Environmental Crimes Bulletin April 2024 Week 3

In this issue:

• United States v. Mathew R. Talamo, No. 5:23-CR-00484 (N.D.N.Y.), AUSA Michael F. Perry

United States v. Mathew R. Talamo, No. 5:23-CR-00484 (N.D.N.Y.), AUSA Michael F. Perry

On April 19, 2024, a court sentenced Matthew R. Talamo to pay a $50,000 fine, complete a four-year term of probation, and perform 150 hours of community service. Talamo previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA) (18 U.S.C. § 371, 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)).

Talamo operates Southern Diesel Truck Company and Southern Diesel and Off-Road LLC (Southern Diesel). Both specialize in buying and reselling diesel vehicles and performing modifications to diesel vehicles, particularly pickup trucks.

Between January 2018 and November 2022, Talamo and Southern Diesel tampered with emission control monitoring devices and methods on hundreds of diesel pickup trucks. They charged customers thousands of dollars per vehicle for the software and hardware modifications, which enabled these trucks to emit substantially more pollutants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation, with assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.