Hardrock Excavating fined $75K for oil field dumping

CLEVELAND — Hardrock Excavating LLC, the final defendant charged with violating the Clean Water Act in the dumping of oilfield waste into a Mahoning River tributary in 2012 and 2013, has been fined $75,000.

Under a plea agreement, the company will also make a community service payment of $25,000 to be split between the Friends of the Mahoning River and the Midwest Environmental Enforcement Association.

The plea by the company, of which Ben Lupo is a part owner, was made Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent.

The company could have been fined up to $500,000.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com