In Lansing, Michigan, two insurance agents have pleaded guilty to selling fake insurance certificates for Underground Storage Tanks in the region.
The two men have pleaded guilty to federal charges of falsifying a document with intent to impede, obstruct, or influence. The actions took place over a two-year period, was spread out over 30 different cities, and earned them about $500 per falsified certificate, and they face up to 20 years in prison.
They produced these fake certificates so that tank owners could claim compliance with regulation, even though these owners have tanks that could not be insured due to age or condition.
The offending gas stations have been shut down until they can obtain a real policy.