News - State
Ship engineer pleads guilty in pollution probe
Posted: Feb 17, 2012 8:24 AM by AP
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A man who served as chief engineer on a ship that came into port in southeast Louisiana last October has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the Coast Guard in a pollution investigation.
Philippines citizen Pedro Guerrero faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine following his guilty plea Wednesday in New Orleans.
Federal prosecutors say the 57-year-old told crew members in the vessel's engine room to pump the contents of the bilge oil tank overboard, sending oily water and sludge waste into the water.
Prosecutors say Guerrero tried to mislead port authorities by making false entries in a record book to make it appear they had properly disposed of the waste and oil residues.
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