The maintenance manager of Jupiter Aluminum Corporation in Hammond has pleaded guilty in federal court in Hammond to conspiracy to violate a permit issued pursuant to the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division jointly announced.

Charles Woodworth pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate Jupiter Aluminum's Clean Air Act Title V Permit and falsifying documents required to be kept by the permit.

Among other things, the company’s Title V requires the facility's pollution control devices to be properly maintained and the company to prepare and maintain accurate records related to the its pollution control systems, specifically the baghouses, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The purpose of the baghouses is to prevent particulates resulting from Jupiter's aluminum recycling operation, from entering the environment, while the maintenance of accurate records is to ensure that the pollution control instruments are performing in accordance with the permit requirements.

Under a plea agreement, from August 2002 through November 2007, maintenance workers at Jupiter Aluminum, supervised by Woodworth, falsified baghouse reports by providing false and fictitious information on the reports and omitting other information required by Jupiter Aluminum's permit, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

A sentencing date has been set for Nov. 1.

Posted 6/3/2011