From the He's-Obviously- Not-a-Friend-of- Cheney File

Courtesy of the state Dept. of Toxic Substances Control…
Orange County Polluter Sentenced to 16 Months in State Prison

Westminster – The California Department of Toxic Substances Control
(DTSC) announced today that an Orange County Superior Court sentenced
Steven Craig Booth, of Anaheim, to 16 months in state prison for
criminal violations relating to his operation of a metalizing business
in Stanton. Booth pled guilty to eight felony and six misdemeanor
charges, including hazardous waste, drug possession, and illegal weapons
violations.

“I am pleased to see the court take a tough stand against polluters like
Mr. Booth. This penalty sends a clear message that crimes against the
environment and the health of Californians will not be tolerated,” said
Leonard Robinson, Acting Director for DTSC. “Protecting California's
environment through tough enforcement of existing laws is a key
component of the Governor's Environmental Action Plan,” he added.

A multi-agency investigation revealed that Booth had directed operations
in which zinc hazardous waste was unlawfully dumped in the trash and
was, as unlawfully stored on site. In addition, Booth violated district
air permits and regulations by spraying zinc metal, and by fabricating
documents to conceal his crimes. Subsequently, zinc hazardous waste was
emitted from his shop into the air, ground and county flood canal,
located behind the building. Investigators estimate these illegal
practices had occurred for 10-15 years.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, zinc
is a common, naturally-occurring element found in air, soil, water and
food. Low levels of zinc are essential for maintaining good health;
however, exposure to high levels can be harmful. Zinc is commonly used
in manufacturing as a coating to prevent rust. It is also used in dry
cell batteries, and is mixed with other metals to make alloys like brass
and bronze. Booth's metalizing business used zinc to coat wrought-iron
fences to keep them from rusting.

Booth pled guilty to the following felony and misdemeanor violations:

* Three felony counts of illegal disposal of hazardous waste
* One felony count of Illegal storage of hazardous waste
* One felony count of possession of a controlled substance
* One felony count of possession of a controlled substance for
transportation
* One felony count of possession of a controlled substance for
sale
* One felony count of carrying an exotic weapon
* Two misdemeanor counts of releasing an air contaminant in
violation of the South Coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD)
rules and regulations
* One misdemeanor count of falsifying documents required to be
kept by SCAQMD
* One misdemeanor count of not carrying workers compensation
insurance
* One misdemeanor count of possessing marijuana
* One misdemeanor count of false imprisonment

The investigation was a collaborative effort with DTSC's Criminal
Investigations Branch, the Orange County District Attorney's Office, the
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), and the Orange
County Health Care Agency's Hazardous Materials Management Section.

DTSC regulates the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of
hazardous waste within the State of California. DTSC ensures compliance
with the Hazardous Waste Control Law through regulations, inspections,
and criminal investigations.

For more information, visit DTSC's web site. For complaints involving the illegal dumping, storage, or transportation of hazardous waste, call 1-800-69-TOXIC.