HONOLULU (KHON2) — Federal prosecutors have indicted two former Navy employees, accusing them of lying about the massive jet fuel spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021.
According to the indictment, John Floyd, former Deputy Director of the Fuels Department, and Nelson Wu, a Supervisory Engineer, face charges of conspiracy and making false statements to the government.
The case stems from a May 6, 2021, incident when a pipeline ruptured during a fuel transfer, releasing nearly 20,000 gallons of jet fuel into an underground tunnel at Red Hill.
The Hawaii Department of Health, tasked with overseeing environmental safety, requested details about the spill, including its size, source, and timeline. Prosecutors allege that Floyd and Wu helped draft a report that drastically underreported the spill by claiming only about 1,600 gallons had leaked.
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Investigators also say the two withheld critical information, including that the spill originated from Tank 12, and failed to disclose that more than 18,000 gallons of fuel were unaccounted for. In addition, the indictment alleges Floyd and Wu intentionally redacted and removed records that would have revealed the full scope of the leak.
“The charges allege a deliberate effort to mislead regulators and hide the severity of the spill,” prosecutors said.
If convicted, both men could face up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each charge.
The Red Hill facility has since been at the center of a broader controversy after thousands of residents were impacted by water contamination linked to fuel leaks.