U.S. authorities have accused an employee at the Deseret Chemical Depot in Utah with tampering with important safety records, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, Oct. 11).

David James Yarbrough has been charged in U.S. District Court with one count of making false statements to a government agency, according to AP.  He could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Officials have accused Yarbrough of falsifying data in work from June 29 to Aug. 16 at the Oquirrh Mountain Facility, where researchers test disposal methods for chemical agents.  According to authorities, he knew that systems were operating below approved levels but indicated that air monitoring units were performing at passing levels during baseline tests, AP reported.

Officials indicted Yarbrough after a routine data review indicated inconsistencies, depot spokeswoman Alaine Southworth said.  Neither the depot nor its surrounding residents were ever in danger and all air monitoring equipment has worked properly, Southworth said.

Yarbrough yesterday denied the allegations.  “I am innocent of the charges,” he said (Associated Press, Nov. 1).

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