Thomas J. McCaffrey, Jr., 68, of Coatesville, sits behind bars today facing felony charges tied to decades of illegal hazardous waste storage and disposal at Cedar Grove Environmental, a firm he ran in Chester County. The company, located on Gallagherville Road in Downingtown, tested drinking and wastewater samples — all while dumping toxic chemicals down the drain, authorities say.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the charges on December 11, 2017, after investigators uncovered 250 glass jugs labeled “TKN Waste” and “COD Waste” hidden in the basement of the facility. Testing revealed the waste exceeded legal limits for chromium, silver, and mercury. McCaffrey admitted the materials had been stored there for decades — with no permit, no oversight, and no regard for public safety.
Former and current employees told investigators McCaffrey personally ordered them to pour hazardous waste down the drain on company property. The site used an on-lot septic system designed only for sewage — not industrial toxins. Despite this, the dumping continued unchecked. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) later confirmed elevated levels of mercury and silver in the septic system and surrounding groundwater.
By bypassing legal disposal methods, McCaffrey and his company avoided paying for safe waste management. But the real cost was borne by the environment and public health. The DEP, which collaborated with the Attorney General’s office, found McCaffrey also submitted falsified drinking water test results. As a result, the state revoked Cedar Grove Environmental’s accreditation — after having suspended it five times previously.
McCaffrey is charged with illegal management of hazardous waste and unlawful conduct related to storage and disposal. He was never permitted to operate the site as a waste treatment or disposal facility — a fact that underscores the brazen nature of the violations. Bail has been set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 12.
The case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Brian Coffey of the Environmental Protection Section. Since taking office in January, AG Shapiro has prioritized environmental enforcement, appointing environmental attorney Steve Santarsiero to lead the unit. This case marks another aggressive move in a broader campaign to hold polluters accountable — no matter how long the crimes went undetected.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: Pennsylvania AG
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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