A Houston-based oil company has admitted its carelessness caused three oil spills in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

Cedyco Corporation agreed to cease operation in the Bayou State and pay a $557,000 fine as part of a plea deal reached in federal court this week. The company is guilty of three misdemeanor counts for violating the Clean Water Act in 2008.

The court found Cedyco’s facilities were poorly maintained and operating without required state permits, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice. Photos of the company’s operations used as evidence in court are available on the U.S. Coast Guard website.

“The protection of our precious environment is a critical mission which we take very seriously,” said Jim Letten, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Simply stated, we will not tolerate negligence by the companies which are required by law to operate facilities carefully in order to protect our people and environment.”

The fine money will be deposited into an Oil Spill Liability Fund created to finance future oil spill cleanup.

A judge has scheduled a sentencing for Aug. 15.

Main photo credit: Fotopedia