NEWS RELEASE
Office of Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr.

April 9, 2002

Media Inquiries: Sean Caine 410-576-6357

DORCHESTER MARINE CONTRACTORS
CHARGED IN WETLANDS VIOLATIONS

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that criminal charges have been filed against Spedden & Smith Marine Construction, Inc., a Cambridge corporation, for violations stemming from its construction of piers on private tidal wetlands. Kenneth Wilson Smith, III, 35, of East New Market, Maryland and Phillip Winfield Spedden, Jr., 34, of 6109 Todds Point Road, Cambridge, also face criminal charges individually.

Spedden, Smith and the construction company were charged with failing to obtain a license and permit before beginning construction on a private tidal wetland located in Church Creek in Dorchester County. Smith and the company also face an additional charge of failing to comply with a condition of a license issued for construction on tidal wetlands in Fishing Creek in Dorchester County.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Spedden, Smith and the corporation could face a maximum fine of $500 for each charge.

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