Peter Martin Kuhn Added to EPA Fugitive List / Defendant failed to surrender after indictment in illegal mining waste dumping case (HQ, CA)
WASHINGTON – Peter Martin Kuhn, former president and Chief
Executive Officer of French Gulch Nevada Mining Corporation and
Bullion River Gold Corporation, has been added to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fugitive list for
failing to surrender to federal law enforcement authorities after
he was indicted for his role in a conspiracy to illegally dispose
of mining wastes containing hazardous concentrations of arsenic and
lead. Exposure to arsenic can cause partial paralysis, blindness,
and cancer and exposure to lead can affect kidney function, and
cause reproductive and developmental issues. A warrant has been
issued for his arrest.
“EPA is serious about enforcing the nation’s
environmental laws to protect public health. Those who are charged
with violating the law must have their guilt or innocence
determined in a court of law,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant
administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance. “The public can help EPA by reporting any
information they have on the whereabouts of Mr. Kuhn on EPA’s
fugitive website or to local law enforcement.”
Kuhn allegedly engaged in a conspiracy to illegally dispose of
hazardous mining wastes by dumping the waste onto a hillside and
county road surrounding the mine, which included public lands owned
by the Bureau of Land Management, and on at least one occasion,
into a nearby stream.
On July 1, 2010, the federal grand jury in the Eastern District of
California returned an indictment charging Kuhn with one count of
conspiracy and aiding and abetting, one count of depredation
against United States property, two counts of false statements, and
one count of negligent discharge of a pollutant into a water of the
United States. An
indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed
innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Kuhn faces a possible 20 year
imprisonment.
Launched in December 2008, EPA’s fugitive list website
contains information about individuals who have failed to turn
themselves in after having been indicted and charged with or
convicted of violating environmental laws or associated violations
of the U.S. Criminal Code. The website also shows the public how to
contact EPA if they have information about a fugitive’s
identity or location.
To date, information from citizens or law enforcement
organizations have assisted in the arrest or capture of five
fugitives and the surrender of two others. Of the seven former
fugitives, five have been sentenced, one is awaiting sentencing,
and one had charges dismissed after the trial ended in a hung jury.
With the addition of Peter Kuhn, there are currently 18 fugitives
on EPA’s fugitive list.
Because some fugitives may be armed and dangerous, the public
should not try to apprehend any of the individuals. Citizens may
also report the information to their local police or, if outside
the United States, to the nearest U.S. Embassy.
More information on EPA’s fugitive website: http://www.epa.gov/fugitives
More information on EPA’s criminal enforcement
program: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/criminal