Bedford Park, IL – Mohammed Gheith, owner of the William H. Cooper Company, was sentenced in May 2011 following a multi-year investigation into the illegal handling and disposal of hazardous waste. The case, pursued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and detailed in court documents, revealed a pattern of knowingly transporting, storing, and ultimately dumping dangerous materials in violation of federal environmental regulations.
According to the EPA, Gheith’s facility, located in Bedford Park, Illinois, served as a hub for packaging industrial cleaners and trading machinery. However, investigators discovered the operation also involved accepting substantial quantities of hazardous waste originating from L. Carlton Mertz, the parent company of Overdale Corporation. Rather than properly disposing of this waste, authorities allege Gheith directed its discharge into the local sewer system – a direct violation of environmental law.
The illicit activity didn’t stop there. As the investigation deepened, it was revealed that Gheith, along with a co-defendant, actively attempted to conceal the hazardous materials by relocating them from the Cooper facility to an abandoned property. This move, investigators believe, was intended to evade detection and further obscure the illegal dumping operation. The timeline of events indicates the initial charges were filed on March 14, 2007, but the case took over four years to resolve.
Legal Ramifications
Gheith faced charges under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a cornerstone of federal hazardous waste regulation. Specifically, he was accused of violating 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1) for knowingly transporting hazardous waste, 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5) for transporting hazardous waste without the required manifest, and 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) for treating, storing, and disposing of hazardous waste without a proper permit. He was also charged with conspiracy – 18 U.S.C. 371 – suggesting a coordinated effort to circumvent environmental laws.
On December 14, 2010, Gheith entered a guilty plea to the charges related to the illegal transportation of hazardous waste without a manifest. While the full extent of the environmental damage caused by the dumping remains unclear, the EPA’s enforcement action sends a clear message that such violations will not be tolerated.
Sentencing and Penalties
Ultimately, on May 11, 2011, Mohammed Gheith was sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 federal fine. Though the sentence may seem lenient to some, the EPA maintains that the penalties, combined with the public exposure of the illegal activity, serve as a deterrent to others considering similar violations. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to protect the environment from unscrupulous operators willing to cut corners at the expense of public health and safety.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Mohammed Gheith
- Company: William H. Cooper Company
- Location: Bedford Park, Illinois
- Waste Source: L. Carlton Mertz (Overdale Corporation)
- Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(1), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(5), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), 18 U.S.C. 371
- Sentence: 24 months probation, $5,000 fine
- Waste Disposal Method: Sewer dumping and relocation to an abandoned property
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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