Summary

Randa Michelson pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, MN, to taking part in a conspiracy to illegally transport hazardous chemicals by truck. Falsely identified as nonhazardous, the chemicals—hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution and sodium hydroxide—can cause skin burns and irritation to the respiratory tract. Michelson was originally charged with co-conspirator and associate Jack Weaver, owner of Weaver Enterprises, a trucking brokerage firm in Chatsworth, GA, to conspiracy to transport undeclared hazardous materials and chemicals. Following her indictment in 2001, Michelson moved to Minnesota, where she pleaded guilty. Michelson’s sentencing date has not been set. Weaver was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Biloxi, MS, in May 2002 to 2 years' probation and fined $1,000 for conspiracy to transport the dangerous materials without proper identification. OIG conducted the investigation jointly with the FBI and EPA’s Criminal Investigations Division.