A mid-term campaign rally set the stage for two diesel mechanics to receive pardons for violations of the Clean Air Act
Wasilla, Alaska—Two diesel mechanics received pardons from President Trump on Tuesday at a campaign rally for installing “delete devices” in violation of the Clean Air Act.
Mechanics Zachary Czubak and Patrick Fleming, who both had been previously charged and pleaded guilty, were invited on stage with the President in Wasilla, Alaska. The two men and Michael Wayne Hanzuk tampered with and removed emission controls from at least 37 vehicles between July 2019 and September 2020, Federal prosecutors stated.
“This means the world to me,” Fleming said on stage according to a report from The Hill. “We’re not criminals. We’re not trying to hurt anybody. We want to help Alaskans. We want to help people with diesel trucks, with vehicles across the world.”
Court records state that Czubak, Fleming and a third man, named Michael Hanzuk, owned an auto shop that specialized in diesel vehicles, Arm Rippin Toys. Prosecutors said they offered to remove the emission control systems in customers’ vehicles for a fee of $1,140 to $5,445.
Trump signed both men’s pardons with them on stage at the mid-term rally.
In July, the U.S. Department of Justice had stated it will “no longer pursue criminal charges under the Clean Air Act based on allegations of tampering with onboard diagnostic devices in motor vehicles.”
The change in policy reflects the Trump Administration’s efforts to roll back clean air regulations and unwind Biden-era initiatives to drive EV adoption. It argues that the Clean Air Act is a hinderance to commerce and an undue burden to those who depend on diesel engines.
Trump previously pardoned nine convicted of similar Clean Air Act violations this past summer.
Comments are closed.