Former Brickwasher Convicted of Water Pollution
in Baltimore City

BALTIMORE, MD ( Jan. 14, 2011) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Michael N. Papantonakis, 54, formerly of 1026 Boyd Street in Baltimore, was convicted in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City of discharging a pollutant into waters of the State of Maryland. The offense is a misdemeanor in violation of the State's Water Pollution Control laws. Judge Lynn K. Stewart sentenced Papantonakis to 90 days in jail, all suspended, and ordered a fine of $5,000, suspending all but $1,000. Judge Stewart also placed Papantonakis on two years probation.

The investigation revealed that Papantonakis, while removing paint off a brick building located 17 South Arlington Street in Baltimore City, allowed the wastewater to be power washed into the street. The wastewater containing lead flowed down the gutter and into a storm drain.

The conviction follows an investigation conducted by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General with the assistance of the Pollution Control Section of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. In making today's announcement, Attorney General Gansler thanked Assistant Attorney General Jay Robinson for his work on the case.