FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 1998
Contact: Jeff Nelligan
Telephone: (202) 366-6312
OIG 39-98
Guilty Plea Entered in Hazardous Waste-Dumping Case
A Miami van-line owner has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and violation of a key Federal anti-pollution law in connection with a plan to dump 37 drums of hazardous waste, the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General announced today.
Manuel Edward Rojas, 62, of Miami entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Miami December 15.
Rojas, owner of the Miami-based Latin Van Lines Inc., is alleged to have met with an undercover officer for the Florida Marine Patrol in April, 1997. During that meeting, prosecutors say, Rojas made a pact with the undercover officer for the removal and dumping of 37 containers of hazardous waste stored on the premises of the van line company. Several of the 55-gallon drums were clearly labeled "flammable" and "toxic." At one point during the discussion, prosecutors allege, Rojas suggested the drums should be dumped in the Everglades.
Rojas offered to pay only $750 for the removal and disposal. Subsequent testing and proper disposal of the wastes by the Florida Bureau of Emergency Response cost more than $53,000.
Rojas was charged with one count of conspiracy and two counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The plea agreement --by Rojas and also on behalf of his firm --concedes guilt in connection with the storage of 9 drums of hazardous waste without obtaining required permits. Rojas could face up to 5 years' imprisonment.
As part of his plea agreement, he will pay a fine of $100,000 plus the more than $53,000 in state costs for testing and proper disposal, as restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 1999.
The case was jointly investigated by OIG, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Florida Marine Patrol and the FBI.
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