The director of a Flint-based chemical company is facing a slew of felony and misdemeanor charges after an alleged failure to maintain critical systems resulted in the discharge of 15,000 gallons of an oil-chemical mixture into the Flint River in 2022.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest and arraignment of Rajinder Singh Minhas, 60, of Rochester, who served as president, treasurer, and director of Lockhart Chemical Company. Minhas is accused of mismanagement and neglect that led to the environmental disaster and now faces charges ranging from falsifying public records to violating air and hazardous waste laws.
Minhas has been charged with the following:
Falsely Altering a Public Record (14-year felony)
Uttering and Publishing a False or Altered Public Record (14-year felony)
Substantial Endangerment to the Public (5-year felony)
Discharge of Injurious Substance to Waters of the State (2-year felony)
False Statements and Omissions Regarding Air Pollution Control (1-year misdemeanor)
General Violations of Air Pollution Control Law, carrying fines up to $10,000 per day of violation
Additionally, Minhas faces 11 misdemeanor charges for violating hazardous waste laws, which could result in fines of up to $25,000 per day of violation, as well as a requirement to cover the costs of corrective actions. He is also charged with nine misdemeanor violations of Michigan’s liquid industrial waste laws for failing to properly label chemical containers, maintain records, and prevent discharges, with penalties of up to six months in jail and fines for each day of violations.
“Those who run a business have a responsibility to ensure their operations do not jeopardize public health or the environment, especially our precious water resources,” Nessel said. “Blatant neglect and disregard of this responsibility cannot be tolerated, and I will continue to make sure those who fail in this duty are met with the full force of the law.”
The charges follow a June 15, 2022, incident when Lockhart’s facility released the oil-chemical mixture into the Flint River. Investigators used chemical fingerprinting to confirm the discharge originated from Lockhart. The spill resulted in an order from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) requiring Lockhart to halt the use of defective systems, dispose of wastewater offsite, and repair its infrastructure.
Lockhart Chemical has since filed for bankruptcy. Officials from the state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are overseeing the facility to prevent further discharges.
“Water is a defining feature in Michigan, integral to public health and a clean environment,” EGLE Director Phil Roos said. “We should have little tolerance for those who violate the laws designed to protect them.”
Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson added, “It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep our world safe and free from contamination. When that responsibility is violated, there are consequences.”
Minhas is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025. If convicted, he could face decades in prison, steep fines, and financial responsibility for the damage caused by the spill.
This case marks a significant step in holding businesses accountable for environmental violations, particularly in Flint, a city still grappling with the long-term impacts of its water crisis.
