A Muttontown man has been accused of illegally dumping thousands of gallons of hazardous automotive fluids at his salvage yard near 50 acres of recently decontaminated waterfront property in Glen Cove, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.
Investigators arrested John Doxey Monday and charged him with 20 felonies for illegal dumping, including 10 counts of endangering public health, safety or the environment.
The 44-year-old owner of 4 Park Place Corp. and his employees dismantled large commercial vehicles at the one-acre salvage yard without draining any fluids as required by law beginning as early as October, Rice said. Doxey and his employees ripped vehicles apart and allegedly allowed gasoline, motor oil and anti-freeze to leak into the ground.
“This defendant put the health of his community, his employees, and even himself at risk, all in an attempt to save some time and make a few more dollars,” Rice said. “Whether it’s in Glen Cove or any other part of Long Island, it has potential to hurt all of us.”
Rice said the contaminants sunk about 15 feet into the soil, noting that there is no immediate risk to drinking water, which does not begin until 100 feet below the surface. According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, soil and water contaminated with hazardous wastes pose health risks to humans and wildlife that are directly exposed to them.
The case is being investigated by the Glen Cove Police Department, the DEC, Nassau County police and prosecutors. Rice said investigators believe that Doxey previously engaged in the same kind of dumping at other facilities on LI.
Glen Cove Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi said this case does not set back the two decades-worth of work the city put in to decontaminate its waterfront.
“We’re on the job, we’re doing our job, and we’re not going to let this stand,” he said. “We’re going to be vigilant.”
Doxey’s attorney did not return a call for comment.
If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $75,000 for each day of dumping.
