NCJ Number
150720
Date Published
1993
Length
41 pages
Annotation
The Office of the Attorney General in Massachusetts has identified several areas on which criminal and civil prosecution of environmental crimes has focused, including pollution prevention, corporate responsibility, and environmental harm to urban communities.
Abstract
Criminal prosecutions of environmental crimes in Massachusetts accelerated during the 1991-1992 period. Prosecuted cases resulted in about $750,000 in criminal fines and penalties, and jail time was imposed for some cases. The number of civil cases involving environmental crimes also increased. For example, the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General recovered about $3 million in payment for asbestos abatement and handled several misleading environmental advertising claims with other States that resulted in the recovery of $310,000. Legislative efforts are being made in Massachusetts to protect the environment. The Environmental Trust Fund and Forfeiture Act calls for the forfeiture of assets used and proceeds gained from the commission of environmental crimes. The Environmental Endangerment Act assigns felony designations for the most egregious environmental crimes and calls for convicted organizations to conduct environmental audits. The Conscientious Employee Protection Act offers protection to employees who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation of job-related legal violations. The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General has also focused on increased outreach to the environmental community, sponsored training for local police and other officials in environmental law enforcement, initiated the Lead Paint Task Force, developed a referral system for wetlands violations, implemented pollution control measures, and supported clean energy alternatives and nuclear safety. The role of the Attorney General in environmental law enforcement is discussed, and civil and criminal cases are cited that involved air pollution, water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, wetlands protection, pesticides, fish and wildlife violations, lead paint, and illegal billboards. Efforts to clean up contaminated areas throughout Massachusetts are examined, as well as environmental advertising fraud.