Tony George Zulim, Pollution, NV 1991

Reno, NV – Tony George Zulim, a former shift supervisor at Aerolite Chrome Plating, was sentenced in April 1991 following a guilty plea related to illegal dumping of hazardous materials. The case, prosecuted under the Clean Water Act, highlights the ongoing struggle to protect municipal wastewater treatment systems from industrial pollutants.

According to court documents, Zulim knowingly discharged low pH waste into the Reno Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) in November 1990. This discharge violated federal pretreatment standards designed to prevent industrial waste from interfering with the POTW’s ability to operate effectively and safely. The EPA initiated the case after discovering the improper disposal practices at Aerolite Chrome Plating.

An information filing on November 13, 1990, formally charged Zulim with the violations. The charges centered around the deliberate circumvention of regulations aimed at maintaining the integrity of the city’s wastewater treatment infrastructure. While Aerolite Chrome Plating itself faced scrutiny, the prosecution specifically targeted Zulim for his role as a supervisor and his direct involvement in the unlawful dumping.

Zulim entered a guilty plea on December 14, 1990, acknowledging his responsibility for the illegal discharge. However, during sentencing, Judge David Hagen acknowledged that Zulim was not the “primary polluter,” suggesting a larger issue within the chrome plating facility itself. This nuance didn’t absolve Zulim of his culpability, but it hinted at a potential systemic problem at Aerolite Chrome Plating.

On April 15, 1991, Zulim received a sentence of 36 months probation, a $1,000 fine, and was ordered to complete 250 hours of community service. The penalties, while not severe, underscore the federal government’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and holding individuals accountable for damaging public infrastructure. The case serves as a warning to other industrial supervisors about the consequences of neglecting environmental compliance.

The EPA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against companies and individuals who violate the Clean Water Act, emphasizing the importance of protecting waterways and public health. This case, while decades old, remains relevant as industrial pretreatment programs are crucial for maintaining the functionality of POTWs nationwide.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Tony George Zulim
Location: Reno, Nevada
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – violations of the Clean Water Act related to pretreatment standards for industrial discharge.
Guilty Plea Date: December 14, 1990
Sentence: 36 months probation, $1,000 fine, 250 hours community service
Judge’s Note: Defendant was not considered the “primary polluter” suggesting broader issues at the facility.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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