Lupo sentencing pushed back to Aug. 5

YOUNGSTOWN — The sentencing of the businessman who ordered illegal dumping of oil field waste into a Mahoning River tributary in Youngstown has been postponed until 10 a.m. Aug. 5.

The sentencing of Ben Lupo, 63, of Springfield Township, who pleaded guilty to violating the federal Clean Water Act, had been set for June 16.

U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent postponed the sentencing, however, at the request of Lupo’s lawyer, Joseph W. Gardner of Canfield. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not object to the postponement.

Gardner asked for the postponement because U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Kay Woods isn’t expected to finalize the sale of Lupo’s company, D & L Energy Inc., until July 1, and Lupo’s financial condition won’t be known until that happens.

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