ROCKETDYNE EX-WORKER TESTIFIES CHEMIST DENIES TESTS WERE COVER.

Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer

RIVERSIDE - A former Rocketdyne chemist charged with illegally treating hazardous materials thought he was conducting scientific tests although no chemicals were measured or notes taken, according to testimony Friday in federal court.

The comments by defendant Ed Wilson, detailed in a memo to a Rocketdyne lawyer, were the first full account of the events that Wilson said led to an industrial explosion that killed scientists Otto Heiney of Canoga Park and Larry Pugh of Thousand Oaks on July 26, 1994.

Prosecutors have contended during the past two months of testimony that Wilson and co-defendant Joseph Flanagan knew the tests had no scientific value and were devised to help the company illegally dispose of some 2 tons of stockpiled chemicals.

Wilson and Flanagan are each charged with two felony counts of illegal treatment of hazardous materials in connection with the fatal incident and a brush fire sparked five days earlier during efforts to burn chemicals.

Flanagan, who headed the company's Chemical Technology Group, but who was not present during the tests, also is charged with one count of unlawful storage of hazardous waste.

Attorneys for the scientists maintain there was a lawful purpose for the tests, and that proper procedures were followed.

Wilson's attorney, Leonard Sharenow, said his client believed assurances by his bosses the work was scientific, despite the absence of measurements, notes and data.

``He went there believing they were bona fide tests,'' Sharenow said outside of court. ``He was not consulted about the tests. He was not aware no data was collected.''

The memos, released by the company - which since has been purchased by The Boeing Co. - as part of its plea agreement with the government, detailed how terribly wrong the chemical burns went from the beginning, culminating with the deaths.

Sharenow said Wilson was told to participate in the tests, which were led by Heiney and approved by Flanagan. He said Wilson acted in good faith, hooking up the recording devices he thought would be used in a legitimate experiment.

Sharenow said Wilson will take the stand in his own defense, and that there will be evidence given to support that Heiney's selection of the chemicals to be ignited were consistent with his scientific field of inquiry.

If Heiney had other motives, such as disposing of the chemicals as waste, ``Ed didn't know,'' he said.

Flanagan's lawyer, John Vandevelde, declined comment on the specifics of Friday's testimony. Flanagan also was interviewed by the company's lawyer, but that testimony has yet to be heard by the jury.

In his opening remarks, Vandevelde said there was a written procedure the scientists followed and a ``lawful purpose'' for the tests. Flanagan, he added, relied on the scientific expertise of Heiney and Pugh.

The prosecution is expected to rest its case early next year, after which the defense will present its case.