Photo by Kevin Harber.

A Georgia man is accused of dumping waste into the Potomac River from Hains Point when his company was contracted with the National Park Service to clean the National Mall’s storm water sewer system.

According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Patrick Brightwell, 47, was arrested and indicted on eight counts including “conspiracy, a Clean Water Act violation, false claims, and obstructing the investigation of these offenses by tampering with witnesses and making false statements.”

“This indictment alleges that Patrick Brightwell ripped off the taxpayer and polluted the Potomac River by illegally dumping waste he was being paid to dispose of properly,” Ron Machen, the U.S. Attorney for D.C., said in a statement. “According to the indictment, Brightwell tried to cover up his crimes by lying to the police and encouraging someone else to lie as well. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to enforcing criminal laws designed to protect our precious natural resources.”

Brightwell’s company, according to the indictment, had a contract between 2008 and 2011 to clean the storm water sewer system on the National Mall and dispose of the waste in a proper manner. But Brightwell allegedly told his employees to take the waste from a vacuum truck and discharge it into a Hains Point storm drain that leads to the Potomac River.

During this period, Brightwell continued to invoice the National Park Service for cleaning services, but concealed and did not disclose that Brightwell’s company was not properly disposing of the waste, as required by the contract. Brightwell’s company received approximately $533,000 between 2008 and 2011, according to the indictment.

He also allegedly told his employees to lie to authorities about these actions.