Renato Montorsi, Obstruction of Justice, Ohio 2012

STRONGsville, OH – A brazen act of industrial negligence turned ecological disaster has landed a Strongsville company and its owner’s wife in federal court. Kennedy Mint, Inc. and Teresina Montorsi, 74, of Grafton, Ohio, have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the deliberate dumping of liquid cyanide into a storm drain, unleashing a death wave that wiped out over 30,000 fish in the Rocky River. The incident, which occurred in April 2012, left nearly every fish dead for three miles downstream.

Kennedy Mint, Inc. admitted to violating the Clean Water Act. Teresina Montorsi, meanwhile, copped to a charge of obstruction of justice, attempting to cover up the illegal dumping. While company owner Renato Montorsi was initially indicted, charges were dismissed after a determination of incompetence to stand trial. Court documents paint a chilling picture: on April 18, 2012, Renato Montorsi, with an employee’s help, deliberately punctured a drum clearly labeled with a poison symbol – a skull and crossbones – and allowed the deadly liquid cyanide to flow into the storm drain, ultimately poisoning the East Branch of the Rocky River.

“Clean, fresh water is Ohio’s greatest natural resource,” stated Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, in a press statement. “We are satisfied that we were able to determine who put the cyanide into the river and killed tens of thousands of fish. The restitution from this case will be used to restock the river with fish, so that people can again enjoy the natural beauty of the Rocky River.” The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) tallied the grim results: a staggering 30,893 fish dead, a complete ecological collapse in the affected stretch of the river.

Federal investigators say the dumping wasn’t an accident. Initially, the waste hauling company refused to take the drums containing the cyanide. Undeterred, Renato Montorsi moved the drums directly to the storm drain, then methodically breached the container, releasing the poison. The ODNR began receiving reports of dead fish just days later, initiating an investigation that led directly back to Kennedy Mint, which specializes in collectible coins but formerly engaged in metal plating and printing. The facility’s parking lot drains directly into the East Branch of the Rocky River.

As part of the plea agreement, Kennedy Mint will pay $30,893 in restitution – a paltry $1 per fish lost – to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This money will be used to restock the river with steelhead trout, a desperate attempt to repair the damage. Additionally, Kennedy Mint will make a further payment to the Cleveland Metroparks, the amount to be determined at sentencing, scheduled for August 29. Randall K. Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. EPA’s criminal enforcement program, emphasized that “crimes against the environment will not be tolerated and will be vigorously prosecuted.”

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine echoed those sentiments, stating, “Illegal dumping into Ohio sewers brings severe consequences… We will continue to work with other agencies to bring justice to those who violate environmental laws and to protect Ohio’s valuable natural resources.” While the financial restitution offers a small measure of redress, the lasting impact on the Rocky River ecosystem and the outrage felt by local anglers and environmentalists remain a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of corporate greed and callous disregard for the environment.

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