, that the motion be denied. Respectfully, FOR cc: Alexandra Callam, Esquire Ms. Karen Maples P. Hart HARRISON, SEGAL & LEWIS ------- itO UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY \ I REGION II 4 0j G JACOB 1< JAVITS FEDERAL BUILDING NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10278.0012 November 2, 1993 Honorable J.F. Greene Administrative Law Judge Mail Code A—lb U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 401-M Street, S.W. —— Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: In the Matter of Cray Valley Products, Inc. Docket No. 11 TSCA—PMN —92—0222 Dear Judge Greene: Complainant submits this in response to Cray Valley Products, Inc. October 28, 1993, letter regarding Complainant’s Reply to Respondent’s Opposition to EPA’S Motion for Order Compelling Response For Production of Documents. In its letter, Cray Valley questions the veracity of “EPA’s assumption that the consolidated tax returns contain specific information about the income, expenses and assets of CVP....” EPA made this “assumption” based on the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations that require such information to be submitted to the United States as part of a consolidated tax return. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 1501 states: An affiliated group of corporations shall, subject to the provisions of this chapter, have the privilege of making a consolidated return with respect to the income tax imposed by Chapter 1 for the taxable year in lieu of separate returns. The making of a consolidated return shall be upon the condition that all corporations which at any time during the taxable year have been members of the affiliated group consent to all the consolidated return regulations prescribed under section 1502.... These regulations include the requirements that a Form 1120 be filed for the consolidated group in total, and that Form 851 - the affiliations schedule - be attached. Treasury Regulation 1.1502—75(j) further states that for each subsidiary the statement of gross income and deductions and the schedules required by the instructions on the return ------- 2 all be prepared and filed in columnar form so that the details of. the items of gross income, deductions, and credits for each member may be readily audited. Such statements and schedules shall include in columnar form a reconciliation of surplus for each corporation and a reconciliation of consolidated surplus. This regulation also requires that “(c]onsolidated balance sheets as of the beginning and close of the taxable year of the group, taken from the books of the members, shall accompany the consolidated return and shall be prepared in a form similar to that required for reconciliation of surplus.” TR 1.1502—75(j). Furthermore, TR 1.1502—12 states that “the separate taxable income of a member. . is computed in accordance with the provisions of the Code covering the determination of taxable income of separate corporations, subject to the following modifications....” Specific items which are modified with regard to consolidated entities and which are included with the filed consolidated return include the transactions between members and transactions with respect to stock, bonds, or other obligations of members reflected in accordance with TR 1.1502—13 and TR 1.1502—14. see TR 1.502—12(a). Examples of items that are covered by the consolidated return regulation include the sale of property by one member of a group to another member of the same group, the performance of services by one member of a group for another member of a group, the payment of interest by one member of a group to another member of the same group, and intercompany sales of inventory items, among others. Therefore, it is evident from the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations that, along with the filing of a combined consolidated tax return, information regarding income, deductions, assets, liabilities, stockholder’s equity, retained earnings, certain intercompany transactions and eliminations and other schedules, must be included on a separate entity basis. Thus, as stated in its Reply memorandum, EPA requests the consolidated tax returns so that it can obtain the verified financial information relating to Cray Valley that was submitted to the United States, and so that it can analyze Cray Valley’. financial relationship to its parent and sister affiliates. These and the other documents requested will provide EPA the n.c.ssary information to begin its financial analysis of Cray Valley’s inability to pay claim. Cray Valley’s October 28, 1993, letter conveniently ignores the reasons EPA has laid out for requesting the consolidated tax returns. EPA does not need them to run the ABEL program, as Cray Valley erroneously asserts, because ABEL does not provide a definitive determination of an entity’s inability to pay. Cray Valley’s claim at this late date that it will provide its own selection of documents “to the extent it has not already done so” ------- 3 serves only to underscore that the information it has submitted thus far is deficien t. Because EPA has not received all of the specific documents as identified in its Request for Documents, Cray Valley must be obligated by an Order of this Court to submit these documents so that this company’s financial status can be adequately analyzed. Alexandra Callam Assistant Regional Counsel Office of Regional Counsel cc: Karen Maples, Regional Hearing Clerk Jacob Hart, Esq. ------- flh/4C/tM AJ / UNITED STATES ENVIRONMEI1TAL PROTECT.ION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 In the Matter of Docket UTSCA-II-P -92-0222 CRAY VALLEY C, INC. Judge Greene Respondent ORDER REOUIRING RESPOND T TO MAKE AVAILABLE CERTAIN DOCU? TS FOR INSPECTION AND COPYING Complainant having demonstrated the need for and relevance of certain documents in connection with respondent’s asserted inability to pay the penalty sought in the complaint, it is hereby ordered that no later than November 19, 1993, respondent shall make available for inspection and copying the documents requested by complainant (Motion for Order Compelling Response to Request for Production of Documents, October 1, 1993; and Request for Production of Documents of U. S. EPA to Cray Valley Products, Inc., September 30, 1993). While no specific request for a protective order was made by respondent in its October 11, 1993, response, given the tenor of the opposition to complainant’s motion, consideration will be given to the issuance of such an order if a proper showing is made. And it is FURTHER ORDERED that, during the week ending November 26, 1993, the parties shall report upon the status of this matter. J reene inistrative Law Judge October 29, 1993 Washington, D. C. ------- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that the original of this Order was sent to” the Regional Hearing Clerk and copies were sent to the counsel for the complainant and counsel for the respondent on November 1, 1993. “ hirley mith Legal Staff Assistant for Judge J. F. Greene NAXE OF RESPONDENT: Cray Valley Products; Inc. ( OCKET NUMBER: TSCA-PMN-II-92-0222 Ms. Karen Maples Regional Hearing Clerk Region II EPA -- - 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 Alexandra K. Calla , Esq. Office of Regional Counsel Region II - EPA 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 Jacob P. Hart, Esq. Rodney B. Griffith, Esq. Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis 1600 Market Street, Suite 3600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 ------- ( ) UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTR.ATOR In the Matter of ) Colfax, Inc., ) 38 Colfax Street ) Pawtucket, RI 02860 ) Respondent ) ) Docket No. EPCRA 1—93—1076 coMPLAINAN’r’s MOTION FOR LEAVE TO REOUEST PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 22.19(f), Complainant, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, respectfully moves for leave to serve upon Respondent, Colfax, Inc., the attached Request by Complainant for Production of Documents (the Request). The Request seeks financial information which is in the possession or control of Respondent, which is relevant to Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty, and is necessary for a hearing on this matter. In support of this Motion, EPA states the following: 1. In his Order Granting In Part and Denying in Part Complainant’s Motion for An Accelerated Decision, dated September 2, 1994, the Presiding Officer ordered the Respondent to submit by September 19, 1994, any docurnents it intends to rely on at the hearing with respect to Respondent’s inability to pay the proposed penalty. In response, Respondent submitted a document entitled “Combined Interim Financial State ients and Accountant’s Review Report, June 30, 1994 and July 1, 1993” for the Colfax ------- Corporate Group. The Respondent submitted no other documentation. 2. The Consolidated Rules of Practice, 40 C.F.R. 5 22.19(f) (1), allows discovery upon a determination by the court that (1) such discovery will net unreasonably delay the proceeding, (2) the information requested is not otherwise obtainable, and (3) the information sought has significant probative value. The discovery sought in the Request meets these three criteria. 3. Such discovery will not unreasonably delay the proceeding because the documents should be readily available at the Respondent’s facility or at the office of Respondent’s accountant. 4. The information requested is not otherwise discoverable because the information is in the possession or control of the Respondent. 5. The information sought is necessary in order for Complainant to conduct a thorough analysis of the Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty and to prepare for a hearing on this matter. Respondent has supplied limited information which is not specific to Colfax, Inc., but rather to a larger entity, the Colfax Corporate Group. Therefore, discovery is necessary in order for Complainant to have a full understanding of the financial status of Colfax, Inc. and the relationship between Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group. Discovery is also necessary in order to corroborate the financial statement submitted with other financial documentation such as Respondent’s ------- tax returns, and to obtain financial information on Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group from recent years. Respectfully submitted, Date: ‘ / I .,‘ 3 í I l Andrea Simpson Assistant Regional Counsel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I J.F.K. Federal Building, RCE Boston, Massachusetts 02203 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR In the Matter of ) ) Co]fax, Inc., ) 38 Colfax Street ) Pawtucket, RI 02860 ) Respondent ) ) Docket No. EPCRA I—93-1076 REQUEST BY COMPLAINANT U.S. ENVIRO Q(ENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 22.2 .9(f) and the decision of the Presiding Officer on Complainant’s Motion for Leave to Request Production of Documents, Complainant, United States Environmental Protection Agency Region I (EPA), hereby requests Respondent, Colfax, Inc., to produce the following documents which are in the actual or constructive possession, custody or control of the Respondent within fourteen (14) days of the date of this Request or within such other time as the Presiding Officer shall order: 1. Provide the U.S. income tax returns of Colfax, Inc. for the last five (5) fiscal years including all schedules and attachments, and copies of trial balances used to prepare the tax return for each of the last five (5) fiscal years. If Colfax, Inc. is a member of a corporate group that files a consolidated federal income tax return, provide the consolidated federal income tax return for the last five (5) fiscal years including all schedules and attachments and the data used for Colfax, Inc.’s income and expenses for the last five (5) fiscal years, including the balance sheet, statement of operations, ------- retained earnings and cash flow, trial balances, and all other financial information used as a basis for the determination of profit or loss and! or financial position. 2. Provide depreciation schedules for Colfax, Inc. and the Co]fax Corporate Group all inclusive since the dates of incorporation. 3. Provide copies of all, completed 1099, 1098 and W—2 forms issued to all officers and shareholders of Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group for the years 1991, 1992 and 1993. 4. Provide copies of lease agreements for all property rented by Colfax, Inc. since 1991. Include any amendments to such lease agreements. 5. Please identify all financial institutions which Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group have done business with over the past five (5) years and sign the attached disclosure authorization form for each such institution. 6. If any assets have been sold by Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group within the past five years, provide copies of the sales agreement, bill ’of sale, deeds transferred and any other information pertaining to such sale. 7. If any assets have been bought by Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax corporate Group within the past five years, provide copies of the sales agreement, bill of sale, deeds transferred and any other information pertaining to such purchase. 8. Provide copies of all bank statements for the past three years \for all bank accounts of Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group. ------- 9. For all outstanding loans to Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group, provide copies of loan applications, loan documents, notes, etc. 10. For any loans from a shareholder of Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group, provide copies of the cancelled check written to the corporation and loan documents. 11. Provide an organizational chart identifying any and all related parties to the Respondent (brother, sister, affiliate and parent, subsidiary relationships). Respectfully submitted, Date: •,., . Andrea Simpson Counsel for Complainant ------- FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM I, ________________, hereby authorize and consent to the disclosure and release of any and all information pertaining to Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group held by any financial institution to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or its representative. This authorization for the release of financial information to EPA further constitutes my consent for purposes of release of financial records and information held by financial institutions pursuant to the Right to Financial Privacy Act, 12 U.S.C. § 3402. A true copy of this Financial Disclosure Form may be substituted for an original. _________________________(Signature) __________________________(Title) ------- U.S. EPfl OFFICE OF REG. COUNCIL — 12’ø?’94 15:34 001 ‘ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EGIONt . . J F KENNEDY FEDERAL BUILDING BOSTON. MASSACHUSETTS 02203-2211 ., December 7, 1994 Mary Anne Gavin Regional Hearing Clark U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I, RCG J.F. Kennedy Federal Building Boston, Massachusetts 02203 Re: In the Matter of Co1fa c. Inc , Docket No. EPCRA 1-93—1076 Dear Ms. Gavin: Enclosed for filing in the above—referenced matter, please find Motion for Ruling on Complainant’s Motion ter Leave to Request Production of Documents. Copies of this document have been sent to the Presiding Officer and to Counsel for the Respondent. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Very truly yours, - •1 Andrea Simpson As3istant Regional Counsel Enclosure cc: Hon. Gerald Harwood Stephen H. Burke, Esq. OPTtON FORM 99 (7-90) FAX TRANSMITTAL _‘. P .ir.’ ------- — .‘ L I. .I. • J. .1. L..I ri L I LL LW L.LM•JI ‘ £ — U 4ITED STATE8 ENVIRONMENTAl, PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE TRE ADMINISTRATOR In the Matter of ) ) COlfa)C, Inc., ) 38 Colfax Street ) Pawtucket, RI 02860 ) Respondent ) —) Docket NO. EPCRA 1-93-3076 MOTION FOR RULING MOTION FOR RULING ON COMPLAINAIIT’S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO REQUEST PROP UCTION OF DOCUXENT8 Complainant, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, hereby moves this court to issue an order requiring Respond nt to produce the documents which were requested by Complainant in its Motion for Leave to Request Production of Documents and Request for Production of Documents, filed on October 5, 1994 (attached). The documents requested are relevant to Respondent’s claim that it is unable to pay the proposed penalty. As grounds for this motion, Complainant states that on October 20, 1994, the Presiding Officer issued an order granting Respondent an extension until December 1, 1994, to respond to Complainant’s October 5, 1994 discovery motion. As of today’s date, Complainant has not received a response. Such discovery should be allowed pursuant to Section 22.19(f) of the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative 1 ssessment of Penalties because (1) it will not unreasonably delay the proceeding, (2) the information requested is not otherwise obtainable, and (3) the information sought has ------- — •‘ . . . ., _1 • £c_I_ I I% _1. %Jl1%. LI_. significant probative value. Complainant requests that the Presiding Officer order Respondent to produce the documents by December 19, 1994, so that complainant will have sufficient time to review the documents and prepare for the hearing in this matter Which is scheduled for February 7, 1995. WHEREFORE, Complainant requests that this court issue an order requiring the Respondent to produce all of the documents requested in Complainant’s October 5, 1994 motion by December 19, 1994. Respectfully submitted, Date:j :_ L J b Andrea Simpson / Assistant Regional counsel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region I J.F.K. Federal Building Boston, Massachusetts 02203 (617) 565—9401 ------- U.b. .I- H UI-I- 1L UI- b. UJUNCIL Docket Ho. EPCRA 1-93—1076 Certificate of Servjc I hereby certify that the Motion for Ruling on CQmplainant’s Motion for Leave to Request Production of Documents was delivered to the Regional Hearing Clerk and copies thereof were sent to the Presiding Officer and to Counsel for the Respondent this day, in the following manner and at the addresses listed below: Original by hand delivery to; Mary Anne Gavin Regional Hearing Clerk U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I, RCG JFK Federal Building Boston, Massachusetts 02203 Copy by first class mail to: The Hon. Gerald Harwood Senior Administrative Law Judge U.5. Environxaental Protection Agency Mail Code 1900 Washington, D.C. 20460 Copy by first class mail to: Stephen H. Burke, Esq. Temkin & Stone 2500 Hospital Trust Tower Providence, R.I. 02903 Date: __________ J/ .- 1.:’ . Andrea Simpson Counsel for Complainant ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR In the matter of ) Colfax, Xnc. ) Docket No. EP RA 1—93—1076 ) Respondent ) ORDER DIRECTING P ODUCTIQN OF DOCUX TS In response to my- order of September 2, 3.994, Respondent produced some financial information that Complainant regards is inèufficient to give a reliable picture of Respondent’s finanóial. condition. - Complainant, accordingly, has tiled a request for the production of documents that it claims bear upon Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty of $86,000. Although unopposed, the request seems unnecessaz’ily broad. Accordingly, Respondent at this time is directed to comply with Paragraphs. 3. and 11 of Complainant’s request dated October 5, 1994. If review of these documents indicates the need for additional financial information, Complainant may apply for such information. These documents shall be produced and made available to Complainant by 7anuary 10, 1995. Respondent is notified that it Respondent does not produce the documents as ordered, and no good cause is shown for the failure to comply, the inference will be drawn that the documents would have demonstrated that Respondent does have the financial ability to pay the proposed penalty, and that payment of the penalty will not :1. ------- adversely affect Respondent’ a ability to continue in business. See 40 C.F.R.. c22.o4(c)(5). If the documents are produced,-they will be given such probative vaXue with -respect to Respondent’s financial condition and ability to pay the penalty as is shown to be justified by their contents. dJ A 1 Gerald Harwoo Senior Administrative Law 7udge Dated:V .4.$t.44 dZO ,3.994 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE TEE ADMINISTRATOR In the Matter of ) ) Colfax, Inc., ) 38 Coif ax Street ) Pawtucket, RI 02860 ) Respondent ) ) Docket No. EPCRA 1—93-1076 MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION COMPLAINANT’S MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF RULING ON REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS Complainant, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, moves this court for a reconsideration of its December 20, 1994, Order Directing Production of Documents, which granted, in part, Complainant’s Request for Production of Documents in the above—captioned matter. As grounds for this motion, Complainant states that all of the documents originally requested are necessary for a complete and thorough analysis of Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty. In addition, Complainant states as follows: 1. On October 5, 1994, Complainant filed a Motion for Leave to Request Production of Documents and Request for Production of Documents relevant to Respondent’s ability to pay the proposed penalty. 2. On October 20, 1994, the Presiding Officer granted an extension of time until December 1, 1994, by which the Respondent was to respond to Complainant’s discovery request. 3. On December 7, 1994, Complainant, having received no response from Respondent to its October 5, 1994, motion, filed a Motion for ------- a Ruling on its discovery request. 4. On December 20, 1994, the Presiding Officer ordered the Respondent to produce by January 10, 1994, two (2) of the 11 pieces of financial information requested by the Complainant. Specifically, the Presiding Officer allowed discovery of 1) U.S. income tax returns of Colfax, Inc. for the last five (5) fiscal years including all schedules and attachments, and copies of trial balances used to prepare the tax return for each of the last five (5) fiscal years; If Colfax, Inc. is a member of a corporate group that files a consolidated income tax return, the consolidated federal income tax return for the last five (5) fiscal years including all schedules and attachments and the data used for Colfax, Inc.’s income and expenses for the last five (5) fiscal years, including the balance sheet, statement of operations, retained earnings and cash flow, trial balances, and all other financial information used as a basis for the determination of profit or loss and/or financial position; and 2) an organizational chart identifying any and all related parties to the Respondent (brother, sister, affiliate and parent subsidiary relationships). The December 20, 1994, Order also provided that if review of these documents indicates the need for additional financial information, Complainant may apply for such information. 5. While the information which Respondent is ordered to produce will provide some evidence of its ability to pay the penalty, it will only allow Complainant to perform a cursory analysis of Respondent’s financial position and its ability to pay the penalty. 2 ------- 6. In order to clarify Complainant’s position with regard to its discovery request, Complainant has attached a detailed explanation of why, in addition to the tax returns and corporate oraganizational chart, each piece of information originally requested is necessary for a thorough analysis of Respondent’s ability to pay the penalty. - 7. Concurrent with this motion, Complainant is filing a Motion for a Continuance in order to allow additional time for discovery and to allow Complainant adequate time to prepare for a hearing in this matter. WHEREFORE, Complainant respectfully requests that the Presiding Officer issue an order requiring Respondent to produce the documents described in the attached document. Respectfully submitted, Date:______ ___________ ‘Andrea Simpson Assistant Regional Counsel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I J.F.K. Federal Building (RCE) Boston, Massachusetts 02203 (617) 565—9401 3 ------- ATTACHNENT EXPLANATION OF DOCUMENT REQUEST The following is a description of the financial information requested, its necessity, relevance, and an explanation as to how the information requested will be used in determining Respondent’s ability to pay the penalty. The information described below will not appear on Respondent’s tax retirns which, along with a corporate organization chart, were the only items allowed from Complainant’s original document request. 2. Provide the depreciation schedule for Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group all inclusive since the date of incorporation. A depreciation schedule is a detailed schedule of a corporation’s assets which have a useful life of one year or more. It provides a description of each asset, date the asset was purchased, cost of the asset, expected useful life, depreciation expense currently taken, the accumulated depreciation to date, book value of the asset and when and if the asset was disposed of. If an asset has been sold or otherwise disposed of it would still appear on the depreciation schedule as a previously owned asset. The same holds true if an asset has been fully depreciated (expensed). The depreciation schedule has relevance in an ability to pay analysis for a number of different reasons. The depreciation ------- schedule: a) will show if any assets have recently been purchased and the associated cost of the asset. If the corporation paid cash for these assets, the assets may be used to secure a new loan. The proceeds from the loan could be used to pay the penalty; b) will show if there are unnecessary or luxury items being paid for by the corporation. (Please note, other areas of the financial statement or tax return may also indicate additional luxury items.) If the corporation has invested in real property, rental property, condominiums, lwcury automobiles, airplanes, boats, or any other assets which are not necessary for the continued operation of the business, these non—essential assets could be sold to generate additional cash which could be used to pay the penalty; C) will indicate assets which have been transferred by the corporation either through a sale to an unrelated party or a distribution to one of the shareholders or other related party.’ These transfers may not be reported on the tax return or they may not be reported at the asset’s fair market value. Proceeds from the sale of an asset Related parties are defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 267 and include an individual and a corporation more than 50 percent in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such individual, and two corporations which are members of the same controlled group... among others. Indirect ownership includes ownership through family members and other entities. Treasury Regulation 1.267. 2 ------- which was not reported on the tax return would be a source of additional income which could be used to pay a penalty as would a distribution of assets from a corporation to its shareholders at less than fair market value. A shareholder is required to pay fair market value for any assets sold to him or her. If the assets were sold for less than fair market value, the difference between the sale price and the fair market value would at a minimum represent a receivable to the corporation. The receivable would provide the corporation with additional funds to pay the penalty; d) will show the actual amount that the company paid for an asset. This amount generally does not represent the current fair market value of the asset. Fair market value may be substantially higher than the asset’s historical cost to the corporation. If that is the case, such assets listed on the depreciation schedule may be used to obtain a new loan, the proceeds of which may be used to pay the penalty. Or, the assets may be liquidated, in which case there would be additional funds for payment of a penalty. 3. Provide copies of all completed 1099, 1098, and W—2 forms issued to all officers and shareholders of Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group for the years 1991, 1992, and 1993. 3 ------- Each of the forms identified above is required to be filed by Colfax, Inc. and/or the Corporate Group with the Internal Revenue Service and the recipient of the reported income (in this case the officers and shareholders). The amount reported on each form represents the total amount paid by the corporation to each shareholder/officer for each of the income categories described below. a) Form 1099-INT will show how much interest a shareholder has received from the corporation. A determination must be made as to the validity of the underlying loan and whether the interest rate is competitive with rates of outside lending institutions. If the interest paid to the shareholder/officer is excessive in relationship to interest paid to non—related parties, the excess interest should be allocated back to the corporation providing additional income to be used to pay the penalty. b) Form 1099-DIV will show how much each shareholder received in dividends for the year. Corporations generally issue dividends 1) in times of strong financial health because the income is not needed to meet financial obligations or 2) when corporate assets have been liquidated and the proceeds received from such liquidation are being distributed to the shareholders. The issuance of dividends is thus a strong indication that the firm will be able to meet its penalty obligations. Also, dividends can be held back from being 4 ------- distributed and used to pay a penalty. C) Form 1099-B identifies the value of any bartering exchanges which have taken place. With regard to bartering transactions which have taken place between the corporation and the shareholder/officers (where goods or services are exchanged for goods or services), the fair value of these exchanges must be determined. If the corporation has received less than fair market value for what it exchanged, a receivable representing the difference between the value received and the fair market value of what it gave up would result. This receivable would provide additional income to meet the penalty obligation. d) Form 1099-S identifies the dollar amount a shareholder or officer received from the corporation as a result of the sale of real estate to the corporation. Sales and exchanges between the corporation and related parties must be reported as an arms length transaction. If the reported sale price is above fair market value, the difference between the sale price and the fair value would be reclassified to the corporation as income. This additional income would be available to pay the penalty. e) Form 1099—MISC shows how much a shareholder or officer received for rent and/or other miscellaneous payments. Here again, the fair value of these payments must be determined. If the payment made to the 5 ------- shareholder/officer is for property rental and the cash payments are substantially higher in relationship to other rental fees charged for similar type property, then the difference between the actual payments and the fair rental value of the payments represents a receivable to the corporation. This receivable would provide the corporation with additional income to pay its penalty. f) Form 1098 will show if there is a mortgage between the corporation and one of the officers or shareholders. A determination would have to be made as to whether the underlying loan is a valid loan with a competitive interest rate and whether the asset was transferred at fair market value. If it is determined that the interest rate is below the market rate or the asset changed hands at less than fair market value, then a receivable for the additional interest or sales proceeds due would be established. This receivable would provide the corporation with additional income to pay the penalty. g) Form W-2 will show the amount of wages received by the shareholders and officers as well as any fringe benefits they have received. These forms are necessary to determine if the officers and shareholders are being paid reasonable salaries in light of the amount of time they devote to the business. If it is determined that the salary of an officer or shareholder is excessive or unreasonable, that portion which is determined to be 6 ------- excessive should be allocated back to the corporation. This reallocation would provide the corporation with additional income to pay the penalty amount. The three years of documentation requested for each of the above categories is necessary to determine any significant increases or decreases in reportable amounts. A three year comparison will allow us to determine if the corporation has authorized any such increases. Salary increases, additional fringe benefits and dividend .payinents are all indications of a financially secure corporation and provide evidence that the corporation has the ability to meet its penalty obligations. If the corporation is able to steadily increase an officer’s salary, provide for additional fringe benefits, and/or declare dividends, it is a clear indication that the corporation is experiencing growth and is in a strong financial position. Please note, if the above scenarios do not pertain to this corporation then the documents outlined above will not exist and therefore understandably will not be provided. 4. Provide copies of lease agreements for all property rented by Colfax, Inc. since 1991. Include any amendments to such lease agreements. Lease agreements will show the parties to the lease arrangement and 7 ------- identify related party transactions. The lease agreements which involve related parties must be reviewed to determine if they are consistent with fair rental value. If the company’s lease payments are in excess of fair rental value, the difference between the payments and the fair rental value can be allocated back to the corporation and made available to pay the penalty.. The leases may also show that the corporation is leasing luxury automobiles or non—essential assets. In such circumstances, the leases could be cancelled, freeing up additional cash which could be used to pay the penalty. 5. Please identify all financial institutions which Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group have done business with over the past 5 years, and sign the attached disclosure authorization form for each institution. The disclosure authorization form allows the financial institutions to release information concerning liabilities, credit, and additional loans. The authorization form will allow EPA to: a) verify the accuracy of liabilities to financial institutions included on the tax return. The tax return may reflect greater liabilities than actually exist. If the actual liabilities are less than the amount reported on the tax return, it would indicate that the corporation is in a better financial position to pay the penalty amount; 8 ------- b) verify the amount of loans outstanding against corporate assets and determine if additional funds could be borrowed against these assets; and C) review financial statements provided to the bank which may disclose additional assets not listed on the depreciation schedule. These assets may be sold or leveraged to pay the penalty. 6. If any assets have been sold by Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group within the past 5 years, provide copies of the sales agreement, bill of sale, deeds transferred and any information pertaining to such sale. The documents requested in paragraph 6 will describe the assets sold, the date the asset was sold, the sales price, the parties to the transaction, the date of transfer and the terms of the sale. This information, in conjunction with the 1099-S’s issued and the loan information requested is necessary to analyze asset transfers which have taken place. In addition, this information will provide the following information: a) If an asset was transferred to a related party at a sale price which was below fair market value, a receivable would be due to the corporation for the difference between the sale price and fair market value. This receivable would provide the corporation with additional 9 ------- income to pay its penalty obligation; b) If the corporation financed the sale of one of its assets and is holding the note on the asset, the payments the corporation is receiving pertaining to this note would be a source of cash available for payment of penalties. 7. If any assets have been bought by Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group within the past 5 years, provide copies of the sales agreement, bill of sale, deeds transferred and any other information pertaining to such purchase. The analysis of these documents in conjunction with loan information requested will provide: a) verification of the accuracy of the cost of assets reported on the balance sheet and depreciation schedule. If an asset’s purchase price is higher than the amount reported on the balance sheet and depreciation schedule, it is an indication that the corporation is in better financial condition than appears because the value of the corporation’s assets would be higher than reported; b) information as to whether the assets were purchased with cash, in which case the corporation may be able to obtain a new loan against the asset. The proceeds from this new loan could be used to meet the corporation’s penalty obligation; c) information as to whether the assets purchased are 10 ------- essential to the business. If the assets are not essential to the business, they can be sold. The cash generated from the sale could be used pay the penalty. 8. Provide copies of all bank statements for the past three years for all bank accounts of Colfax, Inc. and the Colfax Corporate Group. Bank statements detail all banking activity during a particular month for each of the different types of accounts an entity maintains including, but not limited to, deposits, withdrawals, checks written and balances. An analysis of the bank records may: a) uncover unreported income. Unreported income is additional income available to the corporation to pay the penalty; b) disclose an installment sale which was reported in a previous year for which payments are being received currently. These payments provide an influx of cash to the corporation which would be available to pay the penalty; C) disclose large or unusual withdrawals or checks which •1 would indicate further analysis is needed. This analysis may lead to the discovery of luxury or unnecessary purchases. Such purchases could be sold or withdrawals reclassified, making additional funds available to the corporation. 11 ------- The provision of documentation on all bank accounts allows review of any money market accounts, certificates of deposits or other investment accounts which Colfax may possess. These types of accounts are liquid and represent a source of available funds to pay a penalty. 9. For all outstanding loans to Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group, provide copies of loan applications, loan documents, notes, etc. This information: a) may disclose unrecorded assets. Such assets could be used to secure new loans or could be sold to generate additional income; b) may identify a loan to Colfax from a related party which is not an arm’s length transaction. If the interest rate on the loan is excessive, the difference between the stated interest rate and the current market rate can be reclassified to the corporation as income, thereby providing additional income to pay the penalty. 10. For any loans from a shareholder of Colfax, Inc. or the Colfax Corporate Group, provide copies of the cancelled check written to the corporation and loan documents. 12 ------- This information: a) will allow verification that a reported loan was actually made. If the payment to Colfax was not made, the corporation would not owe the amount of the loan. Therefore, the corporate liabilities would be reduced, allowing for additional funds to meet the penalty obligation; b) may show that the money infused into the corporation was not a loan but rather a contribution of capital. This situation would reduce the liabilities of the corporation and provide the corporation with additional capital to pay the penalty. 13 ------- .fl. ._.. __• L rfr-I urr L U - b. LUUNLIL 004 UNiTED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR In the Matter of ) ) Colfax, Inc., ) 38 Colfax Street ) Pawtucket, I 02860 ) Respondent ) Docket No. EPCRA 1.93-1076 OBJECTION TO MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION RESPONDENTS OBJECTION TO COMPLAINANTS MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF RULING ON REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS Respondent, COlfax, Inc., hereby objects to Complainant’s December 30,1994 Motion for Reconsideration of Ruling on Request for Production of Documents. The object of Complainant’s Motion is to secure access to financial Information allegedly relevant to Respondent’s ability to pay the penalties assessed. On December 20, 1994, this Agency determined that the Complainant’s request was “unnecessarily broad”. Accordingly, the Agency ordered compliance with Paragraphs 1 and 11 of Complainant’s request. The order also provided: If review of these documents indicates the need for additional financial Information, Complainants may file for such Information. Notwithstanding that no such review has occurred, Complainant now contends that production of additional documents is needed to permit adequate review of Respondent’s ability to pay. In support of this contention, Complainant has attached to its Motion an EPA form explaining what each document is, and bow, If produced, each document might lead to the production of relevant evidence in some cases- Complainant offers not a shred of evidence that any of the documents requested are ------- g1r20/95 9:23 US EPA OFFICE OF REG. COUNCIL ø 5 likely to lead to the cliscoveiy of relevant evidence In this case. Each of the documents requested would be relevant if this were a case in which Respondent was civilly charged with financial chicanery such as under-reporting of assets, insider trading or income tax underpayinents. In those cases, the prosecuting authority would base a production request on at least some evidence that the facts to be uncovered by document exandnation actually exist. In this case, the Complainant has adduced no evidence that the facts it hopes to uncover exist. Complainant is engaged hi a “fishing expedition” in a vain expectation that it will obtain evidence sufficient to meet its burden of proof on the ultimate issue: reasonableness of the penalty imposed in this case. Should the Complainant, upon review of the documents to be produced by Januazy 10, 1995, be able to demonstrate to this Agency that additional document production is required to adequately prepare its case, Respondent will have no objection to producing such documents as may be ordered by the Agency. In the meantime, Respondent objects to reconsideration of this matter at this time. Respectfully submitted, COU?AX, INC. By its attorneys, Temkin & Stone Ltd. STEFHE! H. BIJRXE, ESQUIRE 2S00 Hospital Trust Tower Providence, RI 02903 (401) 751-2400 (o) (401) 751.7180 (f) DATED: Januaiy 4,1995 ------- u , rH urri .. ur I< b. LUUNILIL UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR In the matter of ) ) Colfax, Inc. ) Docket No. E? BA 1-93-1076 ) Respondent ) ORDER Complainant’s motion for reconsideration of my ruling on request for production of documents is denied. Complainant’s motion for continuance of the hearing is also denied. Coinpiathant’s motions are based simply on conjecture that the information ordered to be produced will not be sufficient and cannot be analyzed in time for the hearing. Once the documents are produced, Complainant may renew its motion for a continuance upon a proper shoving that more time is needed to obtain additional documents or to analyze the material produced. Lii Gerald Harwoo Senior Administrative Law Judge Dated: , 1995 :1. ------- 5A )(V1. ‘- —• . J I aI Z JRN1 : 4 aa .JV/t27o’75 (20, / 6.r 2 72 January 6, 1995 Administrative Law Judge Jon G. Lotis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mail Code 1900 401. M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: Docket #11 EPCR,A - 93 -0112 Dear Judge Lotis; X represent SAR Industrial Finishing and have cornp1i ta Your Honor’s Order setting pre-hearing procedures. I note .i Honor’s Order that the agency policy encourages settlement ar you directed that the counsel for complainant file on or ..• September 30, 1994 a statement with respect to the stat .- c f settlement negotiations. I am not aware that that filing ha L en place. I have attempted diligently to settle this Case ar. i ve _ 1& . th voluminous requests for discovery and just ye received an additional request, copy of which is attached December 23, 1994, which I strenuously object to on behal- ‘1 ‘ client. Negotiations have been on going for A per approximately six to nine months and the parties are a few t dollars a part. I- think in the interest of justice Your should be apprised of this” situation and I would ask the C.. • assistance in settling this matter down for a settlement COfl ’; with Your Honor at Your Honor’s convenience. I respec.:. . ly request that this conference take place somewhere in New Jerse7 - as that is the site of the violations. Respectfully yours, // _4 , PATRICK P. RAZW ZZO PPR/ld Enclosures cc: Mr. & Mrs. Mauro Richard 3. Weisberg, Esq. Ms. Karen Maples — S @/ Od 6S P P9 I DèJO N0193è1 d3 91 ------- U. £“ r UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTRCTION AGE g. 4 i / REGIONI I . . -, 44 PROS JACOB K. JAVITS FEDERAL BUILDING REGJon, NEW YORK . NEW YORK 10278-0012 January 17, 1995 Mon. Jon G. Lotis Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Law Judges U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mail Code 1900 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: sat Industrial Finishing , Dkt. No. II EPCRA-93-Ot ’’ Dear Judge Lotis: I have recently received a copy of the letter to you, January 6, 1995, from Mr. Randazzo, the Attorney for the Respondent, BAR Industrial Finishing (“SAW’). I am writing correct a misstatement in this letter, and to apprise you complainant’s intention to-move for discovery in this matt : First, however, I note in passing that Complainant (“EPA”) h. made a very serious and generous effort to settle I this mattc:. but has been unable to do so. I note also that the statement v. th respect to the status of settlement negotiations required tc submitted by EPA by your order setting prehearing procedur i s timely filed and served on September 30, 1994. A copy of tn± i statement bearing the Regional Hearing Clerk’s date st mp, t with the certificate of service, is enclosed, The portion of Mr. Randazzo’s letter to which 1 wish respond is his statement that “I have ... complied with voluminous requests for discovery”. This is simply not the This point is likely to be dealt with in more detail in EPA forthcoming motion. For the moment it suffices to note as follows. In this proceeding SAR has raised a claim of inability tc pay (the “Inability Claim”). To support the Inability Clai n , submitted its 1987 — 1991 tax returns to EPA’s Environment” Services Division in 1993, before this matter was referred EPA’s Office of Regional Counsel, and before either I, or . Randazzo had entered our appearances. Subsequently, in Marn 1994, I requested that SAR update this disclosure by provi its 1992 tax return, and its 1993 return when available. Thereafter, in July 1994, EPA sought to commence its finan . analysis of the Inability Claim prior to the prehearing exch;tnc.3 , FRIhITED ON RECVCLED PAPER LO/E2d 6S2P P9 I DtJO NOlCBeI d3 Sn ------- to minimize future delay. To this end EPA requested SAR tc produce its cumulative depreciation schedule, any fiqanci. documents on which it intended to rely, and a syhopsis of ,y facts and arguments underlying the Inability Claim. The l t document was necessary because the pro se answer filed he’ stated the Inability Claim in a totally conolusory manner ‘ EPA had no idea as to the nature or substance of the Inab , Claim, and could not commence its analysis without some m’r. factual delineation. In short, SAR ultimately produced its 1992 tax returi late July 1994, approximately four months after the initi- request, and only after several further requests. SAR pro none of the other documents requested. EPA considers its above request for documents to hav3 1:- . quite modest. Contrary to Mr. Randazzo’ s statement, SAR re u - i to comply with much of this request. Moreover, SAR’s refu ?S -:. provide EPA prior to the prehearing exchange with even a h- statement of the facts underlying the Inability Claim ref :‘.. - ‘ ( uniquely uncooperative and obstructionist attitude. As noted in Mr. Randazzo’s letter, EPA has served SAJ request for documents and interrogatories, dated December IL 1994, and returnable on January 18, 1995 (the “Demand”). E1 right to the disclosure sought in the Demand in connectior the Inability Claim is unassailable in light of the Envircr Appeals Board’s decision in the matter of New Waterbury l d . provided that this discovery complies with the requirements §22.19(f) of the Consolidated Rules. Thus, in New Waterbury Board expanded EPA’s burden of proof in cases where ability Th pay is at issue, and as a coronary directed that “the R SgID must be given access to respondent’s financial records befor:’ ha start of (thej hearing.” In re: New WaterburyLtd. , TSCA 1 No. 93—2 (Final Decision of the EAB), 10/20/94 at 8. In his letter, Mr. Randazzo objects strenuously to tF Demand on behalf of SAR, without offering any reason. EPA construes this as a refusal to comply with any portion of Demand. Accordingly, EPA will now file and serve a motion pursuant to §22.19(f) for an order compelling the discovery sought in the Demand. Very truly yours, JZ J2 Wj4L . Richard J. isberg Assistant Regional Counsel LO’VWd 6S2P P9E ?T I D?JO E N0193è1 tJdB Sn ------- :‘ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GENC j ‘ -:), REGIONI I JACOB I C. JAVtTS FEDEItAL. BUILDING - L L. .‘ . NEW YORK NEW YORK 10276-0012 September 30, 1994 Hon. Jon G. Lotis Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Law Judges US. Environmental Protection Agency Mail Code 1900 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Re: Sar Industxial.Yinishina , Dkt. No. II EPCRA—93-0112 Dear Judge Lotis: Pursuant to your Order of January 5, 1994, please be ad . that we have been unable to settle the referenced proceeding. Accordingly, Ce tplainant is in the process of preparing for ‘. prehearing exchange, scheduled for November. Your Li Richard J. We sberg Assistant Regional Counsel 2/SOd 6S P P9 I J O NOUJ èI tid3 Sn ------- CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that the annexed letter/status report Hon. Jon G. Lotis, dated September 30, 1994, was sent this d. •’ the following manner to the addressees listed below.. Ori inai. bv hand to : Ms. Karen Maples Regional Hearing Clerk USEPA-Ragion II 26 Federal Plaza—Room 437 New York, New York 10278 Co ie by reaular mail to : Hon. Jon C. Lotis Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Law Judges U.S.. Environmental Protection Agency Mail Code 1900 401 14 Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Patrick P. Randazzo, Esq. 372 Kinderinack Road Westwood, NJ. 07675 Dated: September 30, 1994 - l ) k.c Richard 7. Wei erg Assistant Regional Counsel .O/9 d 6S P P9 1 DèJO N0193è1 t3d3 Sn t ------- ERPIFICATE - OF SERVICE I hereby certify that the annexed letter, dated Januar” 1995, was sent this day in the following manner to th adc3r ’:’ : es listed below. Oriaina.l by hand to : Ms. Karen Naples Regional Hearing Clerk USEPA-Region II 26 Federal Plaza—Room 437 New York, New York 10278 Copy by couch mail to : Hon. Jon G. Lotis Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Law Judges U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mail Code 1900 401 N Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 CoDy by regular mail to : Patrick P. Randazzo, Esg. 372 Kinderkamack Road Westwood, N.J. 07675 Dated: January 17, 1995 — Richard WeisbergQ Assistant Regional Counsel 6S2P P9 T D JO NOIOJèJ bd Sn ------- U.S ) i? ?oTtCTIC LI UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIOk NCY IO 26 REGION II “ L ‘iE’ CLç p.. “iRi/ ’ JACOB K. j*vrrs DERAI. BUII.DING NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10278-0012 December 23, 1994 Patrick P. Randazzo, Esq. 372 Kinderkamack Road Westwood, N.J. 07675 Re: Sar Industrial Finishina (“SAR”) Dkt. No. II EPCRA—93—0112 Dear Mr. Randazzo: As indicated in our reply prehearing exchange concerning SAR’s claim of inability to pay (the Inability Claim”), Ms. Kimberly A. Zanier, EPA’s financial expert, will require, in addition to SAR’s tax returns previously produced, further documents and information to perform the requisite analysis of SAR’s finances. The financial documents and the information initially required by Ms. Zanier are set forth in Appendix A to this letter. EPA also requests that SAR produce additional information concerning the individual referred to in SAR’s prehearing exchange, who allegedly was responsible for “all filings with regard to environmental compliance”. The information sought concerning this individual is set forth in Appendix B. It is requested that SAR produce the documents and the information sought in Appendices A and B, on or before January 18, 1995. Please be advised that after her review of SAR’s response, Ms. Zanier may require further financial records and information to complete her analysis of the Inability Claim. All responses to information sought in Appendices A and B should be signed by an officer of the corporation. As stated in our reply prehearing exchange, if .SAR is unwilling to provide the requested documents and information voluntarily, in whole or in part, EPA will be constrained to move the Administrative Law Judge for discovery pursuant to S22.l9(f) of the Consolidated Rules. 1 V .J uy ------- Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Very truly yours, /3/ Richard J. Weisberg Assistant Regional Counsel cc: Ms. Kimberly A. Zanier, CPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Enforcement Investigation Center Denver Federal Center (Bldg. 53) Box 25227 Denver, Colorado 80225 6- / ------- APPENDIX A 1. GENERAL FINANCIAL RECORDS — Please provide copies of the following documents: a. SAR’s year end trial balances for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1993 and June 30, 1994; b. SAR’s chart of accounts for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1993 and June 30, 1994; c. SAR’s general ledger for the month ending June 30, 1993; d. SAR’s general Ledger for the time period January 1, 1994 through June 30, 1994; e. SAR’s tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994, or, if this return has not yet been filed, a copy of the preliminary draft. f. SAR’s most current financial statements. 2. OTHER INVESTMENTS a. With reference to the “Other investments” in the amount of $103,259, listed in column D of the Balance Sheet at page 4 of SAR’s tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, please list and identify each investment separately, including a description of the asset/investment, the estimated fair market value of the asset/investment, the purchase price, the purchase date, and the name and address of the broker who initiated the purchase. b. With reference to the other investments referred to in paragraph 2.a. above, please provide copies of the following documents: (1) all brokerage statements from June 1, 1992 through the present; and (2) all IRS Forms 1099 reflecting dividend income received by SAR since January 1, 1993. c. If there are any brokerage firms and/or individuals which SAR has dealt with since June 1, 1992, which have not provided statements, please identify all such firms and/or individuals by name and address. 3. ASSETS a. Please provide an all inclusive copy of SAR’s cumulative depreciation schedule since the date of SAR’s incorporation. (Please note that SAR’s partial depreciation schedule filed with SAR’s tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, does 1- — — ------- not reconcile to SAR’s total assets in the amount of $669,372, included on the balance sheet of said return). b. Please provide copies of the following documents: (1) all purchase contracts, invoices or other purchase documentation for all assets purchased by SAR from July 1, 1992 through the present which cost $10,000 or more, along with a description of each such asset, if it is not fully and legibly described in the purchase documentation; and (2) copies of the loan documents for all assets purchased by SAR since July 1, 1992, for which SAR borrowed funds to make the purchase; and (3) copies of all sales agreements and or bills of sale for all assets sold by SAR from July 1, 1992, through the present, excluding assets whose sale price was less than $10,000, and excluding the sale of goods and services. In the event a written agreement is not in existence, provide an explanation specifying the details of the transaction. 4. LIABILITIES — SAR’s tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, indicates outstanding loans as follows: Mortgages, notes, bonds payable in less than 1 year - $4,324; and Mortgages, notes, bonds payable in 1 year or more — $1,260. If any new loans have been initiated or are now outstanding which are not reflected in the balance sheet of SAR’s tax return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, please provide copies of the following documents, and the following information: a. all loan documents, settlement sheets, closing statements, and other documents pertaining to each loan; and b. an explanation as to why the loan was necessary and what the proceeds were used for. 5. INTEREST INCOME - Please provide copies of all IRS Forms 1099 reflecting any interest income earned by SAR in 1993 and 1994. 6. LEASES — Please provide a copy of any lease agreement pursuant to which SAR rents property from the officers of SAR, including the original lease and any amendments thereto. - (-. ------- APPENDIX B With reference to the individual alleged by SAR in its prehearing exchange to be “responsible for all filings with regard to environmental compliance” (the “Employee”), please provide the following information: 1. the Employee’s name, and last known address and telephone number; 2. the dates of the Employee’s employment; 3. the time period during which the Employee was responsible for SAR’s filings with regard to environmental compliance; 4. the Employee’s education prior to his designation as the individual responsible for all filings with regard to environmental compliance; 5. the Employee’s work experience, prior to his designation as the individual responsible for all filings with regard to environmental compliance; and 6. the Employee’s qualifications, including, but not limited to, his education and work experience, which led SAR to designate this individual as the person responsible for all filings with regard to environmental compliance. / ------- 01/24/95 10:45 ‘ 415 744 1041 EPA REG 9 (ORC) 1Th002 UNITED STATES ENViRONMENTAL PROTECTtON AGENCY \ ) REGION TX 75 Hawthorne Strect San Francisco, CA 94105 In The Matter of: ) ) Kenneth H. Hunter, Jr. ) SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM AND Casmalia Resources, ) SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM Hunter Resources, Inc. ) TO: Kenneth H. Hunter, Yr., Respondent: Pursuant to the authority of Section 122(e) (3) (B) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 at seq. , as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-499, 100 Stat. 1613 (1986). ( CERCLA”), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is issuing this subpoena for the purpose of determining your ability to pay and to otherwise implement Section 122 of CERCLA. Information collected wi3.3. include, but not be limited to, your complete personal arid business portfolio, financial condition, viability, and liquidity, both as an individual and based on your standing as a partner, corporate officer, or interest-holder in any of partnership, orporation, or other entity in which you have financial or other interests. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED TO APPEAR IN PERSON at the following place and time: TIME AND DATE: October 28, 1994 10:00 a.m. PLACE: ‘75 Hawthorne Street, 16th Floor San Francisco, CA. 94105 At the above time and place, the EPA will take the statement of Kenneth H. Hunter, Jr., on the matters described above upon oral examination before a court reporter or other officer authorized by law to take sworn statements. YOU ARE FURTHER COMMANDED THEN- AND THERE UNDER OATH, TO GIVE ORAL AND TRUTHFUL RESPONSES to all lawful inquiries and questions put to you on behalf of the EPA, and TO REMAIN IN ATTENDANCE until expressly excused by the attorney conducting the proceeding for the EPA. YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO BRING WITH YOU, at the time and place stated above, and then and there to produce for inspection and/or copying, all documents and/or records in your possession not previously provided which relate to the matters described above and/or to the information requested in EPA’S letter dated September 21, 1994, attached hereto as Appendix “A”. ------- 01/24/95 10:46 V415 744 1041 EPA REG 9 (ORC) 1Th003 You are entitled to claim confidentiality over information provided to EPA, in accordance with 40 C.F.R., Part 2. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE SUBPOENA MAY SUBJECT YOU TO A CIVIL ENFORCEMENT ACTION. Issued at San Francisco, CA., this J Lday of October, 1994. Kei. h A. Takata Deputy Director for Superfund Hazardous Waste Management Division U.S. EPA Region IX Msy questions concerning this subpoena should be directed to: David A. Rabbino A.ssistant Regional Counsel 75 Hawthorne Street, RC-3-2. San Francisco, CA. . 94105 (415) 744-1336 2 ------- 01/24/95 10:46 e415 744 1041 EPA REC 9 (ORC) I J004 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY I hereby certify that being a person over 18 yeprs of age, I served a copy of thq attached subpoena to the person named on the subpoena on the /S’ ’day of £ .4L ,- , 1994, by mailing a copy of thereof by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, at the address shown thereon. ------- •t: s- 4 . ?‘ s’ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY _____ WASHINGTON. 0 C 20460 ( pq 0 itC MAY 10 1993 OFFICE OF PREVENTION PESTIc:DES CERTIFIED MAIL TOXICSUBSTANCES RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company Corporate Trust Department ATTN: Mr. Koji Muranaka Eleventh Floor One State Street New York, New York 10004 RE: Subpoena Pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act Dear Mr. Muranaka: The Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an enforcement action involving the manufacturing, processing, and distribution in commerce of certain chemicals by the Accompanying this letter is a subpoena issued under the—authori ’ of Section 11(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (hereinafter “TSCA”), 15 U.S.C. Section 2610(c). You are hereby required to provide the information specified below to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter “EPA”) within twenty (20) calendar days from your receipt of this subpoena unless EPA extends the date for compliance with this subpoena for good cause shown. Any such request for an extension must be made in writing and forwarded to the EPA representative below: Tony Ellis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring Compliance Division Mail Code EN-342 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260—1119 In carrying out its obligation under TSCA, EPA is authorized to obtain by subpoena information related to your compliance with the requirements of TSCA. This may include requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses, the production of reports, papers, documents, answers to questions, and other information EPA deems necessary. —— — I_ — .fl - — - I. I 2 ------- The issuance of this subpoena does not preclude the issuance of further subpoenas relating to this matter to you or to any other parties. In responding to this subpoena, you should base your answers on information in your possession or reasonably available to you. Where information necessary for a complete response is neither in your possession nor reasonably available to you, indicate this fact in your response and, if possible, identify any source that either possesses or is likely to possess such information. Your responses are required to be signed and must be attested to under oath. Your response shall be made to the EPA representative, Mr. Ellis, unless it contains confidential business information. Pursuant to the regulations appearing at 40 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart B, you are entitled to assert a business confidentiality claim covering any part of the submitted information. Unless such a confidentiality claim is asserted at the time the required information is submitted, EPA may make this information available to the public without further notice to you. Information subject to a business confidentiality claim may be made available to the public only to the extent set forth in the above—cited regulations. Any such claim for confidentiality must conform to the requirements set forth in 40 C.F.R. Section 2.203(b). ____ If any portion of your response to this subpoena contains i forination which you claim as TSCA business con should submit that portion of the response in accor ance wi.t1 Tthe following procedures. The material itself should be marked to indicate that it is cla med confidential. It should be placed in an envelope addressed to the EPA representative identified at the end of this section. The envelope should be marked “Confidential Business Information - To Be Opened By Addressee Only.” The envelope should then be placed in a second, “outer” envelope addressed to: Teresa Little Document Control Officer U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring (EN 342) 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 The package containing the confidential business information portion of your response should then be mailed, by registered mail, to Me. Little, in care of Mr. Ellis. If you have any questions concerning this subpoena, please 2 13 ------- contact Tony Ellis at the above number concerning technical matters, and Robert Fentress at (202) 260-9501 concerning legal matters. Sincerely yours, rJ ____ - - I . k” Michat Complie.nce Division Office of Compliance Monitoring Enclosure 3 1 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR ) In the Matter of ) ) DOCKET NO. TSCA-90-H-23 ) SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM AND SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM Respondent. TO: Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company Corporate Trust Department ATIN: Mr. Koji Muranaka Eleventh Floor One State Street New York, New York 10004 YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED, pursuant to Title 15, United States Code, Section 2610(c) (Toxic Substances Control Act Section 11(c)), TO PRODUCE FOR INSPECTION AND/OR COPYING those reports, papers, documents, answers to, and all other information requested in the ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, at the following date, time and place: DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 1, L993 PLACE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring Compliance Division (EN—342) 401 N Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 ALTERNATIVELY, you may submit to the United States Environmental Protection Agency true, complete, and accurate copies of those reports, papers, documents, answers to, and other information requested in the ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, by the above date. All such copies must be certified, under penalty of perjury, by an authorized corporate official of Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company to be true, complete, and accurate, and forwarded by ------- registered mail to the person identified below: Tony Ellis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring Compliance Division Mail Code EN-342 401 H Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260—1l1 YOU ARE COMMANDED FURThER TO APPEAR PHYSICALLY IN PERSON at- -the following date, time and place: DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 15, 1993 PLACE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Room NE 113 YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO TESTIFY then and there upon oath and MAKE TRUTHFUL RESPONSE to all lawful inquiries and questions then and there put to you on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and TO REMAIN IN ATTENDANCE until expressly excused by the EPA attorney conducting the proceeding. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBPOENA MAY RESULT IN A COURT ACTION AGAINST YOU. Issued at Washington, D.C. this i ” day of May, 1993. Attorney Contact: Robert as To ion ninental Protection Agency LE-134P 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260—9501 Micha . Wood, D ector Compliance Division Office of Compliance Monitoring 2 ------- I NBTRUCT I ONS 1. Each document submitted shall be clearly and precisely identified by its title, author, date of preparation, subject matter, th. numbered question to which it responds, and any and all persons having any knowledge relating to the documents sought by this subpoena. 2. For each response to this subpoena which includes documents, compile an index of the documents produced. The index should state the paragraph number of the information and document request and list all documents submitted in response to that paragraph. 3. If the information sought by this subpoena is not contained in a document, separately identify the person(s) who provided the information in your response, the basis for each person’s knowledge, the position occupied by the person providing the response, and the person’s address and supervisor. 4. If any document was, but is no longer, in the possession, custody, or control of the Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company, provide the following information: (a) state the disposition of the document; (b) state the date such disposition was made; (c) identify the present custodian of the document and his address or, if the document no longer exists, so state; (d) identify the person who made the decision regarding the disposition of the document; (e) state the reason for the disposition; and (f) describe the document and the contents of the document, including the title, date, author, addresses, locations, and number of copies made and their locations. or icers, directors, agents or employees of i.i . or including contractors, consultants, employees or any Such peri n, and any merged, consolidated, or acquired predecessor or parent, subsidiary, division, related person(s) or affiliates thereof. “Chemical Substance” has the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(e). “Company” means the cor ’poration_ ider that name or any assumed name. “Document” or “Record” means the original or true copy, or substantial copy of all written, typewritten, handwritten, printed, or graphic matter of any kind or nature, however produced or 3 ------- reproduced (including any copies containing additional matter, any form of col.lected data for use with electronic data Processing equipment, and any mechanical or electronic visual or Sound recording including, without limitation, all tapes and discs), now or formerly in your possession, custody, or control. It includes, but is not limited to, any logs of materials or containers shipped, other logs, invoices, purchase orders, checks, receipts, bills of lading, weight receipts, toll receipts, loading tickets, receiving tickets, shipping orders, manifests, inventories, licenses, permits, reports to government agencies, ledgers, memoranda, handwritten or other notes, calendar or diary of entries, graphs, ..charts, maps, photographs, surveys, data, sampling results, computer printouts, magnetic tapes, discs, microfilm, and microfiche. “Identify” and “identity” means: (1) as to a document: the type of document (Letter, memorandum, etc.), the identity of the author or originator, the date authorized or originated, the identity of each person to whom the original or copy was addressed or delivered, the identity of each person known or reasonably believed by you to have present possession, custody, or control thereof, and a brief description of the subject matter thereof. (2) as to a person: the name or last known business and residence address(es), occupation, job title, and dates so employed and, if not an individual, state the full name, the type of entity, the address of its principal place of business, and the name, title and address of its chief officer. The word “Include” or 1 -f 1 T sell be construed without limitation. “) cture” ha. the meaning a. defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(q). “Ma port for commercial purposes” has the meaning a n a 0 C.F.R. S 720.3(r). “Manufacturer” ha. the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(t). “Or” M11 be construed wither conjunctively or disjunctively to bring vithin the scope of this subpoena any information which might otherwise be construed to be outside the scope of these requests. “Person” and “Persons” mean all natural persons and all entities including, but not limited to, corporations, associations, companies, partnership., banks, joint ventures, firms, agencies, authorities, and commissions. 4 ------- “Possession” or “Control” has its ordinary meaning in addition to the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(y). “Relate” or “Relating” includes, without limitation, construing, defining, concerning, embodying, reflecting, identifying, stating, referring to, dealing with, or in any way pertaining to. “You” and “Your” means the person or entity to whom these information requests are directed or persons acting on his/its behalf, including officers, directors, agents, attorneys, or employees or any such person and any merged, consolidated, or acquired predecessor or parent, subsidiary, division, or affiliate thereof. TIXI PERIOD OF RE8PONBEB: The time period for which the requests set out below seek information is all periods for which information is available. Where not otherwise specified in the subpoena or its attachments the time period is July 1, 1979, to date. IIIPORXAT ION AND •ii’i You are hereby requested to supply information and documents as indicated below. 1. Provide a copy of the Environmental Indemnification and Escrow Agreement between and the Environmental Escrow Agent. 2. Provide copies of all agreements executed betwee — and the Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company. 3. Provide copies of the monthly statements of account in regard to the Escrow Agreement between and the Environmental Escrow Agent. 4. Provide copies of any withdrawal transactions which may have occurr4 since the Escrow Account was established and the reasong for the allowance of such withdrawals to occur. Provid a copy of the requisition form used by clients to request withdrawals from escrow accounts. 5 5. ------- Section 11(c) of TSCA, 15 U.S.C. Section 2610(c), provides that in the event of contumacy, failure, or refusal of any person to obey a subpoena issued under that section, any district court of the United States in which venue is proper shall have jurisdiction to order any such person to comply with such subpoena. Any failure to obey such an order of the court is punishable by the court as a contempt thereof. If you have any questions concerning this action, please contact Robert Ferttress at (202) 260-9501. 6 ., 3J1 ------- CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE UNITED STATES ENVIRONNENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing Subpoena Duces Tecum and Subpoena Ad Testificandum has been delivered to the appropriate mail facilities for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be sent certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person and address listed below: Industrial Bank of Japan Trust Company Corporate Trust Department ATTN: Mr. Koji Muranaka Eleventh Floor One State Street New York, New York 10004 DatF/ / Fentress,Attorne! U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 7 ------- iE ‘-I. f UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY _____ WASHINGTON. D C 20460 MAY 101993 OFFiCE OF PREVENTION. PESTIC:DES CERTIFIED M.AIL TOXICSuBSTANCES RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Deloitte & Touche ATTN: Mr. Irwin Siegel 100 Peachtree Street Suite 1700 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 RE: Subpoena Pursuant to Section 11(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act Dear Mr. Siegel: The Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an enforcement action involving the manufacturing, processing, and distribution in commerce of certain chemicals by the Accompanying this letter is a subpoena issued under the authority of Section 11(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (hereinafter “TSCA”), 15 U.S.C. Section 2610(c). You are hereby required to provide the information specified below to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter “EPA”) within twenty (20) calendar days from your receipt of this subpoena unless EPA extends the date for compliance with this subpoena for good cause shown. Any request for such extension must be made in writing and forwarded to the EPA representative below: Tony Ellis - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring Compliance Division Mail Code EN-342 401. M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260—1119 In carrying out its obligation under TSCA, EPA is authorized to obtain by subpoena information- related to your compliance with the requirements of TSCA. This may include requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses, the production of reports, papers, documents, answers to questions, and other information EPA deems necessary. ( 2’ R.cvct.d/R.cvclabl. ------- The issuance of this subpoena does not preclude the issuance of further subpoenas relating to this matter to you or to any other parties. In responding to this subpoena, you should base your answers on information in your possession or reasonably available to you. Where information necessary for a complete response is neither in your possession nor reasonably available to you, indicate this fact in your response and, if possible, identify any source that either possesses or is likely to possess such information. Your responses are required to be signed and must be attested to under oath. Your response shall be made to the EPA representative, Mr. Ellis, unless it contains confidential business thforination. Pursuant to the regulati ns ap aring at 40 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart B, you are entitled to assert a business confidentiality claim covering any patt of the submitted information. Unless such a confidentiality claim is asserted at the time the required information is submitted, EPA may make this information available to the public without further notice to you. Information subject to a business confidentiality claim may be made available to the public only to the extent set forth in the above-cited regulations. Any such claim for confidentiality must conform to the requirements set forth in 40 C.F.R. Section 2.203(b). If any portion of your response to this subn na r - -’ information which you claim as TSCA business con&.. )TOU should submit that portion of the response in accordance with the following procedures. The material itself should be marked to indicate that it is claimed confidential. It should be placed in an envelope addressed to the EPA representative identified at the end of this section. The envelope should be marked “Confidential Business Information - To Be Opened By Addressee Only.” The envelope should then be placed in a second, “outer” envelope addressed to: Teresa Little Document Control Officer U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring (EN 342) 401 N Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 The package containing the confidential business information portion of your response should then be mailed, by registered mail, to Ms. Little, in care of Mr. Ellis. If you have any questions concerning this subpoena, please 2 ------- contact Tony Ellis at the, above number concerning technical matters, and Robert Fentress at (202) 260-9501 concerning legal matters. Sincerely yours, Enclosure ,vi - - - - - - tor ing 3 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEPORE TEE ADMINISTRATOR In the Matter of ) ) ) ) ) Respondent. DOCKET NO. TSCA-90-H-23 SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM AND SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM TO: Deloitte & Touche (r) ) ATTN: Mr. Irwin Siegel 100 Peachtree Street Suite 1700 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED, pursuant to Title 15, United States Code, Section 2610(c) (Toxic Substances Control Act Section 11(c)) TO PRODUCE FOR INSPECTION AND/OR COPYING those reports, papers, documents, answers to, and all other information requested in the ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, at the following date, time and place: DATE AND TIME: PLACE: Tuesday, une , 1993 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring Compliance Division (EN—342) 401 N Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 ALTERNATIVELY, you may submit to the United States Environmental Protection Agency true, complete, and accurate copies of those reports, papers, documents, answers to, and other information requested in the ATTACHED SPECIFICATIONS, by the date specified above. All such copies must be certified, under penalty of perjury, by an authorized corporate official of Deloitte & Touche to be true, complete, and accurate, and must be forwarded by ------- registered mail, to the person identified below: Tony Ellis U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Compliance Monitoring Compliance Division Mail Code EN—342 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260—1119 YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO APPEAR PHYSICALLY IN PERSON at the following date, time and place: DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 15, 1993 PLACE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Room NE 113 YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO TESTIFY then and there upon oath and MAKE TRUTHFUL RESPONSE to all lawful inquiries and questions then and there put to you on behalf of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and TO REMAIN IN ATTENDANCE until expressly excused by the EPA attorney conducting the proceeding. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBPOENA MAY RESULT IN A COURT ACTION AGAINST YOU. Issued at Washington, D.C. this ________ day of May, 1993. Attorney Contact: U.S. LE- 13 4P 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260—9501 1 - Michae F. Wood, Dir ctor Compliance Division Office of Compliance Monitoring Robert ,nmental Protection Agency 2 ------- INSTRUCTIONS 1. Each document submitted shall be clearly and precisely identified by its title, author, date of preparation, subject matter, the numbered question to which it responds, and any and all persons having any knowledge relating to the documents sought by this subpoena. 2. For each response to this subpoena which includes documents, compile an index of the documents produced. The index should state the paragraph number of the information and document request and list all documents submitted in response to that paragraph. 3. If the information sought by this subpoena is not contained in a document, separately identify the person(s) who provided the information in your response, the basis for each person’s knowledge, the position occupied by the person providing the response, and the person’s address and supervisor. 4. If any document was, but is no longer, in the possession, custody, or control of Deloitte & Touche, provide the following information: (a) state the disposition of the document; (b) state the date such disposition was made; (C) identify the present custodian of the document and his address or, if the document no longer exists, so state; (d) identify the person who made the decision regarding the disposition of the document; (e) state the reason for the disposition; and (f) describe the document and the contents of the document, including the title, date, author, addresses, locations, and number of copies made and their locations. DEPINI N8 -ludes any officers, directors, agents L orporation or - including contractors, consultants, ._ - s or any such person, and any merged, consolidated, or acquired predecessor or parent, subsidiary, division, related person(s) or affiliates thereof.. “Chemical Substance” has the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(e). “Company” means the corporation under that name or any assumed name. “Document” or “Record” means the original or true c y, or substantial copy of a].]. written, typewritten, handwritten, printed, or graphic matter of any kind or nature, however produced or 3 ------- reproduced (including any copies containing additional matter, any form of collected data for use with electronic data processing equipment, and any mechanical or electronic visual or sound recording including, without limitation, all tapes and discs), now or formerly in your possession, custody, or control. It includes, but is not limited to, any logs of materials or containers shipped, other logs, invoices, purchase orders, checks, receipts, bills of lading, weight receipts, toll receipts, loading tickets, receiving tickets, shipping orders, manifests, inventories, licenses, permits, reports to goverrunent agencies, ledgers, memoranda, handwritten or other notes, calendar or diary of entries, graphs, charts, maps, photographs, surveys, data, sampling results, computer printouts, magnetic tapes, discs, microfilm, and microfiche. “Identify” and “identity” means: (1) as to a document: the type of document (Letter, memorandum, etc.), the identity of the author or originator, the date authorized or originated, the identity of each person to whom the original or copy was addressed or delivered, the identity of each person known or reasonably believed by you to have present possession, custody, or control thereof, and a brief description of the subject matter thereof. (2) as to a person: the name or last known business and residence address(es), occupation, job title, and dates so employed and, if not an individual, state the full name, the type of entity, the address of its principal place of business, and the name, title and address of its chief officer. The word “Include” or “Including” shall be constru ithout limitation. “Manufacture” has the meaning S 720.3(q). - “Manufacture or import for commercial purposes” has the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(r). “Manufacturer” has the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(t). _____________ “Or” ball be construed wither conjunctively or disjunctively to bring within the scope of this subpoena any information which mig t thervise be construed to be outside the scope of these re s. “Person” and “Persons” mean all natural persons and all entities including, but not limited to, corporations, associations, companies, partnerships, banks, joint ventures, firms, agencies, authorities, and commissions. 4 ------- “Possession” or “Control” has its ordinary meaning in addition to the meaning as defined at 40 C.F.R. S 720.3(y). “Relate” or “Relating” includes, without limitation, construing, defining, concerning, embodying, reflecting, identifying, stating, referring to, dealing with, or in any way pertaining to. “Your” and “Your” means the person or entity to whom these information requests are directed or persons acting on his/its behalf, including officers, directors, agents, attorneys, or employees or any such person and any merged, consolidated, or acquired predecessor or parent, subsidiary, division, or affiliate thereof. TIME PERIOD OF RESPONSES: The time period for which the requests set out below seek information is all periods for which information is available. Where not otherwise in the subpoena or its attachments the time period i uly 1 , 1979 to date. INPORXA AIID 8 REOUESTE4 You are hereby requested to supply information and documents indicated below. 1. Provide a copy of your permanent files maintained in regard to - ‘LLV c1A, T R . 1 • :“ C.. h U & c pALa o-( ALt I/\’L&t .kdO C ’J- . 4 C . - 7 A 2. ! ov1de a copy of your permanent files maintained in regard to — (± C. L.( C..) L. / 3. Provide copies of all workpaper files maintained in regard . J; ) Provide copies of all workpaper files maintained in regard to the financial statements prepared by Deloitte & Touche for •, for 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. jç Siié,t 1 C ’ L 15 I /( ( Provide copies of all work a er files maintained in regard to he tax returns pared by e tte & Touche for for 986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992, including but lot limited to all documents, contracts, excerpts, purchase agreements, merger agreements, board minutes, promissory notes, and sales agreements reviewed by Deloitte & Touche in performing the necessary audit. ------- 6. Provide copies of all workpaper files maintained in regard to the tax returns prepared by Deloitte & Touche for 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, ã i1d c ’ f)i 1992, including but not limited to all documents, contracts, excerpts, purchase agreements, merger agreements, board minutes, promissory notes, and sales agreements reviewed by Deloitte & Touche in performing the necessary audit. Section 11(c) of TSCA, 15 U.S.C. Section 2610(c), provides that in the event of contumacy, failure, or refusal of any person to obey a subpoena issued under that section, any district court of the United States in which venue is proper shall have jurisdiction to order any such person to comply with such subpoena. Any failure to obey such an order of the court is punishable by the court as a contempt thereof. If you have any questions concerning this action, please contact Robert Fentress at (202) 260-9501. 6 ------- CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE ITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECIi I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing Subpoena Duces Tecum and Subpoena Ad Testificandum has been delivered to the appropriate mail facilities for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be sent certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person and address listed below: Deloitte & Touche ATTN: Mr. Irwin Siegel 100 Peachtree Street Suite 1700 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 c/iq’r3 Date Ro er Fentress, Attorney U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 7 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II x In the Matter of . SAR INDUSTRIAL FINISHING, : Docket No. II EPCRA—93—0112 Respondent. Proceeding under Section 325(c) of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. x COMPLAINANT’S PREHEARING EXCHANGE Pursuant to the order of Administrative Law Judge Jon G. Lotis (the “AL]”) dated January 5, 1994, directing the parties to file prehearing exchanges on or before November 21, 1994, Complainant hereby files its prehearing exchange in the captioned proceeding. I. Background and Reservation of Rights Complainant, Barbara Metzger, Director of the Environmental Services Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region II (the “Complainant” or “EPA”), commenced this proceeding on or about June 30, 1993, by serving the Respondent, SAR Industrial Finishing, Inc. (“SAR”), with a complaint and notice of opportunity for hearing (the “Complaint”). The Complaint, in six counts, charges SAR with six violations of §313, Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to- Know Act of 1986 (“EPCRA”), 42 U.S.C. §11023). More specifically, the Complaint charges that SAR failed to timely submit to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) required Form Rs on six separate occasions for reporting years 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991, and proposes a penalty of $30,000. In November 1993, SAR, by its President, Ralph D. Mauro, answered. The answer is composed of two letters, both dated November 17, 1993, one from Mr. Mauro to the Regional Hearing Clerk, and the other from Mr. Mauro to the Complainant (the “Answer”). Mr. Mauro and his wife Patricia, SAR’s Secretary and Treasurer, are apparently the sole shareholders and owners of SAR. By notice of motion dated February 18, 1994, EPA moved the AL] pursuant to the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the 1 ------- Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties (the “Consolidated Rules”), 40 C.F.R. Part 22, for partial accelerated decision on liability. In its memorandum of law submitted in support of its motion, EPA argued that SAR, in the Answer, had directly admitted some of the allegations of the Complaint. As to the remaining allegations in the Complaint, these were neither admitted, denied, nor explained. The Consolidated Rules provide, however, that the “ [ f]ailure of respondent to admit, deny, or explain any material factual allegations contained in the complaint constitutes an admission of the allegation.” 40 C.F.R. §22.15(d). Consequently, EPA argued that SAR must be deemed to have admitted all of the allegations of the Complaint, including the material elements of the six violations alleged. Thus, there were no genuine issues of material fact on the issue of liability, and EPA was entitled to judgment on this issue as a matter of law. On January 11, 1994, the undersigned was advised telephonically by Patricia Mauro that SAR had retained Patrick P. Randazzo, Esq. to represent it in this proceeding. Under cover of a letter dated January 21, 1994, Mr. Randazzo filed and served a notice and substitution of attorney stating that he was “hereby substituted as counsel for Respondent in the place of Ralph D. Mauro, Pro Se.” SAR failed to respond to EPA’s motion. Subsequently, by order dated March 21, 1994 the AU granted EPA’s motion for partial accelerated decision on liability, noting that the issue of the penalty remained for hearing. A liberal reading of the Answer suggests that SAR seeks to raise the following possible defenses in mitigation of the penalty: ignorance of the law; i.e., a lack of awareness of SAR’s obligations under EPCRA §313 (“ 313”); the length of time it took EPA to detect SAR’s violations; good attitude; and inability to pay. The Answer is vaguely pled. In particular, the allegations of good attitude and inability to pay are alleged in a conclusory manner, without the particularity of fact required by the Consolidated Rules. (“The answer shall.. .state (1) the circumstances or arguments which are alleged to constitute the grounds of defense, [ and] (2) the facts which respondent intends to place at issue....” 40 C.F.R. §22.15(b). Accord, Landfill. Inc. , Dkt. No. RCRA-IV-85—R (Final Decision of the Chief Judicial Officer, 11/30/90 at 8-9). SAR has made no effort to amend the Answer since retaining Mr. Randazzo. See. Thornburg Farm SupDly , Dkt. No. I.F. & R. V-14-9l (AU Frazier, 5/27/92 at 1—2). SAR’s failure to identify the facts on which it intends to rely has prevented EPA from identifying the full scope of facts that may be required to rebut SAR’s defenses. Thus, EPA anticipates the possible need to expand the scope of the testimony of the witnesses listed below, to call additional 2 ------- witnesses, to produce additional documents, to respond to additional issues that SAR may raise, and to move alternatively for discovery, a more definite statement, or to strike one or more defenses. Accordingly, EPA reserves its right to supplement its prehearing exchange, and to make the above, or other motions. II. Witnesses EPA currently expects to present the following witnesses at the hearing: 1. Nora Lopez Chemist Environmental Services Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II Building 10, MS 105 2809 Woodbridge Avenue Edison, New Jersey 08837-3679 2. Alan Bookinan Supervising Environmental Specialist Bureau of Hazardous Substances Information New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection CN 405 Trenton, New Jersey 08625—0405 3. James Sullivan Environmental Engineer Air and Waste Management Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 4. Ralph D. Mauro President SAR Industrial Finishing, Inc. 104 N. Route 73 RD #1 Berlin, New Jersey 08009 Mr. Mauro will be called as a hostile witness to testify concerning Exhibit 5, hereto. 5. Patricia Mauro Secretary Treasurer SAR Industrial Finishing, Inc. 104 N. Route 73 RD #1 Berlin, New Jersey 08009 3 ------- Ms. Mauro will be called as a hostile witness to testify concerning the portions of SAR’s Form Rs for the relevant reporting years, submitted in May 1993, and annexed hereto as Exhibit 4. 6. Kimberly A. Zanier, CPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/NEIC Denver Federal Center (Bldg. 53) Box 25227 Denver, Colorado 80225 Ms. Zanier is a CPA and a former IRS agent. She is currently employed by EPA at its National Enforcement Investigation Center, where she devotes a substantial amount of her time to the analysis of inability to pay claims and other financial issues. Ms. Zanier will serve as EPA’S expert witness on the issue of SAR’s claimed inability to pay, provided this issue is preserved for trial. For the reasons set forth below in paragraph V 1 the substance of Ms. Zanier’s testimony is currently unknown. III. The Direct Testimony of Nora Lopez, Alan Bookman and James Sullivan, and the Related Exhibits 1 EPA intends to place in evidence the direct testimony and related exhibits of Ms. Lopez, Mr. Bookinan, and Mr. Sullivan, in conformity with §22.22(c) of the Consolidated Rules, which provides that: [ t]he Presiding Officer may admit an insert into the record as evidence, in lieu of oral testimony, statements of fact or opinion prepared by a witness. The admissibility of the evidence shall be subject to the same rules as if the testimony were produced under oral examination. Before any such statement is read or admitted into evidence, the witness shall deliver a copy of the statement to the Presiding Officer, the reporter and opposing counsel. The witness presenting the statement shall swear to or affirm the statement and shall be subject to appropriate cross-examination upon the contents thereof. Accordingly, there is annexed hereto the declarations of Ms. Lopez, Mr. Bookinan, and Mr. Sullivan, and the exhibits thereto, comprising their direct testimony. EPA does not intend to produce these witnesses at the hearing to place in evidence their direct testimony and related exhibits. Furthermore, EPA intends to produce these witnesses at the hearing for further testimonial purposes solely at its option, unless SAR, in its reply to this 1 Complainant’s exhibits shall be identified as “C’s Ex.” on the exhibit tabs to this prehearing exchange. 4 ------- prehearing exchange, requests EPA to produce one or more of these witnesses for the purpose of cross-examination on the witnesses’ direct testimony. In the absence of such a request, EPA shall deem SAR to have waived its right to cross-examine these three witnesses on their direct testimony and related exhibits. EPA is utilizing this procedure to expedite the hearing. Additionally, EPA is utilizing this procedure to minimize the cost of this proceeding to the State of New Jersey and the federal government, including the costs of the witnesses’ travel and lost services, in the event that SAR does not wish to cross- examine them. 1. Testimony of Nora Lopez and Related Exhibits A. Summary of the Testimony of Nora Lopez - Through her direct testimony contained in her declaration ( Complainant’s Exhibit 1 ) Ms. Lopez will testify concerning the following: the purposes of §313; how data collected pursuant to §313 is used and disseminated to the public; the importance of §313 and the detriment to the public interest caused by late reporting, or non-reporting; the scope and content of the outreach program conducted by USEPA, EPA and the State of New Jersey (the “State”) in 1988 and 1989, designed to notify members of the regulated community of their obligations under EPCRA in general, and §313 in particular; the presence of SAR’s name and address on the computer mailing list which EPA utilized in 1989 to mail to the regulated community notice of the EPCRA outreach seminars that it was conducting within the State; and the number of facilities within EPA’s territorial jurisdiction subject to the requirements of §313, and the number of inspectors allotted to EPA to conduct compliance inspections of these facilities. In addition, Ms. Lopez’ testimony states how the proposed penalty was determined, and how the specific provisions of the relevant penalty policy, the Enforcement Response Policy for Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (1986) and Section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (1990 ) (August 10, 1992, the “ERP”), were utilized in this calculation. Please note that Ms. Lopez has recalculated the proposed penalty and determined that the appropriate penalty in this proceeding is $28,827. B. Related Exhibits Complainant’s Exhibit la — A print-out, reflecting SAR’s name and address, from the computer mailing list which EPA utilized in 1989 to mail to the regulated community notice of the EPCRA outreach seminars that it was conducting within the State. Complainant’s Exhibit lb - The attendance list from EPA’S EPCRA outreach seminar conducted at Cherry Hill, New Jersey on April 7, 1989. 5 ------- Complainant’s Exhibit ic - The flyer announcing EPA’S EPCRA outreach seminar held at Jamesburg, New Jersey on April 10, 1989. Complainant’s Exhibit id - The ERP. 2. Testimony of Alan Bookman and Related Exhibits A. Summary of the Testimony of Alan Booknian - Through his direct testimony contained in his declaration ( Complainant’s Exhibit 2 ) Mr. Bookman will testify as to the functions of the Bureau of Hazardous Substances Information of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (the “Bureau”); the procedures utilized by the Bureau to develop a computer mailing list from which to conduct an outreach mailing in 1988 (the “1988 Mailing”) to notify members of the regulated community within the State of their obligations under various related reporting statutes, including §313; the content of the 1988 mailing, which was comprised of four documents; and the receipt by SAR of the 1988 Mailing, as evidenced by the presence within the Bureau’s files of SAR’s response to the 1988 Mailing, signed by “Ralph D. Mauro”, and dated June 7, 1988. B. Related Exhibits - Complainant’s Exhibits 2a - 2d listed below are copies of the four documents which comprised the 1988 Mailing. Complainant’s Exhibit 2a - A cover information sheet. Complainant’s Exhibit 2b - A brochure prepared by USEPA containing copies of Form R and instructions for its completion and submission. Complainant’s Exhibit 2c - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Form DEQ-100, entitled “Right To Know Supplemental Information Form”. Complainant’s Exhibit 2d - Instructions for completing and submitting Form DEQ-100. Complainant’s Exhibit 2e - A copy of the first page of the Form DEQ-100 received by SAR and signed by Mr. Mauro on June 7, 1988. 3. Testimony of James Sullivan and Related Exhibits A. Summary of the Testimony of James Sullivan - In the Answer, Mr. Mauro alleged that “we have submitted all the other forms as required in a timely fashion through the years.” (See Mr. Mauro’s November 17, 1993, letter to the Regional Hearing Clerk). Mr. Mauro also alleged that upon being notified of SAR’s noncompliance with §313 “we were stunned for we always work very 6 ------- diligently to cooperate in all matters.” (See Mr. Mauro’s November 17, 1993, letter to Complainant at 1). Similarly, Mr. Mauro claimed “(w]e work very hard to be in compliance....” . at 2. It is from these statements that EPA infers that SAR is raising the defense of good attitude. Thus, while it is unclear, Mr. Mauro appears to be claiming, inter alia . that SAR’s instant §313 violations are its first violations of environmental law or regulation. This is not so. In fact, in 1989, SAR was found to be in substantial violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and was served with Notices of Violation by both EPA and the State. Mr. Sullivan’s direct testimony contained in his declaration ( Complainant’s Exhibit 3 ) serves primarily as a conduit through which to place in the record the documents evidencing SAR’s 1989 RCRA violations and their remediation. B. Related Exhibits Complainant’s Exhibit 3a - A copy of the report of the inspection of SAR’s facility on October 24, 1989, by State inspector, Ben Wilbur, including the Notice of Violation served on SAR by the State. Complainant’s Exhibit 3b — SAR’s RCRA “Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity” dated October 12, 1983. Complainant’s Exhibit 3c - Letter/Notice of Violation dated November 21, 1989, from George C. Meyer, Chief of EPA’s Hazardous Waste Compliance Branch, to SAR. Complainant’s Exhibit 3d - Letter dated November 28, 1989, from Patricia Mauro to Mr. Meyer, with attachments, responding to EPA’S Notice of Violation. Complainant’s Exhibit 3e - Letter dated December 11, 1989, from Mr. Meyer to Ms. Mauro. IV. Additional Exhibits That EPA Currently Anticipates Relying On Complainant’s Exhibit 4 - The relevant portions of the Form Rs submitted by SAR in May 1993, for reporting years 1988 - 199 1. Complainant’s Exhibit 5 — Letter dated December 6, 1993 from Mr. Mauro to Manuela M. Morais. V. The Inability to Pay Issue The issue of SAR’s inability to pay the penalty (the “Inability Claim”) is currently clouded with confusion to the extent that EPA is unsure if SAR intends to press this claim, and if so, what the nature of this claim is, and the arguments and 7 ------- facts on which SAR intends to rely. Consequently, at this juncture EPA is unclear as to what facts or documents may be relevant. The reasons for this confusion are summarized below. As noted above, the Inability Claim is vaguely pled. Thus, in the Answer, Mr. Nauro stated that the penalty “would be financially disastrous to our Company.” (See Mr. Mauro’s November 17, 1993, letter to the Regional Hearing Clerk). Mr. Mauro further stated that the penalty would “cause us financial difficulty at this time when the economy is so poor.” (See Mr. Mauro’s November 17, 1993, letter to Complainant at 2). These are the sole allegations framing the Inability Claim. In support of the Inability Claim, SAR submitted its corporate tax returns for the five years 1988 - 199]. to EPA’s Environmental Services Division. The Inability Claim was initially screened by evaluating these tax returns by means of ABEL, USEPA’s computer program designed to help analyze and evaluate the financial health of privately held companies and their ability to finance civil penalties. ( , Colonial Processing 1 Inc. , Dkt. No. II EPCRA-89-0114 (M i Frazier, 6/24/91 at 26-29. To conduct a proper ABEL analysis, a minimum of three tax returns are needed). The ABEL analysis indicated that there was a greater than 99% probability that SAR could finance the originally proposed penalty of $30,000 on the basis of its projected cash flows in the ensuing five years. Additionally, various entries in SAR’s 1988 — 1991 tax returns further indicated that the Inability Claim was totally meritless. Subsequently, to update its analysis, EPA requested by letter dated March 28, 1994, from the undersigned to Mr. Randazzo, that SAR produce its tax returns for the years 1992 and 1993. By early July, EPA had decided to commence work on the detailed analysis of the Inability Claim that would be presented at trial. In discussions with Ms. Zanier, the undersigned was informed, however, that this work could not be fruitfully performed at the time due to the absence of any facts in the record indicating the nature or substance of the Inability Claim. Ms. Zanier further advised that to perform her analysis she would preliminarily require a statement of the facts and arguments underlying the Inability Claim, SAR’s cumulative depreciation schedule, and any additional financial records that SAR intended to rely on, as well as SAR’s 1992 and 1993 tax returns, which still had not been produced. Accordingly, by letter dated July 8, 1994, from the undersigned to Mr. Randazzo, EPA again requested that SAR produce its 1992 and 1993 tax returns, and also requested that SAR produce a synopsis of the facts and arguments underlying the Inability Claim, SAR’s cumulative depreciation schedule, and any additional financial records that SAR intended to rely on in support of the Inability Claim (the “Additional Documents”). EPA noted that the requested tax returns and the Additional Documents would have to be produced by SAR sooner or 8 ------- later, if it wished to maintain the Inability Claim, and therefore, prompt compliance with EPA’s request would serve to minimize future delay. On or about July 22, 1994, SAR produced its tax returns for 3.992 and 1993, as well as the personal income tax returns and W2 forms for Mr. and Mrs. Mauro for the these two years. SAR, however, failed to produce any of the Additional Documents, including a synopsis of the facts and arguments underlying the Inability Claim (the “Synopsis”). During a telephone conversation between the undersigned and Mr. Randazzo on August 8, Mr. Randazzo stated that he thought the statement of the Inability Claim in the Answer was “adequate”. Moreover, Mr. Randazzo opined that the Inability Claim was sufficiently framed, since it was clear that payment of the penalty by SAR would adversely affect the personal income of Mr. and Mrs. Mauro. Thus, Mr. Randazzo recast the Inability Claim from a corporate claim on behalf of SAR, to a personal claim on behalf of the Mauros. By letter dated August 12, 1994, from the undersigned to Mr. Randazzo, EPA notified SAR that the recasting of the Inability Claim from a corporate to a personal claim created numerous problems. Primarily, since the facts and documents underlying a corporate claim and those underlying a personal claim of inability to pay are different, the recasting of the Inability Claim totally confused this issue and emphasized the need for clarification by means of the Synopsis. Accordingly, the undersigned urged Mr. Randazzo, as an initial step, to produce the Synopsis, noting again that a refusal would simply waste time. SAR has not yet produced the Synopsis. Consequently, at this time EPA does not know whether SAR intends to press the Inability Claim, and if so, whether it will be a corporate, or a personal claim, what facts will underlie the claim, and what documents will be relevant. Thus, EPA has been precluded from substantively addressing the Inability Claim in its prehearing exchange, and will have to await SAR’s prehearing exchange to determine what action will be appropriate with reference to this issue. VI. Paperwork Reduction Act This action is based on SAR’s violation of reporting requirements imposed by statute. See EPCRA Sections 313(a) and (g), 42 U.S • C. § 11023 (a) and (g). The Paperwork Reduction Act does not affect the enforcement of reporting requirements imposed by statute. 44 U.S.C. § 3502(11); 3512; U.S. v. Hicks , 947 F.2d 1356, 1359—60 (9th Cir. 1991); U.S. v. Kerwin , 945 F.2d 92 (5th Cir. 1991); U.S. v. Wunder , 919 F.2d 34, 38 (6th Cir. 1991), U.S. v. Great Lakes Casting Corp. , Slip Op., Hillman, U.S.D.J., Case No. 1:92—CV—645, at 13—16 (W.D. Mich. 3/23/94). 9 ------- (The applicable Office of Management and Budget control number is 2070—0093). VII. Location of the Hearing Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. §S 22.19(d) and 22.21(d), Complainant requests that the hearing be held in New York, New York. As a transportation hub, New York City is the location most accessible to all parties and witnesses. Furthermore, numerous rooms are available for the conduct of the hearing in the federal building in New York City, in which EPA’S main office is located, as well as in other federal facilities and courthouses in the immediate vicinity. Dated: Novemberfl, 1994 Respectfully submitted, u. Assistant Regional Counsel Office of Regional Counsel U.S.E.P.A., Region II 26 Federal Plaza (Rni. 400) New York, N.Y. 10278 (212) 264—6259 10 ------- rHllciLr I’lUri .’.IJ’ L LI. C.L NO. u1ooOO 4O NOV i l, 4 i. ..DO I 4O.UU) r.u, e1a an4w . V/ 0767$ (io ,) f6o 6D72 (2_ November 21, 1994 Richard J. Weisberg, Esq. Assistant Regional Counsel U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 Re: Docket 1111 EPCRA - 93-0112 Dear Mr. Weisberg2 Per the order setting prehearing procedures dated January 5, 1994 signed by Judge I otis, I am enclosing the discovery information as per my telephone conversion with you today. I will be forwarding the heard copy to you by FedEx with Exhibits attached which are the corporate tax returns which have already been provided to you in prior discovery. Very truly yours, PATRICK P. RANDAZZO PPR: SC Enclosures ------- ri-1IrsiL I’4L)H .U C. . I .L N . UJ OOOO 4O I’ QV i,’ ’4 J. •DO I’ O.1JLL) r.U) UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATOR IN THE MATTER OF ) ) SAR Industrial Finishing,) Docket No. II-EPCRA-93-0112 Respondent) RESPONDENT SUBMISSION PURSUANT ) TO SECTION 22.19(B) I submit the following information pursuant to Section 22.19(b) of the Rules. The names of the witnesses are as follows: Ralph Mauro Patricia Mauro Frank 1. Bartolone, CPA Mr. Bartolone is expected to testify either in person or by affidavit that he is a CPA and a partner in the firm of Bartolone & Snyder and that he has been handling the filings of corporate and personal income tax returns for S.A.R. Industrial Finishings, Inc. and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Mauro for many years and that he knows them personally and will vouch for their character and their diligence Jd in filing all financial returns. Further, he will vouch for the fact that the company has been run in a very professional manner and his personal knowledge of the individuals, Ralph and Patricia Mauro, and the fact that they are of the highest character and that they have always taken their responsibilities, both professionally and personally, in a most serious manner. Mr. & Mrs. Mauro are expected to testify as follows -- that in 1986 they had an employee who was responsible for all filings with regard to environmental compliance and unfortunately that individual passed away and they were not aware of the requirement to file a Form R and when they were advised of same, they immediately went through every record and filed .Form R for the Ms. years 1988 through 1992. During the term of 1988 through 1991, the defendant company was not contacted during the entire time to bring to its attention the failure to file. The requirement threshold for the respective chemicals for the years 1988 through 1992 was 10,000 pounds. The amount of actual chemicals used in most cases ranged from 12,000 to 15,000 pounds. The amount was a minimal amount in excess of the 10,000 pounds reporting requirement. As a result the Agency imposed a fine of six violations each in the amount of $5,000 or a total of $30,000 upon the defendant corporation. The ------- r 1iIc 1Lr KHNLHi .u’ Ic.L NO. UiOoOO 4O Nov j, II4 L4.Db NO.UU.,) r.ULe defendant corporation is a small company with under 50 employees and the principals Ralph and Patricia Mauro work hand in hand with their employees. The defendants have not objected to a partial summary judgment on the issue of liability but only contest the amount of the fine. The amount of the fine, it is respectfully submitted, is excessive especially when considered in comparison with the July 1, 1991 to June 30, 1992 corporate income tax return and the July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1993 corporate income tax return for the defendant. In 1991. to 1992 the corporation showed a profit of $863.00 as set forth in defendant’s Exhibit 1 1991 — 1992 corporate return. In 1992 - 1993 the profit shown for the corporation was $18,656.00 as shown in defendant’s Exhibit 2. The proposed fine exceeds the profit for the entire corporation. The defendant respectfully suggests to the Court that the penalty exceeds the violator’s ability to pay and further asks the court to consider the special circumstances in this case including the significant minor borderline violation. Defendant respectfully further suggests that the place of hearing be as close geographically to the defendant’s place of business in Berlin, New Jersey in accordance with Section 22.21(d) and 22.19(d) of the Rules. Dated: November 21, 1994 Attorney for Respondent, S.A.R. Industrial Finishing,Inc. —2— ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II x In the Matter of SAR INDUSTRIAL FINISHING, : Docket No. II EPCR.A—93—0112 Respondent. Proceeding under Section 325(c) of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. x COMPLAINANT’S REPLY PREHEARING EXCHANGE Pursuant to the order of the AU 1 dated January 5, 1994, directing the parties to file their replies to each others’ prehearing exchanges on or before December 12, 1994, EPA hereby files its reply prehearing exchange in the captioned proceeding. I. Witnesses - Additional Testimony and Related Matters 1. The Direct Testimony of Nora Lopez 1 Alan Bookman and James Sullivan SAR, in its reply prehearing exchange, requests the production of the above three witnesses, for purposes of cross- examining them on their direct testimony. The declarations of these three witnesses containing their direct testimony were annexed to EPA’S prehearing exchange. EPA previously stated in its prehearing exchange that it would produce these witness at SAR’s request for purposes of cross-examination on their direct testimony. In its reply prehearing exchange, SAR indicates that it seeks to cross-examine these witness on their direct testimony because their declarations “contain numerous instances of hearsay”. Accordingly, EPA takes this opportunity to note that hearsay is admissible in EPA administrative proceedings pursuant to the Consolidated Rules, §22.22(a), and settled case law, g., Great lakes Division of National Steel Corp. , EPCRA Appeal No. 93—3 (EAB, 6/29/94 at 35—36). 2. Nora Lopez - In its prehearing exchange, SAR indicates that it will seek mitigation of the penalty on the ground that the amounts of chemicals used in the relevant reporting years in 1 The definitional terms used herein are the same as those used in EPA’S prehearing exchange. 1 ------- excess of the threshold amounts, which triggers the §313 reporting requirement, were “minimal”, and therefore, were “minor borderline” violations. The ERP at page 18 allows for mitigation for borderline violations. EPA will call Ms. Nora Lopez, previously identified, as a rebuttal witness on this point. Ms. Lopez will testify that SAR used chemicals in excess of the threshold amounts in quantities that cannot be construed as borderline, and that mitigation would be inappropriate on this ground. 3. Kimberly A. Zanier, CPA - In its prehearing exchange, SAR identified its claimed inability to pay the penalty as a corporate claim, and based this claim solely on the fact that in its two most recent fiscal years its corporate profits were less than the proposed penalty. Ms. Zanier, previously identified, will testify concerning SAR’s claimed inability to pay. Ms. Zanier will provide a detailed financial analysis to demonstrate that SAR has the ability to pay the full proposed penalty despite the fact that its profits may be less than this amount. To complete her analysis of SAR’s financial condition, Ms. Zanier will require additional documents beyond SAR’s corporate tax returns annexed hereto as EPA exhibits. EPA will seek to obtain these documents voluntarily from SAR. If SAR refuses to produce these documents, EPA will move the AU for discovery pursuant to §22.19(f) of the Consolidated Rules. II- Additional Exhibits That EPA Currently Anticipates Relying On Additional exhibits that EPA currently anticipates relying on are listed below. EPA reserves its right to supplement its prehearing exchange to produce additional documents as exhibits, including those documents referred to above, relevant to SAR’s claim of inability to pay, which EPA will seek to obtain from SAR voluntarily, or on motion. Complainant’s Exhibit 6 — SAR’s 1987 federal corporate income tax return (form 1120). Complainant’s Exhibit 7 - SAR’s 1988 federal corporate income tax return (form 1120). Complainant’s Exhibit 8 - SAR’s 1989 federal corporate income tax return (form 1120). Complainant’s Exhibit 9 - SAR’s 1990 federal corporate income tax return (form 1120). Complainant’s Exhibit 10 - SAR’s 1991 federal corporate income tax return (form 1120). 2 ------- Complainant’s Exhibit 11 — SAR’s 1992 federal corporate income tax return (form 1120). Dated: December 9, 1994 Respectfully submitted, Richard J. Weisberg Assistant Regional Counsel Office of Regional Counsel U.S.E.P.A., Region II 26 Federal Plaza (Rm. 400) New York, N.Y. 10278 (212) 264—6259 3 ------- ckcx u J r OYc J— -f ( + • - __ 4 QJ — -S ------- THE PREPARATION AM) EXECUTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANTh DENNIS MUCHNICKI L INTRODUCTION As discussed earlier, administrative warrants are, in essence, the judicial mechanism for vindicating a legislative determinz tion that, in order to promote public health, safety and welfare, certain commercial enterprises have a reduced expectation of privacy because they will be subject to inspections to assure compliance with regulatoiy programs. As a result, the background for all discussion of administrative warrants is the statute which authorizes the inspection scheme. The answer to almost any question will turn, in large part, on the provisions of the statute authori7ing the inspections. IL FUNCTIONS SERVED BY AN ADMINISfl ATIVE WARRANT A. Administrative warrants provide significant benefits when compared to warrantless inspections. Marshall v. Barlow . 436 U.S. 307, 98 S. Ct 1816 (1978). Those advantages include: 1. The entity subject to the inspection benefits by having the assurance that a neutral ni2gistrate has reviewed the basis for the inspection- search, thereby assuring the inspected entity against abuse by administrative whim. Z Primarily the entity searched, but also the inspector, benefit by having the nature and scope of the inspection-search clearly defined. 3. The inspector benefits by receiving the warrant from the court, which functions as an order of the court, thereby enlisting the assistance of the law enforcement community to assure that no one interferes with the implementation of the court’s order (the warrant). a. In addition, the inspection efficiency is improved by the ex parte nature of the warrant system. , Marshall. supra . at 320, fn. 15; Bunker Hill Co. Lead & Smelter v. U.S. EPA . 658 F.2d 1280, 1285 (9th Cir. 1981); National Standard Co. v. Adainkus . 881 F.2d 352, 362 (7th Cir. 1989); In re Order Pursuant to Section 3013(d) . 550 F.Supp. 1361 (W.D. Wash. 1982). In the absence of a warrant, resistance to an inspection could only be overcome by an action for injunctive relief which would provide the resisting party with the opportunity to contest the inspection. 1 ------- m. MAT1ERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN PREPARING TO OBTAIN AN ADMINISI1 AT1VE WARRANT A. In the a4ministrative context, probable cause maybe based upon either: (1) a showing of specific evidence of an existing violation; or (2) upon a showing that the inspection is being conducted pursuant to a general administrative plan, derived from neutral sources, for the enforcement of a statute. Marshall Barlow 436 U.S. 307, 320321, 98 S.Ct. 1816 (1978); Matter of Establishment Inspection of Trinity Industiie& Inc. . 898 F2d 1049, 1051 (5th Cir. 1990); National.Standard v. Adaznkus . 881 F.2d 352, 361 (7th Cir. 1989). The level of evidence necessaly to support the “specific evidence” prong of administrative probable cause is something less than that which is required to establish crimirnil probable cause. Administrative probable cause will be found if the application supports a “reasonable belief’ that the act was violated. Matter of Midwest Instruments Co. . 900 F.2d 1150, 1153 (7th Cir. 1990). Administrative probable cause is established upon showing of a “reasonable belief’ that a violation had been committed and that the inspection was not based upon a desire to harass the target of the inspection. U.S. v. Establishment Inspection of: Jeep Corp. . 836 F.2d 1026, 1027 (6th Cir. 1988). The administrative probable cause requirement “is met by a showing of specific evidence sufficient to support a reasonable suspicion of a violation.” West Point-PepperelL Inc. v. Donovan . 689 F2d 950, 957.958 (11th Cir. 1982)). There must be “some plmtcible basis for believing that a violation is likely to be found.” Marshall v. Horn Seed Co.. Inc. . 647 F.2d 96, 102 (10th dr. 1981). a. The warrant application, however, cannot merely allege that a violation has ocoJrre(L An affidavit stating merely that the agency had received a written complaint from an employee of the business to be searched and had determined that a violation existed was “unrelieved boilerplate” and insufficient to establish probable cause. Weyerhaeuser Co. v. Marshall . 592 F.2d 373, 378 (7th Cir. 1979). 2 ------- An application stating agency believed violations existed at the facility on the basis of information contained in unverified newspaper articles was insufficient to establish probable cause. Donovan v. Federal Cleaning Die Casting Co. . 655 F.2d 793, 797 (7th Cir. 1981). An OSHA warrant that merely described the occurrence of an accident at a facility and concluded in boilerplate language that the accident indicated the existence of possible violations was insufficient to establish probable cause. Chicago Zoological Soc. v. Donovan . 558 F.Supp. 1147, 1152 (N.D. 111. 1983). b. Courts require some information that will support the inspector’s suspicion that a violation has actually occurred. Ideally the affidavit should state whether the complaint was received by the afflant personally, inform the magistrate of the source of the complaint, detail the facts of the complaint, attach the complaint and other written material received from the complairumt, specify the steps taken by agency to verify the complaint, provide the number of prior searches of the facility and relate any other relevant information. Marshall v. Horn Seed Co.. Inc. . 647 F.2d 96, 102.104 (10th Cir. 1981). A court has upheld a warrant supported by only a sworn application det2iling facts of complaint made by an informant and an indication of the basis for concluding that the statute was violated. Matter of Establishment Inspection of Gilbert & Bennett Mfg. Co . 589 F.2d 1335, 1539(7th Cir. 1979). 2. An inspection warrant that relies upon the “general administrative plan” prong must be based upon an inspection plan derived from neutral sources and contain a description of how the particular facility to be searched was chosen for inspection. “An a Irninistratjve warrant will pass constitutional muster if it issues pursuant to a plan based on sufficient, specific neutral criteria and the warrant application adequately explains why an inspection of the particular establishment is within the program.” Brock v. Gretna Mach. & Ironworks. Inc. . 769 F.2d 1110, 1112 (5th Cir. 1985). 3 ------- a. The inspection plan must be based upon specific neutral criteria Numerous cases uphold the validity of OSHA’s neutral inspection plan which operates on a “worst-first” basis by comparing what industries manufacture with the number of work days lost by their employees to determine which, and in what order, companies should be inspected. Matter of Establishment Inspection of Trinity Industries. Inc. . 876 F.2d 1485, 1490-1491 (11th Cir. 1989). A court, however, has suggested that the General Service Administration’s selection of utility to be searched may not have been pursuant to a valid a iministrative plan where the plan, though based on neutral criteria, was not generally accepted for use or formally promulgated by the EPA. U.S. v. New Orleans Public SeMce. Inc. . 723 R2d 422, 429 fn. 7 (5th Cir. 1984). A valid neutral administrative plan is established where a government agency desires to do a study on the health effects of occupational exposure in the leather thnning and finishing industries and selects companies for inspection on the basis of the age of the factory and the number of workers employed. Matter of Pfister & Vogel Tanning Co. . 493 F.Supp. 351 (ED. Wis. 1980). b. Courts generally will not inquire into the validity or accuracy of the facts relied upon by an agency in developing an inspection plan. “The Cowl is not authorized to inquire into the facts which presaged formulation of the plan.” Matter of Establishment Inspection of Trinity Industries. Inc. . 876 F.2d at 1490. c. However, the warrant application must describe the inspection plan in enough detail to allow the magistrate to properly assess the plan’s neutrality. ‘To enable a m gictrate to determine whether the [ administrative plani prong of the Barlow’s test has been met, the warrant application must contain adequate information from which the ni gistrate properly may assess the inspection plan’s neutrality.” Matter of Establishment Inspection of Trinity Industries. Inc. . 876 F.2d at 1491. 4 ------- In analyzing an inspection plan, the magjstrate considering the warrant application must review the plan itself to ensure that it contains the specific neutral criteria mandated by Bar1o s. Industrial Steel Products Co.. Inc. v. OSHA . 845 F.2d 1330, 1330 (5th Cir. 1988). The warrant application must describe the program. Pa. Steel Foundry & Mach. v. Sec. of Labor . 831 F.2d 1211, 1215 (3rd Cir. 1987). Probable cause exists where the affidavit in support of the warrant stated that the inspection was part of the Nationai- Local plan designed to achieve significant reduction in the high incident of occupational injuries and illnesses found in the metal-working and foundry industry”. Matter of Establishment Inspection of Gilbert & Bennett Mfg. Co. . 589 F2d 1335 (7th Cir. 1979). The application for warrant was deemed insufficient where the affidavit merely stated that the desired inspection was “part of an inspection and investigation program designed to assure compliance with the Act.”) Matter of Northwest Airlines. Inc. . 587 F2d 12, 14(7th Cir. 1978). Where the application stated that the desired inspection was part of an accident investigation as prescribed by the OSHA Field Operations Manual, the magistrate had sufficient infonnation to determine the existence of a reasonable inspection program. Chicago Zoological Soc. v. Donovan . 558 F.Supp. 1147, 1153 (ND. ilL 1983). The warrant was issued where the application described in detail the contents of the inspection plan. Erie Bottling Corp. v. Donovan . 539 F.Supp. 600, 605 (WD. Pa. 1982). The warrant will be issued where affidavit described the purpose of the inspection and the criteria used to select the industry for inspection. Matter of Pfister & Vogel Tannin Co. . 493 F.Supp. 351, 354.355 (WD. Wisc. 1980). Compare : The warrant itself and not just the application, must describe the plan. Donovan v. Enterprise Foundry. Inc. . 561 F. Supp. 1433, 1440 (D. Maine 1984). The Warrant is not invalid because only the warrant, which did not contain a description of the plan, was served on the facility. Matter of Peterson Builders. Inc. . 525 F.Supp. 642 (ED. Wis. 1981). 5 ------- d. Courts may require a description of how the particular company was chosen under the plan rather than simply a statement to the effect that the company to be searched was selected pursuant to the plan. Where government officer could not remember whether he actually considered any of the pian’s criteria, a court held that the Fourth Amendment requires an actual showing that the proper procedures were followed at the time of the proposed inspection. U.S. v. New Orleans Public Service . 723 F2d 422 (5th C i i. 1984). The conflict among the circuits regarding whether it is sufficient to simply state in OSHA warrant applications that the facility to be searched was selected pursuant to a neutral plan or whether a more detailed description of the actual selection process is required is discussed in Pa. Steel Foundiy & Machine v. Sec. of Labor . 831 F2d at 1214.1216. e. Some courts have allowed searches pursuant to a plan to investigate complaints or accidents, even when the area searched or inspected is broader than the area mentioned in the complaint. The warrant was not overbroad even though it authorized the search of an area exceeding that of the complaint because the complaint was handled as part of a valid complaint investigation program. Donovan v. Burlington Northern Inc. . 694 F2d 1213. An inspection conducted pursuant to OSHA’s accident investigation program did not have to be limited to area where accident occurred. Chicago Zoological Soc. v. Donovan . 558 F.Supp. at 1149. B. The allowable scope of an a Inthiictrative inspection will valy depending upon which of the Marshall prongs is relied upon to support the issuance of the warrant. 1. Courts will generally allow a reasonable !wall to wall inspection in warrants relying upon the administrative plan wrong. Because the purpose of the inspection was to determine general compliance with OSHA health and safety regulations and because the exact location of violations could not be known prior to entering the facility, the court held that a narrow, a restricted warrant would defeat the purposes of the statute. Matter of Establishment Inspection of Gilbert & Bennett . 589 F.2d at 1343. 6 ------- A Warrant authorizing exaniinntion of records and interviews with employees was not invalid since statute provided for these activities. Donovan v. Wollaston Alloys . Inc., 695 F2d 1 (5th Cir. 1982). A Warrant authorizing “wall-to-wall” inspection of facility including the review of documents, the taking of photographs, and the affixing of monitoring devices on employees did not violate the Fourth Amendment’s reasonableness requirement. Ingersoll-Rand Co. v. Donovan . 540 F.Supp. 222,225-226 (M.D. Pa. 1982). The agenc.y could conduct “wall-to-wall” inspectk)n, but the examination of private medical records and the interviewing of employees while worldng would be prohibited. Erie Bottling Corp. v. Donovan . 539 F.Supp. at 606-607. A Warrant has been found invalid because a determination of reasonableness of administrative search must be oriented to specific factual aspects of the government’s intrusive authority in a given case. Donovan v. Enterprise Foundry. Inc. . 581 F.Supp. at 1440 (D. Maine, 1984). 2. With respect to warrants relying upon the specific evidence prong courts are split on whether the scope of the search should be limited to the substance of the alleged violations. a. Some courts have decided that the inspection must be limited in scope to the substance of the alleged violations. An administrative warrant limiting the inspection of records to those which were directly related to the purpose of the inspection was not constitutionally overbroad. U.S. v. Establishment Inspection of: Jeep Corp. . 836 F.2d at 1028. Because of the potential for abuse of discretion and intrusiveness, a complaint inspection must bear an appropriate relationship to the violation alleged in the complaint. Donovan v. Sarasota Concrete Co. . 693 F.2d 1061, 1068-1070 (11th Cir. 1982). When a warrant, be it admini tradve or criminal , is issued for the inspection of business records on the basis of one suspected violation, the warrant must e press, with particularity, the dates of the records sought. Pieper v. U.S. . 604 F.2d 1131, 1134 (8th Cir. 1979). 7 ------- An EPA warrant was overbroad where it authorized access to documents “of any type”. Matter of Investigation Pursuant to aean Air Act . 728 F.Supp. 626 (D. Idaho 1990). b. Some cases hold that the inspection may extend to matters beyond the substance of the violations. Once probable cause is established on the basis of an employee complaint, the government may inspect the entire premises in order to advance the broad remedial purposes of the act and prohibit employees from presenting “sanitized” areas to inspections while concealing violations elsewhere. Burkart Randall Div. of Textron’ Inc. v. Marshall . 625 F.2d 1313, 1322.1326 (7th Cir. 1980). Regulatory authority carries with it all modes of investigation traditionally employed to exeaite the authority granted; consequently, the EPA was authorized to use the traditional techniques of taking background samples in areas other than those where the violations existed. National.Standard Co. v. Adamkus . 881 F2d 352,362(7th Cir. 1989). The Consumer Product Safety Comniics ion has been authorized to inspect all records relevant to determining compliance with the act or regulations. Matter of Establishment Inspection of Skil Corp. . 846 F.2d 1127, 1133(7th Cir. 1988). A “wall-to-wall” inspection is permissible on the basis that, among other thingS the company searched was scheduled for an administrative plan inspection later in the year. Matter of Inspection of Workplace . 741 F.2d 172, 175-177 (8th Cir. 1984). A warrant is not overbroad where it authorized government to go anywhere on the plant to look for certain violations. fl E. Oil. Inc. v. Marshall . 509 F.Supp. 802, 807 (E.D. Pa. 1981). 3. Some courts have ruled that the search may extend to matters beyond the substance of the alleged violation where the search is pursuant to a complaint or accident investigation program. A warrant is not overbroad even though it authorized the search of an area exceeding that of the complaint because the complaint was handled as part of a valid complaint investigation program. Donovan v. Burlington Northern. Inc. . 694 F2d 1213. 8 ------- An inspection conducted pursuant to OSHA’s accident investigation program did not have to be limited to area where accident occurred. Chicago Zoological Soc. v. Donovan . 558 F.Supp. at 1149. A warrant is valid where complaint investigation was part of an “investigation program designed to assure compliance with the Act.” Hem Iron Works. Inc. v. Donovan . 670 F.2d at 841. C. It Is Particularly Important To Delineate Carefully In The Warrant The Full Nature And Scope Of The Inspection Since, according to the Supreme Court, one of the key benefits of the administrative warrant is that it clearly delineates the nature and scope of the inspection, the government should take advantage of the opportunity to carefully authorize every activity which is needed for a complete inspection-search. a. Geographic area - describe with particularity all areas of a facility which need to be covered by the inspection. Specify which buildings you desire to inspect. b. Documents - describe all possible documents you wish to seize. In particular, assure that you have specific authorization to seize computerized records, discs, even computers themselves. c. Tasks To Be Performed - Be sure to include authorization for all tasks, such as digging monitoring, sampling, taldng photographs, etc., which it will be necessary to perform during the inspection. d. Persons - Be sure to comprehensively list by name or function all government agents who are authorized by the warrant to participate in the inspection. D. Carefully Prepare AU The Three Types of Documents Required To Obtain The Warrant. Application For Warrant - The application for the warrant is the equivalent of the legal memorandum which explains your entitlement to the warrant - The application should include; (1) a citation to, and discussion of, all statutory authorities which authorize the inspection; (2) a summary of the key facts from your affidavit supporting the warrant with particular emphasis on the facts which establish administrative probable cause; and (3) a careful explanation of any unique aspects of the scope of the search (such as locations 9 ------- where diggings must take place to uncover buried drums, locations where monitoring wells must be dug and installed, computers and computerized data which must be seized, etc.). 2. Affidavits In Support - Carefully prepare affidavits to support the type of probable cause which is being used to justify the warrant and to factually support any unique aspects of the scope of the warrani a. When preparing affidavits to support probable cause under a neutral inspection plan” standard, the following questions should be considered: (1) What is the inspection plan? (2) Has it been reduced to writing? (3) Who formulated the plan? What procedure was used in formulating the plan? (4) What criteria were used to select facilities for inspection under the plan? (5) Are the criteria neutral and unbiased? (6) What policies does the plan seek to implement? Why was the plan developed? (7) Has the plan been applied consistently in the past? (8) How was the facility to be searched selected under the plan? (9) How many times and on what dates has the facility been inspected in the past? Why was the facility searched in the past? b. When preparing the affidavits to support probable cause under a “specific evidence of violations” standard, the following questions should be considered: (1) What statutes and/or regulations have allegedly been violated? (2) What evidence is there of the violations? (3) When did these violations allegedly occur? 10 ------- (4) How did the agency learn of the violations? From a complaint? Who made the complaint, an employee, private citizen, or business competitor? Who in the Agency took down the complaint? Was it reduced to writing and signed by the complainant? (5) What steps did the agency take to verify the complaint? Did they attempt an inspection? What did they observe? Were they refused access to the facility? Did the agency representatives comply with all statutory procedures before being refused access? (6) How detailed is the information provided in the complaint? (7) Does the agency have any information that would bear on the credibility of the informant? If the informant is an employee, has he recently been disciplined or discharged? Is it a confidential informant? (8) Does the facility in question have a history of statutory violations? (9) Has the facility ever been inspected before? When? For what purpose? 3. The Proposed Warrant Authorizing The Inspection - A proposed warrant anthori iing the inspection (literally, the warrant itself) should always be prepared in advance and submitted to the judicial officer for their signature. As previously emphasized, this order must be carefully thought out and assure that it authorizes access for all individuals needed to perform the inspection and that it authorizes all activities necessaly to complete a successful inspectio lL 1V. EXECUTION OF ADMINISl1 ATIVE WARRANTS A. The Need For An Adminictrative Warrant Is Usually Triggered By A Regulated Entity’s Refusal To Allow An Inspection. 1. The typical setting involves an unannounced inspection or complaint investigation. 11 ------- 2. Should the inspector announce existence of complaint up front if the inspection results from a complaint investigation? Whether it should be immediately announced is debatable. Probably it should not be automatically announced. At a minimum, however, the inspector should truthfully answer if he is asked the basis for the inspection. 3. The inspector should ask unequivocally: Wifi you allow me to enter at this time to conduct an inspection or investigation? 4. Examples of types of refusals: Come back Thursday when the environmental ni n ger will be here. Call the environmental m n ger to make an appointment. Get a warrant Over my dea l body. 5. It should be remembered, however, that refusal is not necessarily required to obtain a warrant. Check your statute. B. The Environmental Agency Has Three Options In Responding To A RefusaL 1. The inspector may reschedule the inspection or investigation. 2. The inspector’s supervisor or a staff attorney may call a representative of company to negotiate ently. 3. The agency may seek as ailministrative search warrant. C. The Inspectors And Government Attorneys Each Have An Important Role In The Preparation Of The Warrant. 1. The inspector must be interviewed in order to get facts and circumstances justifying the warrant, including infoniiadon surrounding the denial of entiy if such denial occurred. 2. The inspector should explain to the attorney what activities the inspector will want to conduct during the inspection or investigation, e.g., take samples, review records, take photographs. 3. The agency must then prepare an inspection team. 4. The team must develop an inspection plan. 5. The team members must define all tasks which must be performed during inspection and assign each task to a specific person: For example, who handles sampling, waiky-talky, documentation of search in log book, etc 12 ------- 6. The team must gather equipment it will need: sampling, walky-talky, 2 cars, cameras, video recorders, etc. 7. Normally investigators who are strictly criminal investigators with no civil or administrative enforcement responsibilities should not be involved in this process. D. Inspector-Attorney Cooperation Must Continue When Appearing Before The Judicial Officer. 1. An Assistant U.S. Attorney or a local prosecutor’s office may help to find an available judge. Some waiting, however, may be unavoidable. 2. When appearing before a judge, the attorney explains why the government representatives are there and presents the papers. 3. The inspector signs the affidavit and answers any question the judicial officer may have to the best of the inspector’s ability. 4. The judicial officer then signs the warrant 5. The total time before the judicial officer could be only 10 minutes. 6. The agency representatives should then meet with the law enforcement officers who will present the warrant. E The Agency Personnel And The Law Enforcement Personnel Must Coordinate The Execution Of The Warrant 1. The law enforcement team serves the warrant (or lets inspector). They usually stay around to make sure agency personnel get on property. They may leave shortly after entiy unless complications occur. 2. The environmental agency team should perform the following tasks: a. They conduct the actual inspection or investigation; b. They usually must be on facility property just during daylight hours and within three (3) days of issuance of the warrant, unless otherwise authorized by the warrant. c. They should contact the agency attorney if there are any problems. The attorney may wish to be in a car across the street from the facility. 13 ------- d. The agency team may question facility employees but the employees are not necessarily required to respond (although they may not interfere with the search). e. The agency team should generally defer questions from facility representatives and employees concerning the search to the agency attorney. F. Procedures For The Return Of The Warrant Must Be Carefully Followed 1. Both an inspector and a facility representative must sign a form listing an inventory of times seized. 2. An inspector signs a return of warrant form. 3. Agency personnel should then assure that these two forms are returned to the court. 0. Because Of Conflicts And Confusion In Various Court Decisions, Agency Personnel Must Be Sensitive To The Possibility That Evidence Of Criminal Violations May Be Discovered During The Inspection. 1. If evidence of a crimin 1 violation is discovered during the execution of the a iministrative warrant the inspectors should notify the attorney immediately. 2. The reason the attorney must know is that a crimirnil warrant may be appropriate in order to use the evidence in a future crimin 1 proceeding. 3. There are at least two (2) options at that point a. Stop adniinb trative warrant and obtain crimin 1 warrant. b. Complete administrative warrant and obtain criminal warrant. 4. In order to anticipate this problem, sometimes a separate team can be standing by to obtain a criminal warrant if it is suspected that evidence of criminal conduct may be found. 14 ------- FILED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS d PA’ AUSTIN DIVISION 1 I 02 iii IN THE MATTER OF: ) U•S. CL OFFICE ) BY Craven Laboratories, Inc. ) Docket No. ____________ Austin, Texas ) ) WARRANT AND ORDER FOR ) ENTRY AND INVESTIGATION ) PURSUANT TO SECTION 9(B) OF THE FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE ACT TO: ANY DULY DESIGNATED OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, UNITED STATES MARSHAL, OR OTHER FEDERAL OFFICER: Application having been made by the United States Attorney on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a warrant to enter, inspect, and copy records at Craven Laboratories, Inc. to determine compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S.C. SS 136—136(y), the court being satisfied that there is reason to believe that the provisions of FIFRA and the regulations promulgated thereunder have been violated, and that sufficient grounds exist for the issuance of a warrant; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that EPA, through its duly designated officers or employees, the U. S. Marshal, or other Federal Officers, are hereby entitled and authorized to enter the premises of Craven Laboratories, Inc. located at 2800 Longhorn Blvd., Austin, Texas. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that EPA, through its duly designated officers and employees, the U. S. Marshal or other federal ------- officers, shall be authorized and permitted to enter and re-enter the above described premises during normal businsess hours or at other reasonable times to conduct the following activities: 1. Inspect the laboratory facilities of Craven Laboratories, Inc. to determine its compliance with the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Standards promulgated under FIFRA at 40 CFR Part 160 as amended by 54 Fed. Reg. 34052 (08/17/89). 2. Review all records including, but not limited to operating manuals, protocols, directives and guidance pertinent to the operation of the Craven Laboratories, Inc. in accordance with GLP Standards. 3. Review all records related to the work of Craven Laboratories, Inc. in connection with the Ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (EBDC)/Ethylene thiourea (ETU) National Food Survey - EPA Data Call-in Notice of March 10, 1989. 4. Copy any records necessary to document whether Craven Laboratories, Inc. is in compliance with FIFRA requirements. 5. Take any other actions necessary to adequately inspect the premises or review records needed to assess compliance with FIFRA. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that records may be removed from the premises of Craven laboratories, Inc. for copying, provided that: (1) any such records so removed are properly receipted for by the representatives of the EPA, (2) Craven Laboratories, Inc. may send 2 ------- one of its employees to accompany the EPA representatives during such copying, and (3) such records shall be returned within 72 hours of the time they were first removed frog the premises. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that EPA, through its duly designated officers, employees or representatives is hereby entitled to and shall be authorized to seal the above described records in their containers, or in containers to be provided, until such records can be copied, provided that (1) sealed records which are necessary for the conduct of the everyday businsess affairs of Craven Laboratories, Inc., shall be reviewed and/or copied and unsealed first, (2) any other records which are sealed shall be reviewed and/or copied and unsealed before other records are examined and/or copied, and (3) the seals placed on the containers which hold the records may be broken only by a person authorized to place the seals or pursuant to court order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this warrant shall be left at the premises at the time of investigation. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this warrant shall be valid for a period of 10 days from the date of this warrant. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the United States Marshal is hereby authorized and directed to assist the representatives of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in such manner as may be reasonable, necessary, and required. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a prompt return of this warrant 3 ------- shall be made to this court within 10 days from the date hereof, showing this warrant has been executed. Date: _____ co United St 1 tes Magistrate 4 ------- FILED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS AUSTIN DIVISION S IN THE MATTER OF: ) U.S. CLL;( Craven Laboratories, Inc. ) Docket No. ___________ Austin, Texas ) ) APPLICATION FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SEARCH WARRANT ) The United States of America, on behalf of the Administrator of the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency, through Ronald F. Ederer, United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas applies for an administrative warrant to enter, inspect, and copy records at Craven Laboratories, Inc., 2800 Longhorn Blvd., Austin, Texas, to determine compliance with the requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). There is reason to believe that the provisions of Section 8(a) of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. § 136f(a), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, have been violated. Section 9(b) of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. § 136g(b), authorizes the issuance of a warrant to duly designated employees of Administrator for the purposes listed above. In support of this application, the United States submits the affidavit of a duly designated employee of the Administrator and a proposed warrant. Respectfully submitted, RONALD F. EDERER UNITED STATES ATTORNEY By: Assistant U. S. Attorney ------- FILED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT ç j WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 1 01 ?n ‘ Sf) AUSTIN DIVISION ,, ,, - (dL. ’ S :FF CE IN THE MATTER OF: ) BY DEPUTY Craven Laboratories, Inc. ) Docket No. ____________ Austin, Texas ) AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SEARCH WARRANT ) State of Texas County of Travis: Diane Bradway, being duly sworn upon her oath, according to law, deposes and says: 1. I am an enforcement officer with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Enforcement Investigations Center, and have been duly designated by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of conducting inspections pursuant to all Federal Laws administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. My duties include the investigation of potential vio- lations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. 2. I currently am involved in an investigation of Craven Laboratories, Inc. concerning violations of FIFRA and the FIFRA Good Laboratory Practice Standards. 3. Craven Laboratories, Inc. is and has been involved in conducting a study of the residues p1 pesticides known as Ethylene bisdithiocarbainates (EBDC) and a common inetabolite (in the human body) ethylene thiourea (ETU). This study is critical to the risk ------- assessment of the EBDC pesticides. In order for EPA to adequately assess the potential risk to the public health or the environment, it must have reliable data concerning the residues of EBDC’s and ETU in foods. 4. To design the study, approve the study protocol and oversee the work being done by Craven Laboratories, Inc., as well as other laboratories, a Task Force was established by the manufacturers of these EBDC pesticides. 5. On August 9, 1990, Edward M. Ruckert, legal counsel for the Task Force, reported that there may be irregularities with some data from Craven Laboratories, Inc. and asked for a meeting to discuss the situation. See attachment 3. - Letter from Ruckert to Tinsworth. 6. On August 13, 1990, EPA met with members of the Task Force to discuss the data irregularities reported by Mr. Ruckert. See Attachment 2 — Notes of August 13, 1990 Meeting with Task Force to EBDC Files. 7. An EPA employee, Francis B. Suhre participated in that meeting and subsequently briefed me regarding the meeting. 8. According to Mr. Suhre, and as related in the notes of August 14, 1990 meeting, the Task Force informed EPA that, based upon information received from an informant at the laboratory, Craven Laboratories, Inc. laboratory technicians had manipulated analytical instruments while calibrating the instruments and while analyzing quality control samples. These manipulations violated the procedure set forth in the protocol approved for the study. 2 ------- 9. These manipulations would affect the quality of the data obtained by Craven Laboratories, Inc. In particular, the accuracy of the data reported at or near the instrument’s lover limit of detection could be seriously compromised. 10. The integrity of the data at the lower limit of detection is critical in this study because pesticide residues are typically found at these levels. Under the approach that Craven Laboratories, Inc. has apparently taken, much of the data on pesticide residues might be lost because the lower limit of detection was artificially raised by Craven’s manipulation of the analytical instruments. The result would be that the Agency’s risk assessment would be based on incomplete and inaccurate data. For example, a risk assessment based upon Craven’s data would understate the amount of EBDC in the average person’s diet. 11. On August 23, 1990, Craven Laboratories, Inc. was notified by letter that EPA would conduct a Good Laboratory Practice Standards compliance inspection and audit the EBDC study under the authority of FIFRA. They were notified that the inspection would begin September 4, 1990 and conclude on September 7, 1990.— See Attachment 3 — Letter from Dull to Craven. 12. On August 29, 1990, Gerard Treanor, counsel for Craven Laboratories, Inc. notified EPA that the inspection could not take place September 4-7, 1990. See Attachment 4 — letter from Treanor to Dull. 13. On August 30, 1990, I participated, along with counsel for EPA, in a conference via telephone with Mr. Treanor. He was 3 ------- informed that we still intended to conduct the inspection on September 4, 1990, given the Agency’s clear authority to conduct such inspections under FIFRA, notwithstanding the company’s consent. Nevertheless, we told him that we were willing to delay the inspection one or two days if it would allow him to address his client’s concerns. In response to our offer Mr. Treanor stated that no inspection could take place at any time during that week. 14. Under Section 8(a) of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. S 136f(a), it states that “(t]he Administrator may prescribe regulations requiring producers, registrants, and applicants for registration to maintain such records with respect to. ...pesticides and devices produced as he determines are necessary for the effective enforcement of this Act and to make the records available for inspection and copying in the same manner as provided in subsection (b) . 15. The EPA Administrator has promulgated the FIFRA Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Standards, 40 CFR Part 160, which “prescribes good laboratory practices for studies and support.... permits for pesticide products regulated by the EPA....to assure the quality and integrity of data....” 40 CFR S 160.1(a). 16. The GLP Standards apply to studies performed by the pesticide producer or registrant and to studies performed by an independent testing laboratory, such as Craven Laboratories, Inc., acting as agent for the pesticide producer or registrant. See 40 CFR S 160.10. 17. The GLP Standards require that analytical equipment shall 4 ------- be adequately calibrated. 40 CFR § 160.63(a). 18. The GLP Standards require that a study be conducted in accordance with the protocol. 40 CFR S 160.130(a). 19. Section 12(a) (2) (Q) of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. § 136j(a)(2)(Q), makes it unlawful for any person: “ [ T]o falsify all or part of any information relating to the testing of any pesticide (or any ingredient, metabolite, or degradation product thereof), including the nature of any protocol, procedure, substance, organism, or equipment used, observation made, or conclusion or opinion formed, submitted to the Administrator, or that the person knows will be furnished to the Administrator or will become part of any records required to be maintained by this Act”. Diane Bradway Residue Chemist and Enforcement Officer Subscribed and sworn before me this day of September, 1990. c United S tes Magistrate 5 ------- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA IN THE MA1 rI a OF: ) ) MARYLAND ASSEMBLIES, INC. ) Case No. 89—444128 PERRY, FLORIDA ) WARRANT AND ORDER FOR ENTRY AND INVESTIGATION ) PURSUANT TO SECTION 3007 OF THE RESOURCE ) CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT, AS ) AMENDED, 42 U.S.C ) §6927, SECTION 308 OF ) THE CLEAN WATER ACT, ) AS AMENDED, 33 U.S.C. ) §1318, SECTION 114 OF ) THE CLEAN AIR ACT, AS ) AMENDED, 42 U.S.C. ) §7414, AND SECTION 11 ) OF THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND CONTROL ACT, AS AMENDED, 15 U.S.C. §2610 TO: J. Scott Gordon, Florida Coordinator for the Waste Compliance Section, United States Environmental Protection Agency, (hereinafter referred to as “EPA”), Region IV, any duly designated officer or employee of the EPA-National Enforcement Investigations Center, any other duly designated officer, employee, or representative of the Administrator of the EPA. ------- Application having been made by the United States Attorney based upon an affidavit made before me, by J. Scott Gordon on behalf of the EPA for a warrant of entry, inspection, reproduction of records, and sampling to determine compliance of Maryland Assemblies, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “the premises”, and which is an entity more particularly described in the attached Affidavit, which is hereby incorporated by reference) with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as cited above; and, the court being satisfied that there has been a sufficient showing that reasonable legislative or administrative standards for conducting an inspection and investigation have been satisfied; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that EPA through its duly designated officer, J. Scott Gordon and any authorized attorney or representative of said Agency is hereby entitled and authorized to have entry upon the premises. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that entry, inspection, reproduction of records, and sampling shall be conducted during daylight hours within reasonable limits, and in a reasonable manner. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the warrant shall be for the purpose of conducting an entry, inspection, reproduction of records, photography, and sampling pursuant to the laws cited above consisting of the following activities: 1. Entry to, upon, or through the above described 2 ------- premises including all buildings, structures, pits, open ground, and other sites where hazardous wastes are, or have been, generated, stored, treated, or disposed of, or transported from. 2. Inspection, sampling, photography, and investigation of the premises. 3. Access to company records shall include, but not be limited to, any record required to be kept under the following federal laws: 42 U.S.C. §6901, et seq. , as amended 15 U.S.C. §2601, et sea. , as amended 33 U.S.C. §1251, et sea. , as amended 42 U.S.C. §7401, et sea. , as amended 4. Access to and reproduction of all records (including computer records) pertaining to or relating to hazardous wastes and processes which generate hazardous wastes, wastewater discharge, air emissions, and handling of PCB’s or PCB equipment. Any other records which pertain to Maryland Assemblies, Inc., and/or the premises, compliance with the above—cited laws may be reviewed and reproduced. 5. To take any further activities deemed necessary by EPA to adequately inspect and sample the property as authorized by any of the federal laws referenced above in paragraph 3. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if records are reproduced off the premises, (1) any such record so removed shall be 3 ------- properly receipted for by the representatives of the EPA, (2) Maryland Assemblies Inc., may send one of its employees to accompany the aforementioned representatives of EPA during such reproduction, and (3) such records shall be returned within 72 hours of the time they are first removed from the premises. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the United States of America, EPA, through its duly designat d representative or representatives is hereby entitled to and shall be authorized to seal the above described records in their containers, or in containers to be provided, until such records can be copied, provided that (1) sealed records which are necessary for the conduct of thi everyday business affairs of Maryland Assemblies, Inc., and/or the premises, shall be reviewed and/or copied and unsealed first, (2) any other records which are sealed shall be reviewed and/or copied and unsealed before other records are examined and/or copied, and (3) the seals placed on the containers which hold the records may be broken only by a person authorized to place the seals or pursuant to court order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that EPA representatives may halt and sample any waste shipments. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this warrant shall be left at the premises at the time of investigation. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that an inventory identifying any material removed from the premises shall be furnished by the 4 ------- EPA to the owner, operator, or representative of Maryland Assemblies, Inc., and/or the premises. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this warrant shall be valid for a period of 10 days from the date of this warrant. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a prompt return of this warrant shall be made to this court within ___ days from the date hereof, showing this warrant has been executed, and the entry and activity authorized herein has been completed within the time specified. 1 ’wi e. 4 United States Magistrate 2.7 i’ ’3 o OIM. 5 ------- UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF: ) No. ) NATIONAL STANDARD COMPANY ) WARRANT AND ORDER FOR ENTRY AND CITY COMPLEX AND LAKE STREET ) INVESTIGIATION PURSUANT TO PLANTS ) SECTION 3007 OF THE RESOURCE MILES, MICHIGAN ), CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT OF ) 1976, AS AMENDED, 42 U.S.C. S6927 TO: THE UNITED SrATJ S MARSHAL FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN AND ANY OFFtCER, EMPLOYEE, OR DESIGNATEI) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (U.S. EPA). An affidavit by Carol Ann Witt, having established that for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of RCRA it is necessary to inspect anti obtain samples at the National—Standard Company facilities located at 601 N. Eighth Street (City Complex Plant) and at 1631 Lake Street (Lake Street Plant) in Niles, Michigan; an application by the United States of America, on behalf of the U.S. EPA, having established that the issuance of this warrant is constitutional, and that the right of the U.S. EPA to enter and investigate is authorized by the Solid Waste Disposal ACtL as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), as further amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA), 4. U.S.C. S6901 et and this Court having foun i that reasonable grounds exist for issuance of a warrant, IT IS HERERY ORDERED THAT upon service of this Warrant upon National—Standard Company or upon ------- —2— its duly designated representative, any officers, employees and designated representatives of the U.S. EPA, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and their officers, employees and designated representatives, and including U.S. EPA contractors and subcontractors, and the United States Marshal, shall be permitted to enter upon the property described as: 1. All property owned by or in the possession of National— Standard Company located at 601 N. Eighth Street (City Complex plant), City of Niles, Berrien County, Michigan. 2. All property owned by or in the possession of National— Standard Company located at 1631 Lake Street (Lake Street plant), City of Niles, Berrien County, Michigan. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that officers, employees and designated representatives of the U.S. EPA, including the MDNR and their officers, employees and designated representatives, and including any duly designated U.S. EPA contractors or subcontractors, and the United States Marshal, shall be authorized and permitted to enter and reenter the above—described premises during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to conduct thereon the following activities: 1. To bring upon the property for use, and during the ten (10) working days authorized by this warrant, to leave upon the property, all eouipnent and vehicles needed for inspection and sampling. ------- —3— 2. To take a maximum of sixty (60) soil, ground water, surface water and air samples, not including equivalent samples provided to the company, at approximately 45 locations as needed to investigate releases or possible releases of hazardous waste or constituents from any units which U.S. EPA designates as Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) at the property. Such sampling shall include the taking of background samples at the property. 3. To package and process such samples for analysis at an off—site laboratory. 4. To take photographs to document the sampling activity. 5. To take any further activities deemed necessary by U.S. EPA to adeauately inspect and sample the property as authorized by Section 3007 of RCRA/HSWA, 42 U.S.C. S6927. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Warrant shall be left at the premises at the time of investigation. IT IS F RTHER ORDERED that a brief inventory identifying any material removed from the premises shall be furnished by the U.S. EPA to the owner, operator, or representative of National—Standard Company. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the duration of the entry, inves- tigation, and activity authorized by this Warrant shall be of such reasonable length to enable the U.S. EPA to satisfactorily ------- —4— complete the above—described activities. Entry shall not be permitted for longer than ten (10) working days front the date hereof for purposes of insepection and sampling. - IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the United States Marshal is hereby authorized and directed to assist officers, employees, and representatives of the U.S. EPA in such manner as may be reason- able and necessary to properly execute this Warrant and all the provisions contained herein. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a prompt return of this Warrant shall be made to this Court within one hundred eighty (180) days from the date hereof, showing this Warrant has been executed, and that the entry and activity authorized herein has been completed within the time specified above. Dated this ______day of June, 1987. Stephen W. Ui tsd Siat• 1 gigfr United States Magistrate Cei*d flaAbve U S. Distnd Cow? Westecn d Michigift Date JUN I I J ------- RETURN OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a copy of the within Warrant was served by presenting a copy of the same to ________________________________ an agent of _____________________________________ _______________________________________ 1987 at the National— Standard Company facility located at 601 N. Eighth Street (City Co nplex Plant) in Miles, Berriert County, Michigan. Official Title RETURN Inspection of the establishment described in this Warrant completed on _____________________________, 1987. ------- INVENTORY OF PROPERTY RECEIVED PURSUANT TO WARRANT While conducting the entry and inspection of the Jationa1— Standard Company facilities located at 601 N. Eighth Street (City Complex Plant) in Niles, Berrien County, State of Michigan, on _________________________________, 1987. I, _______________________ seized certain property. The following is an inventory of the property seized: I hereby and affirm that a recipt for the property was signed by me and left with ______________________________ ------- RETURN OF SERVICE I hereby certify that a copy of the within Warrant was served by presenting a copy of the same to __________________________________________ an agent of _______________________ on ______________________, 1987, at the National—Standard Company facility located at 1631 Lake Street (Lake Street Plant) in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan. Official Title RETURN Inspection of the establishment described in this Warrant completed on ______________________________, 1987. ------- INVENTORY OF PROPERTY RECEIVED PURSUANT TO WARRANT While conducting the entry and inspection of the National— Standard Company facilities located at 601 N. Eighth Street (Lake Street JPlant) in Niles, Berrien County, State of Michigan, on ________________________________, 1987, I, ______________________ seized certain pçoperty. The following is an inventory of the property seized: I hereby and affirm that a recipt for the property was signed by me and left with ------- BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA REGION II, 26 FEDERAL PLAZA NEW YORK, NEW YORK, (212) 264—5335 ) IN THE MATTER 0F2 ) SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM ) EASThAN KODAK COMPANY ) AND SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM ) —- No. II TSCA—SUB—88-0202 T ’ R. Frederick Porter Vice President end Assistant General Manager Kodak Park Division Eastman Kodak Company; and designated individuals having knowledge of the processes arid operations at the Eastman Kodak facility known as MK ak Park’. YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED, pursuant to the provisions contained in Titli 15, United States Code, Section 2610(c) (Toxic Sub- stances Control Act, Section l1(c)3 TO APPEAR IN PERSON at the following time and placei DATE MID T!ME August 30, 1988 at 9z30 AM PLACES Federal Building — Room 620 Rochester. New York 14614 ------- YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO TESTIFY then and there upon oath and MAKE TRUTHFUL RESPONSE to all lawful inquiries and question. then and there put to you on behalf of the Unit•d States Envi— rrnimental Protection Agency, relating to the matters set forth in the attached pages. and TO RF .1AfN IN ATTENDANCE until expressly excused by the of fici l conducting the proceeding en behalf of EPA. In addition to appearing personally. you may designate person. with knowledge of these matters to testify on behalf of Eastman Kodak Company. YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO BRING WITH YOU at the above atated time and place, and then TO PRODUCE for inspection and/or copy- ing by EPA, th. documents and other items described in the Attachment. You may claim any information that you submit in response to this subpoena to be confidential business information; pleas. mark each page containing such info mae ion with the word wCOfl_ fidentiat TM . If you wish to make a claim of confidentiality for this. information, you must do so by the data set forth above. Any documents or other information not marked confidential will be avef labia to the public. That portion of your response to the subposna marked as confidential will, be handled maccord. . ance with EPA’s public information regulatIon. (40 C.F.R. Part 2). if you claim information submitted in response to this subpoena as confidential, you must also provide a redacted version-of the information with all. TSCA confidential business information deleted. ------- —3— FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBPOENA MAY RESULT IN A COURT ACTION AGAINST YOU. Issued at New York, New York, this day of 4 M t. , 1988. W ama. uszn Acting Reg onal A inietrator EPA Region 11, New York. New York 10278 Attorney Contacti Terry Sullivan Assistant Regional Counsel Waste and Toxic Substances Branch United States Environmental Protection Agency 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 (212) 264—4544 ------- ATTACHMENT TO SUB P0 NA In The Matter of Eastman Kodak Company I. INSTRUCTIONS AND DEFINITIONS 1. The words “and” and “or” ha]1 be construed conjun— tivel.y or disjunctively as necessary to make the request inclu— give rather than exclusive. 2. When a question asks for identification or other response regarding the “character” of a substance the identifi— cation or response shall include a description of the substan— Stand’s composition in terms of chemical elements, compounds or mixtures, 3. “Chemical Substance” or “substance” includes any organic or inorganic substance as defined in 15 U.S.C. Section 2602(2). A chemical substance includes; without limitation, a solid, semi-solid, liquid, fluid or oil material containing chemical., as well as any mixture thereof. 4. “Disposal” or Dispose” means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any waste into any or on any land or water so that such waste or any con- stituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including ground waters. 5. The word “document” or “documents” means all written, typewritten, handwritten, or printed matters, including drafts, originals, and nonconforming copies that contain deletions, insertions, handwritten notes or comments, or graphic matter of any kind or nature, however produced or reproduced. Any form of éollected data for use with electronic data processing equip- ment, and any mechanical or electronic, visual or sound r.cord— ings including, without limitation, all tapes and discs, now or formerly in your possession, custody or control. It includes. but is not limited to, any loge of materials or containers shipped, a. well as other logs, invoices, purchase orders, receipts, bills of lading, weight receipts, toll receipts, load- ing tickets, receiving tickets, shipping orders, manifest., in- ventories, letters and other correspondence, contracts, igre.— ments, bids, proposals licenses, permits, communications with government agencies, operating procedures, minutes of meetings, source and use analyses, memoranda, handwritten or other notes, calendar or diary entries, agendas, bulletins, graphs, charts, map., photographs, drawings, surveys, data, sampling results, analytical results, descriptions of materials, load schedules, price lists, summaries, telegrams, teletypes, computer print- outs, magnetic tapes. discs, microfilm, and microfiche. ------- O:ti S ’8e I —2 For purposes of th. foregoing, “drafts” means any earlier, preliminary, preparatory, or tentative version of all or part of a document, whether or not such draft was superseded by a later draft and whether or not the terms of the draft ore the same as or different from the terms of the final document: and the term “copies” means each and every copy of any document which is not identical in every respect to the d9cument being produced. 6. “Identify” or “identity 1 ’ means: Ci) as to a documenti the type of document (letter. memorandum, etc.). the identity of the author or originator, the date authorized or originated, the identity of each person to whom the original or copy was addressed or delivered, the identity of each person known or reasonably believed to have present possession, custody, or control thereof, and a brief description of the subject matter thereof. (ii) as to a person: the name, present or last known business and residence addrese(es), occupation, job title, and dates so employed and, it not an individual, state the full name, the type of entity. the address of its principal place of business, and the name, 7. The word “include” or “including” shall be construed without limitation. 8. “Kodak Park” means the facility owned and operated by the Eastman Kodak Company, located at 1669 Lake Avenue, Rochester, New York. This includes all areas contiguous to this address, and includes, but is not limited to, Kodak Park East, Kodak Park West, KodaVista, Kodak Park X, Kodak Park 14, Kodak Park S. Kodak Park T, Kodak Park V, Kodak Park Y, and all other properties owned by the Eastman Kodak Company in that vicinity. 9 • The word “person” or “persona” as used herein includes natural persona, .firms, partnerships, associations, joint ventures, corporations, business trusts, banking institutions, unincorporated organizations. and any other legal entity. The word “person” or Npersons also means personnel or employees. ------- 10. A document or communication “relating to,” or that “relates to,” a given subject means any document or communication that constitutes, contains, embodies, •comprl.es, reflects, identifies, states, refers to, deals with, Comments on, responds to, describes, analyzes, or is in any way pertinent to that subject, including, without limitation, a document concerning th. presentation of other documents. 11. “Release” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment. 12. “Storage” or “Store” means the containment of wastes, either on a temporary basis or for a period of years, in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of such waste.. 13. “Treatment” or “Treat” means any method, technique, or process, including neutralization, designed to change the physical, chemical, or biologic&1 characteristic or composition of any waste so as to neutralize such waste or so as to render such waste nonhazardous, safer for transport, amenable for recovery. 14. “You” and “your” means the person or entity to whom these information requests are directed or persons acting on his/its behalf, including officers, directors, agents, attorneys, or employees or any such person and any merged, consolidated, or acquired predecessor or parent, subsidiary, division, or affiliate thereof. 15. Each document submitted shall be clearly and precisely identified as to its title, author, date of preparation, subject mattir, the numbered question to which it responds. and any and all persons having any knowledge relating to the documents sought by this subpoena. 16. If the information sought by thi. subpoena is not contained in a document, separately identify the person(s) who provided the information in your response, and the basis for each person’s knowledge. 17. The plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural. Any reference to a male pronoun shall also constitute reference to a female pronoun. 18. If any document was, but is no longer, In the possession, custody. or control of Respondent, provide the following information: ------- 80* @1t —4 (a) stat. the disposition of the document; (b) stat. the date such disposition was made; Cc) identify the present custodian of the document and state his address or, if the document no longer exists, 60 stats; Cd) identify the person who made the decision to regarding th. disposition of the document, Ce) state th. reason for’ the disposition: and, Ct) describe the document end the content. of the document. including the title, the author, the position or title of the author, addressee, the position or title of the addressee, indicated or blind copies, date, subject matter, number of pages. attachments or appendices, and all persona to whom the document was distributed, shown, or explained. 20. Provide three copies of the documents requested in this subpoena, separated Into three distinct units, at the time and place specified in the subpoena, or provide originals of the documents which may be left with EPA until they are copied. ------- • i —3— II. TESTIMONY OF KODAK REPRESENTATIVE 1. The organization of Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak) as it relates to operation. in Kodak Park and facilities within a fifty—mile radiu. of Kodak Park, including general management raspOnBibilitiea and authoritie, as they relate to production and envirqrimental affairs. 2. The identity of each division, subdivision, or other Kodak.. related entity that is operating or has operated facilities within the geographic area described in Number 1 above. 3. The location of all Kodak facilities identified in response to Number 2 above, and the period the facility operated. 4. The identity of production processes and/or process lines that are or have been used at each of the facilities identj tied in Number 3 above and the period during which they were operational. 5. A characterization of movements of chemical substances, in liquid, solid, or gaseous form, that have occurred between Kodak Park and other Kodak facilities within a fifty—mile radius. 6. A general characterization of movements of chemical substances between Kodak Park and Kodak facilities beyond a fifty—mile radius. 7. The conveyance and method that had been or is being used to transport each type of chemical substances described in Numbers S and 6. 8. The identitj, for each division, facility, or plant, as appropriate, of the person (by title) and/or group responsi- ble for movements of chemical substances between Kodak Park and other Kodak facilities within a fifty’ .mi]e radius. 9. A description of the types arid locations of records that are or have been prepared for or by Kodak for movements of chemical substances between Kodak Park and other Kodak facilities within a fifty—mile radius. 10. A description of current operations at Kodak Park, explana- tion of types of processes used in the operation., arid identity of the associated buildings on a site map. 11. A description of the historical development of Kodak Park and it. production operations. A description of when new Op.rations were added and the identity of associated build- ings and support facilities. ------- —6— 12. The identity of arias within Kodak Park that have bean or are being used to store chemical substances and the location of the areas on a site map. The identity of storage areas used for wastes products. intermediates, and recyclable materials, end the approximate periods the areas have been used for that purpose. 13. The identity of areas within Kodak Park where chemical substances are being transferre’d from one type of conveyance to another, or to a storage tank or container, and the location of the areas on a site map. 14. The identity of areas within Kodak Park that are being used for treatment, recycling, and/or disposal of chemical substances, the approzin ate periods of use, and the location of the areas on a site map. 15. The identity of the organizational unit(s) at Kodak Park that has been and is responsible for compliance with State and Federal environmental statutes and regulations. 16. A description of the management, authorities, responsibjlj ties of the Kodak Environmental Technical Services Division. and those of its comparable or predecessor organizational unit Cs). 17. A description of spill response procedures being used at Kodak Park for reloases of chemicals and when these procedure were implemented. A description of and the identity of locations of documents associated with responses to such releases. A description of the types of releases that would and would not be covered by the reporting procedures. 18. A description of areas where releases of chemical substances tQ soil, surface water and/or ground water have occurred at Kodak Park and the location(s) on a site map. 19. A description of the types and number of aerial photographs. of Kodak Park in Kodak’s possession, area they cover, and the dates they were taken. 20. A general description of the types of other photographs which portray the historical development of Kodak Park and its production operations which are in Kodak’s possession. 21. A description of Kodak’s policies and procedures for the retention and destruction of documents pertaining to operations at Kodak Park. ------- e:Ir ‘8e p ..7 III. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS REQUESTED In order to supplement your answers to the questions listed in Section II above, provide th. following informationi 22..As a supplement to question num’bsr 10, a description of each curr n p oc ca line and ope ation at Kodak Park including: a. schematic layout — designating all. major processes in . cluding chemical substances addition and removal points, the types or names of the chemical substances, and a description of how chemical substances, once removed, are managed. b. narrative description of the operation. which take place. c. narrative description of discharges and losses from each process line. 23. As a supplement to question numbers 12 and 17, a list of all, storage areas ‘for chemical substances, the types of chemical substances stored, and the spill retention or containment steasures for each area. 24. As a supplement to question numbers 17 and 18, all document. relating to spills, releases, other than permitted discharges and emissions, of chemical substances, including all actions taken to mitigate/remedy any releases. 25. As a supplement to question numbsr 21, all instruction.. protocols. methods, directions and other documents regarding Kodak’s procedures for, and records of. the retention and destruction of documents at Kodak Park. Such documentation includes: a. any and al ] logs or other documents identifying docu- m•ntc which have been destroyed, and the date of such destruction; b. instructions for the length of tint. documents ar. to be retained, including any exceptions to those procedures, and the title of any employee authorized to make such exceptions. 26. All Kodak facility maps refer.nc.d in Section II above that are not otherwise requested herein. Any ether documents used by Kodak representatives in presenting the testimony in •sction ZZ. ------- —-S.- - -‘4 ..- r ’ ’ .”rn ‘ti ‘.111 . • •...i ..fli .LI • •- .‘‘.—. . •Iii., OF LiuiiiArIoN BEFORE THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 401 N Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 Til I UU’ M ’!”I P AP’I ) ) TEXAS EASTERN TRANSMISSION ) SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM AND CORPORATION ) SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM ) ) __________________ ) TO: H. D. CHURCH SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS TEXAS EASTERN GAS PIPELINE COMPANY 1221 Mcxinney, P.O. Box 2521, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77252-2521, RESPONDENT YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED, pursuant to the provisions contained in Title 15, United States Code, Section 2610(c) (Toxic Substances Control Act Section 11(c)) and the Title 42, United States Code, Section 9622(e)(3)(B) [ Comprehensive Environmental Response Compen- sation and Liability Act Section 122(e)(3)(B)J TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS and other items described herein at your offices on 1221 Mckinney, Houston, Texas, at 10 ,00 A.M. on April 14, 1987, for inspection and/or copying AND, at the same time and place, PROVIDE PERSON(S) WITH KNOWLEDGE regarding the matters addressed herein to respond to questione relative to thes. documents. YOU ARE COMMANDED FURTHER TO TESTIFY then and there upon oath and MAKE TRUTHFUL RESPONSE to all lawful inquiries and questions then and thers put to you on behalf of the United Stat•s Environmental Protection Agency, and TO REMAIN IN ATTENDANCE until expressly excussd by the official conductir g the proceeding on b.half of EPA. You may claim any information that you submit in r.sponee to this subpoena to be confidential business Information; please mark each page containi”g such information with the word Rconfi_ dential.N If you wish to make a claim of confidentiality for this Information, you must - o so by the date set forth above. Any documents or other information not marked confidential will be available to the public. That portion of your response to the subpoena marked as confide tia1 will be handled in accordance with EPA’s public information regulatIons (40 C.F.R. Part 2). If I ------- -2— you claim information submitted in response to this subpoena as confid.ntial, you must also provide a redacted version of the information with all TSCA/CERCLA confidential business information deleted. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS SUBPOENA MAY RESULT IN COURT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST YOU IN A UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. Issued: Washington, D.C., this day______ of .1987. David C. Batson Toxic Litigation Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (LE—134P) 401 H. Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 (2.02) 475—9501 National Enforcement Inveati2atLonR Center Contacts Barrett B. Benson NEIC Building 53 ox 25277 Denver, Co1orac o ‘(303) 236.5120 -‘- THOMAS I. . . ADAMS, JR. K Assistant Administrator fo \ Enforcement and- Compliance Monitoring Attorney Contacts S0225 03/22 15:15 7383024 #83 ------- -‘3-, ATTACHMENT TO SUBPOENA In The Matter Of Texas Eastern Ca. Pipeline Company I. INSTRUCTIONS AND DEFINITIONS 1. The words “and” and “or” shall i ,e construed conjunceively or disjunctively as necessary to make I e request inclusive rather than exclusive. 2. When a question asks for for (dentifleation or other response regarding the “character” of a substance the identi- fication or response shall include a description of the substance’s composition in terms of chemical elements, compound. or mixtures. Include a statement as to the probability of the substance containing PCBs, or other hazardous substances, their concentrations if known and method of analysts and the basis for this statement. 3. “(Themical Substance” or “substance” includes any organic or inorganic substance as defined in 15 U.S.C. 12602(2). A chemical, substance includes; without limitation, any solid, semi.solid, liquid, fluid or oil material containing chemical., as well a. any mixture thereof. 4. “Closed unit” means any unit where the operating status of the unit has been termtntated by means of closure activities. 5. “Closure activities”, means activities related to and resulting in the termination of the operating status of a pit or other unit. These activities may include cessation of receipt of hazardous substances; backfilling; applying or installing final covers or caps; disposing of decontaminating equipment, structures, soil, and residual hazardous substance.; and care and maintenance of the closed ptt or unit. 6. “Disposal” or “Dispose” means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any waste into any or on any land or water so that such waste or any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any waters, including ground waters. 7. ‘The word “document” or “documents” means all, written, typewritten, handwritten, or printed matters, including drafts, originals, and nonconforming copies that contain deletions, insertions, handwritten notes or comments, or graphic tatter of ,ir, eh , ail r r reoroduced. any form of collected data for use with electronic data processing equipment, and any mechanical or electronic, visual or sound recordings including, without limitation, alt tapes and discs, now or for. merly in your possession, custody or control. It includes, but 1,’22 i :ic ------- .4. is not Limited to, any logs of materials or containers shipped, as veil. as other logs, invoices, purchase orders, checks, bankine records, receipts, bills of lading, weight receipts, tol). receipts, loading tickets, receiving tickets, shipping orders, manifests, inventories, letters and other correspondence, offers, contracts, agreements, bids, proposals, ltcense permit., communications with government agencies, operating procedures, ledgers, account. receivable, accounts payable, account etacem nts , financial statements, monthly reports, other reports, minutes of meetings, sales estimates, sates reports, source and u e analyses, memoranda, handwritten or other notes, calendar or dtaiey’ entries, agendas, bulletins, graphs, charts, maps, photog aphc 9 drawings, surveys, data, sampling results, analytictil r nult ., deccriptions of materials, load schedules, price lists, SUmmarieQ, telegrams, teletypes, computer printout., magnetic tapes discs, microfilm, and microfiche. For purposes of the foregoing, “drafts” means any earlier, preliminary, preparatory, or tentative version of all or part of a document, whether or not such draft was superseded by a later draft and whether or not the terms of the draft are the same as or different from the terms of the final document; and the term “copies” means each and evecy copy of ny document which is not ienttctl inevery respect to the document being produced. 8. “Drum” includes eiahtv-f Lye (85) gallon overpack ci&uiu , u.co ,i 41. flhr. n ke or any other container or object less than fifty-five (55) gallons capable of containment, 9. “Hazardous subctance” include, all solid, liquid, sludge-like, gaseous, or other materials (including, without limitation, PCBs, condensates, and all residues in drums and all contact and non-contact water or process water employed in an chemical or industrial operation) that are, that contain, or may contain chemicals or chemical, industrial, domestic or other by-products, test products, unused products, materials that may be recycled, including mixtures or sewage which could be discharged or placed into the air, any water, lagoon, landfill, container, storage tank, barrel, durms, ditch, trench or surface or subsurface impoundment, and any other solid or hazardous weete, hazardous substance, or pollutant or contaminant as defined in 42 U.S.C. 69O3(5) and (27) or 42 U.S.C. t9601(14). 10. “Identify” or “indicate” means (i) as to a document: the type of document (letter, memorandum, etc.), the identity of the author or originator, the date authorized or origi- nated, the identity of each person to whom the original or copy was addressed or delivered, C, i’e.qe ------- —5— th. identity of each parson known or reasonably bsli.v.d to have present possession, custody, or control thereof, and a brief description of the subject matter thereof. (ii) as to a persons the name, present or last known business and residence address(es), occupation, job title, and dates so employed and, if not an individual, state the full name, th. type of entity, th. address of its principal place of buiiness, and th.name, ii. Th. word ‘include’ or 9ncludlng ’ shall be construed without limitation. 12. ‘In—service’ unit means an active unit which is receiving, treating, storing, disposing, or otherwise handling hazardous substances and which is not a closed unit or undergoing closure activities. 13. The terms ‘liquid’ or ‘liquids,’ and fluid’ or •fluids,’ and ‘oil’ or ‘oils,’ shall b. construs’d broadlyto include sludges, sludge—like materials and semi—solids so as to make the request inclusive rather than exclusive. 14. The word ‘person’ or ‘persons’ as used herein includes natural persons, firms, partnerships, associations, joint ventures, corporations, business trusts, banking institutions, unincorporated organizations, and any other legal entity. The word ‘person’ or ‘persons’ also means personnel or employe.e. 15. The term ‘pipeline’ includes any pipeline components associated with the transmission of product. 16. ‘pit’ includes surface impoundments, lagoons, ponds, diked areas, natural depressions, excavated holes, ditches, or any other discrete natural or man—made structure or area which is currently in use, has been used, or ii intended for use for the receipt, sccv*ulation, storage, treatment, or disposal of chemical or hazardous substances and which is not a tank nor drum as defined hiram. 17. ‘Polychlorinated Biphenyls’ (PCB or PCBs) means any chemical substance that it is limited to the biphenyl molecule that has been chlorinated to varying degrees or any combina- tion of substances which contain such substances as defined In 40 C.P’.R. 5761.3. 19. A document or communication ‘relating to,’ that ‘relates to,’ or that ii ‘in connection with’ a given subject means any document or communication that constitutie, contains, embodies, ‘ ‘22 1 17 ------- .6 - comprises, reflects, identifies, states, refers to, deals with, comments on, respond . to, describes, analyzes, or is in any way pertinent to that subject, including, without limitation, a docu- ment concerning th. presentation of other documents. 19. ‘Service Facility Site’ means any property previously or currently maintained or used by Texas Eastern or on behalf of Texas Eastern including compressor stations, gas dehydration facilities, tutor—separation facilities, sweetening facilities, pumping stations, pipeline maintenance yards, any building, structure, initaliction, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe into a sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch, landfill, storage container, motor vehicle, rolling stock, or aircraft; any present, or past pits or oth•r unit and any other location, titles and job description used to generate, treat, store, dispose, plac., accumulate, collect, receive, transport, ship, or otherwise manage waits, waste oils, lubricants, pipeline liquids and compressor, dehydrator, hydraulic, and dielectric fluids, PCB5, PCB containing materials or other substances used at any time in the maintenance and operation of the Company’s natural gas pipeline, or where any waste ha. otherwise comes tø.be located. 20. Storage ’ or ‘Store’ means th. containment of wastes, either on a temporary basis or for a period of years, in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of such wastes. 21. ‘Tank’ includes any object capabi. of containment that is not subject to inclusion under the definition(s) of ‘drum’ or ‘pit’, regardless of size, capacity or construct ion. 22. ‘Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation’ or ‘Texas Eastern’ includes Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Company (Texas Eastern Gas), Roy F. Weston, Inc. (Weston) and any off ic.rs, directors, agents or employees of Texas Eastern, Texas Eastern Gas, or Weston. 23. ‘Treatment’ or ‘Treat’ means any method, technique, or process, including neutralizaton, designed to change the physical, chemical, or biological characteristic or compoeition of any waste so as to noutralize such waste or so as to render such waste nonha ardous, safer for transport, amenable for recov.ry, amenable 24. When a questior asks for identification or oth.r response regarding ‘type’ of a substance the identification or response shall include a descriptio f the substance by method of generation, such as pipeline conde-sate or pipeline liquid. 25. ‘Unit’ means descernibli unit, building, equipment, or structure, wh•ther man-made or natural, which is now or was ever ------- —7— used for th. treatment, storage, disposal, or other handling of wastes and substances. This definition includes pits, drums, tanks, waits pills, land treatment units, ditches, incenerators, injection wells, container storage areas, and transfer stations. 26. Each document submitted shall bs clearly and precisely ld.ntif led as to its titis, author, date of preparation subject matter, the numbered question to which it responds, and any and all persons having any knowledge relating to the documents sought by this subpoena. 27, Two sets of documents shall be submitted in response to each question. The first I.e of documents will be arranged by service Facility Site with the exception that documents provided in response to questions regarding corporate—wide programs will be organized in a separate group. The second set of document. will be arranged by question number. 28. If the information sought by this subpoena is not contained in a document, separately identify the person(s) who provided the information in your response, and the basis for each person’s knowledge. 29. The plural shall include the singular and the singular a. • . .. I U l sh 11 also constitute reference to a female pronoun. - 30. If any document was, but is no longer, in the possession, custody, or control of Respondent, provide the following informa— tioru (a) state the disposition of th. document; (b) state the date such disposition was made; Cc) identify the present custodian of the document and state his address or, it the documónt no longer exists, so state; Cd) identify the person who made the decision to regarding the disposition of the document; (e) state the reason for the disposition; and, (f) describe the document and the contents of the document, including the title, the author, the position or title of the author, addressee, the poattion or title of the addressee, indicated or blind copies, date, subject matter, number of pages, attachments or appendices, and all persons to whom the document was distributed, shown, or explained. 03/22 15:19 7303024 *88 ------- —7*— 31. In pr.parLn responses to this subpoena, all information or document. requested by the government are to include and cover the period be inntng January 1, 1q78 and conttnuin to the present. In the event that information or document. which are responsive Co thts subpoena predate 1918, but relate to information or documents requested herein, they must also be provided. ------- II. Information and Documents Regulated SERVICE FACILITY SITE DESCRIPTION 1. Provide a description of each service facility site including: a. topographic map b. schematic layout — designating all Compressors, pits, storage tsnka(above and below ground), blow down twiks, liquid separators, transformers, large high andlarge low voltage capacitors, or other units c. architectural and engineering drawinge of all systems a. installed d. any available geologic data including distance to ground water, analysis of ground water, ground water flow direction * e. the location of all domestic and industrial wells WiI,4&• 4$ lIIaè%, 4 %m i..a ;t f II4 * wells f. narrative description of th. operations which take place or have ever taken, place at the site g. copies of al]. operating procedures developed by or for each individual service facility site: compressor operation/servicing — removal of fluid — storage of fluid — disposal of fluid — clean-up of spills — filter separator operation/servicing 2. For each pit, tank or other unit at each service facility site, describ, the purpose of each unit (e.g., evsporation, sedimentation, neutralization, burning or incineration). 3. For multiple pits, tanks or other units for each service facility site, provide flow charts describing the relationship between units. 4. Provid. a list by service facility eite of all compressors operated by Texas Eastern, indicate the type of compressor and size. COMPRESSORS S. For each compresso at each service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents of the volume, type, vendor, scientific name, commercial name, and character of the chemical substances purchased for maintenance, repair or replacement of each compressor, and nam.., title, and job description of employees who executed the purchases. ------- 6. For •ach compressor at each service facility site, provide — — ., — ; - —: ——— — ‘ •• type, source, scientific name, commercial name, and character of the chemical substances added to each compressor, and names, title, •nd job description of employee, who performed this function. 7. Provide maintenance and servicing records for each compressor by service facility site, including the names, title and job description of employees who per or ed this function. 8. For each compressor at each service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents of the volume, type, and character of the hazardous substances intentionally or unintentionally removed from each compressor; the reason and method of removal, the volume, character and location of any of this hazardous substanc. placed in storage, the method of transport to the storage unit, the volume, character, method of disposal and ultimate disposal site of the removed ahzardous substances and the names, title and job description of employees who performed these functions. 9. Poe each compressor at each servico facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents of compressor blowouts or seal failures and the volume of chemical or hazardous substance lost In each failure. 10. Provide all documcnt pertaining to the sources and causes of pipeline liquids, the character of the liquids, and programs implemented for their removal. 10(a) , Provide all documents, or in the absence of documents prepare a narrative, describing what occurs due to compressor ‘b3.owouts’ or seal failures and the resultant entry of compressor fluids into th• pipeline system. FILTER SEPARATORS 11. Provid, a list by service facility site of all filter separators that are now or have ever been operated by Texas Eastern. Indicate the type of filter separator, size, installation date, and any and all removal efficiency data dev.lop.d by the manufacturer and Texas Eastern. 11(a), For each filter separator at each service facility site, provid, a monthly summary and supporting documents of the — — — — 1 —•‘— —..— — substances intentionally or unintentionally removed from •ach filter separator; the volume, character and location of any chemical or hazardous substances placed in storage, the volume, character and u1timat disposal sits of the removed ------- •‘ l 0.- chemical or hazardous substances, and th. names, titles, and job description of employee who performed these functions. DEHYDRATORS 12. Provide a list by servic, facility sits of all dehydrator. that are operated by Texas Eastern. Indicate the type of dehydrator., size, installation date, and any and all removal efficiency data developed by the manufacturer and Texas Eastern. 13. For each dehydrator at each service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents from of the volume, type, and character of chemical or hazardous substances intentionally or unintentionally removed from each dehydrator, the volume, character and location of any chemical or hazardous substances placed in storage, the volume, character and ultimate disposal site of the removed chemical or hazardous substances, and the names, title, and job description of employees who performed these functions. OTHER UNITS a 14... kD f*v fl1Pv rifts of any and all units other than those describeG or listed In rstponse to queation above or below, that are now or have ever been operated by Texas Eastern. Indicate the type of device or system, its size, installation date, and any or all removal efficiency data developed by the manufacturer at-ad Texa Eastern. 15. For each unit not described or listed in response to questions above or below, at each service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents of the volume, type, and character of chemical and hazardous substances intentionally or unintentionally removed from each compressor; the volume, character, and 1ocatio of any chemical and hazardous substances placed in storage, the volum., character, and ultimate disposal site of the removed chemical and hazardous substances, and the nam.s, title and job description of employees who performed these functions. ADDITION. COLLECTION, AND REMOVAL POINTS 16. Provide a listing by service facility site of all pipeline liquid addition, removal and collection points. 17. Provide for each adittion point at each service facility site, a monthly summary and supportiflg documents of the volume, type, vendor, brand name, scientific name, purpose, and character of all substances added, and the names, title and job description of the employees who performed this function. I —————— ------- —11— £0. FVL •ai &i II • • ir’ -- ‘. - facility site, provid, a monthly summary and supporting documents of chemical or hazardous substances, the volume and character of substances removed, the reason removed, method of removal, the volume, character, and location of any chemical or hazardous substances placed in storage, the method of transportation to the storage unit, and the volume, character, method of disposal, and name and location of the ultimate disposal site of the remov•d substances, and the names, titloo, and job description of th. employ.es who performed this function. Eor each eollection point where pipeline chsmical or hazardous substances are no longer removed, provide the reasons they ar. no longer removed. DRUM/BARREL STORAGE AREAS 19. Provide a list by service facility site of all drum/barrel storage areas and a description of the structural components of the area., and types of chemical or hazardous substances and materials stored. 20. For each drum/barrel storage area at •ach service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting docuiuents’of the volume, source, type, and character of the chemical or hazardous substances added to the area, the method of transport to the area, and the names, title, and job description of the employees who performed this function. 21. For each drum/barrel storage area at each service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents of the volume, source, type, number of drums or barrels, and character of chemical substance or hazardous substance removed from the area, the method of transportation to the disposal site, and location and ownership of the ultimate disposal site of any chemical substances or hazardous sub- stance removed from th. area, and the namo., titus, and job description of the employees who performed this function. TANKS 22. Provide a list by service facility eite of all tanks, indicating their purpose, current status as in service or closed. th• dates placed in service and closed, the location a)w q* g is Pi.1ni nisni,nd. their containment volume, if the tanks ever conta&n u bias including the concentration of any PCBs, if known, and method of analysis, and the name of any previous owners. 23. For each tank at each service facility site, provide a monthly summary and supporting documents of the volume, source, type and character of the chemical or hazardous substance added to th. tank, the method of transport to the ------- •‘l 2. tank, the purpos, of the addition, and the names, titles, and job description employees who performed this function. 24. For •ach tank at •ach service facility sit., provid. a monthly summary and supporting d urnenta of the volume, source, type, and character of the chemical or hazardous substances r•moved, th. purpose of removal, the name and location of the ultimate diepomal site, tfl. method of transport to the site. the method of disposal, and the names, titles, and job description of the emp1oy ce vho porformed this function. 5, r vi : 311 cu! e! t! ert ! 4 nc Pn Pha lnNtitution of a tank installation program in lieu of using pits, including dates of all tank installations at each service facility site. PITS 26. Provide a list by service facility sit . of all pits operated .• i4i.4, n ehm $aPus as either in servic, or closed, the dates p.Laceo in service ana s.io. u, and the approximate di eniions (width, length, depth) of each pit, and the date each pit was constructed, and actively used. 27. For each pit, provide a chronological listing pith supporting documents by month of all chemical or hazardoum substances placed in each pit, by service facility site, indicating the purpose, volume, source, type, and character of the, chemical or hazardous substance, method of transport to the site, purpose of placement, the names, title, and job description of employees who performed this function. 28. For each pit, provide a chronological listing with supporting documents by month of all chemical or hazardous substances removed from the pit indicating the volume, type, method of removal, method of transport, the name and location of the ultimate disposal site, method of disposal, and the names, titles, md job description of th. employees who performed this function. 29. For each pit provide an estimate of the substances remaining in the pit. Supply supporting documents. 30. Provide a list by service facility site of all pits where materials wire burfled, a listing of materials which were burned, dates of burning, frequency of burning and quantity burned. 31. Provide all documents pertaining to the program for the discontinuation of use of pits by service facility site. ------- —14— 37. Provid, copies of all documents in uss or that have ever been u .d which contain instruction, on the method of disposal of substances intentionally or unintentionally generated during the operation and closure of service facility sites. In the ev.nt that the documents are no longer available, provide a list of such documents, end en explanation for their unavail- ability. Such documents include instruction documents or*z a. Compressor station operations b. Filter separator operations c. Removal of pipeline fluids, PCB oils and other li uide d. Storage of pipeline liquids, PCB oils and oth.r liquids . ,: r r—-• 4i . A liquids f. Clean up of PCB spills, PCB compressors and pipeline fluids. 38. Provide a copy of all instructions, protocols, methods, directions and other documents regarding Texas Eastern’s procedures for, and records of, the retention and destruction .of docurnsnts. Such documentation includes ,. a. Any and all logs or other documents identifying documents which have been destroyed, and th. date of such destructton b. Instructions for the lsngth of time documents are to be retained, including any exceptions to those procedures, and the titl. of any employee authorised to make such exception.. 39. Provide all documents and make whatever inquiries are neces- sary to obtain information that describes and identif Lee the character, type, quantity, extint, sources, and causes of soil, air, ground wat.r, surface water, and sediment contamination beyond unit or service facility site boundari.., at all Texas Eastern service facility sites where such contamination has been detected. 40. For each service facility site, provide all documents containing analytical results from the monitoring of air, surface watsr, ground water, eludge, or soil at or in th. vicinity of each of these service facility sites. 41. Provide all documer ts pertaining to the need for and implementation of a monitoring program at servic, facility sites owned or operated by Tixas Eastern. 42. Provide a lilt by each service facility sit. of all PCB items, PCB storage areas and PCB transport vshicles which have been marked in accordanes with 40 CPa 761 and the date of marking. / l ------- —1 5 - 43. Provide all records and reports prepared by Texas Eastern to fulfill the requirements imposed by 40 CFR 761. 44. Provid, all documents showing th. manufacture, import, export, or processing of PCBe by Texas Eastern. 45. Provide all documents relating to the preparation of PCB monitoring reports submitted to EPA as part of th. gas pipeline remedial monitoring program. 46. Provide any and all document. and raw data collected by Texas Eastern in investigating/surveying all Texas Eastern service facility sites including data collected for the purpose of preparing the reports tieledi ‘Results of Compressor Station Disposal Pit Investigations’ (dat.d April 21, 1986)i ‘Preliminary Report of Sampling Program at Texas Eastern Compressor Stations’ (dated December 1986); and ‘Generic C1ean Up Plan for PCBs at Compressor Station Sites’ (dated December 1986). For purposes of this requ..t, ‘raw data’ includes sampling and analytical results in both nw and numerical form, quality assurance/quality control data and information, data sheets, field notes and logs, map., drawings, plane, photographs, surveys, memoranda, work plans, sampling plans, interim progress reports, and other information collected or maintained for any and all servic• facility sites or pits. The request includes all service facility sites investigated and I. not limited to the eight stations discussed in the above—referenced reports. Describe the method used to collect samples and identify any laboratory(Ios) that conducted analyses of the samples. Include the names, addresses, phone numbers and job descriptions and qualifications for each person involved in the Roy P. Weston investigations of service facility sites. Texas Eastern shall provide a listing and brief summary of the contents of each set or ‘ 4•S v r iu4almi1. 47. Provide all permits, certifications, and/or authorization. received by Texas Eastern from any or all Federal, State, or local regulatory agencies for construction, operation, disposal, closure, or other activities occurring at any and all of the service facility sites that are or wire operated by Texas !ast.rn. Also, provide copies of any and all notifications of such activities submitted by Texas Eastern to any or all Federal, State or local regulatory agencies. 48. If any service facility site or component thereof discharges chemical or haza dcus substances to surface waters or to publicly owned t eatm.nt works, provide analyses for all discharges and prov d. copies of permits. 49. Provide .11 docume’ts. manifests, correspondence, shipping bills of lading. for PCB liquid, solid, or sludge—like / ? ------- —16— matirials tran.port.d to any itorags or dispo.al facilities. 50. Provide all documents pertaining to any and all programs for thophase out or discontinuation of specific chemical or hazardous substances at service facility sites. This shall include Monsanto product os—el and Turbinol 153. ------- |