EPA's investigation into Sinclair refinery in U.S. attorney's hands

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Federal environmental officials say they've turned over their inquiry into Sinclair Oil's Tulsa petroleum refinery to federal prosecutors.<br/><br/>Environmental Protection

Friday, December 10th 2004, 3:15 pm

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Federal environmental officials say they've turned over their inquiry into Sinclair Oil's Tulsa petroleum refinery to federal prosecutors.

Environmental Protection Agency spokesman Dave Bary says the agency has turned over its findings to the US Attorney's office in Tulsa. The investigation surfaced in March when the EPA served search warrants at the company's Tulsa refinery.

Federal officials declined to comment on the investigation.

John Goodwin -- human resources manager at the refinery -- says he knows nothing about the progress of the investigation.

Records show the refinery has a history of violating federal and state environmental laws and rules.

EPA records show the refinery is a "high-priority violator" of the US Clean Air Act and violated its Clean Water Act permit in two quarters of 2003.