Feds: Montco firm broke clean-water laws

A Montgomery County businessman was charged Wednesday with violating environmental regulations by discarding water samples that did not meet federal standards and falsifying reports.

Federal prosecutors said Matthew Brozena of Telford, president of MAB Environmental Services Inc., violated the Clean Water Act while operating wastewater treatment plants for BC Natural Chicken and Buckingham Valley Nursing Center.

Brozena, 58, allegedly instructed his employees to discard water samples that had more pollutants than federal permits allowed and to falsely report test results.

An indictment filed Wednesday said Brozena's clients had permits from the Department of Environmental Protection controlling the conditions under which they could discharge wastewater into nearby waterways.

Brozena is charged with conspiracy and other crimes, and could face fines and prison time.

Also Wednesday, three of his employees were charged with violating the Clean Water Act: James Wetzel of Harrisburg; James Crafton of Upper Black Eddy; and Stephen Fritz of Harleysville.

A message left at a number listed for Brozena's company was not immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.

-Laura McCrystal