Pelham pest control owner faces charges for services at Georgia nursing homes

PELHAM, Alabama -- The Pelham-based owner of a pest control services company faces several charges filed in an indictment Wednesday related to alleged misuse of pesticides in nursing homes in Georgia.

The felony indictment against Steven A. Murray, 54, of Pelham, and his company, Bio-Tech Management Inc., includes one count of conspiracy, 10 counts of making false statements, 20 counts of falsifying records, 10 counts of mail fraud and 10 counts of unlawful use of a pesticide.

Bio-Tech Management shows a principal address in Birmingham with Murray as the registered agent, according to Alabama Secretary of State records.

Robert Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, and Michael Moore, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, in a statement Wednesday announced the indictment filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia.

Charges of falsifying records and mail fraud each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The false statements charges each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The indictment accuses Murray and his company of repeatedly misapplying the registered pesticide Termidor SC in nursing homes in Georgia and falsifying documents to conceal the unlawful use from October 2005 to June 2009.

Murray and Bio-Tech also sent invoices through the mail to their nursing home clients to solicit payment for the unlawful pesticide applications, according to the indictment.

At Murrary's direction, Bio-Tech provided monthly pest control services to various nursing homes in Georgia that involved the use of Termidor indoors more than twice a year, which is contrary to the manufacturer's label instructions, according to the indictment.

The indictment claims the Georgia Department of Agriculture made inquiries about Bio-Tech's misuse of Termidor and other pesticides before Murray directed several of his employees to alter company service reports with the intent to obstruct an investigation, according to the Department of Justice.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires all pesticides be registered, properly labeled and applied as specified by manufacturer's labeling to protect public health and the environment.

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Pelham pest control owner faces charges for services at Georgia nursing homes