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PA MASS. COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO DUMPING TOXIC WASTES

Release Date: 03/28/97
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PA MASS. COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO DUMPING TOXIC WASTES

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 1997

MASSACHUSETTS COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO DUMPING TOXIC WASTES

The J. and M. Devine Co. of Halifax, Mass., (doing business as A-1 Sanitation) pleaded guilty on March 20, in U.S. District Court in Boston, Mass., to one felony count of knowingly dumping toxic solvents including xylene, toluene, ethyl benzene and methylene chloride into the Wareham, Mass., sewage treatment plant in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. In a related action, A-1's truck dispatcher, Royal Swift, pleaded guilty on Feb. 14, to making a knowingly false statement to plant workers concerning the discharge of solvent contaminated wastes when he dumped the toxic load. When sentenced, Swift faces a maximum of five years incarceration and/or a fine of up to $250,000. A-1 faces a maximum sentence of three years probation and/or a fine of up to $500,000. The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the Massachusetts Environmental Strike Force.

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