Investigations

On October 19, in U.S. District Court, Anderson, South Carolina, a federal grand jury returned an indictment on G. Martin Wynn, charging one count each of mail and wire fraud for unlawfully and without authorization using the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) state seal on a set of storm water construction site plans, in violation of Title 18 United States Code Sections 1341 and 1343. The plans were required for construction to commence on a federally funded airport improvement project at the Oconee Regional Airport, Clemson, SC.

Mr. Wynn, a civil engineer and project manager for an engineering firm, allegedly used the false DHEC stamped plans to make it appear the plans had been approved so that construction could proceed. The plans were required to be submitted to interested state and federal agencies for approval and then stamped with valid seals. Based upon Mr. Wynn's submission of these fraudulent plans, construction work commenced on the airport project which resulted in the destruction of protected lands.  Mr. Wynn faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and not more than 20 years confinement for each count. This investigation was conducted jointly with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

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