Georgia emissions inspector used simulators to fake passing scores on emissions tests
PENZANCE, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 15: Soot collects in the end of a diesel SUV car, on August 15, 2022 in Penzance, England. The government's commitment to reducing future Co2 carbon emissions will mean many more motorists will need to switch from pe
ATLANTA - Mehboobhusain Malik, a 72-year-old resident of Lilburn, has pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act after conducting thousands of fraudulent emissions tests in the Atlanta metro area.
The guilty plea comes as a result of Malik's actions as a licensed emissions inspector in Georgia. Under the Clean Air Act, states exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards must implement vehicle inspection and maintenance programs. In Georgia, this involves emissions testing in multiple counties, including Fulton, DeKalb, and Gwinnett.
To conduct emissions tests, licensed inspectors use the Georgia Analyzer System (GAS), which requires biometric login, inputting the Vehicle Identification Number and license plate number, and performing the emissions inspection. If a vehicle passes, the GAS records the test, allowing it to be registered. If it fails, the registration is blocked.
However, Malik and his associates exploited this system. For vehicles that couldn't pass emissions tests legitimately, they used simulators programmed with the non-passing vehicle's information. They then ran the emissions test with the simulator attached, falsely attributing the passing result to the real vehicle, enabling its improper registration.
Malik performed thousands of these fraudulent emissions tests at various locations in the Atlanta metro area.
U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan emphasized that Malik's actions compromised air quality protection and the integrity of the emissions program. Sara Lips, Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, highlighted the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies to uphold laws designed to protect human health and air quality.
Malik's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen. This case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division and the Georgia State Environmental Protection Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Huber prosecuting the case.