Salvage dealer fined for illegally burning mobile homes
Daniel D. Marini of Mindoro, Wisconsin was a salvage dealer until recently. In early December, he was found guilty in Dane County Circuit Court of illegally burning old mobile homes and storing hazardous waste. Following an investigation by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Marini was ordered to pay the state $132,343 for openly burning five mobile homes in his salvage yard—without a permit—before burying the ashes on the site. He did not inspect the mobile homes for asbestos before burning them and he did not inform the DNR prior to demolition. Asbestos fibers are dangerous when they are inhaled, as they can cause serious illnesses like mesothelioma; if the mobile homes contained asbestos, the fibers could have been released into the air when they were burned. Marini was also found guilty of transporting and storing hazardous waste; not reporting, stopping or cleaning up hazardous spills; not preparing a storm water pollution prevention plan; and not obtaining a storm water permit.
Marini remains in the Monroe County Jail due to criminal charges of bail jumping, intimidating a witness and extortion in connection with a charge of sexual assault of a child dating back to 2007. He has also been ordered to stay out of salvaging, scrap or recycling businesses for 10 years.
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