A former Trenton Waterworks employee has been sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly failing to collect water samples and falsifying water quality reports, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.
Cesar Lugo, 38, of Trenton pled guilty to tampering with public records and violations of the Safe Water Drinking Act. It was recommended to sentence him to three years in prison for both crimes. The sentences are to run concurrently – at the same time. He will not be eligible for parole for two years.
Lugo was employed as a water sample collector for TWW. Between Oct. 1, 2023 and Nov. 13, 2023, he submitted fraudulent or falsified water testing results, and fraudulent or falsified chain of custody forms to TWW. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires accurate water testing and reporting.
Several times, Lugo did not conduct the required water collections altogether but continued to submit timesheets that falsely certified that he had performed the tasks and was entitled to payment, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.
Safe drinking water is a fundamental need, and it is critical that the people who are charged with keeping water supplies safe and clean do their jobs with diligence and professionalism, said New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. Lugo chose to break the law without regard for New Jersey residents, she said.
“Falsifying water sampling reports goes beyond putting people’s health at risk. It damages public trust in an essential public service,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. Clean drinking water is a human right and the bedrock underpinning strong communities, he said.
Martha Nye, who is the interim director of the Division of Criminal Justice, said Lugo’s action were a serious breach of responsibility entrusted to him as a public employee. The sentence holds him accountable for those actions and underscores that those who abuse positions of public trust will be held accountable, she said.
