英国环境署已对南方水务公司的四名前员工提起欺诈指控，其中包括前首席执行官马修·赖特。[1]这些被告人被指控在2012年至2017年间操纵污水处理检测结果，通过人为制造虚假的"无流量"事件来影响合规检查。[1]
根据该公司自身评估，这一计划使其避免了约4500万英镑的罚款。[1]此举被指违反了对英国环境署和水务监管机构Ofwat的欺诈责任。[1]
该案已进入梅德韦地方法院审理。[1]欺诈共谋罪的最高刑期为10年监禁。[1]
英国环境秘书安吉拉·伊格尔表示："任何被判有罪的人将面临法律的全力制裁。"[1]南方水务公司拥有超过400万用户。[1]
Four former employees of Southern Water, including ex-Chief Executive Officer Matthew Wright, have been charged with fraud by the UK Environment Agency over allegations that they manipulated wastewater testing results between 2012 and 2017 [1]. The defendants are accused of creating artificial "no flow" incidents to influence compliance checks with environmental regulators and Ofwat, the water industry regulator [1].
According to the company's own assessment, the alleged scheme enabled Southern Water to avoid approximately £45 million in potential fines [1]. The case, which involves conspiracy to defraud the Environment Agency and Ofwat, is now proceeding through Medway Magistrates' Court [1].
The conspiracy to defraud charge carries a maximum prison sentence of ten years [1]. Environment Secretary Angela Eagle stated that "anyone found guilty will face the full force of the law" [1]. Southern Water serves over 4 million customers [1].