Specifically, the Department of Justice wants to get the information regarding the performance of former CUC deputy director for water and wasterwater Bruce Megarr, whose contract was not renewed by Muna, and CUC’s performance of its obligations under the stipulated orders.
Variety tried but failed to get a comment from CUC.
Inadequate deliverables
O’Brien said during a status conference, Megarr strongly endorsed the U.S. and the federal court’s views that CUC has failed to meet the stipulated orders’ requirements.
“While CUC’s inadequate compliance efforts are troubling, the United States is deeply concerned by other comments Megarr made to the court,” he said, referring to the statement of the former CUC official that “CUC did not intend to comply with the stipulated orders.”
O’Brien said Megarr was directed by CUC to “purposely submit inadequate deliverables that would not meet the stipulated orders requirement.”
O’Brien added, “It is my understanding that subsequent to the status conference CUC…decided to not renew Mr. Megarr’s contract” on March 31.
Under the stipulated orders, CUC is required to address serious longstanding deficiencies relating to its drinking water systems, wastewater treatment systems, and oil management practices.
O’Brien said even with the generous deadlines afforded the stipulated orders and technical assistance provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CUC has completely or partially failed to comply with numerous critical tasks required by the stipulated orders.
On Feb. 23, the federal court held a status conference to discuss CUC’s non-compliance with the stipulated orders.
At the conclusion of the status conference, the court found that CUC, which is under the governor’s control, was required to comply fully with the stipulated orders and failed to do so.
The court then directed the parties to negotiate a proposed stipulation establishing future dates for those requirements that CUC failed to meet.
As of February, CUC had already incurred over $4 million in penalties because of its non-compliance with the stipulated orders.
