What Has Happened to People Convicted of Buying or Smuggling CFCs/HCFCs?
The following are real examples of what can happen if you buy or possess illegal CFCs and HCFCs. Case 1: The president of a refrigerant distribution company in Florida pled guilty to charges of illegally importing over 8 million pounds of CFCs into the United States. For his role, the president was sentenced to 37 months in prison and 3 years supervised release, fined $375,000, and ordered to forfeit over $13 million in assets. The company was sentenced to pay a fine of over $37 million and serve 5 years of probation. The company is also potentially liable for over $31 million in back taxes to the IRS. The company’s bookkeeper/salesperson received fines and a probationary sentence, and the company’s chief financial officer received a fine and a 30-day prison sentence. Case 2: Three men were arrested during two separate sting operations by undercover agents when they attempted to purchase CFCs being sold as illegal imports. One man was convicted on charges of making a false statement to
