Tampa, FL – William Michael Shaw, former owner and president of now-defunct Danmark Reclamation Corporation, was sentenced in April 1999 following a guilty plea to a criminal violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Shaw’s illegal operation left a substantial financial and environmental burden on both state and federal agencies.
Danmark Reclamation Corporation operated as an oil recycling company servicing businesses across the Middle District of Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Jacksonville. The company hauled various petroleum wastes, ostensibly for legitimate recycling or disposal. However, investigations revealed that Danmark operated without the necessary permits to legally transport, store, or dispose of hazardous waste – a critical oversight that ultimately led to Shaw’s downfall.
The case began to unravel in late 1998 when Shaw abruptly notified authorities that Danmark Reclamation Corporation was ceasing operations and that he was abandoning the site. Crucially, he left behind a significant quantity of untreated hazardous waste, effectively shirking his responsibility for its safe and legal handling. This abandonment triggered a full investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
Shaw was indicted on September 30, 1998, on one count of knowingly treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste without a permit, a direct violation of 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) of RCRA. The indictment alleged that Shaw knowingly disregarded the regulations designed to protect human health and the environment. Facing mounting evidence, Shaw entered a guilty plea on November 25, 1998.
On April 9, 1999, Shaw received a sentence of 60 months probation and was ordered to complete 500 hours of community service. More significantly, the court mandated Shaw pay restitution totaling $594,973 to cover the costs associated with cleaning up the hazardous waste left behind by his company. Of this amount, $18,399.20 was directed to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, while $576,573.32 was allocated to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Shaw case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with improper hazardous waste management. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of RCRA regulations to ensure businesses adhere to environmental standards and protect communities from the dangers of illegal waste disposal. The substantial restitution order highlights the financial burden placed on taxpayers when companies prioritize profit over environmental responsibility.
Key Facts
- Defendant: William Michael Shaw
- Company: Danmark Reclamation Corporation
- Location: Middle District of Florida (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville)
- Crime: Illegal hazardous waste handling and disposal
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA
- Sentence: 60 months probation, 500 hours community service
- Restitution: $594,973 ($18,399.20 to FDEP, $576,573.32 to EPA)
- Plea: Guilty
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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