Maryland Attorney General Secures $8.7 Million Judgment Against Lead Paint Inspector for Fraud

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a significant legal victory this week, with a Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge ordering a lead paint inspector and his company to pay $8.7 million in judgments and permanently barring the operator from the industry. The ruling follows an earlier criminal conviction for falsifying lead paint certificates and other environmental offenses.

The civil action, brought forth by Attorney General Brown on behalf of the Maryland Department of the Environment, targeted Green Environmental, LLC, and its principal operator, Rodney Bryan Barkley. The lawsuit sought penalties and injunctive relief for violations of Maryland’s laws concerning lead inspection and lead risk reduction. The court also addressed radiation-related violations, including the possession of unlicensed radioactive materials and unregistered machines, the failure to check for leaks in these unlicensed materials, and their improper use.

The court’s judgment established monetary penalties totaling 4.88 million against Green Environmental, LLC, and an additional 3.85 million against Rodney Bryan Barkley personally. Beyond the financial penalties, the court issued a permanent prohibition against Barkley, preventing him from owning or participating in the operation of any lead inspection company. Furthermore, Barkley has been ordered to surrender any X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) devices currently in his possession to the Maryland Department of the Environment within the next 30 days.

This civil judgment is a result of an investigation initiated by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The investigation revealed that the company had been issuing fraudulent inspection certificates and improperly using testing devices. Consequently, the department was compelled to revoke more than 1,400 lead inspection certificates statewide. Residents who may have relied on these fraudulent certificates could face potential health risks and financial liabilities if lead paint was not properly identified or mitigated. The Attorney General’s office is encouraging any property owners who received inspection certificates from Green Environmental, LLC or Rodney Bryan Barkley to contact the Maryland Department of the Environment for guidance and further information.

The Maryland Department of the Environment will continue to work with the Attorney General’s office to ensure compliance with lead safety regulations and to hold accountable those who endanger the public through fraudulent practices. Property owners are advised to ensure they are working with licensed and reputable lead paint inspectors.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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