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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

$3 Million Fine for Polluting the Mississippi

ST. LOUIS (CN) - American River Transportation Co. will pay a $3 million federal fine for dumping oil in the Mississippi River. American River and two employees pleaded guilty to the illegal dumping and concealing the source of the oil.

Oil was found in a Mississippi River cove near American River property on June 19, 2007. Prosecutors say Terminal Manager Justin Baker reported it to the National Emergency Response Center. Baker and Maintenance Supervisor Steve Keilwitz both denied knowing the source of the discharge when emergency responders asked about it, thought both men knew it came from American River, prosecutors said.

Baker, 60, and Keilwitz, 51, each face 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for making a false statement. They are to be sentenced on June 19. Baker has retired; but Keilwitz still works for American River.

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