The owners of Continental Fabric Care abandoned a tractor-trailer containing drums of dangerous chemicals on a Denver street, according to an indictment.
The company, and June Ho Choi, 60, and Hyun S. Pak, 63, never obtained a permit to dispose of or store the dry cleaning chemicals, according to the 5-page indictment, filed in Denver District Court.
The indictment also alleges that the pair lied to the EPA about the matter. Neither could be reached for comment.
On June 12 last year, Denver Fire Lt. Jeff Fletcher contacted a Colorado Attorney General’s Office investigator after employees of a business in the 3700 block of Nome Street noticed chemical odors coming from the abandoned semi, according to the indictment.
At about the same time, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment learned details about the hazardous waste in the trailer, which was parked on the street for three days.
Health department inspectors found several 55-gallon drums and containers filled with chemicals.
“Illegally stored hazardous waste can harm the public and the environment,” Lori Hanson, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Colorado, said in a release. “The waste in this case can cause dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness and even death. Today’s indictments show that we will work with our state law enforcement partners to prosecute those who refuse to comply with the law and in the process put the public and the environment at risk.”
The AG’s office secured the indictment with the assistance of the Colorado Environmental Crime Task Force, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigations Division.
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
