By: Richard L. Smith
A former Trenton Water Works employee has been sentenced to three years in state prison after admitting that he falsified water testing records and failed to collect required water samples.
According to a statement released by New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice, Cesar Lugo, 38, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty to third-degree tampering with public records and violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Under the plea agreement, Lugo received concurrent three-year prison terms and must serve two years before becoming eligible for parole.
Authorities said Lugo worked as a water sample collector for Trenton Water Works between October 1 and November 13, 2023.
During that period, investigators said Lugo knowingly submitted falsified water testing results and chain-of-custody forms.
Officials also determined that on numerous occasions, he did not perform required water collections but submitted timesheets indicating the work had been completed and that he was entitled to payment.
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires accurate testing and reporting to help ensure the safety of public drinking water supplies.
State officials said the misconduct not only potentially compromised the water-quality monitoring process but also damaged public confidence in an essential government service.
Attorney General Davenport said the sentence demonstrates that employees entrusted with protecting public drinking water will face consequences when they fail to carry out those responsibilities lawfully.