Georgia Businessowner Pleaded Guilty to Illegally Dumping Benzene, Lead, and Chromium

The Northern District of Georgia announced that Amin Ali, the owner of Goldstar Investment Group LLC, 7 Days Property Management Inc., and Rock Springs Farming LLC, has pleaded guilty to disposal of hazardous waste without a permit. 

According to court documents, in August 2021, Ali left over 100 drums of hazardous waste to be buried near a chicken house located on a farming property in Rock Springs, Georgia. Some of the drums were left open and their contents spilled into the surrounding soil. Testing of the drums and soil revealed the presence of benzene, lead, and chromium. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, long-term exposure to high levels of benzene has been linked to various cancers. Similarly, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to high levels of lead can cause damage to the brain. Contents of the drums were also found to be reactive and ignitable. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act prohibits the disposal and storage of hazardous waste without a proper permit.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan commented declared that “[their] office takes protection of the environment very seriously and will continue to prosecute those who seek to destroy our precious natural resources.” Ali is scheduled to be sentenced in September 2022. He faces up to 5 years in prison and over $50,000 in fines.

The attorneys at Chilivis Grubman represent clients of all types and sizes in connection to toxic tort claims and investigations. If you need assistance with such a matter, please contact us today.