September 13, 2007

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that a Shelby Township businessman was sentenced to 180 days in jail, $2500 in fines, and $8650 in restitution to the state of Michigan in connection with the illegal dumping of approximately 800 gallons of combined liquid industrial and liquid hazardous waste on two Washington Township fields, including one located across the street from Powell Middle School.

Judge Roland L. Ozark of the 16th District Court of Mt. Clemens in Macomb County yesterday sentenced Dennis P. Szulborski, owner of Allied Environmental, Inc. an asbestos removal company in Shelby Township, for a felony count for knowingly releasing a hazardous substance, a misdemeanor count for improper handling of hazardous waste, and two misdemeanor violations of the liquid industrial waste handling law.

Szulborski was found guilty of directing two of his employees to dispose of the waste on Hidden Oak Lane and at Jewel Road in Washington Township in November/ December 2003. Both of the employees, Stephen Day of Holly and Sean MacLean of Ray Township, were sentenced for felony convictions in earlier hearings. The DEQ took action to assure that the waste was removed in order to protect public health, safety, and the environment.

"This individual knowingly put the health of our environment, and more importantly our families, at risk," said Director Chester. "The DEQ will continue to aggressively pursue those who would violate the most fundamental principles of our environmental laws."

Today's action is the result of a coordinated effort between the DEQ, Macomb County Health Department, Macomb County Road Commission, Washington Township Fire Department, and the Department of Attorney General to quickly resolve this case and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised September 13, 2007 by Pat Watson