COVINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA – A former fire chief and local supervisors were sentenced in June 1996 following a federal investigation into the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in a Pennsylvania sand pit. John York, along with other officials from Covington Township, orchestrated a cover-up that ultimately resulted in the release of dangerous chemicals into the environment.
The case, brought forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed that five 55-gallon drums of unidentified hazardous waste were excavated from Township property. Instead of properly disposing of the drums, York and others directed their return to the original sand pit location. Crucially, the drums were then *crushed*, leading to the spillage of their contents and a direct contamination of the surrounding soil and potentially groundwater. This act not only violated federal environmental laws but also attempted to conceal the initial illegal dumping.
The investigation began in July 1995 when York and another individual, London, were indicted on two counts: violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) – specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the knowing treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste without a permit – and violating the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, 42 U.S.C. 9603(b), for failing to report the release of hazardous substances. A third individual, Chielewski, was charged with the CERCLA violation as well.
While the RCRA charge against York and London was eventually dismissed as part of a plea agreement, the failure to notify authorities of the hazardous waste release under CERCLA remained a central point of the prosecution. Chielewski entered a guilty plea in September 1995 to the single CERCLA charge. York and London followed suit in November, agreeing to plead guilty to the same offense.
Sentencing & Penalties
The sentences, handed down in June 1996, reflected the severity of the environmental crime. John York and London each received eight months of incarceration, split between four months in prison and four months in a halfway house. In addition to their imprisonment, both were ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. Chielewski received a lighter sentence of four months of home confinement, followed by 24 months of probation, and was also mandated to complete 200 hours of community service.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of prioritizing expediency and concealment over environmental responsibility. The deliberate crushing of the drums wasn’t simply negligence; it was a calculated effort to hide wrongdoing, ultimately exacerbating the environmental damage and leading to federal criminal charges. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of these laws to protect communities from hazardous waste contamination.
Key Facts
- Defendant: John York, Covington Township supervisors, fire chief, volunteer fire department
- Location: Covington Township, Pennsylvania
- Year: 1996
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 9603(b) (CERCLA – Failure to Notify), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (RCRA – Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal)
- Evidence: Five 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste were illegally dumped and then deliberately crushed, releasing their contents.
- Penalties: York & London – 8 months incarceration (4 prison, 4 halfway house) + 200 hrs community service. Chielewski – 4 months home confinement, 24 months probation + 200 hrs community service.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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