BALTIMORE BODY SHOP AND OWNER CHARGED FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE OFFENSES

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that charges have been filed against a Baltimore County auto body shop and its owner for hazardous waste offenses. Bayside Autobody, Inc., located at 310 Eastern Avenue in Baltimore, was charged with one felony count of illegally storing, treating and disposing of a controlled hazardous substance at Wildwood Beach Road in eastern Baltimore County on January 8, 2003. Bayside faces three additional counts for failing to properly label a hazardous substance, failing to require evidence of a hauler's certification before having a hazardous substance transported, and for contracting with someone other than a valid hauler to transport a hazardous substance. Bayside could face fines of up to $100,000 for the first count, and up to $25,000 for each of the remaining counts.

Russell M. McClelland, 48, owner of Bayside Autobody, was charged with failing to require evidence of a hauler's certificate, driver's certificate and vehicle certificate prior to having a hazardous substance transported. McClelland faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

The filing of a charging document is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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