BALTIMORE CITY COMPANY CHARGED WITH WATER POLLUTION

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Currant, Jr. announced today that Masons Unlimited LLC, a Maryland brick-washing Company with a listed address of 2412 James Street in Baltimore, was charged in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City with water pollution. The two-count charging document alleges that Masons Unlimited violated the State's water pollution laws from December 22, 2004 through January 11, 2005 and on February 22, 2005 by illegally discharging lead-laden wastewater into waters of the State. The discharges are alleged to have occurred on the 500 block of South Potomac Street and 1700 block of Light Street in Baltimore City, respectively.

If convicted of the charges, Masons Unlimited could be fined up to $25,000 for each count.

The filing of charges is merely an accusation of criminal wrongdoing and anyone charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This charge follows a joint investigation conducted by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General and the Baltimore City Police Department, with the assistance of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works-Pollution Control Section.

Trial has been set for August 26, 2005 in Baltimore City.

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