Joseph Tietelbaum, Haz Waste Transport, NJ 1987

Hoboken steel executive Joseph Tietelbaum was sentenced to probation and fined $20,000 for illegally transporting hazardous waste in 1987, according to federal court records. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of improper disposal practices linked to Tietelbaum’s businesses.

Tietelbaum, then president of LMT Steel, was found to be controlling TNT Realty, the owner of a warehouse in Edison, New Jersey. The investigation began after authorities discovered an abandoned semi-trailer in a vacant lot in Newark. Inside, investigators found 59 drums containing unidentified chemicals suspected of originating from the Edison warehouse. The discovery triggered a federal probe into the handling and disposal of potentially dangerous materials.

A Federal Grand Jury in Newark returned a four-count indictment on March 3, 1987. The charges included one count of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371) and three counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Specifically, Tietelbaum was accused of transporting hazardous waste without the required manifest forms to an unpermitted disposal facility, a direct breach of federal environmental regulations. The indictment alleged a deliberate attempt to circumvent proper waste management procedures.

The RCRA violations cited in the indictment were numerous. Count one focused on 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1), addressing the unlawful transport of hazardous waste. Counts two and three referenced 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) and 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5), pertaining to the failure to properly identify and track the hazardous waste, and transporting it to an unpermitted facility, respectively. These violations carry significant penalties under federal law, designed to protect public health and the environment.

On June 28, 1987, Tietelbaum entered a guilty plea to a single count of transporting hazardous waste in violation of 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5). While the conspiracy and other transport charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement, the guilty plea acknowledged responsibility for the illegal disposal practices. The sentencing, delivered on July 30, 1987, included 24 months of probation, a $50 special assessment, and a substantial $20,000 fine.

The case highlights the EPA’s commitment to enforcing hazardous waste regulations and holding individuals accountable for environmental crimes. While the penalty in this case may seem lenient by today’s standards, it reflected the legal landscape of the late 1980s. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by improper hazardous waste disposal and the importance of adhering to stringent environmental protocols.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Joseph Tietelbaum
Company Affiliations: LMT Steel (President), TNT Realty (Owner)
Location: Edison & Newark, New Jersey
Date of Indictment: March 3, 1987
Date of Plea: June 28, 1987
Date of Sentencing: July 30, 1987
Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5)
Penalties: 24 months probation, $50 special assessment, $20,000 fine
Evidence: 59 drums of chemicals found in an abandoned semi-trailer