PA Attorney General Files Criminal Charges in Pool Doctor Hazardous Chemical Case
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office has filed criminal charges against One Brewery Place Inc. and M. Ultra Investment Group LTD for illegally storing and disposing of hazardous chemicals at a Beaver County property. The companies face felony and misdemeanor charges for failing to manage waste properly at the Pool Doctor building. This led to potential Ohio River contamination, two chemical fires causing shelter-in-place orders, and a taxpayer-funded cleanup exceeding $2.4 million. A preliminary hearing is set for April 30.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office announced criminal charges against One Brewery Place Inc. and M. Ultra Investment Group LTD, alleging the companies improperly stored and disposed of hazardous chemicals for many years at the Pool Doctor building in Beaver County. Filed on March 23, the charges include one count of unauthorized processing of hazardous waste, a second-degree felony, and three counts of unlawful conduct, third-degree misdemeanors, against each company. The AG's office stated the businesses neglected their legal duties to manage and dispose of numerous hazardous materials and failed to secure necessary permits.The investigation began in 2019 after the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) received a tip about a strong chemical odor emanating from the Pool Doctor facility on New York Avenue in Rochester. Further inquiry revealed that a partially collapsed roof allowed rainwater to infiltrate the building, mixing with the stored chemicals. This situation raised significant environmental concerns, particularly due to the building's proximity to the Ohio River, where runoff could cause contamination. The cleanup operation to safely remove and dispose of the hazardous waste ultimately cost taxpayers more than $2.4 million. Additionally, the improper storage resulted in two chemical fires, prompting shelter-in-place orders for Rochester residents, highlighting serious safety risks. Attorney General Dave Sunday emphasized that these businesses deliberately disregarded potential dangers, jeopardizing the community and imposing a substantial financial burden on taxpayers. A preliminary hearing for the case is tentatively scheduled for April 30.
