EPA v. RICHARD EUGENE THOMAS

Case summary

CERCLA BANKRUPTCY CASE: RICHARD E. THOMAS WAS THE CEO OF THE THOMAS SOLVENT COMPANY OF BATTLE CREEK, MI. IN 1986 EPA SUED, AMONG OTHERS, THOMAS PERSONALLY AND THE SOLVENT COMPANY AS PRPS UNDER CERCLA FOR THE CONTAMINA- TION OF THE VERONA WELL FIELD SF SITE. IN ABOUT 1987 THOMAS AND HIS FAMILY MOVED TO DALLAS , TX, AND PURCHASED AN EXPENSIVE CONDOMINIUM (FOR $1.75 MILLION), USING MONEY FRAUDULENTLY RECEIVED FROM THE SOLVENT COMPANY. IN 12/96 THOMAS FILED A PETITION IN BANKRUPTCY COURT IN TEXAS, CLAIMING THAT THE CONDO WAS COVERED BY TEXAS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION PROVISION. THE US OBJECTED TO THE CLAIM THAT THE CONDOMINIUM WAS SUBJECT TO THE EXEMP- TION, AND ARGUED THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE LIABILITY FOR THE JUDGMENTS THAT EPA HAD RECEIVED IN THE MICHIGAN COURTS.

Defendants (1)

• RICHARD E. THOMAS, DEBTORNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• THOMAS SOLVENT CO

  1180 N RAYMOND RD, BATTLE CREEK, MI, 49017

  Registry ID: 110003592899

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RICHARD EUGENE THOMASentered 1997-10-31

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1996-12-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1997-01-31Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1997-06-07Complaint Filed With Court
• 1997-10-31Concluded
• 1997-10-31Enforcement Action Closed
• 1997-10-31Final Order Lodged
• 1997-10-31Final Order Entered