Rodney D. Loftis, Sr. pleaded guilty to ignoring two cease-and-desist orders from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Protection directing him to close down and cap illegal dumps on his property. See related story. The charges against him—violations of the department’s solid waste orders and of the Solid Waste Management Act—are all misdemeanors. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2nd. The prosecutor said that the state recommends two years of probation and a $37,500 fine. Loftis is also required to cap the dumps, monitor them for any releases and allow DEP inspectors access to the property. State officials say that the asbestos products, which were found at both of the dumpsites, were intact and were not believed to present a risk of air or groundwater contamination in “the foreseeable future.” When Loftis demolished buildings for his clients, he apparently dumped the debris, including asbestos-containing debris, on his land, and he claims that he didn’t realize at the time that this was against the law. Loftis already paid a $25,000 fine in 2000 for violating asbestos regulations in his demolition business.
For the full story, go to the Charleston Gazette.
