Newsroom
All News Releases By Date
TEXAS COMPANY, FORMER PRESIDENT CHARGED WITH WASTE VIOLATIONS
Release Date: 02/01/2002
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2002
TEXAS COMPANY, FORMER PRESIDENT CHARGED WITH WASTE VIOLATIONS
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
Courtney & Co. Inc., of Texas City, Texas, and its former president, Donald Ray Robertson of Hitchcock, Texas, were charged with allegedly storing hazardous waste illegally in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Robertson allegedly directed employees to store without a permit approximately 1000 gallons ignitable hazardous wastes, including waste paint, toluene, xylene, methyl-ethyl ketone and waste paint solvents, at the Courtney & Co. facility. Storing ignitable hazardous wastes without a proper permit can create a fire hazard. If convicted, Robertson faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Courtney & Co. faces a maximum fine of up to $500,000, if convicted. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Houston. Bringing federal charges is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
R-012 # # #
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.
