Camden, NJ – Miguel Castillo, former president and CEO of Concord Chemical Company, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation on January 29, 2019, for illegally storing hazardous waste at the company’s abandoned Camden facility. The case, investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlights a blatant disregard for environmental regulations and public safety.
Concord Chemical, which operated in Camden, manufactured and distributed a range of chemical products, including cresylic acid, soaps, waxes, and lubricants. Many of these products, and the raw materials used in their production, were classified as hazardous waste. From at least 2005 through August 2010, Castillo knowingly allowed the accumulation of these dangerous materials at the Camden site *without* obtaining the necessary permits for storage, a direct violation of federal law.
The EPA’s investigation began after a site visit in August 2010 revealed a derelict and abandoned facility overrun with deteriorating drums. These drums contained corrosive and ignitable hazardous waste, posing a significant threat to the surrounding community and environment. The company was effectively defunct, leaving a toxic legacy for taxpayers to address. From October 2010 to March 2011, the EPA undertook a costly and complex cleanup operation to remove the hazardous substances, mitigating the immediate danger.
Castillo pleaded guilty on June 6, 2018, to one count of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the unpermitted storage of hazardous waste. RCRA, enacted in 1976, was designed to address the escalating national problem of industrial and municipal waste, and to protect human health and the environment. The case underscores the EPA’s commitment to pursuing criminal charges against those who intentionally flout these regulations.
In addition to home confinement and probation, Castillo was ordered to pay approximately $450,000 in restitution to cover the costs associated with the EPA’s cleanup efforts. While the financial penalty aims to offset the damage caused, critics argue that it may not fully account for the long-term environmental and health consequences of Concord Chemical’s actions. The abandonment of the facility and the deliberate disregard for waste management protocols raises questions about the company’s overall business practices and financial stability prior to its closure.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Miguel Castillo
- Crime: Illegal storage of hazardous waste
- Location: Camden, New Jersey
- Year: 2019
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(e), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Sentence: 6 months home confinement, 5 years probation, $450,000 restitution
- EPA Cleanup: From October 2010 – March 2011, the EPA removed hazardous substances from the abandoned facility.
This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental crimes carry significant legal and financial repercussions. The EPA continues to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies that prioritize profit over the safety of communities and the preservation of the environment.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Girolamo Curatolo, Oil Waste Dumping Cover-Up, Italy 2024 · Florida
- Miguel Sernas, Trade Secrets Theft, NY 2024 · New Jersey
- Garrett Elder, Wire Fraud Scheme, Anchorage AK, 2016-2022 · Alaska
- Isrrael Millan, III, Insurance Scams, Yuma AZ, 2020 · Washington
- Orange County Woman, Wire Fraud, Identity Theft, Money Laundering, … · Florida
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime