Henry Papuga Waives Jury Trial, Testimony Begins

WORCESTER — Testimony in the criminal trial against the former head of the Milford Water Company began Monday, after the defendant, Henry Papuga, waived his right to a trial by jury.

Papuga is charged with six counts relating to tampering with drinking water samples, and two counts relating to making false statements on a chain of custody form. Prosecutors contend he intentionally tampered with drinking water samples to lift the burden of a boil water order imposed on Milford in August 2009.

The state-imposed boil water order required the 27,000 customers of the private water company to boil their drinking water before ingesting it, for almost two weeks.

Papuga, who was then the 27-year manager of the Milford Water Co., was under intense public and corporate pressure to fix the crisis, said Assistant Attorney General Sara Farnum, in opening statements. He had the motive, the opportunity, and all other suspects have been eliminated, she reported.

The state investigation began after a series of samples taken by Papuga to a Westborough lab could not be analyzed for bacteria because the chlorine readings were so high, Farnum said.

"The defendant deliberately tampered with drinking water samples to make them look clean," she said.

who he characterized as a well-respected citizen and public figure in Milford before the state began its investigation.

"The Commonwealth has no direct evidence, no forensic evidence, no witnesses," Kettlewell said. "... Did Henry Papuga have a motive? Yes, he did. So did 27,000 other people in the town of Milford."

In Worcester Superior Court, Papuga was dressed in a dark suitcoat and slacks. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which are all misdemeanors, at his arraignment in November 2011, and has been released on bail.

Testimony began Monday afternoon with Marielle Stone, section chief of the drinking water program for the central regional office of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The trial is expected to continue through the week.