Santa Fe Springs : 35 Air Pollution Charges Filed Against Powerine
The district attorney’s office has filed 35 misdemeanor charges against Powerine Oil Co. of Santa Fe Springs and three of its officers for air quality violations during the last year.
Powerine could face up to $100,000 in fines for violating public nuisance laws and South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations between Dec. 18, 1987, and Sept. 26, 1988, said Fred Macksoud, a deputy district attorney in the environmental crimes division.
The Powerine officials named in the charges are environmental coordinators Don H. Baker III and Walter Ziemba, and A.L. Gualtieri, senior vice president in charge of production. If convicted, each faces a possible sentence of a year in jail and up to $25,000 in fines, Macksoud said.
“It turns out that Powerine Oil Co. is either unwilling or unable to prevent these problems, so we’re filing all the charges available to us,” Macksoud said.
Powerine officials declined comment because the matter is under litigation. Arraignment is scheduled March 7 in Whittier Municipal Court.
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