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MARYLAND MAN PLEADS TO ILLEGAL OIL DISCHARGE
Release Date: 02/05/99
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1999
MARYLAND MAN PLEADS TO ILLEGAL OIL DISCHARGE
Stephen S. Cunningham of Bel Air, Md., pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Greenbelt to violating the Clean Water Act. The defendant operated a business known as “Clean Habits” in Prince Georges County, where he stored used oil and oil-water mixtures in tanks designed for underground storage. However, the tanks had been removed and placed above ground which is an improper use of underground tanks. In October 1995, the defendant entered into a consent decree with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in which he agreed that any oil, oil contaminated with water, or other untreated water would be properly stored. He also promised to comply with all applicable regulations. Despite this agreement, Cunningham continued to improperly store oil contaminated with water in underground tanks that were placed above ground. On Nov. 18, 1996, approximately 3,000 gallons of oil-water mixture leaked from his tanks into wetlands adjacent to the Clean Habits facility and into Tinkers Creek, which is a tributary of the Potomac River. In responding to the spill, the U.S. Coast Guard incurred over $216,000 in clean up costs. When sentenced, Cunningham faces a maximum sentence of up to 12 months in prison and/or a maximum fine of up to $25,000 per day of violation. The case was investigated by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Coast Guard, MDE and the Prince George’s County Environmental Crimes Task Force.
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