CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Virginia, Western), published as received.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh has appointed Assistant United States Attorney Michael Baudinet to serve as Environmental Justice Coordinator for the Western District of Virginia.
Assistant United States Attorney Baudinet has investigated and prosecuted multiple environmental cases, and as the District’s Environmental Justice Coordinator, AUSA Baudinet will continue to lead efforts to enforce our Nation’s environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and various hazardous waste laws. In addition, the Environmental Justice Coordinator will work to focus on investigating and prosecuting environmental violations that have disproportionate impact on low-income, minority, and other marginalized communities, including pursuing actions under the civil rights laws, worker safety and consumer protection statutes, and the False Claims Act.
Last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully tried and convicted an individual for stealing timber from the Army Corps of Engineers Bluestone Project and selling it for financial gain. Another individual had previously pled guilty in connection with the same scheme.
“Our District is home to some of the most beautiful outdoor landscapes in the country and protecting these valuable natural resources is a priority for our Office,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today. “The addition of an Environmental Justice Coordinator strengthens this Office’s longstanding commitment to prosecuting environmental crimes in order to ensure clean air, water, and land for our District’s residents.”
The Western District of Virginia is home to the Blue Ridge Environmental Crimes Task Force, the United States’ longest running environmental crimes task force. It comprises local, state, and federal criminal investigators, emergency responders, prosecutors, civil enforcement personnel, health department personnel, technical personnel, and individuals associated with critical utilities.
The public can report suspected violations of environmental and hazardous waste laws to the U.S. Attorney’s Office by calling (540) 857-2250 or by contacting the Environmental Protection Agency.
