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Escalated Enforcement Actions Issued to Individuals - B

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Name and
NRC Action Number		 NRC Action Type Date Issued Description
Robbie E. Balentine
IA-06-043		 IAORDER 04/13/2007 On April 13, 2007, a Confirmatory Order (Effective Immediately) was issued to Mr. Balentine as a result of a settlement agreement entered into as a result of Alternative Dispute Resolution requested by the individual. The settlement agreement acknowledges the NRC and the individual's agreement to disagree that the individual deliberately violated 10 CFR 50.5, "Deliberate Misconduct," when, as Lead Foreman for Stone and Webster Engineering Company, he directed and allowed unauthorized open blasting to be performed inside the torus of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, causing the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant to be in violation of its procedures associated with radiation protection. The individual did acknowledge that, as Lead Foreman, his communications to employees in the area of safe work practices must be especially clear and unequivocal and that, contrary to this, his communications were poor and failed to convey clear instructions or expectations.
Bradley D. Bastow
IA-14-039		 IAORDER 04/04/2015 On August 4, 2015, the NRC issued a Confirmatory Order prohibiting Dr. Bradley D. Bastow, Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Cardiology II, P.C, from serving as an RSO until he demonstrates training and his commitment to compliance with regulatory requirements. Dr. Bastow’s continued non-compliances related to ensuring that radioactive materials are used safely, securely, and in compliance with the applicable requirement have resulted in the NRC’s lack of confidence in his capacity as a RSO. This Order does not prevent Dr. Bastow from serving as an authorized user.
Randy Bethea
IA-18-043		 IAORDER 02/13/2019 On February 13, 2019, the NRC issued an Order prohibiting Mr. Randy Bethea from involvement in NRC-licensed activities.  Mr. Bethea deliberately caused his former employer, Mistras Group, Inc., to be in violation of 10 CFR 30.34(c), when he radiographed his own hand. Specifically, Mr. Bethea will be prohibited from any involvement in NRC-licensed activities for a period of one year, and for one year after the one year prohibition has expired, he will be required to notify the NRC, within 20 days following acceptance of his first employment offer involving NRC licensed activities.  In addition, for a period of three years from the effective date of the Order, Mr. Bethea will be prohibited from leading, supervising, or directing radiographic operations involving NRC licensed activities.
Mr. Alex Block
IA-18-043		 IAORDER 08/12/2019 On August 12, 2019, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Mr. Alex Block, for violations of 10 CFR 55.53(j) "conditions of licenses" which require, in part, that the licensee shall not perform activities authorized by a license issued under 10 CFR Part 55 while under the influence of alcohol that could adversely affect his or her ability to safely and competently perform his or her duties. Specifically, Mr. Block reported for duty at the Cooper Nuclear Station and performed licensed duties as a reactor operator. After 2 hours into his shift, he exited the control room for a random fitness-for-duty test. Based on the breathalyzer test results, he exceeded the maximum allowable levels for alcohol established by the facility licensee. This is a Severity Level III violation.
Kevin Brainard
IA-16-043		 IAORDER 09/30/2016 On September 30, 2016, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Mr. Brainard for a Severity Level III violation of 10 CFR 40.10(a)(1) involving deliberate misconduct that caused his employer Power Resources, Inc., to be in violation of NRC requirements. Specifically, between September 12, 2013, and February 6, 2014, Mr. Brainard documented contamination control exit surveys of contract personnel exiting the licensee's facility when, in fact, the exit surveys were not performed.
Landon E. Brittain
IA 13-024		 IAORDER 10/28/2013 On October 28, 2013, the NRC issued an immediately effective Order prohibiting involvement in NRC-licensed activities to Mr. Landon E. Brittain, a former Dresden Nuclear Power Station (Dresden) senior reactor operator (SRO) until such time that he can provide reasonable assurance to the NRC that licensed activities can be conducted in compliance with the Commission’s requirements. Specifically, the NRC determined that Mr. Brittain was approached and recruited by a now former Dresden SRO to assist in an armored car robbery. Mr. Brittain’s failure to report this aberrant behavior to Dresden management is a violation of 10 CFR 73.56, “Personnel access authorization requirements for nuclear power plants.” The NRC is also aware that local authorities have charged Mr. Brittain with a number of criminal offenses, including aggravated vehicular hijacking, vehicular hijacking, and obstruction of justice. The NRC has concluded that Mr. Brittain’s failure to report the questionable behavior and his apparent participation in criminal activities have demonstrated a lack of trustworthiness. This enforcement action is necessary to provide the NRC with reasonable assurance that the protection of public health and safety will not be compromised by Mr. Brittain’s involvement in NRC-licensed activities.
Michael J. Buhrman
IA 13-025		 IAORDER 10/28/2013 On October 28, 2013, the NRC issued an immediately effective Order prohibiting involvement in NRC-licensed activities to Mr. Michael J. Buhrman, a former Dresden Nuclear Power Station (Dresden) senior reactor operator (SRO) until such time that he can provide reasonable assurance to the NRC that licensed activities can be conducted in compliance with the Commission’s requirements. Specifically, the NRC determined that Mr. Buhrman held conversations with a now former Dresden Station SRO and a former equipment operator, in which Mr. Buhrman either recruited them, or attempted to recruit them to assist him in an armored car robbery. However, prior to executing the armored car robbery, Mr. Buhrman was apprehended by police for hijacking a car at gunpoint, released on bail and fled the country. Mr. Buhrman was later tried in absentia, found guilty of aggravated vehicular hijacking and sentenced to a 40-year prison term. The NRC has concluded that Mr. Buhrman’s criminal activities related to both the carjacking and the planning of an armored car robbery have demonstrated a lack of trustworthiness. This enforcement action is necessary to provide the NRC with reasonable assurance that the protection of public health and safety will not be compromised by Mr. Buhrman’s involvement in NRC-licensed activities.
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, August 21, 2019