Other LanguagesDefendant previously convicted in derelict vessel sinking that closed Penn Cove mussel farm
SEATTLE — A former Renton man accused by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson of abandoning roughly 40 barrels of hazardous waste pleaded guilty as charged today in King County Superior Court.
Rory Westmoreland was sentenced to a 60-day jail term and ordered to repay cleanup costs of $127,301.98 today following his guilty plea to charges of violating the Hazardous Waste Management Act and unlawful dumping of solid waste.
Westmoreland illegally abandoned roughly 40 barrels of hazardous waste and other debris on property from which he was evicted in 2012.
“I won’t tolerate individuals who jeopardize our environment by dumping toxic waste,” Ferguson said. “It’s bad for the ecosystem and endangers the health of the community. I’m pleased we were able to hold Mr. Westmoreland accountable and help cover the cost of cleaning up his mess.”
According to the state’s court filings, King County reported the problem to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Criminal Investigations Division in March 2013.
As part of its investigation, the EPA learned King County also has three enforcement cases dating back to 2003 against Westmoreland for violations ranging from construction without permits to accumulation of assorted rubbish, salvage and debris on the property. The defendant was also recently convicted in Island County of abandoning the derelict vessel that sank and caused a temporary closure of a Penn Cove mussel farm in 2012. That case was prosecuted by the Island County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
“Environmental violations are serious crimes that, in a worst-case scenario, can kill people,” said Jay M. Green, Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Washington. “EPA’s mission of protecting the environment also involves helping to bring to justice those who disregard the harm they cause to our natural surroundings and the danger they pose to public health. Today’s sentence demonstrates that EPA and its partner agencies will take action through the criminal justice system to protect communities."
The Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case at the request of the King County Prosecutor’s Office. The lead prosecutor was Assistant Attorney General Josh Choate.
This is the 11th such case brought by Ferguson, who has made prosecuting environmental offenses a priority of his office. To date, seven defendants have been convicted, while four other cases remain pending.
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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Attorney General Bob Ferguson is working hard to protect consumers and seniors against fraud, keep our communities safe, protect our environment and stand up for our veterans. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Contacts:
Peter Lavallee, Communications Director, (360) 586-0725; PeterL@atg.wa.gov