Dallas, TX – Control Sewer and Pipe Cleaning, Inc. (also known as Control Disposal Company), its treasurer Herman Goldfaden, and foreman Steve Charo, were embroiled in a complex environmental crime scheme throughout 1989 and 1990, ultimately leading to guilty pleas and sentencing in 1991. The company, which specialized in cleaning industrial and commercial grease and sandtraps, systematically violated federal environmental regulations related to waste disposal and water pollution, according to court documents.
The investigation, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of illegal dumping and falsification of records. Control Disposal used vacuum tank trucks to collect liquid and other wastes, but instead of properly disposing of hazardous materials, they allegedly discharged pollutants directly into the Dallas, Texas Wastewater Treatment Plant – a publicly owned treatment works (POTW). This practice violated the Clean Water Act (CWA) and put the city’s wastewater system at risk.
An indictment filed December 13, 1989, charged the company and individuals with conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), as well as multiple counts of violating pretreatment standards under the CWA [33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A & B)]. Goldfaden faced the most severe accusations, including knowingly discharging a hazardous substance that could cause personal injury and property damage, and intentionally mislabeling hazardous waste as non-hazardous on disposal manifests. These actions were in direct violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) [42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A, d)(3), d)(5)]. Specifically, the company was accused of disguising lead-contaminated caustic solution and spent halogenated solvent as “waste oil water and sludge.”
Legal Ramifications and Plea Deals
The legal proceedings unfolded with a series of guilty pleas. Steve Charo pleaded guilty on September 21, 1990, to negligently discharging industrial waste into a private sewer facility, violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A). Herman Goldfaden and Control Sewer & Pipe Cleaning, Inc. followed suit on October 5, 1990, entering guilty pleas to specific counts of the indictment. In exchange, the U.S. Attorney’s Office dismissed the remaining charges against all parties.
On March 26, 1991, Charo was sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation, a $96.66 monthly supervision fee, and was prohibited from possessing a firearm during the probationary period. He was also ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. While the sentencing details for Goldfaden and the company are not fully detailed in available records, the guilty pleas represent a significant admission of wrongdoing and a conviction for environmental crimes.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Control Sewer & Pipe Cleaning, Inc. (aka Control Disposal Company)
- Location: Dallas, Texas
- Years Active: 1988-1990
- Key Individuals: Herman Goldfaden (Treasurer/Director), Steve Charo (Foreman)
- Violated Laws: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act (CWA), 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy)
- Crimes Committed: Illegal dumping of hazardous waste, falsification of waste manifests, discharge of pollutants into wastewater treatment plant.
- Penalties: Charo received 36 months probation, monthly fees, and firearm prohibition. Details of penalties for Goldfaden and the company are limited in available records.
This case underscores the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding companies accountable for prioritizing profit over public health and environmental safety. The deliberate mislabeling of hazardous waste and illegal discharge practices demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and a willingness to endanger the Dallas community.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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