Former supervisor at Indian Point nuclear plant fighting incarceration in federal court

[bananas]

http://enformable.com/2014/01/former-supervisor-indian-point-fighting-incarceration-federal-court/

Former supervisor at Indian Point fighting incarceration in federal court
7 Jan 2014

In July of 2013, we shared a story about Daniel Wilson, a former supervisor at the Indian Point nuclear power plant, who was arrested for deliberately falsifying critical safety records and lying to federal regulators.

Wilson had hid results of tests that showed that the quality of fuel in backup tanks, which would be used in the plants’ emergency backup generators, didn’t meet the standards set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Initially, the charges could have brought a seven year incarceration, but by the time the case reached federal courts – Wilson faced a maximum of three years in prison.

The former chemist plead guilty as part of a plea agreement in October of 2013, but told the federal court that his reasoning for his actions was to prevent the Indian Point nuclear power plant from having to shut down.

Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 16th and is expected to receive less than 6 months of jail time after the plea agreement, but now his lawyer is arguing that the former supervisor should not be subjected to any jail time and only home confinement in the worst case.

Prosecutors have not yet filed their recommendations on sentencing.

So he endangered everyone, lying his ass off about safety, to prevent the plant from having to shut down.
It should have shut down.
He's a lying liar.
He's a danger to the public.
And he'll get a slap on the wrist.
Because the system is corrupt.
He protected the investors money, so he shall be rewarded.

[kristopher]

1. Thank goodness nuclear power isn't "woo"!!!

7/2013

The charges stem from tests of the diesel fuel used in emergency power generators that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires the plant to maintain as part of its license.
A criminal complaint says that 2011 tests showed particulate matter in the diesel fuel exceeded NRC limits. Wilson, chemistry manager at the plant from 2007 through 2012, is accused of fabricating resample tests to show that the fuel was within limits, then lying to other employees at the Buchanan, N.Y., plant about it.
The complaint says that Wilson later admitted to NRC personnel that he “fabricated the test results so that Indian Point would not have to shut down.” He resigned in April 2012.

http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/23/19643670-ex-supervisor-at-indian-point-nuclear-plant-charged-with-falsifying-test-reports?lite

It amazes me that people think our system of safety and oversight is superior to Japan. On March 10, 2011 the Japanese nuclear program was a shining gem in the nuclear industry's crown; 2 days later they were under the bus as corrupt incompetents.

The profit motive and regulatory capture operates the same way in both countries.