Summary

On October 30, 2014, Raymond George, owner of George Welding & Supply (GWS), Montoursville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 12 months probation for charges related to the illegal transportation of hazardous materials. George previously pleaded guilty to hazmat charges in July 2014. 

George admitted that from January 2001 through January 2012, he fraudulently certified that GWS properly tested cylinders containing hazardous gases. GWS was not authorized to test cylinders, but George applied false markings in the form of illicit Requalifier Identification Numbers (RIN) to the cylinders. He then leased the cylinders creating a situation where GWS either transported or allowed others to transport the falsely stamped cylinders. The suspect cylinders contained hazardous gases including argon, acetylene, carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and oxygen.

The investigation determined that George illegally stamped RINs on compressed gas cylinders without having the proper registration and certification as required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). He illegally utilized RINs that were issued by PHMSA to multiple registered and certified companies across the United States.

This investigation was conducted with assistance from PHMSA.