Washington D.C. – In a shocking display of corporate recklessness, William Duran Vizzerra Jr., owner of Precision Pavement Markings Inc., pleaded guilty to dumping 204,750 pounds of hazardous waste on a storage lot in Anchorage, Alaska.
The waste, including methyl methacrylate paint and toluene, was deemed extremely flammable and found to be stacked haphazardly on the property, with some drums rusted and bulging. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was forced to intervene after a concerned citizen reported the dumping in November 2010.
According to court documents, Vizzerra, as president and part-owner of PPMI, had no intention of properly disposing of the hazardous waste, despite knowing that it was illegal to do so. The storage lot was not equipped or permitted for the disposal of hazardous waste, and Vizzerra’s actions put the entire community at risk of environmental disaster.
The EPA’s investigation revealed that some of the drums were from a prior pavement business of Vizzerra’s that had dissolved several years earlier. The investigation also found that Vizzerra’s landlord was left with a staggering $380,877.60 cleanup bill after the waste was finally removed.
The maximum penalties for Vizzerra’s crime include five years of incarceration and a fine of $50,000 per day of violation. U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline has set Vizzerra’s sentencing for November 14, 2012.
The guilty plea marks a significant victory for the EPA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, who are committed to actively prosecuting environmental crimes for the protection of all Alaskans. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of corporate negligence and the importance of responsible waste management.
Vizzerra’s actions are a clear example of the dangers posed by the reckless disposal of hazardous waste. The public should be outraged by this brazen display of corporate disregard for the environment and public safety. As a result of this guilty plea, Vizzerra will face the consequences of his actions and serve as a deterrent to others who would engage in similar behavior.
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