Spokane Trucking Owner Pleads Guilty to Pollution Tampering and COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Pavel Ivanovich Turlak, the owner of several Spokane, Washington trucking companies, has pleaded guilty to charges of tampering with pollution controls and fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds. Federal investigators revealed that between 2017 and 2023, Turlak purchased illegal "delete tune" files from Hardaway Solutions, a Florida-based company, to disable emissions control systems on his business trucks. These tampered vehicles allowed Turlak to gain an unfair competitive edge while evading environmental safeguards meant to protect public health. His company also installed these files on customer vehicles through Spokane Truck Service, compounding the violations of the Clean Air Act.
Between 2020 and 2021, Turlak falsely claimed eligibility for pandemic relief funding and secured over $300,000 despite his ongoing environmental violations. Prosecutors emphasized that his actions defrauded relief programs and endangered public health by contributing to pollution. Turlak’s supplier, Hardaway Solutions, also pleaded guilty to Clean Air Act violations in November 2024.
Multiple agencies, including the EPA and the Small Business Administration, investigated the case, highlighting the environmental and ethical consequences of bypassing emissions standards. U.S. Attorney Waldref condemned Turlak's actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting air quality and public health for families in Eastern Washington.