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PA FLORIDA SOIL TREATMENT FACILITY CHARGED WITH CLEAN AIR VIOLATIONS
Release Date: 01/16/98
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FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 16, 1998
FLORIDA SOIL TREATMENT FACILITY CHARGED WITH
CLEAN AIR VIOLATIONS
On Jan. 6, Specialty Environmental Inc., was charged in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in Tampa with violating the Clean Air Act (CAA) and with mail fraud. Geological Recovery Systems, in Mulberry, Fla., owned by Specialty Environmental Inc., treats contaminated soil using an afterburner which is required by a state air permit to operate at a minimum of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The indictment alleges that employees of Geological Recovery processed the contaminated soil at less than the required 1500 degrees. The mail fraud charges allege that Geologic assured customers that contaminated soil would be treated in strict adherence with all environmental laws, and also allege that Geologic falsified reports showing that treated soil met clean soil standards The indictment further alleges a violation of the facility’s Solid Waste General Permit, and also alleges that Geologic did not properly test soils. In a related case, Riad Barakat Alkhatib, the former General Manager at the facility, pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud and one count of violating the CAA in connection with the operation of the facility. If convicted on all counts, Geologic faces a maximum fine of up to $2 million, a maximum of up to 17 years probation or both. Alkhatib faces a maximum up to 17 years in prison, a maximum fine of up to $1 million or both. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Law Enforcement.
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