Leonard Deutch, Sydney Deutch, Illegal Waste Disposal, Ohio 2006

Cincinnati, OH – I. Deutch & Sons Enterprises, Ltd. faced justice in 2006 after a shocking discovery of illegal dumping near a major rail line in Cincinnati, Ohio. CSX Railroad employees stumbled upon the environmental crime scene, uncovering a cache of hazardous waste and discarded batteries along the railway’s right-of-way. The incident sparked an investigation by both CSX and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, ultimately leading to guilty pleas and significant penalties for the company and its leadership.

On January 23, 2006, charges were filed against I. Deutch & Sons Enterprises, Ltd., and its principals, Leonard and Sydney Deutch, for violating Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2909.06, pertaining to illegal waste disposal. Investigators found approximately 70 fifty-five-gallon drums containing grinding sludge and unidentified materials abandoned near the West Third Street and Gest Street bridge. Adding to the severity of the offense, thousands of commercially-produced batteries were also haphazardly dumped in the same area, posing a threat to both the environment and public health.

The dumping site, located adjacent to a heavily used rail corridor, presented a substantial cleanup challenge for CSX. The railroad company bore the initial cost of containment and removal of the hazardous materials, subsequently seeking restitution for their expenses. The Ohio EPA also became involved, recognizing the broader implications of the illegal dumping on the local ecosystem and potential long-term environmental damage.

After pleading guilty to the charges, I. Deutch & Sons Enterprises, Ltd. received a sentence of 24 months probation on March 6, 2006. The court ordered the company to pay $21,685 to CSX Railroad to cover a portion of the cleanup costs. The remaining $17,000 in restitution was divided between the Ohio EPA School Bus Retrofit Fund, aimed at reducing emissions from school buses, and the Manville Trust Account, which provides compensation to individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases. In addition to restitution, the company was fined $25,000 by the state.

The individual defendants, Leonard and Sydney Deutch, also faced personal consequences for their roles in the illegal dumping. Each was sentenced to six months of incarceration, though the sentence was suspended. Both men were placed on 12 months of probation and ordered to pay individual fines of $1,000 to the state of Ohio. The suspended sentences and probation terms reflect the court’s acknowledgement of the defendants’ acceptance of responsibility and potential for rehabilitation, while still holding them accountable for their actions.

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Key Facts

Defendant: I. Deutch & Sons Enterprises, Ltd., Leonard Deutch, Sydney Deutch
Crime: Illegal Dumping of Hazardous Waste & Batteries
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Date of Offense: 2006
Statute Violated: Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2909.06 – Illegal Waste Disposal
Penalties:
- I. Deutch & Sons Enterprises, Ltd.: 24 months probation, $21,685 restitution to CSX, $17,000 restitution split between Ohio EPA School Bus Retrofit Fund & Manville Trust Account, $25,000 state fine.
- Leonard & Sydney Deutch: 6 months suspended incarceration, 12 months probation, $1,000 state fine each.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences associated with illegal waste disposal and the importance of environmental regulations in protecting public health and the environment. The Ohio EPA continues to prioritize enforcement actions against those who attempt to circumvent environmental laws, ensuring that polluters are held accountable for their actions.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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