Dutchess Dumping: Serial Polluter Cascino Hit With $200K Fine

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Salvatore Cascino, a former Bronx business owner with a history of environmental violations, is facing the music for a brazen pattern of illegal dumping in Dutchess County. Cascino and his company, Ten Mile River, LLC, were caught dumping waste – including directly into sensitive freshwater wetlands – on property along the Ten Mile River. The Grimy Times has learned this isn’t a first offense for the scofflaw.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced today that Cascino has been ordered by Dutchess County Supreme Court Judge Christi Acker to fully clean up the contaminated site, repair the environmental damage, and pay a hefty $100,000 penalty. But the financial pain doesn’t stop there. If Cascino fails to complete the mandated cleanup on schedule, he’ll be on the hook for an additional $99,200 – bringing the potential total to a staggering $199,200.

“Salvatore Cascino and his company broke the law and harmed some of our state’s most valuable natural areas,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “After years of profiting off illegal dumping and abuse of natural resources, today, we are holding him accountable.” This case highlights a disturbing trend of individuals prioritizing profit over environmental protection, turning vital wetlands into personal landfills.

The DEC initially reached a settlement with Cascino back in 2019, requiring him to clean up the initial mess and restore the damaged wetlands. A cleanup plan, approved by the DEC in 2022, detailed the removal of waste, capping of remaining debris, and replanting with native vegetation. However, a follow-up inspection in 2024 revealed a shocking lack of progress – almost none of the required work had been completed. The OAG responded with a formal violation notice, demanding immediate action under DEC supervision.

“Illegal dumping in wetland areas can damage the environment long after the dumping occurs,” warned DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “DEC’s thorough investigation and the joint enforcement action with Attorney General James resulted in holding this repeat violator accountable and sends a strong message that New York state’s natural spaces are not a dumping ground for illegal waste disposal.” Freshwater wetlands are critical for flood control, wildlife habitat, and overall ecosystem health, making this type of pollution particularly damaging.

The agreement reached between the OAG and Cascino demands complete site cleanup and wetland restoration under DEC oversight, the immediate payment of the $100,000 penalty, and the looming threat of an additional $99,200 fine for non-compliance. The case was handled by Senior Enforcement Counsel Andrew J. Gershon and Assistant Attorney General Max Shterngel, supervised by Environmental Protection Bureau Chief Lemuel Srolovic. This prosecution serves as a stark warning: those who despoil New York’s natural resources will face severe consequences.

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