BILLINGS – The president of a former oil processing company that was destroyed in a December 2012 explosion and fire has been found guilty of violating the federal Clean Air Act.
A jury in Billings found 62-year-old Peter Margiotta of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada guilty of conspiracy and two Clean Air Act violations for the eastern Montana explosion that injured three employees.
A sentencing date has not been set. He could face up to 15 years in prison, plus fines.
U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said Margiotta cut corners in the construction and operation of the Custom Carbon Processing plant in Wibaux that allowed hydrocarbon vapors and other pollutants to be released into the air.
Prosecutors said Margiotta also ignored warnings from the plant’s foreman that accepting natural gas condensates was dangerous because it is volatile and flammable.