Summary

On May 14, 2013, Aaron David Beauchesne, former owner of Beauchesne Fire Equipment (BFE), pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court, Boston, Massachusetts, for his role in violating federal hazardous materials regulations relating to the testing and requalification of compressed gas cylinders. Nearly 6,000 cylinders, such as those used in hospitals, were stamped with a re-tester identification number (RIN) indicating required hydrostatic testing had been completed when it had not. 

BFE was certified by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) as an approved requalification facility for re-testing and re-qualifying compressed gas cylinders. The investigation disclosed that throughout 2011 and continuing through early 2012, Beauchesne and/or BFE employees under the direction of Beauchesne, failed to conduct hydrostatic testing on compressed gas cylinders and failed to complete cylinder testing data sheets. Beauchesne invoiced various clients for these fraudulent tests for approximately $78,000.

We are conducting this investigation with assistance from PHMSA.