Citgo Found Guilty of Criminal Charges in Environmental Case

By Jennifer Griffith

Published on June 29, 2007

Citgo is a Venezuelan company with two major refineries in Corpus Christi. The company is the region's largest industrial employer.

Citgo was found guilty of operating tanks in Corpus Christi as oil/water separators from 1993 to 2004 without the federally required roofs that reduce environmental pollution.

Citgo claims the tanks were being used for equalization, not oil/water separation.

Equalization tanks are not required to have roofs.

Citgo faces a $500,000 fine which could increase if the company is found to have gained financially by not installing tank roofs. Sentencing is scheduled for October 18.

Citgo and its environmental manager face other charges: five counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Defendants are accused of illegally taking protected birds found coated with oil as a result of landing in Citgo's open tanks. Bench trial for these related charges is set for July.

Citgo was acquitted in 2001 and 2002 for knowingly exceeding the 6 megagram level of benzene, a cancer-causing substance.

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