Investigations

On March 10, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed an information with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania charging Joshua Springer of Scottdale, Pennsylvania, with knowingly and willfully making and causing the making of a false document in connection with an interstate pipeline project. Springer was a Level II radiographic technician whose responsibilities included testing pipeline welds via x-ray and certifying their quality and integrity. Specifically, he developed the film (exposures), interpreted the test results, and signed reader sheets, which record the results and are required by PHMSA regulations.

 

According to the information, in August 2017, Springer allegedly made and caused the making of a reader sheet that stated that a pipeline weld had been x-rayed and the resulting exposures were acceptable. In fact, the weld had not been properly x-rayed, and the exposures were neither interpreted correctly nor acceptable.

 

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the FBI. PHMSA provided substantial assistance.

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.