Man Admits Performing Lead-Based Paint Testing in Westville Without Certification

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ronald Barney, age 66, of Orange, California, pleaded guilty yesterday to a misdemeanor charge of performing lead-based paint testing inspections and risk assessments without a certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, EPA Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent in Charge Vernesa Jones-Allen, and Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. 

Barney, formerly of Constable, New York, pled guilty to a violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act.  United States Magistrate Judge Douglas F. McCormick of the Central District of California sentenced Barney to a two-year term of probation and ordered him to pay a $2,500 fine. This case, brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, was resolved in the Central District of California, where Barney now resides. 

As part of his plea, Barney admitted that on November 4, 2010, he performed an inspection and risk assessment for lead-based paint on a residence in the Town of Westville, New York, despite not being certified by the EPA to do so, and that he billed Westville $2,500 for these services.
 
The case resulted from a joint investigation by the EPA Criminal Investigations Division and the Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean O’Dowd in Albany and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Keenan of the Central District of California.