Thomas A. Kassery, Hazardous Waste Violation, CT 1996

Bridgeport, CT – Thomas A. Kassery was sentenced in September 1996 following a guilty plea related to the illegal abandonment of hazardous waste at the Plating Center site in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The case, brought forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and initially flagged by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP), highlights a pattern of negligence and disregard for environmental regulations.

According to court documents, Kassery knowingly abandoned several containers of hazardous waste at the Plating Center, a clear violation of federal law. The initial indictment, filed on May 30, 1996, charged Kassery with a single count under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The specific statute violated was 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the knowing treatment, storage, or disposal of any identified or listed hazardous waste.

The Plating Center itself was already under scrutiny prior to Kassery’s indictment. An Administrative Order, HM-718, had been issued to the company in an attempt to rectify existing hazardous waste violations. However, these initial corrections were never fully implemented, leading to further enforcement action. The Connecticut Attorney General subsequently issued a $100,000 penalty against the Plating Center for its continued non-compliance.

Kassery’s guilty plea on June 25, 1996, paved the way for sentencing on September 27, 1996. The judge imposed a six-month home confinement sentence, a five-year probation period, and a $5,000 fine. While the penalties represent a degree of accountability, environmental advocates question whether the punishment adequately reflects the potential harm caused by the abandoned hazardous materials. The nature of the hazardous waste abandoned was not publicly disclosed in court records.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in enforcing environmental regulations and holding individuals and companies accountable for improper hazardous waste management. The failure of the Plating Center to address initial violations, coupled with Kassery’s subsequent abandonment of waste, demonstrates a systemic breakdown in compliance. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of RCRA to protect public health and the environment from the dangers of hazardous waste.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Thomas A. Kassery
Location: Plating Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Indictment Date: May 30, 1996
Guilty Plea Date: June 25, 1996
Sentencing Date: September 27, 1996
Penalties: 6 months home confinement, 60 months probation, $5,000 fine
Company Penalty: Plating Center fined $100,000 by the Attorney General

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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