Honolulu, HI – Ruth Ann Newby, a former Regional Manager for U.S. Dry Cleaning Services Corporation and operator of Young Laundry & Dry Cleaning (YLDC) in Hawaii, has been sentenced for knowingly violating federal hazardous waste regulations. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reveals a deliberate scheme to illegally accumulate and dispose of dangerous chemicals, prioritizing cost-cutting over public and environmental safety.
The investigation began following a November 2016 inspection by the Hawaii Department of Health, which discovered 35 fifty-five-gallon drums of perchlorethylene – commonly known as “perc” – stored on the YLDC premises. Perc is a highly toxic chemical used in dry cleaning and classified as a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Newby was aware of the substantial volume of accumulated perc, having previously arranged for its legitimate removal.
Instead of responsibly managing the hazardous waste, Newby actively evaded proper disposal procedures. After receiving a $30,000 bid from a reputable waste handling company, she opted for a cheaper, illegal alternative. Newby contracted a “handyman” to dispose of the drums for approximately half the price, circumventing all regulatory requirements. This decision knowingly exposed the public and environment to significant risk.
The deception didn’t end there. When questioned by an inspector about the drums, Newby instructed an employee to procure blank hazardous waste manifest forms. These forms were then fraudulently completed by the handyman, backdated, and signed by Newby before being submitted to the inspector – a clear attempt to mislead authorities and conceal the illegal dumping. The falsified paperwork was intended to create the illusion of legal disposal, while the hazardous waste was likely discarded improperly.
On February 18, 2020, Newby pleaded guilty to violating 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(5) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The statute prohibits knowingly transporting or causing the transportation of hazardous waste to an unpermitted facility. She was subsequently sentenced to pay a $2,000 fine and complete a one-year term of probation. While the penalties may seem lenient, the EPA emphasizes the importance of holding individuals accountable for environmental crimes and deterring future violations.
This case serves as a stark reminder that businesses have a legal and ethical obligation to properly manage hazardous waste. Failure to do so not only endangers public health and the environment but also carries significant legal consequences. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against those who prioritize profit over responsible environmental stewardship.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Ruth Ann Newby
- Location: Hawaii
- Year: 2020
- Crime: Illegal accumulation and disposal of hazardous waste (perchlorethylene/“perc”)
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(5) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Penalty: $2,000 fine and one year of probation
- Details: Newby knowingly hired an unlicensed individual to dispose of 35 drums of perc and submitted falsified hazardous waste manifests.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Curtis Technology, Inc., Hazardous Waste Transport, CA 2020 · California
- Jerome Anches, Hazardous Waste Violation, HI 2010 · Hawaii
- Anthony Richardi, Environmental Crime, CT 2007 · Connecticut
- Patricia Ragragola, Illegal Waste Disposal, HI 2006 · Hawaii
- James H. Pflueger, Environmental Crime, HI 2005 · Hawaii
